unity of madison . 601 tompkins drive .madison, wi . 608-221-1376
http://unityofmadison.org
Grace Notes
December 2014
Volume 147
...an open, affirming and heart-centered spiritual community. We live
the Christ consciousness of acceptance, love, peace, justice and joy.
Inside this issue...
In the Silence / Here I am Lord, page 2
Letter from Marshall and Carrie, page 3
Farewell Gathering, page 4
Board and Staff List & Report, page 5
Nominations Board of Trustees, page 5
Youth Education / Stuffed Animal Roundup, page 6
Candle in the Window, page 7
December Services...
Sundays, 8:30 and 10:30 am.
Nursery is available during both services.
Youth Education is available during 10:30 service.
December 7
"Peace", Rev. Marshall Norman
December 14
"Love", Rev. Marshall Norman
December 21
ALL MUSIC SUNDAY
10 am only
Financial and Tithing Information, page 8
Porchlight / Women's Retreat, page 9
Holiday Craft Fair, page 10
Holiday Event Schedule, page 11
Mailer, page 12
INSERT Calendar
INSERT Pete Calgaro in Concert
December 28
BURNING BOWL SERVICE
10 am only, No Youth Ed
* * * IMPORTANT NOTE * * *
The office will be closed from beginning
December 24 through January 4.
In the Silence
by Pat Arnold
As we enter into the coming holiday season, we have much to be thankful for as members of our
families, communities, our nation, and world.
Thank you, Sweet Spirit, for the loving and blessed members of our birth and/or chosen families. They
are our teachers, students and classmates. Thank you for the communities where we live, work and
play. These communities say much about who we are and what we are about and are blessed by our
presence. Thank you Spirit, for our beautiful nation as we work toward peace, health and prosperity for
all. Thank you, especially for our earth and our universe. We are all blessed by your presence in our
lives and in our world and we are so grateful. Thank you, God.
Please join the Prayer Chaplains
on 12/31/14 at 6 am for our
World Healing Meditation.
Join with brothers and sisters
around the world to set the
intention of World Peace and
World Healing.
This is the 28th year for this
worldwide gathering.
Here I am, Lord
by Pat Arnold
It is with joy and also some sadness that we look forward to a new year of training for new and returning
Prayer Chaplains at Unity of Madison. We are sad because this is the first year we will be without our
leader, Sandy Strietelmeier. Sandy brought the Prayer Chaplain program to Unity of Madison in 2002.
Over thirty-five (35) individuals have trained and dedicated as Prayer Chaplains since then and we have
Sandy to thank for that. We miss her now and when we train. The joy is that we are continually blessed
as a community to have Prayer Chaplains available to pray with and we Prayer Chaplains are blessed to
serve and pray with community members.
If the Prayer Chaplain Ministry calls to you, or you are even just a little bit interested, please come to our
orientation on January 10 from 1 – 2:30 pm to find out more. We will be glad to have you.
Blessings
Your Unity of Madison Prayer Chaplains
Letter from Marshall and Carrie
Good Bye!
Dear Friends,
Carrie and I are going to write this letter of good bye together….me first.
This is the season of gratitude and deep appreciation and the giving and receiving of gifts of all kinds. I
would like to express to the Unity of Madison spiritual community a very deep gratitude for these past ten
years. Our son Michael was 15 and our older son Zack was 18 when we first arrived. They are both
grown men and married now to beautiful women. Our cat Jack was only 3….13 now and doing great!
You have been a part of our lives for 10 years! I have a deep appreciation for you for all sorts of reasons.
I cannot think of a better final ministry for the Normans than Unity of Madison. I know that the doors and
windows of Heaven are open for Unity of Madison and great good is pouring in…assuring that the future
of this most important community will be one of great growth and prosperity of all kinds. You have been
generous and patient and kind and we will always remember you fondly. Thank You!
Dear Friends (our beloved Unity of Madison Family),
You embraced us so very warmly when we arrived 10 years ago and now, as Marshall & I take our leave
your love, sweetness, graciousness, generosity, and kindness are, once again, being so warmly
extended to us. You have, indeed, all become so very dear to both of us. I will sorely miss being with
you, laughing and singing with you, especially, as we have gathered together on so many Sundays. The
words to a Charley Thweatt song come to mind…”Sometimes we say goodbye, sometimes we have to
cry, but you will always live in my heart, my friends, love will never die….”
I look forward to hearing about all of the good that will continue to unfold for this wonderful community! I
also look forward to any future “chance” encounters we might have with you outside of the church as our
paths, no doubt, cross in the days and years ahead. You have blessed us so richly! We have grown
together, in love, in palpable ways. I’m so very thankful for this chance to have served this community in
all of the ways that have been given me to do. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Just remember, (to
quote a line from yet another one of my favorite Thanksgiving songs) ”Life is full of sweet surprises,
every day’s a gift….” You all have been to me… Who knew?
With a smile from our hearts, Carrie & Marshall
“Goodbyes are only for those who love
with their eyes.
Because for those who love with heart
and soul there is no such thing as
separation.”
~ Rumi
Come one! Come all!
A Farewell Gathering
for our beloved Rev Marshall & Carrie-Om-Shanti Norman
On Sunday, December 21, Unity of Madison will host a retirement potluck party directly following
our spectacular annual All Music Sunday service, lovingly dedicated to Marshall and Carrie this year.
Please put the date on your calendars and join your spiritual family for a fun-filled day of music,
fellowship, food and more as we honor the Normans! Keep your eyes open for a potluck sign up in the
foyer, a beautiful opportunity to share your favorite dish at this very special offering.
Looking forward to celebrating ten abundant years and loving Rev Marshall and Carrie into life’s
next chapter!
For more information, please contact Linda Tyllo at [email protected].
UNITY OF MADISON
Senior Minister
Rev. Marshall Norman
2014 Board of Trustees
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer & Finance Chair
Trustee & Service Chair
Trustee
Trustee
Alternate
Elaine Stebleton
Tyrone Bell
Jenny Persha
Eileen Isom
Helen Kenyon
Daria Boissonnas
Diane Pauly
Ann Munkres Zenner
Staff
Senior Minister
Office Manager
Volunteer Coordinator
Youth Education Director
Nursery Staff
Music/Choir Director
Musician
Bookstore Manager
Newsletter Editor
Maintenance
Cleaning
Licensed Unity Teacher
Rev. Marshall Norman
Julie Marca
Carrie “Shanti” Norman
Julia Meyers
Deb Lucas
Aliye Gallagher
Kaitlyn Hopfensperger
Pete Calgaro
Brian Schultz
Diane Gould
Susan Spahn
Jim L’Huillier
Barb Peters
Barry Roberts
From the Board of Trustees by Eileen Isom
Search Committee volunteers have been interviewed
and approved by the Board, and the first meeting is
scheduled for the first week in December. The members
are: Sarah Coyle, Deb Lucas, Carol Meyers, Dave
Pauly, Jenny Persha, Louie Phillips, Steve Roberts and
Laura Schaffer. We love them and bless them in their
important work.
Going Green: Two additional ways that Unity of
Madison is Going Green are:
1. LED lights. Your generous donations to the Buy-aChair Fund were over and above the amount needed.
We designated the surplus to purchase and install LED
lights in the sanctuary ceiling light fixtures. LED lights
use about one-tenth of the electricity that incandescent
lights use, and they do not contain mercury like the
compact fluorescent lights.
2. Energy audit. Laura Paprocki performed an Energy
Audit of the entire church building and created a detailed
report. We are using this information to further decrease
our energy usage for heating and cooling. Thank you,
Laura.
The Hidden Treasures sale brought in $2,700. Many
thanks to Diane Pauly for organizing this fun event.
We give thanks to each person in the Unity of Madison
community for their generous giving of time, talent and
treasure.
Respectfully submitted ~ Eileen Isom, Treasurer
Nominations for Board of Trustees. If you are interested in a wonderful opportunity for service, serving on
the board of trustees here at Unity of Madison may be something to explore. Please contact our chairperson of the
nominating team Aine Calgaro ([email protected]), board liaison Tyrone Bell or Marshall for details on the
duties and commitment of this position. We hope you will consider blessing the church in this way!
Trustees desire to serve on the board, endeavoring to live in accordance to the principles of love and truth as taught
by Unity. The individual will have demonstrated leadership capabilities, ability, time and prayerful commitment to
fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Nominees must have current membership at Unity. All members must renew
to continue their membership each year. We will be filling two 3-year terms.
The trustee application and the skills assessment should be returned by Jan. 11, 2015. Interviews with the
nominating team and candidates will take place from Jan. 11-18. The bios of the applicants who have been
nominated will be made available to the community for review before the election at the Annual Meeting.
Please note: our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2014. Please remember to fill out your
membership renewal forms (located in the foyer) in time for the meeting. Please contact the office with any
questions. Thank you!
Youth Education
by Julia Meyers
The Youth Education Ministry with its wonderful staff and volunteers wishes all of you- parents, children,
and our congregation a peaceful and blessed Christmas season.
The Youth has started to practice this year's Christmas play “A Night in Bethlehem”. During this time we
do not have official classes, but do provide nursery and playtime for the children who cannot participate
in our play.
If you have not signed up your children for the Christmas play yet, please do so as soon as possible.
Every child can be included and I will create fun, non-speaking roles for everyone who would like to be
part of it.
The play will be performed on Christmas Eve, the 24th of December at 4 pm. Please plan on being there
thirty minutes early. Our Youth Education classes, including the teen class, will commence on January 4.
Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments.
Peace, love, and blessings, Julia Meyers
2014 Stuffed Animal Round-up
For children whose families are in needPlease bring your new stuffed animal to our
sanctuary to receive blessings from our
community. In December, they will be taken to
the Dane County Parent Council. The last day
to bring them in is Sunday, December 14.
Thank-you!
Candle in the Window
by Marie Doty
Romance brought Julie Marca to Unity. The romance would
end - but her love for Unity would endure.
“I was introduced to Unity by a man I was dating in grad
school,” she says. “He showed me a Daily Word. I was
astonished by it. I read it every day for many days, cover to
cover and felt so much better. Later, I got cassette tapes from
Unity. That was when I learned about prosperity mapping (or
affirmative prayer).”
Julie is a familiar face and voice to veteran Unity of Madison
members. As office manager, she is our ‘go-to’ person for
Julie Marca
most of our questions. And she has an incredible knack for
doing two or three things at the same time. During the interview at her desk, she typed a report and answered
phone calls, all without losing her train of thought.
“I learned about prosperity mapping and it changed my life,” she says quietly. “At the time I began, I was not happy.
My life was not going the way I wanted it to go. So, I followed the instructions. I took a page and wrote ‘health’ at
the top of it, “money” at the top of the next page and so on. I spent about six months trying to complete the pages.
But it was hard. I had no visioning skill at all.”
Julie’s main challenge in life will strike a note with many. “It has been to love myself,” she says somberly. “To place
myself as an equal to others - to be in partnership with others. I have a tendency to put myself last and then, of
course, I don’t take care of myself.
“I remember in grade school making the decision that the best way to get along with people was to consider myself
less valuable. I tended to pick friends who told me what to do. For people who were inclined that way, I allowed
them to take advantage.”
When she looked at her life then, Julie says now, “It sucked!” What I saw at that time was a life (or garden) full of
weeds. If you have an icky garden but want a beautiful garden – you begin weeding.” But not everyone in her
garden at that time was a weed. Her “garden” today contains many friendships that have lasted for decades.
When she first began prosperity mapping, she admits, she thought it was stupid. But since her previous attempts
to improve her circumstances had failed, she thought she’d give it a try. And, not too long after she completed her
first map, things began to change. “One of my prayers was an affirmation for more money. The first thing I noticed
was a totally unexpected check in the mail. Over time, I noticed more and more of my prayers were answered.” It
was absolutely astonishing.
When she and her late husband, David were married, she introduced him to Unity. Together they re-started the
Sunday School (ages 6 and up) at the Unity church in Boston, Massachusetts. “We came to Madison in 2007,” Julie
recalls. “As we considered which city to settle in, one of the criteria was definitely ‘must have a Unity church.’ ”
Now she is very happy with her beautiful fourteen year old daughter, Kelsey. We have a great life together. One
of my affirmations for our family is: ‘ we are a medium-sized family with fur. We laugh, we persuade, we work it
out.’ “When I find myself too busy and a bit adrift,” she says, “I know my map is out of date or I’ve stopped looking
at it. I thank God in advance and then I wait for my prayers to be answered in ways I expect and in ways I don’t
expect. That is one of the most powerful aspects of prosperity mapping- watching for your prayers to be answered
in ways you don’t expect. This happens more often than you think. When you thank God in advance, you’re
aligning yourself with the Spirit of God.”
And what does she live by?
“Five years ago I revised my resume,” Julie replies after a moment’s thought. “What I learned by doing that was that
the fundamental aspect of all the work I’ve ever done has been about promoting people’s welfare and well-being:
whether it’s teaching K-12 or managing a day treatment center, being a stay-at-home mom or working in the church
office. I’m not a do-gooder. It’s just that for me, collaborating with others for the well-being of everyone is the only
thing I’ve ever cared about.”
We Live in an Abundant Universe
Thank You, Divine Spirit
Financial and Tithing
Information
October 2014 Tithes:
Based on general donations of $22,451.99 during the month of October 2014:
Unity World Wide Ministries
20%
$449.04
GLURC (Great Lakes Unity Regional Council)
15%
$336.78
Silent Unity
25%
$561.30
Rasur Foundation (BePeace)
15%
$336.78
Porchlight
1%
$224.52
Northwoods Niijii Enterprise Community, Inc.
5%
$112.26
10%
$224.52
(Lac Du Flambeau Reservation)
Floating Tithe - Outreach LGBT Community Center
(The Outreach LGBT Community Center promotes
equality and quality of life for LGBT people.)
TOTAL
$2,245.20
October 2014 Contribution to the Reserve Fund:
2.0% of $22,451.99 =
Current Total:
$372.42
$9,923.39
Income Statement as of October 31, 2014
Operating Income
$23,413.95
Operating Expenses
$17,401.40
Net Ordinary Income
$6,012.55
____________________________________________________________
Unity Porchlight Team.
Well, tis the SEASON! Lots going
on with our Porclhlight Team at Unity and serving the homeless in
December.
First, our fearless leader and “dynamo”, Lloyd Rowley, had heart
surgery. Please keep him and his family in your daily prayers for the
best possible outcome! Next, eleven people attended the 30th Year
Anniversary Banquet for Porchlight on November 12. It is amazing
what this organization has accomplished in thirty years, with the help
of hundreds of faithful volunteers!
Speaking of which, if you would like to join our team, whether you belong to Unity or not, please contact
Janie Lynaugh at 608-215-5895 or Ron Ruzicka at 608-347-1193. We are especially looking for some
younger folks with strong backs and lots of energy who will carry out our work of service to the homeless
in the future years.
This is not a huge commitment! You can do as much or as little as you like. Starting next week, we will
have a sign-up sheet in the foyer with the dates we will be serving in 2015.
We are the largest team at Unity and we have such fun getting together, making meals for the homeless,
collecting needed items for them and just being together! So, please consider joining us in 2015!
Our Annual Duffle Bag project for personal care items and stocking hats, socks and insulated gloves
continues through December 20. The collection box and list of needed items is in the foyer near the
bookstore. Please give generously! The shelter is also in need of used but clean and useable items like
dish towels, men’s winter coats, flannel shirts, large cans of ground coffee (regular not flavored),single
sheets, single blankets and always personal care items like travel shampoos, etc. We have a bin in the
coatroom on the far left under the counter.
We will be serving Tuesday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 17 at breakfast this month.
Last, but not least, Pete Calgaro will be giving his annual Christmas Concert on December 12 from 7-9
pm to benefit Porchlight and Second Harvest Food Bank. If you are interested in helping out that night
selling tickets and clean up, please see Pete or Aine Calgaro and let them know.
Wishing you all a blessed holiday season and asking for your prayers for our homeless population.
Janie Lynaugh
& Ron and Joanne Ruzika
WOMEN'S RETREAT 2015 mark your calendars)
We are pleased to announce the 2015 Women's Retreat.
Theme:
Finding Water; The Art of Nurturing the Soul
Facilitator: Barbara Joye
Date:
March 13-15, 2015
Location:
The newly built Siena Center in Racine, WI
More information to follow...
Come One
Come All
UNITY HOLIDAY FAIR
Sunday December 14, 9 am - 2 pm
On the lower level
*GREAT GIFTS
*support local crafters
*keep the $ in the community
A fundraiser: 10% of every sale goes to Unity
For vendor info or questions contact:
Jae Almond
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 608-270-0559
Our Holiday Season
An Evening of Meditative Music with Pete Calgaro
Friday, December 12 at 7 pm in the sanctuary.
Tickets are $15. Part of the proceeds benefit
Porchlight & Second Harvest Foodbank
Holiday Craft Fair
Sunday, December 14 from 9 am – 2 pm
All Music Sunday
& Farewell Potluck with the Normans
Sunday, December 21. One service only at 10 am.
Christmas Play
Wednesday, December 24 at 4 pm
Candlelight Service
Wednesday, December 24 at 6:30 pm
Burning Bowl Service
Sunday, December 28. One service only at 10 am.
World Healing Meditation
Thursday, December 31 at 6 am
White Stone Service
Sunday, January 4 at 8:30 and 10:30
Unity of Madison
601 Tompkins Drive
Madison, WI 53716
Unity of Madison
An open, affirming and
heart-centered spiritual community.
Contact Us:
Counseling - [email protected]
Office - [email protected]
Volunteer Opportunities – [email protected]
Youth Education – [email protected]
Newsletter Submissions - [email protected]
Website: http://unityofmadison.org
December 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
S = Sanctuary
UL = Upper Level
LL= Lower Level
O = Office
PSM = Prayer Shawl Ministry
PC = Prayer Chaplain
LO = Love Offering
YE = Youth Education
1
2
6 pm Chime Choir S 10 am PSM at
7 pm Vocal Choir S Ann Zenner’s
RSVP office
Harmony
Reach Out
3
4
5
6:30 pm Ministerial 12 pm Prayer
6:30 pm MA UL $
Circle S
Search Mtg
(closed) LL
Breakthrough
Independence
Guidance
7 Services at 8:30 & 10:30 am
Talk: “Peace”
9:45 am Communion S
10:30 am Cookie Delivery YE
12 noon Town Hall Meeting S
Second Harvest $ collection
Joy
8
9
6 pm Chime Choir S
7 pm Vocal Choir S
10
6:30 pm
Trustee Mtg LL
14Services at 8:30 & 10:30 am
Talk: “Love”
9-2 Holiday Craft Fair LL
9:45 am Drum Circle S
1-3 pm BePeace UL
Simple Words
15
16
6 pm Chime Choir S 6 pm Trustee
7 pm Vocal Choir S Mtg UL
3-7 pm
Porchlight LL
Divine
Caregiver
Connection
17
21 One Service only at 10 am
All Music Sunday
12 noon Farewell Potluck with
the Normans LL
Pathways
28 One Service only at 10 am
Burning Bowl Service
No Youth Education
22
23
6 pm Chime Choir S
7 pm Vocal Choir S
24 Office Closed
4 pm Play S
6:30 pm Christmas
Eve Service S
Satisfied Soul
31 Office Closed
6 am World Healing
Meditation S
Everlasting Love
Pray for
Others
Prosperity
Protected
Healing
29 Office Closed
30 Office
6 pm Chime Choir S Closed
Create
Divine Order
Forgive
11
7 pm Dream
Circle UL $10
World Peace
18
12 pm Prayer
Circle S
Free
Triumph
Let Go,
Let God
25 Office Closed
Acceptance
Saturday
6
9:30 am
PC Mtg UL
New
Adventure
12
13
6:30 pm MA UL $
9 am Men’s
7 pm Evening of
Breakfast LL
Meditative Music w/ $
Pete Calgaro, S,
$15
Community
Faith
19
6:30 pm MA UL $
Environment
26
6:30 pm MA UL $
Inner Peace
20
Recharged
27
Courage
Unity of Madison
601 Tompkins Dr. Madison, WI 53716
608.221.1376
unityofmadison.org
Unity of Madison An open, affirming and heart-centered spiritual community.
We live the Christ consciousness of acceptance, love, peace, justice and joy.