SUNDAY LIVESTREAM SERVICE: Join us and many other friends of Unity live at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley (you don’t have to be a Facebook member). Other links and news are posted after the message. Unity’s 2024 Christmas Singalong can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/3857068611199739/. Last Sunday’s (12/15/24) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/12-15-24-the-gift-of-peace/9264227830278400/.

JOY
From Rev. Sherry Lady

This coming Sunday we will light the Advent Candle for Joy, and the reading that will be shared with us reads this way:

“This candle represents the experience and expression of Joy and is symbolized by a star. When we recognize that God’s promise of the birth of the Christ has been fulfilled, and that which is sought has already been given us, we are filled with Joy. The star was the signal to the Wisemen that the event which had been foretold, that which they were waiting for, was to be realized. The brilliant light of the Bethlehem star represents our inner illumination which moves us beyond hope to the deep inner knowing that the Christ will indeed be born. And that knowing leads us to the experience of Joy.”

Joy is a feeling we all seek in life. We probably easily remember feelings of joy we experienced in our childhood or on special occasions. As we age our days can get so filled with the things of life that we don’t take the time to connect with the feelings of joy that are a natural part of our being. Joy is not a feeling that everything in your life is the way you had wanted it to be. Sometimes we feel satisfaction or contentment and while that feels good, that is not all that joy is.

Joy is an actual bodily feeling, coming from deep within. It does not depend on our opinion of our life. It cannot be planned. It comes when all thoughts are put aside and we let go of everything long enough to allow our spirits to connect with the divine source and presence that has lived in us since the beginning of our lives. Often it comes as surprise, and often it is experienced by seeing or hearing something that touches our soul at depth. The loveliest time is when it emerges from the love shared with another human being. 

Joy can be easily felt, but is not easy to describe. One might say that it is a deep sense of happiness and contentment, or it is the love of life that often surprises when we see or experience something beautiful or surprising. Some of our literary friends have expressed it this way:

Find out where joy resides and give it a voice far beyond singing, for to miss the joy is to miss all. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. ~Henri Nouwen

Find the ecstasy in life. The mere sense of living is joy enough. ~Emily Dickinson

We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in Joy. ~Joseph Campbell

Trying to define Joy is not easy. Words don’t do it justice. It is, in my opinion, undefinable and can only be experienced because when it floods the mind, body and soul there are often no words to explain the feeling. It is often best expressed by demonstration - a quick inhale of breath, a burst of laughter, eyes filling with tears in the midst of a smile or giggle, hands raised in praise, the sudden need to sit down or to jump up, or maybe a hug for whoever is close to you.

We all have our own special ways of expressing joy, and we all have the privilege of being able to bring joy into the lives of others.  Maya Angelou said it profoundly well in her sharing of how we can bring joy to others: I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

By choosing to live in joy, we facilitate the unfolding of joy in others, but is it easy to live in joy all the time? No. it is not; but it is a possibility to experience it more often than we ever thought, when we allow it to rise up in us and don’t hold back the expression of its presence. 

In your presence I find joy. May you and I both – and everyone else as well - find the joy that works its healing miracle in all the areas of our lives. It is so very much needed.

Love,
Sherry
          
*******************

THIS WEEK AT UNITY, DECEMBER 18-21

WEDNESDAY
- 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Zoom – Community Connect moderated by Rev. Dick Everts. This is a one hour, drop in, chatting session for discussing topics of spiritual interest, personal growth, etc. There is a new topic each Wednesday. To take part, send an email request to Rev. Dick at richard.everts@comcast.net.

- 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola meets in the Garden Room. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com.

THURSDAY
- 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Unity’s Elder Council meets in the upstairs Fillmore Room. If you are 60 or older and would like to explore the journey and wisdom of elderhood, please join us. For more information, contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at jlinebargertaylor@yahoo.com or 541-968-5896.

- 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Passage Meditation in the Fillmore Wing. This group practices “Passage Meditation” as taught by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-554-5434.

THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – Come and Celebrate: A Christmas Musical written by our own Susan Smith. Directed by Alice Sparks and Laura DuBois. Join us for this fun and heartfelt Christmas service for adults and youth ages 6 and up.  

- After the service – Healing Prayer Circle meets. We offer focused healing prayer upon request. If you or a loved one need prayer support, please contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at 541-968-5896.

NEXT WEEK, DECEMBER 23-28

NOTE: The church office will be closed December 23-January 1.

TUESDAY-CHRISTMAS EVE
- 5:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service in the sanctuary. Join us on this holy night for inspiring music, prayer, and universal wisdom. Nursery care available for infants to 4 years old. (Please dress warmly as we will be ventilating fresh air.) You can also watch the livestream at www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley.

WEDNESDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY
- 12:00-2:00 p.m. – Unity is hosting a Christmas Day Potluck. If you would like to join us, please be sure to sign up in the Fellowship Hall and indicate whether you will be bringing a main dish, salad, or dessert. Also, please bring your own utensils.

NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Living in Joy” with Rev. Inge Tarantola.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

POTS OF SOUP: Each Sunday we serve 2-3 pots of soup. We are looking for 1 person who can bring a pot of soup on a Sunday. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall if you can help out.

BOARD TRUSTEES VOLUNTEER: Our Unity Board Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for our Board of Trustees. We have two open seats. We also have a seat open for someone willing to serve as an Alternate (willing to step in if a Trustee doesn't complete their full term). If you are interested in being of service to our spiritual community in this way, please contact Jon West at jwest97405@gmail.com.

PLASTICS RECYCLING ONGOING OPPORTUNITY: Every Second Sunday, join the EAT team to recycle your plastics! You can recycle a lot more this way, as our local waste haulers don't take much plastic recycling. But they do take #2 jugs and bottles that are larger than a tennis ball. So, separate your clean plastic containers into bags for #2 tubs (and bottles smaller than a tennis ball), #4 and #5 plastics and their lids (All lids must be separate). Bring your clean and sorted plastics to the Garden Room at 11:45 on the second Sunday of the month. We can help you help the environment by recycling them! Clean them well and save them up for us! Important: Do not drop off your items.

A NOTE FROM YOUR
UNITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES & MINISTERIAL TEAM

Please join us this holy Christmas by celebrating our spiritual community with a special gift of love. For a variety of reasons, we do not anticipate being able to balance our budget this year. Our estimated shortfall is $20,000 out of our budget of $245,000. Beginning December 1st, we will have a table in the foyer with an assortment of delightful tree ornaments. Select your favorite one, and let your heart guide you as you place a donation of any amount in an envelope with your name on it. If you choose to increase your Simple Giving amount, write down that pledge in the envelope. On December 22, we will have a drawing with our donors’ names in a box and gift someone with a lovely appreciation Christmas basket.

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Our December Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/Dec2024/December2024.pdf. Our January Bulletin can be found at http://unityofthevalley.org/Jan2025/January2025.pdf.

 

UNITY FOOD DRIVE – Please help us to fill the food barrel in the foyer with shelf-stable food (i.e., canned or no refrigeration needed) for Food For Lane County. Together, We Are Making a Difference!

SUNDAY GATHERING & NEWS FOR YOUTH

Nursery (Infant-4 years old) Nursery care is offered during the service in the Harmony Room.

Unikids (4 years old-2nd Grade) meet on Sundays in the Garden Room 10:20-11:25 a.m.

Galileans (Grades 3- 5) meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Rainbow Room.

Uniteens (Grades 6-8) meet in the upstairs Treehouse room from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m.

Unity Teen Group (Grades 9-12). meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Treehouse room.

UNITY’S SIMPLE GIVING PROGRAM

Unity of the Valley’s Simple Giving Program is an easy, automatic means by which you can give gifts or tithes to the church in the amount you specify at the frequency you select. To sign up and for more information, click http://www.unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/simplegivingform.pdf. If you have any questions, contact our Administrator, Géna, at 541-345-9913, ext. 11.

FACEBOOK USERS

Did you know that you can help spread the word about Unity of the Valley and its events? By Liking the Facebook page and then clicking "Like" or "Share" on individual posts, you can let Facebook know that these posts are important and make sure that the posts are seen by MANY more people. Please take a moment now to Like the page (if you haven't already) and share a Unity post with your friends. Unity’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley.   

*********************

Your Prayer Team is Here for You!
Do you have a prayer request? Contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor via phone or text at 541-968-5896.

*********************

Unity of the Valley’s Music Releases can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/368369060857899/

"Connecting from the Heart" is now an independent nonprofit organization, working closely with Unity of the Valley. To enjoy their music, meditation and mental wellness videos, please click on this link: cfth.us.org.  

We also post Unity videos, when possible, at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqUL3d7-JjO_45Bo3vLfrWQ/videos

You can visit Unity Online at:
Website: http://www.unityofthevalley.org

***************************

OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

The Unity Board has approved the creation of Our Spiritual Community Support Fund. This fund was inspired by a Unity member who offered her government stimulus funds to assist individuals in our spiritual community who need it most. 

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY

·     Send a check to Unity of the Valley, 3912 Dillard Rd., Eugene, OR 97405 with a note designating if it’s for OSCSF or general Unity finances.

·     Send a donation through PayPal using the yellow DONATE button on the home page of our website: unityofthevalley.org. This can be a one-time donation, repeated as often as you wish for different amounts, or a monthly recurring donation for a set amount. Make sure you designate whether you want your donation to be applied to OSCSF or to general Unity finances.

·     Send an email to unityval@riousa.com stating that you wish to pledge a certain amount, possibly from your government stimulus check to the OSCSF or to general Unity finances. Give your phone number so Géna can contact you to arrange how and when you wish to donate.

·     You can write a letter stating you wish to join our Simple Giving Fund to contribute a set amount (state the amount) on a regular basis (state how often) with your bank account routing and account number. Just designate what portion should be used for OSCSF or general Unity finances. Géna, our Office Administrator, opens all our mail in private. So, it is safe to include your account information in a letter, but not in an email.

IF YOU NEED MONETARY ASSISTANCE
To request monetary help, you can write a letter or an email (unityval@riousa.com) directed to the Ministerial Team. Please include the following information:
1. Your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
2. Your association with Unity of the Valley.
3. Name of reference at Unity of the Valley (someone who knows you).
4. Brief description of your financial need.
5. How much you are requesting.
6. Do you think your financial needs will require monthly support? 

Requests for monetary help will be reviewed by our Ministerial Team. If a request is approved, the amount granted will be dependent on how many requests we receive and how much money is available in the OSCSF.

Thank you all for being an integral part of our loving and supportive community.