Notes from the Board and Rediscovering Unity Basics

NOTES FROM THE BOARD
A very important date is coming up in the month of May: the 16th! That is our annual congregational meeting, which will be held in person at the church directly following the Sunday service. At this meeting we will be reelecting two members of our Board of Trustees. It is vital for all members of Unity of Missoula to make sure that their voice and votes are heard during this election process. Some of the Board members whose terms have not yet been completed will be continuing on as trustees to finish out their terms. The members whose terms are finished (Kathy Frantzreb and Mike Bennett) have both agreed to run again for another three-year term on the board. However, our bylaws state that we must have an election at the annual meeting for them to be reelected. We will also accept nominations from the floor in case there is anyone who would also like to serve. We do need an alternate for the board.
Are you interested in being on the board? Would you like to nominate someone to sit on the board? The church is always interested in individuals interested in leadership roles. As noted in last month’s Unity Newsletter, the meeting will cover more than the election. There will be reports from our Board President, from our Treasurer, from our Licensed Unity Teacher, and reports about our kitchen remodel and organization of the church library. But the best of all is that we will be able to visit with one another in person (wearing masks, of course).
REDISCOVERING UNITY BASICS
I recently realized (again) just how much my own prejudices and beliefs impact what is being taught and talked about in Unity of Missoula. For instance, I had asked Rev. Susan Gumm to lead a class for Lent centered on the Bible and the metaphysical interpretation of the story of Jesus’s last days. In the course of this class (on Zoom) Susan was surprised to learn just how hungry some of us are to learn more about the Bible and Unity’s understanding of it. I am so grateful for Susan, who has done extensive research and learning about this basic Christian text through Iliff School of Theology, adjacent to the University of Denver.
I have neglected teaching classes about the metaphysics of the Bible and also about Unity’s founders early books. In fact, some of our newer members have no idea that Lessons in Truth, written by Emilie Cady, and published in 1896 by Unity, is considered a fundamental book for everyone who wants to know about Unity. I have had the mistaken belief that the language in this book, as well as the books written by Charles Fillmore, is a barrier for contemporary readers. In fact, I have only read them in order to fulfill the requirements of my Licensed Unity Teacher certification. However, with prayer and insistent urgings from others, I am now open to new understandings, and much broader interpretations.
Unity Worldwide Ministries is also uncovering and reissuing some of the Unity classics, opening my eyes to some early Unity writers that I hadn’t paid attention to. One of them is Martha Smock, who was born and raised in Unity. She began working at Unity at age 16 in 1930, going on to be the editor of Daily Word for 23 years. We recently received a booklet from Unity, Messages We Need to Hear, a compilation of great words of wisdom from Martha. Please stop in at the church to receive your copy.
With my urge to review some of the Unity classics and expand my knowledge of the fundamental teachings, I was thrilled that Rev. Susan Gumm is open to helping all of us learn more. She will continue offering classes either via Zoom or in person. However, we need YOUR input. What classes would you like to start with? What time of the week and day work best for you? Do you want Zoom classes or in person? What part of Unity teachings would you like to learn more about? Please check out the short survey on page 3 of this newsletter and get us your input now. We would like to know your wishes by June 1st so we can begin a class that will serve at least 10 of us this summer. You can fill out the survey and drop it at the church, or mail it in. If you like, you can also e-mail. Thanks for your help as we return to the basics of Unity and continue to grow in understanding.
Love and blessings, Linda Andrus, your Licensed Unity Teacher