As September wraps up, I’m reflecting on the richness of this past month at Unity Center for Spiritual Growth. We’ve had some truly meaningful offerings, and one that stands out is the Conscious Living/Conscious Dying workshop with Jay Allen and Kevin Paul. It was a beautiful and thought-provoking way to close the month and heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated.
Looking ahead to October, things will slow down just a bit, but there’s still something special on the horizon. I’m excited to welcome Jen Deraspe for Laughter Yoga! This is a new experience for me and maybe for you, too — so I invite you to come with an open heart and a willingness to laugh, move, and explore joy in a whole new way.
On two upcoming Sundays, you will be in good hands:
- October 5 – Rev. Matt Purinton – Non-Resistance Redux
- October 12 – Rev. Dr. Ryan Polly – Beyond Us and Them: Walking the Path of Oneness in a Wounded World
I know you’ll be blessed by their wisdom and presence.This past Sunday, the message was following the book How to Pray Without Talking to God and was titled The Power of Choice: Prayer as Conscious Alignment. We looked at the power of consciousness and Unity’s teaching “thoughts held in mind produce after their kind.”
Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, said: “Man is the inlet and outlet of Divine Mind.”
We are not passive recipients of divine favor — we are active participants in divine flow. And prayer is one of the most powerful ways we engage in that flow. And here’s the shift: Prayer is not about changing God’s mind. It’s about changing our own.
Let’s talk about choice. Every day, we are faced with countless moments where we can either react from habit or respond from Spirit.
Prayer invites us to pause. To breathe. To choose. Author Rev. Linda Martella Whittset writes: “Prayer is the practice of choosing to live from your divine identity rather than from your human conditioning.”
That’s the real power of prayer — not in changing circumstances, but in changing how we show up in those circumstances.
I hope I have piqued your interest. If you haven’t watched the service, you can find it here.
So, dear ones, as we move through this season together, may we continue to find meaningful ways to connect, grow, and serve. Whether you join us in person, online, or simply in spirit, know that your presence matters. Let’s keep showing up — with open hearts, clear intentions, and the joy of knowing we’re walking this sacred path together.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
