“Laughter is Good for Your Health” click Here

Season For Peace and Nonviolence: January 30 – April 4 click Here

Arun Gandhi, at Renaissance Unity: February 9, 7-9 PM see below

Random Acts of Kindness

Week: Feb 11-17 click Here

A Season for Nonviolence is a national 64 -day educational, media and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that non violence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50^th and 30^th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the organization was created by Gandhi's grandson Arun and his wife Sunanda with the intention to demonstrate that every person can move the world in the direction of peace through daily choice and action based on compassion, respect and understanding.” (MK Institute for Non Violence)

Unity Church of Flint is actively participating.

Nonviolent Communication Workshop: February 2, 9-3 PM

COMMUNICATION: THE HUMAN CONNECTION “A guide to authentic, peace-building relationships”

When you pick up a newspaper and read reports of economic doom and gloom and violence eroding our neighborhoods, feeling peaceful in a world clouded with conflict and dissent seems impossible. However, there is hope and a solution! Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg has been teaching non-violent communication for over 20 years and his effective methods will be the focus of the Communication: The Human Connection Workshop being held at Unity Church of Flint on February 2, 2008 from 9 A.M. – 3 P.M.

Teachers, counselors, clergy, and families…anyone interested in building relationships and resolving conflict through compassionate and understanding dialogue should attend this workshop.

Participants will:

Identify the cause of violence
Learn the five-step human connection communication process
Identify the “life-alienating” language that blocks this process
Become aware of how words can either lead to violence or connection
Identify and express feelings and needs
Learn how to give and receive empathy.

Reserve your seat by January 26. Call 235.3155

The facilitators, Rosemary Doyle, Don Wilson and Beth Klerekoper come with impressive credentials and experience. (see below) Please sign up at church. Tuition cost is value based love offering. Books will be available for purchase.

Rosemary Doyle, M.A., D.B.A. Career Shifts, has over 25 years professional experience in Adult Development as a Career Transition Specialist working within both the public and private sector. Her expertise includes program development, career assessment and counseling providing both direct service and supervision/training. Most recently she has worked as an independent consultant providing corporate transition services resulting from workforce reduction and as an instructor/trainer for certification in career development facilitator training. In addition, Rosemary has over 94 hours of training in Nonviolent Communication, which includes a nine-day intensive workshop in India directly with Marshall Rosenberg and 80 students from 18 different countries. She has delivered six Basic Nonviolent Communication trainings and co-facilitates a monthly NVC practice group.

Don Wilson, M.A., L.L.P., F.A.O.D.P. decided to make a career change seven years ago and returned to graduate school to study clinical psychology rather than continue with a career in food distribution. He’s been lead to assist long-term survivors trying to find purpose and hope as they continue to live with HIV/AIDS. He’s spent the past two years working with individuals that suffer with substance addictions and currently he is providing counseling to survivors and their abusers of domestic violence and sexual assaults. Don embraces the universal lessons of spirituality and enjoys learning. He has attended several trainings in NVC including one on gratitude. Don co-facilitates an NVC practice group. He has found Marshall Rosenberg’s “Nonviolent Communication” an effective training technique to use with his clients.

Beth Klerekoper, M.A., is in the process of making her career more inline with her values of peace and justice. She has been pursuing a Master’s certificate in Restorative Justice. She is trained in peer mediation and is certified in the SCAO endorsed civil mediation. Beth has taken most of the courses in Radical Forgiveness designed by Colin Tipping. She is also trained in Usui Reiki, Sekhem-Seichim and is a Blue Star Reiki Master. Beth has attended a nine-day intensive training in NVC led by Dr. Marhsall Rosenberg, two trainings on the NVC dance floors and a training in NVC gratitude for a total of 120 hours of trainings. She co-facilitates an NVC practice group. For Beth, Nonviolent Communication increases clarity and strengthens communication with oneself and with the world community. Beth’s goal is to incorporate Nonviolent Communication and Restorative Justice to keep kids out of jail and into richer lives with ‘Communities of care’ to help them grow into their fullest potential. This is supported by her eighteen years as a special education teacher with her focus on Emotional Impairments and a Masters in Curriculum.

Reserve your seat by January 26. Call 235.3155

A Complaint Free World:

“Complaining is not to be confused with informing someone of a mistake or deficiency so that it can be put right. And to refrain from complaining doesn’t necessarily mean putting up with bad quality or behavior. There is no ego in telling the waiter your soup is cold and needs to be heated up—if you stick to the facts, which are always neutral. ‘How dare you serve me cold soup?’ That’s complaining.” Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

“Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life will you enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. This program helps you redirect your mind towards a more positive and rewarding life.” (www.acomplaintfreeworld.org)

Emma Curtis Hopkins, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore’s teacher, wrote in the late 1800’s, “”So, I believe there is a “Don’t” in the Science which has no denial with it, but only silence, and that is, “DON’T COMPLAIN.” Scientific Christian Mental Practice.

Nearly 5 million Complaint Free purple bracelets were sent to churches, schools, hospitals, prisons, drug rehab centers, Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, and other not-for-profits around the world, “ because of their desire to change their lives. The instructions are: pledge to live A Complaint Free life for 21 consecutive days. Put the bracelet on either wrist, if you notice yourself complaining, take off the bracelet, switch it to the opposite wrist and begin recounting the days. If you notice that someone else is complaining, you must first move your own bracelet before you suggest they are complaining.

Last year, the ‘purple bracelets’ were introduced to Unity Church of Flint. About 750 were distributed throughout the community. Claim your bracelet (and a peaceful life) at our church. Invite your family, friends and neighbors to help us create A Complaint Free World.

Arun Gandhi, at Renaissance Unity: February 9, 7-9 PM

Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson is scheduled to speak in Warren. Sign up at church if you would like to car pool and share travel cost. We will leave promptly at 5:45 P.M.

Random Acts of Kindness Week: Feb 11-17

A kind act is "random" when it is unexpected-done simply to extend goodness, person to person, without expecting anything in return.

Random Acts of Kindness Week focuses on the spirit of hope and goodness. The week is an invitation for individuals, schools, community groups, service clubs, businesses, health institutions, schools and churches to join hearts and hands to create a better world.

Join in the "kindness revolution" today and make a positive difference! Let someone pull into traffic ahead of you; if you have a cart full of stuff at the store and the person behind you has one or two things, let them go first; hold the door open for someone who doesn't expect it; hold an elevator. Just pick a date and do something kind. (www.actsofkindness.org)

“Laughter is Good for Your Health” is a celebration of our own ability to positively effect our physical, mental and spiritual wellness by engaging in the simple acts of breathing and laughing.

Research over the past 40 years has demonstrated that breath and laughter have a positive health effect on the cardiovascular system, increase the immune system, and decrease stress. Laughter and breath therapy provide a wealth of health benefits to patients with heart conditions, diabetes, inflammatory conditions, chronic pain conditions and stress related conditions.

In this interactive presentation Rev. John and Michaelle encourage the participants to reach within themselves to discover that they can choose to enhance their own wellness. During the seminar participants are provided historical background for the health benefits of breath and laughter and engage in methods for encouraging spontaneous laughter, relaxation, and meditation. Most of all participants are encouraged to have fun and enjoy life right where they are.

PRESENTERS

Rev. John Washington and Michaelle Washington have been researching, writing, and speaking about mind, body, and spirit for over 20 years. They both have been employed with Silent Unity (the telephone prayer ministry of Unity World Headquarters, Unity Village, Missouri). They also both served on the prayer chaplain team ministries of Unity Village Chapel and Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, MO.

Their combined backgrounds in Corporate Management, Education, Human Resources, Ministry and Nursing blend into presentations that stimulate, enlighten, enrich, educate and motivate an audience and are presented in an atmosphere of joyous learning.

Rev. John is an ordained Unity Minister. He currently serves on the ministerial team of Unity Christian Church of Battle Creek, MI and as consultant/trainer for the Prayer Chaplains of Church of Today West, Farmington Hills, MI. He previously served as the Associate Minister of Unity Southeast Church in Kansas City, MO. and on the ministerial team at Christ Church Unity, Kansas City, MO. Prior to entering the ministry, Rev. John’s resume includes High School Art Teacher, Graphic Artist with the Detroit affiliate of NBC, College Professor, Corporate Art Director and Computer Trainer. He is a member of the National Speakers Association.

Michaelle received her Master’s degree from the College of Nursing at Michigan State University. She completed the Parish Nurse Certification Program at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO. The former Residential Care Director of Edgewood Retirement Center in Lansing, MI. she also served on the Parish Nurse team at Christ Church Unity, Kansas City, MO. Prior to nursing her background includes corporate management and Human Resources. She is a member of The American Holistic Nursing Association, the World Laughter Tour and Association of Applied Therapeutic Humor. Michaelle is the author of “A Joy Filled Tool Box”, a guide for using the tools of breath, laughter, belief and positive attitude to live a happier, more productive life.

Rev. John and Michaelle were the voices of “Good News PLUS” a radio program on Gospel Radio KPRT 1590 AM in Kansas City, Missouri. This weekly program presented the Daily Word and a variety of spiritual and wellness topics.

“Laughter is Good for Your Health” Presentations

Unity of Pontiac, Pontiac, Michigan - 2002

Detroit Unity Temple, Detroit, Michigan - May, 2002

Art of Aging Successfully Conference

Wayne State University, Detroit, MI –

Institute of Gerontology - March, 2003

Unity Southeast Church, Kansas City, Missouri - October, 2002 & October, 2003

Unity of Joplin, Joplin, Missouri - June, 2003

Goodwill Industries of Detroit Michigan, Exec. Directors Training Session - April, 2004

Unity Village Chapel, Unity Village Missouri - July, 2004

Celebration of Wholeness

Unity Village Chapel, Unity Village, MO

September, 2004

Christ Unity Church, Sacramento, CA - October, 2004

Christ Church Unity, Kansas City, MO - January, 2005 & April, 2005

Unity of the Lakes, Warsaw. MO - June, 2005

God Land Unity Church, Redford, MI - October, 2005

Unity of Antelope Valley, CA - March, 2006

Unity of Port St. Lucie - Port St. Lucie FL – May, 2006

Church of Today West - Farmington Hills, MI - November, 2006