YOU ARE INVITED ON A JOURNEY, A SACRED JOURNEY INTO THE UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES OF LIVING BASED ON UNITY'S PRACTICE OF POSITIVE PRAYER. Each week the Sunday lesson will focus on an aspect of Positive Prayer to deepen your mystical connection with the Divine. You will have an opportunity to strengthen your personal experience of prayer. You are also encouraged to share the heart of your own prayer expression by participating weekly in a small group for prayer and study. You are called to deepen and expand your awareness of prayer and of the powerful energy of Positive Prayer. This is a journey of transformation and creativity.

Our text is a very practical book, The Handbook of Positive Prayer by Hypatia Hasbrouck. The author draws on her extensive experience as a Minister and Dean of Unity's Ministerial Education Program. Her book demonstrates practical and uplifting ways that Positive Prayer can work in your life, including understanding spiritual law, using a prayer journal, affirmations and denials, visualizations, and other special prayer treatments and techniques.

When we choose to make a commitment, whether to ourselves, to another, or to our spiritual community, we step closer to our ultimate commitment: an alliance with God, our Source. Just imagine everyone in this ministry focusing all our sacred intentions and our attention on deepening our connection to God through personal and community prayer, gathering in small groups, and celebrating the co-creative process that is in each one of us!

YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE DURING THE NEXT SEVEN WEEKS. YOU CAN:

• Read The Handbook of Positive Prayer by Hypatia Hasbrouck.
• Attend Sunday services and our Gratitude Celebration.
• Participate in a weekly prayer and study group; sign up in Fellowship Hall.
• Join or facilitate a home-study group. Facilitator training is offered Sun., Oct 4, 2-4 pm, in the Margaret Giles Room. Sign up in Fellowship Hall. Sign-up sheets are also available for participating in a home study group convenient to your schedule and location.
  

THE FIRST VISIONING TEAM MEETING OF THE 2009- 2010 SEASON WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009 from 9:00 - 1:00p.m., in Fellowship Hall.

This is an especially exciting time of year as we begin the process of identifying what actions to take to improve and enhance our church and its offerings in the following areas: Children and Family programs, Pastoral Care, Music, Marketing, Volunteer Efforts, Church Growth, Facilities, and Grounds; and any other area we deem necessary!

In May, a wonderful group of willing participants helped develop a clear vision and mission for Unity Tampa. Now, it's time for our Visioning Teams to develop the plans to carry out that mission and support the direction of the church.

Just about everything you see around you when you visit Unity of Tampa is a product of these teams:

• T.U.C.A.N. Program in Youth ED
• Revitalized Chaplain Program
• Drumming Circle
• Singles Group
• New Logo and Sunday Bulletins
• Visitor Outreach Efforts
• New Doors, Windows, Repairs
• Plants, Flowers, Maintenance

How about you? What areas are you interested in serving? How can you help us grow our church and its mission?

If you feel inspired to share your thoughts and contribute your time, we would be honored to have you join us this year. Just show up on Saturday, November 7 and we'll get you started!

Your Servant Leader,
Nancy Mercurio

INSPIRED SPEAKER/AUTHOR EDWENE GAINES IS BACK!

Join us on Sunday, October 25. Edwene will be speaking at both the 9 am and 11am Service. Then, at 1:30, she will present her inspirational Commitment Workshop.

Edwene Gaines is the author of The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, A Simple Guide to Unlimited Abundance.

An ordained Unity minister since 1979, she is also president of The Master's School. She has trained over 400 Master Prosperity Teachers. She is committed to power, passion, prosperity and performance.

The Commitment Workshop will help you discover your commitments, give you tools to change them; empower you to make new commitments and support you in keeping them.

LUNCH FUNDRAISER
Between the 11 am Service and the workshop, the Spanish Ministry will provide a fundraiser lunch with their delicious Spanish dishes to keep you well fueled throughout the afternoon. The Pumpkin Patch will also be open!

Mark your calendar now for this full day of spiritual inspiration on October 25:

Sunday Service with Edwene Gaines
Fundraiser Lunch
Commitment Workshop

Edwene will assist in cutting through misconception and take you to new understanding of yourself through the power of %100 commitment!

CHANGE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN IN THE MAKING THIS FALL in the Unity of Tampa Youth Education Department. Alex Boyer and Jennis Thomas have been named the Co-Directors of Youth Education. Many folks will remember Alex from her work in the nursery. As the new Youth Services Director she will focus on research and development of all Youth curriculum. She will, among other things, secure, coach and support our staff of volunteer teachers.

Ever active in the Youth Ed Department, Jennis was instrumental in the creation of the popular Sunday School TUCAN Art program and invaluable as our Interim Youth Ed Director. As the Youth Outreach Director he will focus on communication support between the directors, teachers and parents. He will also oversee the Children and Family Council, and Chair the Youth Ed Visioning Team. We are so excited to have the two of them teamed up to aid in the spiritual education Unity of Tampa's youngest members.

Theirs is a totally new vision for the Unity of Tampa Youth Education Program and it is obvious from the overwhelming response of time, talent and treasure that everyone is excited and supportive.

Many thanks go to those who donated the roomful of computers and equipment, and the resources to redesign the Youth Ed Area.

The incredible transformation includes four new learning spaces : The Workshop, the Computer Lab, the Theatre, and the Cinema. In these exciting areas the 5 Unity Principles and other basics of Unity teachings will be explored in an innovative way that will have the kids begging to come to church on Sunday!

And there's more! In the upcoming weeks, we hope to see more changes on the Playground and in the Youth Ed "Great-room." Please stop by the Youth Ed Area on Sunday and talk to Jennis or Alex to see how you can help.

There's never been a more exciting time to be part of the Youth Ed family at Unity of Tampa! 

Thank You Unity of Tampa for your warm and loving welcome. The song we sing each Sunday says, "you are welcome here, you are home." I feel that so much at Unity of Tampa that I find myself singing, "I am welcome here, I am home," and my heart overflows with gratitude.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community, to facilitate classes, provide spiritual counseling, and be a support to Rev. Debbie, Rev. Allen and each of you as spirit calls. Each week I participate in a Master Mind prayer group, and one of the many blessings I have received from this activity is my daily gratitude list. And..."I am grateful to serve Unity of Tampa" is at the top of the list.

As we move into the "season of harvest and Thanksgiving" it is a good time to give thanks for the many blessings in life. What a joy to be able to facilitate classes and get to know the people that are Unity of Tampa while exploring Unity teachings at deeper level. My life is being blessed and transformed in each moment as I give thanks for this unexpected gift.

In giving thanks I look forward to, and plan for the next "NOW" opportunity. Please consider this your invitation to join the fun, not just the SEE classes, but the many opportunities and activities offered at Unity of Tampa. Remember "you are welcome here" so come on in and enjoy the spiritual nourishment.

Namasté
Rev. Rhonda

I AM SO EXCITED to have completed my first two classes with Rev. Rhonda! Not only were they were very informative, but Rev. Rhonda makes the information fun. These classes are a great way to know Unity teachings in a Metaphysical way.

Some people are mislead in believing that you should only take the class if you are interesting in becoming a Licensed Teacher. Not true! If you are a Truth student of any sort, they are a wonderful way to learn, laugh and make new friends.

Our new classes for the Fall are Bible Overview: Christian Scriptures and Metaphysics 2 Part 2 which began Sept. 26. Don't worry if you missed the first class or two. You can still join us for one or both of the classes. Even if you do want S.E.E. credit, you can still get it by doing some make-up work. You will have a great time while expanding your consciousness to a new level.

IN THE BOOKSTORE NOW...

Dan Brown's latest: The Lost Symbol and new books by Eckhart Tolle, Sylvia Browne and John Shelby Spong. The Handbook for Positive Prayer our Spirit Expressing text is available for $12.00.

SIGN-UP FOR HOME STUDY

If you haven't been part of a study group before I would suggest you sign up to attend or even facilitate one during the fall program. These groups are an informal way to discus the material, and share different points of view, and get a better understanding of the series. I have been a facilitator several times and am blessed each time I do it. Rev. Debbie provides training (Oct. 4). Sign up in Fellowship Hall.

See you in the Bookstore!
Clara

LOOKING FOR HOLIDAY CARDS, DECORATIONS, WRAPPING PAPER AND PERSONALIZED GIFTS?

How about address labels, office supplies or checks for your checkbook? Perhaps you need a box of greeting cards for all occasions or new stationery?

Starting October 1st, you can do all of your shopping online at Current and help raise money for Unity Tampa with every purchase. Just go to www.currentfun.com, select the items you wish to order and remember to choose Unity Tampa in the drop down menu when asked which organization you are ordering for. It's just that easy and 50% of the gross sales will be paid to the church!

If you don't have a computer at home and are interested in participating, there will be catalogs around Fellowship Hall for your viewing pleasure. You place your order by calling Nancy Mercurio at 813.814.0286.

This will be an ongoing fundraising opportunity for our church similar to our Amazon.com effort. Current changes its products in January for the Spring and Summer seasons so there will always be opportunities to purchase.

Thanks in advance for your participation!

COME JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL UNITY OF TAMPA FALL RETREAT. A JOURNEY INTO SELF, SPIRIT AND COMMUNITY, October 9th through 11th. This year we will be at the DaySpring Confrence Center on the beautiful Manatee River. Come for a weekend of community building. The journey begins on Friday evening with dinner and ends in celebration with Sunday lunch.

The weekend will be a time to drop down deeper, journey as a community and  go deeper into soul. Our work will center around being and not doing. Come by yourself or come as a couple. This will be truly a coming together of community at all levels.

Our facilitators for this retreat are Sandie and Gerry Rumold. They were responsible for the success of our last retreat and have a deep love for our community. They are Certified Core Energetic Therapists that have years of experience in process work and retreat leadership. Each has their own private practice in New York.

The cost for the weekend, including room and board is $245 per person. See Clara in the bookstore to make payment arrangements.

For more information, see Sheryl Norton or Scott Barry, or call 813/690-7015. For information on Dayspring, go to www.dayspringfla.o rg.

GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD! As we come into the final month of our church's fiscal year it gives us a chance to not only reflect on the past, but to plan for the future. We have accomplished so much this year while dealing with so many challenges at the same time. Our Unity of Tampa Board of Trustees is dedicated to making sure each and every person is heard in the planning of our community.

Please always remember that the board is here for you. We are made up of congregants and members of the community just like you and each member of this board feels strongly that we at all times are representing your wishes.

Our Fall Retreat is also upon us. This is one of my favorite events in our church year. It is a chance to stop, breath, let down some guards, and become closer to those that are a part of our spiritual community. Each Sunday, after church we get about 15 minutes to talk and catch up with each other. The retreat allows us to actually get to know each other at a much deeper level.

We are blessed that Sandie and Gerry Rumold will be facilitating our retreat again. They have a very deep love for our community and have made room in their schedules to be with us. This year has been a busy one for them and they have recently started facilitating some retreats up in Canada.

If you have never attended one of our retreats, plan on being at this one, if you have attended one, I am sure you are already signed up for this one. The date, times and costs are in this newsletter, so take the time to check it out and consider joining us for an incredible weekend.

I am also excited to say that it won't be long before Rev. Allen is back with us and I can only imagine the sermons he is going to give! A big "Thank You" to Rev. Debbie for the incredible work she has done this summer, while going through one of the biggest challenges in her life.

We are truly blessed.
Dr. Scott Barry
Board President - Unity of Tampa

IN THE BRIGHT HEAT OF AN AUGUST AFTERNOON, I stroll along the quiet lapping waters surrounding Egmont Key. The tide rolls in, bits of shells in the frothy swirl. I am a sight to behold. My colorful batik wrap is draped over my shoulders and tucked around my swim suit, brown braids extrude from beneath my baseball cap. Dark glasses shade my eyes. Above it all, I twirl my "sunbrella." I resemble a lost bus-stop lady, protecting herself from the sun with an umbrella like a parasol. I look silly, but I am happy and so glad I thought to do the same. I like the beach, but I don't care for the sun!

I like to walk in the wet sand and let the sea massage my feet as I examine the contents of the sand and tide. A glint of rose catches my eye and I pluck a seashell from the surf. I am selective in my choices. I find a cat's paw and toss it back into the surf. Cat's paws are plentiful. I look for special colors or sizes or a hole in just the right place to run a thread.

Sometimes just the intriguing tip of a shell attracts. I reach down for what I think is but a fragment to find a whole and beautiful shell. There is more than meets the eye, hidden beneath the surface.

Later, when a sudden storm blows rain across the beach, I am happy to use my sunbrella once again.

byu Janet Stanley