12:45 p.m. in the Chapel
Celebrate Your Success!
By Rev. Jimmie Scott
Pastoral Care Minister
My favorite witticism by Satchel Page is, “Don’t look back; something might be gaining on you!” Satch — as he was affectionately referred to by his closest friends — had his own unique way of turning a phrase, but the depth of his wisdom was infallible.
Don’t look back. How many times in your life has your progress been impeded because you have fixated on past mistakes? How many times have you been unable to achieve a current objective because you refuse to confront psychological or spiritual delusions? How many times have you surrendered to a false idea about yourself without some objective self-evaluation? How many times has your ego gotten in the way of your ability to establish respectful human relationships? How many times have you done a “Don Quixote” — attacked a windmill, believing it was a giant?
Momentum is about moving forward ... despite the fact that life is sometimes up, sometimes down and occasionally static. Momentum is about overcoming and learning from the past. It’s about rising above self-imposed limitations, and having the mental acuity to see beyond any externally imposed limits. Momentum is also about having confidence in yourself, your life and your dreams.
In his parable about casting out demons (unclean spirits) in Mark 23-35, Jesus said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” The word “stand,” as it is used in this context, means to continue or to hold up ... regardless of what circumstances you are facing.
I encourage each of you to “stand” in the truth of each moment, and hold the
momentum in every step of your life journey.
Peace and love ...
Believe it!
Keep the Commitment You’ve Made to Yourself —Even When It’s No Longer Shiny and New
By Regina Best
Prayer Chaplain Coordinator
You are probably reading this in the middle of an Arizona summer, when we’re all getting pretty tired of the heat.
An Arizona summer is a good metaphor for the boredom that can set in when we’ve set a goal, or made a commitment, and we’re now far enough down the road that the promise we made to ourselves is no longer new — and we’re losing interest. Day after day seems like the same old thing, and it can seem as if there’s no progress being made, no change (read: no excitement!) in sight. In short, the inner child has run out of attention span!
There is a lot written in spiritual and self-help circles about setting goals, but not a lot written about how to stay true to them when we become discouraged, or just bored. Here then, is the best essay I’ve ever read on the subject of keeping our promises to ourselves, even when it’s no longer entertaining to do so. Let me introduce you to the late Dr. oward Thurman:
The Moments of My High Resolve
Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve.
Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had forgotten. At the time it was full-orbed, glorious, and resplendent. I was sure that I would never forget. In the moment of its fullness, I was sure that it would illumine my path for all the rest of my journey. I had forgotten how easy it is to forget.
There was no intent to betray what seemed so sure at the time. My response was whole, clean, authentic. But little by little, there crept into my life the dust and grit of the journey. Details, lower-level demands, all kinds of cross currents— nothing momentous, nothing overwhelming, nothing flagrant — just wear and tear. If there had been some direct challenge — a clear-cut issue — I would have fought it to the end, and beyond.
In the quietness of this place, surrounded by the all-pervading Presence of God, my heart whispers: Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve, that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests, in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar, I may not forget that to which my life is committed.
Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve.
~ from For The Inward Journey by Howard Thurman
And remember, when your vision is clouded by the dust and grit of the journey, our Prayer Chaplains will see you, and your goal clearly. They are here for you, and their commitment is to see the Christ light within you.
Prayer
Chaplain
Service:
Are You Being Called to Serve?
The Role of Prayer Chaplains
The role of our Prayer Chaplains is, quite simply, to pray. Chaplains are not
counselors or advice-givers. The core of the Prayer Chaplain commitment is to:
- Hold spiritual space
- Lovingly listen
- Pray from the heart
- Hold in confidence what is shared
What Type of Commitment is Required of a Chaplain?
The commitment is one year for all of the following:
- Being available for one-on-one prayer after four worship services each month
- Completing two hours (approximately) of Wellness Calls per month, to be
completed on church grounds
- Attending a two-hour Prayer Chaplain meeting each month
Next Steps
- Spend time in silence with the Divine, discerning if Prayer Chaplain service
is yours to do
- Confirm that you have met church membership requirements (please see the
back page of this newsletter for information on membership classes)
- Attend the Prayer Chaplain Orientation on Sunday, September 12, at 12:45 p.m.
- Mark your calendar for all upcoming training dates (attendance at all dates is
required). The dates and cost for Prayer Chaplain Training are listed below.
Prayer Chaplain Training Schedule* for 2010
*You must be a member in good standing of Unity of Phoenix in order to serve as a
Prayer Chaplain. (Please see the back page, Page 16, for membership information).
Attendance is required at all 10 parts of the training. Chaplain Camp will be held at the
Franciscan Renewal Center, and costs $120.
Part 1: Orientation -
Sunday, September 12 • 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.
Part 2: First Interviews -
Times and Dates to be Determined
15-minute interviews with Rev. Jimmie Scott and Chaplain Coordinator Regina
Best, held throughout the week before Chaplain Camp
Part 3: Chaplain Camp -
Friday, September 24 • 6 to 9 p.m.
Part 4: Chaplain Camp (continued) - Saturday, September 25 • 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Part 5: Chaplain Camp (continued) -
Sunday, September 26 • 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Part 6: On-site Training #1 -
Saturday, October 2 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Part 7: Second Interviews -
Times and Dates to be Determined
Held throughout the two weeks of Training Sessions #1 and #2
Part 8: On-site Training #2 -
Saturday, October 16 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Part 9: Chaplain Celebration -
Wednesday, October 27 • 6 to 9 p.m.
Part 10: Chaplain Dedication -
Sunday, October 31 • Sunday Worship Services
For more information, please contact Prayer Chaplain Coordinator
Words of Wisdom from Our Current Prayer Chaplains for Those Considering Serving as a Prayer Chaplain
Marian Fix (11 years as a Prayer Chaplain):
If you only knew of all of the ways
that this program will enhance and enrich your life, you would absolutely sign up
for the next Prayer Chaplain enrollment! A few of the gifts include: fellowship,
enriched prayer life, the joy of doing God's work, laughter, a sense of fulfillment,
moving to the next level of your spiritual path and personal support.
Rochele LaCosse (6 years as a Prayer Chaplain):
Be prepared for your heart to
open like it never has before.
Larry Derksen (first year as a Prayer Chaplain):
When you look inside for peace
and stillness, you already know what to do and say, for you are being led by
Spirit.
Jane Norde (11 years as a Prayer Chaplain): Being a Chaplain will enrich your life beyond what you can measure!
Lisa McKenzie (5 years as a Prayer Chaplain):
Being a chaplain has been a lifechanging
experience. It is one of the few ways in my life that I have felt so
connected to others. The experience has been both an honoring way to serve
others and a personal way to experience deep spiritual growth.
Diane McComb (first year as a Prayer Chaplain):
Think of being a Prayer
Chaplain as being a spiritual apprentice. For one year, you practice and grow as
you work and serve, trained by master teachers Rev. Jimmie, Regina Best and
other experienced Chaplains.
Cecilia Casillas (2 years as a Prayer Chaplain):
Having the opportunity to help
serve is not only rewarding for our congregants, but has been a spiritual journey
for myself as well.
Frank Tedesco (2 years as a Prayer Chaplain):
I remember wondering why I
even had the thought (of becoming a Prayer Chaplain) ... looking up at the
ceiling and saying: “You're kidding, right? Me?” ... (But eventually I just)
stopped thinking and I just did. And the doing has transformed me.