Unity in the Pines    

A  Christian Community Church That Love Is Growing 

    Newsletter                                             July 2009

Editors -- Kristine Baker and Joyce Bailey  

 

FREEDOM 

 

By Reverend Liz Petipren 

 

We call America the land of the free, and this is true in a political sense. But there is more to freedom than the opportunity to vote. 

 

Millions of people are slaves to their Environment, slaves to their troubles and slaves to what they feel are unhappy situations in their lives. How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I could get away from it all” Such words could only come from one who feels he or she is in bondage, someone who wants to be free but feels escape is impossible. 

 

There is one last tyrant that must be overthrown before we can be free. The name of this tyrant is spiritual ignorance. Jesus put it this way: “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8: 32). 

 

If we are in bondage to an undesirable job, other people’s opinions, physical challenges, inharmonious human relationships, or oppressive debts, it is only because we think we are powerless as human beings. 

 

The real cause of our bondage is our limited belief in who we are and what we can accomplish when we let the power of Spirit flow through us. In other words, our task master and tyrant is our own spiritual revival. We have inadvertently come to worship many false gods.  

 

No matter what happens to us or around us, we must respond in the consciousness that there is an invisible power and presence that is working with us and for us, and that this power is capable of bringing about a right and happy solution.   

 

When unexpected trouble suddenly comes into our lives, seemingly through no fault of our own, the first feeling, many times, is one of panic or human fear. But it is right then and there that we must remember the Truth. We are not alone. God is greater than any challenge and God can and will work with us in the midst of it to bring about a perfect solution. 

 

Consider the story of Joseph, whose brothers tricked him and sold him into slavery. Through Joseph’s faith in a loving God, this disastrous circumstance became a stepping-stone to his climb to second in power to the Pharaoh of  Egypt. Joseph was able to say to his brothers: “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). 

 

Start your own spiritual revival today. Say to yourself, “No matter how hard or unyielding the circumstance for my life might seem, I resolve this day, this moment, to trust completely that a power infinitely greater than the seeming power of these circumstances is working to bring me to a place of greater happiness and fulfillment than I have ever known or imagined. I am grateful! I am free! I am free! 

 

 

 

We remember Ruth Ballum  

”Embrace the moment. It’s all we have.” 

 

 

 

 

Unity in the Pines V.I.P. 

By Kristine Baker 

 

Ginny and Bernie Gardner are this month’s Very Inspirational People. They have been members of Unity since 1974, serving in many roles including Board member, on-call volunteer, Nominating Committee and, for Ginny, Women of Unity.     

Ginny’s from Tennessee and Bernie was born in New Jersey. They met during the war. In answer to Bernie’s marriage proposal, Ginny said “I guess so”. Both families were opposed to the match and predicted failure. That was almost 66 years ago!

 

Bernie served in the Army Air Corp, spending two years in England with Mobile Repair and Reclamation. Next, he attended Penn State School of Agriculture, but decided he wasn’t cut out for farming. After several moves, a couple of career changes and two children, the couple landed in Texas where Bernie joined the Electricians Union. They eventually moved to New Jersey where they stayed until their children finished school. 

 

Ginny has worked for the University of Florida, Mont Blanc in New Jersey and Highland Elementary School. She also volunteered in a nursing home. Her interests included tennis, yoga and gardening. 

 

The couple married in the Lutheran Church and kept their membership until they landed in Lake Worth. One day Ginny asked a friend what she knew about the little church that was only three blocks from her house. The friend told Ginny that she didn’t want to go there because it was “strange”! The next Sunday, when Bernie went fishing, Ginny attended Unity of Lake Worth. She felt it was the right place for her and asked Bernie to attend the next service. That was in 1974 and they have been “Unitics” ever since.  

 

The Gardner’s have two children, Jack and Linda, two grandchildren and one great-grandson. They are happy and content with their lives. They say they are comfortable. It shows in their relaxed demeanor, easy smiles and loving manner.  

 

 

 

 

Change is coming! Be a part of the action! Get in on the planning! 

 

Church Renovation Committee Meeting 

By Kristine Baker 

 

The first meeting of the Renovation Committee took place on June 16^th with Ed Perez, David Fields, Antoinette Coniglio. and Rev. Liz Petipren . The results of the your votes for : 

Tangible changes are: 

1.       Steeple on  roof 

2.     Alter in sanctuary 

3.     Improvement of landscaping and parking 

4.     Renovation of bookroom to bookstore 

5.     New appliances in kitchen 

6.     Labyrinth 

Intangible changes: 

1.       Open House event 

2.     Wellness outreach 

3.     Advertisement/Various target groups 

4.     Donations to outside community projects 

 

The committee is starting with research into the various projects in order to develop a plan of action in each area. They are already starting on the Alter and Steeple plans and estimates. Rev. Liz has two estimates for the paint job.  

 

What can you do to help move things along? Can you make some phone calls to ask for estimates? Are you computer savvy? Are you a carpenter or do you know one? Can you help design a vegetable garden? Are you interested  in designing a book store where the book room currently lives? Can you handle a paint brush? Can you come out for a “one-day” project? Can you offer support by preparing food and drink for those doing the work? 

 

Please offer your support to your church. Tithe with your time and talent. Contact Eddie Perez or Rev. Liz or any member of the Board. Lets let our light shine. 

 

 

 

How far that little candle throws its beams!  So shines a good deed in a weary world.  

 -- William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616, Poet, Playwright 

 

SERVICES FOR JULY, 2009 

 

Sunday  

July- 05 …… Rev. Taylor Stevens 

“The Power in Dependence” 

  

Sunday  

July – 12 …… Rev. Bob Konrad 

“Myrtle Fillmore, Mother of Unity” 

Pot Luck Sunday (Cook-out) 

 

Sunday    

July – 19 …… Rev. Bob Konrad 

“A Call to Silence” 

 

Sunday 

July – 26 ……Rev. Louise Morley 

“Living the Bible” 

 

 

July Birthday’s 

02 – Lillian Stone 

13 – Nino DeSilvar 

17 – Rene Gates 

19 – Penelope Blades 

 

Trustees  

 

President:   Rev. Liz Petipren – 561-964-1681               

Vice President:  Joyce Bailey – 561-689-9237 

Treasurer:   Louise Hunsinger – 561-582-7326 

Secretary:   Anne Bacon – 561-642-4788 

Secretary:   Floyd Beil -- 561-628-3738 

Director:   Eddie Perez – 561-689-9237  

Director:   Rev. Tim Sodergren - 561-642-8200 

 

 

              

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 moral 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, FL 33415 

 

Phone: 561-478-5454 

Email: unityinthepines@att.net