Christmas Eve: Caroling and Candle Lighting Service
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Coming Up
- Contemplative Prayer with Judie Nemeth – 12:15 p.m. Thursday via Zoom
- Tai Chi – with Katie Cook – 4 p.m. Thursdays in the Great Room
- Violet Flame – 7 p.m. Thursdays via Zoom. All are welcome.
- Caroling at the Virginia Home for Adults – 1 p.m. Saturday, December 24
- ‘Celebrating Love and Light Around the World’ Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service 7 p.m. Saturday, December 24. Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page. No Youth Education.
- Sunday Meditation – 10:15-10:40 a.m. Sundays in the Chapel. Come early! Space limited.
- ‘Happy Jesus Day!’ Christmas Sunday Service with Rev. Richard Mekdeci 11 a.m. Sunday, December 25. Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page. No Youth Education.
Details below.
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Christopher Naughton,
President, Board of Trustees
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We Went for the Gold. And We Got It.
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Standing in the Narthex before Reverend Paula Mekdeci’s last service on Sunday December 18, it struck me: so much had profoundly changed in the near-ten year period that Paula had been our senior minister.
First the obvious: the expansive space of the Narthex and the open airiness of Meyer Hall breathing life into the expanded Unity Renaissance home. Inside the sanctuary, the change was just as dramatic— a blending of ages, colors, genders and sexual orientations as never before, experiencing a metaphysically uplifting New Thought service. At the same time, there were those in their homes, both near and far away, joining us for our Sunday celebration in real-time via livestream.
On close examination it was apparent that our Youth Ed programs, community outreach and in-house classes were growing ever vibrantly from the joyful offerings we’ve built over time; the solar panels on our roof were helping us win environmental awards, while saving us money. Speaking of which, our finances are as sound ever: the congregation’s net worth is the highest it’s been. Unity Renaissance is on course to realize its largest, most abundant time ever, readying to meet a daring 30% budget increase goal coming out of Covid. This comes back to you, in worship and prayer, in service, in education. And so, so much more.
Indeed, this have been a golden age. Ten sparkling, joyous and let’s say it, fun, golden years.
And now… what’s next for Unity Renaissance? Reverend Paula’s presence, dedication and accomplishments have set the bar high. What would Paula wish for the congregation she so loved— who loved her back? Would she wish for Unity Renaissance a new platinum age? A new diamond age? An age that successfully moves us ever closer to the core of our Vision and Mission statements?
What will we be saying about Unity Renaissance ten years from now?
Rest assured, Rev. Paula will never be forgotten. She will always be with us. Her wisdom and inspiration grace our beautifully expanded home as well as our ever-expanding hearts. When we tapped Rev. Paula to be our senior minister in 2013, we went for the gold. And we got it.
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“The Power of Love”
With Rev. Paula Mekdeci
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Introducing Our Transitional Minister:
Rev. Richard Bunch!
Dear Congregants,
After interviewing and assessing three highly qualified candidates, the Unity Renaissance Board of Trustees announced last Sunday that Rev. Richard Bunch, formerly with Unity of El Paso, Texas; Unity of Richmond, VA; and former chair of the Unity Worldwide Ministries Board of Directors, will become Unity Renaissance’s Transitional Minister beginning in early February 2023. Rev. Bunch will assist our congregation in making the transition from Rev. Paula Mekdeci to whomever we hire as the next senior minister. He is excited about serving our church, and looks forward to speaking with each member of the Board, staff, and volunteer team leaders in January. Let’s all welcome Rev. Bunch! We believe he will be a great fit, and look forward to working with him.
Christopher Naughton,
Board of Trustees President
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Christmas 2022 at Unity Renaissance
- Caroling at Virginia Home for Adults – 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 24. 2701 Border Rd., Chesapeake. Music with Rev. Richard Mekdeci.
- “Celebrating Love and Light Around the World” – A multi-faith, multigenerational Christmas Eve service, with traditional candle lighting. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.
- “Happy Jesus Day!” – Christmas morning celebration with speaker Rev. Richard Mekdeci. 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25. No Youth Education. Nursery open.
- “New Year Kirtan” – 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30. Join Rev. Richard Mekdeci for a sacred celebration of life, love and God as we share and sing sacred Eastern and Western prayers and chants. Kirtan is call-and-response devotional chanting performed in India’s Bhakti tradition, with mantras in both Sanskrit and English.
- “Letting Go of Holding On” – 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan 1. Burning Bowl Service. With Rev. Richard Mekdeci. Time to let go of the old and make room for the new! This service will include our annual Burning Bowl Ceremony to release what no longer serves us. The Burning Bowl is a ritual in which congregants write down on flash paper whatever they wish to release; then place it in a flame to be burned.
- “What’s in a Name?” – Sunday, Jan. 8. White Stone Service. With Rev. Ann DeMichael. During our annual White Stone Ceremony you will be invited to ask for guidance on a word or words that represent your highest intention or a name that you may hear for your new spiritual identity. You will then write that name on a white stone to keep as a reminder of your intention for the coming year.
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Remember Unity Renaissance in Your Holiday Giving
This is the season for giving! Please consider an extra love offering to Unity Renaissance this holiday season to help us finish the year strong. You may click here for all of your giving options. On behalf of your Unity Renaissance family, thank you for your wonderful support this year. We are looking forward to a bright new year ahead!
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2023 Board of Trustee Candidates
Three candidates are running for three openings on our Board of Trustees come January. They are Christopher Naughton, Mary Williams, and Joleen Zackowski. We will offer two opportunities to learn about the candidates and their visions for Unity Renaissance:
Jan 8: Informal Meet and Greet. Candidates will be introduced; congregants can meet with them one on one.
Jan. 15: Formal Meet and Greet. Candidates will answer questions in an open forum.
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Overflow Parking for Sundays and Special Services
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Our parking lot fills up fast, especially during this busy time of year. Please remember that overflow parking is available in the parking lot of our neighboring office complex, Greenbrier Professional Center, with a walkway adjoining our parking lot. If you arrive early for a service, please consider parking in the overflow lot next door to allow closer parking spaces to be used by first-time visitors and people needing assistance.
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Help Feed the Homeless
Breakfast on the Streets
6:15-9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Help feed the homeless through this program sponsored by Norfolk Catholic Worker. Meet at Sacred Heart Church, 520 Graydon Ave. in Norfolk. We will assist with food preparation, serving, and cleanup. Come dressed for the outdoors. We need 3-4 volunteers the first Saturday of each month. Sign up at church for just one Saturday or come every month. Young people old enough to help can come with a parent.
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Please submit news of your celebrations, milestones, needs, or challenges to Rev. Ann (revann@unityren.org) or Ellysia Flores (ellysia@unityren.org). Note: Items included only if the person involved (where possible) has given their permission.
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Join Our “Virtual Family” Watching
Unity Renaissance Live at 11 a.m. Sundays
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Unity Renaissance (757) 420-5280
1120 Eden Way North, Chesapeake, VA 23320
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