October 10, 2011

“A Community of Faith”

Dear Friend,  

In the pages of his book, “The Story of Unity,” Unity minister and poet James Dillet Freeman recounts our movement’s cofounders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, facing many challenges in creating and expanding their work.

Many, many times in the history of Unity, they [the Fillmores] came to a place where it seemed that they could not go on, yet they went on through faith.  

They taught that God is a help in every need and they prayed in this simple faith.  Through faith, they healed their bodies.  Through faith, they brought healing to others.  Through faith, they built a work that rings the world around with faith and prayer. They never lost faith.

Once, Unity was in serious financial straits.  Bills that had to be paid were piling up, and there did not seem to be money enough to meet the payroll.  The Fillmores called their staff together to pray about the matter.  One of the staff said, “Let us pray that the money holds out.”  “Oh, no,” whispered Myrtle Fillmore, “let us pray that our faith holds out.”

Hardly any of us have not seen or felt the challenge of our current economy.  At Unity on the Bay, we have thus far been unable to meet the financial goals for 2011 that ensure our ministry will continue to serve with maximum effectiveness.  We, perhaps like you, have seen this challenge as a call to creativity, stewardship, simplification, and trust.  Now, we invite you to join us in seeing the entire economy as one thing only – a call to faith.

When we put our faith in the things of this world, we have every reason to fear for our future.  The material world is a world of limitation.  When we put our faith in the kingdom of God, the center of all abundance, life and love within us, we have nothing to fear.  In fact, we stand in absolute certainty that our success is guaranteed.

Unity on the Bay invites you to join us in establishing “A Community of Faith.” Charles Fillmore defined faith as, “The perceiving power of the mind linked with the power to shape substance.”  We are inviting you to use your mind to shape the invisible substance of God.  That substance is never dictated by an economy.  It is unlimited.

It is easy to be a part of this community.  Each day, at noon, pause for a moment to contemplate the infinite, invisible substance of God that permeates all of existence.  See yourself open and receptive to receiving this substance in ways that meet all of your human needs.  Think about God.  As you do so, remember that you are in unity with all the hearts and minds of your spiritual family at Unity on the Bay.  Determine that the substance of God is pouring forth into manifestation in your own life and the collective life of Unity on the Bay.

During your time of prayer, speak this scripture and affirmation silently to yourself:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“I have total faith in God as source.  Through faith, I open myself and my spiritual community to infinite, invisible substance that manifests to bless, to heal and to prosper.”   

Unity on the Bay is now offering a new, 15-minute, noon “Community of Faith” prayer circle in the Prosperity Room.  We would love to have you join us any day, Monday through Thursday, in this unified effort to bring abundance into each of our lives.  We will not be praying for our money to hold out…we will be praying that our faith holds out.  

Whether you are with us in person or unified with us in spirit, we sincerely hope you will take advantage of being a part of “A Community of Faith” on a regular basis.  Remember, all it takes is a moment of silence, a remembrance of spiritual truth, and faith in God.

In unity and love,

Chris Jackson, Senior Minister