Programs and Participation

It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is.
-Hermann Hesse

Prosperity Corner

May 2008

Message from Keeper of the Light….

April 13th was such a treat to have Michael Bogar with us here at USLC. As always, Michael has great lessons and messages for us. What I really enjoy about his talks is that the tools he gives us are so easy to use and SO successful.

I have been struggling with a co-worker over the years – it wasn’t until Michael’s talk on The Apocalypse that I was finally able to get to the core of what was troubling me with this relationship. Many of the traits this person has that annoy, irritate or concern me I can see a direct line of relating back to me: driven, single parent; over-achiever; perfectionist; procrastinator; forced ‘type-A’-- but there was one area that I absolutely could not see, fathom, relate to---which was this person’s ability to steal other people’s credit and thunder.

Ray and I each laughingly shared situations that we encounter and then asked each other what that was trying to reveal to us. Some of our responses kept us safely behind the ‘veil’ – which, when we realized that, we were able to laugh about it. He did help me to see the situation with my co-worker however quite clearly. Was it possible that I was being ‘challenged’ to start speaking up for myself? As Ray put it, ‘perhaps if you were tooting your horn this person wouldn’t be able to take credit for your work?’ Wow! My family of origin did not allow, much less encourage, tooting your horn. You worked hard and if you needed to feel appreciated, well, you just worked harder.

I have felt frustrated at work because of the work I do and the unit I am in – well we all just go about our business behind the scenes and make everyone else look really good. We are not on the radar, so to speak, yet the product and tools we produce are used daily and make it possible for everyone else to shine. Monday I went happily back to work and with renewed energy. I began putting together a ‘show and tell’ for my supervisor and his up-line. I am beginning to toot my horn and by golly folks are going to be listening to my wonderful music and hear my poem!

I encourage each of you to find that which you keep hidden behind the veil and let it be revealed. It is very exciting and freeing. Oh and by the way, What co-worker?!

Blessings,

Debra Kroon Yates

Music Ministry

It is so exciting when intentions are put to action and results begin to show! I've noticed in my own personal life when I say I want change, improvement, etc. it doesn't always happen without action on the intention. As they say at a Klemmer & Associate workshop I recently attended, "Measure everything by your results."

For several months, I've been desiring to find a pianist for the music ministry so that I can move out front and help lead songs and be more of a directing presence. It isn't always the best option to try to sing, lead songs, and play the piano all at the same time. So, with that, our minister Cheryl led myself, Tim and Roberta in a visioning exercise where we stated our intention and I'm pleased to say that our intentions are close to a reality!

Many of you know Sylvia Holtman as a gifted pianist who has been with us many times assisting our music program. She has agreed to come and be with us and play for us on a more regular basis. The gift of her presence playing with us increase the abundance we feel in our music ministry, and allow me to take more of a leadership role.

Also, an exciting change-the board has decided along with members of the music team, to remove the platform box the keyboard is on now, and move the piano down from off of the stage to where the keyboard currently sits. This will allow the person at the piano to see both the congregation and the choir better. It will also free up much space on the platform, to make room for more musicians, drummers, and choir members.

Our music ministry is continuing to thrive and be all it can be in the midst of change. I look forward to working with Sylvia and I would like to encourage each of us-let's all welcome her as she joins us in ministry.

Respectfully and with great anticipation as we look ahead,

LeAnne

Yakima Drummers

Forst amd third Tuesdays, free form drumming at 6:30 PM.
In the shelter at Sarge Hubbard Park
Come at 6:00 for the pot luck!

As always, there will be drums and rhythm instruments to share, so if you haven't yet acquired one, come anyway and experience what is available! For more information, call 509-930-6329

We will join in on the activities of the Tri-Cities Drum Circle as we are able. Go to: http://www.thedrumcircle.org/tcdc-newsletter.htm to check out their website and sign up for their e-newsletter.

Youth Ministry

Unity Spiritual Life Center offers a Youth Education Program on Sunday mornings serving all children ages 1 to 11. Children start the morning in the regular worship service with their caregiver then leave the service during the Prayer Song to participate in the children’s ministry. For children ages 1 to 4 years there is play time and an art activity. For children 5 to 11 there is a structured lesson and an art activity that ties to the lesson.

We create a physically and spiritually safe environment to allow children to explore their own divinity and their relationship with God. We use a curriculum called Children on the Quest based on Unity’s Five Basic Principles which are:

1. God is all good and active in everything, everywhere.

2. I am naturally good because God's Divinity is in me and in everyone.

3. I create my experiences by what I choose to think and what I feel and believe.

4. Through affirmative prayer and meditation, I connect with God and bring out the good in my life.

5. I do and give my best by living the Truth I know. I make a difference!

Note: All teachers are from the congregation and are subject to a background check.

Spiritual Blessings Team

Have you ever wondered what you would need to do to participate in Dial-A-Blessing? Do we have a deal for you!! On Sunday, July 22, at approximately noon, there will be a Dial-A-Blessing introduction and training! This service is one that Unity Spiritual Life Center shares with the greater Yakima community. And it is a service that leaves the blesser with a peaceful, satisfied feeling. Is it difficult? No it is not. Does it take commitment? Yes, it does. A person takes a one-week shift to put the Dial-A-Blessing on the message machine. The number of weeks depends on the number of participants. Does it take any special talent? Yes, one needs to be able to speak clearly and have a desire to be of service. One other requirement is a telephone. If you haven't heard Dial-A-Blessing, please call 454-4845 at least once. I urge you to come to the meeting on July 22 to find out more. Try it, you may like it! If not, you will know why!

We are also developing a Prayer Tree. What we envision is when someone calls or e-mails a prayer request to the church, the first person to receive it will call two people, who will call two people, etc. No one would call more than two people to pass on the prayer request. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, please let Chris know or look for the sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall. We'd like to have this Prayer Tree in practice by the first of September.

Also At The Center:

The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is

Every 2nd Sunday for Devotions and Potluck Dinner

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Alcoholics Anonymous

Early Birds: Daily 6:30 AM

The Way Out: Every Thrusday 7:00 PM

Al-Anon - Steps to Recovery: Every Wednesday 5:30 PM

Location

Sunday Services

Office Hours