Dear Friends in Christ,

With Christmas approaching, I am reminded of our annual CANDLE LIGHTING SERVICE with individuals representing the metaphysical messages in the Christmas story as written in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. One of them, the Christ Child, is that which gives birth – just as Spirit created you out of Itself!

Christmas is about spiritual birth – that dawning in individual consciousness that you, too, are the Christ, the very activity of Truth which the Faith faculty in you has birthed.

We are all unfolding with Faith into the full Christ of our Being. Rejoice in the process of our spiritual understanding which is born in us each day! Let us be willing to be open to this spiritual birth by going within each day in meditation and prayer to BE aware of the Presence of Spirit, the Christ of our Being.

Come and celebrate this Joyous Season together as the Community of God which we are!

Christmas Celebration Service With Children and Santa: Sunday, December 16, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Service: December 23, 10:30 a.m.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service: Monday, December 24, 7 p.m.
No Service Christmas Day: Tuesday, December 25.
New Year’s Eve Burning Bowl Ceremony: Monday, December 31, 7 p.m.

CHURCH MEMBERS – Annual Congregational Meeting at noon time on Sunday, January 27, 2013.

“LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME!”

A very blessed Christmas and NEW Year!
Rev. Joanne M. Murphy

Dear Friends,

“No, thanks, I have enough stuff!” That’s what I say when asked what I want for Christmas. The gift you and I already have is that God goes with you and me wherever we go! The Christ is in every one of us. The question is “are you truly aware of this Oneness; are you ready to show up as the Being – the Divine – that Self you are? Will you accept the Invitation to “Birth a New Humanity”? During the 2012 Unity People’s Convention, Barbara Marx Hubbard’s keynote speaker asked this question. Are you and I here at Unity By the Shore passionate about “conscious evolution”?

December 22, 2012, is a focal point for the media to say something is ending. And, yes, we want something to be ending. As Rev. Michael Beckwith says “We are not trying to hold onto the world the way it is.” Let us question ourselves, each one, as to “where is my consciousness in this “dramatic moment of choice”?” Will we evolve by choice or by chance? Our commitment here at UBTS is CHOICE! “Within Unity is a radical faith that we can do the works Jesus did and greater works.” And, we share a common vision with Unity WorldWide Ministries – “a world that works for all”!

It is very clear to me that Unity By The Shore has been, and is, in a process of evolution. In so many ways, I see the many signs of the rise of empathy, spirituality, and creativity. We “work” our Core Values and Spiritual Principles and, on that “Path” we are helping to create “A New Vision for Humanity”! What greater Gift can we give to all Mankind!”

With Love and Gratitude,

Rev. Joanne

Note: UBTS is willing to be pulled by this global vision and will join the Unity WorldWide Ministries in this evolutionary leap on December 22, 2012. The “Plan” will be announced shortly but for now put it on your calendars!

Dear Friends,

The year of 2012 is soon coming to an end. Chaos is prevalent and some say it is to be the end of the World. Others say it is the end of the World “as we knew it”. What do we here at UCBTS believe? We affirm and “see” the potential of a peaceful world right here, right now.

Jesus said the “Kingdom of God is at hand.” That was 2,000 years ago and many are still waiting for that to come. – praying and waiting for that Kingdom to appear!

As Unity students walking the spiritual path, we know it is up to us to create that change we want to see. If we yearn for
Peace in the world, WE NEED TO BE THAT PEACE; if we want Love, WE MUST BE THAT LOVE; if we want Joy, ‘WE NEED TO BE THAT JOY.

In the World we see anger and judgment with both sides accusing one another. It’s that “I’m Right, You’re Wrong” consciousness. But they are just “stories” made up in one’s mind, based on individual opinion.

However, in Unity we practice Spiritual Principles – Laws of the Universe. Refer to our third principle which reminds us that we create our world – “Human Beings create their experiences by the activity of their thinking. Everything in the manifest world has its beginnings in thoughts.”

So, together, let us create a “New World” with the intention to refrain from making judgments about the duality in the outer world of “I’m right, you’re wrong”.

We can change the world together by resolving “I AM NOT GOING TO HOLD THOSE THOUGHTS. I’M DONE WITH THAT!” Individually we ask “am I going to add to the anger, judgement and righteousness or wake up to the Truth that I am already in the Kingdom of God right here and now?. The Truth is that LIFE IS ALWAYS FOLDING AND UNFOLDING in Its Perfect way. It is that “Kingdom of God is at hand” that Jesus told us of!

In Unity we know that “thoughts held in mind produce after their kind”… and you and I get to choose what to hold in our mind. Together, as One, we make our intention to live from Divine Mind, listening through prayer and meditation to that “still, small voice”.   And, then, we will experience that “New World”!

 

Love, Peace and Joy!

Rev. Joanne

 

 

Dear Friends,

As I look out on the garden in all its summer splendor, I am reminded of how awesome Nature is!  I am reminded of Jesus’ words “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12-32)

The question is are we “en-joying” that “kingdom”?

We are living in “interesting” times.  Change is prevalent in all areas of our life here on Earth.  Division is dominant in so many areas of our society and the world at large.  Fear is the focus of many who forget that we are all One.  As a Spiritual Community what can UBTS congregation do to consciously create Oneness here on earth?  There is no magic wand to change the chaos in our world today.  The “Good News”, however, is that you and I are creative beings.  Every thought you hold is part of this process of creation.  Every word you speak is part of this process of creation.  Every action you take is part of the process of creation.  You and I are always creating.

THE QUESTION IS “ARE WE CREATING CONSCIOUSLY”?

The Law of Manifestation tells us that consciousness is creative and we are responsible for our creations.  If you don’t like the way your life looks, you have the Power within you to change your consciousness and thereby change your life! Then, you will experience a new world!  You will be seeing through the “eyes of God”!  And, this “seeing” a new life for yourself and the world can only be attained by a foundation of being aware of God’s presence in your life.  That foundation is created by daily taking time to be still and know God.  As Charles Fillmore, Unity co-founder, did.  He took time every day to “go to headquarters.”

May each one of us create a “new world” within us for as we sing on Sundays “…..let it begin with me”!

Abundant Blessings!

Rev. Joanne

 

Dear Friends,

It’s Spring! All the beautiful flowers are here! They lift our spirits! But more than that, they remind us of the Twelve Powers that we here at Unity by the Shore are focused on this year of 2012… with our emphasis on the Unity World-Wide Ministries 2012 theme “Discover the Power Within You.” Yes, it is obvious in the Springtime that the “One Power” that is within us is the same Power that is within all Life! You see it in the trees, pushing the leaves out – that “Life Force” that is within you and me. It moves from the darkness into the Light. All of nature takes on this Life – the bulb grows and breaks up and expands. That same Power is urging us to grow and to “show up” as the unique flower “that we are.” Consider the following few Powers and their oneness with Nature – All That Is!

“Power of Faith” – just as the bulb has “faith” that Spring will return, we, too, have the “knowing” that whatever seems to be “dark” in our life will pass and the “Light” will shine again in all its splendor.

“Power of Love” – like the Daffodil, who “loves” to be the Daffodil – we, too, can love ourselves and others unconditionally.

“Power of Release – a Daffodil cannot be a Daffodil forever – it has to release so food can go into the root. You and I can free ourselves; let go of anything that is holding us down, keeping us from the freedom to be the God creation we are designed to be.

These are just a few of the Twelve Powers that we have already shared on Sundays. They have been Faith, Strength, Wisdom, Release, Understanding, Will, Life and Love. My “message” today is limited by space but can you “see” how the 12 Powers are within each one of us; how we are “blooming” – growing individually and as a “Spiritual Community”?

Let us, together, let our Light shine and release the “Imprisoned Splendor”!

May you have a glorious “Spring” experience!

Rev. Joanne