Rev. Toni

1941 N. 68th Lincoln, Nebraska

March 2019

OUR VISION FOR UNITY LINCOLN

We have a beautiful facility that is receptive and responsive to the needs and desires of our congregation.

We have an abundance of resources to accomplish our mission with ease.

We support a minister who exemplifies the Unity Principles and our Core Values, with the capacity to recognize and maximize the strengths and talents of congregants and stimulate individual spiritual growth.

We have an equally shared, healthy, and productive relationship between the congregation, board, and minister resulting in effective governance of our community.

We provide transforming and positive programs for people of all ages for increased spiritual development.

We practice our spiritual awakening through service and action within the congregation, community, and beyond.

We are well-known in the Lincoln area as a healthy, thriving, spiritual community that welcomes all.

Unity Lincoln

P.O. Box 30209

Lincoln, NE 68503

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 319

Lincoln, NE

March 2019

Blessings To:

Daily Inspiration: Dial–A–Prayer

(402) 476-7172

www.unity.org/prayer/request-prayer

Visit us at www.unitylincoln.org,

email office@unitylincoln.org,

or phone (402) 476-6887

All of this and more…!

Consecration and Installation, Lent AND EASTER! So much is happening in the coming weeks. The first Sunday of Lent is March 10th so our Consecration occurs within this holy period. We will be using the Unity publication as our guide as is our tradition.

This year the booklet is titled Fasting and Feasting – A Spiritual Practice for Lent 2019. It is based on a thoughtful poem by William Arthur Ward that our editor found. Each of the writers was assigned two couplets to write. You will find my contribution on pages 14 and 15. The challenge with writing these was isolating the concepts and staying focused on the one side of the equation. I hope that you enjoy the process and work with it as we move through the season. Lent can be a powerful time of personal transformation.

We have had so many closings this winter due to the icy weather. I found myself really missing you and our time together! I wonder if we might create an alternate winter service plan for next year. Several ideas have come to mind. We could plan an alternate set service time for Sunday at 1:00 pm (or 3:00 pm or other time) when our service has been cancelled on Sunday morning…? Or... We could automatically have a service on another day of that week...? Some churches automatically have an internet or Facebook service…. However, we have many people who are not on the computer who would not be served. Also, there is all the time and technology required to “put on a quality show.” We are not there yet. I am curious to learn what you all think about this idea. I hope you have used the Increment Weather Policy procedure to learn if we have cancelled service on a Sunday. I am proud of you who are keeping up on your tithes and pledges even when the weather is not good. Your love offerings are so important to our ongoing financial health.

I hope you are all busy planning the Consecration and Installation ceremonies. We are blessed to have Rev. Donna Johnson, President and CEO, coming from Unity Worldwide Ministries to officiate both services. Rev. Donna, ordained in 1996, served 16 successful years as a field minister including the past 13 years as the senior minister at Unity of Fairfax in Northern Virginia. She was a Unity Worldwide Ministries Board member for five years and a member of the joint Integration Team with Unity School representatives.

As part of our ceremony you are invited to bring something symbolic and significant representing Unity Lincoln and our prayers for Unity Lincoln to place in the Time Capsule at 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 16th. Selection and sizing will happen at a short Town Hall on March 10th after service. This will be a trial run for the actual event on the 16th.

Here’s an opportunity to Practice Circulation! To initiate our new book store we are having a “Used Book Sale.” We would like to offer for sale good, used books. Please see more detailed information in the article elsewhere. This is a great way to kick off the grand opening of the book store and add to the March 16th – 17th celebration. Find those books you’ve read in the corner and see what you want to share.

So, dear friends, have a fantastic time as this month unfolds in spiritual fellowship. Meet new people, enjoy wonderful activities, and participate in building your legacy with Unity Lincoln. Have fun and feel your open hearts expand in loving presence.

Blessings, ~ Rev. Toni

The light of God surrounds us

The Love of God enfolds us

The Power of God protects us

The Presence of God watches

over us.

Wherever we are ...God IS

And all is well.

OUR CORE VALUES LOVE

We are a nurturing community connecting with all from caring hearts and

compassion.

SPIRITUALITY We consciously connect with Spirit and

allow it to guide us. We affirm this Divinity within all creation.

JOY We delight in and encourage our deeply

centered happiness.

GRATITUDE We recognize, rejoice in, and give thanks

for all of God’s gifts.

INCLUSIVENESS We embrace each person as a unique

expression of God.

MINISTER’S LETTER

M a r c h 2 0 1 9

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M a r c h 2 0 1 9

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Mickey Seefeld, Treasurer

New Members Would you like to be a member of Unity Lincoln? We invite you to join us! Are you returning to Unity Lincoln after a time away? We welcome you back! Kindly RSVP to Unity Lincoln (402) 476-6887 or minister@unitylincoln.org.

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Talk to the Board If you would like to present an item to the Board of Trustees in person, please let a board member know. The Board will then reserve the first 10 minutes of its next monthly meeting to listen to you.

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Email List If you would like to receive emails of breaking news and last-minute schedule changes, send an email to us at office@unitylincoln.org and ask to be added to our weekly email list.

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Online Tithing You can contribute to Unity Lincoln online via the www.unitylincoln.org PayPal account. Log onto https://www.paypal.com and send your contribution directly to the Church’s Online PayPal account by whatever method you like — credit card, checking account, or savings. Click on "Friends & Family" to waive the Paypal fee so that your entire gift goes to UL.

================================== Ministerial Services Available

Personal and family services including the rituals: marriage, christening, baptism, blessings of various kinds as your heart directs. Memorial services. Counselling by appointment. Call: 402-432-8108. Email: minister@unitylincoln.org. Some services by fee and some on a love offering basis.

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When you write to us Though we are located at 1941 N. 68th St., mail you send us must include our P.O. Box. Send mail to: Unity Lincoln P.O. Box 30209 Lincoln, NE 68503

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To unsubscribe from this Newsletter Write to us at the above address, or email office@unitylincoln.org. Please refer to the printed Newsletter in your note, with your name and address for confirmation.

BULLETIN BOARD

Finances– December 2018 Total Income: $ 6,424 Total Expense: $ 6,880

Net: $ (456)*

Sources of Income*- Service Love Offerings: $ 4,598

Classes: $ 72

Building Fund: $ 1,319 SCRIP: $ 120.60

*includes special events, but not intended to equal Total Income shown above

Consecration & Installation Schedule

Plans for the celebration are as follows:

Saturday, March 16th The Heartland Light Circle will have its usual Light Treatments as scheduled from 9:00

am to 11:30 am. Then Unity Lincoln activities will begin. 11:30 am to Noon – Heartland Light Circle Spiritual Purification and Blessing of the

property. Noon to 3:30 pm – Open House, tour, visiting and refreshments. 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm – Presenting, Packing & Burial of Time Capsule. 4:00 pm – Sacred Ritual of Consecration with Officiant from Unity Worldwide Ministries. 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Reception & music.

Sunday, March 17th 9:00 am to 10:00 am – Metaphysics Class 10:30am to 11:30am – Worthship Service & Minister’s Installation 11:45 am – Reception Potluck, with meat provided and side dishes potluck from

attendees.

(All plans are subject to change so check as time gets closer. Please call the church 402-467-6887 and leave your question for a call back.)

Heartland Light Circle – Sukyo Mahikari

“Praying to Bring Light and Joy to Your Neighborhood, Your City, and Your State!”

The Heartland Light Circle gives “True Light.” Often described as a healing balancing energy, it is more accurately called an “opening” energy treatment. Sukyo Mahikari is not a Unity organization; however, it is very compatible with Unity. Remember, another name for God is Light. For more information visit the website: www.sykyomahikari.org.

The Heartland Light Circle holds meetings at Unity Lincoln on the third Saturdays of the month from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. There is a sign up for hourly times. Love offering basis. All love offerings gifted to the Light Circle are shared 50/50 with Unity Lincoln. Everyone is welcome!

Unity Lincoln joyfully welcomes everyone to the blessing ceremony of the Light Circle at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 16th as part of our celebration day. They invite you to attend.

Used Book Sale for New Book Store

Help us create a “Used Book Sale” for our new book store opening on Saturday, March 16th. Create space for prosperity while helping bless others and prosper your book store! Bring books you would like to release. Please mark with a non-sticky suggested price if you want – or just put a slip of paper sticking out of it – or we will price for you. Give the book to our new book store manager, Jim, or place on the designated table as soon as possible or before March 14th.

We would like to offer good, clean, used books, especially Unity, New Thought, Self-Help, Healing, Metaphysics, Prayer, Positivity and Affirmative Topic books. Children’s books are welcomed as well as positive novels. Help make this a big success!!!

Magic Pennies Report

Keep it up! You’re doing great!

Magic Pennies Accounting

2016 $132.22

2017 $615.80

2018 $290.31

January 2019 $16.92

February 2019 N/A

$1,055.25

Merry Ford, President

Connie Rose, Vice-President

Janet Carlson, Secretary

Adeline Mickens, Member-at-Large

Liane Schmidt, Member-at-Large

BOARD MEMBERS

Ministry Team Leaders:

Hospitality—Dee Tonniges, Liane Schmidt

Leadership/Coaching—Kris Thaller

Licensed Unity Teacher—Rev. Evan Coleman

Music—Rev. Evan Coleman Prayer—Connie Rose Recording Team—Paul Fox,

Bob Kaenel, Connie Rose, Janet Carlson, Adeline Mickens

SCRIP—Paul Fox Website—Paul Fox, Rev. Evan

Coleman Worthship Team—Kris Thaller Worthship Leaders—Fred Berry,

Annie Nuss, Merry Ford, Kris Thaller, Carol Cunningham

Staff:

Minister—Rev. Toni Stephens Coleman

Speaker—Rev. Fred Berry Music Director—Rev. Evan

Coleman Pianist—Svetlana Yashirin Office—June Niemann

Monthly Attendance

Ave./Sunday

December 17

January 21

February 18

Unity Lincoln logo t-shirts

now available-see Rev. T Teal with embroidered white logo –

$20 each XL, L, M (others can be ordered pre-pay)

(note on check: T for Building Fund)

M a r c h 2 0 1 9

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M a r c h 2 0 1 9

World Peace Meditation

A Recipe for Peace (Serves 8 billion)

1 heart full of unconditional love 2 eyefuls of nonjudgement

1 mouthful of blessings 2 handfuls of generosity

1 mindful of brotherhood 1 soulful of innate Divinity

1 spirit of unity Consciousness to serve from

Collect yourself in the moment. Clean heart of negativity, clean eyes of prejudice, clean mouth of disrespect, clean hands of grasping selfishness, clean mind of any belief in separation. Mix all ingredients and serve immediately. Second helpings are encouraged.

This recipe is as old as time, passed down from generation to generation by seekers of Harmony and seers of Truth. Take 15-20 minutes to sit in the silence and mix up a batch, then enjoy its beautiful and fulfilling flavor.

Namaste. Love and blessings! Rev. Sharri Johnson,

Senior Minister

Celestial Sound Ministry

Mark your calendar! Saturday, April 27th from 10:00 am to noon we will receive the healing vibrational tuning of VJ. The treatment is similar to what we experienced last year. VJ uses singing bowls, gongs, chimes, bells, didgeridoo, chanting and other

vibrational forms to balance, open and align our body systems. We will have the opportunity to receive lying down or sitting in our fireside room. Love offering of $25 per person, please.

https://empoweredhealingllc.com/sound-meditation

Ministerial Services Available

Personal and family services including the rituals: marriage, christening, baptism, blessings of various kinds as your heart directs. Memorial services. Counselling by appointment. Call: 402-432-8108. Email: minister@unitylincoln.org.

Some services by fee and some on a love offering basis.

Tea Time

Do you have a favorite tea that you’d like to have at church? Several people the other

day were saying we are all out of tea – except for black tea. Teas are so wonderful and

there are so many types of tea. People have so many preferences… Please, if you have a

favorite you like to share, will you bring some? Your minister’s only request is that you

not bring clove tea. She is very allergic to clove oil usually found in orange spice tea and

the like. We will have company coming soon and having a fresh supply of tea would be

wonderful!

UL Book Club Starts New Book

Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm, the Book Club (formerly Book Study) has started studying The Art of Finding Yourself, by Fiona Robertson. Teacher, Adeline Mickens, leads the club in discussion and processing the material. There are currently seven people participating with the book. The club is always open and if you want to just check it out, someone will share their book with you until you get your own book. It’s a very social bunch!

List of Benefits from Membership

There are two main levels of attendance at Unity Lincoln, a congregant and a member. A member has spent time with the minister to learn about Unity and Unity Lincoln, explore a basic book and other materials to become conversant in Unity Principles and concepts and has achieved a familiarity and comfort level with Unity ideas. At the end of that time, they are welcomed into the Unity Lincoln community by the Minister and Board of Trustees, presented to the congregation and are asked to sign a membership card to accept membership.

A Congregant may attend services, classes, share activities and enjoy fellowship and participation in all activities, including teaching or presenting with approval of the minister, except those activities specific to membership as follows.

A Member can vote on all issues concerning Unity Lincoln in accordance with our bylaws. Issues include but are not limited to hiring a minister, purchasing or selling property, and other concerns. A minimum length of Membership according to the bylaws is required to hold office on the Board of Trustees.

Benefits to attending Unity Lincoln include:

Fellowship activities – pot lucks, films, discussions, music, hugs, friendship, family sharing and other intangible benefits of value.

Learning and sharing – book studies, discussions, exploring ideas and finding new ideas, a safe environment, a broad circle of study.

Spiritual growth and pastoral care – exploring spirituality, prayer and meditation practice, focus on healing work, mind, body and spirit, pastoral care services, including hospital and home visits, weddings, memorials, funerals, christening, etc.

Weekly and special church services with spiritual enrichment, annual holiday rituals, celebration and sharing.

One Heart Retreat Center 185 White Acres Lane Marshall, AR 72650

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 M a r c h 2 0 1 9

Once upon a time in an imaginary land called Nebraska, there was a little girl named Carroll. Her Mommy named her that because it was a very pretty name, but she didn’t realize that she was spelling it like the boys name. When she was only two or three years old Carroll got the measles and after that she had to wear glasses with very thick lenses. Carroll‘s Mom and Dad worked very hard all their lives. Her Mom didn’t work outside the home and wasn’t a very good cook, but she tried very hard and got better as the years went by. In the warm weather months she planted a big garden and did all of the weeding and canning of the produce.

Carroll‘s Dad worked very hard too. He was a bricklayer and got to be very strong, but he drank too much sometimes, and when he did he got very mean. Once he was going to kill somebody but Carroll‘s Mom and she and little brother hid the pistol he was looking for until he sobered up.

As Carroll grew up, she got to be very pretty, even with her coke bottle glasses. She had beautiful long hair which she was very proud of.

Carroll got married when she was only 16. Then she had a little boy, and a couple of years later, she had a little girl. The man she was married to didn’t like working and went to jail for theft, so she divorced him. A couple of years later she married ‘the boy next door’ who was then in the Marines and she thought her children needed a father, but he turned out to be very mean and beat her up a lot. After she divorced this husband she felt very low. She was a single mother with a six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter. She worked very hard to provide for them, but had no particular skills except for not being afraid to work.

When Carroll and I met, I was coming off a divorce that left me hardly any spendable income so all we had was each other. Over the years we were married we never had much money, but kind of proved that you can live on love.

With a lot of help from our friends and relatives we were able to buy a house, then even a grocery store (which failed), then a different house, and even move to another house in a small town that we both loved. All this time Carroll never gave up on me.

One day, Carroll had a heart attack and three weeks later she died. We hadn’t even known that she was sick.

Several weeks later, I was rummaging around in the third bedroom (the one we never used) and found a new pair of pants she’s been hiding for my Father’s Day present. Why she loved me as much as she did, I’ll never understand. She certainly deserved someone better, but she left me with this: Treasure your loved ones. You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.

Peace, love, joy & blessings ~ John

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This I Believe

by John Jones

This I Believe Featured in the Unity Bookstore!

Now is the time! John Jones’ beautiful book set: This I Believe will be featured in our bookstore opening. John Jones is our very own Unity Lincoln author. You may recognize his writing from the many years he has shared in our monthly newsletters. John is in many ways our own Mark Twain as he shares his wisdom and wit in his writing. These books make wonderful gifts. The stories are just the right size to fill a thoughtful moment with interest and nourishment.

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

5:30 pm Music Team Rehearsal

2

3

Friendship Sunday

9:00 am – 9:55 am Metaphysics

10:30 am – Service

talk: More Together Than Alone

11:45 am

Prayer Service

4

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Landscaping Team

5

6:00 pm The Art of

Finding Yourself book club

6

11:45 am Prayer & Brown

Bag Lunch

6:30 pm A Course In

Miracles

7

8

5:30 pm Music Team Rehearsal

9

10

First Sunday of Lent

9:00 am – 9:55 am Metaphysics

10:30 am – Service

talk: Audacious Optimism & Profound

Intention

11:45 am

Board of Trustees meeting

11

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Landscaping Team

12

6:00 pm The Art of

Finding Yourself book club

13

11:45 am Prayer & Brown

Bag Lunch

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Play Cards!

6:30 pm A Course In

Miracles

14

15

11:00 am Ministers Planning

Team meeting

5:30 pm Music Team Rehearsal

16

9:00 am – 11:30 am Heartland Light

Circle (non Unity event)

11:30 am Unity Lincoln Consecration

17

Installation

Celebration Sunday

9:00 am – 9:55 am Metaphysics

10:30 am – Service

Rev. Donna Johnson, President & CEO of

UWM – guest speaker

11:45 am Pot Luck Lunch

18

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Landscaping Team

19

6:00 pm The Art of

Finding Yourself book club

20

11:45 am Prayer & Brown

Bag Lunch

6:30 pm A Course In

Miracles

21

22

5:30 pm Music Team Rehearsal

23

24

Friendship Sunday

9:00 am – 9:55 am Metaphysics

10:30 am – Service

talk: Feeding the Multitude

25

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Landscaping Team

26

6:00 pm The Art of

Finding Yourself book club

27

11:45 am Prayer & Brown

Bag Lunch

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Play Cards!

6:30 pm A Course In

Miracles

28

29

5:30 pm Music Team Rehearsal

30

31

Friendship Sunday

9:00 am – 9:55 am Metaphysics

10:30 am – Service

talk: The Greatest Riches

2019 Unity

Lincoln