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THEME-OF-THE-MONTH
Our theme for January is:
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BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH
Our book-of-the-month for January is Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves From Old Habits and Fears by
Pema Chöndrön.
Each of our speakers for the month will give you their take on the principles in this book,
and we invite you to stay and join in a discussion of the book and the Sunday talks on Sunday, January 29th, during fellowship time.
Please keep in mind that purchasing through the link (by clicking on the book title) benefits our center.
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There is always so much in Pema Chöndrön’s books that it’s difficult to choose something in particular to discuss. From this month’s book, Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears, one thing struck me and stuck with me more than anything else, Three Conscious Breaths.
Pema Chöndrön approaches Three Conscious Breaths with three distinct steps:
- Step one – Acknowledge that you have allowed something or someone to disturb your peace
- Step two – Pause, take three conscious breaths and lean into that feeling whatever it is: anger, disappointment, fear, etc.
- Step three – Relax and move on
I have been “playing with” Three Conscious Breaths since I finished the book about a week ago. I didn’t realize that I had actually been using all three steps until I sat down to write this. Of course I took step one – I wouldn’t have even thought to do three conscious breaths if I hadn’t paused to become aware that I was upset in some way. Step two I knew I was doing. In retrospect, I see that step three is exactly what I did after I remembered to take three conscious breaths.
This is truly the pause that refreshes. It is also the pause that is necessary for us to change old and/or ingrained habits. This is the month of new starts, new hopes as we make our New Year’s Resolutions. Three Conscious Breaths is a gold mine. If we can remember to pause, take three conscious breaths and relax we will find ourselves in an open frame of mind – the one within which we can make a conscious choice; we can step into our new habit or we can choose to stay in our current habits and behaviors.
A program that I was involved in years ago to quit smoking (I haven’t had a cigarette since August 31, 1981) helped me to change old habits with this bit of advice. Remind yourself that you have the choice. We always have the choice. We can change our minds again in a minute, if we want to, regardless of what we choose now. Three Conscious Breaths gives us a chance to stop and consider our choices. It also provides our minds and bodies with much-needed oxygen, which will help our general well-being regardless of choice.
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JANUARY SPIRITUAL ATTRIBUTES
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Disciple: Peter
Faculty: Faith
Location Center: Center of Brain
Color: Medium Blue
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NO SERVICE on Sunday, January 1st.
January 8th: Rev. Jenenne Macklin
January 15th: Jordana Tiger
January 22nd: David Matthew Brown
January 29th: Jimmy Burns
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JANUARY EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
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- Sundays, January 8th & 22nd Oneness Blessings after service. The suggested offering of $10 stays fully with Unity Burbank. More on Oneness Blessings can be found at www.unityburbankbnh.org/oneness .
- Sunday, January 15th our Chili Cook-Off after service. Please sign up at church or call the office.
- Sunday, January 15th at 4:00 pm Introductory Pranic Healing® Workshop. Free, love offering will be collected.
- Every Thursday night from 7:30 to 9:00 pm., A Course in Miracles study group. Call the office for more information.
- A Journey of Discovery support group meets on January 2nd at 7 pm and January 15th at 1 pm. Please call Kathy Arft at 818-926-1924 to confirm.
- We would like to remind you that we have AA meetings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 1:00 pm (Friday is a women's group).
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OFFICIAL NOTICE
Annual Membership Meeting
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:30 pm
This is the official notice of the Annual Membership Meeting as required by our Bylaws. Membership must be renewed annually. If you wish to join the church or remain a member of Unity Church of Burbank and North Hollywood, DBA Unity Burbank Center for Spiritual Awareness, and have voting rights at the annual meeting you must submit a new membership card before the meeting takes place. Membership cards will be available at the church each Sunday. Additionally, we would be happy to accept memberships by phone and we will follow up by mailing a card to you.
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Jordana Tiger to Speak January 15th
Jordana Tiger is an accomplished facilitator, trainer, therapist, educator, public speaker and author. She is the CEO and founder of Making Speaking Easy and has made numerous cable and radio shows speaking on self-esteem and relationship issues.
Join us on Sunday, January 15th to hear an inspiring lesson from Jordana.
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CHILI COOK-OFF &
POTLUCK LUNCHEON
JANUARY 15th
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This month we are having a chili cook-off! If you want to participate, bring a pot of your favorite chili, we will all have a vote to determine the winner. If you would rather not bring chili, we will also need side dishes that work well with chili, so feel bring to salad, dessert, or breads to our potluck on January 15th after service. Then stay for fun, fellowship and our usual great food!
As always, there is a sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary, or you can call the office to sign up. And as always, we need a crew for set up and clean up, see Jim Delaney if you would like to serve Unity Burbank on the potluck committee.
Please plan to join us!
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LOOKING AHEAD
We have special plans for Lent this year. For those interested, we will be doing a group Daniel Fast. A Daniel Fast is a very healthy vegetable and fruit fast, drawn from the Bible, in the book of Daniel, chapters 1 and 10. Jimmy Burns will be facilitating the group, with back-up from Sue Hermosillo. Look for more information in next month’s newsletter.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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By Sue Hermosillo
If living greener is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, I invite you to consider using less plastic wrap. While it is no doubt convenient, plastic wrap is horrible for the environment. Usually made from the petroleum-based plastic LDPE, cling wrap doesn’t decompose quickly and will be clogging up landfills for generations. If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, here are some alternatives.
Glass Food Storage Containers With lots of great options on the market these days, glass food storage containers can often go from oven to table to fridge reducing the need to wash multiple containers as well. This has the benefit of being non-toxic, unlike many plastic containers when heated. And, for liquids like salad dressings, recycled glass jars are great.
Aluminum Foil With a little extra effort and by purchasing high quality, durable foil you can wash and reuse it as a non-perishable item.
Parchment or Wax Paper Use parchment or soy derived wax paper to wrap your sandwiches for your packed lunch instead of baggies or plastic wrap. You can even buy waxed paper sandwich-sized baggies.
Butcher paper: While it’s nothing more than plain brown paper with a waxy coating on one side, butcher paper lets the food breathe a little, which is best for meats and cheeses, because letting a steak stew in its own juices for a few days in the fridge does not make for great tasting meat.
Damp tea towels: This is specific to baking, but for those of us who bake bread, it’s common to cover the rising loaves with plastic wrap. Instead, dampen a lint free kitchen towel and lay it gently over the dough. It will keep the dough from drying out while rising.
Two Plates: this is a great solution for the microwave-- put food on one plate and invert another plate, or a bowl, on top.
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WE NEED PRIZES!
You’ll remember that last month we asked that should you happen to receive any gifts for Christmas that are lovely, but not right for you or your home to please consider donating them to us, we have a use for them. Now is the time, please bring them in on January 15th. They will be prizes for our January Chili Cook-Off, and part of a raffle to raise funds for our music ministry.
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“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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IN CHARLES FILLMORE’S WORDS:
"FAITH"
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“There is but one real faith; the avenue of expression determines the character and power of faith. Trust is a cheaper brand of faith, but trust is better than mistrust. As a rule, people who merely trust in the Lord do not understand all the law. If they had understanding they would affirm the presence and power of God until the very substance of Spirit would appear in consciousness—and this is faith established on a rock.”
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About the Prayer Ministry of Unity Burbank Center for
Spiritual Awareness
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Our prayer circle may be activated by calling Phyllis Marks at 818-241-7922. Email prayer requests will be forwarded to the prayer circle as well. All prayer requests are confidential.
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“We welcome all who enter. We energize, inspire and transform ourselves, our community and the world, by nurturing a miracle-minded consciousness.”
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The Unity Burbank Center for Spirital Awareness
637 South Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502
818-481-4037
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