Unity in the Pines   

A  Christian Community Church
That Love Is Growing

     Newsletter                               September 2009

Editors -- Kristine Baker and Joyce Bailey

Giving Thanks  

By Reverend Liz Petipren 

Life finds the grateful mind and heart irresistible. All the good in the universe responds to an “Attitude of Gratitude”.  It is good for us to give thanks because it raises our consciousness. When we are grateful for the blessings we already enjoy, that same gratitude attracts more good to us.  Gratitude is a powerful magnet that draws to us love, peace, health, friends and material good. So, if you are not now experiencing the good you desire – start today to claim the privilege of being grateful.  

Giving thanks is an old custom and a universal one, as old and universal perhaps as the human race. The followers of every religion have given thanks to the God or Ruler of the universe in which they believed. Our own holy book, the Bible, is full of praise and thanksgiving to God, our Father, for the many blessings of health, food, clothing, protection from the weather and from enemies, for friends and families who love us and have faith in us. 

When we adopt an “Attitude of Gratitude” , we than generate within our self’s that power of achievement and hopefulness which will bring to us fresh blessings and new reasons for being thankful. 

Say – and believe – these words, “I am grateful. Thank you, Father, for this or something better.”  Use these words often and accept the good in every situation whatever the outer appearances may be.  Such a simple and powerful affirmation will clear your mental and emotional nature and put you in complete harmony with Divine Law. 

God is always blessing us with joy that comes from a grateful heart. Let giving thanks this Thanksgiving Day and every day fill your heart and let your life be inspired by it.   

The Happenings 

November 2009 

Join Suzanne Walzer 

On Sunday, November 08 for one of her fun filled “Sing-a-longs” that will take place in the Sanctuary after pot luck. If you think you can’t sing, don’t tell Suzanne that, because she will be delighted in guiding you into knowing that YOU CAN! 

Inside Renovations Update 

The renovation of the Unity in the Pines Book Store is coming along in It’s transformation into a wonderful room that houses a verity of inspirational Unity books and CD’s, a comfortable place to gather before or after services and of course the Women of Unity’s most renown “White Elephant” collections for sale. The “Interior Design” committee would appreciate your ideas for the renovation of the church lobby, fellowship hall and kitchen, also the set up of our new “Lending Library. The scheduled meeting for this month is on 10/17 in the Book Room at 5:30 PM, hope to see you their. 

Sunday School Teachers Needed 

Interested in teaching or aiding a Sunday school class once a month? Come to the Sunday school teachers meeting on Monday, November the 16^th at 3:00 PM. Learn how to help teach our children the Unity Principles and have fun with this very rewarding volunteer position. 

The Butterfly Project: 

Join Janet Lifshin (the HaHa Lady) on Thursday, November 05, 2009 as she once again presents a “Butterfly Project. This event will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the fellowship hall at Unity in the Pines. Please see the enclosed flyer.  

Talks With Taylor: 

Join Rev. Taylor Stevens on Wednesday, November the 11^th for his monthly, “Talks with Taylor” Lecture, titled “Truth Is All I Am”. Rev. Taylor will also be speaking on “GE; It Brings Good Things to Light!” on the Eve of Thanksgiving - Wednesday the 11/25  Both services begin at 7:00 PM. Please see the enclosed flyers for more information. 

The Advent Season:Take part this Advent season by reconnecting with the spirit of faith, peace, love and joy that represent each of the four Sundays in Advent. You may sign up to light the candle on the Advent Wreath and do the reading for one of the Sundays. An Advent booklet from Silent Unity will be available to everyone which is an aid in reclaiming our spiritual rebirth, the essential meaning of Christmas   

History of Unity Classes 

Join Rev. Liz Petipren for her classes on the history of the Unity Movement and a deeper meaning of the Unity Principles. These classes will be held on Wednesday 11/11 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM & Wednesday, 11/18 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Taking a History of is essential in becoming a member of Unity in the Pines. 

November Birthday’s                      

08 – Ed Winterroth                          

10 -   Rita Rudow                            

11 – Inga Lohgren                                     

20 – Alex Ballum                             

Good Things To Remember: 

If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it 

·        Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. 

·        Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other. 

·        Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want. 

·        When you say, “I love you,” mean it. 

·        When you say, “I’m sorry,” look the person in the eye. 

·        Be engaged at least six months before you get married. 

·        Believe in love at first sight. 

·        Never laugh at anyone’s dream; people who don’t have dreams don’t have much. 

·        Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely. 

·        In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling 

·        Don’t judge people by their relatives. 

·        Talk slowly but think quickly. 

·        When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?” 

·        Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. 

·        Say “bless you” when you hear someone sneeze. 

·        When you lose, don’t lose the lesson! 

·        Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions. 

·        Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship. 

·        When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. 

·        Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice. 

·        Spend some time alone. 

·        A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart. 

Services For November

S unday November 01 

Rev. Taylor Stevens 

“The Art of Falling Back” 

Music; Suzanne Walzer 

Sunday November 08 

Rev. Bob Konrad 

“I” 

Music; Suzanne Walzer & Kalimba 

Pot Luck Sunday 

Sing-A-Long / Suzanne Walzer 

Sunday November15 

Rev. Bob Konrad 

“Releasing IT” 

Music; Betty Ferrell & Carol Belcher 

Sunday November 22 

Rev. Liz Petipren 

“Gratitude & Gravy” 

Music; Betty Ferrell 

Wednesday November 25 

Rev. Liz Petipren  

Thanksgiving Meditation 6:00 to 6:45 PM 

Rev. Taylor Stevens  

Talks With Taylor 7:00 to 8:00 PM 

Sunday November 29 

Rev. Louise Morley 

“People Who Need People” 

Music; Perry Stokes 

November V.I.P.

Bette Rogers is this month’s Very Inspirational Person. Bette is originally from Maine, then Massachusetts where she met and married her husband, Lee. They had a son and daughter and moved to Florida in 1964. For the next thirty-five years, Bette owned a home in Palm Springs (Lee died in 2001) until the hurricanes forced her to move to Lake Worth in 2005. 

Bette was introduced to Unity in 1971 by neighbors who had been members of the congregation before the building was even put up. She liked what she heard about Unity and it’s people, so she and her husband decided to attend. Bette and Lee often provided transportation to members who were unable to drive. When Unity moved from Lake Worth to the current location on Summit Blvd., Bette followed.  

Although Bette “followed”, she “leads” by example. Serving for years on Women of Unity, maintaining the “White Elephant” table and offering refreshments after Sunday service in Fellowship Hall, Bette is a constant, loving presence at Unity in the Pines. To quote one member who has known Bette for years, “Bette is truly a loving, peaceful expression of all that God asks us to be”.  

Thank you, Bette, for being a “Very Inspirational Person”. 

Women of Unity

Hello. My name is Suelene Marletta Rottura. I have been at Unity in the Pines since 2006. I was voted in as Vice President of “Women of Unity” in 2008. Due to the untimely passing of our beloved Ruth Ballum, I have assumed the role of President to complete her term of office. I will continue to do the best I can to honor this position, until January, 2010, when a new President will be voted in. Thank you. 

What Are You Thankful For? 

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.  

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)  

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