“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous,
be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” ~1 Corinthians 16:13,14
Final Blessing Celebration, July 26, 2009 On Sunday, July 26, we had a joyful final Blessing Celebration
as we released the form of the buildings that have cradled us over the years, while we affirmed the love and consciousness
that is the enduring heart of our Center. Everyone wrote grateful affirmations and blessings on the walls of the
Sanctuary and YE Room. We expect remodeling to be completed in 2009, and look forward to the day when we return to our
beautiful new buildings. In the meantime
during remodeling, our Sunday services will be held at Heather Farm Community Center in Walnut Creek, and our office and classroom
space will be located in a nearby office building at 1800 Oak Park Blvd. in Pleasant Hill. On the next stage of our journey, our first Sunday Service at Heather Farm will be Aug. 2, and we will hold and Open
House for our office and classroom space on Aug. 9.
Celebrating our Past, July 5, 2009 On
July 5, 2009, we had a very special and moving Sunday service, "Celebrating our Past." We reviewed the highlights
of our years since the Center's founding in 1948, as we listened to memories from many members and view video clips from previous
ministers. You may read a summary of that program here.
May 10 Delay Our original date for our final service at our old building had to be changed from May 10 to July 26
because the city of Walnut Creek requested more information before approving our plans.
Unanimous decision to go ahead At the Oct. 26 Annual Meeting, we discussed the Report of Findings by the LIA Task Force, and the
unanimous decision of the Board of Trustees to proceed with the remodeling of the two buildings as one project (rather than
two phased projects) even though our current level of donations are sufficient for only one building. By a unanimous
vote of the membership present at the the meeting, it was agreed to enter into a mortgage to cover the cost of the seqcond
building.
Annual Membership Meeting, October 26, 2008 The
annual membership meeting agenda will include several Love in Action items:
--A Task Force was formed in May to explore and develop alternatives of how we could proceed with
our capital improvements. --A report of findings and recommendations from the LIA Task Force, and the decision by the Board of Trustees, who examined these questions at depth, will be presented at the annual membership
meeting. --Members will also be asked to vote and select organizations to receive tithes from Love in Action.
Capital Improvement News “Woo-hoo!” The
Capital Development team has directed our architect to begin the review and permitting process with the City of Walnut Creek!
|
| Alexandra True |
Announcement
from the Executive Director I have served as the Executive Director of the Love in Action Program since June 2007. During this
time, I have learned about love, about giving and receiving, about egotism and about altruism. I have learned that
I don’t know everything, but as I wait for inspiration and wisdom, my trust and faith sustain me, and I get the answers I
need just in time. I have been touched beyond words by the generosity of our Unity community. I have witnessed over-the-top
financial giving, and have also seen the willingness of so many dedicated volunteers as they gave tirelessly of their time
and talents.
Faith
is an integral part of any long-term program where results are not seen immediately and my faith is stronger, steadier
and is able to sustain me every day because of Love in Action. I thank you for enriching my life with
this transformational experience and for so richly blessing me during this time.
|
| Don Shaw |
I’ve recently received a new calling and will soon start work on another
exciting project at Unity. In September 2008, I will transition out of my current role as Executive
Director of Love in Action. I'm pleased to announce that Don
Shaw has steped forward to take over the position of Executive Director and lead us into the next
phase of our transformation. As or next phase unfolds, I know that he will be transformed and blessed
beyond words.
As always, wishing you as
much love as you can stand, —Alexandra True, Executive Director
Love in Action Tithing In alignment with our Center’s prosperity
consciousness, we tithe from the gifts we receive in our Love in Action program. Tithing is the spiritual practice of acknowledging
God as our source. In tithing, one tenth of all we receive is given to spiritual organizations that support
us. The Love in Action program tithes ten percent to organizations that support our mission. We will also give an additional
five percent of our gifts in social giving. The five per cent of social giving is donated to community or global organizations
that bring peace, healing and harmony to our world. We invite you to nominate both spiritual and other non-profit organizations
to be recipients of our tithing. Tithe/Giving Nomination forms are available at the LIA table on the patio after Sunday
services, or they may be picked up at the Book Center. Nominations must be returned by Sept 21. Organizations designated to
receive Love in Action tithes will be selected by membership vote during our annual meeting on October 26. Tithes
and gifts will be distributed to the selected organizations for one year. This process will be repeated in 2009.
We know that sharing our abundance with an attitude of love and faith prospers all. Tithing at Unity As a spiritual community,
we model the spiritual principles that are a part of our teachings. Tithing and generous giving are two of those principles. Tithing
is an ancient spiritual practice mentioned often in the bible. It is the giving of “the first tenth” of all that
is received to the place where we are spiritually fed. Tithing is not an instrument for social giving. The teachings from
the Bible and from spiritual leaders who have explored the powerful practice at depth, continue to remind us that this
first tenth or tithe is for organizations or individuals who are helping people awaken to the presence of God in their lives.
For the individual, this may be a church, spiritual teacher, place of prayer or an author. For our organization, we view those
organizations that keep us and the Unity movement strong and vibrant as we seek to fulfill our mission. Because serving as
a Unity center is our purpose, we know that those things that keep Unity strong, growing and healthy support our spiritual
work.
Ask and It Shall be
Given We
asked and you gave, and we are delighted to report that we met the challenge of our anonymous, matching donor
and received new pledges of $25,000! Truth be told, we didn’t only meet the minimum amount of new
pledges, we significantly exceeded it by collecting a total of $83,940 in new pledges!!!
Way to
go Unity! As of June 20, 2008, our year-to-date receipts for Love in Action total $53,447.25. Thank you.
We are grateful. _______________________________________________
JUNE
2008
Matching $25,000 pledge!!
Our heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you who have made a
new pledge to Love In Action. We are very grateful. Every pledge counts! No pledge is too small. This is especially true now
that we have received a commitment for a matching pledge for every new person or family who commits to Love In Action. We
have a generous anonymous donor who is willing to match every new pledge, up to $25,000!
Love In Action Task Force
A new Task Force is forming to create clear pros
and cons and summaries of how to proceed with the Capital Campaign. This task force will present recommendations to the Board
of Trustees as we go forward with financing of the project. If you would like more information, please contact Susan
Miller.
December 2007:
The first manifestation of a more beautiful sanctuary appeared on
Sunday, December 23, 2007. Lovely new draperies add a touch of elegance. They are a light green, the color symbolizing the
heart chakra. These are a Christmas gift from our Love in Action campaign, funded by you! Thanks so much for your generosity
and ongoing commitment to your pledges to make our Center more wonderful.
"Divine
Love is our source of true abundance."
|
