NEWS YOU CAN USE
UPCOMING:
Good Friday Service Mar. 25
Pancake Breakfast and Living Cross Ceremony Easter
Sunday, Mar. 27
JIN SHIN JYUTSU WKSHOP APRIL 3, 10, 19, 26
Birthday Sunday April 10
TERRY ELY BOOK SIGNINGApril 17
Mid-Year Meeting April 24
CARING CIRCLE FOCUSES ON SPIRITUAL
AWAKENING
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT IS OFFERED WEDNESDAY
MORNINGS with the Caring Circle. This informal group of
long time Tampa Unity members meets weekly to
discuss books that inspire questions and clarify
thoughts about life, purpose and spirituality.
The Caring Circle was founded nearly 50 years ago by
Rev. Ruby Wagner, Tampa Unity's original minister, and
has been meeting ever since.
Currently, this close knit group includes Pat
Dunning, Pat Timen, Maricel Colon, Eve Menendez, Pat
Ashby and Ruth Wallace, who has been the
facilitator since 2001. Many of the members of the
Caring Circle have been with the group (and Tampa
Unity) for many years. Ruth joined the Circle in 1988!
The goal of the Caring Circle is to encourage spiritual
awakening.. They study Unity and other metaphysical
writings including books by the Fillmores,
Conversations With God by Neal Walsch and
Radical Incarnation by Colin C. Tipping. Presently
the group is studying For the Love of God, a
series of essays by such diverse authors as Mother
Theresa and the Dalai Lama. Fellow searchers are
invited to join the Circle on Wednesday Mornings from
10 am to Noon in the Fellowship Hall in their quest for
the awareness of being one with God.
BOOKWORMS Off The Hook
APRIL'S SELECTION IS ABRAHAM: A JOURNEY OF
THREE FAITHS by Bruce Feiler, available in the
Tampa Unity Bookstore for a discount price of $10.35.
Due to a lack of interest, this may be the Book Clubs
last meeting. After more than a year of literary
discussion, attendance has dwindled. If anyone is
interested in reviving the book club, please talk to Clara
in the Bookstore.
Clara
WHAT'S NEW IN THE BOOKSTORE:
Free Yourself from Addictive Thoughts by Tampa
Unity's own Terry Ely.
Gnostic Gospels of Jesus by Marvin Meyer.
Same Soul, Many Bodies by Weiss, Brian L
(Author of "Many Lives, Many Masters").
Oneness the teachings by Rasha.
Ask and it is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks.
Setting Your Heart on Fire by Raphael Cushnir.
I of the Storm for Teens by Jane Simmons
(Author of "I of the Storm).
GARDEN CLUB HOE DOWN!
THE TAMP UNITY GARDEN CLUB HAS BEEN AT IT AGAIN!
They met on March 12 and replanted the courtyard
beds just in time for Easter! As the new plants are
delicate, it is asked that parents please watch their
children and do not allow them to step in the beds. The
garden club has put a great deal of effort into the
replanting and your help is appreciated.
The small landscape rocks have been temporarily
relocated behind the dumpster. They are available free
for the hauling! Interested parties should contact the
Tampa Unity office.
The Garden Club is a group of hard working volunteers
dedicated to improving and maintaining the church
courtyard and grounds. They meet as needed to prune
and plant. Many thanks go to them for their efforts.
Next work day is Saturday, April 9 at 9 am in the
Courtyard. Please call Fern at 813-908-1687 and see
how you can help keep Tampa Unity in bloom.
A LOVING RESPONSE TO VALENTINE'S FOR THE
HOUSEBOUND PROGRAM:
"Thanks to all of you for your prayers and for the
special Valentine cards that I received...All of you don't
have the slightest idea how happy I am reading them.
All of you made my day!"
Priscilla Serpa
Let's keep those cards and notes going out! Visit
the table in Fellowship Hall to send a card to someone
who cannot attend Sunday Services.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY, APRIL 22
Take a moment to honor Mother Earth and all her
blessings.
ARBOR DAY, APRIL 24, Plant a Tree, Save the World.
Trees clean the air, save energy and soothe the soul.
Imagine a world with no trees; it's called the desert.
PEACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Though the official Season For Nonviolence ends on
April 4, we can maintain a nonviolent attitude by
reviewing the affirmations and pledges throughout the
year. Engender peace one thought, one step, one
person at a time.
MEET AND GREET
THE LOVE IS IN THE AIR GREETER PROGRAM blossoms
thanks to volunteers who bring their smile and
marvelous personalities to greet and welcome all our
members and guests to Tampa Unity. Can you spare
fifteen minutes on a Sunday of your choice to help with
the offering, greet, or distribute welcome packets to
our guests? Your help will spread goodwill to many.
Contact Julia Thornbough after the Sunday Service or
by phone: 881-09ll (home) or 784-2929 (cell) or sign up
in Fellowship Hall.
A FUNNY STORY
SIX-YEAR OLD ANGIE AND HER FOUR-YEAR BROTHER
JOEL were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, and
talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had enough of his
antics.
"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See
those two men standing by the door. They're hushers!"
Click Here To Veiw Upcoming Events
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CARING CIRCLE FOCUSES ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT IS OFFERED WEDNESDAY
MORNINGS with the Caring Circle. This informal group of
long time Tampa Unity members meets weekly to
discuss books that inspire questions and clarify
thoughts about life, purpose and spirituality.
The Caring Circle was founded nearly 50 years ago by
Rev. Ruby Wagner, Tampa Unity's original minister, and
has been meeting ever since.
Currently, this close knit group includes Pat Dunning,
Pat Timen, Maricel Colon, Eve Menendez, Pat Ashby
and Ruth Wallace, who has been the facilitator since
2001. Many of the members of the Caring Circle have
been with the group (and Tampa Unity) for many years.
Ruth joined the Circle in 1988!
The goal of the Caring Circle is to encourage spiritual
awakening.. They study Unity and other metaphysical
writings including books by the Fillmores, Conversations
With God by Neal Walsch and Radical Incarnation by
Colin C. Tipping. Presently the group is studying For the
Love of God, a series of essays by such diverse authors
as Mother Theresa and the Dalai Lama. Fellow
searchers are invited to join the Circle on Wednesday
Mornings from 10 am to Noon in the Fellowship Hall in
their quest for the awareness of being one with God.
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| BEYOND THE DETAILS | | | TODAY THERE ARE MANY FORMS OF RELIGIOUS FAITH
and within Christianity, many different Christian
denominations or faiths. Interestingly enough there
were many different kinds of Christians in the first few
centuries after the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
According to Elaine Pagels, Ph.D., Professor of Religion
at Princeton University, in her book Beyond Belief,
The Secret Gospel of Thomas, various Christian
groups interpreted many rituals and sacraments
differently.
They understood the purpose of baptism in different
ways and had different ideas about how to celebrate
The Lord's supper, just to name a couple. Isn't it interesting that some of Jesus' earliest followers
did not think of themselves as Christians. Today, we
think of Christians as separate from Jews, the early
disciples did not. Sometimes Christians forget that
Jesus and his followers were Jews. Some of his early
followers considered everyone as God's people; some
were Jews who revered Jesus as the great interpreter
of God's law, the Torah. Ah, now that sounds more like
what we would call Progressive Christianity and very
much like a Unity teaching. The Didache (Greek for "teaching") was written in Syria
about ten years before the New Testament gospels of
Matthew and Luke and contains quotes that both
Matthew and Luke attribute to Jesus. "The Way of Life
is this: First, you shall love the God who made you, and
your neighbor as yourself; and whatever you do not
want to have done to you, do not do to
another." "Bless those who curse you; pray for your
enemies...love those who hate you...if anyone smites
you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also..." Several thoughts come to my mind as I consider this
historical research. Immediately following the death of
Jesus, the Apostles taught "The Way," which later
became Christianity. Jesus was revered as the great
interpreter of God's law, the Torah; it makes perfect
sense that he would have been very familiar with the
sacred texts. Most of their communication was verbal
and it would have been necessary to memorize the
texts so they could have meaningful conversations. It
should not be shocking or surprising that Jesus would
have often quoted from all of the sacred texts available
to him. The books of the New Testament are filled with verses
and phases from the books of the Old Testament.
Some of Jesus' last words are also found in Psalms
22:1, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Isaiah 53 describes in detail a suffering prophet
slaughtered like a lamb. Much of this text is quoted in
Acts 8 in a conversation between Philip and an
Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of the
treasury of the queen of Ethiopia. Something really
interesting takes place in this conversation recorded in
the Book of Acts in the New Testament. Rabbi
Bernholtz taught us (SE Unity Ministers) to look for the
story within the story. I invite you read this passage
and tell me what you discover. What I have described in this column is just one more
example of the importance of focusing on Jesus'
teachings and not to get caught up in the details. It is
the details that tend to separate fundamental
Christians from Progressive. It is the details that
separate fundamental faiths from each other. Why
don't we lose our hold on the details and focus on the
great teachings - "Love God first and love your
neighbor as yourself." I don't care who said it first or
when, not only do I believe Jesus said it, I believe he
lived it and demonstrated this ideal. We would all be
wise to follow his lead.
Love and blessings,
Rev Debbie Moss | | |
| PRAYER IS ALWAYS GOOD | | | OUR PRAYERS BECOME A TRANSFORMING POWER IN
OUR LIVES when we link their meaning with life's
experiences. Any attempt at prayer is better than none
at all. Any attitude or posture of prayer, any words of
prayer and even any partial attention that may be
given to them is better than no prayer at all. But the
prayer that is most effective for us is one that we most
easily and completely think and feel. When we deeply
feel our prayers and link them with the circumstances
of life, they become a vitalizing, quickening factor in
our lives. Whether our prayers are prayers by rote or the
spontaneous outpouring of the mind and heart, it is
essential that they be really thought and felt. We want
our prayers to be an earnest effort to contact the
source of our being, to align ourselves with God's
purpose and love. We should try to make not only our
words but also our thoughts, emotions, and actions into
channels for God's expression. Even speaking true words that we do not really feel is
helpful sometimes. Merely hearing them may spark our
recognition of their truth or may make them more
constructive. We begin to understand that prayers do
not change God, that God does not so much listen to
our words as look upon our hearts. The transforming power of prayer moves from within
outward. When we truly understand and apply this
power, the floodgates of prosperity and joy open to us.
There is no limit in the mind of God - nothing good is
withheld from us. The blessings of God are countless,
and they are free for all to enjoy, but our compliance
with the law of their expression must be as free and
wholehearted as we wish the results to be. Prayer is always better than not to do anything, and
God always listens to and answers all our prayers.
Rev Enrique Amorós | | |
| EXPERIENCE THE HEALING ENERGY OF JIN SHIN JYUTSU | | | TAMPA UNITY MEMBER KATHY FLEMING WILL OFFER 4
WORKSHOPS ON THE HEALING ART OF JIN SHIN JYUTSU
IN APRIL.
"Jin Shin Jyutsu is a safe, non-invasive healing art that
can be practiced on oneself anywhere, at any time.
Operating under the understanding that our bodies are
filled with pathways of energy that sometimes can
become distorted or blocked, the gentle application
of "jumper cabling" with the fingertips is a helpful way
to re-harmonize, relax and energize the body. Breath is also a very important aspect of this Art and
our self care. By using the breath effectively, a deep
sense of relaxation and peace are felt throughout the
body and mind. This facilitates the release of toxins
and tensions that can lead to numerous ailments and
sufferings.
In ancient times, traditional people saw no distinction
between body, mind, and spirit. Consequently, the
practices they used to assist the body naturally
promoted physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness.
Moreover, people saw their health or "harmony" as
dependent upon bringing these seemingly disparate
elements into balance. Jin Shin Jyutsu (pronounced jin shin jitsu) helps us to
remember that every one of us possesses the simplest
instruments needed to bring about harmonious balance--
the breath and hands. It reminds us that these
instruments are all we need to enhance our physical
and mental vitality, which in turn help eliminate the
causes of underlying disease, or "disharmony." Most
importantly, it reawakens our awareness of the life
energy that permeates the universe. This renewed
awareness enables us to send life-giving energy
through various locations in the body." Excerpt from The Touch of Healing, Energizing the
Body, Mind and Spirit with the Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu®
by Alice Burmeister with Tom Monte Kathy Fleming is an amazing practitioner and teacher of
this Art. She received her first session in 1985 and
began her life long study in 1991. She is a now has a
fulltime practice and deeply enjoys sharing this work
with everyone. Over the years, she has witnessed
remarkable transformations attributable to this profound
work. Four workshops are being made available at Tampa
Unity: Sunday, April 3 and Sunday, April 10 from 1 to 3
pm in the Y.O.U. Room, and on Tuesday, April 19 and
Tuesday, April 26 from 7 to 9 pm in the Y.O.U. Room.
The sessions are on going, yet self contained so
participants may attend one or all as they wish. The
fee is $12.00 per session for Tampa Unity Members,
$15.00 general public. | | |
| AUTHOR TO SIGN BOOK OF INSPIRATIONAL ESSAYS | | | LONG TIME TAMPA UNITY MEMBER, TERRY ELY has
published his first book, Free Yourself From Addictive
Thinking. This collection of spiritual essays grew out of
Terry's own recovery from drug use and alcoholism. Now a successful entrepreneur, Terry grew up in an
alcoholic family. He has spent the last 12 years in
recovery. His essays are meditations and thoughts on
living in the world while staying in touch with the Christ
within, thus experiencing serenity and peace in
everyday life. The book was written over a 10 year
period. Terry hopes that his recovery and reflections will inspire
not only those who are in recovery, but anyone who
seeks to include spirituality in their life. Terry has
recently received his BA in Religious Studies from the
University of South Florida. Already active as an
organizer and facilitator of spiritual workshops and
retreats, he hopes to continue his education and
practice addictions counseling. Terry will be on hand to sign copies of his book in
Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 17, following the 11 AM
Service. Free Yourself From Addictive Thinking is
available in the Tampa Unity Bookstore for $14.95
-Terry Ely, Free Yourself From Addictive Thinking. | | |
| LET'S NOT GET BLOWN AWAY! | | | LAST YEAR'S HURRICANE SEASON WAS A REAL WAKE-
UP CALL as far as emergency preparations go at Tampa
Unity. Fortunately Tampa was spared the brunt of the
storms that took their toll on other parts of the state.
In an effort to be more prepared for this summer's
storms and any emergency that may present itself, Jim
Atkins will be heading up the Tampa Unity
Hurricane/Emergency Readiness Team. The team will
consist of people who are willing to prepare the Tampa
Unity facility in the event of hurricane warnings by
putting up plywood, laying out sand bags, etc. Several
people have already expressed an interest by signing up
last Fall. Please renew your interest by signing up in
Fellowship Hall and Jim will contact volunteers as
Hurricane Season approaches. You can help keep
Tampa Unity safe and secure. | | |
| THIS OLD TREE | | | THIS OLD TREE STANDS 60 FEET TALL in the center of
my driveway, in the front of my house. It is a laurel
oak. This old tree is really old, for a laurel oak, 80,
maybe 100 years of age. When this tree was young, its
view of the river was unobstructed. It shared its plot of
ground with live oaks and palmettos, Spanish moss and
a spring, now filled, at the river's edge. Season after
season changed, leaves and acorns dropped to the
ground. This tree watched its children grow to stand
tall along the river's edge. Animals lived beneath this
tree, drank from the spring. Intrepid tourists from the
nearby Sulphur Springs Resort rested in the shade of
this tree. And, this old tree remained when the resort
was no more, when the tourists left and the arcade
was razed. This tree remained through wars and
decades, the 20's, 30's, 40's... Hemlines and hairstyles,
cars and houses, these all changed, came and went,
but my tree remained. When my house was built 20
years ago, the tree was fuller. Time and construction
have taken their toll on this old tree. It is a bit lopsided now. Branches are missing, huge
limbs are gone, replaced by hidey holes for squirrels and
wood peckers and maybe gnomes and fairies. The tree's
remaining branches reach, like fingers, toward the sky. "I could give you a permit to take it down." said the
arborist from the city. "That branch is weak. This tree
is old. It is dying. Laurel Oaks don't usually live past
100." Take it down? This old tree? From my upstairs window,
I can see into the branches of the tree. No less than
six squirrels are frolicking there. Beneath the tree, the
ground is sprinkled with fresh saw dust. The wood
peckers are back for the fourth (or fifth?) Spring in a
row, also blue jays and some tiny orange finches.
Entwined around the trunk of the tree are the tendrils
of the night-blooming cereus I planted there. Fuzzy
shoots foretell of mid- Summer blooms to come. Someday this old tree may fall, or shed its remaining
limbs to stand as a totem, a May pole, a perpendicular
condominium for wildlife. This old tree will decay and
return to the earth, as will all, but not just yet. It has
purpose still, and strength, even in its decline. This old tree has danced and twirled in the wind of 100
Summers' storms, has harbored birds and owls and
squirrels, has stretched its roots deep into the earth to
search out water in times of drought and held fast in
times of rain. I celebrate this old tree as a symbol of
Spring's renewal, magic's existence, nature's endurance
and my own inspiration.
byJanet Stanley | | |
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