Easy Tai Chi Today at 4 p.m.
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Coming Up
- Easy Tai Chi with Katie Cook – 4 p.m. TODAY (Wednesday) in the Great Room.
- “Divine Audacity” – TONIGHT. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through July 27, via Zoom. $20 per class.
- Contemplative Prayer” with Judie Nemeth. 12:15 p.m. Thursdays on Zoom.
- “Engaged Mindfulness” with Alex Botero. 6:30 p.m. Thursdays via Zoom. No preregistration required.
- Sunday Service, 11 a.m. July 31 – “The Wisdom of Muhammad” with Rev. Paula Mekdeci. Join us in person or online via our website or Facebook page.
Details below.
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Rev. Paula Mekdeci,
Senior Minister
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A New Christian Narrative
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Dear Friends,
On the heels of my talk last Sunday about the Wisdom of Jesus, I am inspired to share this writing by progressive Christian and United Church of Christ pastor Jim Burklo, who argues for nontraditional Christians (like Unity) “to project our progressive identity with vigor in the public sphere, so that people know there is a real alternative to the dominant paradigm.”
Here is the new Christian narrative Buklo offers:
“In the land of the Jews, over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in humble circumstances. He began his three years as an itinerant rabbi, or teacher, by spending 40 days in the wilderness, engaged in a powerful inner struggle for clarity about his identity and mission. Then he wandered his homeland, healing people and preaching to growing crowds. He found God at the center of his soul, and taught others to do the same. He spoke and acted with an inner authority, inspiring people to rise above their fears in a time when the country was occupied by the Roman army. He challenged the people to follow him in living out the radical, unconditional love that is God: a love not only for friends and neighbors, but even for strangers and enemies. He challenged the religious authorities of the day to repent from their hypocrisy. The Romans and their Jewish elite collaborators considered his popularity a threat to public order. So the Romans tortured him to death on a cross. Living out divine love to the end, from the cross he asked God’s forgiveness for the people who crucified him. After his death, at first his followers scattered, but then they regrouped to continue following him, forming the movement we now call Christianity. They created and circulated gospel stories – ‘good news’ – to express the overwhelming significance of his life for them. They gathered church communities around the Roman Empire and beyond, worshipping and emulating Jesus’ boundless, timeless compassion. The divine love of Jesus is alive within and among us today, as we walk his way of compassion together in our church. We invite you to walk with us!”
Amen!
Much love,
Rev. Paula
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Last Sunday’s message,
in case you missed it:
“The Wisdom of Jesus”
With Rev. Paula Mekdeci
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Last Class! “Divine Audacity”
With Revs. Ann DeMichael and Richard Mekdeci
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27
Join us on Zoom to learn more about your innate spiritual gifts. Tonight (July 27), we will explore our spiritual powers of RELEASE and LIFE.
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Support the Wonderful My Space/My Pace Program
My Space/My Pace is an educational program that provides one-on-one tutoring and group instruction to young people who have fallen behind in school to help them reach learning standards for their grade level. This year’s program includes 16 children and 13+ volunteer instructors. It began July 5 and concludes next week, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The purpose of the program is to ensure equity in education for students who lag behind due to social promotion (i.e., being advanced to the next grade level without having learned what is needed). My Space/My Pace founder Kathleen Barnett says, “We view social promotion as a form of social injustice that we can overcome through proper community education, collaboration, and legislation.”
The curriculum includes one-on-one tutoring tailored to each child’s needs as well as group instruction, field trips, and activities to empower, educate, and enrich these young learners. Weekly field trips connect the students with local merchants, companies, museums, and historical attractions that support that week’s educational theme. All field trips are made possible through donations, and arrangements and transportation are provided by the volunteers. More volunteers are needed for the final week, as well as school supplies, snacks, and financial donations. To contribute, please contact Kathleen Barnett at (804) 647-8425 or Bea Clendenin at (757) 951-3272.
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Rev. Ann DeMichael Named Adult Education Director
Newly licensed Unity minister Rev. Ann DeMichael is the new Adult Education Director for Unity Renaissance, assuming the role from Licensed Unity Teacher Cindy Mills who has served as Adult Education Director for 7+ years. The Adult Ed Director, a volunteer position, is responsible for leading the planning and administration of all adult classes, workshops, and educational events at Unity Renaissance. Rev. Ann will be teaming with a three-person Adult Education Committee including Cindy Mills, Board Member Donna Shannon, and Rev. Richard Mekdeci to grow and diversify our Adult Education offerings. Rev. Ann will also continue to serve as a Unity Renaissance Board member and Director of Prayer and Pastoral Care.
Immense thanks to Cindy Mills for her dedicated service these many years. Under her leadership, Adult Education sponsored numerous successful Spiritual Education and Enrichment (S.E.E.) Weeks and has become one of the pillars of growth at Unity Renaissance. We love, bless, and appreciate you Cindy!
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Metaphysics Made Easy
On Zoom with Rev. Dr. Paul Hasselbeck
Four Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.
Starting August 3
Rev. Dr. Paul Hasselbeck, Unity’s foremost teacher of metaphysics (the study of the nonphysical, intangible aspects of life), joins us on Zoom for this provocative four-week class on the spiritual questions people ponder most, such as: What is the nature of God? What is the nature of humankind? What is the nature of our relationship with God? How are we to think about heaven and hell, and the problem of evil? Rev. Paul takes the classic Unity teachings and updates them for contemporary language and understanding, challenging our embedded theology along the way, and assuring lively debate and discussion. The class will be held at 7 p.m. on four Wednesdays beginning Aug. 3. Register on our website, our app, or on the Signup Wall in the Narthex. $20 per class; $80 for the full course. Scholarships available.
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Engaged Mindfulness with Alex Botero
6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Through August 4
Gifted spiritual instructor Alex Botero offers coaching and tools to help us recognize the workings of our minds and 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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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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Sizzlin’ Summer Sundays
Every Sunday in August
Sundays in August are going to be both inspiring and fun, with wonderful speakers and special treats for our Sizzlin’ Summer Sundays. Here’s the lineup:
- Aug. 7– “Love Comes First” with guest speaker Tom Baker. This will also be Hawaiian Sunday with fruity frozen treats provided by the Unity Sisterhood.
- Aug. 14: “When Religion Ends, Spirituality Begins” with guest speaker Dr. Shafeeq Ameen. Ice Cream Sunday with our Board of Trustees.
- Aug. 21: “Manna from Heaven” with guest speaker Ron Chapman. Cookout Sunday with our Mighty Men of Unity.
- Aug. 28: “Anything is Possible” with guest speaker Rev. Ann DeMichael. Watermelon Sunday with our Choir and Music Team.
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Higher Consciousness Film
“Summer of Soul”
7 p.m. Friday, August 5
This 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, 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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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. You may wish to purchase school supplies during Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend Friday, Aug. 5, through Sunday, Aug. 7. During that weekend you may purchase school supplies that are $20 or less per item free of Virginia’s combined state and local taxes (a total of 5.3 percent).
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Unity Yoga and Tai Chi On Break
July 28 – August 17
After today, Katie Cook will be on vacation for two weeks, so Unity Yoga and Easy Tai Chi will be on hiatus. Classes will resume after Katie returns on Wednesday, August 17. Tai Chi is being held at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 27) in the Great Room so we can get in one more class before Katie’s vacation. All are welcome! Namaste!
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Our deepest condolences to Unity Renaissance Board Member Rev. Ann DeMichael and Congregational Care Lead Debra Amme in the sudden and tragic loss of their beloved friends Deborah Sorrentino, 69, and her mother Pat Sorrentino, 92, last Wednesday. Deborah and Pat were killed in a head-on collision after being struck at high speed by a driver under the influence. Our love and prayers are with Ann and Debbie and all the friends and family of Deborah and Pat as they move through this time of grief.
Please join us in affirming complete healing for Unity Renaissance member Ardell McCoy as she seeks diagnosis and treatment for pain and illness. We affirm that answers and help are coming to you quickly, Ardell, and see your body responding perfectly to regain full health and wholeness.
Please hold longtime Unity Renaissance member Evelyn Hurd in your heart and prayers as she adjusts to a difficult change in her living situation. We love you and are holding the high watch for you, Evelyn!
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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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