Unity in the Pines 

A  Christian Community Church
That Love Is Growing

Newsletters

Editor -- Kristine Baker  

God Cares: An Easter Message  

By Reverend Liz Petipren 

Easter is a time of personal awakening and letting our spirits soar to new heights. It is a time when we can begin the journey toward finding our sacred self. Jesus, proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Light.” We discover our Divine heritage by turning to the Christ light that burns within us. 

When we accept and behold the sacred in ourselves, the spiritual path is revealed. We can move forward to experiencing the Resurrection that will transform our lives. Every one of us has felt moments of crucifixion. We all have asked “Why me, Lord” when negative events have brought turmoil, disappointment, anger or resentment. When those moments come, and they will, we can find solace, strength and courage by allowing God’s love to express through us. 

Tough times require a renewed focus on faith, hope and love. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:13: “Faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.” Divine love can lift anyone from human despair. Accepting and then expressing God’s love displaces limiting thoughts of self. Living in a Spirit of love creates new and different views of our current circumstances. 

Do we still feel the emotional and even physical pain that accompany a human reaction to worldly problems? Of course we can. But as we rise above the transient nature of earthly appearances, there emerges renewed hope for an expanded consciousness of peace, serenity, awareness and acceptance. Faith in a good and positive outcome of today’s challenges springs from a belief, and trust, in God’s love. If we can let go of doubt or fear, no matter how dire things appear, we open the way for healing and resolution. 

God cares. Please hear those two words that affirm God’s love for you. God cares when you feel pain and loneliness. God cares when you struggle to understand your losses. God cares when it seems so hard to understand why events, situations and relationships can feel like a personal crucifixion and spiritual test. God cares and wants to help you find your way to the blessed moment of Resurrection. Release your well-being into God’s hands. Accept and embrace God’s light, love, power and presence in your life. With God’s love as your shield and guide, you can reach the Easter of peace that comes with the Resurrection of your in-dwelling Christ Self. 

LETTER FROM YOUR PRESIDENT 

Patrick Callahan 

I was raised Roman Catholic and every year at Lent I had to make a decision on what to give up for 40 days. I usually chose candy because I was just a kid. 

This year of 2011, as a result of practicing the Unity Principles, I choose to give up negative thinking. Already I am attracting more positive thoughts and energy in my daily life. I realize negative thoughts are actually fear based thoughts. The less fearful I become the more prosperous I feel. 

Unity in the Pines has decided to tithe 10% of its entire monthly income. The board of directors believes this will increase the prosperity of our church.  

For Unity in the Pines to survive and thrive we must embrace new ideas and discard old fear based thoughts. We all know that God provides for all our needs and with those beliefs we are always safe. We just have to believe and put our trust that we personally can tithe to our church and still be safe. We can all put some thought and effort in to this concept and create abundance and prosperity for Unity in the Pines. We really can’t afford not to. 

April V.I.P.

Joyce Bailey 

Joyce Bailey is this month’s “Very Inspirational Person”. Born in Washington, D.C., she grew up in diversified Christian family churches in Northern Virginia. Part of her attraction to Unity in the Pines is its size and location. The trees and plants and physical structure are similar to many in rural Virginia. She has been attending Unity in the Pines for about 20 years.  

Joyce graduated college in Washington, D.C. and continued her life-long learning in Tallahassee. It was there that she became interested in meditation. She moved to West Palm Beach in 1974 and has been attending Unity churches ever since. 

Joyce feels that attending church has helped her spiritual journey. She also finds inspiration in the Daily Word and her “Little Black Book” of affirmations along with the Peace Song and Prayer of Protection. 

Joyce has served on the Board at Unity and co-edited the Newsletter from December 2008 to March 2010. Now that she has retired, she will be attending the Women of Unity lunch meetings. 

Joyce had an interesting career involving teaching, mentoring, technology, technical marketing support and community education. Her most memorable event was meeting President Johnson at the White House. 

She is staying active in the community with volunteer work and hobbies. 

Joyce is confident that the church will continue to grow, handle the challenge of change and maintain harmony. We appreciate all that Joyce has contributed to Unity in the Pines and look forward to benefiting from her enlightened help in the years to come. 

THE

HAPPENINGS

April, 2011

WOMEN OF UNITY

Join the Women of Unity on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 at Noon for the monthly lunch and meeting. April’s guest speaker will be Rev. Gloria Alexander who will be speaking on “The Power of Waking Hypnosis”. 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

APRIL BIRTHDAY’S

04/09       Rev. Tim Sodergren

04/16       Betti Rogers 

04/16       Suzanne Walzer

04/20       Cheryl LaVigne 

04/21       Susan Kirby

04/24       Katharine Thomas

04/24       Suelene Rottura

04/27       Susan Edwards 

04/30       Terri Frederick

SERVICES FOR APRIL, 2011 

Sunday  

April - 03 …… Rev. Liz Petipren 

“Known By Your Fruits” 

Music: Anneliesa Trethewey & David Lucey      

Sunday - Pot Luck Sunday

April – 10 …… Tim Sodergren 

To Be Announced 

Music: Betty Ferrell & Carole Belcher 

Sunday - Palm Sunday

April   – 17 …… Rev. Liz Petipren 

“Palm Sunday Message”  

Music: Anneliesa Trethewey & David Lucey 

Sunday – Easter Sunday

April – 24 ……Rev. Liz Petipren 

“Easter Sunday Message”  

Music: Shirley Wray & Evan Ferrar 

Good Friday Breaking of the Bread Meditation 

Friday April 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM 

LUNCH BUNCH SUNDAY

April’s “Lunch Bunch” has been canceled because of the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday festivities. The next Lunch Bunch Sunday will take place on the 4^th Sunday in May – 05/29 - the location will be announced at a later date. The “Lunch Bunch” will only be meeting on the 4^th Sunday of the month, there will be no lunch served in the church fellowship on that Sunday. 

AT UNITY IN THE PINES 

SUNDAY – APRIL 24, 2011- 11:00 AM

How we find God is less important than that we find God. When we feel in our hearts that we truly seek God, we shall surely find God for there is not a spot where God is not. I invite you to attend the Easter Sunday Flower service on April 24 to receive a celebrated message on the True Meaning of Easter and also a special blessing from Rev. Liz and your Board of Trustees.

GOOD FRIDAY MEDITATION& BREAKING OF BREAD CEREMONY

Friday, April 22, 2011 

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Join Rev. Liz Petipren in combining a Holy Thursday and Good Friday Meditation hour where you will receive a deeper meaning of the Last Supper by taking part in the “Breaking of Bread ceremony along with a the Metaphysical meaning of Good Friday. The service will consist of a Meditation and sit down breaking of bread ceremony.  

Bring your favorite type of bread and toppings to share and don’t miss this fun filled meaningful event. There will be a sign-up sheet available in the book store or call the church office for more information. 561-478-5454

Remember who You Truly Are

The Wise Women’s Wonderment Group

A NEW INNOVATIVE COLLECTIVE of DIVINE WOMEN will be meeting

At Unity in the Pines, 6073 Summit Blvd, west of Haverhill- east of Jog

On 

April 21 7:00 p.m. (7:00 – 9:00)

Feel the Connection as we Co-create a New Interactive  

Up-Beat Women’s group 

The Wise Women’s Wonderment Group

A Space to Play- A Space to Learn- A space to Grow- A space to Be You 

Join us for our 2 year anniversary with Two Exciting programs 

Janet Lifshin will do a preview of her famous workshop “Access Your Inner Princess” ,as seen on the Today Show. With the wave of a magic wand you will learn how to transform your life into becoming a modern, empowered princess and queen of your castle.

Lauren Bressler will do an interactive program working with our energy fields, allowing us to access our personal soul symbols. 

Cost $10.00 suggested donation 

RSVP s would be greatly appreciated; email or call the hahalady@aol.com , 478-8380

INVOCATION

I am now in the presence of

Pure Being and immersed in the

Holy Spirit of life, love and wisdom.

I acknowledge thy presence and thy power.

Oh, Blessed Spirit, in the Divine wisdom

Now erase my mortal limitations and from

Thy pure substance of love bring into

Manifestation my world

According to thy perfect law.

Charles Fillmore

Unity in the Pines                                             

6073 Summit Blvd.                         

West Palm Beach,    

Phone: 561-478-5454 

Email: unityinthepines@att.net                             

www.unityinthepines.com