JESUS LEFT US WITH ONLY ONE COMMANDMENT, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27. He said it another way, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12. I believe he was saying love one another with an unconditional love as he lived and demonstrated. He was kind, gentle, healed with no expectations of returned favors; he never expected a “thank you.” He treated everyone equally and taught “love your enemies” and “do good to those who would harm you.” Clearly, he lived and loved unconditionally.

Some 50 years after the death of Jesus, the Apostle Paul wrote a beautiful description of love in his well- known letter to the Corinthians. We hear the inspiring words of I Corinthians 13: 1-13 most frequently in wedding ceremonies. While, we may understand the concept of unconditional love, putting it into practice in all of our relationships may be a challenge.

I Corinthians 13: 1-13:
1-If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2-And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3-If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4-Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant
5-Or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6-It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
7-It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8-Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.
9-For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part;
10-But when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.
11-When I was a child, I spoke as a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.
12-For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
13-And now faith, hope and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

In conjunction with Greg Baer’s book, Real Love, we will explore on a deep spiritual level the meaning of unconditional love as described by both Jesus and Paul. Combining Paul’s letter to the Corinthians with Dr. Baer’s practical here’s how to love unconditionally, we will explore, practice and experience unconditional love.

Beginning September 25, our Sunday lesson/sermons will focus on the concepts of unconditional love described in Real Love. Additionally, in the home study groups established with a trained facilitator, we will study together the text of Paul’s letter and Dr. Baer’s book, Real Love.

Following our 6 weeks of study, we will form Wise Men and Wise Women groups to continue practicing and experiencing unconditional love. Attendance on Sunday and participating in a Real Love home study group will prepare you for the Wise groups.

Real Love & Blessings,
Rev. Debbie

FOR CENTURIES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING, "WHY, GOD, WHY?" when disaster strikes. And for centuries, religion has been trying to answer the question of how a loving or just God could allow humans to endure such suffering. While Western traditions strive to teach that God's power and goodness are, indeed, compatible with the suffering of innocents, many Eastern faiths view undeserved suffering as a result of a cosmic law of moral cause and effect.

The question of the unjustified suffering of the innocent is at the heart of Christianity, which holds that a sinless man (Jesus) suffered and died for the sins of humanity. Some Christians see in natural disasters God's punishment of sinful people or the world as a whole. Others see catastrophes as a way a loving God tests the faith and fortitude of survivors. According to St. Paul, Christians should rejoice in suffering because it produces endurance, hope and character. Romans 5:3-5

Still other Christians see innocents' suffering as evidence of the inscrutable will of a God who "works in mysterious ways" toward an ultimate but unknowable good. Some Christians offer no explanation but, like Job, seek to trust in God. In the past, Roman Catholic Christians were taught that they should "offer up" pain, with the idea that through faith, suffering that seems meaningless can be redeemed and transformed. Most Christians believe that innocents who die in natural disasters go to heaven. Some Christians believe the deceased must be a baptized, believing Christian to attain salvation.

Authors of Unity textbook, The Quest, Mary Alice and Richard Jafolla pose the question: What does Unity say about evil? The fact is that God is good, only good. God does not, cannot create evil or darkness. Humans created in the image and likeness of God have free will choice. We have the choice to create good or evil and we have the power to name events good or evil. Do not let the darkness cause you to feel overwhelmed. When you allow your light to shine, amazing things begin to happen. You begin to see the light in others. Lighten up; it’s your choice!

Remember the 5 Unity basic principles:

1. God is all good and active in everything, everywhere.
2. I am naturally good because God's Divinity is in me and in everyone.
3. I create my experiences by what I choose to think and what I feel and believe.
4. Through affirmative prayer and meditation, I connect with God and bring out the good in my life.
5. I do and give my best by living the Truth I know. I make a difference!

When we allow God’s goodness to be expressed in our lives and in our minds, we find our work is clear and we can discover the “why’s” in everything.

Rev. Enrique Amoros

THE YOUTH EDUCATION VISION COMMITTEE’S OPEN HOUSE ON SEPTEMBER 11 WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. The mighty “Discover Greatness” team assembled throughout the church to inform and educate the congregation about Tampa Unity’s creative Youth Education division.

The event was a result of a productive visioning kick- off meeting where interested people got together to share their dreams and plans for the future of youth education and the Sunday School program. It was revealed that the most pressing need was to find new recruits to reinforce the small, but devoted, core of Tampa Unity Sunday School teachers.

A “Passport to Greatness” led congregation members throughout the entire Youth Education Area: from the nursery; through the classrooms; into the children’s assembly area; and finishing in the Uniteens (Ruby Wagner) room. Committee members were on hand to dispense information and discuss proposed enhancements, such as a mural in the nursery. Those who participated earned the chance to win a gift basket donated from Estella’s by Darrien Byers, who has volunteered to become a new teacher. Over ten people picked up packets to consider teaching and two signed up on the spot!

Pat Fenda entertained the children with a juggling mini-workshop, and everyone enjoyed an array of bagels, fruit and tasty baked treats from the kitchen of Criss McConnell.

On Wed. Sept 14th, the committee reconvened to continue work on their long range plan. Jeff Spilman formed a marketing group, Wendy Leigh and Brenda Hunt discussed teacher recognition and facility improvement for the kids. Suggestions included creating a children’s garden area. Jennis Thomas and Annette Granger took on the task of curriculum development. Alex Sergent is renovating the nursery into a nurturing environment and introducing a new curriculum called RIE (Resources for Infant “Educarers”).

Other committed members include Sharon Hall, Sally Rodgers, Pat Fenda, Criss McConnell, Trisha Davies and Darrien Byers. Youth Ed Department Head Jean Wynne and Uniteen sponsor Brenda Hunt are also involved.

Anyone interested in being a part of this exciting group, please contact the Tampa Unity office and tell them that you want to discover greatness!

by:
Wendy Lee

THE UNITEENS HAVE A NEW SPONSOR. Tampa Unity member Brenda Hunt has taken on the rewarding challenge of facilitating this group of Middle School aged youngsters. The Uniteens meet during the 11 am Service, following the Children’s Lesson.

Brenda recently returned from a Uniteens Teachers retreat and is full of fresh ideas for lesson plans. She will focus on team building and having fun as well as spiritual growth.. She would like to have Uniteen parents involved and welcomes their interest and input. Please see her directly after the 11 am Service with questions, concerns or suggestions.

In addition to meeting on Sundays, the Uniteens go on spiritually supporting retreats. Their next retreat is scheduled for November so watch for upcoming fundraising events.

Brenda has been a member of Tampa Unity since 1997. She served on the Board of Trustees from 2001 through 2004 and was Vice President in her final year. As a 19 year veteran with the Tampa Police Department, she is very active in crime prevention and community safety.

Brenda has worked with the Education Department at Tampa Unity before, providing a safety program for the Vacation Bible School. She is currently on the Youth Education Vision Committee. She enjoys working with young people and is sure to be an asset to the Uniteens Program.

THANK YOU
Brian England
Retiring Uniteen Sponsor

CHAPLAINS ARE AVAILABLE TO PRAY with you when you are facing challenges or when you have reason to celebrate life and answered prayer. Chaplains are trained to create a sacred space for you to share in confidence your prayer needs. They will listen with their hearts and pray with you. They do not give advice or offer suggestions; they listen lovingly and keep your requests private. Chaplains will call you monthly to connect with you and pray with you if you have a prayer request. If you are not available and have a voice mail system, they will leave an affirmative prayer for you. Many of you have said these prayers are so comforting you have saved them to listen to repeatedly. If you are not receiving a monthly call from one of our Chaplains and would like to, please call the church office at 813-870- 0731, ext. 301. Leave your name and phone number and we will place you on our calling list. This phone number and extension may also be used to leave your prayer requests.

If you are receiving a monthly Chaplain call and would prefer to call us when you have a prayer request rather than get a regular call, , please call 813-870- 0731 ext. 301, leave your name and phone number and ask to be removed from the monthly calling list. We are here to serve you, pray with you and hold you in the light. Please let us know when you have a prayer need. We would also like to know if you are facing a health challenge at home or in the hospital so we can pray with you. Our Chaplains are available to make hospital, nursing home and assisted living facility visits. Please let us know of anyone that needs a visit and a cheerful phone call and prayer.

You may be interested in becoming a Chaplain, watch your bulletins and newsletters for the next training session starting in January. You will learn how to pray with others, create sacred space, listen lovingly and hold confidences. The Chaplain program is perfect for those who want to grow spiritually and expand their service to members of our spiritual community.

Lovingly,
Mary Riley & Debbie Moss

JERRY AND JUNE PRESCOTT HAVE BEEN ON A HONEYMOON FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS! At least, this is how Jerry describes their marriage. Jerry turned 103 this past summer and March 3 will mark the 50th anniversary of his marriage to June.

Jerry and June have been involved with Unity for the past 15 years, originally with First Unity in St. Pete and then as members of Tampa Unity where Jerry was known for his “free hug” coupons.

Jerry is a retired Professor of Instrumental Music and the author of a book, Getting Results With School Bands. He is a nationally known figure in the field of scholastic music and his “Prescott Technique System” was considered a major advancement for the development of school bands. He met June when she was in the publishing business.

When June and Jerry married they made a special vow. They acknowledged the fact that they would have differences, but they promised to never fight or argue. Instead, they would talk and agree to a solution together. June says that in their nearly 50 years of marriage they have never had an argument. She attributes this to their positive attitude.

June now sells vitamins from her home and spends much of her time visiting Jerry, who has been moved to a nearby assisted living facility.

She attributes the longevity of her husband and their marriage to vitamins and Unity! Although they came to the Unity church somewhat late in life, she and Jerry have always believed in the philosophy of Unity, long before they knew an organized denomination existed.

June and Jerry send a special hug to everyone!
by: Janet Stanley

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SERVE? Do you have a couple of hours/week to share with others? Would you like an opportunity to assist your friends at Tampa Unity in creating a strong, loving, supportive environment? Do you have skills to spare? Or, would you like a chance to acquire new skills?

If you answered “YES” to any of the above questions, then we have answer for you! Tampa Unity has the following opportunities available for service-minded friends:

Chapel Angels:
Assisting ministers with Sunday Services. There are two opportunities to serve: 8:30 am and 10:30 am.
Requirements:
Cheerful, helpful attitude

Kitchen Angels:
Kitchen organization, maintenance, and cleanliness.
Requirements:
Yellow rubber gloves!

Office Angels:
Assist Office Manager, Accountant, and/or Bookstore Manager.
Requirements:
Ability to run office machines.

Events Angels:
Linking Tampa Unity with Tampa Bay community events.
Requirements:
Enthusiasm for creating service projects for Tampa Unity.

Blessing Angels:
Assisting the Tampa Unity Treasurer with tithing accountability.
Requirements:
Monday mornings and math skills.

Heritage Angels:
Identifying, maintaining, articles of historical importance.
Requirements:
Organized, creative mind with an interest in developing attractive, effective displays.

Marketing & Public Relations Angels:
Creation of press releases.
Requirements:
Experience in promoting events, news, and programs through media channels.

If you have questions, or need more detailed information about becoming an Angel, contact: Rev. Debbie Moss.

By: Chris Hubbard