August Activities at Unity Church in Charlottesville
Quest for Truth:
Spirituality and Science
View/Download the Summer Series Flyer for all events, July 13 - August 24
Sunday, August 3, 10:30 AM
Cosmos, Mysticism, and Reverence for Life
with Rev. Michael Dowd
Music: Soul Pajamas
How can the evolutionary sciences deepen our spirituality and help us love the life we live? Learn how science can be interpreted in deeply meaningful ways, and how the Sacred Story of the Cosmos and Sacred Story of Life offer guidance for these times.
Workshop - Thank God for Evolution, 1 - 3 PM
In this lively talk, Rev. Dowd will cover the major themes of this 2007 book, Thank God for Evolution! which has received endorsements from five Nobel laureates, as well as leaders across the religious spectrum. Learn how our modern understanding of this 14 billion year old Universe, as given by mainstream science, builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope for individuals and families, for humanity, and for the body of life as a whole.
Tuesday, August 5, 7 - 9 PM
The Neurobiology of Relationships
with Christine A. Walker, LCSW, a psychotherapist in private practice in Charlottesville.
Learn how attachment patterns, formed very early in life, drive all aspects of human development, and become biologically embedded in our bodies and in our brains. These attachment patterns form the very core of our personality structure and become the template for all relationships throughout life. They also serve as the thermostat for our emotional reactivity to everyday life situations. Love offering
Sunday, August 10, 10:30 AM
Quantum Theory and Consciousness
with Stanley Sobottka, Emeritus Professor of Physics, UVA
Music: Donna Salter and Carlos Fagundo
Workshop - Quantum Theory and Consciousness, 1 - 3 PM
What is the nature of reality? What are we? We shall inquire into these questions using the practice of inquiry within a framework of quantum theory. This is a workshop in seeing, not in believing, and we shall avoid ideology and religion. By the end, we will have made fundamental discoveries about reality and how we might realize true peace. There is no mathematics in this workshop, nor is a physics background necessary. Love offering
Friday, August 15, 7 PM
Friday Night at the Movies - Contact
Contact is a 1997 science fiction film starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey, that follows the relentless efforts of the film's main protagonist, Dr. Eleanor Arroway, as she searches for evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. The film explores what might happen if such contact indeed were made, and the enormous difficulties the human race might encounter in coming to understand that contact, with significant internal conflict occurring in differences over culture, religion, politics, and human perception as the story plays out. Free.
Sunday, August 17, 10:30 AM
Beyond Theology
with Rev. Don Lansky
Music: The Unytunes
Joseph Campbell once said that, “the ultimate mystery of Being is beyond all categories of thought.” What would it mean to live in a world that successfully integrates science and spirituality – a world which could accept both the objective scientific method of western science, and the subjective scientific method of the great mystics throughout the ages? What if labels and ideologies didn’t interfere with people of different traditions ability to reach out to one another?
THE TWELVE POWERS OF MAN
Special Class Sunday August 17, 1-3 PM
With Revs. Patricia and Don
The Power for August is Order
"The 12 Powers of Man," by Unity's co-founder, Charles Fillmore, is one of the great Unity Classics. Fillmore identified 12 qualities or attributes that are inherent in all human beings as their gift from God. Each attribute has a corresponding energy center in the human physiology, as well as a corresponding color associated with it. By activating these power centers, we spiritualize our bodies to live the full potential of our Christ nature.
Each month in 2008 we will explore one of the 12 powers. There will be one two hour class each month after Sunday service, from 1 - 3 PM, for more in-depth exploration and discussions. By attending all 12 classes, participants are eligible for 10 SEE credits toward their Licensed Unity Teacher or Unity Minister pre-requisites. Books are available in the bookstore. Classes are offered for a love offering.
The August class will discuss the Power of Order on Sunday, August 17. Order is associated with the disciple James, the color dark green, and the navel area of the body..
Other Class Dates Are:
Wisdom: Sunday 09/28
Zeal: Sunday 10/12
Elimination: Sunday 11/30
Life: Sunday 12/14
Tuesday, August 19, 7 - 9 PM
Soul Ecology: A 5 Element Approach to Understanding the Split in our Consciousness and What to Do About It
with Clay Moldenhauer
Do you experience your soul as instinctual ego-centered acculturations, or as organic heart-centered enthusiasms; was it created by your own efforts, or is it God given? How does the soul interface with consciousness and unconsciousness, or the earthly powers of nature and the sacred powers of the Creative Universe? Jesus is said to have said “Seek and ye shall find,” which has produced an abundance of seekers and self-certified finders, and seeker books and finder books, and books about seekers, and books about finders, and books about books.
Spend an evening with Clay digging thru the layers with the tools of semantic archeology, exploring the ecology of the soul using the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, space) as the GPS of our adventure. Come away with a comprehensive view of the subject, some new intellectual skills, a bundle of resources, and fresh appreciation of what lives inside you. Bring paper, pen and clip-board. Please register in advance. Love offering
Sunday, August 24, 10:30 AM
Unity Taize Service
Music: Ken Ellis, Unity Praise Singers and Friends
With its origins in the ecumenical Christian community founded by Brother Roger in Taize, France, Unity’s annual Taize service is a unique blend of meditation, music, silence, scripture and reflection. We have adapted the traditional Taize service to appeal to people of all faith traditions and spiritual paths. This is an uplifting, heart-opening, and profoundly spiritual experience that you won’t want to miss.
Special Membership Meeting
Sunday, August 24, Noon
Immediately Following Church Service
With the Church Build Out Team meeting once a week now, and a recently applied-for building permit, it’s time to spiritually discern what our next steps will be to complete the Terrace Level, and provide for additional parking, the Shalom Labyrinth, and a children’s playground.
Please join the ministers, Build Out team members and board members to learn about our progress, ask questions and determine together how to move forward. All are welcome to attend, but only members may vote.
Sunday, August 24, 5 PM
Sunday, August 24, 5 PM
Dances of Universal Peace
From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have brought people together - at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation, etc... The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of Sacred Dance.
As in these timeless traditions, these Dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcomed to join in. Participation, not presentation, is the focus. No special attire is required, although comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best. Love offering.
Tuesday, August 26, 7 - 9 PM
Unity's Love University Presents:
Monroe Institute Tools For Living and Transformation
with Carol Taylor, M.S.
After a short introduction to the focused sound Hemi-Sync ™ technology, participants will listen to Mobius West, a “Human Plus” selection designed to provide opportunities for maximizing personal achievements and/or establishing new life directions. You will hear Robert Monroe’s guided verbal direction and experience a session of total body relaxation, as well as methods for creating their desired goals, both immediately, and in the future. Carol Taylor is a teacher and accredited Gateway Outreach trainer of the Monroe Institute who has facilitated sessions locally, in Richmond, and at A.R.E. in Virginia Beach. Suggested love offering $10 (no one will be turned away).
Sunday, August 31, 1 PM
Doug Halper, Warner Bros. Recording Artist, in Concert
Unity Sanctuary--100% of Proceeds Go To Unity's Building Fund
Adults & Students (11-17) $15; Children Under 10--Free!
For years, Doug has been bringing audiences together with a sense of community, self-expression and love. His warm delivery and authentic communication mixed with acoustic guitar, hammered dulcimer, flutes and stirring lyrics create a space where hearts are free to be open. Both upbeat and mellow, Doug's music encourages a sense of oneness among his listeners. You will leave the concert as an energized being! Doug grew up in South Florida and has been creating and leading workshops, concerts, student & adult retreats and special events for audiences since the age of 14. He is the recipient of the 2004 “Songwriters Showcases of America Multi-Instrumentalist of the Year award.” Doug currently lives in Orlando, FL. Listen to a sample of his music at www.doughalper.com
A Course in Miracles---Every Tuesday
A Course in Miracles meets each Tuesday from 7-8:30 PM in the Upper Building
Yoga
Yoga class meets every Tuesday from 5:30-6:45 in the Lower Building