.png)
December 2022
NEWS FROM THE REGION
"We collaborate with and support our regional ministries and leaders in our shared spiritual awakening."
From the Regional Board
Our tithe for this month goes to Unity of Yakima. They celebrated their 90th anniversary this October. Even without a minister these last few years, this plucky community is carrying on, sharing the Unity message of spiritual awakening. Congratulations!
Rev. Shad Groverland, Executive Director of Unity WorldWide Ministries, will be presenting "The Power Of Focused Ministry" at two churches in our region in January. January 14th at Unity of The Valley in Eugene, Oregon and January 21st at Unity Center of Divine Love and Light in Spokane, Washington. Our Regional Board is grateful to the leadership of both churches for responding positively to our request to host Rev. Shad in their sub-regions.
As we enter into this sacred season of Advent, preparing for all the holidays in our centers and our homes, the NW Regional Board holds all of us in prayer. We affirm that there is only one sacred presence and power afoot, no matter what outer circumstances suggest. As the earth quiets with snow and dark skies, we enter into the silence within and find the deep radiance of creation. It restores and renews us and prepares us to nourish our communities with Truth, Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love. We give thanks for each of you who are serving so nobly and with such dedication to our Unity movement and the beautiful light within us all. Holy Blessings to you all!
For the Holidays
You've probably already noticed that Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. If you have, maybe you're wondering how to support your community without having to meet on Sunday. Or maybe you're planning to all show up in your pajamas! But if you'd like an alternative, you could revisit the beautiful music that was created by some of our Northwest Unity musicians for the first Christmas of the pandemic.
Here is the link if you would like to use the music again for an alternative Christmas offering.
https://www.beccapalm.com/unity-nw-holiday-videos.
We hope you'll also consider putting something in our regional stocking as a thank-you! (And a big thank you to Becca Palm who was the musical director for this project and reminded us that the songs were still available!)
Remember your CEUs!
As the calendar year closes, if you haven't yet done so, remember to please take a few minutes to ensure you have personal document of completing your Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements for 2022. All tracking of CEUs is now done by individual ministers and LUTs, for reporting on your annual report (due in March, 2023). For more information, including what documentation to keep and ways to meet CEUs, please see Unity Worldwide Ministries' internet page on All About your Continuing Education Requirement.
“A Year to Live” Book Study Group
The 4th Tuesday of the Month through Dec. 2022 on Zoom
First meeting: Jan. 25th, 7:00 – 8:30 PDT
Facilitated by Rev. Sherry Schultz
Advent Meditation With Bob Kennedy
Wednesdays November 30 to December 21
8 pm to 9 pm ET/ 4 pm to 5 pm AK
SEE Week!
January 9 - 13
- 9:00-11:00a | Overview of Hebrew Scriptures, with Rev. Jane Hiatt
- 11:30a-1:30p | Discover Your Purpose, with Rev. Susan Gumm
- 2:30-4:30p | Bible Interpretations-Hebrew Scriptures, with Rev. James Tierney
- 5:00-7:00p | I of the Storm, with Rev. Rachel Simpson
The Power of a Focused Ministry
Join Rev. Shad Groverland, Executive Director of UWM, in a timely 1-day workshop designed for ministry leaders, future leaders, and those who train these leaders at the following venues. Click the dates to learn more:
UNITEENS
Uniteens: the 6th through 8th graders in your community
Twelve Uniteens and their sponsors, parent or grandparent joined together for our November UNITREAT. We woke up to temperatures in the high 20’s, and learned how to dress warm for mornings outside! Our cabins, meeting rooms, and dining hall are all heated!! All were supported in our Challenge Course Adventures. The trimming of the Douglas Fir, by the winds of Mother Nature happened the week before we arrived to see this evidence. The Cispus Staff said they hadn’t seen a wind storm this strong in decades. Our timing was Divine. Spiritual Transformation, Everywhere Present, Understanding Power was the title of our camp. We saw Divine Power as we went through the Challenge Course, built a structure for our team then dipped and poured candles to remind us of our light, gifts & talents. Everyone went home with 2 candles, one for someone they want to honor or remind them of their gift of Light and one to remind themselves. New this year was each person could select their candle color and scent. It is all soy wax & clean ingredients.
REMINDER FOR NEXT YOUTH MINISTRY EVENT
JANUARY 27, 28, 29, Youth Team annual Conference in Gold Bar WA at Houston Conference Center with guest musician, in person MARK STANTON WELCH. See the NW Region website for registration details. All who support Youth & Family Ministry, newborns through Y.O.U. are invited.
June- At the time of this writing Summer UNITREAT will be June 18-22. I am working & praying on reserving a later date, please join me in prayer as there are several school districts that are still in school during camp. And so it is….Amen
We discussed the powerful Transformation(s) made available throughout the pandemic. We hope your Center has this In discussion. Seeing it through our spiritual eyes & heart we strive to discern how, when, where, who to connect to. I hope your return to in person Youth Ministry is put on the top banner of your weekly E-newsletter, as often as possible. It took time to adapt to Sundays at home and it will be a process to re- engage with Sunday with your Unity community.
Church-Unity communities across the USA are in similar situations, you are not alone. I attended the YFM Summit 2 weeks ago. It was 2 days of sharing our challenges, changes and tools plus connecting with others who serve. This Summit was facilitated by Diane Venzera from Unity Village. We can support one another in transforming how we serve, open to the Heart and soul of Youth & Family Ministry. Please contact me for support, sacred listening or sharing of ideas. Many of us are not in our “comfort zone” looking at possibilities within this new place. One thing I am doing is changing the parameters to participate in Summer UNITREAT. Please read these at the end of February to see how many of your Uniteens can join us.
YOUTH OF UNITY
Youth Team Conference
We're excited to announce that the Youth Team Conference will be in-person at Camp Huston January 27-29, 2023! This year's theme is "At the River's Edge" and we will be discussing how to rebuild and grow our YFM programs with Rev. Diane Venzera and enjoy the musical talents of Mark Stanton Welch. Please join us in Gold Bar, WA to immerse yourself in a loving, supportive community, vision a bright and vibrant future, and connect with others that are passionate about youth ministry.
To attend, participants must have a recent negative COVID test.
Participants can register for Youth Team Conference here
or download a packet here.
RESOURCES
Did you know...
The Unity Northwest Region's website is full of services and various resources available to you and your ministry. Click on the links to be directed:
Do you have something to add to this monthly newsletter or wish to share on our website? Email us here! Submissions are due by the 25th of each month.
