Sunday: The Gospel of the Beloved Companion
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Coming Up
- Contemplative Prayer with Judy 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. Zoom or in-person. All are welcome.
- Friday, Nov. 11 – Happy Veteran’s Day!
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. Nov. 13 – ‘The Gospel of the Beloved Companion’ 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
- Investing Love Recovery Support Group – 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Details below.
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Rev. Paula Mekdeci,
Senior Minister
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The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
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Dear Friends,
“The Gospel of the Beloved Companion: The Complete Gospel of Mary Magdalene” has been a revolutionary discovery for me. It has deepened my connection with Jesus, fueled my fascination with Mary Magdalene, and answered many longstanding questions. It is a clear, straightforward gospel that touches the heart and makes intellectual sense.
This Sunday, I’ll delve into the contents of the gospel itself, including key teachings of Jesus, his partnership with Mary Magdalene, and his obvious love and respect for her. We’ll get a sense of how Jesus interacted with his disciples, and what he most wanted them to know.
This gospel, which dates back to Jesus’s time, comes to us in its original form, translated from the original Greek into English, and unredacted. It is a work of clarity, power, and grace. I hope you’ll join us Sunday as I honor and explore this extraordinary work.
Much love,
Rev. Paula
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“The Dance of Diversity”
With Rev. Paula Mekdeci
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Video Request for Rev. Paula Farewell
As part of our celebration of Rev. Paula, we are inviting congregants to create personal video messages expressing their gratitude, appreciation, and/or well wishes to our departing minister. The consolidated video will be shown at the Christmas Dinner/Retirement Party for Rev. Paula on December 9. Please keep your video to 30 seconds or less. If you are using your phone to record it, please turn the phone to landscape or horizontal mode.
We ask that you email your video to Rmekdeci@gmail.com by no later than Monday, Nov. 28. Thank you in advance for your help!
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Happy Veteran’s Day!
Friday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to pause and express our gratitude and appreciation to our military veterans for their courageous and selfless service. Thank you for stepping up and being willing to protect us and our country. We love you, we bless you, and we appreciate you and your families!
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Minister Transition Update
Applications for Transitional Minister Being Reviewed
Your Board of Trustees has begun receiving applications for the Transitional Minister who will serve Unity Renaissance after Rev. Paula retires. The Board is reviewing the applications and will set up meetings with the top candidates in the next few weeks.
A number of congregants have asked when the process of hiring a new Senior Minister will begin, how long it will take, and who will make the final decision. Here are the answers to those and related questions, from the FAQs on our website.
What is the process for hiring a new Senior Minister? How long will it take?
The Transitional Minister will lead us in the search process for a new Senior Minister. The process includes developing a church packet to inform potential candidates of the opening, and the formation of a Ministerial Search Team to lead the effort. The Ministerial Search Team will send out the application packet, review all applications, determine finalists, and invite finalists to come to Unity Renaissance to give a Sunday talk and workshop, participate in a Q&A with the congregation, and meet separately with the Board and key staff. After all finalists have visited and presented, the Ministerial Search Team will make a recommendation to the Board for consideration. The process will likely take several months.
Who will decide who the next Senior Minister is?
The Board of Trustees will make the final decision, taking into account the recommendation of the Ministerial Search Team and input from the congregation.
Who will serve on the Ministerial Search Team?
The Transitional Minister will support the Board in creating a Ministerial Search Team. The Board will appoint one Trustee to serve as a liaison to the Ministerial Search Team, and will review applications from congregants to select the remaining members.
Will the congregation have a vote?
No, but the congregation will be asked for feedback after each candidate’s talk, workshop, and Q&A. Since the role of Senior Minister involves much more than Sunday services, the Ministerial Search Team and ultimately the Board will need to evaluate their administrative and business skills as well as their pastoral and presentation skills.
If you have any questions about the transition process, feel free to email the Board at UnityRenTransition@gmail.com. The Board is regularly updating information on our website here.
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Two More Small Group Gatherings Added with Rev. Paula
Rev. Paula has added two more small group gatherings to accommodate congregants who wish to get together to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas about the ministerial transition at Unity Renaissance. Maximum 10 people per group; all current groups are meeting at church. Click on the link below to sign up for the time and date that work best for you:
7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Unity Renaissance (Full)
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“Finding Yourself in Transition”
A Workshop with Rev. Paula
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16
We all face changes in our lives involving our jobs, homes, family members, personal relationships, aging, health, finances — even our spiritual community! Although change can be daunting, there is a clear path through it — a framework for understanding the phases of transitions, and learning how to successfully navigate (and love yourself) through each of them. Rev. Paula will explore the three stages of any transition and the tools we can use to manage them. The workshop will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in person at Unity Renaissance. Cost: $25. Signup online or on our Signup Wall. The book Rev. Paula will be using (“Finding Yourself in Transition” by Robert Brumet) is available in our bookstore.
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Fun FriDAZE Poetry Night
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18
Mark your calendars and plan to participate in our next Fun FriDAZE Poetry Night at Unity Renaissance. All aspiring poets invited to share one or two of their poems – or you may share a poem you love written by someone else. Sign up on the Signup Wall to participate. Homemade desserts and coffee/tea provided. Love offering.
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‘Food As Medicine’ Workshop
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19
Discover how to improve your health through wise nutritional choices and healthy eating. This workshop, hosted by Unity Renaissance members Lisbet Chiriboga and Laurel Brookes, will begin with viewing the film “Forks Over Knives,” followed by discussion. A nutritionist from Sentara will then speak on the inspiring results of Sentara’s healthy eating program, which has successfully reduced heart disease and other chronic illnesses. The workshop will conclude with assembling our own “Buddha bowls” for lunch. $20 per person, includes food costsw. Sign up online or on the Signup Wall (prepayment required).
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Sign Up for the Christmas Dinner
and Rev. Paula’s Retirement Party!
Plan to join us for a very special event on Friday evening, Dec. 9: 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!
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Help Make a Child’s Christmas
Angel Tree Nov. 13-Dec. 11
The Angel Tree will be up starting this Sunday, Nov. 13. Give the gift of joy to a child this Christmas by fulfilling a wish. Simply choose a red angel from the tree, purchase the child’s requested gift and return the red angel with the unwrapped gift to church. We are giving gifts to children from our “adopted” school, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.
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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.
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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
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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Sunday Meditation Returns Starting Nov. 20
After a hiatus during the COVID pandemic, our prayer chaplains are excited to resume meditation before the Sunday service starting Nov. 20. The meditation is conducted from 10:15-10:40 a.m. Sundays in the chapel. All are welcome; no signup required. Thank you to prayer chaplain Sam Akompong for being our meditation group leader!
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Uniteen Fall Retreat 2022
Several of our Uniteens participated in the Uniteen Retreat this past weekend in Gaithersburg, Maryland!
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From left to right: Kathleen, Courtney, Thomas, Oreanna, Isaiah, Gavin, Levi, Tracey, and Jeremiah
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Uniteens participated in lessons on Daniel being challenged in his faith.
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A favorite Fall activity, roasting marshmallows!
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You’re Invited: Grand Opening
Pháp Nghiêm Buddhist Temple
1610 Todds Lane, Hampton, VA
Nov. 11-13
Unity Renaissance is participating in a new interfaith group called “Sacred Spaces” which sponsors tours of different faiths’ places of worship each month. In November, we are invited to visit the new Pháp Nghiêm Buddhist Temple in Hampton. The main celebration is 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 13, but you may visit anytime during the three-day celebration Nov. 11-13. Driving directions here. Overflow parking available at the Church of Latter Day Saints, 1510 Todds Lane or St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church, 1520 Todds Lane.
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Please join us in holding in prayer Carlton Jenkins, husband of U.R. member Margaret Jenkins, as he undergoes treatment for a serious health issue. We are holding you in the light, Carlton, knowing God is doing a mighty healing work in you. We see you healed and whole, your body responding perfectly to all medical protocols. We also affirm strength, faith, and comfort for our beloved Margaret as she supports Carlton on his healing journey.
Our love and prayers are with longtime Unity Renaissance member Bob Lambert as he recovers from major surgery last week. We know your healing is already progressing well, Bob, and see you regaining strength and mobility by the day. God is with you and within you, and all is well.
We are affirming peace, comfort, and inner strength for longtime Unity Renaissance member Mariann Morgan and her husband George Schmitz as George approaches his end of life. We see you enfolded in God’s grace, as Divine Order prevails. May this time together be precious and sacred. We give thanks for the knowing that life is eternal, and affirm peaceful passage for our beloved George, and peace of mind and heart for Mariann.
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Our love and condolences to the friends, family, and colleagues of Unity minister Joy Wyler, who made her transition this week. Joy was an icon in the Unity movement, an inspiring minister, and visionary leader. In 2014, she led the Strategic Planning session with our Board of Trustees that set the course for a new era of growth at Unity Renaissance. It was Joy who proposed the mission statement, “We transform lives that transform the world.” Bless you, Joy! We are grateful for your enduring gifts of light, love, and wisdom. May you find peace and freedom on the other side.
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Congratulations to Unity Renaissance member Shafeeq Ameen on the publication of his new book, “Parenthood 101: The Blueprint for Raising Academically Successful and Socially Conscious Children.” The cover features Shafeeq with his three daughters. Chapter headings include, “Incorporate Cultural Identity and Faith,” “Selecting the Right School for Your Child,” “Develop a Plan for Your Child’s Success and Find Your Child’s Strengths,” and “Teach the Value of Hard Work and the Importance of Following the Blueprint.” So proud of you, Shafeeq!
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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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