Minister's Message
Can You Imagine?

Unity Church of Christianity Appleton, Wisconsin

September 2005

Dear Friends,

Recently I gave a talk on imagination, and out of that came the idea for this column. We are a talented group of people coming together to create spiritual transformation for ourselves and others!

Can you imagine a growing Unity congregation with average Sunday attendance around 50 to 60 people where the Music Director teaches choral workshops around the world, directs the choral program at a prominent Conservatory of Music, and improvises soaring instrumental music on the keyboard and piano?

Can you imagine the vocalist who leads the congregation in song, also plays the flute, guitar, and writes music based upon message themes with only one or two days notice?

Can you imagine all the congregational music projected with PowerPoint on the screen, allowing for the creation of new lyrics and music quickly before the service?

Can you imagine that within this congregation there are talented musicians who provide accompaniment, or sometimes play solos on guitar, flute, banjo, and saxophone? A small group also leads the congregation in songs. Another member has played jazz professionally for a couple of decades.

Can you imagine that this ministry attracted a minister who cannot read a note of music, but feels blessed by being surrounded by all this talent? Having music that supports Sunday messages is a powerful and important gift to our community. And it is very unique!

Can you imagine this congregation is full of poets and writers, who share their talents with us on special open microphone evenings, and sometimes during the service?

Can you imagine the power of our Prayer Ministry as we pray together daily with our prayer requests and meet monthly for prayer and consecration of our church? This ministry is led by a chaplain and a former Silent Unity prayer associate. Our prayer consciousness continues to expand through special activities such as prayer retreats. I invite you to participate in our Prayer Vigil on September 8th, World Day of Prayer sponsored by our Prayer Ministry.

Can you imagine our thriving ministry having one, two and sometimes three special events during many months? These activities are planned and supported by our Worship and Fellowship Ministry. This ministry often works behind the scenes and makes things happen.

Can you imagine our Youth Education Ministry expanding – now providing unity educational classes for our 2 to 5 year olds? We have dynamic and powerful leadership that is now seeing us serving increasing numbers of youth. Hold that vision of an expanded youth education program for our community.

Can you imagine a full class schedule for this fall? I encourage you to grow with prayer, meditation, and small group activities this fall.

Can you imagine a website that is always up-to-date, is professional, and now provides support for our messages as materials can be purchased with one click on our website?

Can you imagine the fine selection of new metaphysical books that you can browse in our Book Nook?

Can you imagine a talented administrative staff who can design flyers, track volunteers, keep our financial books, etc?

Can you imagine our dedicated licensed Unity teacher who can handle all aspects of ministry from preaching to teaching!

Can you imagine a church of our size having many functioning ministries from Home of Our Own to our Cleaning Ministry, and many in-between? We are moving forward toward our new Home of Our Own. We have raised over $25,000 towards our goal of $50,000 for this year!

What makes our ministry so powerful is the loving hearts expressing in so many ways. We are all blessed by our giving and the giving of others. Two years ago when I joined you, these gifts were very apparent during our interview experience. Many others gifts have blossomed and we have been blessed.

These talents, these spiritual gifts, and the loving, enthusiastic consciousness of this Unity community is what attracted us here. And it is what is drawing others to this community of like-minded people as well! Unity Church of Christianity is a powerful magnet, attracting our good and manifesting our dynamic ministry in an attractive facility now. We give thanks for the blessings received in this co-creative process, and we are open to receive continued blessings!

I hope you will read and enjoy these beautiful life changing books.

Blessings,

Reverend Morgan
minister@unityofappleton.org