Faith
A Back to School Message from Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks, Senior Minister, Unity Atlanta Church
“Listen to Your Inner Guru” – Back to School 2020, By Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks, Senior Minister, Unity Atlanta Church
One Sunday morning at church, a visitor gushed with excitement about being there and meeting me. After the service concluded, he thrust paper and pen at me.
“I want you to write something down,” he said and proceeded to advise me about how much I could learn from a local guru.
At one point in my life, I would have taken his words personally, imagining that I’d said or done something “wrong.” But instead, I realized that he was a spiritual seeker and wanted to share something which inspired him. He reminded me of my younger self, when I was discovering my own spiritual path, sometimes gushing unsolicited advice about someone or something I thought others needed to follow.
During that time, when I sought all my answers in books, classes, and gurus, I learned a sacred truth from a blessed teacher who said: “Jenn, maybe you could put all the books in a box for a while and stop searching so hard. Listen to yourself. Then, you can be your own guru.” Her words are some of the best advice I’ve ever received.
Especially during this season of uncertainty, adjustment, and ceaseless information streams, we need time to hear the still, small voice within, our own inner guru. This listening process is the kind of back-to-school work we can do anytime, anyplace, anywhere, because it always starts with us.
One of the best ways to begin is by contemplating some questions about our lives now:
- What, of our true heart’s desires, have we enjoyed from our bucket list? What are we doing to enjoy more?
- Which books, newsletters, posts, and feeds do we think we should read, especially if someone else recommended them? Do they provide the education and enlightenment we need? What would we love to read, study, or follow instead?
- What projects and activities must we do for our own and our family’s well-being? Are we taking enough time for our own self-care? Are we trying to do other jobs or complete tasks which someone else is better equipped to handle?
- Which people truly listen and encourage us in living our dreams and passions? Which people try to catch us in their webs of drama and gossip?
- When we request advice, do we understand what is said? Are we assisted in determining our own needs? Or does the advice-giver act as if they are the “only” expert, following the “only” path, offering the “only” product there will ever be?
- What feels like a drain on our time and energy? What do we truly love doing?
While these questions may take time to consider, the answers will help us learn new truths about ourselves as we begin a new school year, return to the office or re-set our minds to new opportunities that fall often brings. As we keep listening faithfully, we allow our inner guru to guide our discernment. And better than any gold star is the sense of ease and peace of mind we feel in how we choose to live now.
New experiences await at this season’s Walk Through Bethlehem
An annual must-see holiday event, Walk Through Bethlehem, presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church, will take place over three evenings, December 13–15.
With 1,200 luminaries, Simpsonwood Park is transformed into Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers and witness a live nativity.
Visitors can also enjoy a fire with stories from shepherds, pet live animals and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.
Before your journey ends, enjoy a photo opportunity with a Roman Guard and hot chocolate and cookies.
The details
Walk Through Bethlehem transforms several acres of Simpsonwood Park into Bethlehem Village on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers, witness a live nativity and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.
The special holiday event is presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church with the help of more than 300 community volunteers.
What to expect
- 1,200 luminaries welcoming guests to Bethlehem
- Live camels and Roman guards at Bethlehem’s entrance
- Shopkeepers in costume interacting with guests
- Interactive village with more than 12 individual shops
- Animal petting area with donkeys, sheep and more
- Shepherds sharing stories around a fire
- Live nativity with wisemen bringing gifts
- Attendees donating canned goods to Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
- Attendees enjoying hot chocolate and cookies
Make plans to attend
Dates and hours
- Friday, December 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Simpsonwood Park, 4511 Jones Bridge Cir NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
FREE admission; accepting canned food donations for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries.
For more information, visit simpsonwoodumc.org/walk-through-bethlehem.
The role team sports play in building authentic relationships is pretty apparent, especially the relationship between a coach and the individual players.
Showing strength often means showing vulnerability as well. And sometimes the strongest people can have their vulnerable moments. That’s what the Salvation Army’s ministry is all about – helping those who need a hand.
To further that message, one of the most noteworthy coaches in University of Georgia football history, Mark Richt, shared his insights as the keynote speaker for the 10th annual “Doing the Best” luncheon on May 9 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE. The event is one of the main fundraisers for the Salvation Army of Gwinnett County.
Coach Richt’s journey
Richt shared his personal experience of being recruited out of high school and eventually going into coaching, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the journey.
“My mom taught me what it means to love unconditionally,” said Richt. “And my dad and I connected through baseball … he taught me how to love and respect people … unfortunately he’s no longer with us.”
Having that groundwork at home helped underscore the value of relationships in sports, he said, adding that’s what helped overcome obstacles in coaching and in life.
Richt coached the Bulldogs from 2001 to 2015 and The University of Miami from 2016 to 2018. He retired with a record of 171-64.
His UGA win total is second only to Hall of Fame coach Vince Dooley’s. He was named the 2002 and 2005 SEC Coach of the Year and is currently the 10th-winningest coach in SEC history. Last year, he became the fifth coach from Georgia and the fifth Hurricanes coach to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
The impact of faith
He shared with the audience how his faith in God helped him overcome fears and doubts – even while battling Parkinson’s disease, emphasizing his hope in the future glory of heaven.
“I got Parkinson’s, and as most people know, it’s a progressive disease that gets worse over time. It affects your movement. I get muscle rigidity,” he said. “When I got the diagnosis, I thought, ‘Well, what do I do?’”
He said he decided he was going to enjoy the blessing he had while he could. And he encouraged the audience to do the same.
“We are grateful to have Coach Richt join us for this milestone year of the Doing The Most Good Luncheon,” said Captain Paul Ryerson, commanding officer of The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County. “The need remains high for many in our community, and the funds raised through this event will allow us to continue to serve as a resource and bring hope to our local neighbors.”
Visit southernusa.salvationarmy.org/gwinnett to learn more.
The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County “Doing the Most Good” by the numbers (2023):
- 51,134 pounds of food donated,
- 640 number of households that received food donations,
- 1,461 nights of shelter provided,
- 54 number of households that received rent/mortgage and utility assistance,
- 738 families received gifts at Christmas through the Angel Tree program and
- 1,979 children received gifts at Christmas through the Angel Tree program.
Water at Work Ministry, an Atlanta-based charitable organization dedicated to providing clean water solutions to communities in the Dominican Republic, is proud to announce its partnership with House of Light Orphanage, a haven of care and education to 40 orphans with disabilities.
Together, these faith-based organizations are inaugurating a sustainable water production business to ensure access to safe water for the orphanage residents and the surrounding communities in Ciudad Juan Bosch.
This business will help sustain House of Light’s mission to provide nurture and education to children, many of whom have experienced physical and cognitive challenges since birth and abandonment by their families.
A dedication and grand opening ceremony for the water plant was held on Tuesday, May 14, with representatives attending from Water at Work Ministries, Rotary International, Be an Angel Foundation, the local Bella Vista Rotary Club, House of Light Orphanage and the local community.
With the opening of Water at Work’s new sustainable water plant, the House of Light Orphanage will have a consistent and reliable source of clean water to meet the needs of the orphans and the surrounding community, ensuring access to water that is safe for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.
The plant has a production capacity of 5,500 gallons per day, and is designed to be a sustainable business that will generate revenue through water sales. Clean water will be produced and affordably sold in five-gallon bottles in the surrounding communities.
Profits generated by the water business will defray the orphanage’s expenses, thereby contributing to its continued viability and moving it toward financial independence.
This project is just one more example of how this Atlanta-based nonprofit organization is working to empower and elevate local economies in the Dominican Republic.
Over the past decade, Water at Work has established eight fully-functioning water plant businesses across the DR. Each partners with local churches with the goal of meeting people’s physical needs through water and their spiritual needs through the Living Water of Jesus.
While many people think of the DR’s pristine beaches and resorts, locals know that poverty is rampant in many parts of the country and countless people have limited access to basic needs, including clean water. With the ongoing crisis in neighboring Haiti, ministries like Water at Work are more needed now than ever before.
“The partnership between House of Light Orphanage and Water at Work represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for clean water in underserved communities,” says Water at Work Executive Director, Dan Blevins, resident of Peachtree Corners.
“By leveraging sustainable technology and innovative solutions, both organizations will make a tangible, life-giving difference,” he added.
Water at Work Ministry
Email: audrie@wateratworkministry.org
Phone: 404-465-1447
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