News You Can Use

ALONG CAME A SPIDER

Y.O.U. RALLY AN INSPIRATION

SUMMER FOCUSES ON CHILDREN

LOUNGE LIZARD

VOLUNTEER CALLING

THE GIFT OF SELF

SUPPER CLUB SAILS TO SUCCESS

SUMMERTIME AND THE READING IS EASY

FOR DEBBIE AND ME, THE EXCITEMENT OF THIS SUMMER began sometime within a few days of May 24th, when our new grandson, Jackson Tyler Moss, arrived on planet earth. As of this writing, the exact date is yet unknown. Debbie flew out to San Francisco to be present for the birth, but as someone needs to stay here and mind the store, I am delaying my visit until mid-July.

Then there is the trip to Ireland, June 14th through the 25th, and we are becoming more excited as the time to leave draws closer. We have never been to Ireland. One of the most interesting things about this country is that despite its small size, it has had a huge influence on the world’s religions. In addition to taking in the wonders of the Irish countryside and historic sites, we are interested in exploring the ancient churches and religious areas.

While Debbie and I are gone, we will have some exciting Sunday Service speakers. On June 14th, Rev. Roxanne Riley, an executive with LifePath Hospice and a Unity minister, will present the message. Many of you know or have seen Roxanne at Tampa Unity from time to time. She is a dynamic person, filled with a positive spirit and bearing a big smile.

The following Sunday, June 25th, Sister Anne Dougherty, Director of Programs for Francis House, will share some thoughts about St. Francis and her personal journey. Francis House is one of the local charitable organizations that Tampa Unity tithes to every month and the healing work of Francis House is typical of Jesus’ mission of healing.

One of my passions in ministry is to do more interfaith work and communication with other religious organizations. There is certainly a richness to be gained from all spiritual paths. After all, there are many roads to God and as we open our hearts and minds in consciousness we are all lifted up. Mark your calendar and plan to attend church on June 18 and 24 to hear and support these wonderful speakers.

Directly following our tour of Ireland, I will be taking a sabbatical until the second week of August. Aside from visiting my grandson for the first time, I have not firmed up any other plans for my time off.

As you make plans for your summer (be it exciting or just relaxing), may your days be filled with God’s goodness and joy.

Rev Allen Moss

JACKSON TYLER MOSS came into the world on Sunday, May 21 at approx. 3:30 pm and weighed in at 9 pounds, 5 ounces! Both mom and baby are happy and healthy!
“One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather.”
~Joy Hargrove

NORMALLY, I TRY TO AVOID SPIDERS. It’s not that I am afraid of them; I simply prefer to stay out of their way. They have their own special purpose like eating insects. They fulfill a place in the natural order and food chain.

Recently I discovered that a spider had spun a very large web that stretched across our driveway. It reached from a tree beside the driveway and extended into the bushes next to our house. This web was not simple. I watched as a rather large spider built this multilevel web. The spider was black and yellow, probably a banana spider. I was never sure when the spider spun its web because it looked as if it never moved; it appeared to be in the same position all the time. But every day, the web became more complex and grew.

I was fascinated by this spider and web and began to communicate with it. “Ok, that’s a really nice web you have there and I think you are very lovely, so let’s try to share this space without bothering each other.” I commented to the spider. “Let’s make a deal, I won’t hurt you and you can leave us alone too, ok.” The spider seemed to consent to the terms of our lease agreement. It appeared that we had a workable situation.

The weeks went by without incident and I continued to observe the spider and its increasingly intricate web. Everything was going very well until one day the spider was missing from the web. A quick look around showed me that, sadly, the spider had made its transition. It was lying, lifeless, on the ground. I said my goodbyes and once again admired the amazing web it had created. The very next day the web began a rather rapid decline until there was nothing left.

It seemed to me that the spider and its web had some spiritual lessons to offer: Our home needs our tender loving care or it falls apart. Our first and primary home is our body temple and it certainly needs our attention. We need to feed it well, care for it and especially exercise it in order to keep it in proper form. Our physical homes and abodes also need our care and maintenance to keep our surroundings working in our favor. Our spiritual home, our church facility, like our body temples and individual homes also needs care and maintenance to keep it beautiful and welcoming to everyone who attends. Our church home is full of life and energy when it is especially full of participants, so it is my desire to see it full every week.

Unity is the no-guilt religion and we never put pressure on anyone to attend every week. Hopefully, putting the Unity principles to work in your life, living the truth that you know and an inspiring weekly message will keep you coming back, even during the lazy summer months.

Enjoy your summer vacations, have safe travels and when you are in town, I would especially like to invite you to attend Tampa Unity.

Love & blessings,
Rev. Debbie

"YOU ARE AN ANGEL" WAS THE THEME for the Southeast Youth of Unity's Spring Rally that was held March 17-19 in Leesburg, Fl.

We spent the weekend recognizing the beauty and power within each person present through meditations, workshops, and group discussions. The activity that extended throughout the weekend was the creation of angel wings. Each participant cut out their own feathers and wrote affirmations, prayers, the names of loved ones, etc., which were glued or taped to the wings.

Spring Rally has all the trappings of a normal rally, but also contains a regional business meeting, and an election. Friday and Saturday, the candidates for regional representatives (regies) answered questions and talked about themselves and their beliefs.

Saturday afternoon there was a voting session, and two regies were elected to serve in the next term.

For those graduating from high school, there was a ceremony to recognize the transition from Y.O.U. and high school, and entrance into a new phase in our lives. Carlie Jachimski, Kyle Fleming, Shawna Clark, Miranda Bailey, and Selina Loper are this year's graduates from the Tampa Y.O.U. chapter.

The graduation ceremony was held Saturday night. The newly elected representatives were inducted by the outgoing regies, who each spoke about their experiences as a regional representative, and in life. Afterwards, each graduating Y.O.U.-er was called up to shake hands with Carolyn Renfro, the Southeast regional coordinator, and was presented with a pin by their sponsor. They stood at the front of the chapel with a candle until all of the graduates had been called. Then everyone filed out and created a long corridor of people, singing one of the our Joy Songs, "Angel, angel, you are an angel, I see an angel in your eyes." The graduates filed through this back to the assembly hall, where everyone cried. Then we had a shindig!

Sunday morning one of the current regies, Cristin, gave a workshop about her personal struggles and how Y.O.U. and Unity helped her overcome them and turn her life around. Afterwards, she encouraged the rest of the group to spend a few minutes writing their own life stories, their triumphs and failures, and just reflect for a moment about their lives so far, to recognize the beauty in them.

Altogether, it was another successful rally for the Southeast Youth of Unity.
by Miranda Bailey

MANY THANKS to everyone who participated in the Y.O.U. Mother’s Day Pie and Cake Sale. Nearly $400.00 was raised to help send our delegates to Unity Village.

THE DAUNTLESS MEMBERS OF THE TAMPA UNITY CHILDREN AND FAMILY COUNCIL met the second Monday in May to discuss summer events featuring the children and families of Tampa Unity. Future meetings will be held the second Sunday of each month between the 9 and 11 am Services from 10:20 to 10:50 am in or near the Youth Ed. Area. Hopefully, this will enable more parents to be involved. Everyone is invited to attend and be a part of this dynamic group.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The good news is that plenty of people have pledged their time to staff the Vacation Bible School that takes place from June 19 - 23. The theme is Adventure of the Treasure Seekers, Exploring God’s Promises. The program uses the fun and adventure of archaeology to help children discover and experience joy in knowing they are treasures in God’s eyes and loved beyond measure. Encourage young people ages 3 to 13 to attend. Participants will receive an awesome embroidered backpack, enjoy crafts, activities, snacks, and take part in a special closing presentation on the evening of June 23. Registration is ongoing. Alex Sargent is opening the nursery for younger children and infants so that older siblings may attend.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUMMER & FALL
There are many exciting volunteer opportunities available this summer at Tampa Unity. Jean Wynne needs Summer Helpers to assist with the Youth Education program on Sunday mornings. Even donating one Sunday morning of your time this summer would be a significant contribution. Please see your Sunday bulletin for information or sign up in the Youth Ed Area.

Starting in the fall, it is the goal to have two adults in every classroom: one teacher and one assistant. Eight teachers will be recruited to teach as a team and alternate Sundays with parents assisting on a rotating basis. This is a great way to see first hand the growth your child is experiencing while making your own worthwhile contribution to the Tampa Unity Youth Education program. You might just find yourself inspired to assist on a regular basis or even teach a class of your own!

MAKE A BIG SPLASH!
An Event Coordinator and other volunteers are needed to organize the Summer Back to School event, “The Big Splash” scheduled for late July. Preliminary plans include slip n’ slides, water wiggles and other fun, wet stuff with music and a pot luck buffet. See Jennis Thomas or any of the Family Council to see how you can help.

SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICE
Be sure to join us on Sunday, June 25, when the children of Tampa Unity will be playing a key part in the services, featuring heartfelt stories, art and more all from the young people of our church

MY DAUGHTER IS A LIZARD CATCHER EXTRAORDINAIRE. She has learned her technique from a master, my husband. However, I feel she must have inherited her fascination with these lithe, earth tone beings from me. My husband likes to play little jokes with his lizards. He coaxes them to hang on to his ear lobes, and wears them as jewelry. He has taught Ally to be swift yet gentle of hand. She comes screaming into the kitchen, eyes bright with excitement. ”I got a big one!” I can see its tail twitching from between her small fingers. I quickly cast an eye around for the bug keeper.

Once the lizard is safe inside, I peer at him through the screen mesh. His eyes are tiny and dark and strangely intelligent. His sides heave. He is, I imagine, a little tense in his new environment. Not to worry, though. I see to it that he is safely returned to the outdoors before too long.

The demise of my cats from extreme old age – at one time I had six prowling about the property – has led to a bumper crop of lizards in my garden. A particularly large one lives inside my mail box. He is identifiable by the scar around his tale where it has regenerated after an untimely loss. These Florida lizards are called anoles, or scrub lizards or plateau or fence lizards. Occasionally, I see a bright green anole with a long, thin nose or even one of a multi colored striped variety, but mostly it is the brown anoles that are so plentiful and so appealing.

When I want to relax a moment, I go out and check out life among the lizards. They remind me of little garden gnomes, rustling about in the crunchy brown leaves or relaxing on the warm pavement. They perch on a convenient rock, ever ready to perform a quick push up or show off their dewlap with a proud puff from beneath their chins. Their eyes are alert, their toes are long and flexible. They pose as sentinels upon the sprinkler heads, awaiting a refreshing mist.

Lizards, Spanish moss, live oak trees and the billowing thunderheads against an endless horizon speak of summer in Florida to me the way a beachscape of sun and palm trees never will.

As the lizards lounge on a sun swept sidewalk a sprinkler head hisses and an air conditioner hums against the heat of the late afternoon. I look skyward through the twisting arms of a grandfather oak, through the lacy, draping moss, and into the boundless sky beyond.

by
Janet Stanley

CAROL FERGUSON IS THE NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR HERE AT UNITY, but she’s certainly not new to the church. She and her sister Gail attended Tampa Unity for many years before becoming members last year.

A background in teaching, advertising, sales, and publishing led to her present career. She owns The Write Course, a company that designs and conducts business-writing and other communications skills workshops.

Carol has been involved with volunteer organizations throughout her life. She is currently the co-founder and vice-president of Krewes Kare, a non-profit group that partners with Angel Flight Southeast to collect and deliver emergency supplies to hurricane victims.

“Even before Gail and I officially joined Unity, we volunteered our time because it was an excellent way to get to know everybody,” says Carol. “And – more importantly – it was our way to give back to the church that was already providing us with a warm and loving spiritual home.

“So whether you have just a little time or a lot, I hope you’ll consider joining all the other wonderful volunteers here at Unity. With your unique skills and passions, you can make an important contribution to our church, helping it not only grow but thrive. And I look forward to helping you discover just how your talents can make a difference.”

Watch you Sunday Bulletins for further information on upcoming volunteer opportunities or catch Carol after Sunday Services.

I don’t know what your destiny may be, but the one thing I do know is this: the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
Albert Schweitzer

“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love”.
Mother Theresa

ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS I find in my job as a LifePath Hospice volunteer coordinator is orchestrating a connection between two “strangers”. I witness human kindness moving each of them into a deep meaningful relationship. Volunteers are matched with patients in their own neighborhoods and provide companionship and respite during weekly visits.

The challenge of the job is that I often do not have enough volunteers to send to the those who are in need and waiting for this valued service. Regretfully, some individuals will not receive the extra gift of kindness in their hospice experience.

Stuart, a LifePath patient, waited two months for a South Tampa volunteer to visit. During the wait, he was lonely and “blue”; his loss of eyesight prevented him from running even small errands. Once Matt, a hospice volunteer, began visiting, Stuart’s outlook changed. With warmth and gratitude, Stuart shared with me how Matt’s visits made an incredible difference in his week. Matt echoed the same sentiments about his visits with Stuart. Both have clearly received the unique gift that is the heart of hospice care.

One of Tampa Unity’s members, Lois Wells, who was a dedicated LifePath hospice volunteer, believed that, while “giving” to others, she truly received the gift of life.

In an effort to create more meaningful experiences like those of Lois, Matt and Stuart, Tampa Unity is hosting a hospice volunteer training on Saturdays, July 15 and July 22, 2006 from 9 am - 5 pm each session; and Tuesday, July 25, 2006 from 6 - 8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact Lindsay Bomstein at (813) 357-5727 or email: bomsteinl@lifepath-hospice.org for more information. (see schedule below) If you or someone you know would be interested in registering for this free training or to learn more about how you can become a hospice volunteer, please call Lindsay Bomstein at (813) 357-5727.

Lindsey is a Volunteer Coordinator at LifePath Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc.

WE HAVE HAD A DELIGHTFUL YEAR IN THIS YEAR’S SUPPER CLUB. The Supper Club is a Tampa Unity tradition. It’s a fun way for people to mix and mingle, enjoy good food and make new friends. Circles are formed in the fall. Members take turns hosting informal dinner parties. This year, there were two Supper Club circles and a fun time was had by all. This is such a good way to get to know people you see in church each week.

The season’s first food fest was bravely hosted by Bob Serneels. Following suppers were presented by Shelia Hensley, Joanne Rossano, Kathryn Matras,. Mark Turner, Fern Kinion, Steve and Maria Whidden, and Mary Riley. The highlight of our year so far was a supper cruise around the Tampa Bay water ways with Captain Bob and Nancy Easterday. It was spectacular! We close this circle with Clara Rodriquez hosting in June.

It has been a good year with good food and fellowship. When Fall comes around, remember to put joining the supper club on your to do list. New circles will be forming. You won’t be sorry!

You can talk to this year’s Supper Club Co-chairs, Kathryn Matras and Sherry Keller or any Supper Club member to find out more about the Tampa Unity Supper Club.

Mary Riley is the Tampa Unity’s Chaplain coordinator and a licensed Unity Teacher. If you would like to contribute to the Tampa Unity Newsletter, please e-mail your submission to staff@unitytampa.org . Original short articles, poems, prayers, etc., are welcome and encouraged. All submissions subject to approval and editing.

IT’S SUMMER VACATION TIME! If you’re like me, you have to have a new book to take along with you. On my recent trip to Alabama and Mississippi, I took Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, a fast paced, can’t put it down, historical thriller. Be sure to stop by the bookstore and take a look at this new arrival and others, including: Misquoting Jesus by Bart D Ehram; Saying Yes to Change; (with a CD included) by Joan Borysenko; Inspiration-Your Ultimate Calling; by Dr. Wayne Dyer; and Transcending the Levels of Consciences by David Hawkins. If you’re looking for a bargain, we also have a section with 20% off the retail price.

If we don’t have what you’re looking for, you can still support Tampa Unity when you buy books by logging on to www.unitytampa.o rg. Select the bookstore and click on the Amazon icon at the bottom of the screen to go to their website. Tampa Unity will receive 5% of the sale!

Recycling means easy money
Recycling used printer ink cartridges just got even easier! Pick up a self addressed, pre paid postage bag in the bookstore and just drop them directly into the mail. Tampa Unity will be credited. You can still drop off your cartridges in the bookstore. Our last shipment netted $116.00 Used cell phones brought in $45.00 So, keep ‘em coming! Every little bit helps Tampa Unity and the environment.