All are welcome to the following ongoing Unity groups and classes:

Phoenix Prayer Circle with Juliana Zirul, Facilitator

One of the essential ingredients to a spiritual life is the regular practice of prayer and meditation. There is no more power way to shift your consciousness. All who are interested in deepening and expanding their prayer life will share in a book study centered on The Handbook of Positive Prayer by Hypatia Hasbrouck. This is also the perfect opportunity to experience the incredible blessings of group prayer and meditation. As part of this Circle, you will be holding in sacred space all the prayers of our beloved congregation. The first gathering of the Circle will be Wednesday, February 17, 7-8:30 pm at Juliana’s. The circle will meet the first and third Wednesdays of the month. For more information, please contact Juliana through the church line (385-6519).

Prosperous Blessings Circle with David Goldsmith, Facilitator

We all want to open to Divine Flow so that we can manifest gracefully in all the areas of our lives ~ physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. To facilitate this union with all of the blessings that are ours to give and to receive, we will gather to expand our consciousness in practical ways as we study Spiritual Economics by Eric Butterworth. As part of this Circle, you will set your intentions, claim your good, and open to be a clearer channel of all life’s blessings ~all amid a wonderful support group. The first gathering of this Circle will be on Wednesday, February 24, 7-8:30 pm at David’s (536 Foster). For more information, please contact David (395-3907).

Sophia Women’s Circle ~ Marlena Knill, Coordinator

All of the women of Unity are welcomed to an inviting, inspirational circle of spiritual sisters. We gather to share mutual support and lively discussions about how to integrate spiritual insights into our daily lives. We’ll be planning the year’s focus during our January meeting, so be sure and come to help us vision. At the first meeting, Sky and Rev. Pam will share their recent adventures with the Divine Feminine in Italy. Meets the 3rd Sunday of every month except February: upcoming meetings are January 17, February 28, and March 21.

Gather for sack lunch at 1 pm ~ Program from 1:30 to 3 pm. Meetings at various homes, so call Marlena for the location (385-6519).

Unity Men’s Group ~ Lane Smith, Coordinator

At the same time the women gather, Unity’s men get together as well. They share lunch at a local restaurant to plan evening movies, book studies, and service projects. This is an open, welcoming group who share great companionship in all their activities.

Meets the 3rd Sunday of every month, except February: upcoming meetings are January 17, February 28, and March 21 from 1 to 3 pm. For location and activities planned, call Lane (385-0411).

Have you ever had a desire to someday become a Licensed Unity Teacher or to pursue SEE credits with the Association of Unity Churches?

If so, there are others who wish to study with Rev. Pam through an ongoing continuing education program approved by AUC.

This could involve a full two-year program toward licensure, or special classes offered for credit upon occasion. We’d invite others from the area Unity churches as well, becoming a regional study center as we visioned. If you’d like to learn more or express interest, please contact Rev. Pam at the church office, 385-6519.

We’ll have a group meeting on the Spring Equinox, March 20, at 10 am at Rev. Pam’s home, 1410 Willow Street.

“I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in Spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight; and in the center there grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of the one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy.”

This beautiful passage comes from Black Elk of the Lakota Sioux Native American tradition. It captures so beautifully how we are all held in the loving hands of Godde as we share this planet Earth . . . all part of a tapestry that encompasses such amazing depth and breadth of life. Creativity in forms unlimited . . . evolving into ever more unique expressions . . . while also harmonizing in a unity of life that ever emerges from the same Source.

We are one in Spirit . . . all held under the branches of The Presence. This year we celebrate the diversity and unity of that connection we all have with that Presence. Together we will journey the world’s spiritual traditions and find the beauty there. We will explore how the power of prayer unites us beyond all outer differences. We will grow in seeing the rich blessings that Spirit brings to all of humankind.

The Bible begins in the Garden of Eden with the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and how partaking of that fruit we entered into this realm of duality. The Scriptures conclude in the Garden of Revelations with the Tree of Life with fruit for every season, and how that returns us to the Kingdom of Heaven ~ constant Oneness with Godde.

The ancient mystical scriptures of the Kaballah refer to everything in creation as coming from a great tree of Divine Creation, bursting forth through the sephiroth into the infinite forms of life we see everywhere. That connection still exists, but it is up to us to re-establish the links between heaven and earth with our prayers, good deeds, and compassion. We are called to gather beneath the tree in unity ~ even as Black Elk describes so beautifully.

May this year be one in which our circle expands to include infinite variety while remaining centered in the unity of the Divine Presence. I’ll meet you under the Tree!

As spring returns, it is a perfect time to reconnect with the beauty of nature and the resurrecting power of life. Take time to look at the snow on the mountaintops, the flowers emerging from winter’s depths, and the birds that fill our skies with their songs. In this season of the Earth, it brings us joy to celebrate Mother Earth, Father Sky, the plant and mineral kingdoms, the variety of God’s creatures, and all of humanity. For we are truly and wonderfully woven together in this tapestry of life.

One of my favorite passages that speaks to this Oneness of life with its amazing diversity and interconnectedness comes from Black Elk of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) tribe:

I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in Spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center there grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy.

I love that line: “And I saw that it was holy.” All of life is holy. Each and every soul is holy. In Unity we seek to see the world in a sacred manner. We honor all spiritual traditions as branches of the one great tree of Divine Presence, each bearing delicious fruit and glorious blossoms.

In Unity’s Five Spiritual Truths we express this wonder and joy from which understanding and compassion spring forth:

Truth 1:  There is one Presence and one Power – God – by whatever name one chooses to call that Divine Spark from which we all emanate.

Truth 2:  The Presence of God indwells all things. We call it the Christ Within, but we honor that presence in all beings regardless of spiritual path.

Truth 3:  The Creative Power of Thought is our Divine inheritance. Through this we form our lives and our world – and we seek to do this consciously and gracefully.

Truth 4:  The Power of Prayer heals, uplifts, and transforms us – the Kingdom of Heaven is made manifest on Earth in, through, and as us.

Truth 5:  We are here to be the Light for ourselves, others, and our world. We are eternal spiritual beings having an earthly experience for a Divine reason.

Allow one of these truths to settle into your heart, expand your mind, and inspire your actions in the coming months. Meditate upon it. Walk through our shared world with this knowing. Let the consciousness of the Christ reconnect you to all of life and to the unique expression of life that you are. Let it spring forth with faithful willingness – and watch for miracles!

Meditation Circles:

Our Unity family members welcome you to join them in meditation prayer circles that they host in their homes:

Ananda Meditation   This circle focuses on the teachings of Paramansa Yogananda with music, readings, prayer and silence. It is on the last Sunday of each month from 2 to 3:30 pm at Shakti and Sky’s home at 1879 25th Street. Special Kirtans are also held. For more information, please call 379-0333.

Ashaya Meditation   This silent meditation process is centered on the Ascension techniques of the Ashayas. It is held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 7:30 to 9 pm at the Goldsmiths’ home at 536 Foster Street.  Ashaya workshops are presented occasionally. For more information, please call 385-3907.

Drumming Meditation   This is a vibrational meditative process with drums, rattles, and chants; all are welcome to participate.  It is offered at True and Dennis’s home at 204 Woodway in celebration of world energetic events, with the next being the Summer Solstice on June 21.  For more information, please call 385-5847.

Several people requested a hard copy of Jody Bower’s talk from March 1. Here it is . . .

Spirit, the Shadow, and Soul

This year in Unity we are following the theme of Spirit Rising. That’s what Spirit does: Spirit rises. It takes us up to the higher realm, gives us the “higher self” perspective where we see that all is love and all is One.

The quantum physicists say everything is both a particle and a wave – both individual and part of the Whole. We are all part of Spirit – but we are also each an individual soul simultaneously. 

Soul descends. Soul takes us down to where we feel our individuality, our aloneness, our uniqueness. Out of that individuality, that uniqueness, we can bring something new to Spirit. more…

After much prayer and meditation, I was thrilled to clearly receive inspiration that our theme for 2009 is SPIRIT RISING. It resonates with us as soulful individuals, with our evolving church, and with our greater world commUnity. This summarizes the energies that surround us at this amazing time – calling us deeper into unseen Spirit and higher into expressed Spirit.

Spirit is rising . . .

Rising within us as our Divine Light

Rising within our lives as Inspired Purpose

Rising within our world as Conscious Co-Creation

Together we will experience Spirit Rising as expansion with our Unity Church of Port Townsend vision: Authentic, Transformative Spiritual Community ~ a place where Spirit can rise in powerful ways.

United we will know this as harmony with Unity’s International Vision: Centered in God, we co-create a world that works for all ~ a planet where that Spirit emerges in universally blessed expressions.

There are two things all children  should be gifted with . . .  one is roots, and the other is wings.  Being grounded in Truth and hopeful in Faith,  Heaven and earth linked in us, as us, through us.   Let Spirit Rise in us upon wings and with roots found in the words of  St. Francis of Assisi:  “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.”   In Unity, everything is possible for us all.

Spirit is rising and we celebrate its coming with peaceful minds, willing hearts and open arms  ~ as so beautifully portrayed in the photo that I took in an Assisi garden  . . .

Unity Peace Prayer from The Daily Word:

Dear God, Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with love and understanding in my heart.

My prayers have power, and this is my prayer today; “Dear God, let there be peace on earth.  Let all people everywhere feel Your loving, peace-giving presence.  Let every man, woman and child see Your abundant provision on every hand.  Let every one of Your children realize anew the truth of our innate spiritual identity and heritage.  Dear God, let your spirit of cooperation and trust be the cornerstone of negotiations between the nations of the world.  Let each country express acceptance and understanding.  Let all people truly see the oneness of spirit which links us.  Dear God, let peace in the world begin with me.  Let me put away false judgments, biased thinking.  Let cooperation and trust be the cornerstone of my life.  Let Your divine spirit of love and peace be born anew in me, and let me radiate love and peace to my world.  Amen.

“The God of peace be with you all.” (Romans 15:33)

Take a look at the beautiful banners True Heart made for the Christmas Eve service. We are blessed by the creativity and talent of our congregation!

by John Newport

It was Christmas day in the war zone and a one-day cease-fire prevailed. Soldiers on both sides of the battle line huddled to keep warm in the cold desert air. Andre read the letter from his girlfriend for the fiftieth time. Enrique sadly visited the humble grave of his buddy, George, marked by a makeshift wooden cross. George had been killed in the cross-fire last week; he would not be going home. more…

by Doug Daniels

with John Newport

            From day 1 my journey through life has traversed the intertwining paths of struggle and faith. I was born in Medford, Oregon in April, 1950, weighing only 2 pounds and 14 ounces at birth. I was blinded shortly after birth as a result of receiving too much oxygen in the incubator. Memories from my earlier years reflect the traumatic childhood I experienced.  In addition to my blindness I had to cope with frequent beatings by my mother, who suffered from schizophrenia. At age 5 my parents sent me to a boarding school for the blind, where I felt severely isolated and encountered both physical and emotional abuse. more…