Seattle Unity Church

“So rather than looking to someone else to be the leader, to solve whatever it is that needs to be solved, may we be wise enough to take the leadership of Moses and Jesus to the next level, and cross the threshold into a new way of being.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig returns to look further into our current series The Alchemy of Leadership. On this Palm Sunday, during Passover, religious traditions offer us the examples of Moses and Jesus, as leaders of their times. How did they step out of an old life and into a new one?  What were the challenges, the strategies and the surprises, that we can learn from as we prepare to move from pandemic thinking to a post-pandemic world? Our Worship Arts includes special guest Chava Mirel.  Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“She started working these practices, and when I say working it, she was *working* it. She was actually living this fifth principle.” Associate Minister Diane Robertson takes a first step into our new series Alchemy of Leadership. Pulling from her current ministerial training materials, she introduces us to Francis W. Foulks, who wrote Effectual Prayer, and also edited many early Unity materials, including Myrtle Fillmore’s Healing Letters. Francis exemplifies the fifth Unity principle, in that she rooted her work in meditation and silence, but then brought that divine connection out into the world. This kind of spiritually well-rooted action effects great changes and lasting benefits for all. Our Worship Arts includes special guest Darrius Willrich.  Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Maybe you have felt extremely connected to God during this time, and maybe you have felt abandoned and alone. Perhaps it’s been a little bit of both. But the truth is that no matter where you have been, God has always been present.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig concludes the series on the Alchemy of the Mystic by looking at direct experiences of God.  Sometimes we feel it more in prayer or meditation, in ‘bhakti’ or devotional practices.  Maybe we expect a direct experience of God to look or feel a certain way. But as truth students, we can develop our ability to experience God in any and every moment, and also in each other. Our Worship Arts includes special guest Tiffany Wilson. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Since this is Pisces season, we’re looking at intuition, emotion, spiritual connection that goes beyond rational thought, water flowing —  dreams.  As we develop our intuition, it can help prepare us for what lies next in our lives.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig pulls some golden bits from her ongoing Dream Interpretation class. How do our intuitive faculties manifest?  What images or feelings become so powerful, we remember them even when we’re awake?  How do we remember even more?  Rev. Karen illustrates several techniques for developing our universal intuitive tools, to experience our higher selves more often, more directly, and even touch the Mind of God within. Our Worship Arts includes special guests Andrea Carino, Ryan Narcisco, and dancer Alex Kronz. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“When we look at alchemy through our spiritual eyes rather our mercenary eyes, we’re looking at Elements. From my tradition, the earth-based tradition, we follow earth, air, fire, water, and ether, or spirit — the spirit that animates all things.” Guest speaker Rev. Judith Laxer speaks to our annual theme of Alchemy of the Soul, and this months’ mystical perspective.  Judith is the founding priestess of Gaia’s Temple, an inclusive, earth-based ministry, celebrating 20 years of service in the Seattle area. She also enjoys a successful private practice as a psychic, spiritual counselor, hypnotherapist, and shamanic practitioner. In this talk, Judith taps into her tradition’s mystical tools for metaphysical wisdom-seeking. Our Worship Arts includes special guest Tommie Burton. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Any time you step out and break through that limitation, you break it for others as well.” In honor of today’s annual congregational meeting, Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig takes  a quick look back at Unity basics and Unity founding history. What makes Unity unique and different from other traditions?  She describes Unity as a tradition of breaking through the shell of previous ideas, and she draws parallels with the traditions responsible for this week’s spectacular Mars Rover landing. Seattle Unity’s current building project is another great example of innovation built on a tradition and long term commitment of many people, not just one or two key innovators. Johnnie Woods offers a reading from founder Chares Fillmore’s Keeping a True Lent.  Our Worship Arts includes special guests sisters Sarah and Be Russell. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Imagine a wheel with all the different aspects of love. While Eros may get the fire going, it’s Pragma, enduring love, *standing* in love, that actually keeps it going.” Celebrating a very snowy Valentine’s Day, Rev. Karen leads an all-remote service. She examines many different kinds of love, from love-for-all to romantic love to sustaining love. She pulls examples from myth, history and personal experience to help us make sense of this often overused word ‘love’. Our Worship Arts includes special guests Jeff Fielder and Tekla Waterfield. Special thanks to them and all the other folks – notably livestream master Phil Homan, who helped shift this service from in-person to online only. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Ruth explained again and again that the Unity system for licensing teachers and ordaining ministers was stacked against Black people with tests that were biased in favor of whites, and that its discriminatory practices were counter to Unity teachings. In other words, Unity was not practicing what it preached.” In honor of Black History month, Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig looks at Unity’s own denominational history around entrenched racism.  The stories of Rev. Ruth Mosley and Rev. Johnnie Coleman illustrate what it takes to make change in the world, whether it means coaxing a traditionalist leadership to bend, or striking out on one’s own entirely. Gerald Schley blesses the offering. Our Worship Arts includes special guest  Jimmy Shields. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“The truth is that we are all sons and daughters of the most high… and we’re only using a small percentage of our capacity. So, my question to you is: what do you want in your life?” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig looks at manifestation, and our human power to create from our imagination. How do we best use our co-creative capacities with God, so that our individual and collective experience of the world may be the highest and best it can be?  Through vision-boarding, acting as-if, brainstorming, and other tools like these, we leverage the power of Imagination to leap forward beyond current limitation. Gail Crumpton offers a reading from Rev. Pam MacGregor called Accepting Divine Ideas. Our Worship Arts includes special guest Frederick Hagreen. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“I invite you to embrace your inner misfit, your inner rebel, the one that knows there is a better way, the one that knows there is a way we can create a world that works for all.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig explores what it means to be a change agent in the world. Using diverse examples from myth and history, she looks at the concept of “stealing fire”  – that is, courageously shifting norms for the benefit of a whole society.  Who makes these kinds of leaps forward, and what are the costs? Robyn McKoy reads the Amanda Gorman inaugural poem, and Melissa Mager blesses the offering. Our Worship Arts comes from Erin McGaughan, Olivia Hamilton, and David Loy. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“We can use our words to create havoc, or we can use our words to increase love and understanding.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig returns to discuss the power of the Creative Word.  This concept appears in the works of Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore, and resonates especially deeply this week, in the aftermath of an insurrection attempt on the Capitol. In a preview of this year’s annual theme, she compares the words of figures like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, who have transformed spiritual “lead into gold”, and invites us to do the same. Today also features a New Member welcoming, with Carolyn Burton and Lea Wasson. Our special Worship Arts guest is Jonas Myers. Jonas is already known to many of us for his accompanist work, so it’s especially lovely to see him confidently stepping into the soloist role. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“If it’s true, then we come to this earth school – I call it soul-making – to have myriad experiences in order to perfect or to complete this thing called the field of soul.” Guest speaker Michael Bogar returns to discuss the concept of reincarnation, especially the recent work of Ian  Stevenson, Andrea Leininger and others. As he points out, New Thought students may well ask “so what?” but the topic appears in some of Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore’s work. While Unity itself does not have a hard position on the topic, it remains a fascinating subject, and one which Michael will go deeper into in an online class. Our special Worship Arts guest is Stephanie Anne Johnson. Check out the full service video here. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“The truth is, that since we’re not so busy, running to parties and doing all the things that we normally do socially, this actually gives us an opportunity to focus on the true meaning of this holiday.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig leads a very different version of our Christmas Eve Candlelighting service, but this time we’re integrating the Zoom and livestream technologies, so that we can see each other a little bit during our service.   Thank you to all the Zoomers who participated, as well as all those who watched on livestream. Our special Worship Arts guest is Tiffany Wilson, a longtime Seattle Unity favorite. Check out the full service video here, including a lovely slideshow of congregants’ Christmas lights. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“That word white … comes originally from the word leukos, and leukos can also mean bright or brilliant. To me this is the essence of the White Stone ritual. It’s calling out that brilliance in you, that divine quality, that is most needed in this moment, in your life and in the world.” Associate Minister Diane Robertson leads our annual White Stone ceremony,  using personal stories and biblical reference to bring this tradition to life.  How do we receive our words?  How do we make them unique to each one of us, how do we give them juiciness, and what is the nature of manifestation?  Join us as we leverage the best of Unity traditions, for a big, meaningful step into 2021. Our special Worship Arts guest today is Ireland Woods, a regular singer from our sister ministry at Unity of Everett. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 15:32. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“It is when we change ourselves that we then can influence and change the world around us.” This year’s Burning Bowl ritual of releasing is different from other years, in that we’re not doing this together, but independently at our homes, but Rev. Karen speaks the word about this rich practice.  2020 perhaps more than other years, offers us plenty to throw into our spiritual fire. Worship Arts are presented by David Loy and Olivia Hamilton.  Chaplain Patricia Flores gives the offering blessing. Check out the full service video here, including a lovely video from our Chaplain Dedication. The talk begins at 18:56. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“The word solstice, in latin, means ‘sun set still.’  I believe that ‘sun set still’ is also a reminder for us to be Soul still.” On this Fourth Sunday in Advent, Rev. Karen draws on one of her superpowers:  astrology.  As we prepare for the The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on this year’s solstice, we can use the moment to examine what other major changes may be coming.  “What is it that is calling me forward, what is my guiding star?” Our Worship Arts guest is Lavon Hardison, with backing from James Howard. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 19:15. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“The more clearly we see the reality of the world, the better equipped we are to deal with the world. We have some big issues that we need to face.” Rev. Karen uses this third Sunday in Advent to explore both truth and Truth. While (big ‘t’) Truth is eternal, small ‘t’ truth is shifting, and often challenging to see clearly.  Whether it’s rose-colored glasses, exaggeration, or straight up denial, we fall into darkness when we do not stay committed to seeing the world clearly. Our Worship Arts guest is Sarah Russell. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 19:00. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“It may feel we end back at a place where we began. We learn something, and then we’re called, with the same pattern, to learn it again at a deeper level.” Rev. Karen uses this second Sunday in Advent to explore the idea of repeated lessons.  This is how we can come back over and over to Advent and Christmas, and still find more spiritual treasure. This service also features a blessing for Karen’s 30 years in this ministry. Our Worship Arts guests are Justin Huertas and Tyler Rogers. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 19:00. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Hope to me is that idea of transcending and reaching beyond our human experiences… to me hope is Spiritual Vision.” In this First Sunday of Advent, Associate Minister Diane Robertson helps us to identify hope, to cultivate our ability to see it even when we don’t feel it. How do we heal, as a nation, through a time some are calling The Great Divide? Worship Arts comes from Erin McGaughan, Olivia Hamilton and David Loy. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 20:25. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“When I chose this theme [Seeds of Grace], I had no idea what this year was going to be like…. but when I look back over this year I realize that we *have* been planting Seeds of Grace, we just didn’t know it, seeds that will sprout and grow in the coming years.” This morning Rev. Karen Lindvig prepares us for a different kind of Thanksgiving, as well as a different kind of year-in-review process, too. Gratitude becomes the sign of spiritual progress, even when outer progress is still hard to see. Our Worship Arts guest is Kiki deLohr Helland. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 17:37. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“You can find that you’re so depleted that making a list of your blessings can feel like another thing on you TO-DO list. One must engage the heart… what do I love?” This morning Rev. Karen Lindvig turns our attention toward Gratitude as a grounding energy.  Without the centering force of gratitude for keeping our souls held together, we can feel like we’re flying off into many directions. Our Worship Arts guests are husbands, dance partners and worship artists Jimmy Shields and Charles Simmons.  Check out the full service video  here, with their dance breaks. The talk begins at 19:35. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“So let me ask you, what is the inner work that you need to do? What is it in your own basement, in your own underground, that needs to be brought up, lifted up, brought into the light to be healed?” In this first service after the 2020 election, Rev. Karen Lindvig speaks to the metaphor of Foundational strength.   Even while the outcome is still disputed, and the way forward isn’t yet clear, we can look  to strengthening our foundations through core Unity principles. Later this afternoon is a lovely blessing ritual at the new building construciton site near Denny Park, including a water ritual from Umoja. Learn all about the building project, including a video from the event, here. Our Worship Arts guest is Shaunyce Omar, who was also our guest on the first Sunday after the 2016 election.  Back then, she sang Precious Lord Take My Land, though today she sings Change is Gonna Come. Check out the full service video  here. The talk begins at 22:45. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Each one of us has to stop and do our inner work…every single one of us has a step that we can take.. and what ever small steps you take can affect the whole.” Rev. Karen Lindvig returns with our own Worship Arts team, for our first live-streamed service, auspiciously scheduled on All Saints Day, right before our national election, and exactly on the fall back Daylight Saving day.  In her message, Rev. Karen draws wisdom from current events, biblical stories, and classic New Thought writers including from Hypatia Hasbrook. Check out the full service video here. The talk begins at 22:55. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“When an idea comes from that great galaxy of supreme ideas it goes forth in strength and harmony.” Rev. Maggie Alderman joins us from New Braunfels, Texas, to talk about our most core Unity beliefs. Our principles are much easier to hold on to when things are going well. But how do we experience the Divine authentically in times of chaos? Worship Arts comes all the way from Hawaii, from Faith Rivera. Check out the full service video here.   The talk begins at 20:35. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“I’ve come to be aware that grief slowly creeps into every part of us… it finds its way into the cells of our body… every aspect of our lives. So I’ve decided my only option is to make friends with grief.” Guest speaker Rev. Meghan Brooks Smith gives a resonant and well-timed talk. Using stories from the Dalai Lama as well as her own deep personal revelations, she crafts a beautiful gift for all of us experiencing any kind of loss. Grief goes far beyond a simple 5-stage process, and becomes a many-faceted and intensely personal experience, crucial to how we each evolve. Worship Arts comes from local favorite Chava Mirel. Check out the full service video including an invitaiton from Marcia Rutan to join her November/December class, Poetry for Wellness. The talk begins at 12:56. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Dogs come when you call them. Cats take a message and say they’ll get back to you later.” Today is our annual Pet Blessing Day, and senior minister Rev. Karen Lindvig takes a lighthearted look at how animals enrich our lives and help us manifest our best, most authentic selves.  She notes the new ways our animals support us (or sometimes don’t), during these quarantine times, and also quotes from the classic St. Francis Canticle of Sun. Worship Arts featured Cleveland singer/songwriter Nhojj, as well as a reading from Bonnie Pasek. Check out the full service video including a slideshow of archival pictures celebrating Umoja’s 11th year of celebrating diversity and love within the Seattle Unity community. The talk begins at 15:41. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship, Daily Prayer Boosts, and Wednesday evening prayer services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“We affirm divine order outworking in our coming elections, we affirm divine outworking on our planet, in the water, in the rain, in the fires, in all of it.” Rev. Karen re-visits the core spiritual tool of prayer, in its various forms, as a great way to navigate current challenges.  Examining the healing and affirmation works of Myrtle Fillmore, she encourages us to re-invigorate our prayer practice. Worship Arts include group recordings from Seattle Unity band, Erin McGaughan, Olivia Hamilton, Jesse Whitford, David Loy, as well as commmunity members Tim Clements-Levin, Mercedes Nicole, Bonnie Pasek, Song Mei Doran, Abbie Doran, Karen R. Smith, Clara Fredrickson, Melissa Mager, Howard Langveldt, Dayna Cole, Alyce Watkins, Scott Meihn, Jay Thompson, Cindy McComish, Emily Kozie, Paul Gamman, Jennifer Bolles, Paul Liebert, Don Bennet, Inez Lindsey, Matt Corey, Becky Thatcher, Mitch Hunter. Check out the full service video, featuring a montage of chaplains and prayer team members, with archival photography from Annie Christensen, Gordon Lee, Casey Longacre and many others. Reading presented by Marcia Rutan; offering presented by James Tierney; closing prayer from Scott Caldwell. The talk begins at 15:31. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“It is no longer a theory; it is what is. And perhaps we can use this Equinox energy to accept where we are and surrender to a higher power.” With the fires, the hurricanes, and virus, Rev. Karen acknowledges our current upheavals.  She looks at some lessons offered by 12 step processes, and incorporates nature imagery, and the wisdom of Viktor Frankel, as well as a variation on a lovingkindness prayer: “May all beings be free from danger May all beings be loved May all beings be remembered May all beings be mourned May all beings be treated with kindness and compassion”    The talk begins at 16:45. Music comes from SU favorite, Stephanie Anne Johnson.  Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“What is your spiritual practice, that disengages you from the Ego and the Pain Body, where you can have that space? Is it mindful meditation, is it yoga, is it tai chi, is it walking in nature?” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig returns to explore the image of an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.  She incorporates the concepts of the Ego and the Pain Body, as discussed by Eckert Tolle, to describe what she sees as an addiction to pain, in our current culture.  But if we use our spiritual practices, we can be the space that is in between the devil and the angel. The talk begins at 19:02. Music comes from SU favorite, Jimmie Herrod.   Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“We take our stuff, we throw it on our back, and then we walk into the next situation, we take down our stuff and we plunk it right into our new situation.  We bring our stuff from the past… and put it right down into our future.” Associate minister Diane Robertson welcomes her ministerial school classmate, guest speaker Thomas deSchutter.  Thomas comes to us from Nanaimo, British Columbia. He and his wife run a thriving, values-based financial services company, while Thomas also studies for the ministry. In this guest talk, Thomas hones in on the power of Release to help us welcome in the best possible future. The talk (with Associate Minister Diane Robertson’s introduction) begins at 18:20. Music comes from West Seattle singer/songwriter, and home studio whiz, Justin Lacey.  Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Are we looking through the glass, and looking for the horizon… or are we focusing on the spots on the window?” Guest speaker Don Barton joins us from Christ Church Unity in Orlando, Florida, bringing his Florida flavor, along with some lovely underscoring from the CCU staff pianist. Don looks at the Unity principle of Oneness, and how we can continue to see manifestations of oneness all around us. We can do this every day, even during social distancing, even on Zoom, even on Facebook. The talk (with Associate Minister Diane Robertson’s introduction) begins at 13:45. Music comes from Seattle Unity’s own Worship team.  Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“So Abraham then, represents this call that we get, that says, hey, there’s more to this world than eating, drinking, and sleeping.  There’s more to this world than what I am currently experiencing.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig explores that something more, which we access through our spiritual practices. When we forget our practice we get stuck in one reality, one perspective, and one experience of the world — often not a good one.   Rev. Karen weaves in examples from scripture, eastern philosophy, poetry, and her personal history, to bring this fundamental Unity idea to life. The talk begins at 15:08. Music comes from long-time friend of Seattle Unity Rafe Pearlman. Greg Rupert presents the offering.  Inez Lindsey offers prayer, with a little help from Alexander Kemp. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“I’m wondering if it’s that we’ve stepped out of clock time.  Not totally, not a hundred percent, but in many ways we have stepped out of clock time.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig examines how the concept of time has changed due to the virus.  She weaves in historical contexts like The Spanish Flu, as well as contemporary understanding of everyday time, waiting time, Sabbath time, sequential time, and time apart. The talk begins at 16:40. Music comes from Amber Darland, a singer songwriter from Bellingham Washington. Ayn Dietrich read a piece on Sabbath from Unity.org’s “Nurture Your Divine Soul” booklet. Rose Harrow Miller led a garden meditation, and Abbie and John Doran presented the offering. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“In the garden of our lives, we might ask, what IS it that we actually planted? Did we plant good things?” Seattle Unity welcomes first time guest speaker Rev. Judith Laxer. Judith is the founding priestess of Gaia’s Temple, an inclusive, earth-based ministry in Seattle, about to celebrate 20 years of service next month. She also enjoys a successful private practice as a psychic, spiritual counselor, hypnotherapist, and shamanic practitioner. In this talk, Judith looks at the rhythm of the seasons for clues for living. How can we best use this moment right now, to help us navigate the autumn and winter to come? The talk begins at 14:35. Music comes from John Coons and his accompanist/partner, Matta Aument. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“When we hope, we have energy… we have vitality, we have courage, and we’re able to keep moving forward. What we are experiencing right now is finite disappointment, but there’s always infinite hope. ” Rev. Karen Lindvig faces our current covid weariness head on, and uses Unity principles to find the glimmers of hope that we can tune into, even now.  She also pulls examples from her own life, as well as classic materials from Charles Fillmore, and excellent lessons from the life of the recently passed Representative John Lewis. The talk begins at 14:35. Music comes from the Seattle Unity Worship Arts team, this time featuring congregants Alexandrea Davis and Chris Sullivan, as well as Worship Arts Director Erin McGaughan. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Awareness is the key to being the light, and being able to stare down the darkness. ” Faith Ireland has been a member of this community for more than 50 years, and this Sunday she brings her wisdom to the fore.  She uses some key points from transcendentalists as well as contemporary New Thought writers, to help us navigate rough times. Faith is also teaching a class in August based on this work, and materials from Mary Manin Morrissey, too. The talk begins at 15:30. Music comes from Canadian New Thought singer/songwriter Nathen Aswell. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“I think that there is an awakening that is happening right now, and it is a furthering of the cosmic plan for equality and for justice. ” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig goes deeper into how our spiritual tools are called for right now, in transforming societal structures.  How do we build structures that are more authentic and just?   How do we catch the divine vision, and then find a compassionate way to bring that vision into the world today? The talk begins at 10:45. Worship artist Denná Francesca brings a contemporary feel as well as a classical selection. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“We’ve read our spiritual books, we’ve done our meditation, we’ve done our spiritual practices, we’ve gone on our retreats. We’ve been spiritual aspirants… and now, we need the tools that we have built over all of these years, whether you’re fifteen or eighty-five, this is the moment that you have, that we have been waiting for. ” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig returns to challenge us to become healing midwives to a new reality.  She uses current events as well as the classic story of the Tower of Babel, inviting us to use our spiritual tools to remain calm even when it feels like we’re not being heard or understood. The talk begins at 10:45. Worship arts comes from Seattle Unity Worship Arts Team, including an original poem from Rose Ramm. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“And so how do we reconcile, sometimes, these ideals that we have in light of what we see as not living up to those ideals?” This year’s Fourth of July brings a mixed bag of emotions, and Associate Minister Diane Robertson wrestles with the central questions around our sense of national identity. Diving deep into the meaning of patriotism and its shadow, nationalism, she finds many paradoxes, which can’t be ignored or glossed over any more. The talk begins at 13:22. Worship arts comes from Jimmie Herrod, including a brand new original, as well as a beautiful treatment of classic patriotic hymnody. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“This was a time period when many lesbian mothers across the U.S. lost their rights to care for their children, strictly because they were lesbian.” To mark Pride Sunday this year, former Seattle Unity Board chair Dr. Desi Bailey describes her advocacy work over the decades.  The scope and commitment of her work is inspiring, profound, and continues today.  Thank you Desi, and to all our activist members, who bring their spiritual principles into action every day to help make a more just and equitable world for everyone. The talk begins at 17:45. Worship arts comes from Stephanie Anne Johnson.   Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“I think that we as grandparents should hold in trust institutions, our country, our world, for our grandchildren… to hold in trust what we have, and make sure that we pass it on.” Today’s Father’s Day celebration service is a little longer than usual Sunday Services, because it includes the slideshow of Congregants’ Fathers, as well as testimony from three fathers in our congregation: Tracy Cobbin, Karl Tegtmeyer and George Edwards. Blessings to all our community’s fathers! The talks begin at 19:55. Fun-fact for those who are newer to our community:  today’s guest singer Sean Bendickson was our house drummer for many years before he left to become a music director himself. He has also become a father in that time. Go here for the full service video, including the lovely Father’s Day slide show. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“COVID-19 knows no boundary of country, it knows no boundary of race or culture or religion… apparently knows no boundary of age… of language. COVID-19 demonstates exceptionally clearly how incredibly interconnected we all are, and calls us to a kind of mutual support, should we wish to survive, as humankind on this planet.” Today’s talk from our long-time friend Rabbi Ted Falcon was recorded several weeks ago, but we pre-empted it last week so that Rev. Karen could speak to the issue of the current protests.  However, his spiritual message remains fresh and relevant. Ted’s talk begins at 12:05. Worship Arts material comes from our Seattle Unity Worship Arts Team.  Go here for the full service video, including a slide show of pictures from BLM protests around the world. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“So we are at a crossroads, and we can try to keep the status quo or we can move forward with tremendous change and transformation.” Rev. Karen Lindvig speaks to the protests and unrest over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery and so many others.  How do we take action that creates long term systemic changes?   How do we face our shadow?  How do we move – truly – forward? Karen’s talk begins at 18:30. Worship Arts material comes from guest blues guitarist Jeff Fielder.  Go here for the full service video. Youth & Families Director Heidi Nathe gives a the Y&F update, and Diane Robertson gives the meditation. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5: 3-11 This time, Sunday Rev. Karen Lindvig dives deep into this classic section of the Sermon on the Mount, weaving in elements of the Vedanta, for clues about awakening to the Divine Presence. What does it mean to be “poor in Spirit”?  How can one in mourning also be one awakening? How can those who seem most unfortunate or small, actually be the blessed? Karen’s talk begins at 15:42. Worship Arts material comes from SU’s own Worship Arts team, with help from the Seattle Unity community.   Go here for the full service video. Community member James Tierney presents the offering. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“A twist in perception can change what we see, and how we feel, in a single moment.” This time, Sunday Rev. Karen Lindvig looks at how our world shifts as we allow our perception to shift.   She weaves material from myth, personal life, the works of Jean Houston and others. Karen’s talk begins at 12:20. Worship Arts material comes from Tyler Rogers and Justin Huertas.  Go here for the full service video. Board member Robyn McKoy presents the offering. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“It’s almost as if … in Tarot, we’ve all been dealt the Tower… the destruction of the tower means that things must happen in order to clear out the old ways and welcome something new.” This Sunday Rev. Karen Lindvig teaches us how to acknowledge present pain, even while looking with determined optimism toward building the future. She pulls lessons from Churchill’s writings in WWII, as well as from our modern climate crisis and current pandemic. What is it that keeps us able to do our best, love, dream, and find joy, even when the world seems at its worst? Karen’s talk begins at 13:44. Worship Arts material comes from David Loy, Erin McGaughan, and Olivia Hamilton.  See the full video version for a great dance from worship leader Jimmy Shields, too. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“We celebrate not only mothers, but the compassionate, nurturing energy, that goes beyond gender.” Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig pulls new lessons from the traditions of Mother’s Day, looking at the energy of caretaking and compassion, and how that energy can serve us profoundly during this time of sheltering in place. Karen’s talk beings at 07:32. Music comes from new friends Zoe and Kellie Newton, a local mother/daughter duo. Lean more about Zoe and Kellie here. Share this pod, or the full video of this service, which includes a slideshow of congregants’ mothers, with anyone you know who may need a little spiritual support right now. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“This quarantine has given us the opportunity to step back from our lives in a way that we never could have done before… to ask ourselves: is it possible to begin to think differently?” Continuing our stay-at-home time, Rev. Karen uses two meanings of “Mayday”, the pagan springtime dance as well as the nautical distress term, for inspiration about how we can navigate our lives during this continued coronavirus period. Karen’s talk beings at 13:30. Music comes from our own Worship Arts team members, including Erin McGaughan, with congregants Brian and Stephanie Emery, Chris Sullivan, Alexandrea Davis, Keia del Rosario, Jennifer Bolles, and house percussionist Jesse Whitford (with a meditation on vibraphone). Share this pod, or the video of this service, with others who may need a little spiritual support right now. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“The practices of Ramadan  — the practices of fasting, and feasting,  and reflection — help us build on that capacity to receive and to respond to this invitation of love, from Allah.” Today’s online worship service features special guest speaker Bahiyya Ann Holmes Redding.  Ann is a former Episcopal priest, now practicing Muslim teacher, writer, singer, professor at University of Puget Sound, and spiritual guide.  In her talk today, Ann shows us how the practices of Ramadan can help us with the fundamental human need to remember our relationship with the divine. Ann also leads Friday Prayers in the Islamic Tradition at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Seattle.  She is co-author of Out of Darkness Into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Quran with Reflections from Jewish and Christian Sources. Rafe Pearlman presents special Worship Arts support. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“Are you having prophetic dreams?  And are there synchronicities that are showing up in your life, that you may not have seen or noticed before?” Rev. Karen turns our attention toward Earth Day, and what it means in this very special year.  Our stay-home restrictions have created a necessary rest for us, and for nature, too.  Karen explains how we can lean into this and discover a kind of re-enchantment, a renewed awe of our natural world. Chava Mirel presents special Worship Arts support. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.

“There’s a quietness that didn’t exist before. Have you noticed?” Easter comes in an entirely new way this year, and Rev. Karen leads a virtual tribe into a multi-modal, exuberant, and varied virtual Easter worship experience.  She frames this year as a collective shamanic journey, which offers spiritual wisdom that we are collectively poised to receive. To see previous Sunday messages during this time of the statewide stay-at-home order, check out our Facebook livestream.  If you’re not already on Facebook, now is the perfect time to join up, even if only temporarily, and you can watch these livestreams here. Want to join us for a midweek Zoom call?  Email admin@seattleunity.com and we’ll set you up. It’s a great way to chat with other church members, and get a mid-week talk from Rev. Karen, including exercises and discussion. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.