Spiritual Leader: Jill Loving, Licensed Unity Teacher Ofce: 209-723-3427 Cell: 209-489-7533 Email: unitymerced@hushmail.com Website: unity.

ty.org Facebook: unitymerced We are part of: Unity World Wide Ministries & Silent Unity

Loving Letter
for March & April 2013

March's theme is AWARENESS. Awareness is the rst step for changing and improving anything. If you are not aware of an issue in your life, it's running on it's own program and may be undermining your best intentions! If you are not aware of what you eat it's difcult to manage a change in diet. If you are not aware of how active you are, or are not, why would you implement an exercise plan? If you are not aware of what you spend your money on, making a workable budget is nigh impossible. If you are not aware of your spiritual connection why would you meditate and pray? Being unaware in any of these areas of your life will have consequences. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise will usually show up as poor health. Lack of nancial awareness will likely put you into unmanageable debt. Lack of spiritual awareness will show up when you have a crisis in your life. So it behooves us to be aware of as many aspects of our life as possible to ensure we have, as Oprah says, 'the best life possible.'

What is true for you as an individual, is also true for us as a spiritual community. So recently the board and I decided to increase our awareness of our nancial position. We are all very familiar with where the money goes so we thought we should look at where it comes from. Our income has stubbornly remained at about $6,000 a month for as long as I can remember. $6,000 a month is, as you know, enough to maintain the status quo but not enough to save or to have any development such as outside speakers, workshops, classes, or offer signicant training opportunities. So we looked at our source. We have in the region of a dozen, what I will call, PLATINUM givers who give between $250 and $500 every month. Then a similar number of GOLD givers who give between $80 and $250 every month and a similar number of SILVER givers who give between $20 and $80 a month. Finally there is a large number, about the same as these three groups combined, BRONZE givers who give UP TO $10 a month. This group is missing out on claiming tax relief on their gift as we are only required to issue that notice to those who give $200 or more a year. So we ask you to be aware of which group you are in? If you are in the Platinum, and Gold group, thank you. Our spiri Page 1 of 7

tual community is grateful to your generous and unfailing support. The challenge we put to you ALL is two fold. 1st To all of you we ask ARE YOU TRULY TITHING? i. e. calculating your income each month and giving a tenth to where you receive your spiritual good (which may or may not be to Unity Merced) and put tithing to the test!. Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for. 2nd We bless and honor all gifts and the next time we do this analysis we would like to see all of you in the above groups of givers, put tithing to the test and enable us to give you ALL a tax break letter next January! 2 Chronicles 31:5 As soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the rst fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the eld; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. Love peace and blessings Jill Loving.

Board Chaplains Corner By: Dr. Judith Hartman At our January Board Meeting, we discussed the selection of a new Spiritual Leader. I was pleased by the high quality of discussion. I was also left with a feeling of thanksgiving, as I believe the inuence of our current Spiritual Leader over the past ten years showed greatly. Thank you, Jill! That led me to another thought, When faced with change, what do I do? Then it came to me! When faced with change I manage it by managing my choices. Whether change is inside our control or outside our control; whether it?s inner directed by what we want, or outer driven by a change in circumstance; we must our choices in our thoughts, words, and actions. Why? Because, we are choosing our future! When faced with change, we can complain or we can offer solutions. Change brings the pressure of time. But, luckily, Jill thought of that as well. She gave the Board enough time to determine the possibilities. Usually, I meet change with excitement. So, I ask, what is the Board capable of achieving from the selection of a new spiritual leader? The Board has the gift of time to manage this change and achieve the best outcome. I predict a happy, healthy outcome that will raise us up, as a congregation, to a higher realization of our God self. So here are some questions for all of us to consider. What change do we want to see? What changes do outer forces drive?

What changes do we want to be protected from? If you have an answer, a suggestion, or a question, share it with a Board Member! Remember, you are encouraged to ask for information, take accountability for your spiritual needs, and ask for help. Remove all blocks to spiritual oneness. Do not pretend that you already know. Instead, ask for what you need. This is how you inuence change whether it?s inner directed or outer driven. Look into what is possible! What at rst may seem insurmountable may reveal ideas or options not yet considered! I invite us all to face any change or challenge with an expectation of fulllment. And so, I let it be! God bless you every one!

Afrmation for new leader

We give thanks for the new leader of Unity Merced. This leader is committed to leading Unity Merced through Christ light and love and Unity principles to be all that it can be.

TEACHING
Book Club Tuesdays 4:30 p.m. in the ofce with Janine The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolle is the current selection

A Course in Miracles
Tuesdays 7-9:00 p.m. with Randy and Mattie Lane - this is a long established class so please call 6286383 before joining these gifted spiritual souls Youth Education We have had a great start to our year! We've talked about insights from the Dalai Lama, karma, and the basics of Buddhism in January with Jereme. In February, Mattie kept with the theme of relationships and talked about the different types of relationships we have and the importance of them. In March, Sarah and Jereme will be teaching the youth, followed by Ida in April. We have a great group of children here at Unity! We are so proud to see them learn and grow spiritually! If you would like to volunteer, or help out in anyway, please let me know! - Sarah

PRAYER
Our Prayer ministry continues to thrive on Tuesdays at noon. Betty Parker sends out our new prayer cards every Tuesday morning and the 2013 Prayer Angels were sent out Tuesday, February 26th.

email Prayer Requests to: unitymerced@hushmail.com

Every TUESDAY at 12 Noon Prayer Service in the Ofce Meditation Room. Please hold your Prayer Angels intention daily. An occasional note, card, or small gift is also appreciated. Use the Angel Drop Off Point (book shelves under the bulletin boards at the back of the sanctuary) or our church address as your return address to preserve your anonymity!

STAFFING NEWS
Our ofce manager Janine Adcock is now in the ofce Monday 9-11 a.m. Tuesday 11 a.m. 4 p.m. Wed 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Thursday 11 a.m. 4 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. 1 p.m.

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time as we finish winter stillness and really get clear what we are calling into this next fruit-bearing season. Mine is that we experience our whole world healing together embracing creative and whole-sum soul-utions for blooming from the heart in every land, culture and tongue. Beginning right here in Merced. 2013 Spring Into Come-Unity Joy-fully Are you prepared to bloom? I have said before that I really flow with the season when it comes to my inner life. The winter is great time to let everything recede and be within the still and dormant season. Time for reflecting on what has been. As we get closer to spring I begin to notice and focus in on the nature of lifes new buds and the promise of their bloom. As the Cosmos has delivered us into a fresh era it is the season to go into our deepest soul calling. This is the time to get clear on what we are here to be for the Highest and Best and send this into the fertile atmosphere around us. Focus the essence of our present budding life and align it with the season of Spring. What is the seeds that you have in the truest, deepest heart of your being? Tend these seeds above all else. The bounty of the Source blooms from the seeds of the heart. The world is full of distractions that would suggest that there are more important issues than the tending cultivating of your deepest soul desires. I say dont take the bate that would call you away from your truest harvest. I am here to encourage all of us to take this Take and make the time to connect with the joy of your souls spring dawning from dormancy. Notice the stillness giving way to new life. Focus your love and intention in the Spirit. Focus your love and intention within your daily activities. Inwardly tending yOur commitment to peace, harmony, and joy is a gift to the world. In this way we nourish the space within and around us. As we extend our inner prosperity like new branches on the tree of life, making the world a beautiful garden with the blooms of our sacred growth for all to see. Look for Spirit like you look for spring blooming all around us. Love blooms in my heart and covers the landscape with beauty! And sow it is. iBlessed! Peace & Love~ (I/Eye) iiJoy! Board Member Biography Joy Widmark is a lover of the cosmos and a student of life. A visionary, dreamer and artist pulling for the manifestation of We the People (a.k.a. the 99%), An evolutionary advocate practicing and cultivating the universal healing arts and sacred entertainment in the fresh new age.
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Joy Sundee Widmark is a true child of the sixties in that she was born Oct 19,1965. Born into the faith and family of fundamental Christianity (Her first education), with the Jewish heritage an also in her lineage. By 16, Joy arrived at a stand and departure from the funda-mental religion, sending her on a journey of self-discovery and selfrecovery. This ignited an ongoing sacred life study. Having the name Joy from birth, the journey turned into a quest and inquiry of What Is?... Essentially Whole-Sum and Beautifully True?.. In the coarse of the last 25 years Joy has experienced the sacred in all atmospheres being especially at home with The Tao Te Ching, and the mystic traditions. She appreciates the pure and common thread within all traditions believing that all traditions speak of the One from different places and times. She is committed to cultivating universal values through the joy of meditation, new science, and ecstatic calm-passion. (A life long coarse.) Joy is a speaker and educator of Sacred Enerchi Fitness, and an evolutionary advocate who promotes well-being through universal alignment. She has been guided by Spirit to weave all that she finds together, and forgive that which stands apart. Living the joy of Come-Unity principles and wholesum entertainment. Simply Rich-A Cosmic Romance is her first book intended to illuminate the universal perspective where We the People can stand united within these changing times. Her 2nd book The World According to Joy is in development.

A Spiritual Competitive Advantage? If you have never experienced both the stress and pleasure of working and competing in a highly competitive industry or performing on the athletic eld, then consider the idea that tiny details can often ultimately make or break a persons success. This is easily observed in the Olympics or any other high stakes competition where winners are crowned based on 1/100th or 1/1,000th of a second. Spiritually speaking, it has been observed that competitors who have done something small and invisiblethose who are racing and dedicating their performance for their home country, their family, or any larger entity than their own personal selftend to exhibit a tiny, but seemingly signicant competitive advantage. It appears their start times are quicker, their performance is stronger, and ultimately they end up winning more races. So what is the difference among the competitors? As is often the case in analyzing ones spiritual power (or lack thereof), it comes down to ones intentions. Are they pure (unselsh=strong) or impure (selsh=weak). In other words, we wish to answer the question what is the true reason behind a persons [or my own] actions? Is it for the advancement of my own self, for fame, notoriety, and ultimately amassing more worldly wealth and power; or am I dedicated to the advancement of something larger than me and I allow all the worldly stuff to ow to me on its own? The highest levels of spiritual power are naturally and freely given to those whose true intentions are towards less suffering and

the higher spiritual evolution of all of life. This intention coincides with Gods. However, these are rare intentions in this world and are likely those of one who has formally and personally dedicated his or her self to serving a higher power, namely God, Source, Self, the eternal Father of life, etc. and doing its will (and not their own). This kind of dedication can exist beyond a particular group or gathering. It may be done in ones private life and it comes about by grace when karmic propensities allow it to naturally manifest. In other words, if ones intentions are divinely pure, then there will naturally be divine assistance in ones life since the will of the Lord is being done through this being. There will also be greater clarity and awareness in ones every intention, thought, and action since each of these items have already been determined well beforehand. The goal will always be towards the betterment and advancement of the whole. To juxtapose this scenario now if ones intentions are for personal gain, whether one consciously knows this or not (usually not), then there will often be tricks and games played upon the unsuspecting. Because of this phenomenon, this person is thrust squarely in a position of feeding off of others, especially trying to obtain others energy since their divine energy is lacking, and overall in a spiritual power decit. In the world of spiritual advancement, although there really is no competition among peers, typically the furthest along can be observed as the one who constantly has the goodness and healing of the whole in mind. Personal will in the world has been surrendered to God, but spiritual joy, ecstasy, and enlightenment take its place. I bless that this little article will contribute to this end. Lovingly, Jereme
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Unity of Merceds 2ndt Annual High Tea Social Saturday May 4, 2013 Starts @11:00 am
Cost: Adults - $10.00 by April 29th (At the door - $15.00) Children- $5.00 Dress Attire: Wear your favorite fancy Hat or create one!
305 W. 26th St. 209-723-3427

PROSPERITY Our Income goal for each month is $7000. Income January was $6.007 and expenditure was $5,234. The good news is we spent within our income. However until we have at least a month in hand balance in the bank we will not consider any development work. If we continue to have income below our goal we will have to consider changes to our spending and this would directly impact our Sunday Service experience. Daylight Savings Time BEGINS Sunday, March 10, 2013. So set your clocks ahead one (1) hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.

SERVICE
Hospitality Ministry meets 12 noon 1st Sunday of the month. Next event: Sunday, Mar. 31st for Easter Lead: Susan Benes Call: 209-777-7771 Email: smbpaints@aol.com. Bookstore Ministry: View our inventory at: http://www.librarything.com/home/ UnityMerced Volunteers needed to help staff the bookstore Lead: Mattie Lane Email: mattielane@sbcglobal.net Youth of Unity Teachers Lead: Sarah Anderson Email: sarahanderson1122@gmail.com Newsletter Deadline for the May / June 2013 issue is Sunday, April 28th, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. PDT Themes: Music / Health Lead: Janet Hay Overbey Email: jhoverbey@clearwire.net Nehemiah Ministry meets most Saturdays. Their Honey-Do-List is at the back of the sanctuary. Please add any repairs you notice that need attention. Lead: Mike Fragulia Email: fragulia@sbcglobal.net Sunday Service Support Ministry greeting, sound, scribe, and offertory collection. Another sound ministry person would be welcome. Lead: Lamech Howard Birthday Cake Ministry Our year is complete. Thanks to all who signed up! Sharing our Premises Currently AA and RCA meetings

plus the Unitarians share our building. Please see our Weekly Calendar for scheduled meetings and office hours.

BRANDING
Calling all members! You are cordially invited to help Unity of Merced fully move into the 21st century. We are forming a group to put together information about Unity of Merced for the web site, bulletin, and packet to appoint a new leader. We plan to meet initially after service on Sunday, March 24th. We need all the expertise we can muster! BOARD NEWS Joy and Kate are running for a second term to give the board continuity as we move through this period of transition as we search for a new leader. Remember we have established a Scholarship Fund to pay tuition costs for members who further their Unity Education through attending Regional weekend courses (check Notice board in church) or SEE at the Village or online. It now stands at $3,000. Apply to the Board in writing for a scholarship. Board Member Biography I've had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors a couple times over the 23 years I've been a member. During my years of membership, most of them active in volunteering, music, platform, ofce, board member, prayer team and speaker I've experienced many changes, both personal and within the spiritual community. I am condent this current board will be effective in the search and successful transfer of spiritual leadership this year, and I would love to be a part of that very special process. I believe my good foundation in Unity Principles and positive
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prayer will be an asset to the Board and the congregation at this positive transformation time in our church history. I cannot believe my one year alternate position is already coming to a close, and so I'm happy to submit my name for a three year spot now. Thank you for your spiritual consideration. Kate Jackson H.Q and Association News Dont forget we belong to an international organization. Keep in touch with all they do, and offer for your personal growth, through the web site www.unity.org, subscribe to Unity magazine and The Path the regular email newsletter

Revs. Kate and Roddy Jackson will lead our Easter service this year with a bit of the Irish Leprechaun spirit through insightful lessons and powerful, encouraging music. The message of Easter is denitely greater than the greatest story ever told. It is whats beyond that story that becomes OUR story here on earth. The story of our own inner resurrection and passage to enlightenment IS the sequel. Blasphemy or Truth? You decide! Join us for a thought provoking and joy lled Sunday morning, as we explore THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, THE SEQUEL March 31st 10:30 a.m.

March 2013 Sunday Service Line-up 10:30 AM March 3rd Speaker-Jill Loving Music-Kate&Roddy Jackson Platform-Dan Aleman Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Dee Dee Lead Usher-Lamech Howard Bookstore UniTots-Whitney UniKids-Sarah/Jereme Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Lamech & Janine March 10th Speaker-Joy Widmark Accompanist-Allan Spencer Special Music-Cheryl Lochett Platform-Rich Gipson Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Charlotte Mak Lead Usher-Lamech Howard Bookstore

Afrm: The transforming power of God now frees me from every limitation. UniTots-Whitney UniKids-Sarah/Jereme Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Lamech & Betty P. March 17th Speaker-Randy Lane Accompanist-John Albano Special Music-Lorraine Walsh Platform-Ida Fragulia Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Twila Stout Lead Usher-Lamech Howard Bookstore UniTots-Whitney UniKids-Sarah/Jereme Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Frank & Janie March 24th Palm Sunday Speaker-Karen Damme Music-Ed Benes&Allan Spencer Platform-Jill Loving Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Rosemary&Betty Jo Lead Usher-Lamech Howard Bookstore UniTots-Whitney UniKids-Sarah/Jereme Uniteens/Y.O.U.-TBA Hospitality-Lamech&Rosemary F. March 31st Easter Sunday Service-Kate&Roddy Jackson *Potluck luncheon after service*

April 2013 Sunday Service Line-up 10:30 AM April 7th Speaker-Jill Loving Music-Kate&Roddy Jackson PlatformSound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Dee Dee Lead Usher-Lamech Howard BookstoreUniTots-Whitney UniKids-Ida Fragulia Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Lamech & Janine April 14th Speaker-Amy Moffat (tbc) Music-Allan Spencer Special Music-Cheryl Locket Platform-Dan Aleman Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Charlotte Mak

Afrm: I am in awe of Earths bountiful blessings.

Lead Usher-Lamech BookstoreUniTots-Whitney UniKids-Ida Fragulia Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Lamech & Betty P. April 21st Speaker-Randy Lane Accompanist- John Albano Special Music-Lorraine Walsh Platform-Rich Gipson Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Twila Stout Lead Usher-Lamech BookstoreUniTots-Whitney
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UniKids-Ida Fragulia Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Frank & Janie April 28th Speaker-Rev. Nancy McNatt (tbc) Music-Ed Benes&Allan Spencer Platform-Jill Loving Sound-Mike/Jereme Flowers-Rosemary&Betty Jo Lead Usher-Lamech BookstoreUniTots-Whitney UniKids-Ida Fragulia Uniteens/Y.O.U.-Karen Damme Hospitality-Lamech&Rosemary F.

305 W. 26th Street Merced, CA 95340

March / April
Sunday 10:30 a.m. Worship Service ---------------4:00 p.m. U.U. every 2nd & 4th Sunday Monday

2013

Weekly Calendar & Scheduled Meetings

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ofce Open ---------------BellyFusion 6-7:00 p.m. Dance Fitness ---------------also 6-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting (Children Welcome) Thursday 7-8:00 a.m. AA Meeting ---------------11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ofce Open Friday 7-8:00 a.m. AA Meeting ---------------10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ofce Open Saturday 8-9:00 a.m. AA Meeting

Tuesday 7-8:00 a.m. AA Meeting ---------------11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ofce Open ---------------12:00 Noon Prayer Service ---------------Book Club 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. ---------------7-9:00 p.m. A Course in Miracles w/ Mattie and Randy Lane

7-8:00 a.m. AA Meeting ---------------9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Ofce Open ---------------6:30-8 p.m. RCA Meeting