ARE YOU A TWELVE POWERS OR EMILIE CADY UNITIC? Did you know there is a difference? Neal Vahle in his book, The Unity Movement, describes very well the differences between those Unity truth students who follow Emily Cadie's beliefs and those who follow Charles Fillmore's Twelve Powers philosophy.

Personally, I'm definitely an Emilie Cady Unitic, yet I think about the Twelve Powers around this time of the year. It was very interesting to read in The Unity Movement that Lowell Fillmore, oldest son of Charles and Myrtle, probably did more to popularize the Unity teaching in the twentieth century than either of his parents. He attracted a much wider audience as editor of Weekly Unity magazine than previous editors. Lowell had the ability to make the teachings understandable, and he wrote with more clarity than his father, Charles.

Lowell rarely referred to Charles' Twelve Powers; he preferred the teachings of Emilie Cady. She wrote Unity's core book, second only to the Bible, Lessons In Truth. She also wrote two other books, How I Used Truth and God A Present Help. Lessons In Truth is one of the first books people new to Unity should read, and whenever possible, they should take the class. I have read the book numerous times, taken and taught the class numerous times, and I always learn something new every time.

Myrtle probably would never have stated her preference between Charles' and Emilie's works; however, reading between the lines, it's obvious that Myrtle appreciated her work a great deal. Neal Vahle quoted a portion of a letter Myrtle wrote to Emilie in The Unity Movement, "I think you must surely know as we do what your own blessed contributions to Truth literature are doing. The words you have spoken out to the world through our publications are Spirit and Life, and they are bringing forth their kind all over this great round earth, and they are ringing their messages of Truth and good will to man wherever he has found a foothold."

Why don't you read both books, Charles Fillmore's The Twelve Powers and Emilie Cady's Lessons In Truth, and decide for yourself if you are a Twelve Powers or Lessons In Truth Unitic. You know, in Unity you get to decide; no one will tell you what to believe. Rather, we help you learn how to believe.

Reading The Unity Movement is also a great recommendation; Mr. Vahle provides a lot of background information on Unity's beliefs, where they originated, who influenced the Fillmores, and how Unity has evolved. It's a great read, too!

Rev Debbie

I AM SURE YOU REJOICE WITH ME WHEN YOU SEE HOW MUCH OUR YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS GROWN. From full Sunday School classes, to puppets, to frequent family socials, to playgrounds; the evidence is clear that Tampa Unity loves its children! As a parent myself, I am so grateful to you all for your support of our children. I am excited and grateful that my son can learn the Unity principles from a young age, and will not have to spend years "unlearning" messages of inadequacy, negativity, limited resources, and guilt.

At Tampa Unity's Youth Education program, we teach the children about abundance, prosperity, forgiveness, divine nature, and power. What a wonderful way to grow up, don't you think?

Our regular Sunday School classes continue until May 25, 2008. As you know, insurance regulations require that we have two adults in every classroom. We need four volunteer Angels every Sunday to ensure our classes are covered.

When we have full coverage, we are able to keep our classes separated into their age groups, deliver age- appropriate lessons and activities, and ensure that every need is met during that time. To meet this need, we rely on you, our members, to step up and volunteer for at least one Sunday.

When I first came to Unity, I felt too intimidated to volunteer with Youth Ed. I felt I wasn't "mature" enough in my knowledge of Unity principles or the Bible. I didn't think I had anything to offer to the children, so I held back. One day, however, God drop-kicked me into being a Sunday School teacher and I realized that was a misconception. I had exactly what I needed! We all do!

What is required from you as a Sunday School Angel? Not much! You are welcomed warmly into our classrooms as our Sunday Angel. You can join us in prayer and meditation, discussion, and crafts. That's it! You do not have to prepare anything or teach. We simply need your presence and your loving energy to complete our classrooms. Because you are a beloved member of our spiritual family, you already have everything you need to be our Angel.

Because we value our Angels so much, we show our gratitude by giving you a CD of the service you missed while you were with us. You also are entitled to a 10% discount in the Bookstore on that day!

How do you become an Angel? Simply complete a background-check form, provide your Social Security number, and show your driver's license or Florida ID card. Then, choose a date on our sign-up sheet, and wait for your blessings to come! Forms are available from Jean Wynne, or in the Youth Ed area.

We are calling all you Angels to fill our calendar. We need a sign, to let us know you hear!

By Anne Marie Huggins

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD ONE MORE DAY? I find that days begin so brightly, great with promise and intention, spreading into the horizon, vast and boundless, then, "Snap!" they are off with a life of their own. I merely tag along for the ride.

A day goes by so quickly it seems. Too quick to finish all those tasks: bills and laundry, files and dishes, gardening and home repairs, hobbies left neglected, waiting for spare time. One day is never enough, yet who has not wished for just one more day? Or one more hour even?

What can you do with an extra day? Back around 1582, Pope Gregory XIII used an extra day to balance the calendar, thus ensuring that Easter would not eventually end up in December! And giving us one extra day every 4 years - We call it Leap Year! Every four years brings this gift, an extra day!

If I could, I would save my extra day. I would use it sparingly - for emergency only! five minutes here and there to be inserted when the tardy bell is ringing or the grocery store is closing. Or maybe just an extra second when the traffic light is changing.

Of course, it's easy to create an extra day if you're the Pope. The rest of us must steal ours, a minute at a time, a small break here or there to take a breath, think a good thought, appreciate one beautiful thing, even if it is while waiting at that interminable traffic light.

One day can do a lot - or a little that can add up to a lot. Leap Day or any day - it's your day, use it to make a big difference or a little difference - or a big difference, a little at a time!

by Janet Stanley

TAMPA UNITY'S YOUTH OF UNITY ATTENDED THE 2007 FALL RETREAT November 30 through December 2 at Camp Geneva in Fruitland Park, FL.  "Be the Eye" was the theme. Throughout the weekend, we experienced different meditation techniques as we learned the power of remaining calm in the eye of life's storms.  Saturday night was a highlight, as we drummed in silence down a long path to a bonfire.  The drumming intensified and we danced and celebrated our blessings and friendships around the fire!  The evening closed with song and meditation.  We all left with a renewed strength and peace to share with the world.

SPRING RALLY COMING SOON!
The Y.O.U. is preparing to attend the Spring Rally in March at Warren Willis Methodist Camp in Leesburg, FL. The theme is "OMG!!!" ( Oh, My God!!! ). 

This rally is always hard on our sponsor Lynda, because she has to pin Unity wings on our Y.O.U. graduates, and this year she has to pin five of them!  We will also elect our new regional representatives during our annual business meeting, as well as explore the theme in our family groups. Looking ahead, we will attend our Summer Connection event in Asheville, NC, on June 15-20.

Tampa Unity's Y.O.U. would not be able to attend these wonderful events without your loving support! Thank you and Namaste, from Tim, Amber, Ryan, Greg, Linnea, Russell, Lorena, Molly, Ali, Kelsey, Alexis, and sponsors Lynda and Ben Taylor.

I RECENTLY ASKED THE VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO TAKE ON THE ADDITIONAL ROLE OF "AMBASSADORS" - seeking out guests and others at our Sunday services who are not yet part of our regular congregation, and making them feel welcome here at Tampa Unity.

And then I started thinking about how we should all be ambassadors and wondering how well we live up to our church's reputation for friendliness and warmth. We certainly enjoy greeting our friends after Sunday services, but how many of us actually take the time to welcome the new guests each week? (They're easy enough to find in the crowd, since they're each holding a flower.)

Studies show that that those first ten minutes at the end of each service is the best time to make our first- time guests and other visitors feel welcome. But how many of us actually do that? Too often our newcomers are left standing off to the sides.

Our sincere interaction with them can mean the difference between their returning to Tampa Unity or continuing their spiritual search somewhere else. And how many of us ever go up and introduce ourselves to someone we may recognize but don't already know?

So here's the challenge: For the first two minutes immediately after the Peace Song, seek out and talk to someone you don't already know (especially if there's a flower involved). Welcome them to Tampa Unity and invite them to join us in Fellowship Hall for coffee and snacks. And then introduce them to at least one other member of the congregation.

Who knows? You could make a new friend and help Tampa Unity grow at the same time!

by Carol Ferguson

TWO YEARS AGO I PARTICIPATED IN THE SEVEN- WEEK PROSPERITY CLASS TITLED, "SEVEN KEYS TO THE KINGDOM." The class profoundly changed how I viewed life, myself, and the importance of giving back to the community.

During a segment on gratitude, the class kicked around ways in which we could share our good with others through our volunteer efforts. Chris Hubbard, a member of the class, described how the American Cancer Society needed drivers for their Road to Recovery outreach. The program provided cancer patients who had no transportation with a ride to their medical appointments.

I had never heard of such a program. Since my mother had died of cancer, I thought, Why not?

In my two-year association with the program, I have discovered parts of Tampa I never knew existed. But what's really cool are the people I've met. My cue for conversation comes from those I'm helping. By being a patient listener (which is hard for me, by the way), I noticed one of the patients, a woman named Margaret, had not only been abandoned by her family, but had spent Thanksgiving alone for the past fifteen years. Can you believe it? When I invited her to spend the holiday with us, she broke down and cried.

Being sensitive to how odors can affect a cancer patient, I asked her if turkey and pumpkin pie aromas would impact how she felt. "Oh, no. If you all you did was place a pot of boiled potatoes on the table, I'd be so happy. I'd be with people."

Kindness, a smile, a gentle touch on the arm: we never know how or when what we do uplifts someone's spirit or expands their hope. Margaret burned a CD of her favorite meditative songs as a gift to me. The first song is titled, You Raise Me Up. "I put that song first because that's what you've done for me," she explained.

Wow! Am I ever so blessed and grateful Margaret came into my life! I am grateful that I learned of the Road to Recovery program through Tampa Unity's ongoing efforts to broaden our consciousness as to how we can be a beacon of light for living Jesus' spiritual truths, not only on Sunday but every day.

by Julia A. Thornbrough

When I told my professor/choral director at USF, Dr John Richmond, that I was a jazz major, he replied wryly, "I guess you could move to Canada; they have public health care there." Even recognizing that this was a sales pitch from the head honcho of the Music Education Department, I realized he had a point. I soon after changed my major to Music Education.

I taught for about five years, and I went about it like Mr. Holland, from the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus." I put my heart into it, but I didn't really want to be there.

Lately, I have been taking on more and more piano and guitar students, the goal being to generate enough dinero to pay for Brenna's tuition at Beach Park Montessori and add to her pre-paid college fund. I am coming to see, however, how this is all part of a larger design.

I see, more and more, that these kids I teach are very much individual human beings, each with a different energy. Sometimes they amaze me with what they say; I am always amazed by their expression of spirit.

I may be an educated and experienced piano teacher, but I am careful to yield to the wills of these little pieces of God I am privileged to know. I want to hear from their own voices what direction they desire to go. Shoving convention, musical or other, down their throats would only serve to stifle their spirits.

As they explore their musicality, I use what I know to help them be successful. Of course, it is good to know theory and technique; my job is to slip these into a fabric that supports whatever direction each student is heading in. Some will chose to be professional musicians, but most will not. I like to think my students will grow into fully functioning, inspired human beings. If playing the piano is in that picture for them, cool.

Thanks, Dr. Richmond!

by John McEwen

THE LIVING CROSS CEREMONY IS A LONG-TIME EASTER TRADITION AT TAMPA UNITY. The day before Easter, flowers are prepared and placed on trays. During the Easter services, they are distributed to the congregation to be placed on the crosses, creating an inspirational display.

Originally the flowers were brought in by various members from their own homes. At some point, we decided to use wildflowers, particularly the colorful flocks which used to be so plentiful in this area. Today, wildflowers are protected by the State of Florida. So the greenery and blooms used for Tampa Unity's Living Cross are now ordered from a florist, but volunteers still gather on the Saturday before Easter to prepare them for Sunday Morning's Living Cross Ceremony.

Clara McLaughlin organizes this dedicated group, which usually includes Kathryn Matras (who remembers the ceremony from her childhood), Rose Suarez, Ruth Wallace, Eva Menendez, Jan Caldwell, Liana Badillo, and Rev. Debbie Moss.

This year's group will meet on Saturday, March 22 from 9 am to noon in Fellowship Hall. New hands are always welcome, sign up in Fellowship Hall or see Clara in the bookstore for more information.

A NEW YEAR, A NEW BOARD, AND A NEW PRESIDENT: SO MUCH IS HAPPENING AT TAMPA UNITY! My name is Dr. Scott Barry and I have been chosen by the Board of Trustees as your new Board President. I am honored and very excited to serve our community in this manner.

I had been on the Board of Trustees for a year working with Jeffrey King, and for any of you who know him, he will not only be missed but a hard act to follow. Rev. Allen and Rev. Debbie have been working hard getting me up to speed on the goings-on in our church. And this church, I can tell you, is busting at the seams with activity.

Our community continues to grow, and with that growth, there are more and more opportunities for any and all of you to join us in serving on any of our committees, Vision teams, or Councils.

We as a Board look forward to working with all of you and to serving our community in any way possible. I personally welcome you to contact me at any time with any needs or concerns and I look forward during my time on the Board to meeting and getting to know all of you.

by Scott Barry

TAMPA UNITY OFFERS SOME GREAT WORKSHOPS THIS SPRING, including a workshop by author Margaret Starbird, whose research provided background for The DaVinci Code. A number of her books (including The Woman with the Alabaster Jar and The Goddess in the Gospels) are currently available in the bookstore, and she will be signing her books before the class on March 2.

In addition, When Prayers Aren't Answered by John E. Welshons is available. He'll be offering workshops on relationships and meditation in April. In his insightful book, Welshons provides ideas, guidance and comfort for anyone dealing with the challenge of unanswered prayers.

Other offerings include:
The Secret Gratitude Journal, by Rhonda Byrne: This beautiful book offers a framework for practicing the power of gratitude each day.
The Bible, by Karen Armstrong: In this informative account, Karen Armstrong discusses the conception, gestation, and life of history's most powerful book. She analyzes the climate in which oral history turned into written scripture, how this scripture was collected into one work, and how it became accepted as Christianity's sacred text.
Your Soul's Compass, by Joan Borysenko: An elegant, simple, and practical guide to get in touch with your higher self and experience the field of infinite possibilities.
Soul to Soul by Gary Zukav: Part One consists of fifty brief, perceptive, and compelling chapters that encourage us to examine our own experiences in new and perhaps life-changing ways. Part Two combines profound spiritual and psychological insights and answers nearly 100 important questions about life.
Chi, Feng Shui & You, by local author Kathy Mann: How to get the most out of your home environment in the modern world, using ancient principles with state-of-the- art technology and information.

We also have suggested reading lists for Rev. Allen's popular New Testament History Class and the Pathway to Membership classes.

by Clara McLaughlin

MANY CHRISTIAN FAITHS OBSERVE THE LENTEN SEASON, THE 40 DAYS PRIOR TO EASTER. They use these 40 days to eliminate something from their normal pattern or perhaps to break an unhealthy habit.

In his book, Keep a True Lent, Unity's Co-founder, Charles Fillmore said that "Lent is a church institution and there is no authorization for it anywhere in the New Testament."

We in Unity observe this forty-day period spiritually. Every year Unity Institute publishes a very inspiring daily meditation booklet for these special forty days. Lent is patterned after the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for the beginning of his ministry. Often you see the number 40 in the scriptures, and metaphysically, the number 40 simply means enough time has passed to accomplish a thing. This is just one more example of how Unity understands the Bible metaphysically.

Easter is March 23 this year, so I invite you to take time every day, beginning Ash Wednesday, February 6, to spiritually prepare yourself for something wonderful.