Sunday: “Great Expectations” with Rev. Paula
|
|
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.
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. Dec. 4 – ‘Great Expectations’ with Rev. Paula Mekdeci. Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page.
- Unity Yoga with Katie Cook – 4 p.m. Tuesdays in the Great Room
Details below.
|
|
Rev. Paula Mekdeci,
Senior Minister
|
|
The Incredible Power Within You
|
|
Dear Friends,
We often say in Unity that we are “spiritual beings having a human experience.” But we may forget what powerful spiritual beings we are.
We have the God-given power to set an intention, embrace it in heart and mind, and, through focused attention and action, bring it to fruition. Though we may sometimes feel that life happens to us, life actually happens through us, and by us. We create our own reality through the thoughts we choose to think and the dreams we dare to dream.
This Sunday, I’ll explore the value and means of setting great expectations to achieve life-changing results. I’ll share some tools and techniques to activate the divine power within us to make our lives and our world the best they can be.
I look forward to seeing you then!
Much love,
Rev. Paula
|
|
Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“The Faith of a Mustard Seed”
With Tom Baker
|
|
|
Sign Up for the Christmas Dinner
and Rev. Paula’s Retirement Party
Plan to join us Friday evening, Dec. 9 for the Unity Renaissance Christmas Dinner coupled with a Retirement Celebration for Rev. Paula. This will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal together while honoring Rev. Paula before her last Sunday Dec. 18. This year we’re opting for simplicity by making dinner a potluck. Please sign up on the Signup Wall if you plan to attend, and bring a dish to share!
|
|
A Few Spots Left for Dec. 7 Meeting with Rev. Paula
There are still a few openings for Rev. Paula’s small group gathering at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Unity Renaissance. This will be a time for sharing thoughts, feelings, and ideas about the ministerial transition, and for appreciating where we’ve been as a spiritual community, and where we’re headed. Click on the link below to sign up.
|
|
Selection of Transitional Minister Imminent
Dear Congregants,
Your Board of Trustees has interviewed three exceedingly well-qualified candidates for our transitional minister from UWM’s transitional ministry program: Rev. Elizabeth Longo, Rev. Cynthia Vermillion-Foster, and Rev. Richard Bunch. We have read their resumes, examined their websites, looked at their talks and videos online, reviewed three references per candidate, and have asked each of them extensive questions in their approximate 45-minute interviews. Some of them told us what their requirements/needs are; once we extend an offer, the individual will review Unity Renaissance’s needs and determine if it is a good match.
As I mentioned last Sunday, the Board is looking at several areas of expertise but primarily:
- The candidate’s ability to work with staff and assist in the day-to-day operation of Unity Renaissance that Rev. Paula administered so well;
- The candidate’s ability to assist and guide the ministry in the transition process;
- The candidate’s ability to present well as a speaker on Sunday and hold town halls, meetings, and group discussions about the transition.
Yesterday (Nov. 29), the Board plus Business/Operations Manager Paul Mitcham met and discussed the merits of each candidate. We have now made a decision and will be extending an offer to one of the candidates. Based on their response and the structuring of a contractual agreement, we will inform the congregation at the earliest possible date.
Thank you all for your support and for keeping the Board, staff, and our congregation in your prayers!
With blessings,
Christopher Naughton
President, Board of Trustees
|
|
Breakfast on the Streets
6:15-9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
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.
|
|
Be an Angel This Christmas
You can help others in need throughout the year by taking an ornament from the Angel Tree in the Narthex, and providing a gift card for the designated amount. 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 helpful. You may provide the gift cards through the end of the year; simply place in Rev. Paula’s mail slot on her door. 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 by Sunday, Dec. 11. Please bring the unwrapped gift(s) along with the angel card and leave them in the Narthex.
|
|
Stuffed Animal Collection
Through 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 and place them on empty chairs in the sanctuary, to be filled with love till December 11.
|
|
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
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.
|
|
Christmas 2022 at Unity Renaissance
- “Great Expectations” – 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. With Rev. Paula Mekdeci.
- 2022 Christmas Dinner and Rev. Paula’s Retirement Celebration – 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. 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.
- 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.
- “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.
- “Celebrating Love and Light Around the World” – A multifaith, multigenerational Christmas Eve service. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. With traditional candle lighting.
- “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 fabulous 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.
|
|
Support Unity Renaissance through
Amazon Smile Purchases
You can contribute to Unity Renaissance whenever you make a purchase from Amazon through the Amazon Smile program. The prices, products, and site for Amazon Smile are identical to Amazon, but when you purchase through Amazon Smile, a portion of your purchase price goes to Unity Renaissance. There is NO additional cost to you, and your spiritual home benefits! Just go to smile.amazon.com, designate Unity Renaissance as your charity of choice, and shop! Remember, only purchases at smile.amazon.com or through AmazonSmile activated in the Amazon Shopping app will support your selected charity.
|
|
Our thoughts and prayers are with Unity Renaissance member Charlie O’Dowd in the heartbreaking loss of his eldest son, Miles O’Dowd, on Thanksgiving Day in Albuquerque, N.M. Your community is here for you, dear Charlie, and we will love you through this. We affirm the peace of God enfolding and supporting you and your family at this difficult time, and freedom and release for Miles.
|
|
Our love and prayers are with longtime Unity Renaissance member Gerald Klaverkamp as he recovers from surgery this week. We see you gaining strength by the day, dear Gerald, and affirm full and revitalizing recovery!
|
|
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.
|
|
Join Our “Virtual Family” Watching
Unity Renaissance Live at 11 a.m. Sundays
|
|
Unity Renaissance (757) 420-5280
1120 Eden Way North, Chesapeake, VA 23320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|