As I sit down to write this, I find myself filled with gratitude. What a joy and privilege it is to serve as minister here at Unity Center for Spiritual Growth. I mentioned on Sunday that when I first stepped into this role back in August of 2011, I truly had no idea where the path would lead. Fourteen years later, here we are,and while I didn’t expect to still be here, I’m so glad I am. Isn’t that the beauty of life? When we keep showing up, doing the next right thing, Spirit leads us exactly where we’re meant to be.
Okay, enough of my musing for now, but I do want to share something that came out of a lovely conversation after service on Sunday. We were reflecting on the wonderful turnout for the cookout and how food has this magical way of bringing people together. It got me thinking: Why not create more opportunities for that connection?
So, starting this month, I’m proposing we add a second potluck to our calendar on the third Sunday of each month. I’ve always said that fellowship is where relationships are truly formed. It’s lovely to greet one another before or after service, but those deeper bonds often happen when we sit down together, share a meal, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
Speaking of Sunday, the message was all about pause, the sacred art of slowing down and just being. I shared how, when we’re tuned into a certain spiritual frequency, we start to notice similar messages showing up everywhere. That’s certainly been true for me lately. Maybe you’ve noticed it, too?
If you missed the service, you can watch it here. The theme was The Power of Pause: Rest as a Spiritual Practice, and I offered a few gentle ways to reclaim rest, reflection, and renewal in your daily life.
Here are some of those practices:
• Sacred Stillness: Just five minutes a day. No phone. No agenda. Just breathe and be.
• Sabbath Moments: Even if a full day isn’t possible, find small windows to unplug and delight in simply being.
• Reflective Journaling: Ask yourself, “What is mine to do? What is mine to release?”
• Nature Connection: Let the earth’s rhythms guide you. Sit under a tree. Watch the clouds. Listen to birdsong.
• Compassionate Boundaries: Say no when your soul says no. Rest is a sacred act of self-respect.
We closed with this beautiful affirmation from Unity’s Daily Word:
“I rest in the presence of God, and I am renewed.”
I hope you’ll join me this coming Sunday — it’s Potluck Sunday and we’ll also be celebrating September birthdays! My talk is titled Anchored in Truth: Living from Spiritual Principle, and we’ll explore what it means to ground our lives in what is eternal and unshakable.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
