Unity Sacred Healing Meditation
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6pm
NEWS from
Unity
Sacred Healing
Meditation
We hope you’re reading this because you’ve heard about this ministry and would like to know more about USHM. Please come and be blessed! No appointment is needed.
Everyone is welcome. Volunteers are committed to providing a sacred space for you, our guests. This unrushed process takes about 35 minutes.
Let’s talk… What is Sacred Healing Meditation? This gentle, loving experience of touch or near-touch on 12 of the body’s energy centers encourages healing of physical, emotional and relationship issues. You are held in unconditional Love by our trained volunteers.
A few words from our minister, Brent: “Know that USHM is about connecting consciously in God's love and trusting that loving presence to transform us in ways we haven't even dared to dream.” How powerful!
We see you healed, whole and holy, in the name and nature of Jesus Christ!
Richest Blessings,
Mitzi Michelle Rusk, Volunteer Coordinator mmrusk@sbcglobal.net
p.s. monthly newsletters posted below provide more information.
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June, 2011 A Pause for Our Sacred Healing Ministry
Summer brings changes for many of us and after canvassing my Volunteers, we need to put Sacred Healing on pause (vacation) for the Summer.
Your attendance and support is such a blessing. We have had many ‘regulars’ and many one-timers come through the doors of Unity Nacogdoches to experience Unity Sacred Healing. Thank you to all!
Serving as Coordinator for this ministry has enriched my life. On Wednesday evening when I arrive to prepare the space, a Spirit of Change comes over me. I can truly say every single session has blessed me. Our Volunteers, Corie Bonner, Kelonna Collier and Carolyn Fellers have surrounded every visitor with their love and beautiful presence of service.
God Bless you with love, light and healing this summer. Let us know what schedule you would like to see in the Fall. Meanwhile, we can share Rev. Scott Sherman’s guided CD’s with you. They are in our bookstore and can be very helpful. I often use mine at home. If you have any questions or comments, please call.
In Love and Light, Mitzi Rusk, USHM Volunteer Coordinator, 936-552-6105
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MARCH 2011 NEWSLETTER
Unity Sacred Healing Meditation Continues into Spring
Spring sounds like a great time to refresh what Sacred Healing is. I hope you'll enjoy this refresher course!
Is Sacred Healing a class? No, but we learn something every time we go through this meditative process. Is it a new idea? No, not anymore than prayer is. Can anyone come? Yes, everyone is welcome. Does it work? Yes, in the same way that prayer does. It is unconditional love. Why do you use touch or near-touch? It helps focus our loving heart energy directly to the beloved one we are praying with and to specific areas of the body. Also, many people are isolated and suffering from a lack of appropriate touch.
Why do you use the Sanctuary? It is a very sacred place of collective prayers. Will I feel anything, or do I need to feel anything, to know it is helping me? Not necessarily. Each circumstance is different. We usually tell people they will, at a minimum, feel very relaxed and their breathing will be deeper and calmer. People often report feeling better immediately after the session.
Can I do it at home on myself? Yes. Come and we will demonstrate what we do and you can do it at home on yourself, or on a loved one. Also, we have CD's in our Bookstore. Is there any counseling provided? No, but many people find answers in the silence and relaxation in this type of prayer.
Do you charge a fee or expect a fee? No. Some churches do, however our Trustees decided it was best to receive Love Offerings. Our Facilitators are volunteers and all Love Offerings go to the Church. Also, like other Unity income, we tithe on gifts received. Is an appointment needed? No, we are here at 6:00 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. We welcome you to quietly enter the Sanctuary and join in a spirit of prayer with us.
I may be interested in being a Sacred Healing Facilitator. What can I do? Wonderful! New volunteers are needed and we can provide training. Call Mitzi's cell 936-552-6105 or email mmrusk@sbcglobal.net.
Love and Blessings of Health and Happiness from your Sacred Healing Volunteers: Mitzi Rusk, Corie Bonner, Carolyn Fellers and Kelonna Collier.
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November, 2010 Confessions of a Reluctant Volunteer by Carolyn Fellers
The Unity Sacred Healing Meditation is a wonderful thing. When I first went through the training, I was excited to be of service in bringing this to people in our church and community. Then, over time, as life’s stresses hit, I must admit my enthusiasm waned. “How could I help someone else with their healing when I had problems of my own?”
So, when Mitzi asked me to volunteer this previous Wednesday night, I was not really feeling gung-ho. I was tired and my arthritic ankle had been hurting me a lot. But, because I had made a commitment to be a volunteer and had not been available recently, I decided to go. And I am so glad that I did!
The first session of the evening was with Nivra, an out-of-town visitor who was in Nacogdoches for a conference. She had checked around to see if there was a Unity Church in town that would offer some healing services during her stay here, as she was also in pain. She was thrilled to see that there was a healing service available that evening with us at Unity Sacred Healing.
During the session, I suddenly realized that my ankle did not hurt, and that I felt lighter and happier in my spirit. After the session was over, Nivra told me that I had touched the place that needed it the most during the intuitive portion (I had asked Spirit for guidance) and that she felt so much better. So as it turned out, both of us were healed, body and spirit.
The lesson here: God can use even the most reluctant for his work! …… Remember Moses?
All you have to do is show up!
Love and Blessings, Carolyn Fellers, USHM Volunteer
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September 2010 Unity Sacred Healing Meditation
Give Yourself A Treat!
My parents are the proud owners of two beautiful Border Collies, Molly and Katie. Katie is a toddler in a monster truck body. Every stranger she meets is at risk of being licked to death. Katie hangs on your every word, eager to show off her latest trick of sitting or 'speaking' at your command. Molly, on the other hand, would rather hang out by the door and watch the commotion from a distance. She will obey a command only if you are her favorite person or if you ask her several times in a row at a loud volume. Molly is loyal and she is now living out her golden years. If dogs could roll their eyes, I assure you, Molly would burn most of her calories by rolling her eyes at Katie.
One day, my husband Aaron was training Katie to jump through flaming hoops or to sit. I can't remember which one. Anyways, Molly was also on hand to observe this treat distribution. So as not to disturb the dog hierarchy, Aaron would also give Molly a treat after Katie performed her tricks.
"Katie, jump over that raging river!" Aaron would command.
She would perform the task flawlessly and would be rewarded with a treat.
"Molly, keep breathing."
And then Aaron would give Molly a treat for also performing her designated task.
Sacred Healing Meditation is very similar to the unconditional love Aaron expressed to Molly.
Sacred Healing Meditation is a time to just breathe. A time for others to focus on loving you. Like a giant mental hug that surrounds you in unconditional love. Our USHM volunteers will love you just as you are, no strings attached. You don't have to do anything more. You don't have to finish that project. You don't need to wear your best dress. Just breathe. And enjoy the treat of unconditional love.
Vonda Criswell, USHM Volunteer
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SACRED HEALING MEDITATION AT UNITY, August 2010
It was one of “THOSE” times when I knew better but didn’t do better. Caught up in the stress of all the changes, I stopped doing the things I needed to do to take care of me. Luckily for me, I have an old back injury that just has no patience with my overwhelming sense of importance and responsibility. When I refuse to stop, the back stops for me!
That was the situation I found myself in Sunday July, 18th. We had spent 2 frustrating weeks trying to find a new home. Every time we would find a place we liked someone showed up just ahead of us with a check for the deposit. So caught up in the “doing” I forgot the “knowing”. My back would have none of it, it knew what I had forgotten—that all my needs were met without all the stressing and hand-wringing and worrying and running.
I find a warped sense of pride in an abnormally high pain threshold but by Monday I broke down and took pain pills, something I never do. Tuesday saw a repeat of the pain and the pills but by Wednesday some sense of sanity was beginning to return. I became aware of the stress and worry that I was repressing and finally turned to prayer. I remembered that Wednesday night was Sacred Healing so I made sure I was at the church and ready to participate. I needed the pain to stop but whether or not the pain responded, I needed the stress and drama to stop.
I was never so happy to see a massage table in my life. I laid there in some considerable discomfort as Mitzi gently created a space of love and acceptance so immediate and real it was palpable, I could almost touch it. Slowly I began to relax and the pain lessened. The pain continued to decrease for the next 8 hours until I was completely pain free!
Thank God for community! At those times when we forget who we are and we get buried in the hum of it all, we are companioned by those who love us and can hold the truth for us until we are able to return to it ourselves. If you should find yourself sometime this month forgetting how deeply you are loved by Spirit then I invite you to do as I did—come to Sacred Healing and be unconditionally accepted and unconditionally loved!
Thanks Sacred Healing Volunteers—Brent Uzzell, Spiritual Leader
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MAY, 2010 Sacred Healing in Springtime by Mitzi Rusk
Let’s get together! Spring is such a resplendent time for new growth and healing. Our volunteers are here the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. For May, the schedule will be May 5th and May 19th. May 19 is also Shavuot, which follows Passover. On Passover, the Jewish people were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot, they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God. Sacred Healing Meditation time is a wonderful way we can tie our desires for healing, of all kinds, to our commitment to serve God.
Do you think it qualifies as ‘Serving God’ when we care for ourselves? There are many ways to do this, but if you’re like me, you need to PLAN to take care of yourself. Please accept my encouragement, and PLAN to come to one of our services. For those who have been with us in the Fellowship Hall, we are now back in the Sanctuary. The lighting and music provides a sacred, peaceful space.
Love and Blessings,
Mitzi Rusk, USHM Coordinator
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APRIL, 2020 Is Sacred Healing Meditation for Me? by Mitzi Rusk
If you’re looking for a reason to try Sacred Healing, or to continue… it’s L-O-V-E in the form of our beautiful volunteers providing the blessing of Sacred Healing to you and our community. Prayer and loving touch. Love, there’s that word again. Can we ever have too much? I think not! When we receive love, it just naturally flows outward from us. The evidence of this is easy to see. Come to any Sunday morning Worship Service for greet-your-neighbor time. You’ll see lots of hugs, or hands extended in friendship, and warm smiles expressing love.
Our church mission is to Love and Serve by living the principles of Jesus Christ. Sacred Healing allows us to give and receive unconditional love. Love and joy are the fastest way to healing. Many who come experience a profound sense of relaxation, peace and some kind of healing. Sometimes a mental ‘awakening’ occurs on an issue that was unseen. As a facilitator, I appreciate that Sacred Healing allows me the time to slow down, and really be present. Giving light and love to another very precious human being is our privilege.
I love and appreciate each one of our volunteers who have served these past months. As Sacred Healing continues, we are experimenting with a new schedule. We will be here the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. If you’ve had the thought you’d like to help, please call or let me know at your next visit. I look forward to hearing of your interest and suggestions of how we might best be of service
Love and Blessings,
Mitzi Rusk, USHM Coordinator
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January 2010 NEWS from Unity Sacred Healing Meditation
Is Sacred Healing Medication for Me? by Shannon Modrell
A Sacred Healing Meditation session is about asking God to remove anything that might block the experience of absolute Unconditional Love. Countless stories across the globe stand testimony to the healing power of Unconditional Love to transform the most ghastly of maladies in miraculous ways.
However, someone recently asked “What if there isn’t anything going on in my life that I feel needs improvement?” I’m probably paraphrasing – I wasn’t even in the room when the question was asked. But I would like to give a hearty “That’s OK” in response, and offer a few points explaining why I’m so adamant about that:
1. There is more to healing than “fixing something that’s broke”.
Sometimes what we call healing is nothing more than going from an experience of feeling good to feeling great!
Think of this as an upgrade from coach to first class. If you’re riding in a in a coach, you’re still experiencing a marvel of ingenuity and an expression of immense abundance, a convenience beyond human imagining before the 1900’s and all-in-all a pretty good experience if you think about it. But as good as it is an upgrade to first class offers even more benefits, conveniences, pampering, etc.
It’s not a perfect analogy, but hopefully it does the trick. My point is, even though there may be nothing “wrong” in your life, that doesn’t mean benefit can’t be derived from something that makes life that much more pleasant. I see it as being open to receive ever-increasing good.
2. What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
Any hands-on-healing experience is actually about sharing unconditional love between two people. No matter what is or isn’t going on in someone’s life I cannot imagine ANY situation in which an experience of more unconditional love would not be beneficial!
3. All aspects of ourselves are connected.
Since all parts of our self are connected - physical, mental, emotional – anything we do to improve (or, for that matter, harm) one will automatically affect the all of the others whether we feel it right away or not.
Note: to every person who just said “she left out ‘Spiritual’”, I consider the entire package of who we are to be spiritual, so it’s automatically included (wink).
4. We are multi dimensional
In addition to our physical, mental, and emotional body we have many other aspects to our being. The subconscious, super conscious, id and ego come to mind as a nod to any Freud fans. The many archetypal energies we embody (the Leader, the Warrior, the Nurturer, etc) are another. My personal take is that we have many more energetic layers to our being than we can ever perceive as long as we inhabit a physical body. The advantage of spiritual healing is that it naturally addresses any and all the levels of our being whether we are consciously aware of them or not. We don’t have to know or try to figure out what is needed because whatever aspect of our being that is ready to shift will shift without our making it happen. And as I mentioned above, when one aspect of ourselves is affected, so are all the others. Neat, huh?
All humans are working on changing something about themselves
Yes, there are those who disagree with me on this, but I maintain that it’s true. We are all here to transform something – even those who are revered as “oh so enlightened” by their followers (and for the record, that “something” that they are working on is more than just “how to teach others what I know”)
What we are here to transform may be visible, it may not. We may do it consciously or below conscious awareness. It varies from person to person, but we all have something we are here to transform on some level of our being. Activities such as meditation and spiritual healing facilitate that process.
I hope you will drop by Unity some Wednesday night and experience the relaxation of a Sacred Healing Meditation session.
If nothing else, try it as an experiment! We operate on Love Offering basis, but NO ONE is turned away.
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December 2009 NEWS from Unity Sacred Healing Meditation
A Glimpse Into the Mind of a Healer by Shannon Modrell
It’s almost a misnomer to even call myself that. It seems to imply that I have some ability that others do not, and I know that is not true. We are all healers. Anyone can do hands-on-healing. It’s not a mark of distinction. All systems that teach it are merely ways to give it structure, but the raw ability is something we all possess.
So when I say I’m a healer, I’m really just making a declaration of truth that is universal.
Having worked with Hands on Healing and Reiki for about 7 years now, one of the most important things I’ve learned about it is to allow Spirit to do the work through me rather than using my own energy to the healing. Why? Well, several reasons, actually:
It’s difficult to add anything to this point; it’s just something I’ve come to know. The finite mind cannot comprehend the infinite. Not fully, anyway.
The oddity of hands-on-healing is that sometimes I feel the energy flowing through me, sometimes I feel zip. Nadda. And conversely sometimes the recipient feels it, sometimes not. What’s really fun is when one of us is feeling a powerful flow and the other feels nothing. So there really is no way to accurately judge whether or not it’s “doing anything” (more on this below).
Divine energy NEVER runs out.
What do I mean by, “runs out”? Aren’t we infinite beings without beginning or end? Yes, but our human form energy, our own vital essence does indeed have a limit. A very talented healer can produce great results by giving their own healing energy to another, but eventually that energy is going to burn out. Why? Because it was meant for the person who has it. A wise healer sets a conscious intention to allow divine energy to flow through them, not from them. The metaphor of being used as a vessel is a popular image for setting this intention.
I as a healer cannot know the full story behind the cause of another person’s ailment, issue, or challenge. I can have an idea, an intuitive knowing, or an opinion, but I still only have a piece of the information (assuming I’m correct in my assessment). The body is a fascinating system: A person may experience pain or discomfort in one area of the body, but the cause may be originating from an entirely different location.
This is why I don’t want to know too much about any particular ailment a person may have because I don’t want my conscious mind to get in the way when I’m trying to follow my gut about where my hands need to be placed next. I prefer to trust God to prompt me through my intuition rather than limit my focus to whatever location I think needs the healing touch. Any verbal expression of what the recipient wants healed is actually a declaration of intention for themselves, rather than instruction for my benefit.
I cannot get wrapped up in worrying about whether or not what I’m doing is effective. First of all, that’s a great way to cut off the flow of energy. Second, I cannot create another person’s experience. Only the person receiving can choose that.
Divine energy is capable of bypassing emotional and mental obstructions in the recipient such as fear of the process, or skepticism about whether it’s working, but both refusal and willingness to receive the energy is totally within the recipient’s control. I can usually feel it when someone is blocking the energy and refusing to receive it. Usually the person is unconscious of this resistance. But I can’t force them to be healed! I just have to let it go and trust that whatever is for the highest and best for this person will occur in Divine right timing. Hey, for all I know the energy may stay with them and be received years later! Fact is stranger than fiction, after all!
I mean, come on now, we barely know what is the highest and best for ourselves! No matter how much I may want to grant another person relief, there is a very good reason that it’s out of my control: I don’t know everything. (see point #3). I cannot know what another soul’s choices are, what they came here to accomplish, or how they are here to do it. Though I fully know that we do not come here to experience, we come here to heal, I cannot know what role another’s challenges play in their life.
Of course I want to eliminate suffering. But I cannot always know if someone’s suffering is a symptom of a larger problem or consequence of a destructive thought or behavior that is trying to get their attention. So I don’t allow my will to go into control-mode and try to force healing. I simply allow God to work through me and know that Divine Unconditional Love is ALWAYS the real truth.
Blessings from Shannon Modrell, USHM Volunteer Facilitator
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November 2009 NEWS from Unity Sacred Healing Meditation
Oh, oh, oh, I’m addicted to love!... by Kelonna Collier
If you’d like to relate to what I’m talking about, please come join us on a Wednesday night. A great way for me to familiarize you to this therapeutic touch modality is to share my thought processes and occurrences related to Sacred Healing Meditation. I would like to touch upon spiritual and physical points.
Spiritually: I didn’t realize how starved I was for a connectedness with others until I became spiritually connected during a session. As I was carefree and willing to relax “within” myself, I sensed figurative walls and barriers within myself and between myself and others dissolve, replaced by nothing but true love. I find myself attempting to recreate those moments throughout my day-to-day life, and look forward to the next time I do USHM.
I consciously allow myself to be open to truth, wholeness and love, during and after USHM. For me, it’s the Lord making my mountain stand strong; it’s receiving his favor and finding myself in clothes of gladness and joy. (Psalm 30:11)
Physically: Research has revealed that therapeutic touch effectively lowers blood pressure, alleviates chronic pain, speeds up mending of bones and fractures, induces a relaxation response, reduces anxiety, regulates and supports immune function, and accelerates recovery from surgery. As a registered nurse, I will say that I believe the best thing about USHM in is that it can do no harm. Boy, I wish I had this available to me when I delivered my boys via C-section!
Every Wednesday evening USHM is our Prayer Service beginning at 6 pm. No appointment necessary. Many of you have brought a relative or friend and I encourage you to continue to come…and bless yourself with USHM as part of your healing process.
In loving service, Kelonna Collier, USHM Volunteer Facilitator
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October 2009 NEWS from Unity Sacred Healing Meditation
Where, When, What is Sacred Healing by Mitzi Rusk
We hope you’re reading this because you’ve heard about this ministry and would like to know more about USHM. With all the love in our hearts, we hope you will come and be blessed!
Let’s talk… What is Sacred Healing Meditation? This gentle, loving experience of touch or near-touch on 12 of the body’s energy centers encourages healing of physical, emotional and relationship issues. You are held in unconditional Love.
A few words from Brent: “It is helpful to know that USHM is just about connecting consciously in God's love and trusting that loving presence to transform us in ways we haven't even dared to dream.” How powerful!
A great work has begun with each one doing their part. We have already heard ‘Good News’ reports from people who have come. Praise God! We’ll share more with you as time goes along. We welcome your questions and comments as this healing ministry grows in East Texas.
We see you healed, whole and holy, in the name and nature of Jesus Christ ~
Richest Blessings from your Unity Sacred Healing Circle,
Mitzi Michelle Rusk, Coordinator
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!
Our ‘little’ church in Nacogdoches has joined an international network of Unity churches to present Unity Sacred Healings! THANK YOU to our Trustees and the congregation for supporting the idea of bringing this healing ministry to East Texas.
The Sacred Healing Meditation Seminar Rev. Scott Sherman presented in July was very well received. Good news reports have already been circulating. 12 people completed Phase I and II Training and many are choosing to serve as volunteers in this ministry. Beverly Fisher and Michelle Mitzi Rusk went to Austin August 1st to complete the Coordinator’s Training. Unity churches were represented from Florida to San Antonio.
Beginning September 2nd, we will conduct healing sessions Wednesday evenings at 6 pm in the Sanctuary. What a wonderful use of our beautiful, sacred setting! The sessions will be on a love offering basis. The Facilitators will give 100% of all love offerings received directly to the church. Thus, your thank-you gifts for this wondrous healing process will bless all your friends and neighbors at our church.
We invite you to participate as much as you would like. The opening prayer begins with these words:
“Beloved one; you are holy and whole, sacred and divine. Your life is filled with abundance, love, harmony and peace. Anything that is unlike your highest and best, gently dissolves and drifts away out of your life without effort.”
We hold this prayer-thought for you now and always and hope you will accept this loving invitation.
Richest Blessings from your Unity Sacred Healing Circle,
Mitzi Michelle Rusk and Beverly Fisher, Coordinators