On Sunday I mentioned several books that I have found fabulous. If you want to check them out in the bookstore, here’s the scoop: Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett wrote How to Pray Without Talking to God, and co-wrote Discover Your Divinity: A Modern Guide to Affirmative Prayer. The inspiring five-page pamphlets, The Golden Key by Emmet Fox, and How I Found Health by Myrtle Fillmore are in New-Rock Hall.  Our most precious resource are our 17 Prayer Chaplains, who love to pray with you.

As Labor Day comes around again, I have a question. What is the work of one awake to Christ consciousness? We are spiritual beings and unique expressions of God made manifest. Our one and only purpose in our human life is to know our oneness and unfold more of God or love here. We are each called to be the presence of God in this world. Each of us has unique resources, gifts, and talents to help us fulfill that calling.

Soon we will begin to see God’s glorious autumnal blessings fall upon us: a subtle wisp of cool air in the breeze that whirls the blaze red, yellow and purple leaves into piles along our promenade and garden; and there are those lingering sunny hot days that make us sweat while we rake up those blazing leaves; happy voices of our YFM children celebrating returning to school, and we begin to think about all the wonderful holiday events that are coming.For Unity Church of Bon Air, it is the time for harvest, reflection and gratitude for the blessings that have come to us personally and to our spiritual home.

I love Rev. Eric Butterworth’s translation of the Lord’s Prayer. I hope this will feed your soul as it does mine. Our thoughts are prayers and we are always praying. May these thoughts joyfully lift your consciousness to the One Presence and One Power.

I acknowledge today the joy of diversity. Even Unity has not had a happy history with accepting differences. Our consciousness expanded. Now we are intentional about inclusion and welcoming all. I would love to look out and see people from all over the world. Please join with me in visioning this while inviting and welcoming everyone.

Welcome to August, the last hot month of summer! We will be having some sizzling Sundays. We start with considering the power of "Will" while also introducing and embracing our 9 new members. Check out their information in the hallway, a talented and wonderfully diverse group. Come join the fun and, of course, there is celebration cake!

We are a prosperous church and so very grateful for all the ways we are blessed. I am inviting everyone to join with the board as we affirm the following sentences. I love the feeling tone and the heart in each of these prayers.

Beloveds,

As people act violently, the one thing we can choose is to be the captain of our own ship and be peace ourselves. Go within. Center in the truth of who we are. This prayer has been traced back to 1912. It always touches me. May it be a blessing to you during this turbulent time in our country. We can choose peace instead of fear and violence.

I want to remind us of something. We are one! There is no separation! Are there ways in which we think differently? Of course. Do we need to let these differences divide us? No, we do not. As we head into the heat of summer, we also head into the heat of an upcoming presidential election where people have strong feelings. My only political mantra is – it is your right and privilege to vote. Please take responsibility to vote your conscience.