Unity Community

Music at Unity Community Church

One of the things I’ve always liked about Unity is the way spiritual concepts have real life applications, removing any imagined boundaries between your spiritual life and your “real life”.  The music at every Unity church I’ve attended is a great example of this.

The songs are often from popular culture, or familiar tunes with modified lyrics to be more positive. Or they’re just catchy little ditties that get stuck in your head and keep the positive vibes going all week long.

In Sunday School, I remember singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the church’s spiral bound songbook with the bright blue cardstock covers. At Unity Kid’s Camp, I learned “Joy Songs”, sung to energize and unify us as a group. This tradition continued in the Y.O.U., or Youth of Unity. But we also learned songs that we could sing to one another in what we called “sufi dancing”.  Unlike the real sufis—the mystics of Islam also known as Whirling Dervishes—we did not rotate individually on the spot, but formed two concentric circles where we’d always be facing a partner. Then we’d all sing a short song to each other before moving to the next partner. Some were serious, some were fun, but they’ve stayed with me. (Especially the songs of Karl Anthony.) 

In my mind, different churches had different theme songs.  At North Hollywood it was “I am free, I am unlimited”.  At La Crescenta, it was “Magic Penny” and at West Valley it was “Love Train” with ever so slightly modified lyrics. But then again, that was just one beloved song among many with Adam Chester as Music Minister.

At Unity Community Church in Reseda, our Musical Director Jackie Riggs does a mix of contemporary pop songs and her own originals, along with leading us in our favorite Unity songs. One of my favorite pop songs that she does is “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan (with slightly modified lyrics). And one of her originals (that I love!) compares the good things in life to “Sweet Chocolate Cream”. 

And one of my very favorite songs to sing is “God in Every Face” by Mark Stanton Welch. Here--you enjoy the lyrics now, and then join us on Sunday to sing along!

 

We come together to behold
The Power of Love
The Power of Light

We come together to behold
We are Divine

 

 

Lift up our hands
Lift up our hearts
Lift up our vision
Lift it to the stars

 

Dance in the Glory
Whirl in the Grace
See God in every face
See God in every face

 

Malayna Dawn was raised in Unity. She is UCC’s Webmaster and was once an Associate Rep. for the Southwest Region Y.O.U.!

Commitment ~ Inner Guidance

Today I commit to stop—to ask my inner creative Divine Intelligence for directions before taking any action, then I listen, really listen to the answer, for Divine Intelligence knows when the time is right, when all is in its right place and order for every decision and event I express in my life.

Unity’s World Day of Prayer

September is a big month for those of us at Unity Community Church.  For one thing, September 11th is our anniversary—this year is our 4th!  We feel good that we get to celebrate and affirm UNITY on a day that also commemorates the sadness of lives, families and peace torn apart.  

Another reason we feel good about September is that it is the month when Unity’s annual World Day of Prayer occurs. This year, it happens on September 10th, and this year’s theme, “Reach In, Reach Out, We Can Change the World”, reflects the importance of going within for guidance and then reaching out to help others. Together we can create heaven on earth.

Unity World Day of Prayer is an annual celebration to affirm peace, abundance and love on an individual and global level. There are many ways you can be involved, either by connecting via the website, or by saying a prayer on your own. In any case, your prayers join those all around the world, creating a critical mass of positive energy that truly has the power to change the world.

Visit www.worlddayofprayer.org and feel free to join us at Unity Community Church in the San Fernando Valley to help us celebrate our fourth year of living our vision of being a loving and welcoming center that is an inspiring spiritual magnet for all to experience oneness with God.

~by Malayna Dawn

September Thoughts

By Lucele Coutts

         Recently, I was reminded of up coming events that affect our beloved Mother Earth several times a year, and how I had allowed them to be a problem for me in May as well as last December.  But then I was also reminded that since I am the only one in charge of my life, I can do something about them, which I had foolishly ignored. And I decided I needed to warn those of you who don’t know about them.  Curious yet?  I hope so.

 You see, those events, which concern the planet Mercury, keep on cropping up, because Mercury keeps on causing them.  Now, if you’re not sure which planet tiny Mercury is, you will find it nestling the closest to our hot fiery sun, and what it does, or seems to, is change direction in its orbit several times a year, appearing to fall back or retrograde.  Actually, it doesn’t, yet during this time, very strange things occur around our planet.  Communications are disrupted, computers can get confused and messages can go awry, and we seem to make mistakes for no reason, both at work as well as in just plain living.  So it is a time to use great care in those areas, or it can be hard to keep things in order.  Believe me, I know,

            TIP:  So if strange things seem to happen during September, check the internet to see if Mercury is in ‘’retrograde’, so you can start using extra care, checking and double checking to be sure things are working as they should, especially when making important decisions, and in using the internet.  Make it a time to slow down, even delaying important decisions of any kind, if possible, and while doing this, concentrate your thoughts on peace and divine order, remembering that nothing can keep you from your inner creative Divine Intelligence, for it is always with you, right at the center of your being, and nothing can disturb It, for your Inner Divine Intelligence always knows when the time is right, so follow its direction, because it will tell you, if you listen, really listen.

Commitment ~ Chosen Path

On this day I commit to walk my chosen path. using only the beauty and grace of Divine Order, to create harmony, physical order and perfect balance to bring peace, freedom and total abundance, not only to my body, mind, actions, but to my loved ones and to my world in every way I can. 

Old Article About UCC Mostly Holds True

Recently it came up among our Unity Community Church members that when you Google “Unity Churches in the San Fernando Valley” an article comes up about UCC from 2005. 

The only problem with that is that it has some old information in it--like our location and our interim minister at the time--and it doesn’t include the fabulous photo, which can be seen by clicking here, along with the full article as it appeared in the paper. But most of it holds true.  Such as this part:

Steve Keener had given up hope of finding a church like Unity where there is an absence of dogma and religious buzz words.

"I like the inclusiveness of it,'' said Keener. "It was a big relief to be able to continue to study the Bhagavada Gita, for example, and yet it was familiar because it is Christianity-based. There are a lot of practical applications in Unity. It doesn't do me any good to have a Sunday message unless I can apply it during the week.''

Interestingly enough, the latest issue of Newsweek’s International Edition has an article entitled "We Are All Hindus Now".  I can’t post it here, since the issue is still on the newsstands, but About.com’s Hinduism blog has the gist of it. 

According to recent poll data, Americans are conceptually "slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the ways we think about God, our selves, each other, and eternity," says Miller.

The article also quotes the Rig Veda, the ancient Hindu scripture, which says: "Truth is One, but the sages speak of it by many names," a doctrine that many Americans have started to believe in the ways they think about religion and spirituality. It points out that 30 percent of Americans call themselves "spiritual, not religious," according to a 2009 Newsweek Poll.

Newsweek then cites Stephen Prothero, a professor of religion at Boston University "who has long framed the American propensity for "the divine-deli-cafeteria religion" as "very much in the spirit of Hinduism...""

Miller further states: "So here is another way in which Americans are becoming more Hindu: 24 percent of Americans say they believe in reincarnation, according to a 2008 Harris poll. So agnostic are we about the ultimate fates of our bodies that we're burning them—like Hindus—after death. More than a third of Americans now choose cremation, according to the Cremation Association of North America. "

But Hindus aren’t the only ones who may find themselves feeling at home at Unity Community Church. The Daily News article also says:

Malayna Weeratunga, whose father was a Muslim from Sri Lanka, grew up attending West Valley Unity Church. She said she is excited to be a part of the new, diverse group looking to tune into spiritual truths.

"Being a part of Unity to me is, 'OK, I am one with everybody.' Unity - the name says it all - we're all one,'' said Weeratunga. "Unity is open- minded. It accepts all faiths and religions. People don't have to give up their religion. They can add Unity to their life.''

But, as it also says in that Daily News article, we are still based in Christianity:

A typical service at Unity Community Church includes a meditation prayer, singing, the message and contemporary music presented by Jackie Riggs, Keener's wife.

"The positive outlook on life is what I like about Unity,'' said Stacy Macris, who has been a Unity church member all her life. "Unity is a Christian-based religion, but it looks at how we're all connected and how to find the good in others.

"It's about taking responsibility as a human being. You're in charge of your life, and it can be a good life.''

The Unity movement was originally founded as a prayer ministry by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, in 1889 in Kansas City, MO. Unity is also well-known for its monthly publication of inspirational messages, "The Daily Word.''

So now that you're up to date, come and check us out at our new location – at 6901 Canby Avenue, Suite 107 in Reseda, California – still in the West San Fernando Valley.  Click here for a map and directions, and our contact information, or just go to www.unity-community.org.

September 2009 Thoughts

         Recently, I was reminded of up coming events that affect our beloved Mother Earth several times a year, and how I had allowed them to be a problem for me in May as well as last December.  But then I was also reminded that since I am the only one in charge of my life, I can do something about them, which I had foolishly ignored. And I decided I needed to warn those of you who don’t know about them.  Curious yet?  I hope so.

 You see, those events, which concern the planet Mercury, keep on cropping up, because Mercury keeps on causing them.  Now, if you’re not sure which planet tiny Mercury is, you will find it nestling the closest to our hot fiery sun, and what it does, or seems to, is change direction in its orbit several times a year, appearing to fall back or retrograde.  Actually, it doesn’t, yet during this time, very strange things occur around our planet.  Communications are disrupted, computers can get confused and messages can go awry, and we seem to make mistakes for no reason, both at work as well as in just plain living.  So it is a time to use great care in those areas, or it can be hard to keep things in order.  Believe me, I know,

            TIP:  So if strange things seem to happen during September, check the internet to see if Mercury is in ‘’retrograde’, so you can start using extra care, checking and double checking to be sure things are working as they should, especially when making important decisions, and in using the internet.  Make it a time to slow down, even delaying important decisions of any kind, if possible, and while doing this, concentrate your thoughts on peace and divine order, remembering that nothing can keep you from your inner creative Divine Intelligence, for it is always with you, right at the center of your being, and nothing can disturb It, for your Inner Divine Intelligence always knows when the time is right, so follow its direction, because it will tell you, if you listen, really listen.

~By Lucele Coutts

Commitment to What is Mine to Do

Since miracles always need my help to happen, I look for what is mine to do, choosing to use my special gifts. Then confidently, I step forth, knowing what is mine to do, and with ease, for when I work with God, we work together for good.

Commitment to the First Step

A baby bird learns to fly watching its mother move her wings as she pushes off the nest.  Today, knowing God is my teacher, I take my first step toward my goal, because I know my way will be clear to reach out for my life with God in charge.

Commitment to Oneness with Nature

Flowing water is so beautiful, and watching it is a joyous way to spend time.  So on this day, I choose to stop a moment to imagine a gentle waterfall, and as I rest in its joy, I will remember I am part of nature, and I am refreshed when I return to the day.