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!

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)