Messages

March 2008

Dear Friends,

Spring is a time or season of growth and development. A definition of spring includes "to jump or dart, to issue with speed or force; to grow; to make a series of leaps; and to stretch." The word Lent, the time before Easter, comes from a word meaning "spring" and derives from a verb meaning "to lengthen." Unity author, Rev. Eric Butterworth says "Lent is a dynamic period, a time for new insight. If we are in the flow of the creative process, we experience divine discontent, in which we feel both the possibility and the need for growth." Let us ask ourselves in what ways am I being called to stretch? In what areas am I being called to grow? What is the next big leap that I must make in my life?

Throughout the Lenten season, many have been experiencing various forms of inner cleansing, healing, and releasing. We have been letting go to create a space for the calling forth of new life. To grow, often we must give up something from the past. These blocks to our good include negative thoughts, old resentments, as well as behaviors and harmful habits which do not serve us well. Each of us knows what issues we have faced and how we have been dealing with them.

Easter is the time to awaken to a new day and lift our consciousness to life eternal and our oneness with God. For too long we have hidden in the tombs of despair, fear, antipathy and unease. Although we live in a world of conflict, chaos, and confusion, there is a higher calling that beckons. This calling invites us to commune with Spirit, be at one with God, and remember our true origin as children of light.

It is time now to move into the light. The Master said "You are the light of the world, let your light shine so that all may see.” Every time we reawaken to the realization of eternal, indwelling life, making union with God, the resurrection takes place within us. Thoughts of limitation and bondage to the outer are left in the tomb of materiality as we come forth into the light of a new day.

In April we will begin a series of lessons and classes on prayer. The book, The Universe is Calling by Eric Butterworth will serve as the basis of our studies. The heart of Unity is prayer and our intention is to deepen our life of prayer, open more fully to the divine, and bring more discipline to our spiritual practices. Let the calling of Spring come alive within our souls as we become all that God would have us be.
Blessings and love to all,
Rev. Roger

December 2007/January 2008

Dear Friends,

The winter months of the year are filled with many wonders. The darkness of the nights brings us greater light in the starry skies. The Advent season creates a sense of childlike anticipation as we rediscover the Promise of Christmas. Through the themes of hope, peace, love and joy we celebrate both the holy child born long ago and the sacred child within us.

The year’s end is a time of reflection, looking back and taking stock. How well did we live the theme of “Create Heaven in 2007?” In what ways were we called to greatness? In what ways did we experience despair? What endings did we experience? What new ways of being did we take up? What losses did we live through? What breakthroughs were manifested? What healings took place? What spiritual power did we tap? These are interesting questions to ponder as we complete one year and move into the next.

This is our 25th Anniversary year
The New Year brings a time of refocus and new beginnings. Goals are set, resolutions are adopted, and intentions are set in motion. The theme for this new year will be “Let’s Cele- brate in 2008” for it has been 25 years since the birth of the divine idea we call Unity Christ Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. There will be special activities throughout the year to honor how far we have come. Anniversary Sunday will be a homecoming celebration with special guest Rev. James Trapp, president of the Association of Unity Churches International on September 28.

“The Choice you never knew you had”
From mid-January through Easter in late March we will be experiencing a newly created in-depth nine week spiritual program called “The Choice.” Sunday services will open us to The Choice you never knew you had. Our midweek class will not be a class that is taught, but will be a journey that is lived --- a journey where each step is a magnet to your deepest desires. The Choice will bring into the conscious moments of our lives the transformative power, wonder and magic that really matters – our wisdom. We no longer want to accept who we are supposed to be, who we have to be or should be – we’re ready to experience who we were born to be. The Choice will be a journey of co-creating our lives with Spirit to bring to life the dreams of our souls.
Blessings and love,
Rev. Roger

Fall 2007:

Dear Friends,
Would you like to have more peace? Would you like to have more love? Would you like to be more giving or have more faith? Perhaps you are blocked in the area of forgiveness or compassion? Maybe you desire more joy in your life? I invite you to consider in what way you are willing to experience a breakthrough or healing in your life as we enter into the autumn season of the year.

Joyce Rupp in her book “Fresh Bread” describes autumn as “the season of vulnerability” when trees give themselves over to the letting go process more freely than humans. Autumn is a season of surrender and releasing the old in order to grow into the new. To grow means to change. To change means to be vulnerable. To be vulnerable means to be open to love. As we open to love we will heal.

Marjorey Bankson in her book “Seasons of Friendship,” on the other hand, describes autumn as the season of “us,” of harvest and community, of family and friends.” This definition reminds us that we are not alone, for we are part of a larger spiritual community whose purpose is to inspire, nurture and empower one another in our spiritual growth. Let us join together more closely this season as we surrender our lives to God and allow Spirit to mold us into that which we are called to be.

Eknath Easwaran in his book Love Never Faileth says that the Prayer of St. Francis “gives us a blueprint for making our life a blessing for everyone.” In October, using this book, our ministry will begin a program and series based on the St. Francis Prayer, “Lord, Make Me An Instrument.” The purpose of the program is to develop and celebrate individual spiritual growth and commitment to Spirit in the context of building and supporting our spiritual community. The series begins on Sunday October 7th with a focus on peace and release and letting go. love, giving, faith, pardon, consolation and joy. Through our Sunday services, home study groups, special music, and weekly affirmations we will each deepen our awareness and expression of Spirit in our lives.

Each week during Sunday services congregants will receive a card to carry with them as a reminder of the spiritual principles we will be working with during the coming week. Each card will contain an affirmation as well as other suggestions to use as part of our ongoing spiritual celebration. Special music with a variety of instruments will highlight the theme of the week. Let us join together this season to live the lives we are called to live. Allow Spirit to help set your individual intentions and goals for the seven week period. Let Spirit guide you as to how you will participate in this time of spiritual renewal and commitment. Through practice and deepening our faith let us each open ourselves to a greater expression of Spirit within our lives.
Blessings and love,
Rev. Roger