Message from the President:
“A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved” ~ Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
If you asked me 10 years ago where would I be today, I wouldn’t have answered living at the Jersey Shore, and I clearly wouldn’t have said, “Well, President of the Board of Trustees at Unity by The Shore.” Funny how life has plans for you!
A recurring theme I seem to get on the affirmation cards we receive each Sunday is one of gratitude. So, let me start there. First, let me thank my wife, Sharon Rasa, for bringing me to Unity some 15 years ago and showing me that a spiritual path was what was missing in my life. I was expecting the same old thing, but Rev. Audrey Bickford of Unity Spiritual Center showed me a way of thinking that was just what I was looking for. Next, let me thank three other great ladies in my life…the former BOT Presidents preceding me…Gwen Lewis, Angela Stewart, and Angela Denton. They taught me well in my years as Board Secretary and their commitment and inspiration have been an incredible influence. Those are tough shoes to fill, but I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
As we approach the renewing season of spring, we are also renewed with the recently assembled Board that was elected at our Annual Meeting on January 28, 2018. In addition to myself as president, Edy Chartier is our returning vice president, Charles Kirlew is our new treasurer, and Karen Marsh is a new Board member and our new secretary. Other returning members are Dina Ridout and Valerie Wake-Evans, and we welcome our new alternate, Teresa Meehan. I know you will agree that this is an amazing team that is up for the task of supporting the vision of our community and will be taking us all to the next level as we embrace the year ahead.
In February, we have hosted many events including the dedication ceremony for our newest ministry, Vincent’s Healing Soup Kitchen. In addition, this year’s first installment of Game Night, as well as our Ash Wednesday White Stone Service, and 2 sessions of our Chakra Crystal Bowl Ceremonies were all held.
Our next big event, which is a budgeted fundraising event, will be “Joyful Reunion 2”, a concert featuring our own Laura Dubois on March 25, after the Sunday service, which is also Palm Sunday. The concert will begin at 12:45 pm. Our former music director will also be performing special music with Spirit of Peace on that day. For the concert, Laura will be joined by Joel Dewitt on violin and cellist Wayne Arndt, for an afternoon of classical music including works by Haydn, Brahms, Dvorak, Piazzolla and Debussy. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the Church, online at our website and at the door on the day of the concert. I hope you will all join me in supporting this event. And don’t forget to invite all your music-loving friends!
Other upcoming events will be our Maundy Thursday service on March 29 at 7 PM, and our Easter service on April 1. There will also be Chakra Crystal Bowls presentations on March 11 and April 15.
I am honored and blessed to be of service to this incredible community. And, saving the best for last, I am elated to officially announce that when Angela returns from Unity Village in mid-March, we can all officially greet her as Reverend Angela Denton. On behalf of all our our community, I offer our sincerest congratulations, respect and love to you, Reverend Denton!
Tom
Board President
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