You may already be gearing up for the 4th of July’s 250th celebrations, and we will be celebrating as well. I invite you to join us this Sunday for what promises to be a meaningful and memorable service, as we hear from the early architects of our country. It is not one to be missed.
This past Sunday we held a lively and well-attended community meeting. There was a richness of ideas shared and a spirit of engagement that was truly encouraging. One of the key updates from the Board of Trustees is that we are actively working toward obtaining our own 501(c)(3) status. This would allow us to become our own independent entity in the eyes of the IRS.
Since our founding in 1944, we have been under the umbrella of Unity Worldwide Ministries. Moving into our own status is a natural evolution, though it is a process that takes time. We wanted you to be aware as we began to move in that direction.
We also shared the results of the recent community survey, which sparked thoughtful conversation. As a result, you may begin to notice some small changes in the order of service over the coming weeks. We are approaching these as experiments offered with care, and your feedback is always welcome.
In addition, we spoke about our current financial picture. From that conversation, a team has been formed to explore creative fundraising ideas. Alongside this, I will be offering a new class beginning soon: Sacred Prosperity: A 6-Week Journey into Flow, Clarity, and Abundance. I look forward to sharing more about that with you shortly.
The Board is committed to staying connected and will be providing regular updates so that you remain informed as we move forward together.
I also want to bring to your attention a special event on July 24: a Concert for Peace with Abed Manasra. This holds personal meaning for me, as it falls on Rev. LeRoy’s birthday. Abed serves as the International Programs Director of the Abrahamic Reunion and is an Interfaith Dialogue expert with Rising Tide International.
In 2015, Rev. LeRoy and I attended the Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City, where we participated in a workshop led by the Abrahamic Reunion. It was a deeply memorable experience that has stayed with me ever since. For nearly 20 years, this organization has brought together leaders from diverse faith traditions to foster dialogue, understanding, healing, and trust. They also create spaces where everyday people—Muslims, Christians, Jews, Samaritans, and Druze—gather to share meals and conversation. Thousands have participated in these gatherings across Israel and Palestine.
There is much unfolding, and I recognize I have given you a lot to take in. So rather than summarizing last week’s Sunday message here, I invite you to simply watch or revisit it and reflect on the key insights at your own pace.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
