by The Reverend Nancy NormanDelray Beach, Florida

Christmas is a celebration of theheart, it is a time of year that touchesus at a deep spiritual level. No matterwhat religion we may practice, nomatter where we may live, Christmasalways brings thoughts offriendship, family, and joy.

Our mindsreflect upon thepeople past andpresent who havecrossed our pathsin a meaningfulway. Weremember aspecial link orconnection that somehowtouched us deeply. Yearscannot erase the memoryof a shared experience, apleasant word or a friendly face.Christmas is a time of connectingwith one another on a soul’s level.The carols and the symbols are all apart of the Christmas season. Yearafter year, generation after generation,the traditions and customs are passedon. Adults and children are drawn intothe wonder of the Christmas story.

Throughout history the symbols,customs, and traditions have beenheld dear so that the entire world

Christmas—A Celebration of the Heart

HORIZONSTHE NEWSLETTER OF UNITY OF THE VALLEY DECEMBER 2003

would remember that over 2000years ago Divine Love, Light, andCompassion was born in a manger:a precious child to remind us of theChrist principle which indwells everyheart and mind. During the Christmasseason we celebrate the birth of the

baby Jesus as God’s messengerof love. That baby grew

to be a pure exampleof love, and hismission was toteach love.

Love is not acommodity thatis acquired orhoarded, it must

be shared. Love isGod energy, a spiritualgift, and a divineactivity. God’s love

always sustains us and upholds us. Ibelieve that love is more deeplyembedded within us than fear orhatred. We live in the love of God,our very function is to love. Whereverwe go, we carry God’s love with us.The power of God’s love can dissolveall difficulty, heal any disease, andconquer every concern.

The babe that was born in themanger grew up and taught us not aphilosophy but a way of life. Jesus

Continued on page two

Divine Love,Light, and

Compassionwas born in a

manger. . .

Sunday WorshipServices

Services held9:00 & 11:00 AM

Nursery provided9:00 & 11:00 AM

Childcare11:00 AM

Youth Education(3 – 10 years)9:00 AM

Uniteens(11 – 13 years)11:00 AM

Youth of Unity(14 – 18 years)11:00 AM

Office Hours

Tuesday – Friday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Bookstore Hours

Tuesday – Friday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Church ContactInformation

Unity of the Valley345-9913

Unity Bookstore343-5689

Unity Fax345-9182

Dial-a-Positive-Prayer345-5215

E-mailunityval@rio.com

Web Siteunityofthevalley.com

2 Horizons

A Focus on Joy

To increase the power ofHorizons as a spiritualteaching tool, we’vedecided to focus eachissue on one of Unity’svalues. This month, ourfocus is joy.

“She gives most who giveswith joy. The best way toshow our gratitude to Godand the people is to accepteverything with joy. Ajoyful heart is the inev-itable result of a heartburning with love. Neverlet any-thing so fill youwith sorrow as to makeyou forget the joy of theChrist.”

— Mother Teresa“All that we are is theresult of what we havethought.

“We are formed andmolded by our thoughts.

“Those whose minds areshaped by selflessthoughts give joywhenever they speak oract. Joy follows them likea shadow that never leavesthem.”

—The Buddha

We have created six Sunday servicesto serve you in preparing or buildingupon an existing foundation for yourlife in 2004:

Jan. 4 The Burning Bowl Service

Releasing the past and affirming howyou would have your life be.

Jan. 11 The Journey of Faith

Sharon Salzberg writes, “I want toinvite a new use of the word faith,one that is not associated with adogmatic religious interpretation ordivisiveness. I want to encouragedelight in the word, to help reclaimfaith as fresh, vibrant, intelligent, andliberating.”

Jan. 18 Taking Refuge In YourOwn Deepest Experience

“Touching the potential for theawakened mind. Each one of us hasthe capacity to fully understand ourlives and be free.” –Sharon Salzberg

What will you build your life upon in2004? In what will you take refuge?You get to choose!

Jan. 25 Taking Refuge In theTeachings

As poet Rainer Maria Rilke observed,“Don’t be confused by surfaces; inthe depths everything becomes law.”

Sharon Salzberg writes, “Taking refugein the teachings, we are taking refuge ina vision of life that extends beyond ourusual, limited sense of who we are andwhat we are capable of.”

Feb. 1 Taking Refuge In the Sangha

The community of those who,throughout history, have soughtfreedom from suffering and havecome to a real and personal aware-ness of that freedom.

Feb. 8 Faith In Action

“When someone’s suffering seems tohave no end, when it is too much tobear, we can lose faith in our abilityto make any difference at all. But it isexactly at these times when faith ismost needed. How do we cultivate afaith that enables us to take positiveaction in the world against evenoverwhelming odds?”–Sharon Salzberg

lived his teachings. He lived the powerof God’s love, peace and goodwill.

The holiday season is filled withopportunities to express the beautyof the season. Let the Christ withinyou be born this day and guide youin paths of love, peace, and joy.

Remember, Christmas is a celebrationof the heart. Rejoice and be glad in it!

“For a child has been born for us, a son givento us; authority rests upon his shoulders; andhe is named Wonderful Counselor, MightyGod, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:6, Revised Standard Version)

A CELEBRATION OF THE HEART, CONTINUED

December 2003 3

The board, ministerial team, and thecongregation are excited about thechaplain program, which began inJune of 2003. We are committed toreaching out in prayer, comfort, andsupport to our congregation—andit’s working!

The Unity chaplain team is a part ofour Pastoral Care Ministry. It is aservice opportunity for congregantswho are truly looking to take thenext step in the development of theirspiritual maturity and level of commit-ment in their spiritual growth.

A Unity chaplain is: someone who isthere to support you on your spiritualjourney; someone who will create and

Our Chaplain Program Expandshold a sacred space with you; someonewho will listen to you and hold whatis heard in the strictest confidence;and someone who will pray with you.

Would you like to become achaplain? Mandatory requirementsinclude attending orientation, prayertraining, Foundations of Unityclasses, a weekend off-site training,and two Saturday on-site trainings.Chaplain orientations are scheduledfor February 22 or March 14.

If you’re interested in pursuingchaplaincy service, please contactNola Woodbury at 345-9913.Brochures with detailed informationare available.

Chaplaincy:A PersonalExperience

Intuitively, I was drawn tothe Chaplaincy Program,for I sensed that it couldtake me more deeply intospiritual practice andunderstanding. This isexactly what happened—and so much more.

When we [the chaplains]began making ourwellness calls, I beganawkwardly, and thenremembered the phrase“holding a spiritual space.”I released my fear andturned my voice over toGod, and the words beganto flow. . . . As I movedthrough my calls, I con-tinued to let God’s wordsmove through me. I feltlight and full of joy. Thisexperience is repeatedevery time I pray withsomeone.

I encourage you toconsider becoming aChaplain. It is one of thegreatest gifts I have beengiven on my spiritual path.

Thank you, God!

—Jeep Dunning

2003 Financial Report(–) (–) Net YTD

Month Income Tithes Expenses Gain/Loss Gain/Loss

January $ 18,651 1,443 20,889 (3,681) (3,681)February 24,123 1,965 23,752 (1,594) (5,275)March 30,911 2,123 23,719 5,069 (206)April 21,152 3,999 23,440 (6,287) (6,493)May 17,192 3,143 23,486 (9,437) (15,930)June 25,869 1,018 27,953 (3,102) (19,032)July 17,514 2,335 23,548 (8,369) (27,401)August 20,761 870 20,722 (831) (28,232)September 19,532 2,135 21,192 (3,795) (32,027)October 30,157 2,103 24,278 3,776 (28,251)

TOTALS: $225,862 21,134 232,979 (28,251)

4 Horizons

Upcoming Events at UnityTaizé Healing and Prayer Service

The monthly Taizé services continueon the first Sunday of each month, at7:00 PM. This unique service combinessongs from the interfaith Taizémonastic community in France withsilent meditation, prayer, inspir-ational reading, and the opportunityto receive hands-on healing prayer.

Individual hands-on healing/prayersessions are also available from theTaizé team. If interested, please callBrian Forge at 767-0953, or leave amessage at the church office.

CandlelightingServices

December 24,5:30 and 8:00 PM

Usher inChristmas with us!Come for specialservices of music,beauty, reflection,and celebration.

6TH Annual New Year-New LifeYoga & Meditation

Enter the New Year revitalized! Ourformer music ministers, DonnaO’Neil and Jon West, cordially inviteyou to join them on January 1, from9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, for a refreshingstart to your new year.

No experience is necessary to par-ticipate. Bring a mat, a blanket, and asmall pillow or meditation cushion.(It’s also fine to meditate in a chair.)

Burning Bowl Ceremony

January 4, 20049:00 & 11:00 AM services

The Unity tradition of the BurningBowl is a quiet, simple, personalceremony held the first Sunday ofJanuary, designed to help us begin torelease old self-defeating thoughts.

Each person who desires to participatewrites a thought or two he or she hasbeen struggling with or simplyfinished with in the past year. Thepaper is then taken forward duringthe ceremony, lit, and dropped intothe fire. That’s all. No magic, but aspiritual transformation nonetheless.

Last, each person is given a sheet onwhich to write an affirmation or twofor the coming year. The affirmationis simply a statement that one commitsto giving strength and attention.

The Mastermind Principle:Eight Steps Into theMastermind Consciousness

Join Rev. Baine Palmer for a two-dayclass on this powerful method ofprayer, and together paint a canvasfor the New Year.

The class will meet January 7 and 8,from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Childcare isavailable upon request.

CHECK OUT

UNITY’SWEB SITE!unityofthevalley.org

With the help ofMark Hazzard, werecently revamped ourweb site. Check it often fornew photos and ourcalendar of upcomingevents!

December 2003 5

Conscious Communication

January 25, 1:30 to 4:30 PM

January 26, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

In conscious communication, wesuspend judgment, become curious,and truly engage in understandinganother point of view. We engagefully in our lives, with empowermentfor all. We also:

• Choose authenticity• Move from interpretation to

understanding• Take responsibility for our

effect upon others

Join Sylvia Davis to learn the toolsof conscious communication in thisupcoming two-day workshop. CallUnity at 345-9913 to register.

Meditation 101

Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM.January 28 – February 18

This winter, Unity of the Valley willoffer a beginner’s course in “passagemeditation,” as described in the bookMeditation: A Simple Eight-Point Programfor Translating Spiritual Ideals into DailyLife, by Eknath Easwaran of the BlueMountain Center of Meditation(available at the Unity bookstore).

The Eight-Point Program is non-denominational, nonsectarian, andfree from dogma and ritual. It can beused to relieve stress, heal relation-ships, release deeper resources, andrealize one’s highest potential.

Laurie Cracraft, Lay MinistryCoordinator for Meditation, will

Upcoming Events at Unityserve as facilitator of the course. Toregister, contact Unity of the Valleyat 345-9913. Questions? Call Laurieat 345-7563. A freewill offering willbe collected to cover the fee for theroom.

Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, February 8, at 12:30 PM

This meeting is open to everyone. Wewill review 2003, look at our goals,review the budget for 2004, anddiscuss our financial status. We willalso elect new board members.

Renewal of Vows Ceremony

Friday, February 13, at 6:30 PM

“True love is the uniting of two soulsthat are already attuned to each other.When such a true bond existsbetween two people, it is good totake time to acknowledge that bond.”

All couples are invited to join us fora ceremony of love!

The Power of Real Love

Sunday, February 299:00 and 11:00 AM servicesWorkshop from 1:30 to 4:30 PM

Dr. Greg Baer, M.D., author of fivebooks on relationships and parenting,will be the guest speaker at bothservices. He’ll also lead a workshopon the simple and powerful steps tofinding unconditional love and realhappiness. Childcare will be availableupon request.

PRACTICAL

ABUNDANCE

Thursdays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

January 15 – February 26

Take the first step towardcreating the life you want.Learn simple prosperitytechniques to begin livingyour dreams now!

This seven-week classincludes:

•Manifesting your goals•Using the law of

giving and receiving•Releasing past

resentments•Creating your own

Success Team

For more infor-mation, callfacilitator Sally Waters at343-8200. Offered on alove offering basis.

6 Horizons

by Ann Barker

We feel blessed that Sally Crum hasstepped forward to fill the importantrole of Director of Youth Ministry.As with any transition, we arepresented with an opportunity torevisit our mission regarding youtheducation.

On a typical Sunday morning at 9:00AM, the Unity sanctuary begins to filland the music begins to sound. Inthe Fillmore Wing, another spiritualgathering begins.

The pre-school through third gradersjoin Mary Griggs and Sally Crum foropening prayer and song. Mary thengathers the pre-schoolers while thefirst- to third-graders stay behindwith Sally. On the second floor, thefourth- and fifth-graders join LynnChowdhury, who provides the high-energy leadership this group needs.

For the next hour, youth are learningmetaphysical themes through activ-ities, songs, and stories. They’re begin-ning to build an understanding of“God-self ’ that many of us did notbegin to build until mid- or later life.

During the 11:00 AM service, theUniteens and high school age group(Y.O.U.) join Sally, Janice Hornsby,Jim and Meleah Drews, and BryanReed. These groups receive powerfulspiritual guidance to learn to attracttheir own good.

To truly be a “thriving spiritualcommunity,” we need to raise ourconsciousness to recognize that allage levels of spiritual development

form Unity of the Valley. When weaccept this as part of our mission, werecognize that collectively we have aresponsibility to nurture our youth aswell as our adults.

For many weeks now, Sally and Lynnhave served double duty to fill ateaching void for the Uniteens, thesixth- through eighth-grade group.We need members of the con-gregation to step forward and fill thisvoid. We have a volunteer willing toshare this responsibility, but needothers willing to do the same.

We also need volunteers to lead thefirst- to third-grade class. This willfree Sally to provide support for theteaching team. People interested infilling the roles will receive training,guidance, and support to assist withthe transition into the teaching role.

A Youth Advisory Team has beenformed to provide assistance to theteachers of the existing youth programs.The Advisory Team will be a conduitbetween the congregation of Unity andthe Youth Ministry leadership. Togetherwe will implement creative ideas tosustain and grow youth education inour community.

Spotlight on Youth Education

GO, GALILEANS!On October 19, ourGalileans held a Pumpkin& Bake Sale and collectedover $300 to provide aspecial Thanksgivingdinner for a localextended family. Thanks toMary Griggs for setting up,Lynn Chowdhury for herenthusiasm and dedication,Janice Hornsby and MollyCulligan for assisting ourGalilean sales force, andall who donated andbought the goodies.

December 2003 7

by Darlene Puls

When Sally Crum retired from theJunction City School District earlierthis year, she stepped forward into anew commitment as the Director ofYouth Ministry at Unity.

An avid gardener for many years,Sally compares the work of teachingyoung people to gardening. Whetherone sows the seeds of Unity Truthprinciples in the minds of youngpeople or the seeds of plants in thegarden, the same care and nurturingis essential for their growth.

“Gardening and the Youth Ministryare full-time commitments, and Ienjoy every minute of it. I’m thrilledthat the children can learn thesethings in their youth rather thanwaiting until they’re adults as I did.”

On her first visit to Unity, Sally knewshe had found her spiritual home.

Finding Joy in Youth Education

She says, “There was so much joy ineverything here, including the music,the people, and the children. I knewit was the right place for me, and Ifeel at peace.”

Sally recognizes and appreciates thestrong support that exists for theYouth Ministry among the peoplehere. Sally believes that by workingtogether, we will build a powerfulprogram for youth education.

by Milt Cunningham

It’s almost jingle bell time again—when pumpkins are getting pied,crans are getting berried, and thingsare happening at Unity, too.

The Family Ministry is sponsoringthis year’s Christmas program onWednesday, December 17, at 7:00 PM

at the church. The entertainment willdepend on the entrants. Does thatsound like a contest? Not at all! It’sjust family-oriented enjoyment, andthe more participants we have, themore delightful it will be.

Family Christmas Celebration & CarolingKnow a poem? We’d love to hear it.Does your family sing together? Treatus to it. Got an idea for a skit? Great!Dance numbers and instrumentals—we want them all. We welcomegroups, too—Y.O.U., Uniteens, andsmall children—anything andeveryone is welcome.

Sign up at the reception desk in thefoyer to share your joy with us. Then,put on your Christmas earrings andyour Santa hat, and join us on the17th to celebrate the joys of theseason.

We Want YourCreative Input!

We’ve spruced up ourchildcare area with anew wall, paint job,and door. We wouldlike to think of awonderful name forthe child-care room,and perhaps paint amural to go with thenew name. Any greatideas out there? Giveus your suggestions inthe child-covered canon the reception desk.

Unity of the Valley3912 Dillard RoadEugene OR 97405

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 137Eugene, Oregon

❑ If you no longer wish to receive this mailing, pleasemark the box and return to Unity of the Valley.Thank you.

To someone special:

UNITY CALENDARSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Worship Service9:00 & 11:00 AM

Youth Education(3–10 years)9:00 & 11:00 AM

Uniteens(11–13 years)11:00 AM

Y.O.U.(14–18 years)11:00 AM

Prayer MinistryMeeting (1stSunday) 11:30 AM

Taizé Service(1st Sunday)7:00 PM

“What is Unity?”(2nd Sunday)12:30 PM

Women’s A.A.12–Step StudyGroup (eachSunday) 5:00 PM

Sober Awakenings7:00 AM

Meditation Circle5:30–6:30 PM

(contact Laurie,345-7563)

A Course InMiracles6:30–8:30 PM

(contactpatricia@efn.org)

Sober Awakenings7:00 AM

Noon Prayer12:00 PM

ToastmastersInternational7:00–8:30 PM

(contact Kathy orGeof Wilson,434-6503)

Sober Awakenings7:00 AM

A Course InMiracles10:00–11:45 AM

(contact Valerie,485-2419)

Noon Prayer12:00 PM

Sober Awakenings7:00 AM

Noon Prayer12:00 PM

New TestamentBible Study10:30–11:30 AM

(contact SherryLady, 485-6874)

Blue MountainMeditation Circle5:30–6:40 PM

(contact Laurie,345-7563)

Sober Awakenings7:00 AM

Noon Prayer12:00 PM

ShamanicEvening(1st Friday)7:00 PM

(contact Sunny orGary, 461-5663)

Sober Awakenings7:00 AM

Women’sDrumming Circle(2nd & 4thSaturdays)10:00 AM – Noon(contact Jen,684-0136)

Nursery ProvidedDuring the worship services

Ride Share contactCindi Evans, 870-0314

Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center(Roseburg) information contactInge Tarantola, 343-4181

NOTE: The calendar is subject tochange. Please refer to your Sundaybulletin or call 345-9913 to confirmdates, times, and offerings.

Prayer MinistryThe Prayer Ministry offers one-on-oneprayer Sunday mornings after eachservice. For immediate prayer, youmay phone any Prayer Chain member.

Star Lee 935-5559Inge Tarantola 343-4181Gayle Townsend 935-4956Karen van Tassell 431-3827Carol Yarger 344-0262

MaryEllen Avis 736-8871James Dalfin 431-3827Karuna Gatton 485-3881Mary Griggs 342-6490Linda Hunt 344-0990

Join us for the Family Christmas Celebration& Caroling on December 17 at 7:00 PM!See page 7 for details.