Dear Ones,
Hurricane Harvey in Texas has been a massive challenge — something never seen before. Unity Church of Clearwater has directed a generous tithe to the American Humane Society and plans to tithe also to Unity of Houston, as the folks at that large and loving spiritual community have stepped up to "be the hands and feet of God" in the work of restoring lives of individuals and also sharing blessings with many other Unity churches in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. In this way, our spiritual family joins with theirs in taking part in the healing of Houston: "Love is present. Healing is here."
As for Hurricane Irma, we are watching the weather station to keep up with reports. We heard about mandatory evacuation for folks in zone A, and the Church is in zone B; Russ and I live in zone C. We are in the office today and will also be here for Service Saturday, 9:00 AM to about 1:00 PM, serving morning coffee and treats and setting out a sandwich board for volunteers who can safely join us for lunch.
Although we haven't canceled a Sunday service at Unity for — goodness, maybe since before 1957, if ever — we have decided that due to safety concerns, we will not hold a "live" service here at Unity, but will simply LIVESTREAM our service here at 10:30 am Sunday morning over the website (probably just me leading a meditation and a lesson on "The Giving Flow" — based on Chapter 10 of Eric Butterworth's Spiritual Economics, so we won't interrupt our Season of Prosperity series. So, Team Members and congregants, please say safe and "tune in" to UCC, House Built on Love, online, from wherever you are on Sunday. That way, we can worship safely together!
Meantime, we are with you in prayer, affirming that all safe in the Presence as the storm passes through.
Over half a century ago, when I worked in Silent Unity near Kansas City, May Rowland, who had studied with the Cofounders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, was our Director. When told a fierce tornado was heading toward Unity School, May went outside, faced the direction of the looming storm, and loudly spoke the scripture, "Peace, be still!" The storm instantly turned around and headed out to dissipate harmlessly in the Kansas plains. In her solid Unity belief system, that's how Jesus had stilled the storm and He taught that those who follow Him shall do the words that He did. Beginning with calming all anxious feelings, we still the storm within and find that we can, truly, weather this storm in the outer.
Rev Judy shared the following classic Unity message in our Wednesday prayer service this week, with a total attendance of only three, for the Christ Mind shines even where only "two or three are gathered together" in His name. Let us share in this consciousness as we meet all storms together.
Love, Leddy
from "Meditation for Harmonizing the Elements"
by Frances Foulks in Effectual Prayer
"Father, I thank Thee for rain in its season, for gentle winds, and merciful clouds . . . all adapted by Thy love . . . . Let nothing hinder the harmony of the whole, but let [us] and nature work together to restore the perfection of Thy kingdom on earth . . . .
Let each of Thy children the world over realize that peace must be established in the heart, beauty in the soul, and plenty in the vision . . . and become manifest . . . . Let us know that we must think thoughts of love and speak words of love, that individual and national clashes must cease, that hatred and cruelty and injustice must be wiped out, that greed and selfishness and jealousy must be overcome, and that the Christ of God must be enthroned in the heart before we can again enter the Garden of Eden.
Father, I thank Thee for Thy love which fills my heart, for Thy wisdom which fills my mind, for Thy clear vision which sees only the good. I claim my birthright of power and dominion, realizing that its foundation is in Thine omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. Fro this consciousness I now speak peace and harmony to the elements, that all nature may receive direct from Thy hands and fulfill its purpose of beauty and productiveness, in the name and through the power of the One who said to the waves and winds, 'Peace, be still,' and had instant recognition and obedience. I speak to all Thy creation: 'Let the Christ harmony and peace reign supreme in you, that it may be so in the elements'" (pages 140-2).
See you online on Sunday morning, 10:30! Be safe and serene, Dear Ones.