SPIRIT'S VISION
NEWSLETTER: MAY, JUNE & JULY 2008
FROM THE MINISTER
Dear Spiritual Family,
As I’m sitting here on this gray day hearing the sound of the rain falling on my roof, actually the wind is blowing so hard that the rain is blowing sideways. (A great way to get your windows washed – but I digress.) I’m happy I’m not out in this storm but I’m thrilled it’s not snow and I’m happy because God is watering my garden and I’m beginning to see the promise of daffodils, tulips, and crocus soon on the way.
Flowers – I’ve often said that I can’t imagine a world without flowers and if one wants to get a peak at the grandeur and complexity of God one only has to ponder the beauty and delicacy of a tiny lily-of–the-valley or the grandeur of an exotic bird-of-paradise. Some of my most precious memories center around the gardens of my father and my grandfather. There was always such beauty and delight there. I believe that one of the most important aspects of God is beauty and I’m constantly amazed at how, no matter how barren thelandscape, people attempt to make beauty where none existed before. I remember being in the desert along the Sinai with not a tree, flower, or blade of grass in sight only to enter a stark black Bedouin tent and find it filled with the most beautiful, colorful embroidery on blankets, harnesses, and clothing. Wow!
Our souls yearn for connection with God and that God-aspect of beauty helps us make that connection. So as we enter this season of spring with its promise of color, potential, and beauty let’s take a step closer to that connection by asking ourselves,
“How can I make where I dwell more beautiful?”
Maybe it involves something visual – new color, an organized work space, or decluttering. Maybe it’s beautiful music to soothe or block out disrupting sounds. Maybe it’s having a piece of art in a place that we see first thing in the morning or a fragrance that brings back happy memories. What can we do to add a touch or two of beauty to some area of our lives? In doing so we’ll add a touch or two of that precious God-aspect of beauty to feed our hungry souls.
We Center ourselves in the love of God and open our hearts to peace. With the spirit of God as our guide we make life-enriching choices. Divine energy flows throughout our bodies. We are whole and well. We live in the light of abundance. We embrace the good God provides. Prayer by prayer, we affirm peace and understanding in the world.
Love & blessings,
Rev. Jan
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Fox Valley Unity Family,
As we move into summer, we enter a time of possibilities. For those who like to spend time outside, you recognize what I mean; the possibilities of seeing things grow in a place where there appears to be nothing now. What incredible manifestations of grace and abundance we continue to see every day. Whenever we ask, we receive. In this church community we have the most incredible gifts of prosperity and abundance.
Volunteerism is an opportunity to manifest the possibilities and increase the blessings and prosperity for all of us. We know that our church community is just full of gifts – gifts of talent, time and treasure that we have barely begun to tap into. But we don’t know who you are or what gift you would like to share.
We would ask you to take some time and reflect upon your gifts. What can you share with our church community? What special gift has been given to you that others would so gratefully receive?
Through the Town Hall meeting we have a list of ideas that were generated by you, and the Board of Trustees will be sharing a list of renewal projects that are needed to maintain and upgrade our church home. We know that all of the right and perfect people and talents are waiting for the right and perfect project. We affirm the manifestation of all the grace and abundance needed, and we see our church community filled with hope and prosperity!
Namaste,
Rita Johnson
Lauren Lane Powell
IF YOU CAN LAUGH ...YOU CAN SING!
IF YOU CAN SING ...YOU CAN HEAL!Sunday, May 4th
at Sunday service and
a workshop at Noon“Harmonies of Healing”
Your voice has healing energy! To create our own “healing tones” we simply need to remember how to use the only instrument God made, the way it was designed to be used!
Monday Evening, May 5th ~ 7:00 to 9:30pm
“Manifesting Miracles with Music”When I create I'm closest to God.
When I'm closest to God, I create!Harness the Power of Creativity and put it
to work for YOU!Tuesday Evening, May 6th ~ 7:00 to 9:30pm
Toning Circle
Expect an abundance of healing in body,
mind and Spirit!
In the circle we explore the whole sounds of the Quartz Crystal.Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 AM thru 7 PM
Private Vocal Lessons and Healing Sessions
CHAPLAIN SERVICES
In February and March, the prayer chaplains, both new and experienced, took part in sixteen hours of training at Holmstad. We combined our training with 3 prayer chaplains from Unity of Rockford. It was a most sacred and valuable time of sharing and learning.
On April 13th, our new prayer chaplains, Charisse Crisci and Judi Van Deveer, and our chaplain team made their commitment to our congregation at our Dedication Ceremony. This one year commitment includes listening in confidence, praying, and holding sacred space. They do this when praying with members after service and when making monthly Caring Calls to members. Each chaplain is also committed to ongoing training in our monthly meetings.
The chaplains who have re-committed are: Maria Cosentino, Laurie Crowley, Marcia Gerzan, Joan Moran, Marge Orchard, Su Podraza, Clarice Schultz, and Bobbi Severson. We are blessed with their prayer consciousness and bless them in their service. We honor and thank Barbara Kemp and Eileen Groth as Prayer Chaplains Emeritus and who have resigned from the Chaplain team.
Our prayer chaplains are available for home, hospital and nursing home visits as requested or to pray with you at anytime. You may call the office or email us at fvunity@sbcglobal.net.
Namaste!
Marge Orchard,
Chaplain Coordinator
MUSIC MINISTRY
FVU CHOIR
Practice is every Sunday morning at 8:30AM BEFORE Service.
Your voice is needed -
Come join us!Choir Director - Rob Orland
T'AI CHI CH'UAN CLASS
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm - Beginning May 7, 2008
Fox Valley Unity
Instructor: Maria Cosentino
T’ai Chi Ch’uan (pronounced tie jee choowan) which originates from China is considered a soft style martial art-an art applied with internal power-to distinguish it from the hard martial art styles. T’ai Chi Ch’uan literally translates as “supreme ultimate fist” (or force). In the west, T’ai Chi Ch’uan is often more simply referred to as Tai Chi.
As an internal art, Tai Chi harmonizes the energy process within the body-Chi-and integrates mind and body. Tai Chi is often characterized as a "Meditation in Motion," because its unique, slow, and graceful movements and breathing help to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity.
Tai Chi:
Tai Chi:
• Reduces stress
• Increases flexibility
• Improves muscle strength
• Increases energy, stamina and agility
• Increases feelings of well-being
Each class will be a combination of warm up Chi Kung exercises, learning a new posture, review and practice. This is a both a beginning class and continuation of the last class. Please plan to attend each class, as they will build on each other
Sign up for this 8 week series that will teach you the first set (of three) of the Yang Style Short Form. No prior knowledge or special skills necessary.
Please wear comfortable, loose clothing and flat-soled shoes. A love offering of $80.00 ($10.00 each class) is suggested for the entire series.
MOVIE NIGHT: “You Can Heal Your Life”
Friday June 6th, 7:00pm
at Fox Valley Unity Church
Suggested love offering of $10.00
The inspirational story of Louise L. Hay and her teachings. "The thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences." - Louise L. Hay
The first-ever film on the life and work of the much loved, Louise Hay. This inspirational movie gives penetrating insights into her fascinating life story; and also provides clarity on how her views on self-esteem, abundance, and the metaphysical causes behind physical ailments were developed.
You learn about Louise’s early days and the events that lead her to where she is today. You see, through personal interviews, how Louise teaches us to look within and heal ourselves. Featured guest appearances by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Gregg Branden, Esther and Jerry Hicks, Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.
The movie is 90 minutes long. No advance ticket sales. Call 630-879-1115 with any questions.
TEEN YOUTH MINISTRY
Our Teen groups are going strong. The YOUers just got back from a Sub-Regional Rally at Camp Courage in MN. The weather was perfect and the growth was exponential. We all made new friends while saying hi to old ones. This rally was a great warm-up to our June Rally which will be June 25 - 29th in Grand Rapids, MI. The YOUers should already have the forms to fill out. For this rally, the teens do need to complete service hours. One of the ways we will be doing this is by helping the Outreach Committee with the FOOD PANTRY DRIVE in June. Look for details to come in early May.
Our UNITEENS are growing and having fun. We will be sending one Uniteen to the Spring Retreat on May 2-4 in Jackson, MI. I want to thank Terri-Anne Loney for helping chaperone this event. We are sending 3 YOUers along on this retreat. YOUers help with the retreat and give the Uniteens a guide as to what to do and how to behave. It is a great opportunity for service hours for our YOUers and a great motivator for our Uniteens.
Our groups are having a lot of fun socially, too. The Uniteens just had a kite flying day and the YOUers had a Lock-in. It seems as if it’s time to plan some more outings. I’ve been asked what the ages are for the Uniteens and the YOUers. The Uniteens are children who are in 6th - 8th grades, and YOUers are for students from 9th to 12th grades. We try not to move up 8th graders who are 14 years old because they could feel out of place among the high schoolers.
I know our YOUers and our Uniteens appreciate all the love and support you provide for our groups and we hope you are rewarded by our energy and love. Please mark down June 1st on your calendar as a MUST COME TO
CHURCH day as the service will be done by our youth - from Children's Church all the way up to YOU!
Many Blessings,
Jean Boston,
Youth Teen Director
YOUTH EDUCATION SUMMER NEWS!
Dear Fox Valley Unity Family,
This is my final article for the newsletter. I had always enjoyed writing articles for the newsletter as well as for the Sunday bulletin because I had felt this form of communication truly kept our Spiritual Sunday School connected with the rest of the congregation, so I knowI will miss taking a little time each week to sit down and write to you, the congregation. Asyou all know, I recently stepped down as Youth Education Director to follow other ambitions.
It all came to me by being receptive to the voice of God that I needed to move onto another direction. Being actively and spiritually involved with the children, teachers and aides as I have these past few years was all GOOD and progressing onto another path is all GOOD as well. I am so grateful and blessed to have had such a wonderful opportunity to have been a part of the awesome spiritual growth at Fox Valley Unity. It has become obvious to me these past few years that it truly “…takes a village to raise a child…” and this program could not have run so well without all of you being there to make it happen. You all have been such a joy in my life and I thank you for your loving support to the children’s spiritual growth, and to mine as well.
Barbara DuRocher is your new Children’s Youth Director and I know she and Jean Boston, your Teen Youth Director, will do a fantastic job teaching and guiding your children to empower them to grow not only spiritually, but emotionally and socially as well. They both enjoy children and are extremely enthusiastic to share their ideas to keep the Youth Education program strong and committed to the five Unity Principles.
Bless you all on your spiritual adventure and enjoy the ride!
Love and blessings,
Ms. Mary,
Youth Education Director
