At a recent service, I illustrated my talk with the story of Dumbo and was subsequently asked if I would write a thought for the week about it. So, here goes….

Dumbo, as I’m sure you all know, was an elephant that was born with very large ears. So large, in fact, that he kept tripping over them! Sadly, folks from the circus where he lived started taking the mickey out of him and his mum, Jumbo, tried to protect him, got very angry and was locked up as a ‘mad elephant’. Dumbo’s best friend and mentor was Timothy, a mouse. Disney clearly had a sense of humour in choosing a mouse as elephants are supposed to be afraid of them – maybe a message for another day. 
 
Timothy and Dumbo went to see Jumbo but managed to drink water that a bottle of champagne had fallen into – inevitably they got drunk. When they awoke, they found themselves perching on telegraph wires (I love that scene with the wires bending down to almost breaking point). Timothy quickly realised that they must have flown there. However, Dumbo did not believe he could fly so, some rather bemused crows gave him a ‘magic feather’; then, Dumbo could fly.
 
The scene changes to the big top with Dumbo launching off a high platform but, you’ve guessed it, Dumbo drops the feather and starts plummeting earthward to certain death. Imagine the scene as Timothy cries out to Dumbo that the feather is not magic, and that Dumbo can fly. Dumbo hears Timothy, flaps his ears and swoops back up to soar around the tent – Dumbo really can fly.
 
The point here is that Dumbo doubted himself and needed a prop for his confidence. However, when the prop disappeared (do you remember learning to ride a bike and then your parent letting go?) so did the confidence. But, for Dumbo, the still small voice of Timothy rang out – this is the voice and power of Love. Dumbo had Faith, he trusted his friend and followed what that still small voice told him. Then, together with his innate Strength, the Love and Faith combined to give Dumbo courage – The Courage to Be! The courage to be himself, to live his Truth and he soared…he soared into the sky of belief that is always there for us all. The very same Courage to Be that Jesus had when he rode on that donkey into Jerusalem.
 
Have the Courage to Be and we can all soar to ever greater spiritual heights.
 
Paul Mapletoft
Licensed Unity Teacher

If you are new to Unity Princples you may be wondering where to start and what to read. Here is a list of some good books and resources for beginners and those who would just like to know more. 

Rev. Kimerie reads 'There is nothing to fear' by Mary Kupferle

There are two fundamental sides to the Unity experience. The first is prayer, used to deepen our awareness of our connection to God and thereby experience our wholeness, abundance and well-being.  The second is to learn and grow through study. Myrtle Fillmore led the way in prayer and her husband, Charles Fillmore, led the way in education. Both approaches continue to be key elements within Unity and we invite you to take part in them with us. For as we pray, study and serve together, we change; we grow.

This has always been my experience in Unity. Paul and I first arrived at Unity Maidenhead when we moved to Maidenhead in 2002. A friend told us we would really enjoy Unity – and he was right! The minute I walked through the door, it felt like coming home. I connected with the teachings, learnt about the power of affirmative prayer, started to get involved and help out, which led to me being employed in the prayer letter-writing department.

For no other reason than wanting to do my job better, I decided to take Unity classes. I felt blessed to be able to study through Maidenhead and at Unity Village, our US headquarters. Gradually I worked my way through the Unity study programme, which brought me to where I am today. I did not set out to be a leader and I believe this is true for many people. However, as I studied and applied myself, I grew. Over time, vacancies arose within Unity, which I stepped into, even though it felt like the scariest thing to do at the time. Yet I discovered that as I served, I was served in return. My joy and fulfilment through working in Unity and making so many wonderful friends, has known no bounds.

Why am I writing this? Because we are starting up our Unity classes again! This newsletter has details about an introduction evening we are hosting this month and you can visit our website: www.unityuk.org/calendar for more details.

Paul and I are putting together a 2-hour programme, which, we pray, will excite and encourage you to join us in study and prayer. As we come out of lockdown, let this be a time of new opportunities, new study and new growth. If not now, when; If not you, who?

For who knows where this may take you!
​
Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft
Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK

There is much to be said for living alone,
I have control of the remote, the TV, and the phone.
I can do what I want, whenever I please,
And change my mind instantly, with consummate ease.
 
But there are drawbacks, of course, to this idyllic state,
Packing and stowing the shopping is something I hate.
Then there’s changing a lightbulb, mending a fuse,
Having no-one to talk to, and enthuse at my news.
 
Sharing jokes, tasty meals, and countryside drives.
Taking the rubbish out when bin-day arrives.
But above all there’s one thing I’d be delighted to say,
“I love you, and I’ll love you always, come what may”.
 
Then I thought, ‘there is someone I know, and who’s near,
Who is waiting silently, patiently, longing to hear
Those words, said with feeling, with tenderness and care.
I’ll just go to my mirror, and get ready to share’.
 
As she looked into my eyes, and started to smile,
I felt my heart melting more and more, all the while.
We gazed and gazed, getting used to the sight
Of features relaxing, and eyes shining bright.
 
“I love you” I told her, and was so happy to find
She said “I love you” right back, she’s so open and kind.
Oh how my heart sang, as we both laughed with glee.
What a find to discover that my best friend is me!
 
                                                         Patricia Rosser

To celebrate world meditation day receive a free meditation when you join our newsletter list. 

“Today is World Meditation Day, and meditation is something we do all the time here at Unity. And you can join us live on zoom for our meditations we lead every day, including a midday prayer service which we lead Monday to Friday. This is a time of silent reflection where we celebrate our life, energy and vitality in our connection with the Spirit within us all. 

You can join us for prayer and meditation every day on zoom including:  
Monday to Friday at 12 noon Midday Meditation
Thursdays at 8pm - Weekly Meditation 
Monday to Saturday 9am ( Sundays at 10am) - Daily Word Prayer Meeting.
​For more details see our calendar 

In the April Sunday Service Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft  shared a talk inspired by the film The Man from La Mancha. Watch the full talk here followed by a guided meditation. 

​
What does this very familiar and beautiful Gospel verse really mean for us today as we practise living an authentic, spiritual way of life in our rapidly transforming world?

This statement in the Gospel of John, known to many as the mystical Gospel, takes us deeper into truth, and the qualities that Jesus taught, through the ‘I am’ statements, that apply to all of us.
For in Unity, we understand that the early followers of Jesus would have heard and read this statement as, do what I do, love as I love, and you will know God. Certainly, his disciples heard this powerful message, for they followed with healings, teachings and miracles. It would be amazing if we could all pick up this message and do the same. Some have.

History shows that the dominant Christian message became the idea that we must follow Jesus as the only Son of God, making him the exception, instead of the example. Yet, when we claim the idea that we can do as Jesus did, we can love as Jesus loved, for we are all one with God, then we, too, will know God, here as the good for us all. Making this turn-around is dramatic and life changing.

For suddenly we realise the power is within us – we are all divine – we are all children of God. We too have the same qualities as Jesus; can know God is here, with and for everyone, as healing love and truth. These ideas reflect two of our basic Unity principles: There is only one presence and power in the Universe, God, as good, and we are one with God.

A powerful affirmation to repeat daily is, “I am one with God. God is one with me.” Then rest in the silence to receive what this means for you.
​
The powerful message to add to this is humility. Jesus was humble of mind and heart. He never sought to glorify himself, only his Father, working through him.
When we take time to surrender our own personal will and desires for just our own good, and instead desire good for everyone equally because we recognise that we are all divine, all beloved of God, our life experiences will change – perhaps even dramatically.

I believe that when we make this message our own, we will respond with greater love and respect in all our relationships; with ourselves, each other, our planet earth and all life upon it.
Through the current pandemic, we have been shown that the old way no longer works. We cannot live just for our own good. Indeed, it is time to stop abusing ourselves, each other and life on our planet. We only do this because we feel so isolated, cut off and alone, that we act out of fear, lack and greed. Instead, as we connect with the divinity within us, we come to realise we are all here together to live, love, honour and respect the many ways God is expressing here, in and through all forms.

Yes, there are times we all struggle; we all experience pain and loss. Yet as we make the decision to let Jesus be our example, our guide, when we do as Jesus did and let in the deeper experience of our oneness with God, which is always here beneath the pain, we will discover the love and divinity within us all: God expressing through us. In this way, we are changed, our lives will change and we will experience greater harmony, peace and joy on earth.

Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft
Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
​
P.S. With our forthcoming retreat and education classes starting, plus our ongoing prayer groups, study groups, Sunday services, Daily Word booklet and prayer ministry, there are many ways you can connect with us to discover the power that lies within us all – to honour and know wholeness and oneness as our truth of being.
 

Daniel Nahmod  is an inspirational singer/songwriter, producing his own profound, heart-opening music. His music is enjoyed all over the world and his media appearences include The Super Bowl, The Voice, Saturday Night Live and The Today Show. 
​
Daniel's  CD's include Sacred Love 1 and 2 and he has sold over 110,000 CDs ( and 10,000 printed songbooks) . His messages of peace, love and compassion reach across all faiths and he has worked with inspirational speakers such as Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra and Neal Donald Walsh.

Here at Unity in the Uk we love playing Daniel's music at our events and are delighted to have the opportunity to hear him sing live!

Those joining us for our May home retreat have free entry to the concert.

​Plus anyone else can book for the concert with a suggested donation of £5- £10.

​Lent is a contemplative time for many of us, as we read and meditate on our daily readings in our Lent booklet and Daily Word.  This time of reflection is always an important and vital part of life. It reflects the necessary waiting time before we can receive new life, energy, direction and ideas, which lead us forward in our development and growth.

The season of spring reflects this so well.  The plants have been dormant for the winter, resting, taking their nutrients from the ground and gathering in the energy they need to burst forth with new life, which they then share with us through their beauty. For those of us who are lucky enough to go outside for walks, or can enjoy our gardens or balconies, we are witnessing the joy of spring bursting forth (just like the song goes!)
As I reflect on this with you, two aspects come to my mind.

This time of year, as a part-time gardener, I have been pruning back the shrubs, taking out the dead wood where necessary, and cutting back the long extended limbs from last year’s growth, so that the plants take their energy back into their centre and bring forth new, strong life from here.

This is something we can do for ourselves as well. We cut out, or eliminate, that which does not serve us – the old ways of responding or being, which we now intrinsically recognise do not help us. We do this kindly, compassionately, with respect for ourselves just as we respect our plants. I tell my shrubs when I am going to cut them back and thank them for their life and beauty this coming year. In the same way with us, it does not work to punish or berate ourselves when we cut out old ways of responding. It does work to say, “Thank you, but I do not need to do this anymore.” The more we release these old ways and centre inward, the more strongly new growth and energy can literally burst forth through us.

The other very important aspect is the joy that fills us as we witness new life springing forth in nature. Sometimes we need triggers to help remind us that God is here in the midst; that even though times have been challenging this past year, spring is here and God is here.
Let us take time to just stop and open our hearts to nature. Let us witness the beautiful flowers in all their glory; celebrate the catkins and green buds on the trees; smell the amazing scent of narcissus and hyacinths; hear the birds sing their glorious songs at dawn. When we open our hearts to let in and receive this spring beauty, we open to receive God’s Grace.

For all of nature is God’s love revealing itself – here blessing all of us equally and without condition.

The invitation is that we take time this month to appreciate, deeply, nature’s gift – the sharing of Divine Love and Grace – that uplifts our souls, reminds us we are connected to all of life; one with all life. Out of this natural wellspring of energy, we experience life manifesting through us as new ideas, expression and desires. As we connect and take in love and Grace, we are reminded that we, too, are love and we are truly living when we share this love with the world.
In whatever way you experience spring this year, let it open your heart. Use the gift of nature to let in Divine Love as Grace, and then let it out and share this gift, to bless you, each other and our world.
 
Rev Kimerie Mapletoft
Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
April 2021