Unity Small Groups- In Building, Online & Outside!
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We meet Tuesdays from 6:45-8:15PM Eastern Time virtually via www.freeconferencecall.com. The first 45 minutes is Sanskrit practice and study; the last 45 minutes is a guided meditation from Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Becoming Supernatural.
Last month we researched the vagus nervous system that runs from the brain to the stomach. The vibrations of our body that make sounds occur in the chest cavity, the throat, and the head, generally. The Sanskrit alphabet is mapped from the chest cavity upward into the head, of course using the mouth, tongue, and lips. We have a theory that the vibrations we make by speaking, humming, and singing stimulate this nervous system that affects the whole body. So, by studying these sounds, and practicing them, we also affect our bodies.
We also decided to continue doing the guided meditation “Coherence” (from Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Becoming Supernatural book) each week, as a method of sending loving vibrations to help the Earth and everyone and everything that exists in and on the Earth. We affirm a good and positive future.
You may attend either or both of these 45-minute sessions. This is all virtual so you can simply sign on before the start time for either session using www.freeconferencecall.com. Instructions are at www.unitycentre.org.
Dec 4: Thy Kingdom Come - Rev. Cay Tomerlin
Dec 11: The Journey - Rev. Cay Tomerlin
Dec 18: The Nativity - Rev. Cay Tomerlin
Dec 25: The Awaited Birth - Rev. Cay Tomerlin
***Thursday, Dec 22 @ 7:00 PM Candle Light Service
w/ Rev. Cay Tomerlin
The donkey said to the tiger:
- "The grass is blue".
The tiger replied:
- "No, the grass is green."
The discussion heated up, and the two decided to submit him to arbitration, and for this they went before the lion, the King of the Jungle.
Already before reaching the forest clearing, where the lion was sitting on his throne, the donkey began to shout:
- "His Highness, is it true that the grass is blue?".
The lion replied:
- "True, the grass is blue."
The donkey hurried and continued:
- "The tiger disagrees with me and contradicts and annoys me, please punish him."
The king then declared:
- "The tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence."
The donkey jumped cheerfully and went on his way, content and repeating:
- "The Grass Is Blue"...
The tiger accepted his punishment, but before he asked the lion:
- "Your Majesty, why have you punished me?, after all, the grass is green."
The lion replied:
- "In fact, the grass is green."
The tiger asked:
- "So why are you punishing me?".
The lion replied:
- "That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green.
The punishment is because it is not possible for a brave and intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a donkey, and on top of that come and bother me with that question."
The worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who does not care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on arguments that don't make sense...
There are people who, no matter how much evidence and evidence we present to them, are not in the capacity to understand, and others are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and all they want is to be right even if they are not.
When ignorance screams, intelligence is silent. Your peace and quiet are worth more. ❤️
Insights from the Minister
The story of Christmas is a powerful one. It is a story that, in many ways, transcends our actual beliefs. As moving as the story may be many of us probably have a few questions lurking in the back of our minds. There are doubts sitting and whispering in the corners of our hearts. Our newspapers are filled daily with news of war and famine, and tales of natural disasters that ruin lives and communities. The suffering continues despite the promise of prophets like Jeremiah. God spoke through the prophet, Jeremiah, “The Days are surely coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel." …Jeremiah 33:14-16
In Unity, we interpret the Bible metaphysically. We understand that from the story of Creation in Genesis, through the Christmas nativity, and on to the resurrection, that many of the writings are allegories that illustrate spiritual principles. When we think of the number of translations of the Bible from the original Hebrew or Greek, it is accepted that there are many misunderstandings. For example, the Hebrew word (Almah) was translated as “virgin.” However, the correct translation refers to a young woman who has recently been married but isn’t yet pregnant. Although the jury is out on the historical veracity of the Christmas story as we know it, that doesn’t mean we have to box up our ornaments and take down the tree. Nor must we anoint ourselves the town Grinches.
All of these points of theology, either known or intuited by us, have less to do with why we celebrate Christmas than we might think. Norman Vincent Peale once said that, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” There is something magical about this time, a beauty and a goodness that tries hard to break through the shell and cynicism of our modern minds. We have all felt the wonder and awe of the Spirit in Christmas. It is something that opens our hearts and generates a fresh batch of hope and joy.
Therefore, our understanding of the Bible and its contradictions isn’t a reason to throw it away. Instead, it reinforces an approach and acceptance of the fact that it is possible to take the Christian message seriously, without having to take it at all points literally. Spirit is still there, strong, and holy. Even though tradition has tried to make Christianity one monolithic system of beliefs, the fact remains that from the very beginning, there have been different ways to understand it. We are well within our rights to demonstrate our doubt. Our doubts keep us honest. They excite and energize us. They allow us to find, in all the competing signs, the True Light and Spirit of the season. For at the root of our faith is an idea, one that all the Gospel writers can agree on: That God is in the world. Wherever and whatever else God may be, God is in the world and in us and between us. Indeed, we do live and move and have our being in God.
The story of the birth of Jesus is a parable that in many ways is lived by each of us throughout the year. It is lived by us in rituals and retelling. It is not meant to widen the gulf between us and God, but to help us bridge it. The wonderful Christmas journey helps us bridge the gap through looking at the life of Jesus - a man who did and said extraordinary things. Jesus gave the message that we are the beloved children of God, too. In the Lord’s prayer, He prayers, “Our Father” and not “My Father.” To birth the Christ within is the reason we celebrate this Season called Christmas.
So let us celebrate His universal message of peace and love by remembering that God indwells us and loves all of us equally and eternally. To each of you, I send my heartfelt blessing for a very Happy and a Blessed Merry Christmas.
In Christ Love,
Rev Rose
At my first candlelight service at Unity over 30 years ago, I heard this statement:
Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born And not in thee Thy soul will be forlorn
This statement changed my life and started my journey of awakening in ways I never dreamed.
I volunteered to speak when our minister, Connie Rickman, stepped down. Then Ric came to the Centre as our minister, and I continued to speak when he asked.
I decided I needed to go to Unity Village to educate myself from a Unity perspective and became a LUT, Licensed Unity Teacher. While I was in this process, Larry Etheredge, the board president, suggested to Ric that I speak once a month, which solidified my path of growth.
I was then asked to speak at the Massillon Unity Church also. One day while I was speaking, I lost my train of thought. I just stood there staring at everyone and had no idea what to say next. I shared my dilemma with the congregation and asked them to go into prayer with me. When we came out of prayer I was able to finish the talk, not really knowing what I was saying or where I was going but I had an inner knowing that it was perfect. That was the last time, I believe, that I spoke from a personal ego. I had finally let go and Let God/Spirit be in charge.
I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have had being your spiritual leader. Every time I was able to share a truth with you my inner spirit was fed also and there are no words to express the benefits I received.
As we move into the Christmas Season, where it is safe to take a time out with the Christ within, I wish you all the joy the world has to offer.
As I move onto the next phase of my life, releasing my role as your spiritual leader, I will continue to see Unity Spiritual Centre as my home and all of you my family-holding all in love and light.
It is with love and gratitude that I wish you all a Merry-Christ-that is You and a wonderful new year of possibilities and opportunities.
Follow the Star
Rev. Cay
Our small groups are doing well. The number of people attending ARE, OM, Heartmath, Course In Miracles, Bible Study class and Medicine Wheel has been consistent. We are using Meetup as a way to share our groups and events, and are seeing people drop in on occasion, both in person and virtually, some as far as Massachusetts and Arizona.
Clarence Hathaway scrubbed the carpets in the fellowship hall and vestibule, as well as cleaned out the filters in the wall heaters/air conditioners and baseboard registers.
A new policy was created for use of the fellowship hall and sanctuary technology audio/visual equipment and will be sent to all the small group leaders. We have also implemented a cloud backup service for security of all our financial and other important data.
It was also announced at the October Annual meeting that we had a candidate for our open ministerial position. Unfortunately, the candidate has withdrawn their application and has decided not to pursue the opening at our Centre. Our job posting is still active on the UWM website, and we know the right and perfect minister is on their way! Our October financials were positive as we continue to operate in the black and affirm our prosperity with gratitude for our communities supporting this truth ministry.
Our small groups are doing well. The number of people attending ARE, OM, Heartmath, Course In Miracles, Bible Study class and Medicine Wheel has been consistent. We are using Meetup as a way to share our groups and events, and are seeing people drop in on occasion, both in person and virtually, some as far as Massachusetts and Arizona.
