Faith for Today
A Bi-Monthly Publication
May/June 2008 CHRIST CHURCH UNITY VOLUME 47, ISSUE 03
FROM THE MINISTER’S HEART:
Dear Friend,
Ever since Palm Sunday, I have been contemplating the translation
of the Jewish word “Hosanna.” This word is the call
that filled the streets of Jerusalem when Jesus entered the city.
Usually it is translated “Save us!” It can also be
translated “Bless us!” It is a compound word and if
you go to the root meanings, you can translate Hosanna as “The
mystery we see restores us to our right mind.”
This translation challenges me to look at life in a new way.
Do I see the mystery of life or family or sunsets and sunrises,
or do I just gloss over things as the “same old, same old”
thing?
When I am willing to look at life with what the Buddhists call
“beginners mind,” everything can be seen in a new
way. This openness to new ways of seeing and experiencing things
challenges me to draw on the wisdom of the Christ in every situation.
I must be open in a new way and bring forth new expression of
the Divine blessing.
Dear Friend, take time to look at the people and things in your
life from the Christ perspective. You will see something new and
experience greater love and fulfillment. God will work through
you in richer and more joy-filled ways.
God is revealing the blessing in all things!
Joyous in Spirit, Blair Tabor, minister
CCU Community Forum
Brunch Sunday, May 18th between services
Come share your ideas and listen to our board present information
about where we are as a church.
Special Holiday Services
Mother’s Day - Memorial Day - Father’s Day
FROM THE PRAYER MINISTRY
We are Thankful for Prayers
The Prayer Ministry receives many beautiful cards and letters
each month telling us of answered prayer. Periodically we like
to publish a few of these lovely thanks. “I marvel at the
words you convey to me through Spirit.” “I feel so
much better after prayer.” “Thank you for the monthly
uplifting encouraging letters.” “The Prayer Ministry
is such a wonderful support and I am grateful for that part of
Unity.” “I had a surge of
well-being and a fog lifted after prayer.” “Baby’s
surgery was successful and she is doing very well.” “It’s
so very special that you say these prayers with me.” “All
fell into place for the right car for me.” “We are
so blessed to have a prayer ministry in San Diego.” “Again
your prayers buoyed me up and helped me through a dark situation.
The words spoken touched me, I could feel the Spirit helping me.”
“I found a new place to live. Thank you for prayer.”
“I am happy to report that the surgery was successful and
‘even surprised her doctors’.”
We are so blessed to be here for you. We look forward to your
calls.
We love you, we bless you and we behold the Christ in you.
Your Prayer Ministry
If you would like to pray, please contact our Prayer Ministry.
Our dedicated and faith-filled Prayer Workers are continuously
in prayer
surrounding you and your prayer request in God’s love.
You may call us at 619-282-7609,
send us your prayer request by mail here at the church
or e-mail us at prayerministry@unitysandiego.org
All prayer requests are confidential.
Volunteer of the Month
March 2008
Our March Volunteer of the Month is Cathie Robertson. She is
a Board member, and an Usher. Cathie helped organize our wonderful
Fall Follies last October, preparing food for 100! She has played
a major role in our Annual Teas, and she organized our Katrina
Relief Effort. She is an inspiration to us all!
Volunteers of the Month
April 2008
Our April Volunteers are Byron and Esther Ayres. They have focused
on Ushering and Greeting, and are the definition of the word "dependable."
They often fill in when there is a vacancy, and we know that everything
will be taken care of when they are serving. We are so grateful
for them!
New Member Orientation
The dates for the next New Member Orientations are June 22nd,
28th and 29th.
New Member Orientation has three parts:
1: A brief meeting in St. Luke’s Chapel, first floor of
the Prayer Tower, after each service on Sunday, June 22nd.
2: The following Saturday, June 28th, from 10 AM to Noon, includes
a tour of the church and information on Unity's history, teachings,
our church vision, and meditation.
3: Spiritual Baptism during the Sunday services on Sunday, June
29th.
Membership with Christ Church Unity is an opportunity to make
a commitment to your spiritual growth through our church. Many
people find blessings from this process. The dates for next New
Member Orientations are and October 24th, 30th, and 31st.
Memorial
Alexander Fleming
Born - March 16, 1926 Passed - February 9, 2008
Memorial
Leo Greene
Born - November 28, 1916 Passed - March 27, 2008
Leo loved our church and after a life full of community service
is now at rest.
Memorial
Alice Keltner
Born - September 19, 1925 Passed - March 31, 2008
Alice was a sweet soul, loved by all who knew her. She overcame
many health challenges to be a spiritual blessing to others.
Annual Tea
Saturday , May 17th
Plan now to attend this popular event! The tickets remain $15
each. The tea is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year the entertainment
will be provided by our Sunday music team. The funds raised will
be split between the music program and the Children’s camp
scholarships. There is still time to volunteer to help with this
event. Only 2 more
hostesses are needed for the tables. Also needed are our ever-popular
male servers! There are behind the scenes help such as baking
and helping in the kitchen that morning. Speak with Meredith Tabor
or Cathie Robertson.
Donations for the Tea Silent Auction and Raffle
Donations of new and nearly new items are being sought for this
event. Also popular are a few children’s games or gifts
and gifts certificates for services such as hair salons and massages.
Donations may be given to Meredith Tabor on Sundays.
Gals Night Out - May
The May activity will be the annual tea on May 17th.
Gals Day Out
Saturday, June 28th
The gals will take a trip out to Summer’s Past Farm in
El Cajon to stroll the gardens and gift shop. The gals who want
to carpool should meet by the Fuddruckers in Grossmont Center
at 9:30 a.m. They will then drive to the Farm located at 15602
Old Highway 80,
El Cajon. After a time spent at the farm, they will drive to Alpine
for lunch at the Bread Basket. Please sign up if you plan to attend.
If you have questions speak to Meredith Tabor.
Bookstore Summer Sale
June 1, 2008
Mark your calendars for our annual summer sale. Everything will
be on sale in the bookstore and on the patio. You will find great
savings on greeting cards, ornaments,
jewelry, novelty items, books & CD’s and more! Start
your holiday shopping early and
take advantage of great savings! Sale prices apply to in-stock
merchandise. Also, we are in need of two volunteers to help out
for one hour after a Sunday service. (Your choice of volunteering
after first or second service.) Please contact Rebecca at
619-280-2501, ext. 101, to sign up.
Circulation Day
On Sat, June 7th, from 9-2 in Wrigley Hall, we will hold our
annual Circulation Day. It’s just like a Yard Sale, only
everything is free! Bring your gently used, clean clothing, &
household items to the hall Mon, June 2nd, - Fri, June, 6th, during
the hours of 10-2. Please do not bring items prior to June 2nd.
(No undergarments or bathing suits, please). Call 619-280-2501,
ext. 105, with questions.
Padres Game – June 20th
Join the Unity group as they go to their first game of the new
season. Forty-six tickets have been reserved for this Friday,
7:05PM game. The Padres will be playing the Tigers. The tickets
are ½ price at $25( regularly $50) and in the Toyota Terrace
section – rows 1-4. Check with Meredith to see if any tickets
remain. Tickets must be paid for by June 1st.
12 Powers Class
Wednesdays, through July 2, 2008
10 AM & 7 PM on the 3rd floor
Charles Fillmore considered the 12 Powers as advanced metaphysical
teachings necessary for the regeneration of mind and body. The
12 energy centers in the body open up to give us renewed strength
and energy for living life in a masterful way.
Rev. Blair will lead these sessions and present practical ways
to apply the spiritual principles.
Through music, visualizations, deep meditation and simple exercises
you will be able to demonstrate the gifts of God and powerful
ways. Love Offering. 10 SEE credits.
Meditation Practice
Sundays, May 4th & June 1st
12:40 p.m. in St. Luke’s Chapel
The key to spiritual growth is regular times of prayer end meditation.
Come join Rev. Blair for a sacred time of instruction in a simple
technique for centering the mind on the presence of God. Love
Offering.
Healing Service
Sunday, May 4th & June 1st
7:00 p.m. in St. Luke’s Chapel
The energy of God’s blessing and healing is always at work.
Come and connect with that spiritual energy with Rev. Blair at
our monthly healing services. Love offering.
Wish List
New Stove for Wrigley Hall $5,600.00
Union Tribune Advertising $48.00/week
Thank you for your support! Remember, if you feel you cannot give
the total amount, partial gifts will be accumulated until enough
is received.
New Diaper Changing Station for Nursery $219.00
Scrip Update
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are provide a great
opportunity to purchase scrip such as See’s and CCU makes
23%, or gift cards as gifts for Mom and Dad. If you plan to take
them out for lunch or dinner check out the extensive restaurant
list. Now scrip is available for Mervyns in $25 and CCU makes
6%. CVS has also raised their donation from 2% to 6%. Scrip is
a fundraising program that you buy gift cards and use them as
a substitute for cash. It is available on Sundays and during the
week by calling 619-280-2501 ext 109.
A Stewardship Update from Your Board Treasurer
Year to Date Budget
Income $76,039 $92,079
Expenses 95,276 105,926
-21,126 -15,683
Numbers subject to audit
Please keep the needs of your church in your prayers. Be guided
in Spirit in how you share your time, talents and treasures with
our church that lovingly supports your spiritual life. We know
as we are clear in our intentions, we are aware of the infinite
supply which is perpetually available to us. Prosperity demonstrations
increase accordingly. Our every need will be abundantly met in
the most appropriate and fulfilling ways. Please join me in making
that a reality. And so it is and so we let it be!
Namaste, Nancy Sogliuzzo, Board Treasurer
Letter from the Board
By Cathie Robertson, Board Secretary
We have finished the Lenten season and the inspiring series of
sermon’s entitled RADIANT. Just as spring is a time for
renewal, rebirth and transformation, this process can be reflected
in our church also. We can see around us the appearance of how
the economy is in a downturn and how people’s finances may
not be as good as they would like. We all know that these are
appearances. Your board has decided that instead of focusing on
appearances we are prepared to take steps to transform our church
budget in a new and exciting manner. We began talking last year
about Fun Fundraising and have had a few efforts in that direction.
For example, we had the Fall Follies which raised more than $2,200
for our general funds and our music team is doing their own Fun
fundraising effort in April to help generate funds for their sheet
music and other items.
As our Fun Fundraising effort for this year, the board has decided
on a program called Pick-a-Party. The Unity Church in Palo Alto
has been doing this for several years and in a conversation with
a former church member who was visiting here last year, Nancy
Sogliuzzo and Patti Scrimiger. They brought the idea to our board
and after much discussion we decided this would be a worthwhile
venture. This fundraising effort will encompass many different
activities that can be done by our congregants to help raise funds.
We are soliciting people who have talents to share to share those
talents in order to help us raise these funds for our church general
fund. Last year, Reverend Blair led us in an exercise “Who
Have I Come Here to Be?” Now our board is asking of some
of you “What Have I Come Here to Do?”
The board is the first to know about this and members from the
board have stepped up to the plate to be part of the group to
“host” pick-a-party events. Some examples that we
have volunteered to do is to teach jam making, take a group of
people kayaking on the bay and being a personal chef/caterer for
an event of your choice. There will be different events, different
dates and different people involved in this effort.
We will be doing this throughout the year to help augment our
budget. Many of us on the board are already feeling and beginning
to see the possibilities of this Pick-a Party fundraising can
have for our church, its fiscal responsibility and its growth.
In addition, we really think we can have fun doing this. So in
an effort to help us, think about your own talents or area of
interest so you can be involved in one way or another to “Pick-a-Party”
and you show your RADIANCE and help us transform our church budget!
"Did you know.."
It is always a good time to plan for tax deductions. There are
many creative AND legal ways to get a larger tax deduction for
donations to our church. For more information, please speak with
Rev. Blair.
If you plan to include our church in your estate, or on a deed
of trust, insurance, or any other vehicle, please use the full
name and address of our church: Christ Church Unity, San Diego,
3770 Altadena Avenue, San Diego, California 92105.
May & June Lessons
by Rev. Blair Tabor & Rev. Gretchen Pen
Saturdays Sundays
May 3rd May 4th
The Tangled Web On Fire with God
May 10th May 11th
The Power of Gratitude Spiritual Authority
Rev. Nancy Conklin
May 17th May 18th
Bargaining with God We Are God’s Love
May 24th May 25th
What Comes Around... What Comes Around...
May 30th June 1st
Wrestling with God Righteous Judgment
June 7th June 8th
What on Earth Have You Done? Order, Accomplishment and Completion
June 14th June 15th
What in the Name of God are You Doing? I Am Strong in the Lord
June 21st June 22nd
What Will You Think of Next? Healing Purification
June 28th June 29th
Who Do You Think You Are? Radiant, Vitalizing Life
Youth & Family Ministry
By Karla Lightner - Youth & Family Ministry Director
Greetings,
We are very blessed to have such a wonderful group of children
here at CCU. Every Sunday there are children everywhere, not just
in the classrooms, or playing outside together, but actually working,
helping and serving wherever they are needed. This is a new, varied
approach to the traditional “Sunday School” setting.
It gives our children the opportunity to learn part-time in the
classroom, then take what they have learned and apply it in real-life
situations, while under the supervision of their Sunday school
teachers. The biggest blessing is that the kids are having so
much fun, they are learning without even realizing it!
Our monthly “Food Fundraisers” are a smashing success.
So far, after only two fundraisers we have raised over $400 for
our children to attend camp and other Unity activities. If you
have any fundraising ideas to share or are interested in helping,
please see Darlene or Yvonne Carter.
God has greatly blessed us with a core group of volunteers who
share their gifts and talents with our children on a regular basis.
It is their love, service and dedication that makes our Family
Ministry Program a success. Should you feel moved to share your
gifts with our wonderful children, please call me at 619-280-2501,
ext 114, 619-218-6135, or you can email me at karlaatunity@cox.net
Blessings!
Karla
Youth & Family Ministry Calendar
May 2-4 2008 – Idyllwild, CA - Youth Educators Team Conference
SW Unity training conference for those involved in Youth Ministry.
Saturday May 17, 2008 – Wrigley Hall - Mother’s Day
Tea. - This annual event is a fundraiser for our children to attend
Kids Camp and Uniteen Camp. This year the profit will be shared
with the Music Dept.
Sunday May 18, 2008 – 12:30 – 2:00 pm- Family Ministry
summer planning meeting
This meeting is for parents, teachers and all who are interested
in helping to plan a fun
and exciting summer program for our children.
June 22-26, 2008 – Wrightwood, CA – Kids Camp
Kids graduating 2nd -5th grades will leave CCU on Sunday and return
on Thursday
after 5 days of fun, games and learning.
June 22-27, 2008 – Wrightwood, CA – Uniteen Camp
Uniteens graduating from 6th - 8th grades will leave CCU on Sunday,
along with Unikids, and return on Friday after spending an inspirational
week with other Uniteens in our region
July/August Faith for Today
material due June 1st!
May 2008
SUNDAY
Worship Celebration Service - Sanctuary - 9:00 & 11:00am
Nursery - Classroom 3 - 9:00 & 11:00am
UniKids (ages 4-8) - Room 4 - 11:00am
UniTweens (4th & 5th Grade) - Room 4 - 11:00am
UniTeens (6th, 7th, 8th Grade) - 3rd Floor - 11:00am
Y.O.U. (9th-12th Grade ) - 2nd Floor - 11:00am
Library Open - 10:00am - 11:00am, 12noon - 1:00 pm
A Course in Miracles - 4th Floor - 10:15am
Friendship Sunday & White Stone Sunday - 4th
Arts & Crafts Sales - Wrigley Hall - 10:15am & 12:15 pm
- 4th
Meditation Class - St. Luke’s Chapel - 12:40pm - 4th
Healing Service - St. Luke’s Chapel - 7:00pm - 4th
Brunch - Wrigley Hall - 10:15am & 12:15pm - 18th
CCU Community Forum - Wrigley Hall - 10:15am - 18th
Arts & Crafts Sales - Wrigley Hall - 10:15am & 12:15 pm
- 18th
MONDAY
Office closed in honor of Memorial Day, 5/26
NA Group - 2nd Floor - 7:00pm
Arts & Crafts Group - 3rd Floor - 10:00am - 12th
TUESDAY
Fit for Life Class - Wrigley Hall - 7:00pm - (through 6/10)
Planning Meeting - 3rd Floor - 7:00pm – 13th
Board Meeting - 4th Floor - 7:00pm - 27th
WEDNESDAY
12 Powers Class - 3rd Floor - 10:00am - (through 7/02)
Prayer Ministry Guided Meditation - St. Luke’s Chapel -
11:00am
Unity Fellowship Potluck Luncheon - Wrigley Hall - 12:00pm - 14th
12 Powers Class - 3rd Floor - 7:00pm - (through 7/02)
THURSDAY
Choir Rehearsal - 2nd Floor - 7:00pm
Fit for Life Class - Wrigley Hall - 7:00pm - (through 6/10)
SATURDAY
Saturday Night Alive Worship Celebration Service - St. Luke’s
Chapel - 5:00pm
Annual Tea - Wrigley Hall - 2:00pm - 17th
June 2008
SUNDAY
July/August 2008 Faith for Today Material due June 1st
Worship Celebration Service - Sanctuary - 9:00 & 11:00am
Nursery - Classroom 3 - 9:00 & 11:00am
UniKids (ages 4-8) - Room 4 - 11:00am
UniTweens (4th & 5th Grade) - Classroom 4 - 11:00am
UniTeens (6th, 7th, 8th Grade) - 3rd Floor - 11:00am
Y.O.U. (9th-12th Grade ) - 2nd Floor - 11:00am
Library Open - 10:00am - 11:00am, 12noon - 1:00 pm
A Course in Miracles - 4th Floor - 10:15am
Friendship Sunday – Wrigley Hall – 1st
Bookstore Sale - Patio - 9:00am - 1st
Meditation Practice - St. Luke’s Chapel - 12:40pm - 1st
Healing Service - St. Luke’s Chapel - 7:00pm - 1st
Brunch - Wrigley Hall - 10:15am & 12:15pm - 15th
Arts & Crafts Sales - Wrigley Hall - 10:15am & 12:15 pm
- 15th
New Member Orientation - St. Luke’s Chapel - 10:15am &
12:15pm - 22nd
MONDAY
NA Group - 2nd Floor - 7:00pm
Arts & Crafts Group - 3rd Floor - 10:00am - 9th & 23rd
TUESDAY
Fit for Life Class - Wrigley Hall - 7:00pm - (through 6/10)
Planning Meeting - 3rd Floor - 7:00pm - 10th
Board Meeting - 3rd Floor - 7:00pm - 24th
WEDNESDAY
Prayer Ministry Guided Meditation - St. Luke’s Chapel -
11:00am
12 Powers Class Class - 3rd Floor - 10:00am - (through 7/02)
Unity Fellowship Potluck Luncheon - Wrigley Hall - 12:00pm - 11th
Faith for Today Mailing Party - 4th Floor - 9:00am - 18th
12 Powers Class Class - 3rd Floor - 7:00pm - (through 7/02)
THURSDAY
Choir Rehearsal - 2nd Floor - 7:00pm
Fit for Life Class - Wrigley Hall - 7:00pm - (through 6/10)
SATURDAY
Saturday Night Alive Worship Celebration Service - St. Luke’s
Chapel - 5:00pm
Circulation Day - Wrigley Hall - 10:00 am - 7th
Gals Day Out - Off site - 9:30am - 28th
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