Friday – Christmas Dinner; Sunday – Christmas Cantata!
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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.
- Sunday Meditation – 10:15-10:40 a.m. Sundays in the Chapel. Come early! Space limited.
- Christmas Dinner and Rev. Paula’s Retirement Party – Friday, Dec. 9. Doors open 5:30 p.m.; potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. Dec. 11 – ‘Christmas Cantata: The Gift of Love’ Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page. Gifts for students and stuffed animals due this Sunday! No Youth Education.
- Stuffed Animals and Angel Tree gifts for kids due this Sunday, Dec. 11!
- Unity Yoga with Katie Cook – 4 p.m. Tuesdays in the Great Room
Details below.
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Rev. Paula Mekdeci,
Senior Minister
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Dear Friends,
Last Sunday, I shared wisdom and insights from Mitch Horowitz’s great book, The Miracle of a Definite Chief Aim. Here are the components of “The Three-Step Miracle” Mitch describes for determining your true aim in life, and internalizing it. Mitch says this process produces miracles because it pushes us to honestly come to grips with our innermost desires:
1. Carefully devise a list of what you really want from life. Revise it, rewrite it, and work on it every day. Start over as often as you need to. Just keep going.
2. Read your list morning, midday and night; think about it always. Try to read it in a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
3. Tell no one else what you are doing. This avoids people making casually negative comments that shake your resolve. These dreams belong to you. They are intimate, powerful, and extremely important.
I would add two additional steps: Once you’ve completed your list, Expect it to happen. Expectation creates a powerful energy field for manifestation. As Unity minister Eric Butterworth wrote in Spiritual Economics, “You do not receive what you want; you do not receive what you pray for, not even what you say you have faith in. You will always receive what you actually expect.”
And finally: When results start showing up, give thanks. What we appreciate, appreciates!
Are you ready for a miracle in your life? Give these steps a try, and watch what happens!
Much love,
Rev. Paula
P.S. Many, many thanks to all those who stepped into quick and mindful action last Sunday during a medical emergency involving one of our congregants. Everyone seemed to know exactly what to do, including those who directly assisted the congregant, Stacey Cooper; those who kept the online audience informed and supported; and the entire congregation who directed love and healing energy to Stacey. It was a time of profound grace embodied by everyone in our Sanctuary and all those supporting the service. Stacey is receiving cardiology care in our local hospital, and is getting the answers and help she needs. We continue to hold Stacey, her partner Angela, and their families in the light for faith, strength, and healing. They express their thanks to our Unity Renaissance family.
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“Great Expectations”
With Rev. Paula Mekdeci
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Christmas Dinner and
Rev. Paula’s Retirement Party
5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
Unity Renaissance
Schedule
- 5:30 p.m. – Doors open. Drop off the food you’ve brought, choose your seat(s) in the Sanctuary, and visit with friends.
- 6:30 p.m. – Dinner begins. Buffet tables open.
- No earlier than 7:45 p.m. – Party for Rev. Paula begins!
Food and Drinks
- Unity Renaissance will provide sliced ham, lemonade, and iced tea.
- You may bring your own beverage(s). Remember ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS ARE ALLOWED IN THE SANCTUARY.
- Please bring any serving utensils needed for your food item.
- Mark any dishes and utensils so you’re sure to take your own home.
- For your potluck item: Create a small label card with a simple title and basic ingredients. Put it by your dish. This helps folks with food allergies and preferences.
Family Notes
- No childcare will be provided.
- The changing table in the nursery will be available.
- SAFETY FIRST: Remind older youth/teens to stay inside the building.
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Announcement on Transitional Minister Expected Sunday
Dear Congregants,
The Board of Trustees has been working diligently to select a Transitional Minister to serve Unity Renaissance after Rev. Paula leaves. After reviewing each candidate’s videos, interviews, and references, the Board and Business Manager Paul Mitcham met to discuss and vote on who would be the best fit for Unity Renaissance.
After much deliberation, we decided on a candidate who touched everyone at the heart level. The heart connection was felt deeply by our Board as well as staff who reviewed the Zoom interview and provided their feedback.
The Board then held a Zoom meeting with the candidate to extend a preliminary verbal offer. Negotiations were amicable and we are currently working on the final terms of the contract. The final contract is being sent to the candidate this week and we hope to have an official announcement this Sunday, Dec. 11.
All the best,
Adriane Diggs
Treasurer, Board of Trustees
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No Youth Ed Classes for Rest of December
Our 2022 holiday services are prominently showcasing our youth: The Shining Souls will perform as part of this Sunday’s Cantata, and our children will be central to the multigenerational, multi-faith Christmas Eve service. Additionally, we would like our youth to be able to attend Rev. Paula’s last Sunday on Dec. 18, and the Christmas Day service on Dec. 25. Accordingly, there will be no Youth Education classes on Dec. 11, 18, or 25. The nursery, however, will still be open on Sundays. We encourage you to bring your children to these services to share in the warmth of the holidays at Unity Renaissance. Your children are also welcome to join you/us in Christmas caroling at Virginia Home for Adults at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
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Angel Tree Gifts for Children Due Sunday;
Gift Cards Accepted through December
If you previously took a card to give a gift to a child at our “adopted” school, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, those gifts are due this Sunday, Dec. 11. Please bring the unwrapped gift(s) along with the angel card and leave them in the bins in the Narthex. If you took an ornament for a gift card to support congregants in need during the year, you may provide it any time through December. Simply place it in the mail slot on Rev. Paula’s door. (It will still be monitored after her departure.) These cards are given to people who face hardship and need support. Gift cards for gas, groceries, or variety stores such as Walmart or Target are particularly welcome.
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FINAL WEEK
Stuffed Animal Drive Concludes Sunday, Dec. 11
Community Outreach is collecting new stuffed animals to be given to children with AIDS through Access AIDS. Bring your donations to church no later than Dec. 11 and place them on empty chairs in the sanctuary.
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2022 Remembrance Service:
Honoring Loved Ones Who Are No Longer With Us
7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14
With Rev. Richard Mekdeci and Rev. Ann DeMichael
In Person and on Zoom
Celebrate life here and beyond in this beautiful service of remembrance and release. You may submit a photo of your loved one for projection or bring a photo framed or on a tablet or laptop. You’ll have the opportunity to speak about your loved one and light a candle for them. Submit photos to Rev. Richard at Rmekdeci@gmail.com.
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Christmas 2022 at Unity Renaissance
- 2022 Christmas Dinner and Rev. Paula’s Retirement Celebration – Friday, Dec. 9. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a memorable evening in our Sanctuary. Please sign up and bring a dish to share.
- “The Gift of Love” – Christmas Cantata, 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. With the Unity Renaissance Music Team, and our youth and adult choirs. No Youth Ed. Nursery open.
- Remembrance Service – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. With Rev. Ann DeMichael and Rev. Richard Mekdeci. A time to remember loved ones (including pets) who made their transition in 2022. In person and via Zoom.
- “The Power of Love” - 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. With Rev. Paula. Rev. Paula’s last Sunday. No Youth Ed. Nursery open.
- Caroling at Virginia Home for Adults – 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 24. 2701 Border Rd., Chesapeake. Sign up on the Signup Wall in the Narthex.
- “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 Ed. Nursery open.
- “New Year Kirtan” – 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30. Chants and singing with Rev. Richard and our new Kirtan music team.
- “Letting Go of Holding On” – 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan 1. Burning Bowl Service. With Rev. Richard Mekdeci.
- “What’s in a Name?” – Sunday, Jan. 8. White Stone Service. With Rev. Ann DeMichael.
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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 join us in holding in prayer beloved Unity Renaissance member Mariann Morgan whose husband, George Schmitz, made his transition early this morning, Dec. 7. We behold George‘s true nature as an eternal being, and see him lifted up in the light of God. We affirm strength, rest, and inner peace for Mariann and her family.
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Our love and prayers are with Unity Renaissance member Travis Davis as his father, Dave Davis, navigates a serious health challenge. We affirm Divine Order for Dave in his soul’s journey, and comfort and peace of mind for Travis and his family.
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Happy 80th birthday to longtime Unity Renaissance member, John Kates! We are also sending prayers of love, strength, and comfort to John‘s wife June Kates as she travels to Colorado to support her brother-in-law, Don Brand, who is in hospice care. We are enfolding the entire family in loving light during this challenging time.
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We are affirming full health and wholeness for two-year-old Greyson Prewitt, granddaughter of Office Manager Ellysia Flores and Music Team Member Nick Flores, as Greyson undergoes medical evaluation. We know she is in good hands on all levels, and all will be well.
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Please submit news of your celebrations, milestones, needs, or challenges to Rev. Paula (revpaula@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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