PosiFest Concerts Online This Weekend!
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Coming Up
- Contemplative Prayer” with Judie Nemeth. 12:15 p.m. Thursdays on Zoom.
- Easy Tai Chi with Katie Cook – 4 p.m. Thursdays in the Great Room.
- Violet Flame Meeting – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 in the Great Room.
- Choir Rehearsal – 7 p.m. Thursday in the Sanctuary.
- Mighty Men of Unity – 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept 17 in Meyer Hall
- PosiFest Concerts 8 p.m. Friday, Sept 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17, on Facebook at facebook.com/empowermusic.
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. September 18 – ‘Be Still and Know’ with Rev. Quintina Harris. Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page.
- Sisterhood Meeting – 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 in Meyer Hall
- Violet Flame Meeting – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 in the Great Room
- Unity Yoga’ with Katie Cook – 4 p.m. Tuesdays in the Great Room
- ‘Investing Love’ A Recovery Support Group – 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Drop-in group; no registration necessary. Meet in the Y.O.U. Room.
Details below.
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Rev. Paula Mekdeci
Senior Minister
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Letters to (and from) God
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Dear Friends,
One of my greatest spiritual discoveries is that God (Divine Presence, Infinite Intelligence, the One Mind, whatever you wish to call it) is within me — a wise, abiding, loving presence. I learned in Unity long ago that God is both immanent (within us) and transcendent (all around us). Only recently have I begun to experience God within.
Here is the exercise I described last Sunday to connect with the Divine in you: First, write a letter to God (whatever you conceive God to be). Write down your thoughts, feelings, questions, doubts, etc. Then take a few minutes to be still, and listen.
Next, when you feel ready, write a letter from God to you. Begin with “Dear (your name),” and write down what comes to you. Let the words flow, as if a Higher Power were speaking to you. The voice of God in you is never anything but loving and supportive.
I have been amazed at what shows up on the page when I let Divine Wisdom flow through me. I feel comforted, inspired, and grateful.
God in you really is “the greatest love of all”! Seek, and you shall find it.
Much love,
Rev. Paula
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
‘More Than Enough‘
With Rev. Paula Mekdeci
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New Class!
“The One Mind: You Say You Want a Revolution…in Consciousness?”
With Christopher Naughton and Special Guests
7 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 21-Oct 12
In person and on Zoom
On the heels of his highly successful class on the “One Mind” last fall, Christopher Naughton returns with a four-week exploration of “how the concepts of One Mind can help create common ground and increase inner peace and our confidence in the future.” He’ll be interviewing world-renowned experts in science, metaphysics, and parapsychology including Alan Cohen, Mitch Horowitz, Helané Wahbeh, Stephan Schwartz, Jeffrey Mishlove, and Glenn Aparicio Parry. This class will be offered in person at Unity Renaissance and on Zoom. Register on our website here, on our app, or on the Signup Wall at church. $99 for the full four weeks or $30 per session. Scholarships available.
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Watch emPower Music Festival and 17th Annual Posi Awards
Online this Weekend via Facebook
Rev. Richard Mekdeci, cofounder and CEO of emPower Music and Arts, is at Unity Village this week for the emPower Music Festival and 17th Annual Posi Awards. The two main concerts — a Mega PosiPalooza Friday night and the Posi Awards Saturday night — will be broadcast online via Facebook live. Tune in to facebook.com/empowermusic at 8 p.m. Eastern time Friday or Saturday to hear some of your favorite New Thought music and amazing new songs as well. Best of luck, Rev. Richard!
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Annual Pet Blessing
10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
Mark your calendars for our annual Pet Blessing on Saturday, Oct. 1, in the grassy area outside Meyer Hall. Bring your furry (or not-furry) friends on a leash or in a cage or holder for a brief ceremony, treats and water for the animals, and an individual blessing for each from Rev. Paula. One of the sweetest events of the year. Join us!
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Enter Our Chili Cook-off!
12:30 p.m. Sunday, October 2
Do you claim to have the BEST chili recipe this side of the Mississippi? Do you have that secret ingredient that only gets passed down from generation to generation? It’s time to strut your stuff at our Food and Fellowship Chili Cook-off Sunday, Oct. 2. Sign up on the Signup Wall at church or email Ellysia here to enter your prized pot of chili. We have three experienced judges ready to do the taste-testing and declare the best of the bunch. The winner will receive a brand new 8-quart Instant-Pot Pressure Cooker! And for those who’d rather eat chili than cook it, you may purchase your chili lunch for $5 a bowl with a side of cornbread. Let’s get cookin’!
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Community Forum
1:15 p.m. Sunday, October 2
The Unity Renaissance Board of Trustees is hosting a Community Forum Sunday, Oct. 2, after the Food and Fellowship “Chili Cook-off.” Come ready to hear news, updates, and financial reports, and bring any questions you might have. All are welcome to attend.
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“To-Go” Dinners for the Homeless
Monday, Oct. 3
Our Community Outreach Team is partnering with the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center to prepare and provide a “to-go” dinner for the homeless on Monday, October 3. We need a group of volunteers to prepare and package the dinner from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Unity Renaissance and a group of volunteers to help distribute it and clean up at the JCOC from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Please sign up on the Hall Wall and indicate whether you would like to help prepare and package the meal or help distribute it and clean up. Families with children 10 and older are welcome to participate together. Anyone 16 or older may volunteer on their own. Join us in making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
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Higher Consciousness Film
7 p.m. Friday, October 7
“American Heretics: The Politics of the Gospel”
Join us for our next Higher Consciousness Film, “American Heretics,” which takes viewers into the buckle of the Bible belt where a group of progressive ministers, congregations, and community leaders are challenging deeply rooted fundamentalist Christian doctrine in favor of a Gospel of Inclusion. Labeled as “heretics” for their beliefs and actions, they refuse to yield their faith, and challenge fundamentalist Christian interpretations that seek to justify nationalism and attack civil rights protections for women, minorities, immigrants, and the LGBTQ communities. Free admission, free popcorn, and an undoubtedly lively discussion after the film.
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‘Investing Love: A Recovery Support Group’
7 p.m. Tuesdays; Drop-In Group
Unity Renaissance members Dawn Bennett and Sam Akompong are facilitating a new recovery support group called, “Investing Love,” Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Y.O.U. Room. The focus is on applying proven strategies to move from feelings of “unlove” to wholeness and worthiness through the giving and receiving of love. The group addresses learned patterns of unhealthy self-protection including addictions, recriminations, procrastination, holding grudges, and dishonesty through the application of love. Drop-in group; no registration required. All are welcome. Love offering.
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Volunteer Presenters Wanted for ‘The Unjudged Experiment’
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
“Building trust one conversation at a time”
To provide opportunities for open and honest conversation between people with different life experiences, “The Unjudged Experiment” will be held at Unity Renaissance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. It will foster conversations that build trust and understanding across racial and cultural differences.
The “Unjudged Experiment” planning team — Margaret Jenkins (lead), Donna Shannon, Charlie O’Dowd, and Shafeeq Ameen — is currently seeking volunteer Presenters. If you have experienced bias or felt judged in your life and are willing to share your story with others, we want to hear from you! Please contact Margaret here or complete the application form (see link below). Please submit your application by Oct. 1st. In coming weeks, the team will also provide information on how to participate as a “Seeker” — one who attends in order to listen, learn, and connect with others.
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Please hold our beloved Business Manager Paul Mitcham and Office Manager Ellysia Flores in prayer as they continue to recover from COVID. Paul and Ellysia are central to our operations at Unity Renaissance and have come through a hard time. Join us in seeing them fully healed, whole, and revitalized. We love you, Paul and Ellysia!
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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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