NEWS YOU CAN USE
LET GO AND LET GOD WITH A WORLD DAY OF
PRAYER
by Mickey Downing
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 WILL MARK THE 11th YEAR IN
WHICH UNITY HAS CELEBRATED THE WORLD DAY OF
PRAYER. Silent Unity will host a 24 hour prayer vigil
where concerns are released to God and lives are
opened for blessing. Mark your calendar so you can be
a part of this special event.
Tampa Unity will open its door and heart at 8 am to
feature six prayer and meditation services throughout
the day. English services are at 9 am, noon, 1 and 6
pm. Spanish Services are at 10 am and 3 pm. In
addition, the noon service will include prayers in various
other languages. We encourage you to attend as your
schedule permits.
You may also send your list of prayers to Unity Village
to be remembered and affirmed during the World Day of
Prayer. Prayer Request Lists will be included in the
weekly bulletin. You may turn in your list to the
Bookstore to be forwarded to Unity Village. The
deadline for Prayer Lists is Sunday, September 5.
For those unable to attend a service at Tampa Unity,
this year's prayer will be in the bulletin to hold with you
on this special day.
THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER needs people to
say the World Prayer in foreign languages (other than
Spanish) at the noon service on World Prayer Day,
Thurs., Sept. 9. If you speak a foreign language and
are interested, please see Mickey Downing or
Rev. Debbie.
OUR SEVEN-WEEK FALL PROGRAM BEGINS
SEPT 26.
This year we will deepen our understanding and
practice of prayer by studying Learning to Pray by
Wayne Muller.
"Prayer is deep, faithful listening, waiting for what is
hidden to be revealed.
Prayer is not words; prayer is what happens when you
listen and wait, beneath the words, for the outline of
heaven to emerge.
Prayer is nothing less than a sacred pilgrimage into the
heart of the whole world."
From Learning to Pray by Wayne Muller
During the seven weeks, we invite you to read Learning
to Pray (available in the bookstore) and join us every
Sunday for a special lesson/sermon based on this book
and the Lord's Prayer. We will share a weekly theme
and practice from the book as we deepen our prayer
life. We invite your participation and commitment for
seven weeks, by wearing the color of the week;
hosting and/or joining a home study group; becoming a
facilitator and participating in creating special art to
support our weekly colors and themes.
Watch your chuirch bulletins for more details
SUPPER CLUB TRADITION CONTINUES ON OCT
2
BY SANDY MITCHELL
THE SUPPER CLUB IS A WAY TO BRING CHURCH
CONGREGANTS CLOSER TOGETHER in the casual setting
of their homes. I heard about the Supper Club from
friends who were part of one at their church. I thought
it was a wonderful concept and a way for singles and
couples to become friends. I had been a single mother
for almost 18 years and had no contact, other than
family, with couples. After meeting my husband, I felt a
need to find like minded people with which to socialize.
I spoke to our minister at that time, Rev. Ross
Goodman, and he gave me the green light to start a
group at Tampa Unity. That was over 12 years ago.
Supper Club Circles are made up by randomly selecting
participants to become a part of one of several groups
(Circles). The Circles remain together for one year
(couples are placed in the same circle). As a Circle
member, you agree to invite your Supper Club group to
your home for dinner and an activity once during a 12-
month period. The host supplies the main entrée and
each member brings something to share. The kick-off
meeting this year will be on Saturday, October 2 in
Fellowship Hall at 6 pm.
Meeting together on a monthly basis brings a sense of
community and commitment to each Circle. After the
year is over, the groups are disbanded and new ones
formed.
My husband, Bill Cook, and I have formed wonderful
friendships with people that we've met over the years
in the Supper Club. As I turn over the reins to Judy
Ramirez and Joanne Rossano, I know the Supper Club
will continue to grow and thrive and we will continue to
be a part of it.
Joanne Rossano and Judy Ramerez have replaced Sandy
Mitchell as the new coordinators for The Tampa Unity
Supper Club. Sandy began the club over 12 years ago
and it has become a Tampa Unity tradition.
GET IN THE SWING AT THE TAMPA UNITY GOLF
TOURNAMENT
TAMPA UNITY'S FIRST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 at
Heritage Harbor Golf and County Club. Heritage Harbor
is in a beautiful wetlands setting featuring cypress and
palm trees; hawks; egrets and even a pair of eagles!
The course itself meanders through 175 acres of nature
preserve providing a unique golfing experience.
This event, an 18 hole, 4-person best ball scramble is
open to 120 golfers, so be sure and register early. The
fee for individual participants is $90.00. Singles, as well
as twosomes and threesomes, are welcome. Raffle,
putting contest, 50/50, and SUPER tickets will be
available upon registration. Sign up by completing the
form in the brochures to be found in the Fellowship Hall.
Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club is located at
19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway, Lutz, FL 33588, just
west of Dale Mabry, off Lutz Lake Fern Rd. Tee off time
is 8 a.m. Registration deadline is September 15. All
proceeds benefit Tampa Unity. For more information
Email: info@unitytampa.org or visit the Tampa Unity
website at www.unitytampa.org.
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!
From $100.00 to $1000.00.
Award Sponsors are also needed!
BOOKWORMS
by Clara McLaughlin
THE BOOKWORMS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE THIS WARM, WET
SUMMER. We are reading "Many Lives, Many Masters"
by Brian Weiss. It's an old classic about reincarnation,
and one of the first I read to better understand the
theory. It is a true story and very well written.
Our group has been small, but we understand that
summer is a time for vacation and family fun. We hope
more of you will join us this Fall to share ideas and
enjoy good company. There are no dues, no
commitments, and no blood oaths(!) required to join us,
just a love of books and sharing. Previous Book Club
selections include: Five People You Meet in Heaven, A
Radical Recantation, The Song My Soul Remembers, and
Angels & Demons.
For our August selection we will choose one of the
following: The Red Tent, Father Joe, Two Old Women or
another title TBA. As a group, we choose one book to
read together from the selections offered. Then, one of
us volunteers to make a list of questions to get the
discussion started. This is easier than you might think
since the internet is full of reading group sites that
provide questions, author biographies and other notes
of interest.
The Book Club meets the second Tuesday of each
month at 6:30 pm in the Youth Ed area just off
Fellowship Hall. Our meetings usually last till about
8:00 pm. As an added bonus, the book chosen is
offered in the Bookstore for 20% off retail price.
Please join us August 10 for our next Book Club Meeting.
Happy reading!
Click Here To Veiw Upcoming Events
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LEO SKIES AND SUNSET SHORES
As Leo's hot sun rises in the summer sky, thoughts of
abundance, harvest, prosperity and sharing come to
mind. If it feels a little hot and sticky that's because
the Dog Days are here. Named after Sirius, the Dog
Star, these are the twenty days in July and August
before and after the appearance of the constellation
Canis Major, of which Sirius is the brightest star. This
period was believed to be unlucky because the intense
summer heat and damp brought on discomfort and
disease.
Fortunately, the Dog Days of Summer are dispelled by
the heralding of an abundant harvest, and (believe it or
not!) the promise of Fall.
I think of water, of being in water, in August: water at
the pool, water from the rain, but mostly water in the
ocean, at the beach when the sun is setting languidly
into the waves. I am lulled and cooled by a timeless
lapping of the waves against the timeless shore and a
sunset sky that seemingly goes on forever; a sigh and
a rest, and a walk through the wet sand perusing the
tide's harvest of seaweed and shells. I am not one for
the bright afternoon sun of Summer. That is why I
welcome August as the season's turning point, a time
to gather, give thanks and await.
by Janet Stanely
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| ABUNDANCE IN AUGUST | | | ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, ALLEN PRAYED FOR A DIVINE
IDEA, something that would be inspirational for the
month of August. God answered his prayer with the
idea of Abundance in August. It has now become one
of our traditions here at Tampa Unity, to celebrate
Abundance in August.
What is abundance? Is it just how much you have in
your bank account or the amount of money you wish to
be in your bank account? A short Webster definition of
abundance is "overflowing, plenty," notice this
definition is not limited to money. Do you have an abundance of health, happiness, joy,
friends and resources? If you can answer yes to this
question, give thanks and count your blessings. If you
answered no, then give thanks and count your
blessings, claim what is rightfully yours as an heir to
God's Kingdom.
Emmet Fox wrote a wonderful five page pamphlet in
1931, The Golden Key. Small but very powerful, he
wrote in the foreword, "Read The Golden Key several
times, do exactly what it says, and if you are
persistent you will overcome any difficulty." This powerful pamphlet offers simple yet effective
advice: stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it
is, and think about God instead.
If you are lacking abundance in any area of your life,
stop thinking about the lack and think about God.
Wherever you place your focus and attention, that is
what will manifest for you. Focus on God qualities,
peace, harmony, unconditional love, wisdom, truth and
understanding. If there is a challenge in your life, a
lack of anything positive or life affirming then Golden
Key it and watch for the miracles. "All things
whatsoever the Father hath are mine." John 16:15. In The Revealing Word, Charles Fillmore, Unity's Co-
Founder, offers steps in demonstrating
abundance. "First we must recognize abundance as an
idea that is real and has the power to expand. Then,
we must talk abundance, choose words representing
abundance and thus build up an invisible world of
substance. In this way, we build or form in our mind
that which draws to us an abundance of every good
thing." "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given".
Luke 8:18 Following Mr. Fillmore's suggestions I invite you to join
me in watching our language; eliminating words of lack;
replacing negative words and thoughts with positive
affirmations of abundance; preparing ourselves for the
abundance that is ours, as the heirs of God. Begin now
preparing yourself to accept the good you desire and
deserve, affirm it, believe it and accept it, Abundance
in August! Abundance will be the subject of the lesson/sermons
during the month of August beginning with our good
friend Rev. Chris Chenoweth. Rev. Chenoweth is one of
the most positive, prosperous people I know. We will
all be abundantly blessed by his Sunday Service and
workshop on August 1. He will provide a powerful
beginning to our annual Abundance in August.
"Beloved, I pray that you will prosper in all things and
be in health just as your soul prospers." III John 1:2
Abundant Love and Blessings,
Rev Debbie Moss | | |
| PROSPERITY BANKS MORE THAN LOOSE CHANGE | | | The little Unity Prosperity Bank, which has become a
cornerstone of our traditional Abundance in August
spiritual program, has an interesting origin. Lowell
Fillmore, first born of the co-founders of Unity, Charles
and Myrtle Fillmore had a divine idea.
Lowell went to work for Unity immediately after
graduating from high school in 1899, a career that
lasted 64 years. In his early 20's, the business
manager resigned and Charles told Lowell "you are
going to have to be the businessman". Lowell later confessed in his book Health, Wealth and
Happiness that he never felt qualified to meet the
needs of the various positions he held at Unity.
However, he knew that he could always turn to prayer
when he felt overwhelmed and receive divine ideas and
answers. He counted on God to provide the guidance
and direction he often needed. In 1910, the Weekly Unity magazine published its first
issue and Lowell wrote his first column Things to Be
Remembered:
Remember to smile
Remember to say a good word
Remember to remember only the good
His words were a reflection of his nature and over his
career at Unity he wrote almost 3,000 "Remembers." Charles and the Unity Board of Directors charged Lowell
with increasing the circulation of the Weekly Unity
publication. Lowell did what he knew to do when he did
not have an immediate answer; he prayed for a divine
idea.
The Prosperity Bank plan was Lowell's divine idea and
the subscribers grew quickly from 35 in 1910 to 8,500 in
1912. The power is in the prayer drill Lowell created
acknowledging God as our source and repeating the
affirmations daily with our deposits. We have Joan Goodman to thank for the current
Prosperity Bank design and the current affirmations. I
think of her every time I use my bank and send my
blessings to her and to Rev. Ross for all of their
wonderful work. I invite you to pick up a prosperity bank. Begin making
daily deposits and affirming the statements. Affirm
prosperity for yourself and for Tampa Unity. Watch your
abundance grow! Do it in August and do it always!
Rev Debbie Moss | | |
| TITHING AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE | | | IN HIS BOOK, PROSPERITY, CHARLES FILLMORE, CO-
FOUNDER OF UNITY, WROTE: "Tithing establishes method in giving and brings into
consciousness a sense of order and fitness that will be
manifested in one's outer life and affairs as increased
efficiency and greater prosperity." The act of tithing establishes a natural rhythm of
energy flowing freely coming in and going out. Tithing
demonstrates there are no blocks or obstructions in the
flow of energy. Just like the story which highlights the
differences between the Dead Sea and the Sea of
Galilee. Water flows freely in and out of the Sea of
Galilee creates life in and all around it; whereas, the
Dead Sea only takes in water, gives nothing back so
there is a lack of life in it or around it. A recent news
article expressed concern that the Dead Sea is indeed
shrinking and eventually will die. Maria Nemeth, Ph.D. wrote in her book, The Energy of
Money that, "the act of giving is itself an affirmation of
your ability to make a difference in the world. The reward for contribution is the expanded capacity to
contribute. We want to contribute to causes we
consider important because the act of giving empowers
us." And, "I think this is because we are demonstrating
our ability to bring energy from the metaphysical into
the physical. This is one reason we get so
uncomfortable when we think that giving money is not
possible for us." She continues, "Tithing, or any
contribution of money, is a demonstration of our
power. If we were to pray for anything, it might be for
the ability to keep on contributing. This is the blessing
we truly seek." Rev Debbie Moss | | |
| GROWING IN UNITY | | | THE GROWING IN UNITY CLASS IS AN ONGOING BOOK
STUDY GROUP. This adult Sunday School class was
originally called Young in Unity, and was taught by Rev.
Ross Goodman. When he added an early Sunday
Service - about 15 years ago! - he asked Rose Suarez
to facilitate the group. She did so for the next two
years, and was followed by Bill McReynolds. The name
of the class was changed to Growing in Unity. Finally,
Cliff Topping led the class until Fall of 2003. The class
is currently facilitated by myself. We meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 in the
Fillmore Room. During the class, we read the book we
are studying aloud. Discussions take place as we go
along. It generally takes several months to complete a
book. This slow pace provides time to linger over ideas
and Truth principles - and perhaps even implement
them in our lives! When we finish a book, we
immediately choose another and begin again. Currently the class is studying Eric Butterworth's In the
Flow of Life. Since Mr. Butterworth encourages his
readers to "...pause frequently to reflect and meditate,
to digest spiritually," this is an ideal book for our type
of discussion group. Come join us! Sherry Keller | | |
| MORNING PRAYER | | | IN THIS PRAYERFUL MOMENT, I WELCOME GOD AS I
WELCOME BREATH. I inhale inspiration. I sense this
breath has been and always will be. I hold it for as long
as I can and feel the expanse of the divinity in me, in
all people, and in all things. As I finally let go of the breath I can no longer hold, I
ask for forgiveness for what I cannot do, have not
done, or have done poorly. I welcome help loving myself
and others, accepting myself and others and seeing the
good in myself and others. I welcome presence,
guidance and help. I ask for winds of awareness to blow softly through my
consciousness so all my days are rich with lessons. I
am humbly grateful for everyone who has ever loved
me, does love me, and will love me. I ask for healing
breezes to caress the sore spirits of those I love. May every breath I take be a prayer for life, for love,
for the divinity in all of us everywhere. Amen. Anne Giles Anne Giles is a Tampa Unity Chaplain.
To submit an article, prayer, poem, announcement, etc.
for publication in the Tampa Unity Vision, e-mail Janet
at staff@unitytampa.org. All submissions subject to
approval and editing! | | |
| WOMEN'S RETREAT RECHARGES | | | ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, JUNE 25th, 30 WOMEN
MET AT THE CHINSEGUT HILL Retreat Center for a
weekend that was even better than any of us
anticipated. After settling into our cottages, we met in the
conference center. Rev. Debbie Moss led us in a
Cherokee Blessing of the Four Corners. Diana Skiles
played her flute and Lara Dichraff drummed. On
Saturday morning, the blessing was followed by the
Angel Walk wherein participants closed their eyes to be
guided between two rows of women who voiced
affirmations of encouragement and love. The energy
surged and the weekend started on a great note! The retreat was a mixture of laughter, tears and
sharing. Many new friends were made and strong
bonds of fellowship were renewed. Over the course of
the weekend, we meditated, shared, performed
improvisational scenes, made bead bracelets, laughed
until we cried, roasted marshmallows, and howled -
literally! - to release all the built Chinsegut Hill retreat Center is a wonderland of Mother
Nature. Deer visited us with their fawns. We saw
humming birds, butterflies of all colors, tree's draped
with Spanish moss and, most of all, enjoyed the quiet
(no phones, TV's, meals to cook, or everyday routine).
It was a perfect setting to get away to and connect
with our Spiritual Center. A special thanks to Sam French, who organized a great
weekend for us; Mary Key for the program Friday
evening; Pat Fenda who furnished props and themes for
the improvisations; Clara Rodriguez for her special
handouts, and, of course, everyone who just pitched in
and helped. I hope when we do this again next year more of the
Women of Unity will be able to join us for a special
weekend.
Clara McLaughlin | | |
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