Happy New Year! Our theme for this year is Let’s Thrive in 2025. What is being envisioned for Unity Center for Spiritual Growth encompasses spiritual enrichment, communal support, and personal transformation. Here are areas we will touch on through the year: spiritual growth and awakening; community and fellowship; health and wellbeing; outreach and service; celebrating diversity and Unity. In essence, “Let’s Thrive in 2025” for us represents a collective commitment to nurturing a vibrant, supportive, and spiritually enriched community where everyone can thrive and grow together. Does it get any better than this!
This past Sunday was the traditional White Stone ceremony. The ceremony is inspired by a quote from the Book of Revelation, Chapter 2:17. Consider these thoughts: “Let anyone who has an ear listen: ….To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”
This passage refers to a couple of actions and promises. The first action is “listen” and this is done through some form of meditation and quieting the mind.
The second action is “surrender.” The passage says: “To everyone who conquers…” The conquering is not an outer war, but an inner one. We realize it requires surrendering personal will to Divine Will, and the paradox is that in that surrender of the egoic self is Victory. We become all powerful when we let go of self-will.
There are also three promises.
The first promise is Hidden Manna
The first promise is “hidden manna.” In the days of wandering in the wilderness with Moses, the manna was sent by God. The people only had to go and collect it each day; they did not have to do anything to earn it. If they tried to save it, it spoiled.
When we are in “the wilderness” of our spiritual searching, we receive “hidden manna,” not visible to the world. We are given spiritual energy and nourishment that sustains us. Grace. It nourishes the soul and the body. It benefits the whole being.
The second promise is a White Stone
Back in the time when Jesus was teaching and someone served time in prison or in bondage of any kind, they were given a white stone when they were released. It served as a symbol that they had done their time and they had been given passage to live with all the rights of a free person.
Each of us comes from the bondage of past nonsense – false limitations, old beliefs, error thinking that have been a prison. With a release from bondage, comes a sense of worthiness: we are beloved and one with the Divine, free and unlimited!
The third promise is a New Name
The story of a name change is common in Biblical mythology. The prophet Isaiah wrote Chapter 62, Verse 2; “The lower consciousness shall see your freedom, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.”
The change in name always signifies a change in consciousness. In Biblical times, a name was a very sacred thing. Every name represented a quality. Every name in the Bible means a quality that was in the person who carries the name. In those times, you didn’t choose a name for your child because you liked the name; you chose it for whatever essence you saw in the child.
If you had the opportunity to participate in the service, you know what God is calling you to be or do. It is a whisper from your soul that you are so much more than you have ever let come into expression.
If you didn’t experience the service, you can watch it here… and go through the process and get your word for the year. Whatever it might be it will be perfect for you. Remember we are all here to thrive in 2025.
Join Rev. Matt Purinton next week for his message “Letting Go of the Mask.”
I’m deeply grateful for each of you taking the time to read this. You truly are special!
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
