Happy Fourth of July… I know it is a little late; however, it is when I am writing this.
I will be going out of town next weekend, and I am so pleased that Rev. Matt Purinton will be speaking on Sunday. Matt always provides a thoughtful message and no doubt he will this Sunday as well.
Lots of great events are happening in July, starting with Matt, then on July 17 Steph Plourde will take us into the world of Feng Shui. She did a workshop in May that was so well received we scheduled this as a follow-up; however, you don’t have to have attended the first one to get the benefits of Steph’s knowledge and teachings. This workshop will follow the Sunday service.
Later on Sunday the 17 at 7 p.m., Rev. Todd Glacy and his friends will be offering a Kirtan experience. To learn more about Kirtan, go to sacredsoundandliving.com. It gives you a great description of what you will experience.
Rev. LeRoy Lowell
Now mark your calendar for July 22 for the celebration of Rev. LeRoy Lowell with a drumming and fire circle at Unity beginning at 7:30 p.m. Please bring a lawn chair, drum if you have one, and rattles… this is a celebration of a life well-lived. This will be held weather permitting. Fixings for s’mores will be available…
That is not all folks… following the service on July 24, there will be an introduction to a new meditation practice for some of us; it is called Sahaja Yoga and will be led by Jane Gagnier and Vamshi Gooje. Here is a little about the practice… it is transformational… begins with an experience that is effortless and spontaneous. With the very first experience (known as Self-Realization), you gain a new dimension in your awareness and witness the absolute truth. Anybody can do it. Practice for a few days and you should witness positive changes within yourself.
Jane and Vamshi will be holding follow-up meetings every Tuesday beginning on July 26 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. They are committed to transformation, which aligns with our Unity vision statement. There is no charge; however, if you choose to donate, it comes to Unity Center for Spiritual Growth.
This leads right into Sunday’s message on transformation. The message highlighted biblical figures who experience transformation or awakening… they were Elijah, Paul and then the scripture where Jesus is asking his disciples who does man say I am… and Peter answers with, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
There are many characteristics of an awakening or transformation… here are a few:
• An awakening may seem to come suddenly, but there are usually years of unconscious preparation for this special event.
• A spiritual awakening can be marked by a mystical experience or at least an uncommon experience that we do not fully understand.
• A spiritual awakening often happens when we are suffering because suffering humbles us and tends to make us more receptive to spiritual forces.
• A spiritual awakening can cause a sudden and abrupt change in our life.
• It is a human tendency to want to repeat a spiritual experience, but this desire is to be put aside as we purify our intent to know God.
Let us remember that the spiritual life is not about having experiences; it is about living life from a divine center.
Have a fabulous week… enjoy summer… we waited for it for a very long time…
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
Labyrinths are ancient geometric figures. One leaves one’s worries and stress at the entrance and walks meditatively to the middle. As one walks to the center she/he becomes centered within her/himself, calmer, and more grounded. 
