Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. In this declaration from Isaiah 43:18-19 we are reminded of the promise of new life that emerges after a period of barrenness when we are asked to let go of what was in preparation for new beginnings. Within the last few months Unity by the Shore has gone through numerous changes and has gone through a period of release. As the summer comes to a close, we can truly see that a new dawn is on the horizon.
As we stand at the threshold of a new day, let us pause for a moment and give thanks for the courage, strength, resilience, and commitment to spiritual growth that we have demonstrated over the last past year even when the road became bumpy at times. Let us give thanks to all of the ministers, spiritual leaders, lay leaders,musical directors, musicians, members and guests who have contributed to the creation and participation of the evolution of UBTS. We stand on the shoulders of not only those who came before us here at UBTS, but also on the shoulders of our ancestors who started the Unity Movement. Let us reflect in loving reverence and in gratitude for Unity cofounders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore and the great spiritual leaders of the Unity movement, such as, Emily Cady, James Dillet Freeman, and Eric Butterworth. Their masterful genius has inspired spiritual growth in the lives of countless individuals.
Not only are we here in our spiritual community embarking on a new chapter, but so is Unity World Wide Ministries (UWM) and Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village (UWH).UWM has taken over the educational oversight of the ministerial and spiritual education and development programs from UWH. UWM is in the process of creating task teams to examine current educational requirements and paths to credentialing for ministers and licensed teachers. In addition, they are looking at improving and increasing online learning as well as creating satellite onsite learning opportunities through out the 10 established Unity regions internationally.
I believe new and exciting possibilities lie ahead for us here in our community and within our movement. Although new beginnings are characterized by the excitement of limitless possibilities, change is not easy for some of us. Many become comfortable with the familiar, fear the unknown, and worry if they will loose the foundation that they have been used to standing on for so long. Many even question, “Will there still be a place for me?” Dear friends, change is evitable and is a sign of movement and growth. We can move through change in our lives with resistance and closed mindedness,thereby, blocking the flow of evolution and new life. Or, we can stand in the discomfort of new ideas and experiences with open minds willing to explore and be transformed. The Fillmores were spiritual explorers and pioneers who taught us to be “sowers of the seeds” of new ideas that are ever present in Divine Mind, the Source of limitless potential and the Spiritual Substance of life.
In the upcoming months and year, please hold UBTS and the Unity movement in your daily prayers. I ask you to be open to new ways of doing things. Lastly, I invite you to become an active participant in the co-creation of the next phase of our evolution.
Love and light,
Angela Denton MA; P.D. MFT; LUT
Spiritual Leader
