Labor Day Weekend Film, Food, Fellowship, and Fun!
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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
- Higher Consciousness Film: ‘Cowspiracy’ – 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. September 4 – ‘Let’s Talk About It: The Invention of Hell’ with Rev. Paula Mekdeci and Tom Baker. Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page. Also, Splash Sunday for Youth Education outdoors.
- “Food and Fellowship” – 12:5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 – Vegetarian Tex-Mex lunch provided by the Mighty Men of Unity and Unity Cooking Team. $5 per person. Music with our Unity Renaissance Music Team.
Details below.
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Rev. Paula Mekdeci
Senior Minister
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Dear Friends,
What would traditional Christianity be without the concept of hell? Some people say the threat of hell as eternal punishment by God is so central to Christian dogma that Christianity couldn’t exist without it.
Really? They must never have heard of Unity, or any of the other progressive Christian denominations that recognize hell for what it is: a human construct added centuries after Jesus’ death that had nothing to do with his teachings and philosophy, and in some ways, directly contradicted them.
Where exactly did the idea of hell come from? And why has it stuck? Did Jesus speak of it, and if so, in what context? What impact has fear of hell had all these centuries?
This Sunday, Tom Baker and I will delve into “The Invention of Hell” to provide a clear-eyed view of its past, present, and questionable future. We’ll consider whether the concept of hell has served a useful purpose, and whether Christianity is (or every will be) ready to let it go.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday! It’s going to be a full and lively one!
Much love,
Rev. Paula
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“Anything Is Possible”
With Rev. Ann DeMichael
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Higher Consciousness Film
“Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret”
7 p.m. Friday, September 2
Ever wonder what you can do to alleviate global warming? The answer may lie in what you eat! Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret is an eye-opening documentary about the unacknowledged source of 87 percent of greenhouse gas emissions: animal agriculture. The film follows filmmaker Kip Andersen as he learns how animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry, and is a primary driver of rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, ocean “dead zones,” and virtually every other environmental ill. Yet industry leaders and even environmental organizations are not talking about it.
Join us for this provocative film followed by discussion on what each of us can do. This film is rated PG-13 and is not suitable for young children, as it shows some scenes of violence to animals.
Free popcorn and free admission. Discussion follows the film.
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Veggie Tex-Mex Sunday!
12:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4
$5 per person
Food and Fellowship is back from summer break with a Veggie Tex-Mex meal after the service Sunday provided by our Mighty Men of Unity and Unity Renaissance Cooking Team. Enjoy vegetarian wraps and bowls with beans, rice, cheese, veggies, sour cream, and guacamole — all for only $5 per person. Baked goods also available (sold separately). The Unity Renaissance Music Team will provide music to add to the festivities.
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Splash Sunday for Our Youth
Sponsored by Youth and Family Ministry
11 a.m. Sunday, September 4
Bring swimsuits, water shoes, sunscreen, and towels for the kids for Splash Sunday on our grounds at Unity Renaissance. Let’s end the summer with some fun in the sun!
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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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Volunteer Presenters Wanted for ‘The Unjudged Experiment’
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
“Building trust one conversation at a time”
Our increasingly diverse congregation offers opportunities to meet people whose background and life experience is different from our own. Yet attending Sunday services alone does not forge deeper connection with one another.
To provide opportunities for open and honest conversation between people with different life experiences, a project called “The Unjudged Experiment” is being launched at Unity Renaissance. It will foster conversations that build trust and understanding across racial and cultural differences. When we learn the context and background of others’ life experiences, we challenge bias and stereotypes head on.
The “Unjudged Experiment” will be held at Unity Renaissance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Its 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.
“The Unjudged Experiment” is a path to beholding, affirming, and embracing the brother or sister sitting next to you on Sunday. Whether you participate as a Presenter or a Seeker, the Unjudged Experiment promises to be an experience that will transform your life. We look forward to hearing from you!
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“Holding the High Watch”
Unity World Day of Prayer 2022
Thursday, Sept. 9
Opening Ceremonies Online Wednesday, Sept. 8
Unity’s World Day of Prayer is a time to lift our consciousness into an awareness of Oneness. This year’s theme is “Holding the High Watch.” It is a time for consciously holding the high watch for ourselves, our loved ones, our communities and our world. The affirmation is, “I pray with an elevated mind and open heart.” You are invited to participate in the online Unity World Day of Prayer opening ceremonies at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, featuring great music and great speakers. Register at worlddayofprayer.org. The event is free but they need your email address to send you the link.
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‘Investing Love: A Recovery Support Group’
7 p.m. Tuesdays beginning September 13
Unity Renaissance members Dawn Bennett and Sam Akompong are launching a new recovery support group called, “Investing Love,” Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Y.O.U. Room starting Sept. 13. The focus will be on applying proven strategies to move from feelings of “unlove” to feelings of wholeness and worthiness through the giving and receiving of love. The group will examine learned patterns of unhealthy self-protection including addictions, recriminations, procrastination, holding grudges, and dishonesty as an attempt to rescue our self-image. When these are addressed with love, one’s quality of life improves immeasurably. This is a drop-in group; no registration required. All are welcome. Love offering.
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Unity Renaissance – Boutique Art Gallery presents:
“Shadow of Color Exhibition”
September-October 2022
Featured Artist: Jorge Antonio Saenz
Time for a new art exhibit in our Sanctuary! For September and October, we are featuring the art of Jorge Antonio Saenz, a Nicaraguan-American artist based in Virginia Beach.
Growing up just a few blocks from Haight-Ashbury in 1960s San Francisco, Saenz was exposed to countless pockets of art and culture, and fell in love with painting at a young age. After studying architecture and fine art, he worked in visual merchandising for many years. He is now committed to his artwork full-time.
Relying on his architectural background and ever-evolving concept of color fields, Saenz’s work reveals multiple layers of shapes, patterns, and color fluctuation, often completed with translucent drips. Commonly inspired by social causes, Saenz uses various media and contrasting color temperatures to achieve his romantic approach to abstract art. His work has been featured in local exhibitions at the Virginia Beach Art Center’s Brock Gallery, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center, Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, and MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in Virginia Beach. Saenz is currently an associate artist at both the Virginia Beach Art Center and the d’Art Center in Norfolk. He has received many accolades for his work, and his art is sought after by various collectors internationally.
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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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Our hearts go out to Unity Renaissance member Marlene Allen and family in the loss of Marlene’s beloved husband Don Allen, a cherished member of our Unity Renaissance community. Don served on our Usher Team and was always a welcoming presence, exuding love and warmth. His memorial service was held on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Norfolk. Several Unity Renaissance members attended. The service included a U.S. Navy ceremony honoring Don’s military service in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Rest in peace, dear friend! Marlene, our love and prayers are with you.
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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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