Unity by the Shore

A Spiritual Community

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Online Giving
Amazon Portal
Prayer Request
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Minister
    • Who We Are
    • What We Believe
    • What is Unity to Me?
    • Unity Membership
    • Board of Trustees
    • Personalized Wedding Services
    • Contact Us:
  • What We Offer
    • Youth Ministry
      • Youth Corner
    • Music Ministry
    • Embodied Prayer Movement Ministry
    • Prayer Chaplains
    • Out Reach
    • Ongoing Classes
  • Prayer
    • Affirmations / Prayers
    • Prayer Request
  • Calendar
  • General
    • Estate and Gift Planning / Planned Giving
    • News / Information
    • Shop AMAZON
  • Online Giving
  • Sunday Talks
    • Individual Sunday Talks
    • Guest Speakers – Sunday Talks
    • The I of the Storm Sunday Series
    • The 10 Golden Rules of Letting Go
    • Living from the Flow of Divine Intuition
    • “Soul Awakening Practice” – Sunday Talk Series
    • “Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” – Sunday Talk Series
    • “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love” – Sunday Talk Series
    • “Living Originally” – Sunday Talk Series
    • The Development of Trust – Sunday Talk Series
    • The Be Attitudes of Inner Transformation Series – Sunday Talk Series
    • Lent – Sunday Talk Series
    • Black History Month – Sunday Talks
    • Heroes and Heroines from the Bible to Hollywood – Sunday Talk Series
    • “Everything is Here to Help You” – Sunday Talk Series
    • “The Great Work of Your Life” – Sunday Talk Series
    • Healing and Wholeness – Sunday Talk Series
    • “The Book of Joy” – Sunday Talk Series
  • Email Lists

From our Spiritual Leader: Angela Denton

March 23, 2015 by admin

Angela Denton 500x500A year ago when I was doing research on the benefits of belonging to a healthy community I came across a powerful poem written by earth activist and author Starhawk that eloquently speaks to the beauty and power of a spiritually conscious community.

We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been – a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free.

Deeply held within the heart and soul of each of us is the desire to belong. According to Dr. Kenneth Pelletier of the Stanford Center for Research and Disease Prevention the sense of belonging inherent in all individuals is a basic human need- as basic as food and shelter. His research has shown that those who receive social support are healthier, happier, and are more active and productive than those who live in isolation without meaningful and loving connection and support.

The type of community depicted in Starhawk’s poem does not happen by chance. It requires the united effort of all members. Each individual is invited to become fully aware of the energy he/she is contributing to not only his/her experience but simultaneously contributing to the collective. Members willingly commit to conscious participation and shared responsibility. In his book Healthy Congregations, Peter Steinke reminds us that congregations are living systems that parallel the systems of the human body. The physical body is holistic in nature in that what happens in one cell, one organ, etc. affects the health and functioning of all the other cells, organs and the overall health of the entire body. Similarly, a church is a collective whole and the overall health of the community is affected by the behaviors, actions, and emotions of its membership, ministry teams, lay leaders, and the minister/spiritual leader. Steinke brilliantly gives a prescription for healthy congregations. According to Steinke healthy communities:

• Have a sense purpose where members are actively united around a shared vision, mission, and core values.
• Stimulate and provide diverse opportunities for spiritual growth
• Provide opportunities for members to identify their strengths and share their spiritual gifts
• Have clear identified roles and boundaries
• Appraise and manage conflict effectively and have an understanding that conflict is a sign of new growth wanting to emerge.

As I embark on my new role as spiritual leader of UBTS, I devote myself completely to modeling spiritually conscious commitment. I vow to educate our community on Unity’s rich Truth teachings and on the dynamics of how to embody spiritually conscious engagement. I not only want to share Starhawk’s poem to inspire you, but I want to realize it with you here at UBTS.

Love and light,
Angela Denton

Filed Under: From Our Minister

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 25, 2023 – A Day of Healing

Please Join Us for “A Day of Healing” Saturday, March 25, 2023 1 PM – 5 PM 1 PM – 1:45 PM1:45 PM – 2 PM2 PM – 3 PM3 PM – 3:25 PM3:25 PM – 4:30 PM4:30 PM – 5 PM Breathwork with Brian SmithRefreshments and MinglingSacred Spiritual Movement with Vicky MapesRefreshments and MinglingMeditation […]

February 26, 2023 – Manifesting: Creating A Spring that Sings!

Manifesting: Creating A Spring that Sings! with Kris FerraroSunday, February 26, 2023 1 PM Spring is a powerful time of year because new growth is emerging. It’s the perfect time to harness nature’s energy and create more of what you desire in your life. This season will be here before you know it! Prepare the […]

February 22, 2023 – Virtual Release and Realign Ceremony

Virtual Release and Realign Ceremony Forty Days of Releasing and Realigning February 22, 2023 at 7:00 PM February 22, 2023, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season, which is observed by many Christian Faith communities worldwide.  During the season of Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter Sunday, many individuals focus on […]

February 18, 2023 – Sound Healing Saturday

Sound Healing Saturday At Unity by the Shore With Aryelle Morgan Saturday, February 18, 2023 10:30 AM “Sound healing is one of my favorite healing modalities because it instantly changes our frequency and our mood. The crystal sound bowls are attuned to align the seven major Chakra points in our body, starting from the base […]

January 29, 2023 – Sound Healing Sunday

Sound Healing Sunday At Unity by the Shore With Aryelle Morgan Sunday, January 29, 2023 10:30 AM “Sound healing is one of my favorite healing modalities because it instantly changes our frequency and our mood. The crystal sound bowls are attuned to align the seven major Chakra points in our body, starting from the base […]

News / Information

Ukraine Support and Relief Funds

Want to help, but unsure how? Don’t know who to trust? Below are a handful of nonprofits and charitable foundations with a history of success and … [Read More...]

UBTS Virtual Events/Classes

Mindfulness Meditation – via Zoom

Wednesdays 1 pm – 2:30 pm If we find ourselves distracted or uneasy, we can practice mindful breathing, walking and meditation to help center and return to ourselves in the present moment. Through the practice of mindfulness, we can increase … [Read More...]

A Course in Miracles – via Zoom

"A COURSE IN MIRACLES" Taught by Pamela Whitman Thursdays at 11 AM EST Come join us to explore a new perspective.www.pamelawhitman.com~~ Love Offering ~~ If you would like to join the class, please REGISTER and you will be emailed the … [Read More...]

eNewsletter Sign Up

Events Calendar

Sunday Talks

What AM I making this mean?

Sunday Service – January 22, 2023 AFFIRMATION: Centerend in Spiritual Truth, I move from the limited misperceptions of my ego to being open to limitless possibilities.  Your love offering is greatly appreciated.

More Posts from this Category

Our Environment

Easy Steps to Create a Beautiful Organic Garden

by Ingrid Justick: Vol. 28, No. 3 Creating an organic garden means fulfilling a longing for nature, for beauty, for self-expression, and for the simple act of growing – both within ourselves and our land. In organic gardening, we can invent our own beautiful world, a miniature paradise that gives abundant joy to us and […]

More Posts from this Category

Search Our Site

Archives

Unity by the Shore

3508 Asbury Avenue, Neptune, NJ 07753 (732) 918-3395

Copyright © 2023 · Guerrilla Professionals · All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2023 · Outreach Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in