Minister's Message

February 2005

Dear Friends,

This newsletter will highlight our annual meeting held on January 30th. As such, this issue is a celebration of our accomplishments and sets our intentions for 2005 for sharing our love, vision, energy, and resources within our spiritual community.

I noted during the annual meeting that 2004 was a great step forward, as Cynthia and I became more acquainted with your personal stories, your goals, dreams, sorrows, and joys. The honeymoon is over, and we have really gotten to know and respect one another at a deeper level. For me, 2004 was a year of relationship beginnings which we will continue to build in 2005. We have shared in worship and in answered prayer. We have served in many ministries that have enriched our community. We have fellowshipped together, and we have learned in a variety of classes and in workshops.

There is a powerful energy in this community that expresses itself as love, mutual support, prayer, fellowship and service. The three Home of Our Own Ministries (HOOO acronym created by Hugh Holly) have helped chart the course for the coming year. We have a powerful vision: we know what space requirements we need and at our annual meeting we unveiled a capital campaign to move us toward manifesting our next home. The Home of our Own Expansion Ministry set an initial goal to raise $50,000 this year.

With great wisdom, Jean Boelter spoke at the meeting and suggested we not limit God in any way. She suggested we drop the specific goal and claim all the Divine Abundance we desire now!

Your leadership has already pledged over $18,000 additional giving for our expansion fund this year. As our affirmation notes, we see it, feel it, we claim it, and we give thanks for our next home now. At our annual meeting, I felt your energy, excitement and enthusiasm which now moves us forward. We put together the butterfly symbol for 2005, created by Tom Duesterhoeft. Each of our ministries are flying upward, tasting the sweet nectar of spirit, and loving the growth going on all about us. Our intentions are to raise our individual and collective consciousness as we fly from flower to flower. The new building is the tool that will allow us to blossom and serve many more people in the area.

Those of you who were at the annual meeting received a packet of information. Others will receive a packet in the mail. We are asking you to prayerfully consider a gift to the expansion/building fund over this year. We invite you to make this gift in addition to your regular giving, as our church operating expenses continue to grow as we grow. Please return your Statement of Intent by February 14th as we celebrate Valentine’s Day together!

Blessings,

Reverend Morgan
minister@unityofappleton.org