First Unity Church
of
St. Louis
2021 Volume III
Issue 1
Minister's Corner
NEW BEGINNINGS

Recently, I overheard someone call 2020, “A Year of Good Riddance.”  Normally, I enjoy reading those “Year in Review” stories that crop up as the new year approaches. This year, however, they seem too painful to read – over 300,000 lives lost in our country alone, economic peril, social isolation, inequity in our society, social unrest in our streets, and political discord are all part of 2020. Even though we yearn for a new beginning, realistically we understand that the new year will not magically erase the pain and heartache of the old year, nor will it immediately bring the changes we desire. Yet, the ancient, arbitrary calendar change from December 31 to January 1 brings with it renewed hope, courage, and strength. 

Unity Co-Founder Charles Fillmore delivered a New Year message in another dark era in United States history, following the stock market crash in 1929. He said, “The joy of the Lord be unto you. You should begin the New Year with great enthusiasm because you know the Truth. Forget the things that are past. Rejoice in the opportunities of the present. Many blessings are yours. Pile up those blessings in your consciousness, and they will multiply and increase until your joy will be full. God bless and keep you always.”

On the morning of December 31, I decided to take Charles Fillmore’s advice, so I created a page in my journal entitled, “Blessings from 2020.” My list included:
• My husband and family
• My church family
• Getting ordained in the midst of a pandemic
• The doctors, nurses, hospital workers, and essential workers who risked their lives for others
• The scientists and researchers who used their intelligence and dedication to keep us safe and create vaccines 

This process helped me to see the good in 2020 and look forward to new beginnings. Eric Butterworth wrote, “Every new year is an opportunity to accept the preceding year as a workshop. We don’t just “go through” challenges, but we also “grow through” them. I’m talking about a state of awareness of our oneness and that life is lived from within out.” Butterworth reminds us that every new year is a chance to begin anew – to shift our consciousness and direct our thoughts, feelings, love, and energy toward the realization that wherever we are, God is. Wherever I am, I AM. The important thing is to know that God is here, manifesting as the divine activity that’s flowing forth through and as each one of us. In this consciousness, we are able to embrace new beginnings and create a greater good for ourselves and the world. 

Happy New Year.
Love & prayers,
Rev. Jan
 

One of our core values for First Unity Church is: WELCOMING

We celebrate the Divine Essence of every human being by joyfully inviting all into our spiritual home.


COMMUNITY BEHAVIORS

  • With extended hands and open hearts, we provide a compassionate atmosphere where everyone is fully included 
  • Our Sunday messages are positive and uplifting, affirming the sacred goodness in each person 
  • As a welcoming spiritual community, we encourage all to share their spiritual gifts in sacred service

INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIORS

  • Suspending judgments, I receive with goodwill and kindness everyone who enters my spiritual community
  • I actively participate in First Unity’s social activities in order to build and nurture relationships 
  • I invite acquaintances, friends, and family members to attend services and social activities at First Unity 
HOLIDAY SERVICES SCHEDULE
Burning Bowl Ceremony

The Burning Bowl Ceremony is a sacred and powerful ritual – a symbolic release to the fire – designed to let go of old wounds, false beliefs, and negative emotions that are blocking the flow of God’s good in your life.

Engaging in the burning bowl ritual allows you to consciously clear away the old in order to embrace infinite possibilities in 2021. First Unity’s Burning Bowl Ceremony will be available on January 3 at 10:30 a.m. online (unitystl.org). To participate in this from home, you may wish to have a lit candle, a small piece of paper, and a fire-resistant bowl or pot.  

Also, you can participate in the Facebook Live Burning Bowl Ceremony on January 13 at Unity Village by emailing your Burning Bowl release.
Join the Unity Burning Bowl Ceremony
Streamed on Facebook
With Rev. Sandra Campbell
January 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. (CT)

 White Stone Ceremony

January 10, 2021  
Following the Burning Bowl ritual, the White Stone Ceremony prepares you to create the vision of what you are called to be in the new year. The idea of the White Stone ceremony comes from Revelation 2:17: "Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers (who overcomes) I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it." Through meditation, you will listen to Spirit within and your new name will be revealed. You will write your new name on a white stone from Jerusalem that will be yours to keep as a reminder of what you have set the intention to be in 2021. White stones are available at the church during office hours. Call Sara at 314 845-8540 and she will arrange a time for you to stop by to pick up a stone. After hours white stones will be available by the front doors. 

NEW YEAR HUMOR

Q: Where do you go to practice math on New Year’s Eve?
A: Times Square

Q: What do snowmen like to do on New Year’s Eve?
A: Chill out.

Q: What did the little champagne bottle call his father?
A: Pop!

Q: What’s a cow’s favorite holiday?
A: Moo Year’s Eve.

Q: Why should you put your new calendar in the freezer?
A: To start off the new year in a cool way.

Q: What do you tell someone you didn’t see on New Year’s Eve?
A: I haven’t seen you for a year!

Q: What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar on New Year’s Eve?
A: He got 12 months!

Minister: Jan Mourning
Office: 314.845.8540
Website: unitystl.org
SilentUnity prayer support
1.800.NOW PRAY (669.7729)