Tonight in ‘Divine Audacity’: Love and Wisdom
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Coming Up
- “Divine Audacity” – TONIGHT. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through July 27, via Zoom. “Drop-ins” welcome. $20 per class.
- 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.
- “Engaged Mindfulness” with Alex Botero. 6:30 p.m. Thursdays via Zoom. No preregistration required.
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. July 17 – “Out of the Blue” with Pastor Daryl Craig. 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.
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Rev. Paula Mekdeci,
Senior Minister
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Loving-Kindness Meditation
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Dear Friends,
One of my favorite meditations is the metta, or loving-kindness, meditation I shared last Sunday in honor of the Buddha. This is a meditation you can use on your own at any time to shift your energy and expand your love.
The methodology is simple: Become still, focus on your breathing, then repeat these statements to yourself:
- May I be happy.
- May I be free from illness.
- May I be free from suffering.
- May I be free from fear.
- May I be contented.
- May I know peace.
Next call to mind, one by one, each of these individuals: 1) someone you love dearly; 2) someone you hardly know; and 3) someone you think of as an adversary or enemy. For each in turn, repeat these statements:
- May you be happy.
- May you be free from illness.
- May you be free from suffering.
- May you be free from fear.
- May you be contented.
- May you know peace.
Close the meditation by thinking of all beings, and repeat in your heart and mind:
- May all beings be happy.
- May all beings be free from illness.
- May all beings be free from suffering.
- May all beings be free from fear.
- May all beings be contented.
- May all beings be at peace.
This meditation has an almost magical way of opening our hearts in compassion. It calms us, melts away barriers, and raises our consciousness. Try it for yourself!
Much love,
Rev. Paula
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“The Wisdom of the Buddha“
With Rev. Paula Mekdeci
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“Divine Audacity”
With Revs. Ann DeMichael and Richard Mekdeci
Six Wednesdays at 7 p.m. starting June 22
Join us on Zoom Wednesdays at 7 p.m. to learn more about your innate spiritual gifts. Tonight (July 13), we will explore our spiritual powers of LOVE and WISDOM. Drop-ins welcome! Or you can register in advance on our website. $20 per class session. The book, “Divine Audacity” by Linda Martella-Whitsett, is available in our bookstore and online.
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Engaged Mindfulness with Alex Botero
6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Four weeks beginning July 14
During this four-week series, we will practice mindfulness tools to recognize the workings of our own mind in order to transform habitual patterns. By cultivating mindful speech, actions, and interactions with others, we give ourselves the opportunity for a more vibrant and fulfilling life.
- Learn simple and effective meditation practices to calm and soothe the nervous system
- Practice guided meditations for emotional well-being
- Learn to create a daily practice through the power of intention
- Begin to experience and cultivate a balanced and calm state of mind
- Keep a journal to reflect on your meditation process and daily practices
- Be part of a supportive, safe, and nurturing community
You will receive the support and guidance to create a daily practice that will benefit you for the rest of your life. What to bring: wear comfortable clothing and a journal.
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Don’t Forget! Back to School Supplies Drive
Through August 21
Community Outreach is collecting school supplies and backpacks in support of Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. Without our support, some of these school children would have few if any school supplies. Click here to see the list of supplies needed. Bring your contributions to church Sunday or during the week, and leave in the boxes in the Narthex.
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Meet Our Guest Speaker Sunday: Pastor Daryl Craig
We are excited to welcome Pastor Daryl Craig, Sr., to Unity Renaissance Sunday as our guest speaker. Pastor Daryl currently serves as lead pastor at the House of Prayer Erie church in Erie, Pennsylvania, formerly the Missionary Baptist Church. His personal story of overcoming hardship and following divine guidance is a compelling and inspiring one. Pastor Daryl is also known for his expansive community outreach work to, in his words, “ministering to broken children and broken people.” He has received high praise and multiple awards in his community for starting and expanding a non-profit organization called The Bluecoats Youth Non-Violence Initiative, which teaches young people nonviolence and helps them overcome the challenges of poverty, truancy, family strife, and violence. (Photo: Pastor Daryl Craig with his aunt, Unity Renaissance member Evelyn Hurd, at her 100th birthday party last fall.)
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Summer Fun and Family Picnic
Sunday, July 31
During the Service for Youth,
After the Service for Adults
Our Youth and Family Ministry team is sponsoring a Summer Fun and Family Picnic Sunday, July 31, at Unity Renaissance. Festivities for the youth begin at 11 a.m. (during the Sunday service), and adults are invited to join in after the service for a picnic lunch. Please bring a bagged lunch for each member of your family, a blanket, lawn chairs, sunscreen, etc. For more information contact Ana Vincent here.
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Higher Consciousness Film
“Summer of Soul”
7 p.m. Friday, August 5
The documentary examines the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which was held at Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park) in Harlem and lasted for six weeks. Despite having a large attendance and performers such as Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, The 5th Dimension, The Staple Singers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Blinky Williams, Sly and the Family Stone and The Chambers Brothers, the festival was seen as obscure in pop culture, something that the documentarians investigate. Free popcorn and free admission. Discussion follows the film.
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“Summer of Soul” – Post-Film Discussion
7 p.m. Monday, August 8
Join Board Member Donna Shannon and U.R. Member Charlie O’Dowd for a deep-dive discussion into the “Summer of Soul” documentary. The film is based on the Harlem Cultural Music Festival held during the summer of 1969, the same year as Woodstock. Although this festival has not been recognized or celebrated for more than 50 years, its music and message are woven into the tapestry of our culture. The format will consist of film clips interspersed with discussion and small group sharing. We will explore the themes of harmony, hope, unity, identity and social/cultural transformation. This event is free and all are welcome. It we be held via Zoom only. No preregistration required.
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Join Us on the Hospitality Team!
Our wonderful Hospitality Team needs additional volunteers to put out the coffee and snacks on Sundays. Hospitality fosters fellowship, relieves hunger, and serves as a warm welcome to newcomers and old-timers alike. If you enjoy being of service, consider serving once a month on our Hospitality Team! If interested, please contact Hospitalty Team Lead Tammy Fiske in the church kitchen on Sundays or email her here.
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Congratulations to our wonderful 14 new members of Unity Renaissance, who were welcomed and honored last Sunday. From left to right are: Greg Alford, Shafeeq Ameen, Mary D’Amato, Madeline Garrett, Bill Helfen, Lynne Jenkins, Valarie Manley, Kay Norton, Jim Norton, Hunter Oronzo, Charles Tudor, Geoff Warder, and Kim Warder. Not pictured is Stephanie Acevedo. We love you, we bless you, we appreciate you — and we behold the Christ in you!
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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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