Letter From Scott (from July/August 2008 Newsletter)

What would you say that you get out of Sunday morning services? Between the music and the spoken word you may feel inspired, nurtured, uplifted. It's great to be reminded of our spiritual nature in the midst of a world that seems so real and compelling. Maybe you like connecting with friends; fellow questers on the path. In whatever way Sunday's impact you, it becomes clear that worship offers us powerful support as we walk our path.

It's important to remember, however, that the real impact comes when we are able to find our truth about the subjects being expressed. For the most part services are one sided; we sit and receive. We may get some insights about our truth from the illustrations that the speaker uses or from the words of a song, but it becomes our responsibility to explore the subject for ourselves. The payoff is that as we get clear about our relationship with the subject, as we come to our truth, the clarity brings freedom. Remember, the truth will set you free.

While our spiritual path is ultimately our responsibility, coming together in community offers us an opportunity to accelerate and deepen our process. How many times have you heard someone else discuss their process and experienced your own "AH HA". Working with others often reveals for us that which we have been blind to in our own process. And with that clarity comes freedom...we grow and we deepen. Our connection with God is strengthened.

Fall Program
Included in this newsletter is information about a program that we are offering this Fall based on Wayne Muller's book, How Then Shall We Live. Along with our usual Sunday morning focus, there will be a concurrent book study. The book study will be conducted in small groups meeting in congregant's homes. You, as a participant, are offered the opportunity to immerse yourself in a subject for seven weeks, to experience the synergetic deepening that can happen when people come together in spiritual exploration and who knows, you might just make a new friend or two.

The feedback that we have received from churches already offering these in-home studies is that they have become the highlight of their church year. Join us as we grow, deepen and connect.

Love,
Scott

Letter From Wendy(from May/June 2008 Newsletter)

When I look around our church, I see visual reminders everywhere of the sacred service that so many of you contribute. Your involvement is the spiritual energy that creates this community. As your ministers, Scott and I have the privilege of "seeing the big picture" of all that goes into creating our programs, services, and community. However, many people don?'t realize that we have 30 teams and over 150 people who offer their time, talent, and gifts in sacred service at Columbine Unity! We are truly blessed!

One of my roles as Associate Minister is to support the team leaders and their teams. It is such a joy for me to witness the creativity, professionalism, enthusiasm, and spirit that each person brings to their area of service.

Our focus on sacred service this year through our Love in Action program, is shifting and expanding our consciousness about why we serve. Many of us have experienced volunteering at an organization where we "fill a slot" because they desperately need help. We are committed at Columbine Unity to emphasizing the SACRED in service. Service is a path to knowing God in ourselves and in others. The word sacred is defined as "entitled to reverence or respect" or "highly valued and important." Your spiritual gifts are seen as all of those qualities here. Service is also a way for all of us to get and stay connected, not only to spirit but also to each other. We all want to make a difference. Your unique contribution of sacred service makes a difference!

Starting in May on Sundays, we will be learning a little bit about what each team contributes and the gifts they are sharing with the community. If you get inspired as you hear the team leaders talk about their area of service and are drawn to serve in a particular area, we would love for you to join a team! I'd also like to invite you to meet with me personally to discern your spiritual gifts and discover how you'd like to offer them at CUC and in your life. My personal vision is that everyone at CUC is serving from a place of passion and purpose that leads them to great fulfillment and joy! I look forward to holding this vision together as we serve with a sense of sacredness.

In Spirit,
Wendy