Pizza As A Spiritual Experience
 Rev. Kurt Condra
Resistance is a jealous, greedy energy. It keeps us from surrendering to the Divine. It binds us to what we wish to be free of. It consumes the peace that nurtures understanding.
Silly personal example: Yesterday, I dropped a pizza slice, sauce-side-down, on a white rug I can't replace. Time was, I would've pitched a profanity-laden fit, fueled by stories about why it was stupid and should not have happened. But it did happen. And no amount of swearing will change that fact.
Over the years, I've learned to apply spiritual principles to such triggering moments and accept them with increasingly more grace. I still get triggered, but I'm better able to accept factual reality and release the stories that perpetuate resistance, anger and recrimination. Then I'm free to respond with compassion and understanding.
Yesterday, I had breakthrough. I skipped the triggered reaction altogether. Instead, as pizza sauce splattered my rug, a movie of my fit-pitching self played in my mind. It was a comedy. I smiled. No outburst. No cursing. No processing. Instead, I just felt gratitude and joy as I calmly cleaned up the mess.
There is much in our world that's unacceptable: pain and suffering, corruption and divisiveness, illness and poverty. Yet, it's only by accepting the reality of such conditions that our spiritual and emotional energies can be redirected to fruitful, life-giving purposes. This capacity for "radical acceptance" takes practice. (Years, in my case!) But even silly successes can be transformative. I believe, in aggregate consciousness, small steps unleash the power of the infinite to heal, bless and unite.
This Sunday, Aug 2: Inner Strength. Join Rev. Kurt as we explore. How we connect with divine faculty of strength and demonstrate it in our own lives. B.A. Huffman is our guest musician/soloist. Zoom room opens at 10:30. Click here to join!
We're transforming the lawn into an outdoor movie theater to safely gather for a screening under the stars. BYO everything (blankets, chairs, drinks, snacks). Click here for details and to pre-register (required).
Rev. Christina Garza and Gabriela Rivero lead this prayer and healing service. The 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 7 pm. Here's the link: https://zoom.us/j/97185470983?pwd=K1B2cklGVWZsdndheTRKeFdtTVVZdz09
~ Links to Virtual Spirituality Programs~
- Virtual Sunday Service streams live on Zoom from 10:30 - 11:30 am and features music, meditation, message and practical application from Revs. Kurt and Christina and a member of our Chaplain Team. Here's the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/163785899
- Soul School for kids is on Zoom before our Sunday service from 9:15 -10:25 am. We're currently enjoying "Summer Cool": a different, cool activity each week. Pre-registration required. Here's the link: https://www.unityns.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1358&reset=1
- Garden Chat Fellowship is also on Zoom from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Grab a cup of coffee and a plat and lets meet online to enjoy a time of fellowship and connection. Here's the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/163785899
- Wednesday Book Group gathers ONLINE from 10:30 am - Noon, to read and discuss popular titles by a range of spiritually inspiring authors. Current title is Byron Katie's "A Thousand Names for Joy." Here's the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84442455150?pwd=eENCVUhieVdHWFhhQlBERnNCUVdTUT09
- Spanish-English Prayer Service: Rev. Christina Garza and Gabriela Rivero lead this prayer and healing service. The 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 7 pm. Here's the link: https://zoom.us/j/97185470983?pwd=K1B2cklGVWZsdndheTRKeFdtTVVZdz09
- Lunchtime Stress Reduction with Ann Baker and Rev. Kurt Condra. Each week, Ann shares a different relaxation/mindfulness technique to lower stress and improve mood, after which Rev. Kurt shares prays based on group's requests. Here's the link: https://zoom.us/j/461567193
- Thursday Calm in the Chaos with Ann Baker uses effective stress reduction techniques to create a group coherence effect that can then be projected out to the community to shift the overwhelming atmosphere from fear to peace.Zoom info: https://zoom.us/j/930339889?pwd=ZmtMazRqSUFQMWpGeEM5WTcrK1c2Zz09 . Meeting ID: 930 339 889. Password: 880016.
- Divine Feminine Book Group: Our next gathering is Monday, August 10 at 5:30 pm. The book selection is "The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail" by Margaret Starbird. Go to: https://zoom.us/j/98132656656?pwd=QU9TelN2Rm53Q1FLOUNKNS94QTJsdz09
~ How to Connect ~
~ How to Give~
Our Center and ministries are completely supported through your tithes and offerings. While it may be tempting to hold tight during times of uncertainty, we ask that you remain faithful in giving. Your generosity empowers us to continue our work toward creating a world that works for all by sharing principles and practices for abundant spiritual living. It's safe and simple:
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