Unity Celebrates Earth Day!!
This week we celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, which first occurred on April 22, 1970. The official theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Restore Our Earth”. I see environmentalism as a very “Unity” thing. Unity Worldwide Ministries’ Earth Care ministry has a vision statement that says “All humanity lives in a spiritual consciousness that manifests as loving coexistence with all creation and care for our Earth home.” The Unity movement is guided by a vision of sacredness and the inter-connectedness of all, the interdependence of all life. It is a journey of spiritual relationships with Earth and its creatures. It is through awakened consciousness that we see everything as the presence of God.
Over the years, I have been involved to varying degrees with different ways of recognizing Earth Day. This year, during Covid, Unity in Naperville has had a collection of Styrofoam for recycling. I would like to thank Bill and Cindy Spies for helping me haul all of the foam to Dart Container in western Aurora for drop off! As you can see from our photos, the windows through which you place items into their bins were quite full, and we really had to struggle to get our 2 large carloads of material in there! Thanks also to everyone who saved and contributed the foam!
Another thing that I like to think we are doing in honor of Earth Day is that we are retrofitting all of the fluorescent lighting at Unity with LED fixtures! We have received approval for a grant from ComEd, and they will cover over half of the costs. The fixtures have been ordered, so once received, we have a lighting contractor that will do the installation in one or two days. Rev. Kitty’s favorite part is that the sanctuary lights will then be dimmable – remotely! My favorite part is that it will save electricity, and therefore money, on our electric bill and on reduced bulb replacements. It’s a perfect win-win.
I see the improvements Unity is doing as an expression of the power of our combined intentions. Together, we have accomplished some fantastic things at Unity this year. I hope all Unity members see this, and also would be moved to want to participate more actively in this creation. As a member of Unity, everyone has a voice, and everyone should be heard. Participating on the Unity Board is a fun way to vision and co-create with your fellow Unatics. I hope you will each consider taking part, and opt to be on the Board! If so, please let Rev. Kitty know you are interested.
Namaste and Happy Earth Day!
Beth Schwartz
Unity Board President
