Lordy, Lordy the Universe is surely shaking things up a bit wouldn’t you say? I began Sunday’s service with a prayer written by my friend and colleague Rev. Angela Denton titled “Let Us, We the People, Ascend.” It begins: “Let the pain and suffering of darkness that plagues our nation be the catalyst that awakens us.” This then takes me to remember Valarie Kaur saying, “What if this isn’t the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb.” And then to scripture John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” And lastly the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” LOVE is the answer. GOD is the answer…GOD IS LOVE!

This past Sunday was our White Stone celebration. If you missed the service you can watch it here…and participate in the meditation to find your word, symbol, or sign for this year.

The message this week was “Never Let Your Dreams Die.” Here are quotes from many names you recognize that remind us how important our dreams are.

“Dreams are extremely important. You can’t do it unless you imagine it.” — George Lucas

T.S. Eliot said, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

Mary Kay Ash said, “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.”

Walt Disney once said, “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Steven Spielberg says, “I don’t dream at night, I dream all day; I dream for a living.”

Jerry Seinfeld gave a great suggestion on how he was able to keep writing during the “in-between time” (the in-between time is defined in the message). He got a wall calendar with the whole year and put it up and got a red marker.

He said: For each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.

During the Coffee Hour, it was suggested to take a calendar and copy the month and do as Jerry suggests if you don’t have room for a large yearly calendar.

No dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big. Remember with God all things are possible. If you need support in holding the vision for your dream, we have both a Men’s Group and Women’s Group that would be a safe and supportive group to share your dream with.

Next Sunday I am beginning another series called “The Gifts of Winter.” Stay tuned; it is going to be a fun adventure as we journey through the next five weeks.

You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey

Happy New Year! You made it out of 2020…give yourself a pat on the back…well done!

As we step into 2021, I believe it is fair to say we are all holding in prayer the success of the vaccines for COVID-19 to be administered to all who are willing to take it in an expedient time frame. I also believe it is fair to say we all want to be back together again in our sanctuary as soon as it is safe to do so.

I am always grateful on Sunday morning when so many of you join us for the service. I appreciate the notes in the chatbox and read every one of them. This past Sunday we had folks on from Florida, North Carolina, VA, New York, New Hampshire and London, England. Please keep coming back; we love you!

Just in case you may not know the services are available on both Facebook at Unity of Greater Portland and on YouTube at Unity for Spiritual Growth, not only Sunday morning but archived as well. If you missed the New Year’s Eve service, it is there also.

On Sunday I concluded the series on prayer. Here you will find the top ten list for creating a rich and robust personal prayer life. I am not going to expound on them here; you can watch the service.

10. Take an intentional, few moments every day to simply think about God.
9. Pray using simple, natural words.
8. Use affirmative, positive words – only.
7. Pray with belief and faith.
6. Offer prayers of gratitude and only gratitude and on a regular basis.
5. Pray as you go about the business of the day.
4. Practice the attitude of putting everything in God’s hands – aka surrender.
3. Pray for the people you do not like.
2. Prayer for a closer relationship with God.
1. Open yourself to be used by God.

This list is a great start for getting into a regular prayer practice for the year.

Next Sunday is the White Stone Service, so have your stone handy… and this Thursday evening is the women’s group… Women Empowering Women at 6:30 p.m.

You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey