So why did that rainbow stop me in my steps? Transporting me magically into a little girl filled with awe and wonder. Perhaps the rainbow still has magic to teach us.
After the rain, if you are lucky, you will see a rainbow. A reminder of God’s presence in stormy times. Throughout history the rainbow has been recorded as a sign of the magical. A good omen. A symbol of positive things to come. In Norse mythology, the rainbow is the Bi-frost, a magical bridge that links the realms of man and gods. In ancient Greece, rainbows were the personification of the Goddess Isis, a messenger between Heaven and Earth, her presence was also seen as a sign of hope. In Judaism and Christianity the rainbow is a sign of the covenant between man and God, and a reminder of Divine manifestation in the physical world. Interestingly in Hebrew the word for rainbow is the same a bow, this is commonly interpreted as the bow without the arrow, seen as a symbol of mercy, an arrowless bow is not a threat. “I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13 The Kabbalah tree of life and the eastern chakra system align colours with specific areas. A spectrum of shades, where all are equal as well as having individual spiritual gifts and meanings. The term spectrum and the symbol of the rainbow has been adopted in modernity to show support and celebration for the LGBTQ community, reminding us that every individual is a perfectly unique conduit of love. So as I go about our world today, I will remember the rainbow, its magical band of colours, and its ability to show up just when we need a reminder that God works in mysterious ways. “For every storm, a rainbow; for every tear, a smile; for every care, a promise; and a blessing in each trial.” Stefanie Bridges Unity office administrator
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Guest Post: Licensed Unity Minister, Rev. Ildiko Kudlik, introduces her new Youth and Family Ministry in Europe. When I was a child, I did not have much say in my upbringing and my education. Adults around me decided everything for me. The kind of individual I was did not matter, it was all about being moulded to become part of the grey mess of invisible people. My family’s and educators’ main job was to make sure that I would fit in. Throughout my career, I have worked with children from different cultures as an educator. I have also worked with their parents. As a result, I have created and run different types of educational programs around the world discussing with parents and educators how to raise children and young people in a way that respects their unique individuality and involves them fully. When I started training at Unity to become a Minister, I knew that I would want to work in Youth and Family Ministry. As a minister in training, I soon learned that in mainstream education, there is one very important element missing: we do not seem to consider the ‘God element’. We train kids to be clever and how to be successful in the world, but we often forget to invite them to realise who or what lives in the core of their being. There is not true happiness without being able to connect with the source of All that we call the Divine Presence in Unity. It soon became my mission to engage as many children and parents as possible in realising and embracing our Divinity, as the source of our genuine sense of satisfaction in Life. The never ceasing Divine Presence that embraces us just as we are at any given moment in time, is the highest form of Love. Every child should know that s/he is Loved no matter what. Rev Ildiko Kudlik, Licensed Minister, Europe Does this sound exciting to you? Would you like to help build and grow this new Youth and Family Ministry? If so, continue reading below.
The main purpose of the UNITY Youth and Family Ministry is to foster Divine Creativity in youth – so they can create a life that is in alignment with their deepest selves and the Divine. This enables collaboration with the Divine in parenting, giving parents the tools to support their youngsters. The online UNITY Youth and Family Ministry will be available to any child, teen, or youth and their parents across the UK and European time zones. The main activities of the UNITY Youth and Family Ministry are:
· to support both parties to gain deeper awareness of themselves and the Unique Divine Presence in them by using creative and artistic tools · to educate parents to use creative Divine ideas in raising and supporting their children So, why am I writing this post apart from introducing you to our great plans? It is because I would like to ask for your support. I am endeavouring to create a spiritual centre that will host the UNITY Youth and Family Ministry. I need a Board of Directors who will serve the Ministry to ensure that our work is aligned with UNITY’s principles. Are you interested in joining me on the Board and journeying with me on this project? Please get in touch with me at the contact details below. Finally, I seek financial support so we can put down the foundations and run the Ministry until it becomes self-sufficient. If you are open to help financially support this ministry, please get in touch with me at the contact details below. My hope and dream is that I can make a difference in people’s lives by offering meaningful and Spirit-led teachings and guidance to the members of our Centre. Thank you. Abundant Blessings to you all, Rev Ildiko Kudlik European Youth and Family Lead Co-ordinator info@ildikokudlik.com +4407579814206 +36204648788 Is Unity providing a space for you to know God more fully in your life, as a personal experience of health, abundance, connection, loving relationships?
If so, would you like to dive more deeply into learning and applying more of Unity’s practices that can bless us and enrich us? An important part of Unity is education. As we take on something new, something helpful and inspiring, every part of our life is changed. This was my experience when I came to Unity. I did feel like I was coming home – that I had found a place where I fitted in and felt very comfortable with the teachings. Yet I have also been encouraged to take on a deeper journey of freedom and fulfilment. I have changed and grown in understanding, and, I pray, in the way I live and respond to those around me. Being in Unity has been a life-changing experience, for which I will be eternally grateful. Would you like to experience this? We have an abundance of free resources on our website for you to explore. Another way is to take part in our education programme. We are about to re-run the foundation class within our SEE (Spiritual Education and Enrichment) programme. It covers two of Unity’s fundamental books, Lessons in Truth, by H Emilie Cady, and Discover the Power Within You, by Eric Butterworth. These two books have the ability to change our lives. If you are interested, you can find out more details here. Be assured that, whatever the year ahead is calling for you to be and do, all of us at Silent Unity prayer ministry and Daily Word UK headquarters, are here for you. Never hesitate to reach out – for it is in this act that we find the support, help and companionship we seek . Together, we learn and grow; serve and are served. At the start of the year there is often a sense of new energy arising – leaving the past behind and moving forward with anticipation to the year ahead.
Yet it can be easy to rush into making New Year resolutions. Yes, something inside is pushing us to make a change, yet often the way we do it is unrealistic and unachievable. We give up, feel bad, and end up sometimes worse off than before we started! This year, I invite you to take a pause before making some changes to your life. Take a moment to be still, to reflect, perhaps journal on the year that has ended; make conscious space to become aware of experiences we can learn from. Either because they were wonderful and we would like more, please! Or, because they were not what we wanted, yet happened in our lives. What was the particular message for us in that experience? What can I take from this experience that will become a blessing in 2024? Before moving forward and taking part in our Burning Bowl service, Sunday 21st January, held on Zoom and at our Prayer meeting Room at our Taplow offices, pause; reflect. You may like to use the fabulous quote from Psalm 46:10, “Be Still and know that I am God.” From this faith-filled stillness, know only good is coming from this quiet time. Good that blesses you and our world. Then join us for our Burning Bowl service, when we will fully let go of that which we recognise we no longer need, to claim with faith and wisdom, the new good we wish to witness in our lives. As we enter the New Year, let us make a commitment to do so putting God first in our minds and hearts. The turn of the year is the perfect time to make a change, find a new direction if one is calling, or take on beliefs and practices that truly serve us. There is a sense of newness in the air, a shift in energy as the days begin to get longer and brighter.
Perhaps you desire better health or prosperity; deeper loving relationships; a closer walk with God. However the desire for greater happiness, fulfilment or spiritual awakening is calling you, together we at Silent Unity join you in prayer and affirmation, seeing with gratitude your path in this New Year unfolding with ease and grace. In quietness and faith, we see you renewing your inner vision and experiencing God made manifest in your life in a way that profoundly blesses you, those around you and our world. We invite you to join us in prayer and meditation through Daily Word and our online Zoom meetings; connecting directly with our prayer ministry; taking part in our January 'Burning Bowl' service. This, our first one of the year, gives us the opportunity to experience releasing old beliefs or habits and make space to claim our new good – knowing we do all through God as the One Presence and Power active in us and our world. We are honoured and privileged to connect with you in all the ways we do, for it is together that we learn and grow. Thank you for all the ways you connect with us. May your New Year be a delight and a blessing with new, uplifting and life-affirming experiences! Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Daily Word and Silent Unity UK All these relationships are reflecting the love that we are. For my deep belief is that all of us are born of love – Love as a mighty principle and action is the true essence of us all. Yes, we often forget this and dwell in the experience of our separated-self, human-only identity. However, we can move beyond that identification to our True nature when we allow ourselves to be love and share love. We do this already. Christmas has been the perfect time to experience Love given and received. As the song invites us, we can create the experience of Christmas every day of the year. This is how we learn to live out of our Divine nature, our Christ consciousness.
The other thought is … what do we want to be and do in the New Year? So stop for a moment before reading on … take a few moments to go into the quietness of your being and sit here awhile … what experience or understanding is yearning to come forth through you, to live and know? Paul Hasselbeck, Unity minister and author, writes that this desire, this yearning, is God’s love calling us higher, back into ourselves. I am not talking here about a new car or bigger home. I am talking about the experience of abundance, of creativity and joy, of feeling safe and secure, of being free to travel to see loved ones, to work and serve. You may be feeling the calling of a new direction in life. There may be a desire for deeper and more meaningful relationships. There may be a calling to step up and take positive action in some way. As the New Year turns, I feel this energy pulling me. In these short winter days, now is the perfect time to dwell more in the stillness and silence to witness what is calling you forward to be and do this year. As you take time to check in with yourself this month, let Love lead you in your choices and actions. Love as compassion, listening, kindness, gentleness, humility, strength, goodness. As you listen to the inner yearning, the desire, of your heart, know with faith that you can only be led to new and greater good for you, your loved ones and our world. This New Year, may we all be open and receptive to all that is good and true, to Love guiding, connecting and moving us forward in this adventure called Life. Happy New Year to you all. PS Do join us for our online and in person meetings this year – we have already planned a lot to excite you and share with you, including our ongoing Zoom prayer and meditation meetings.
Play the short video below as a meditation exercise to reflect on love. And if you would like to send in your thoughts on love, what it means to you, we would love to receive them. Rev Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
How do you re-centre in peace? How quickly do you notice you are not feeling peaceful and what do you do to help restore inner peace? Perhaps you go for a walk, meditate, exercise or do the ironing! Take a moment to reflect on this …
You may hear in Unity, 'Peace is an inside job'. Certainly, the more we individually practice being peace-filled ourselves, the more we bring peace into the world and the more those around us can respond as peace. People may say, ‘Just choose peace’. Yet if we are feeling angry, resentful, frightened or in grief, this is a difficult choice to make. For me, I first acknowledge my feelings; become present to them without blame or shame, guilt or reproach. Acknowledging our feelings, being present to them in our body, is giving us the space to be fully-present to ourselves – something we rarely do. We often find it easier to push feelings aside or bury them rather than be with them. Yet the power is in being present. Stored or suppressed feelings becomes trapped energy. Becoming present to our feelings allows for their healing and release. Something in us changes. We are changed. My practice (when I remember) is to stop, breathe and be present to the feeling; where it has been stored in my body, without engaging my mind. I can do this, as I know God is here as my strength, wholeness and peace. I breathe, taking in the God energy at the same time. As a result, a sense of relief floods my being. I may get a flash of insight; I may just experience release. Healing happens. Peace is felt and known. This Christmas, if you notice you are becoming stressed or upset, take time to stop, breathe and be present to yourself. For you will experience your Self – and the peace that is within us – underneath everything else. This is the best gift you can give yourself. It is the best gift we can give the world. Let us be the gift of peace this Christmas. "Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10 Rev Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK Instead, for me it has been a practice to develop. A practice of taking time in the stillness to know God within, through and as us, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 A practice of being present to fears, doubts and angst in the stillness, so we can hand them over, let go and move through to the deeper truth: God is the ground of our being and we are One here. A practice of listening to the ‘still small voice’ that whispers in our minds and hearts, ever-present to guide and direct us, connecting into our intuition and insight that blesses us and all those around us. A practice that requires us to follow through – take action in a way that only blesses ourselves and those around us. Because no God-guidance will ever cause deliberate harm to anyone. No insight will criticise or condemn. We are all beloved; we are all one with God; we all have the qualities of Love and Wisdom to bring harmony, balance, joy and peace back into our lives. As we begin Advent together, let us practice building our faith so that we can know as Jesus did, “The father and I are one.” John 10:30 Rev Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
For this is what the Christ child means to so many – the light that saves us – the joy of new birth – the celebrating of the shepherds, angels and wise men. The love of Mary and Joseph. The innocence and awe of the animals and children as shared in the hymns around the story, which is a beautiful one that still touches our hearts.
As well as the meaningful story that we enjoy reading and singing about at Christmas, in Unity we also look at the story metaphysically; moving beyond a literal meaning to a deeper truth that applies to all of us, here and now. From Unity co-founder, Charles Fillmore: - The shepherds represent the protecting energy of God watching over us, acknowledging God, as Spirit and Source, our ever-present help and understanding. - The angels are God’s messengers bringing divine ideas and messages to help us overcome all limited beliefs and conditions. - Mary represents the soul that magnifies the Lord, through her devotional preparations for the higher life, along with the divine motherhood of love. - Joseph represents divine wisdom, which in the beginning of the story does not understand what is happening, yet comes to know his place and what is his to do. - The star of Bethlehem represents our inner conviction of our own divinity, helping us to move forward and succeed - The birth of the Christ, which represents the birth of our true Self, our divinity coming forth into the world. Not through our efforts but through the activity of the Lord, our Christ self. Source: Revealing Word, A Dictionary of Metaphysical Terms: The Metaphysical Bible Dictionary To make the story real for you, take a moment to reflect on a challenge you are experiencing right now. It may be a health or financial challenge, or relationship issues – anything you are experiencing. Take a moment to be present to it and gently acknowledge it. Now, take the symbols above and apply them to your situation. - The shepherds - Acknowledge God as your Source, as Spirit, here for you now. Through Source, there is a divine energy with and within you, guiding you, protecting you as help and understanding, to see you through – feel into that energy for a few moments … - The Angels -Make space in your mind and heart to receive divine ideas, inspiration, to help you take your next steps in a positive direction … - Mary and Joseph -Let the qualities of divine love and wisdom fill you … feel into them in your mind, heart and body, for they reside within you, to support and be with you on this journey of healing and understanding … - The Star- Alllow yourself to feel the conviction of your own divinity – you are human and at the same time divine, with all the qualities you need within you and shared with you … - The Birth of Christ –As you move through the challenge to the revelation of healing, abundance or harmony, know with faith that the Christ in you is being revealed – your inner light shining more brightly, the Christ child born in you once more. Rest in this knowing for a few moments … As we practice using the tools that are here for us, we feel more resilient, strong, uplifted and free, ready to celebrate Christmas wherever we are. In doing this, let us also take time to reflect on, honour and celebrate our deepening experience of the birth of the Christ energy within us, to witness our divinity being realised even more this year, to witness peace, harmony and understanding in the world. All of us at Unity UK hold you in blessings and prayers, affirming for you a blessed Advent and Christmas. |
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