Hello September! A Season of New Beginnings
September is here, and with it comes that familiar shift — summer winds down, and we find ourselves stepping into a season full of energy and activity. We kicked things off beautifully last Sunday with a joyful service and a birthday potluck. The food was abundant, the tables were full, and the spirit of community was alive and well. We’ll be continuing this tradition with potlucks on the first and third Sundays of each month—so mark your calendars and bring your favorite dish and of course your appetite!
This coming weekend, we have a very special guest joining us — Mary Reed will be here for a full-day retreat on Saturday and will also be speaking during our Sunday service. If you haven’t registered yet, today’s the last chance to sign up so we can be sure to have lunch ready for you. You’ll find all the details further down in this newsletter, along with other exciting happenings coming up this month.
And as is often the case, the message I shared on Sunday felt like it was speaking directly to me—maybe even more than to anyone else. Isn’t it funny how Spirit works that way?
Anchored in Truth: Living from Spiritual Principle
This week, we entered into a sacred conversation about what it means to live a life that is truly anchored not just well-managed or busy but deeply rooted in spiritual truth. In a world that often feels unstable, where emotions rise and fall, relationships stretch, and plans shift, we are reminded that our foundation matters.
Drawing from Jesus’ parable in Matthew 7:24–27, we explored the difference between building on sand and building on rock. The storms come to both houses — but only one stands firm. This powerful metaphor invites us to examine what we’re building our lives upon. Are we rooted in temporary things, or in eternal truths?
To live from spiritual principle is to embody truth in our daily lives. It’s not just about belief, it’s about practice. It’s about letting Spirit guide our decisions, our relationships, and our responses to life’s challenges. It’s about becoming the sanctuary, not just attending one.
We explored four spiritual anchors that help us stay grounded:
1. Truth as a Way of Being – Choosing integrity, honesty, and alignment with Spirit.
2. Grace as a Practice – Extending compassion, forgiveness, and tenderness to ourselves and others.
3. Resilience in Relationship – Finding strength in sacred community and mutual support.
4. Eternity in the Now – Infusing each moment with divine presence and purpose.
Unity’s Fifth Principle reminds us: “Knowing spiritual truth is not enough. We must live the truth we know.” This is our invitation—to move from inspiration to implementation, from hearing the Word to becoming the living expression of it.
As a spiritual community, we are called to be a refuge in the storm—a place where people are seen, heard, and held. A place where Spirit is alive in every conversation, every prayer, and every act of love.
Let us be wise builders. Let us lay our foundations not on fear or ego, but on the rock of divine truth. And as we do, may our lives become a testament to what is eternal and unshakable.
Closing Quote:
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” — Rumi
Next week Mary’s talk is “Losing Our Minds: From Fear to Freedom.” She describes the talk as we’ll realize what the mind is, how it shaped us and our world, how it’s changing now and what that change leads to…
So, my dear friends, there are so many beautiful ways for us to gather, grow, and serve together. I hope you’ll join us in whatever way your heart feels called. Let’s keep showing up for each other with love, intention, and joy.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
