3912  Dillard Rd  
39th & Hilyard  
Eugene OR  97405 
(541) 345-9913 
Map/Directions


SUNDAY LIVESTREAM SERVICE:  Join us and many other friends of Unity live at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley (you don’t have to be a Facebook member). Other links and news are posted after the message. Last Sunday’s (1/5/25) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/1-5-25-burning-bowl-service/922825713356129.

HOPE
From Rev. Sherry Lady

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without words
And never gives up at all
~Emily Dickinson

It’s here! The New Year! There is something about a new beginning that holds excitement, gratitude, and a peace that brings joy to our hearts and happy anticipation to our energy. It is all those things because we want to feel refreshed, renewed, and given the opportunity to maybe do things a little better this time around. As witnessed on TV coverage the same desires are true for people all over the world. It is a time of binding together hearts and minds and it feels wonderful to share those things while celebrating in ways that were part of our individual cultures. It was also a time when people literally look to the skies and wish upon the stars. I’m not sure what the world will look like this time around, though I know in the hearts and souls of its people hope still lingers and I, along with others, will lift my heart in gratitude, giving thanks that the potential for healing and change still is present and possible.

 Many have been the thoughts, and sometimes fears, that 2024 would be something that would cause us to have doubts about the future, and even though there is change happening in profound ways, we weren’t certain about what to hang our hopes and dreams on, because things seem so unsettled. It felt, to some, that it was like no other year, and perhaps, in some ways that was true. Many people expressed the feelings that perhaps the year that just concluded signaled immense, often erratic, and unpredictable changes in all of the world, with no indication of how resolution would be possible. As one friend expressed it, “If this, too, shall pass is not accurate, how will all of us adjust to and live with such uncertainty. Where can we hang our hats and take a breath and proceed with confidence.” A question all of us can relate to, perhaps.

For now though, perhaps it’s time, while we let hope continue to sing the tune without words in our hearts that we add something substantial and practical to our daily lives for 2025….. some things that will help strengthen our resilience factor and keep us strong, positive, hopeful, free from self-limiting beliefs, and keep us afloat in the joy of being alive. Life is so very precious, in all its forms and anything we can do through our actions to maintain the joy, is vital to our existence.  

 You all will have your own ways of holding the spiritual high watch. I am sharing a few of mine with you. I’m open to anything you might want to share with me.

1.      Say out loud, “Thank you, God/Spirit” as many times as possible during the day. It becomes a mantra for me and always brings me back to center, and I find myself enjoying people and activities even more. I say it until I feel an actual shift in my physical body. The rushing in of joy is such a blessing.

2.    I get out my chart of Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements. They remind me how to live more fully. These are familiar to many of you:

a.     Be impeccable with your words. To this I add another phrase that is meaningful to me: Say what you mean, but don’t say it meanly.
b.    Don’t take anything personally.
c.     Don’t make assumptions.
d.    Always do your best.

3.    I write down the names of all the people who have touched my life, and as I write I send love to them and thank them out loud for their gift. There are also phone calls, paper cards. I love getting and sending paper cards. That personal, physical touch is wonderfully healing.

4.    I go for a walk in my favorite park – rain or shine.

5.     I listen to music. I have favorite CDs with special vocalists and instrumentalists that never fail to bring peace. I also have two TV series I regularly watch - or listen to while doing other things at my desk.

6.    I look at the magnet on my desk that a friend gave me. It says “Embrace Hope.” Hope may seem, sometimes, like an empty place because we don’t know the outcome, but it is a powerful word that, if we tended to give it shape, or reason, or expectations, it could not keep the door open to all that is possible for us and for the future. It is like the word “grace.” It is powerful in what it provides for us – a place to dream and from which to take action.

Other thoughts flow through my mind, but let’s close with this for now. I don’t know the author, but the words do nicely.

Each life is a song. We write it in our own key and melody. Each life we touch reflects back to us the notes that that form the melody of our shared lives. We can choose the words, the theme of our song, and the chorus we can sing together. No two songs will be the same. Each will have a special sound. But our songs of HOPE, when shared with love, will usher in transformation beyond our fondest dreams.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! So blessed to be on the planet with you at this time.

Love,
Sherry           
          
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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, JANUARY 8-11

WEDNESDAY
- 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Zoom  Community Connect moderated by Rev. Dick Everts. This is a one hour, drop in, chatting session for discussing topics of spiritual interest, personal growth, etc. There is a new topic each Wednesday. To take part, send an email request to Rev. Dick at richard.everts@comcast.net.

THURSDAY
- 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Unity’s Elder Council meets in the upstairs Fillmore Room. If you are 60 or older and would like to explore the journey and wisdom of elderhood, please join us. For more information, contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at jlinebargertaylor@yahoo.com or 541-968-5896.

- 3:30-5:00 p.m. – Therapeutic Touch in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. The NW Therapeutic Touch Institute is offering Therapeutic Touch (TT) sessions for those who have taken the classes, those interested in TT, and for those who would simply like to experience a calming, healing TT session. For more information, contact Bev Forster, RN, QTTT, at 541-520-9358.

- 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Passage Meditation in the Fillmore Wing. This group practices “Passage Meditation” as taught by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-554-5434.

FRIDAY
– 7:00 p.m. – From Eugene to Helene: A Hurricane Benefit Concert in the sanctuary. Join Midnight 45, Halie Loren, Andre Andreev, Danger Gently, Laura Kemp, Larry Pattis, and more for this benefit for Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Relief. Tickets $25. (Limited $75 seats includes preferred seating, dessert reception.) Tickets at the door or at https://bendticket.com/events/eugene-to-helene-fundraiser-for-appalachian-hurricane-relief-1-10-2025/. All proceeds benefit Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Relief.

THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 12

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “White Stone Ceremony.” Rev. Inge Tarantola will lead us in this ancient ritual which represents stepping forward into a larger, richer, and more meaningful expression of life.

- 12:15-1:15 p.m. – Unity Environmental Action Team (EAT) meets in the Garden Room on the second Sunday of each month. For more information, contact Betsy Priddle at heavenstobetsy74@gmail.com or Donna O’Neil at yogawithdonna@gmail.com. Reminder: Bring your clean plastics in for recycling (see more about this below under the Volunteer Opportunities/Needs section).

- After the service – Healing Prayer Circle meets. We offer focused healing prayer upon request. If you or a loved one need prayer support, please contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at 541-968-5896.

NEXT WEEK, JANUARY 13-18

TUESDAY
- 7:00 p.m. – The January 14th Behind the Lens film is The Wages of Fear, directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Registration forms in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time.

WEDNESDAY
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola meets in the Garden Room. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com.

SATURDAY
– 11:00 a.m. – Celebration of Life Service for Carol Lockard. Join us in the sanctuary as we celebrate longtime member Carol Lockard who passed on October 9, 2024. Reception to follow.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 19

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Plug into the Power of Intention” with Jon West.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

POTS OF SOUP: Each Sunday we serve 2-3 pots of soup. We are looking for 1 person who can bring a pot of soup on a Sunday. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall if you can help out.

BOARD TRUSTEES VOLUNTEER: Our Unity Board Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for our Board of Trustees. We have two open seats. We also have a seat open for someone willing to serve as an Alternate (willing to step in if a Trustee doesn't complete their full term). If you are interested in being of service to our spiritual community in this way, please contact Jon West at jwest97405@gmail.com.

PLASTICS RECYCLING ONGOING OPPORTUNITY: Every Second Sunday, join the EAT team to recycle your plastics! You can recycle a lot more this way, as our local waste haulers don't take much plastic recycling. But they do take #2 jugs and bottles that are larger than a tennis ball. So, separate your clean plastic containers into bags for #2 tubs (and bottles smaller than a tennis ball), #4 and #5 plastics and their lids (All lids must be separate). Bring your clean and sorted plastics to the Garden Room at 11:45 on the second Sunday of the month. We can help you help the environment by recycling them! Clean them well and save them up for us! Important: Do not drop off your items.

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Our January Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/Jan2025/January2025.pdf.

UNITY FOOD DRIVE – Please help us to fill the food barrel in the foyer with shelf-stable food (i.e., canned or no refrigeration needed) for Food For Lane County. Together, We Are Making a Difference!

SUNDAY GATHERING & NEWS FOR YOUTH

Nursery (Infant-4 years old) Nursery care is offered during the service in the Harmony Room.

Unikids (4 years old-2nd Grade) meet on Sundays in the Garden Room 10:20-11:25 a.m.

Galileans (Grades 3- 5) meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Rainbow Room.

Uniteens (Grades 6-8) meet in the upstairs Treehouse room from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m.

Unity Teen Group (Grades 9-12). meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Treehouse room.

UNITY’S SIMPLE GIVING PROGRAM

Unity of the Valley’s Simple Giving Program is an easy, automatic means by which you can give gifts or tithes to the church in the amount you specify at the frequency you select. To sign up and for more information, click http://www.unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/simplegivingform.pdf. If you have any questions, contact our Administrator, Géna, at 541-345-9913, ext. 11.

FACEBOOK USERS

Did you know that you can help spread the word about Unity of the Valley and its events? By Liking the Facebook page and then clicking "Like" or "Share" on individual posts, you can let Facebook know that these posts are important and make sure that the posts are seen by MANY more people. Please take a moment now to Like the page (if you haven't already) and share a Unity post with your friends. Unity’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley.
  

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Your Prayer Team is Here for You!
Do you have a prayer request? Contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor via phone or text at 541-968-5896.

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Unity of the Valley’s Music Releases can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/368369060857899/

"Connecting from the Heart" is now an independent nonprofit organization, working closely with Unity of the Valley. To enjoy their music, meditation and mental wellness videos, please click on this link: cfth.us.org.  

We also post Unity videos, when possible, athttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqUL3d7-JjO_45Bo3vLfrWQ/videos

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OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

The Unity Board has approved the creation of Our Spiritual Community Support Fund. This fund was inspired by a Unity member who offered her government stimulus funds to assist individuals in our spiritual community who need it most. 

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY

·     Send a check to Unity of the Valley, 3912 Dillard Rd., Eugene, OR 97405 with a note designating if it’s for OSCSF or general Unity finances.

·     Send a donation through PayPal using the yellow DONATE button on the home page of our website: unityofthevalley.org. This can be a one-time donation, repeated as often as you wish for different amounts, or a monthly recurring donation for a set amount. Make sure you designate whether you want your donation to be applied to OSCSF or to general Unity finances.

·     Send an email to unityval@riousa.com stating that you wish to pledge a certain amount, possibly from your government stimulus check to the OSCSF or to general Unity finances. Give your phone number so Géna can contact you to arrange how and when you wish to donate.

·     You can write a letter stating you wish to join our Simple Giving Fund to contribute a set amount (state the amount) on a regular basis (state how often) with your bank account routing and account number. Just designate what portion should be used for OSCSF or general Unity finances. Géna, our Office Administrator, opens all our mail in private. So, it is safe to include your account information in a letter, but not in an email.

IF YOU NEED MONETARY ASSISTANCE
To request monetary help, you can write a letter or an email (unityval@riousa.com) directed to the Ministerial Team. Please include the following information:
1. Your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
2. Your association with Unity of the Valley.
3. Name of reference at Unity of the Valley (someone who knows you).
4. Brief description of your financial need.
5. How much you are requesting.
6. Do you think your financial needs will require monthly support? 

Requests for monetary help will be reviewed by our Ministerial Team. If a request is approved, the amount granted will be dependent on how many requests we receive and how much money is available in the OSCSF.

Thank you all for being an integral part of our loving and supportive community.

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