UNITY OF TAMPA WELCOMES DR. GARLAND LANDRITH, PH.D, with his popular seminar, Manifest the Life of Your Dreams by Combining Quantum Field Technology with Tapping on Acupuncture Points. The two-part seminar is presented on Sunday, February 28, from 2 to 5 pm, and Monday, March 1, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, at Unity of Tampa. Sign up for one session or both!

Dr. Garland Landrith is a psychologist from Kansas who specializes in energy work, including such techniques as self-hypnosis/meditation and EFT/Tapping. His Quantum Field research has been cited by the movie What the Bleep Do We Know?, as well as by numerous authors, including Deepak Chopra, MD; Neale Donald Walsh; Dr. Bloomfield; and Dr. Dean Radin.

During this amazing seminar, you will study how to rewire your brain for Health, Happiness, and Prosperity. You will discover how to remove blocks to your growth by “tapping” on acupuncture points with your fingers (Emotional Freedom Technique). Learn to create miracles with your mind by contacting the Quantum Field! EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), often termed “acupressure for emotion,” is so effective that it can literally transform your life. In Dr. Landrith's practice, he has seen lifelong fears and traumas completely healed within a few weeks of learning this technique.

By tapping on these points, you are able to clear out all the blocks. Your energy flows in such a way that you actually feel like you are “high on life” or “in a zone.” You can feel great and be at your best, in any situation! Use this technique before a job interview or giving a presentation, or just to feel good! Dr. Landrith shares his cutting-edge techniques so you can be the person you were created to be!

Advance registration is recommended. Call the Unity of Tampa Bookstore or stop by to purchase your tickets. $39 for one session or $49 for both, which includes a DVD, workbook, and materials.

CHARLES FILLMORE WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME! Few people would disagree with that statement, and I believe his book The Twelve Powers reflects his forward thinking. He wrote The Twelve Powers of Man, its original title, in 1930. He was inspired by a book, Twelve Jewels written by Emma Curtis Hopkins, Charles & Myrtle's teacher.

There was controversy around the book, especially from Charles' second wife, Cora. She objected to the title because she felt it took away from one of Unity's core beliefs of one power and one presence. Her book, Christ Enthroned In You, made it clear that there is only one power and one presence and it is within all of God's creations. Cora referred to the powers within as faculties, not powers.

Charles defended his book and title and stated “as men and women align themselves with the will of God, comply with divine law, and thereby find union with the indwelling Spirit, they realize the divine within by activating twelve faculties or centers of consciousness.” In this quote, he appears to give Cora a nod for her opinion while explaining his theory. Cora's book is now published with The Twelve Powers, since they are compatible and complementary.

Unity Institute and our Association of Unity Churches are joining together for a year of the Twelve Powers. We will also be celebrating this opportunity here, devoting one Sunday per month to each of the Twelve Powers. Be present every Sunday so you can be blessed with the power of all the powers.

AS WE BEGIN THE BUSY SEASON IN WHICH WE STRIVE TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF OUR OBJECTIVES TO GROW, beautify, and enhance Unity of Tampa, we often find ourselves needing a bit more help.

If you have any interest in serving as a leader, or perhaps you just want to join a team, this is your big opportunity. And it is painless and tremendously rewarding! You'll be serving the needs of our congregants by helping us out in any of the following positions:

Teams Without Leaders
Volunteer
Activities
Marketing

Teams Needing Members
Marketing
EarthCare
Fundraising

For now, Church Growth will include efforts to support marketing, but long-term, we need this to be a stand- alone mission at the church.

EarthCare is a GO GREEN initiative led by Farah Stokes, and we all know how beneficial this can be to each of us personally and to Unity of Tampa.

Keith Odums has offered to lead the Fundraising Team; however, he also serves now on the Music Ministry, so he is going to need some help! If you have any interest in creative ways to raise money for various needs, consider joining Keith on this valuable initiative.

Just a Reminder....Groups only meet every 6 weeks for a short period, and the entire gathering of Vision Teams meets only 3 times per year. Beyond this commitment, we ask only that you support the activities of your team.

Interested? Thanks in advance for your consideration and if you decide you can spare a few hours over the next few months, please email me at nmercurio@LTSInc.org or find me after church and I'll be happy to help you get started!

Happy New Year!
Nancy Mercurio

AS WE PREPARE TO ENTER THE LENTEN SEASON, we utilize prayer and meditation and give ourselves the opportunity to “fast.” In our Unity tradition, we fast from ideas and precepts that do not serve our highest good. We continue to deny the power and permanency of any situation or circumstance, while affirming God as our Source.

In the forward to Keep a True Lent, Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore writes, “...once again observing the Lenten season; the season of prayer and fasting that precedes the joyous festivity of Easter. It is commonly believed that the Lenten period has to do with the events of the forty days preceding the Resurrection. This is an erroneous idea. Lent is a church institution, and there is no authorization for it anywhere in the New Testament. The idea, however, has a sound spiritual basis; Moses, Elijah, and Jesus Himself set a precedent for it. Each observed a forty-day period of prayer and fasting as a preparation for spiritual work. Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai at the conclusion of his fast. Elijah talked with God on Mount Horeb at the conclusion of his period of prayer and fasting. Jesus began His great spiritual ministry at the close of His fast in the wilderness...”

William Arthur Ward wrote this wonderful piece many years ago about fasting and feasting:
“Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should also be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season in which we can:

Fast from judging; feast on God's view of them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the UNITY of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of God's light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on Divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonresistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal Truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on ideas that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that strengthens.”

Feel free to add to or modify and personalize this list, or pick what resonates with you. Deepen your spiritual understanding by studying Keep A True Lent, and celebrate the season.

Blessings,
Rev. Rhonda

ARE YOU THINKING GREEN? Once you realize your home emits greenhouse gasses every time you use your electricity, you begin to see why you should have concerns over the indoor air quality in your own home.

Children are in schools with recycling programs, and they bring these ideas home to their parents. Worries about escalating utility bills and excitement about renewable energy are becoming normal topics of discussion around the dinner table.

Today's consumers are smarter than ever before. They see utility bills rising to new highs with no end in sight. Many homeowners want to define their carbon footprint, and leave more than just money as a legacy. Global climate issues are important to them. The new world of "green" offers new opportunity to the entrepreneur spirit.

According to EnergyPulse.org, 68% of the consumers who own a home or who will buy property are concerned about energy efficiency. Whether they own or want to own a home, people are looking for ways to become more energy efficient.

Everyone has different motivations for "going green." Some feel we are funding our own terrorism by purchasing foreign oil. There are those who are concerned about utility bills that could double in 10-20 years. Some want to use the clean, natural resources that are so plentiful in their parts of the country.

North Dakota and South Dakota have enough wind to power the electricity for the entire United States. Look at the solar advantages in our state of Florida. Take note of the amount of rain Oregon gets every year and think of the concept of harvesting that rainwater.

The cold weather this year has been devastating to many across the country, but once the snow melts, couldn't it be stored and recycled to flush toilets and water yards? It does make sense, doesn't it? This is just an example of the many opportunities for us to get involved in the processing of our renewable energy. Think green and join the new industrial revolution.

by Kerry Mitchell

Coming soon from your EarthCare Team
“EarthCare Covenant” to honor and
care for our environment in the new year.

UNITY IS FOCUSING ON THE TWELVE POWERS THIS YEAR, using one each month. January is Faith. I decided to go to www.Unity.org and see what material is available. Sure enough, there was a logo for the 12 Powers. I was surprised at the amount of material available to use during the month, such as readings, meditations, and more.

If you've never been to Unity's web site, please visit it, but allow yourself some time, because there is so much available. Among other things, you can read the Daily Word, check out events, enter a prayer request with Silent Unity, find a church, and listen to Unity.fm, a 24- hour radio station. When I clicked on Unity.fm, they were playing music. They also have talk programs and interactive sessions; all are Unity thought.

In “Publications,” you can read the Daily Word and featured articles from Unity Magazine, and there are free booklets you can order.

Under “Events,” you'll find retreats, workshops, and more. I have been to retreats at the Village; they are memorable and life-changing. Just stepping onto on the grounds is a spiritual experience. Everyone who can should go there at least once.

My favorite section is “Prayer.” They have guided meditations, prayers and affirmations, inspirational articles, and a section on the history of Silent Unity.

These are just a few of the many places you can go on Unity.org to find inspiration, prayer, and great information.

And then stop by our Bookstore, here at Unity of Tampa. We have several books on the 12 Powers available, as well as a great selection of other inspiring books and items. Come take a look!

Blessings and Peace,
Clara

2010 PROMISES TO BE AN EXCITING YEAR, AND YOUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS READY FOR IT! So many decisions, so much moving forward!

We had a chance to meet and bond with the newly elected members of the board during our annual retreat in November at the beautiful Franciscan Center. Our Church is growing by leaps and bounds, both in size and in depth. With that growth comes responsibility and commitment on the part of each board member. This year, our board members have taken on the task of participating in the Enlightened Leaders Program sponsored by our International Association of Unity Churches. This program is an educational and inspirational series of webinars presented throughout the year. All of this is furthering our goal of creating a Community Centric Church. In doing this, the board becomes integral in the coordination of church activities. We are very excited to serve our spiritual community.

DECEMBER'S SUPPER CLUB WAS A MULTICULTURAL FEAST WITH FOODS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. At dinner we enjoyed music from Carolyn's Christmas music boxes and shared stories of our different traditions. Then, we had a Chinese gift exchange! Lots of lively conversation and fun were had by all. You never know what good things can happen when you get a crazy bunch of Unity of Tampa people together. I always learn something new from this bunch!

Peace and blessings.
by Carolyn Brooker