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WINGS Book Study Group (Zoom): Tue, 12:00 PM
Class: The Universe Is Calling: Tue, 7:00 PM
Wednesday "Faith Lift" Meditation (Live Stream): 7:00 PM
Table Talk Thursday (Zoom): Thur, 12:00 PM
Bible Study (Zoom): Thur, 3:00 PM (in recess)
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Sunday Service: 11:00 AM (At UCC & Live Streamed)
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| Remembering Bob and Dorothea Preston, Beloved Unity Members |
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Bob Preston made peaceful transition on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. We think you'll enjoy this article about Bob and Dorothea Preston from a few years ago.
The Prestons began their journey with Unity in 1944, when Bob’s future mother-in-law, a seeker, sent to the young sailor a copy of Daily Word. He read and re-read every word. Bob, raised Presbyterian, and Dorothea, Episcopalian, became a perfect Unity fit. This was Bob’s fiftieth year attending services here, as the couple first came to UCC in 1972. Through the years, both Bob and Dorothea each served three times on our Board of Directors and were the first to encourage Leddy Hammock to “put her hat in the ring” when the church was looking for a new minister in 1981.
Their incredible love story and 69-year marriage had its origin when the girl was 10, the boy 12, and Dorothea’s grandmother moved next door to Bob’s family. When Bob enlisted in the Navy at 17, they agreed to marry after the war was over. Stationed in the Pacific aboard USS Roi for 1 year and 7 months, Bob left the Navy in February 1946, having served 3 years, 1 month and 12 days. In a storybook adventure, he and Dorothea began their lives together in Hollywood on May 23, 1946. Married in the chapel at Chapman Park Hotel, their wedding aired on the romantic radio gem of “Bride and Groom.” For being on the show, the couple received wedding rings, household gifts and an all-expense-paid honeymoon. Bob’s enterprising bride had earned them their own reality show. “Bride and Groom” based its selections of couples to feature on written application, and Dorothea’s letter was a winner.
The newlyweds went back to Ohio but returned to California where Bob attended school, studying accounting. His first civilian job after the Navy was as a personnel manager. He then worked for a mobile home builder in accounting and purchasing. When his employer came to Clearwater in 1955 and built a mobile home manufacturing plant, the Prestons followed.
Very soon after first coming to UCC, Bob began volunteering, and both he and Dorothea became long-time Head Greeters. Their son, Rick, is a faithful member of our Staff and congregation. They set a high standard for welcoming new friends to our Unity Family.
(From an article by our dear Diane Podnar – “Unity’s Good Listener”).
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who feel led to give a gift in honor of the Prestons and others who
have made our Church shine brightly are encouraged to mark their gifts
as “Light for Unity.” Gifts so noted will be directed to the purchase
of chandeliers for the new Unity Chapel and a sparkling lantern for the
new Unity Tower, the “Light that shines for you.” |
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| As we get new information we'll keep you up to date here in our eNews and with announcements on Sundays. We are happy to report that Principal Emre Akbaba of The Discovery Academy of Science STEAM school has worked diligently with his group and with the Developer, Southcrest Management, on the project to evaluate the list of additional requirements made by the City of Clearwater (who had actually approved the project last year).
Principal Akbaba and his group have agreed to every one of the extra conditions and Southcrest has submitted the school's consent to the City.
Now, we are waiting to hear from the City, eager for the day when the various building permits can begin to be issued. We give thanks in advance for answered prayer.
Contributions to the ministry during this interim period
help to sustain the Church and manage unexpected expenses. We
are grateful for the love!
Meantime, join us at 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings in person or by livestream!
Write info@unityofclearwater.org to join our UCC Green Team!
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Last Sunday's Shining Words
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| In the early days of Unity, during the Great Depression, workers camped out at Unity Farm in tents. There was not much comfort, but no complaints, and plenty of consecration! |
| | | Inspired by “No Complaints Whatsoever” by Jan Garrett & JD Martin:
I got no complaints whatsoever and a new day is dawning in my soul.
I gave up the struggle at last and I can see all the ways that I've been gifted and all the wisdom that has brought me to this place. Through the twists and the turns, I have finally come to learn to trust this amazing kind of grace.
The high road is surprisingly easy. Forgiveness shows up without a fight.
Through the ups and the downs I see beauty all around, ‘cause I’d rather be grateful than right.
I’ve got no regrets. I’m seriously blessed. I got peace of mind. All the time. I’ve got no complaints whatsoever and a new day is dawning in my soul. |
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This Sunday: Your True Calling |
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Inspired by lyrics to “Your True Calling” by Jana Stanfield:
When you hear a voice, no one else can hear,
Yet it's clear and loud, ringing in your ear.
And you finally know, what it's time to do,
That's your true calling, calling you.
When your heart's wide open 'cause your mind's been changed
And the dreams you dream are not the same,
There's a gate that's open, you can walk right through.
That's your true calling, calling you.
You ask yourself, “Is this a voice I can trust?”
You think you can't, but you know that you must.
You're afraid you'll fall, if you let go.
But there's only one way you'll ever know.
Those wings you keep folded are meant to be used
When your true calling is calling you.
You ask yourself, Am I asking too much?
You think you can't, but you know that you must.
There's a gate that's open, you can walk right through
That's your true calling, calling you, your true calling, calling you! |
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We don't have a mask mandate at UCC. However, because UCC is pro-children and pro-families, we are encouraging vaccination for those who are eligible and asking folks to wear masks when near others indoors.
We are pausing our Pre-K childcare and nursery for the time being, in the interest of safety and well-being for all. We will all get through this together. |
| | For now, let's do fist or elbow bumps and Namaste instead of hugs! |
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When You Can't Be with Us in Person....
Two Ways To Watch on Sunday & Wednesday (click images below) |
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If You Missed the Service on Sunday....
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Class: The Universe is Calling with The Rev Judy Tafelski
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Tuesdays
7:00 PM
Zoom
Join Associate Minister, Judy Tafelski, for another inspiring class based on Eric Butterworth's book, The Universe is Calling.
From the Publisher:
In his much-beloved classic, The Universe is Calling, Eric Butterworth, Unity minister and acclaimed author of Discover the Power Within You, offers
a non-theological, non-ritualistic guide to prayer for contemporary
seekers of guidance, wholeness, and self-regulation. The call of the
universe, Butterworth explains, is the call to, “take charge of your
life, to release your imprisoned splendor.” His spiritually liberating
wisdom is powerful and inspiring, and it will lead readers to a truer
and stronger connection with the divine.
All are welcome to join the class!
To Join: |
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WINGS Book Study Group with The Rev Cynthia Mackey WINGS Will Be in Recess on August 30 & September 6 |
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Tuesdays
12:00 PM
Zoom
WINGS is our daytime Truth Book Study Group and is led by our UCC Minister of Education, The Reverend Cynthia Mackey.
The group includes men and women and there's always great discussion!
Make new friends, share ideas and explore Unity teachings in a supportive, positive environment!
The Reverend Cynthia and the WINGS group are studying Lessons in Truth, which can be taken for credit in our UCC Prayer Chaplaincy program as well as for personal enrichment.
Lessons in Truth,
by Dr. H. Emilie Cady, is considered Unity’s primary textbook, together
with the Bible. It has proven to be of great value to Truth students at
all levels of spiritual unfoldment.
All are welcome to join in!
To Join: |
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New Book Beginning September 13
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WINGS will begin an in-depth look study of Frances Foulks’ classic New Thought book, Effectual Prayer
Frances W. Foulks takes the reader through eight steps of prayer–from what makes prayer effectual to actually living in the consciousness of the Christ.
This is a timeless book, so while writing style differs from what the contemporary reader may expect, it is like remembering your grandmother’s advice when faced with a current problem.
Rev. Foulks’ observations are astonishingly simple but not simplistic. In commenting on how we ourselves limit our capacity to receive an answer to our prayers, she says: “The answer desired when the prayer is offered may never be manifested, for as long as we are seeking things, our desires change with the fashions, and there is no perfect pattern for substance to follow.”
Join WINGS for this comprehensive class and learn how to pray effectually! |
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Tuesdays
1:30 PM Zoom
What is Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT)
Your body is more powerful than you may imagine, filled with life, energy, and a compelling ability for self-healing.
Like acupuncture and acupressure, Tapping is a set of techniques that utilize the body’s energy meridian points. You can stimulate these meridian points by tapping on them with your fingertips, literally tapping into your body’s own energy and healing power.
Gather with a great group of positive and supportive folks with healing in mind!
To Join:
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Wednesday Evening "Faith Lift" Meditation Service |
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Wednesdays 7:00 PM Livestream Only
Prayer is the foundation of the Unity movement and of Unity Church of Clearwater.
The Wednesday evening service features guided meditation, music, silence, and prayer.
Meditation
is the process of listening to the “still, small voice” of God within
us. Affirmative prayer is the highest form of creative thought and
includes the release of negative thinking as well as holding in mind
statements of spiritual Truth. The contemplative nature of entering into
the silence allows people of like mind to share the power of sitting in
the silence together.
We invite you to join us! This is an
opportunity to raise the consciousness of oneness that is at the core of
our Unity teachings.
Let us lift our consciousness to new heights through prayer and meditation, and help heal ourselves and our world!
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Thursdays 12:00 PM Zoom
Let's get together and chat!
Co-president of our Board, Deb Larkin, is hosting a weekly Zoom "Table Talk Thursday" call so we can see each others faces and hear each others voices.
Why Table Talk? Well, because that's one thing we miss during this time: sitting around a table in the café and talking together. The Table Talk will last about an hour. Feel free to drop in for a few minutes or spend the whole hour with us.
To Join:
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Bible Study with Leddy & Rabbi Baseman In Recess Until September 8
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Thursdays (in recess)
3:00 PM
Zoom
We're sharing a fascinating study of The Book of Numbers, seeing this interesting story of spiritual unfoldment as our own!
An excellent adventure in allegorical Bible study, team-taught by our Sr. Minister and retired Reform Rabbi, Arthur Baseman, sharing insights into Hebrew Studies & Unity allegorical Bible interpretation.
All Are Welcome! All UCC classes are offered on a free will love offering basis.
To Join this Zoom Class:
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Blessings Chanting & Special Event
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Buddhist
chants are among the noble blessings in our world. Monks have
continuously recited these blessing chantings for over 2,600 years. By
listening you can gain concentration, wellness and peace. The monks
will recite these chants 4 times a week to bless you and your loved
ones. You can send your loved ones names with the monks if you wish to
share blessings with them.
The chants are in Pali which was the Buddha's language.
For the meaning, please, click on these links:
Mangala Sutta
Rathana Sutta
Karaniya Metta Sutta
To Join:
Meeting ID: 831 3526 1033 Passcode: 989040
Please join and listen to these meditative Buddhist chants for healing, wellness, and peace. |
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Thursday, Sept 1
10:00 AM Trinity Presbyterian Church (map) 2001 Rainbow Dr, Clearwater 33765
The Pinellas County Interfaith Environmental Coalition, an initiative of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast, invites you to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of coalition partner Trinity Presbyterian Church’s new solar power array.
All are invited!
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We're checking mail every day, so checks sent through the mail are fine, as are checks sent from your bank's online bill pay.
If you feel led you might consider setting up an automatic recurring donation. This can be done through your bank's bill pay or on the Church's donation form.
We've also been asked about the processing fees the church has to pay when the online form is used. The fees are a small percentage (3&-4%) of the total donation, however there is an option to cover fees that you may select if you feel so inclined. Every little bit helps and we're grateful if you decide to turn that option on.
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Donate by Text! It's Super Easy!
Text "Give" (without quotes) to 833-679-1105 and follow the prompts.
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"Unity of the Spirit" means oneness, sameness, at-one-ment.
"I, therefore, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called ... giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:13). This is why we sometimes say. "We are all one in Spirit." The " unity of the Spirit" in each one of us assures us of unity in Spirit, assures us of our oneness with Absolute Good.... We do not all do the same things or like the same things, but we are all expressing, through our personality, the one Spirit that is in each of us, according to our level of soul unfoldment. .... All of us are manifestations of God as Spirit. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). |
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OUR WEEKLY AFFIRMATION:
“THE TRUTH IS THAT WE ARE ALL ONE IN SPIRIT, EACH DIVINELY CALLED TO FULFILL UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL PURPOSES THAT ARE A BLESSING TO THE WORLD.”
THANK YOU, GOD! |
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