NEWS YOU CAN USE
REV. DEBBIE
IS HERE FOR YOU!
While Rev. Allen Moss is away on his sabbatical, Rev.
Debbie Moss will be available for all your spiritual needs.
She will be giving the talks on Sunday and attending to
Tampa Unity's everyday business. Don't hesitate to call
her with any questions or concerns.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
TAMPA UNITY MEMBER NOREEN MAIER-HARTLEY
performs one of the title roles in the Alley Cat Players
production of Mollie Bailey's Traveling Family Circus
Featuring Scenes from the Life of Mother Jones by
Megan Terry and JoAnne Metcalf
An ensemble piece including 10 actors and live music,
the show presents surreal snippets from the lives of
real life American heroines Mother Mary Harris Jones
and Mollie Bailey.
The show runs weekends June 4 - 27 at the NT Village
Music Garden, 911 N Franklin Street. Call the Alley Cat
Players at 813-231-8478 or visit their website at
www.alleycatplayers.org for ticket information and
reservations.
Do you have a project or event that would be of
interest to fellow Tampa Unity Members? E-mail your
information to staff@unitytampa.org. All submissions
are subject to space availability and editing.
HELP WANTED!
Tampa Unity is planning a Courtyard Rummage Sale
Fundraiser to take place in August. Volunteers are
needed to organize this event.
Contact Richard Walther at 813-732-2109
SUPPER CLUB COORDINATOR NEEDED
Tampa Unity Supper Club was started 12 years ago.
It's one of our most successful social activities.
However, Sandy Mitchell, who has been the coordinator
since the beginning, is ready to pass the baton. The
time involved in overseeing the group is minimal and the
rewards are the rich blessings you get from meeting
and getting to know so many of our Unity family
members. If you would like more information, please
see Sandy or call her at home at 813-870-6182.
GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER
TENTATIVE DATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 28
WATCH THE SUNDAY BULLETIN FOR COMMITTEE
MEETING TIMES AND FURTHER INFORMATION.
BENCHES ADD COURTYARD AMBIENCE
CHECK OUT THE INVITING NEW BENCHES AND PICNIC
TABLES IN THE COURTYARD! Thanks to an
overwhelming response to our request for bench
sponsorships, we were able to purchase not only the
eight benches, but the two picnic tables as well. Other
donations include the new tile for the fountain, micro
watering lines for the hedges and lots of hard work from
the Tampa Unity Garden Club.
In spite of plumbing and piping difficulties, this die-hard
crew has come through with some major landscaping
improvements! What a blessing it is to have such
dedicated volunteers turning the Tampa Unity grounds
into gardens.
Next meeting of the Tampa Unity Garden Club is
Saturday, June 12 at 8:30 am in the Courtyard. All
hands are welcome. Contact Fern Kinion after Sunday
Services for more information.
Many Thanks to everyone who has continually
donated time, funds and energy to the beautification of
the Tampa Unity Grounds and Courtyard
Click Here To Veiw Upcoming Events in June & Book Worm News
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SUMMER RULES
DAYS LENGTHEN AS JUNE melds into July and we know
for sure that Summer is here. Long, cool evenings are
welcome after a hot July day. Here, in central Florida,
we look forward to the thunder showers to quench the
fiery afternoon heat. Lightening flashes, like sudden
inspiration, and thunder crashes serve as Mother
Nature's Fourth of July display.
June is vibrant and full. Only the boldest of blossoms
can stand up to the sun's summer rays. June is sweet,
not only with flowers but with the flow of honey and
buzzing of bees .June is a month for transformation as
butterflies emerge from their cocoons and spread new
found wings in flight and freedom.
The Youth Education area will be transformed into a
cityscape complete with skyline and phone booth
(necessary for superman-like transitions!) Participants
start their day at "Metro Headquarters" where they get
their mission for the day from HQ, the Hound Puppet. A
morning of crafts, games and fun ensues.
The program culminates in a celebratory supper on
Friday, July 9 from 6:30-8:30, in the Fellowship Hall.
The Sun King reins in the summer and encourages a
restlessness to wander. Even in medieval times, summer
was the time of pilgrimages and travel to sacred sites
and far away lands. Summer says, retreat and travel, if
only in your mind, to distant places and dreamscapes.
Get, while the getting is good. Go, while the summer
sun lights the way to inspiration.
by Janet Stanely
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| ALLEN'S SUMMER VACATION | | | "16ALWAYS BE JOYFUL. 17CONTINUALLY BE
PRAYERFUL. 18IN EVERYTHING BE THANKFUL, BECAUSE
THIS IS GOD'S WILL IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU."
1 THESSALONIANS 5
These words from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians
reflect my feelings of the wonderful things that are
taking place at Tampa Unity. Like many of you,
especially those volunteers who make wonderful things
manifest, I am so thankful, renewed with joy, and
rejuvenated with energy. Enthusiasm and beauty are
bursting forth all around. I don't want to turn this article into a report on all the
new changes and improvements, but I am like the little
kid of my childhood. I have always been enamored with
new "toys." The staff is also excited about the new
roof over the offices -- no more sitting out buckets to
protect the equipment! The beauty of the courtyard,
the new benches, and the refurbished water element
bring a feeling of joy and peace that invites all of us to
linger for a while. The landscaping, especially the new
hedges, is now being watered with a micro-watering
system that saves water and makes sure the plants
survive the summer heat we are experiencing. There is more to come. We are having a new cabinet
built for the Narthex to provide storage and eliminate
clutter. Sometime in August or September, we will
have a multi-media system installed in the sanctuary.
This will enhance our Sunday morning worship services
in many different ways.
A couple of weeks ago, I announced that I will be
taking a sabbatical beginning June 21st and ending July
31st. My contract with the church calls for me to take
a full three months, but several months ago, I asked
the Board to allow me to split this into two sessions. I
did not feel comfortable being gone for so long.
Many people have asked how I plan to spend my time
away. One week will be spent in silent spiritual retreat
at the Mepkin Abbey, located near Monck's Corner,
S.C. I feel a real need to re-center myself spiritually
and mentally. I will attend the five prayer times each
day and spend time in reflection and walking their
grounds. One week will be spent working on my golf
game, one week working on my house, and I am
planning to spend two weeks immersed in learning
Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala. The timing is perfect for my sabbatical now that Debbie
is a licensed Unity Minister. You and I know that Tampa
Unity is in good hands. Divine order is in place. Soon, school will be out and vacations will begin. Like
me, many of you will have plans that cause you to be
away on Sundays and this is understandable. During
those times when you are gone or your activities do
not allow you to be here, please know that we are
keeping you in our prayers and affirming safe and
wonderful travels for you. Please keep Tampa Unity in
your prayers and I hope you will remember your spiritual
home with your financial support. Doing so really does
make a difference! May your summer be blessed with the warmth of God's
love, the joy of God's presence and the protection of
God's all encompassing Spirit, surrounding and enfolding
you and your loved ones with wonderful experiences
and joyful relationships.
Rich and Abundant Blessings!
Allen Moss | | |
| LEFT BEHIND? | | | A RECENT BUMPER STICKER READ: "WAITING FOR THE
RAPTURE? WOULD YOU LEAVE ME YOUR CAR?"
More than 60,000,000 copies of the Left Behind books,
a fictional series of "scripture based" drama, have been
sold, the vast majority in the south. Currently four of
LeHaye-Jenkins' Left Behind books are among the top
10 best selling Christian books. WHAT'S BEHIND THE THEOLOGY DISPENSED IN THE
LEFT BEHIND SERIES? The concept is that one day all
true believers, those who have been saved, begin to
disappear. They ascend into heaven leaving their
clothing, glasses, shoes, etc behind in a nice neat pile.
The non-believers, those left behind, must face 7 years
of trials and tribulations of apocalyptic mayhem. At the
end of the 7 years, Jesus returns and reins on earth
from the City of Jerusalem for a 1,000 years. WHO'S BEHIND THE LEFT BEHIND THEOLOGY?
According to Bruce Bawer's book Stealing Jesus, How
Fundamentalism Betrays Christianity, the major person
behind this belief, which is also known as Dispensational
Premillennialism, was John Nelson Darby. An Englishman
born in 1800, Darby was ordained into the clergy of the
Church of Ireland. He developed his dispensational
theology from the cryptic apocalyptic visions found in
the Book of Revelations, which indicate that Jesus will:
Someday return personally to earth,
Establish an earthly kingdom with itscapital in Jerusalem
Reign over the earth from Jerusalem for exactly one
thousand years. Darby's theories met with more success in the United
States than in Ireland. He was especially well received
by believers in the southern region of the country. A
Texas minister, C.I. Scofield, expanded Darby's ideas
when his 1909 Scofield Reference Bible codified and
advanced the cause of dispensationalism.
This bible quickly became a favorite and best seller for
the fundamentalists.
Some would say these theories are a literal
interpretation of the Bible, yet religious historian
Sydney Ahlstrom notes that Darby's theology was
based on extensive use of typology and numerology. It
was also dependent upon highly debatable, even
fanciful, interpretations of apocalyptic passages, which
are anything but literal. WHERE DID THIS THEOLOGY ORIGINATE? The idea of
end times is not new, the Apostle Paul believed that
Jesus would return during Paul's lifetime. Paul's
theology, letters and advice to his Christian friends
reflected that belief. There is, however, no actual
evidence to suggest that Jesus ever predicted such an
event. The parables about a returning king or master
found in Luke 19:11-27 were originally about God
returning to Jerusalem, not about Jesus returning to
earth.
In Unity we believe that there are many paths to God
and everyone must find their own path that helps them
create a close and personal relationship with God.
Please understand that I am not being critical of those
who believe the Bible literally or follow the Left Behind
Series. What's missing for me with this theology is love. Jesus was all about love; his only commandments were
to love one another as I have loved you. Love God
first and love your neighbor, as yourself was his main
message. Jesus was about inclusion not exclusion and
he invited the outcasts into his inner circle much to the
dismay of the religious leaders of his day. I prefer to
live by Jesus' teachings not theories or man made
dogma.
I also believe we must love our own mother earth by
being environmentally responsible. Using the left behind
theology as an excuse to pollute God's creation or take
other action without thinking about future generations
seems to me irresponsible and just plain wrong.
It is at times very difficult to love when we are
bombarded daily with images of man's inhumanity to
one another. Our own country is so divided politically
and religiously that it takes a great deal of faith not to
react with anger. Let's remember to take a deep
breath, turn within and remember Jesus was about love.
Edwin Markham's poem also offers a solution:
He drew a circle that shut me out, Heretic, rebel, a
thing to flout;
But love and I had the wit to win,
We drew a circle that took him in.
Love and blessings,
Reverend Debbie Moss | | |
| WOMEN'S RETREAT RECLAIMS AND RECHARGES | | | RECLAIM THE SPIRIT OF LOST THINGS (like quiet and
piece of mind!) at the Women's Retreat at Chinsegut
Hill, Brooksville, FL on June 25 through 27. This is an excellent opportunity to rest up and recharge
your spiritual batteries as 30 (or more) women gather
to revisit old friendships and kindle new; enjoy some
quiet, personal time; and increase Spiritual Awareness
while enjoying the beautiful, natural surroundings. Chinsegut Hill is a conference and retreat center just
north of Brooksville. It sits atop the second highest
elevation in Florida! Chinsegut is an Alaskan Innuit
Indian term that means "the spirit of lost things." The
wooded retreat includes a Manor House, which was
built in 1849; cabins; and a wildlife refuge and forest
preserve. The spirit of Womanhood is alive and well at Chinsegut.
The Manor House was previously owned by Colonel
Robbins and his wife. Mrs. Robbins was a suffragette
who chained herself to the White House fence for three
days in support of a woman's right to vote. The energy
is great at this center! Scheduled events include a Native American Blessing,
meditations, a "Sacred Object" workshop, nature walks
and lots of silent time to reflect and relax. The cost of the retreat is $150.00 with a $50.00
deposit due as soon as possible. We must have at least
30 women attending the retreat or it will be cancelled.
Please contact Sam French at jfsamroc@verizon.net or
813-988-0312, or Debbie Moss at the Tampa Unity
office for further information or call the Tampa Unity
office to register. | | |
| 1ST ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP DAY | | | ON SATURDAY, JUNE 5, AREA CHURCHES, COMMUNITY
GROUPS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVISTS will come
together to create an afternoon of fellowship and fun
at Al Lopez Park on South Himes in Tampa. Planned activities include a Martial Arts Demonstration;
service and non-profit group sign-up stations; free food
and drinks; fun family-oriented games and activities
with prizes; and more! Scheduled appearances include the Martial Arts America
Demonstration Team, The Buffalo Soldiers, Black
Diamonds Ladies Motorcycle Club, the Tampa Area Step
Team Champions, plus members of the Tampa Fire and
Police Departments. The WE Foundation is a non-profit organization
comprised of people committed to alleviating the plight
of Inner-City youths and senior citizens and their
families. The WE Foundation sponsors food and toy
drives, mentoring programs and neighborhood park and
playground clean ups. Volunteers are needed, as well as donations of services
and goods suitable for the event. And, everyone is
invited to participate in this day of fun and fellowship. For more information on how you can help please
contact Mr. Lace B. Mobley, WE FOUNDATION Officer,
Tampa Neighborhood Church Association, PO Box
13395, Tampa, FL 33681, 813-831-0113, or
email:fellowshipday@yahoo.com | | |
| ADVANCED PROSPERITY COMES TO TAMPA UNITY | | | FORMER SENIOR MINISTER OF UNITY WORLD
HEADQUARTERS REVEREND CHRISTOPHER IAN
CHENOWETH brings his incredible Advanced Prosperity
Process seminar to Tampa Unity on Sunday, August 1
at 1:30 pm. Reverend Chenoweth is the founder of
www.PositiveChristianity.org, "the worldwide PRAYER
PLACE inside the internet, welcoming all faiths,
excluding no one." In 2001, he received the prestigious
Voice of Unity Award. Serving over 6,000,000 people
every day, his ministry is one of the largest prayer
ministries on the internet. Rev. Chenoweth personally
prays and counsels people from all over the world daily. Tampa Unity is pleased to offer his Advanced Prosperity
Process seminar. Attendees will learn of a 30 day
process that will transform a person leading an average
life into a prosperous, fulfilled person. "A person's thinking determines how prosperous he or
she is."
-Rev. Chenoweth Rev. Chenoweth has presented his seminar nationally to
groups in over 400 cities. His process is open to people
of all religious backgrounds. He states that, "The
human being that turns the great energy of thinking
towards prosperity will tend to attract and produce
prosperity lastingly in their life. A human being is limited
only by limited thoughts." This 3 ½ hour seminar is available on a love offering
basis and open to the public.
Rev. Chenoweth will speak at the 9 and 11 am Sunday
Services on August 1st. The seminar follows at 1:30 in
the Sanctuary. | | |
| MEASURING UP TO FATHER'S DAY | | | Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle
voices call him father!
~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, I was fascinated by the
Perry Mason Series on TV. At age 6 or 7, I was far too
young to understand the adult content of the popular
courtroom drama, but Raymond Burr, who played the
title character, seemed to my young eyes the exact
image of my father. Like the famed television attorney, my father was tall
and dark haired. He commanded a Perry-like respect
about our household. He was the voice of authority,
the ultimate judge in any disagreement. Yet, love and
protection dwelled in his English Leather-scented
embrace. He was the all powerful healer who could rub
his hand across an upset tummy and make it all better.
He was the provider of all: lunch money; and
allowances; and Saturday night pizza. During the week, our world was empty until his nightly
return. We waited for him expectantly in the evening
and raced to his car to gain the privilege of carrying his
brief case into the house. As the sun set, a jubilant cry
of, "Daddy's home!" would fill our house and lives. A father's place in his child's eyes is a lofty one and not
always easy to maintain in the wake of age, but I will
always look back to the image of my father as the yard
stick by which all metaphors of love, protection and
security are measured.
By Janet Stanley Y. O. U. FUNDRAISER
Father's Day Ice Cream Social
Sunday, June 20 after the 11 am service
Create your own sundae and support the Y.O.U. -
Love Offerings encouraged! | | |
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