GREAT Morning Beloved!

Let’s talk about OUR Prime Directive…

Two weeks ago, we concluded our Summer Series on the Lesson we can learn from the many Star Trek and Star Wars incarnations. And there were many, and there ARE many more in each episode….I know, I’m still watching!

But it’s time to move on to other important things to discuss.

If we were to ask what is Unity of Rehoboth Beach’s Prime Directive, what would you say? How would you respond?

This Unity is yours. If you ever have traveled through out the country, or even the world, and visited other Unity Churches and Centers, you would find a wide variety of Unity’s, different versions;…oh, the Principles are the same and most, not all I’m sad to say, follow what the Fillmore’s, our founders, put forth in their Principles and their understanding of what Unity was and is.
If you have forgotten and wish for a reminder, sign up to take the Basics class in October. A few hours here with me and the Fillmore’s and you would understand why we do what we do here each Sunday.

SO, though we all start out under the Fillmore tutelage, some Unity Churches and Centers go their own ways, because the congregation asks for more Bible, or more traditional rituals, or more nature…the congregation guides the Minister or Spiritual Leader with their requests.
Let me emphasize GUIDES.
If they want communion, or the Lord’s Prayer and the majority of the Congregation wishes for that, the Leader either does it or leaves if they disagree and a compromise cannot be reached. Sometimes it goes against what the Leader sees as what the Fillmore’s wanted and can not follow the congregation asks.
For example, I can not agree on preforming the communion ritual every Sunday, as some churches do.

The Minister or Spiritual Leader always has the last ‘word’ but they also try to give what the congregation asks for. There is a reason for why we do what we do….ask if you don’t understand.

So, sometimes leadership and congregation part ways. And the congregation looks for new Leadership.

I think, so far anyway, we as a congregation and its Leadership, the Spiritual Leader and the Board, are all in agreement as to the direction we are going.
If not, then you, the Congregation are not talking to your Leadership. You are not taking advantage of the opportunities to connect with your Leaders…either the Spiritual Leader or your Board.
That is your responsibility to this Spiritual Community.

What does all this have to do with OUR Prime Directive?
So –What do you think Unity of Rehoboth Beach’s Prime Directive would be?
Anyone?
We do have one…actually a 3 part one…Mission, Vision and Values.

This week I want to review the Mission and Vision for Unity and next week we’ll review our Values.
And through these two weeks, YOU get to respond to anything that you do not understand or that you have a thought or suggestion about.

So, let’s start at the top….what is a Mission Statement?

A mission, in this reference, is a strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling.
Then, a definition of a Mission Statement would be: a formal summary of the aims and values of a company, organization, or individual. It’s something that states the overall purpose or goal of a business or organization.

So, what’s our Mission Statement? According to the Congregation a few years ago, it’s: Unity of Rehoboth Beach is a shinning light…strengthened through support and fellowship, celebrating diversity by honoring our individual Divine connection.

This is the WHAT of Unity of Rehoboth Beach. This is what some of you and some people no longer with us, thought Unity stood for in this greater community.

How do you feel about that statement?

Does it still fit?

Do you think Jesus had a Mission? A Vision? Values?

Of course he did! Though it was HIS mission, not a committee of congregants trying to make sense of what their fellow congregant members wished for their community.
His committee was God. He did God’s Will.
Matthew 20:28 “….He came not to be served, but to serve.”
We’ve been discussing God’s Will vs Our Will in Tuesday’s class & we have mentioned it a few times here also.

God’s Will means good for all involved. No ego involved. Simple.

So, lets go back to the Mission Statement that was set before Unity a couple of years ago…. Unity of Rehoboth Beach is a shining light…strengthened through support and fellowship, celebrating diversity by honoring our individual Divine connection.
Are we fulfilling that Mission Statement? Is this WHAT we are?
Are we a Shining Light?

Do we provide strength through support and fellowship?

Do we celebrate diversity by honoring our individual Divine Connection?

Is there anything missing in our Mission Statement?
If you have some thoughts about this, you might wish to speak to any of the Board , or me or to the Vision Team headed by Karen.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Matthew 18:11
Like Jesus, we are not here to destroy Unity, but fulfill what we said we would do or we should change our Mission.

What have you made YOUR life’s mission?

Now let’s look at the next statement, Our Vision Statement: Unity of Rehoboth Beach is a vibrant and inclusive spiritual community, dedicated to growth and transformation through the exploration of Universal Truth.

Our Vision Statement is why we do what we do.
A Vision includes vivid description of the organization as it effectively carries out its operations.
AS I look again at our Vision, is vibrant a WHY?

Is inclusive?

How about dedicated to growth?

Transformation?

Exploration of Universal Truth?

WHY are we, Unity of Rehoboth Beach here?

When we met with Rev. Stephanie Seigh at our first meeting place, these are the statements that we came up with when trying to pull all the thoughts together from the over 30 people that attended the weekend workshop.

Its good that we look back to check ourselves…are we doing what we said we started out to do?
Are we ON OUR CARD?

Let’s talk about this. There are cards on the Information Table if you need a Mission, Vision & Values card. You have opportunity now to talk with your fellow Congregants & your Leaders if you have thoughts or questions.
I’m here Wednesday’s and Fridays to talk with you. And you can always request an appointment.

In other words, we are here to hear what you have to say.
Next week we will look at our Values.

So, between now and then, let’s get the conversations flowing, what are we doing right, what needs a second look…