Click HERE to view Rev. Jimmie Scott’s guided meditation during the service.
SUMMARY OF MESSAGE:
This week, Rev. Stacy Macris Ros shared her annual “Ask the Minister” message, offering thoughtful answers to challenging spiritual questions submitted by congregants.
How does Unity define itself?
Unity is a positive, practical approach to Christianity based on Jesus’ teachings and the power of prayer. It honors universal truths in all religions and respects each person’s right to choose a spiritual path. God is understood as Divine Love, Spirit and Presence, expressing through all life.
What are the five Unity principles?
- God is everywhere present: Divine Love and Life underlie all existence, present in every circumstance.
- We are innately good: Every person expresses Spirit and is inseparable from God. This divine goodness connects us with one another and all living beings.
- Our thoughts have creative power: Thoughts, words and emotions influence our experiences.
- Prayer and meditation align us with Spirit: Stillness reminds us of our divine identity and oneness with all.
- We must live these teachings: Spiritual understanding becomes meaningful through our everyday thoughts, words and actions.
Why do really bad things happen to really good people?
Life’s hardships are not divine punishment or evidence that someone prayed or manifested incorrectly. Sometimes, life simply happens. Becoming stuck in asking why can prolong our suffering and leave us feeling frozen. Ask instead: “What is mine to do? How can I express my divine nature in this situation?” Challenging situations offer opportunities to put our spiritual tools into practice through compassion, prayer, practical support and loving presence. We can direct our energy toward being Divine Presence and making a positive difference. Look for the helpers—and, most importantly, become one.
What is the source of evil, and why does there seem to be so much?
Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore said, “Evil is that which is not of God.” He described it as “error thought,” arising from ignorance and the ways we limit or distort divine ideas. When people forget their innate goodness and oneness with God, their thoughts and actions can produce harm. What we focus on expands, and constant exposure to negative news can make evil seem all-encompassing. While we should stay informed about what is happening in the world, our focus should be on expressing our divine nature—especially where others have forgotten theirs. When we encounter cruelty, we can ask, “Where and how can I shine my light and make a positive difference here?”
How can we understand and use the Lord’s Prayer?
Jesus offered The Lord’s Prayer as an example of how to pray—an invitation to deepen our relationship with Divine Source, align with a higher consciousness and remember our oneness with God and one another. Through prayer, we affirm the divine qualities we can express—love, peace, harmony and forgiveness—even before they become outwardly evident.
What is the meaning of life?
We may never know a universal answer to this often-posed question, but we can ask an even more important one: “What do I want MY life to mean?” We are all here to be Divine Presence on earth, expressed in a multitude of ways. Ultimately, we each decide how to express God’s love, wisdom and harmony in the world. That meaning takes shape as we respond to what life asks of us now—whether caring for a loved one, tending to our own healing or bringing compassion to an everyday encounter.
What spiritual books are recommended?
Recommendations include Rev. Eric Butterworth books, such as “In the Flow of Life”; Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett books like “Divine Audacity”; and Rev. Robert Brumet’s “Living Originally” and “Finding Yourself in Transition.” Studying a variety of Unity classics and New Thought books—particularly with others—can deepen our understanding and support spiritual growth.