WEEKLY UPDATE November 25, 2025 | | |
Walking in Gratitude Through the Storm
Gratitude comes easily in joyful moments and in response to good news. But I have learned that uncertainty, disappointment, and pain are conditions for truly life-altering gratitude. It does not always flow naturally but can be an intentional choice—especially when life doesn’t go as planned.
When my plans took an unexpected turn, I felt confused, sad, and enraged. I didn’t understand why things were not working out and could wreak such havoc on my life. I cried and wondered, Why is this happening to me?
Then I remembered Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20: “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good.” What a blessing to know that no matter what happens, I can experience God’s protection and renewal. I acknowledged the harm and its impact, but I also recognized a greater purpose at work.
But Spirit within could not transform my life without my consent and participation. The power of appreciation aligned me with divine order and shifted my mindset. With that came a deep trust that nothing was in my way. My purpose doesn’t lie on the other side of what appear to be obstacles, but rather, the path that I walk is my purpose. I remained steadfast in faith, and my ability to trust the process of life allowed me to see the good flowing to me. I knew that I could transform the experience by seizing it as a chance to learn and grow.
I see the fruits of God’s promise deliver my highest good. But I got there because I did not wait for resolution to practice gratitude. Rather, gratitude helped me stay open to miracles, ready to receive the blessings meant for me.
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Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center offers a
safe and sacred place for study, participation, fellowship,
support, and transformation as we awaken to
the joy of living!
We invite you to join us in 2025!
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Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center is a diverse, open and affirming community that embraces all people regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, ethnicity, age or physical or mental ability - without intent or attempt to convert.
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Learn More about Unity...
Interested in more information about Unity? Who are we and where did we come from? Click on these links to inform and empower you! www.unity.org and www.truthunity.net. Blessings!
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Calendar of Events
Saturday, November 29
Healing Sound Bath with Canda Lambert
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 30
Canda Lambert
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Giving Thanks Workshop
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 7
Jack Horner, Guest Speaker
Wednesday, December 10
Gentle Yoga Class
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 14
Tom Baker, Guest Speaker
Baker's Day Cookie Fundraiser
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Saturday, December 20
Winter Solstice Celebration
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 21
Canda Lambert - Christmas in Song Service
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Community Christmas Luncheon
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 29
Healing Sound Bath with Canda Lambert
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 30
Canda Lambert - Burning Bowl/Water Release
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
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This week, our Spiritual Leader, Canda Lambert returns to share her talk, "Hope & Faith". Canda explains, "As we prepare for Christmas, the birth of the Christ within us, this first week of Advent we look at the part Hope and Faith plays in our own rebirth. How can hope and faith inspire, refine and intensify our light? Our light! Which is exactly what the world needs now."
Join us as we begin our celebration of Advent - a season of hope, renewal, and change!
Platform Assistant: Jude Eastman
Chaplain: Amy Shao
Greeters: Jane Seigel & Jackie Plyler
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One of the foundational teachings of Unity is that our thoughts have creative power. Knowing that the thoughts we hold in mind become reality is motivation to keep our thoughts positive. Affirmations are statements of truth that apply to everyone all the time. For instance, I live in a universe of abundance is a spiritual truth, NOT I’ll be a millionaire by the end of the week. Then, be grateful if you’re breathing, if the sun is shining or rain is nourishing the earth, if you have something to eat today, if you have shelter—start with the smallest, most obvious things and bless them.
For the complete article Unity Prosperity Teaching, click here.
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UWSC Annual
Fall Food Drive Final Week!
This is our final week of our November Food Drive and we want to thank everyone who has participated this season! We will continue to collect donations through this Sunday before we make a final drop off to FISH, an organization supporting those in need in our local community. Lists of most-needed items are available in this newsletter and in the UWSC foyer. Together, we are love in action!
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Mark your calendars!
In December, we will pause our usual first-Sunday potluck and instead, come together after our Christmas Service in Song for a Congregational Christmas Luncheon on Sunday, December 21.
Let us gather in the spirit of the season to share fellowship, laughter, and the heart-centered warmth that makes UWSC a spiritual family.
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Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center graciously accepts love offerings during Sunday Services and special events, online through paypal.me/UnityWilliamsburg, Zeffy, and by check, mailed to 624 Queens Creek Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
How to donate with Zeffy. Video tutorial here
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Sunday’s message from Tom Baker was a humorous and enlightening reflection on universal love—the divine current that connects us all. His talk was followed by an insightful Q&A and a heartfelt testimony from our dear friend William, who shared how a moment of kindness from Margie in their workplace years ago made him feel like it was “all going to be okay.” When he later saw Margie and Richard at UWSC, that same assurance returned—“it’s all going to be okay.”
His words perfectly echoed Tom’s message: that love, freely given, creates a space where people feel safe to be who they are—seen, accepted, and embraced in the present moment.
This is the spirit that moves through UWSC each week—the quiet miracle of hearts open in love and community. I am continually humbled and grateful to witness it, to share it, and to experience it with all of you.
Thank you for all that you do, and all that you are, that makes our spiritual community a sanctuary of peace, compassion, and divine connection.
Namaste, A
Amy Shao, President
Teo Feliciano, Vice President
Lynda Birckhead, Secretary
Johan Wagner, Treasurer
Jude Eastman, Member at Large
Jane Siegel, Member at Large
(*To email a board member, click on their name above.)
For the most recent approved financial report and Board Meeting Minutes, click here.
Next Board Meeting will be December 14.
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Thank you for being part of our spiritual community at Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center! If you’ve had a positive experience us, would you consider leaving a Google review? It would mean a lot to us and help others discover our center. Thank you so much!
How to write a Google review - Video tutorial here
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Please visit our new Facebook home here or search @unitywilliamsburgspiritualcenter. We will be posting the Daily Word, affirmations, meditations, inspirational music and sermon spotlights daily. We will also post information about upcoming services and special events.
Our Sunday Services will be broadcast via Facebook Live every Sunday at 10:30 AM.
Please "Like" the posts and share content from the page to improve our online visibility. If you have suggestions from content, please contact Amy Shao or Jude Eastman.
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