First Unity Church
of
St. Louis
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A Transformative New Year |
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In the January/February 2021 issue of the newsletter, I wrote, “Even though we yearn for new beginnings, realistically we understand that New Year’s Day will not magically erase the pain and heartache of the previous year, nor will it immediately bring the changes we desire.” As we enter 2022, this even seems even more true. Here we are, facing yet another variant, still wearing masks and facing a high percentage of our population still not vaccinated. Yet despite all the current challenges, there is something about moving from December 31 to January 1 that gives us hope & the urge to make a new beginning.
The month of January is named after the Roman God Janus, the God of gates, passages, endings, and beginnings. Janus has two faces -- one to look back and reflect about the past year, and one to look forward to the future. We look back over 2021 asking ourselves the essential questions, “How can I grow from the past year? What can I learn from it? What have the experiences of the past year called me to be?” Notice these compelling questions do not ask about changing our outer habits such as losing weight, becoming more organized, or curtailing procrastination. Instead, they ask, “What changes will I make in my consciousness?” The New Year is the perfect time to start a new way of thinking. In Revelation 21:1, we read, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away…” The new heaven and new earth are within us – new thoughts and feelings, a new past and present.
Unity minister, Rev. Kelly Isola, shares the following “New Year To-do List” to help us develop great expectations about transforming ourselves and the world:
CHECKLIST FOR COCREATING A TRANSFORMATIVE NEW YEAR
• I recognize that I am a sparkling gift from the cosmos. It is time to unwrap myself and share myself with the entire world.
• I sing love songs to my soul. It’s not about carrying a tune; it’s about playing the symphony that is me.
• I treasure my loved ones, even when they seem unlovable. It is in those toughest moments they are saying most loudly, “Somebody, please love me.”
• I am an angel and an ancestor with this planet. My presence makes a difference—and also leaves an echo of perfection for those who are yet to be born.
• I find adventure every day. I have the courage to do new things, big and small, and know this inspires others to unwrap themselves for the world too.
• I recognize with every sadness I am blessed to have a heart cracked wide open. One of the great mysteries in life is that by feeling my suffering we also invite in the possibility of feeling great joy. Suffering and joy are my partners in wholeness.
To help release what no longer serves you and create a future world that works for all, join us on January 2 for the Burning Bowl ritual and again on January 9 for the White Stone Ceremony, both at 10:30 am at First Unity or online.
Have a blessed, transformative New Year.
Love & prayers,
Rev. Jan
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For the links regarding each item on the checklist, click on the link listed below. There you will find the list and each link is highlighted in blue. Click on the blue link that interests you and find more information on that topic. |
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Minister, Jan Mourning
Board of Trustees
John Young - President
Rick Emnett - Vice President
Patricia Riess - Secretary
Hope Dodson -Treasurer
Betty Jean Kofron - Trustee
Mary Tumminello -Trustee
Prayer Chaplain Team
Prayer
Chaplain Coordinator
Anne Hartupee
Prayer Chaplain Trainer
Mary Tumminello
Prayer Chaplains
Lance Baugh
Hope Dodson
Lynn Mark
Platform Assistants
Hope Dodson
Mary Tumminello
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Bookstore Managers
Betty Jean Kofron
Mary Grace
Webmaster
Carol Ellerman
Office Manager
Sara DeWitt
Music Director
Steve Schenkel
Youth Ministry Team
Glenda Gebhardt
Cindy Gibbs
Claire Gibbs
Facebook Admin.
Kathy Boyd
Sound Engineer
Jeremiah Burcher
Photographer
Roy Vaisvil
Newsletter Editor
Patricia Riess
riess@htc.net
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First Unity Church of
St. Louis Newsletter
Jan/Feb 2022
In This Issue:
Minister’s Corner
5 Basic Unity Principles
Poinsettias
First Unity Bookstore
Music For January
Music For February
Holiday Happenings
Up To The Minute News
Kids Winter Wear Drive
Ladies Night Out
Men's Night Out
Hospitality Ministry
Book Club
Core Values
Humor
Photographs
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Thanks to everyone who donated poinsettias for the
12 Living Lights Candle Lighting Ceremony
in honor and/or memory of loved ones.
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Chilton Workman
~Jane Vondruska
Our parents.
~Lance & Georgia Baugh
John Tumminello
Jackie Ems
~Mary Tumminello
Rosemary Stanglein
Charles Stanglein
~Joan Rose
Rev. Jan Mourning
Everyone at 1st Unity Church
~Marjorie LaRico
Elise Grace Mueller
~Mary Grace
Dorothy Huntge
Marie Loehtrap
~Betty Jean Kofron
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Davis Family
Larry Davis
~Nancy Davis
Fred Goede
~Julie Goede
Hope Dodson
Carolyn Dodson-Grimm
~Paul Henley
All our loved ones.
~John & Gladys Young
Our parents
Ruth Hubenschmidt
Frank & Ruth Vielhaber & brothers
Elmer & Cecilia Emnett
~Rick & Ruth Emnett
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FIRST UNITY BOOKSTORE
Beginning in 2022, The First Unity Bookstore will be highlighting a
"Book of the Month."
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Featured Book for January: |
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"How To Train A Wild Elephant"
by Jan Chozen Bays M.D.
A Guided Program for Bringing Mindfulness and Meditation into Daily Activities to Reduce Stress and Get More Out of Life.
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The Featured Book for February: |
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"The Mastery of Love"
by Don Miguel Ruiz
"Happiness can only come from inside of you and is the result of your love. When you are aware that
no one else can make you happy and that happiness is the result of your love, this becomes the greatest Mastery of the Toltec: The Mastery of Love."
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First Unity Church Presents Its Outstanding
Music Calendar for January 2022
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First Unity's Music Director, Dr. Steve Schenkel, has arranged for a variety of renowned guest musicians, singers, and groups to be with us for Sunday Services during the months of January and February. All are truly welcome here, and we hope you will join us in the sanctuary or online as we seek together to know God, to unfold spiritually, and to understand, love, and align with Spirit’s Laws of Being
January 2, Burning Bowl Ceremony, Brian Clarke, vocals and guitar. Brian Clarke is perhaps the most beloved New Thought musician in St. Louis. He is most recently the recipient of the St. Louis Magazine “A-List” Award as Best Vocalist and Best Musician.
January 9, White Stone Service, Dan Rubright, guitar. Guitarist and recording artist Dan Rubright recently received a prestigious 2019 Arts Fellow grant from the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission for his work as composer and leader in the arts. In addition to composing and performing, Dan leads a workshop called The Hidden Jazz of Teams.
January 16, Chuck Flowers, vocals with Steve Schenkel, guitar. Chuck Flowers is a veteran singer/entertainer. He has recorded with the Gospel Symphonic Choir, The O'Neal Twins & the Interfaith Choir and the Golden Gospel Singers. He performed in Porgy and Bess with Union Avenue Opera Theater. Steve Schenkel is the guitarist and orchestra manager for the Fox Theater, guitarist for the Muny Opera and the St. Louis Symphony, and a freelance jazz musician. Steve has a Ph.D in Music from Washington University and a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from Webster University where he has served as an Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies for 16 years. He recently retired after 37 years at Webster University, where he founded the Jazz Studies program, the Webster Jazz Concert Series, and the Jazz Studies/Music Technology program. He taught music, media, and religion since 1980 and is now a professor emeritus. His music is heard nationally on the PBS program “Breaking Bread,” as well as by millions of visitors each year in the multimedia show under the Gateway Arch.
January 23, Kim Portnoy, piano with Steve Schenkel, guitar. Pianist and Webster University faculty member Kim Portnoy is recognized as a versatile composer in the classical and jazz idioms. His compositions have been featured nationally and internationally at the Eastman Summer Trombone Institute in Rochester, New York; the Choral Music Experience Institute in Arvika, Sweden; the Guitar Foundation of America Conference at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and two International Association of Jazz Educator's conferences: New Orleans and Atlanta.
January 30, Opus 38 String Quartet. Opus 38 is one of St. Louis’ most innovative and virtuosic string quartets. Violinist Hannah Frey, originally from Clinton, South Carolina, received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Linda Cerone and William Preucil. Carolina Neves is a Brazilian-American violinist living in the St. Louis area. She is concertmaster of the St. Louis Civic Orchestra and plays with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Rosewood Ensemble. She holds degrees in violin performance from the University of Missouri. Violist Sarah Borchelt was a long time member of the Laclede Quartet. She maintains an active teaching studio and performs in orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the midwest. Cellist Marcia Erwin is principal cello at the Fox Theater. She regularly plays for the Bach Society of St. Louis, St. Louis Winter Opera, and Union Avenue Opera.
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First Unity Church Presents Its Outstanding
Music Calendar for February 2022
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First Unity's Music Director, Dr. Steve Schenkel, has arranged for a variety of renowned guest musicians, singers, and groups to be with us for Sunday Services during the month of February. All are truly welcome here, and we hope you will join us in the sanctuary or online as we seek together to know God, to unfold spiritually, and to understand, love, and align with Spirit’s Laws of Being.
February 6, Danny DuMaine, piano. Danny DuMaine is Minister of Music at St. Alphonsus “Rock” Church in St. Louis. Mr. DuMaine is a choir director, composer, and pianist. He is also the music director of the remarkable St. Louis band “Boom,” which has entertained audiences around the country for almost 30 years.
February 13, Jeffrey Carter, baritone and Carolbeth True, piano. Dr. Jeffrey Carter just completed 13 years as chair of the Webster University Department of Music. His performance experience and training range through nearly 1000 years of the Western musical tradition, with performing and educational endeavors taking him to the continents of Asia, South America, and Europe, in addition to the continental United States. Carolbeth True is perhaps the most significant St. Louis jazz pianist of the past 30 years. Ms. True was cited by the Arts and Education Council for “Excellence In The Arts.”
February 20, Eric Slaughter, guitar and Ben Wheeler, bass. Eric Slaughter is a prolific and eclectic performer who grew up in a musical family in St. Louis and honed his skills at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has since toured around the country with a variety of Jazz and Blues acts. Mr. Slaughter is the most in-demand jazz guitarist in St. Louis. Bassist Ben Wheeler is a Kranzberg Foundation Music Artist in Residence. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Wheeler teaches at St. Louis Community College, Webster University, Washington University, and Jefferson College.
February 27, Karen Fulks, vocals and Ron Bryant, piano. Singer and actress Karen Fulks is a St. Louis mainstay in the jazz, gospel, and musical theater fields. She was the winner of the Arts For Life “Best Performance” Award for her work in the musical “Hairspray.” Ron Bryant is a very active member of the St. Louis musical community. With a career spanning 40 years, Ron is heard regularly in clubs and concert venues throughout the St. Louis area and in concert with some of the finest vocalists in the area. Ron has appeared on stage at Powell Symphony Hall with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, at the Blanche Touhill Performing Arts Center, the Sheldon Concert Hall, and the Fabulous Fox Theater.
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Burning Bowl Ceremony
Sunday, January 2, 2022, at 10:30 am
Bridgett Nicole wrote, “One of the most courageous decisions you will ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.” 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 good in your life. Engaging in the burning bowl ritual allows you to consciously clear away the old in order to prepare for abundant joy and peace in the new year. As the fire transforms the energy in the paper surrendered to the fire, so your soul will be transformed by the spiritual power of release.
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White Stone Ceremony
Sunday, January 9, 2022, at 10:30 am.
Following the Burning Bowl ritual, the White Stone Ceremony prepares you to create the vision of what we are called to be in the new year. In the time of Jesus, prisoners were given a new name as they were released to prove to society that all debts were paid and they were legitimately free. Through meditation, you will listen to Spirit within and your new name will be revealed to you. 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 2022.
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Community Service Ministry |
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Following the White Stone ceremony on January 9, 2022, the Community
Service Ministry will meet in the Adult Classroom at 12:00 pm.
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Donations for "Feed My People" |
On January 9, please donate a couple of cans of soup, chili and/or boxes of crackers for "Feed My People".
There will be a basket upstairs in the lobby to collect your donations.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
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During the month of January, please bring new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, and socks for kids and teens to our church.
Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will keep area children warm for the winter.
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January 17, 2022, at 5:30 pm.
Bartolino's South
5914 S. Lindberg Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo 63123
February 21, 2022, at 5:30 pm.
Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant
Oakville, MO 63129
Please contact Mary at jtpres5111@gmail.com for more information.
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January 17, 2022, at 6:00 pm.
Mike Duffy's Bar and Grill
124 W. Jefferson
Kirkwood, Mo 63122
Feb 21, 2022, at 6:00 pm.
Crusoe's
5591 Oakville Shopping Center
Oakville, Mo 63129
Please contact Roy at fisherofbass@gmail.com. for more information.
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The Hospitality Ministry will hold their monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of every month in the Adult Classroom from 6 - 6:50 pm.
Please contact Renee at renee.browne22@yahoo.com for more information.
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Our Book Club meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Our meeting destination for January and February 2022, will be First Unity Church of
St. Louis, 4753 Butler Hill Road, St. Louis, MO 63128.
Future books:
January 11, 2022 - "Fiddler Ghost" - Mitch Jane
February 8, 2022 - "The Girl on the Carpathia" - Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
March 8, 2022 - " Midnight Library" - Matt Haig
April 12, 2022 - "Glass Lake" - Maeve Binchy
Looking forward to seeing you at the Book Club!
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For more information on our church activities: Check our website, unitystl.org or
call 314-845-8540.
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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
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A Man Goes to a Job Interview
A man goes to a job interview and presents himself well. The interviewers are really impressed by how professional he is.
"Wow! You have an amazing resume and you present yourself fantastically but you seem to be missing 5 years on this part of your resume, What happened there?" asked an interviewer.
"Oh that's when I went to yale," says the man and the interviewers are even more impressed and offer him a job on the spot.
The man shows his gratitude by saying "Thank you for the yob."
A Little Old Lady Selling Pretzels
A woman was selling pretzels on the street corner for fifty cents each. Every day, a young lawyer would exit his office building at lunch, and as he passed her pretzel stand, he'd leave two quarters. However, he never took a pretzel.
This went on for nearly five years.
Even though they never spoke, every day he'd leave fifty cents, they'd make eye contact, and she would nod her gratitude as he walked away without a pretzel.
Finally one day, as the lawyer passed her stand and laid down his two quarters, the pretzel woman spoke to him.
"Sir, I appreciate your business. You are my best customer, but you need to know something. The price of pretzels has gone up to seventy-five cents."
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Minister: Jan Mourning
Office: 314.845.8540
SilentUnity prayer support
1.800.NOW PRAY (669.7729)
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