Tibetan Gaden Monastery Cultural Tour

Unity Church of Richmond is hosting the Tibetan monks of the Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery for a week of events that will be open to the public! They are here with the blessing of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to share their culture, practices and paths to inner peace and compassion.

Activities include teachings from Tibetan Buddhism, daily meditations, cultural performances, musical presentations with Tibetan singing bowls and chanting, sand mandala rituals, snow leopard conservation and more!

The Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery is part of one of the oldest and most revered monasteries in Tibet, now located in South India. This house has produced many important teachers in the Gelug tradition, including Geshe Thupten Jinpa, the primary English interpreter for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Funds raised on this tour will help to build a prayer hall, dormitories and provide for the medical needs for the monks of Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery.

A Brief History of Gaden Monastery

Gaden Monastery is one of the three most renowned monasteries of Tibet. Originally founded in Tibet in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa (1357 – 1419), a preeminent Tibetan preacher, saint, and Buddhist scholar, Gaden is where the Gelugpa School or the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism emerged. The monastery was built on a majestic mountain just outside of Lhasa.

Gaden quickly became well known for its moral discipline, academic strength, and spiritual values. Monks of all ages poured in from every part of Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and Northern India. By the 1950s the population of the monastery had grown to 5,000. The youngest monks started at age seven. All monks, irrespective of their specific focus of study, engaged in rigorous study at the monastery for many years. In addition to in-depth philosophical study, there were trainings in different vocations such as religious music, arts, sculpture, and administrative work.

The Gandhi Event Celebration!

We had such a fabulous time at The Gandhi Event this past Saturday.  All of our months of hard work and planning paid off with such a fabulous turnout - over 600 people!  We are so grateful to our amazing performers!  The Drums Not Guns group got the crowd going and excited which really created a joyful sense of community within the amphitheatre.  The Kuchipudi dancers from Sri Sai Dance Academy inspired the crowd with the beauty of their traditional dance.  It was truly a blessing to watch them perform!  Finally, we'd like to thank Dr. Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus for sharing their heartwarming experiences and perspectives of peace, understanding and harmony.  Your words on what non-violence means were enlightening and it was an experience that attendees are not likely to forget.  Thank you for taking the time to speak to our community and spreading love in our hearts. You truly are Peace Farmers.

Taking selfies and posing with Revs. Richard and Vicky Bunch and Bret Dealy

Sri Sai Dance Academy

Drums Not Guns 

Revs. Richard and Vicky Bunch making introductions and thanking performers

Dr. Arun Gandhi

Bethany Hegedus

Sunday Schedule

Join us tomorrow, Sunday, March 6th for one of our many services!

Contemplative Service
9:00 am - 10:15 am
Experience the beauty of the silence, oneness and inner peace on Sunday mornings. Take an hour to escape from the stresses of the week. Center yourself in the presence of love, joy and abundance. Allow the music to stir your soul. Meditate to heal your heart. Listen to the words of inspiration to awaken the Christ Consciousness within you to infinite possibilities. Come and be renewed by the Infinite Spirit of Life — God.

A Course in Miracles
10:10 am - 11:00 am
Weekly study with Rev. Richard Bunch: “The Course is a beginning, not an end”… Seeking the guidance of Spirit, we become aware that we live our lives either with love or fear. The choice is ours. In this class we support one another as we discuss ways to release the bondage of fear and allow ourselves to be transformed by the power of love as based on the teachings from A Course In Miracles.

Green Team
10:15 am - 11:00 am
Mission: To promote stewardship of the environment and an awareness of our oneness with the earth through education, respect for the interdependence of the Universe, sustainable living and the preservation of our natural resources. Meets 10:15-11 a.m. and 12:30-1:15 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month.

Celebration Service
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Celebrate Spirit in an inclusive and loving environment. Be inspired by the music presented by our soloists, instrumentalists, and choir. Experience unconditional love, non-resistance, non-attachment and trust in Spirit in a 75-minute worship session, allowing God to flow through you and show you the Way into unlimited possibilities to LIVE LIFE FULLY! Come and feel the joy of Spirit moving and flowing through you.

Youth Education
11:00 am - 12:15 am
Downstairs for Children and Youth, our Children’s Celebration Center offers Sunday School from Nursery – 5th grade; a Uniteen group for 6th-8th grades; and Youth of Unity (Y.O.U.) for 9th-12th grades.

4T Prosperity Course
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Sundays, January 3-March 20, 6-7:30 p.m. — This is a course in prosperity transformation and commitment to change. Join us in this transformation! Facilitated by Mike Shelton and Erin Rice.

MId-week Faith Lift

This week got off to a slow and dreary start, come to our Mid-Week Faith Lift Service and get over those Monday and Humpday blues with some words of inspiration for the rest of the week!

Jaxon Washburn Interfaith Club Meeting

Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond. Teens meet up with teens of other faiths. Check out Jaxon Washburn YouTube speech at the Parliament of World Religions!

Arun Gandhi - The Gandhi Event, Understand Non-Violence

Dear Richmond Community,

Join the legendary Arun Gandhi, grandson of the great Mahatma Gandhi, for a once in a lifetime opportunity right here in Richmond, Virginia. Hear Arun Gandhi speak on non-violence, his grandfather’s legacy and activism on April 2nd, 2016 at 6 pm. 

“A nonviolent society and nonviolent individual would be one who lives in harmony with all of creation; one that has a lot of love and respect for everybody considers everybody to be equal, learns to share things with other people, and not to be selfish and self-centered."

Unity of Richmond is excited about our opportunity to host Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus as key speakers at The Gandhi Event.  Our desire is to make this a community event. 

Our goal is to fill the Deep Run High School auditorium with 1,100 guests.  Your support will be invaluable.  Our vision is experiencing peace and harmony for the Greater Richmond Metropolitan area.

Thank you for the work you are currently doing to foster a peaceful and loving environment in our communities.

The Gandhi Event will take place at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, VA on April 2, 2016, at 7:00 pm.

Early Ticket Sales: $20

After February 1:$25

Student Ticket Rate: $15

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gandhi-event-tickets-19436501098

We are offering partnership and sponsorship opportunities for businesses or organizations that would like to be involved in fostering peace for Richmond, Virginia.  With a variety of benefits based on your gracious donations, we would love to partner with you.  If you are a company or an individual who would like to contribute, please contact Enrique or Caroline at (804) 592-0310.

Hosting Arun Gandhi this April!

We have the honor and pleasure of hosting Arun Gandhi this coming April to speak to our community about peace, love and respect for one another.

This Week @ Unity of Richmond 1/10 - 1/16

Sunday 10th

Contemplative Service

9:00 am — 10:15 am

Experience the beauty of the silence, oneness and inner peace on Sunday mornings. Take an hour to escape from the stresses of the week. Center yourself in the presence of love, joy and abundance. Allow the music to stir your soul. Meditate to heal your heart. Listen to the words of inspiration to awaken the Christ Consciousness within you to infinite possibilities. Come and be renewed by the Infinite Spirit of Life — God.

Celebration Service

11:00 am — 12:15 pm

Celebrate Spirit in an inclusive and loving environment. Be inspired by the music presented by our soloists, instrumentalists, and choir. Experience unconditional love, non-resistance, non-attachment and trust in Spirit in a 75-minute worship session, allowing God to flow through you and show you the Way into unlimited possibilities to LIVE LIFE FULLY! Come and feel the joy of Spirit moving and flowing through you.

Youth Education

11:00 am — 12:15 pm

Downstairs for Children and Youth, our Children’s Celebration Center offers Sunday School from Nursery – 5th grade; a Uniteen group for 6th-8th grades; and Youth of Unity (Y.O.U.) for 9th-12th grades.

4T Prosperity Course *NEW*

6:00 pm — 7:30 pm

Sundays, January 3-March 20, 6-7:30 p.m. — This is a course in prosperity transformation and commitment to change. Join us in this transformation! Facilitated by Mike Shelton and Erin Rice.

Financial Peace University *NEW*

6:00 pm — 7:30 pm

Sundays, January 3-February 28, 6-7:30 p.m. — This is a course on how to get out of debt, build wealth, and secure your family’s future. Facilitated by Rob Rust and Amanda Rode.

Monday 11th

Svaroopa Yoga

9:00 am — 10:30 am

Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.  Instructor: Deborah Woodward.

Svaroopa Yoga

6:30 pm — 8:00 pm

Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.  Instructor: Deborah Woodward.

Tuesday 12th

Outreach Team Meeting

6:30 pm — 8:00 pm

Prayer Chaplain Meeting

7:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm — 8:30 pm

Wednesday 13th

Mid-week Faith Lift Service

6 pm— 6:45 pm

Metaphysical interpretation and discussions on the ministry of Jesus. 

The Christ— *NEW*

7:00 pm— 9:00 pm

Wednesdays, January 6 – February 3 — Start out the New Year deepening your understanding and relationship with the Jesus Christ consciousness. Using the Bible as the primary text, this five-week series will explore how the Christ idea came to be. Understand the differences and similarities between the Christ idea and Jesus Christ, and consider taking steps in one’s own spiritual journey to behold the Christ in others. Facilitated by Barbara Hess, Licensed Unity Teacher.

Lessons In Truth— *NEW*

7:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Wednesdays, January 13-27 — Lessons in Truth was written by Harriet Emilie Cady (1848–1941). She was an American homeopathic physician and author of numerous New Thought spiritual writings. Her 1896 book, Lessons in Truth: A Course of Twelve Lessons in Practical Christianity, is now considered the core text on Unity teachings. It is the most widely read book in the Unity movement explaining the nature of God, the nature of Humankind and the Unity Trinity — Divine Mind, Divine Idea and Divine Expression. Facilitated by Revs. Richard and Vicki Bunch.

Thursday 14th

Women’s Codependency Group

6:30 pm— 7:30 pm

Codependence is a disease that deteriorates our souls. It affects our personal lives, our families, children, friends and relatives, our businesses and careers, our health and our spiritual growth. It is debilitating, and, if left untreated, causes us to become more destructive to ourselves and others.

Codependency happens to individuals when they try to obtain love or approval from others without caring for themselves. Healing consists of awareness, acceptance and change.

Friday 15th

Nothing Scheduled

Saturday 16th

Zen Center Meditation Group

9:00 am— 11:00 am

At Zen Center of Richmond we practice in the White Plum lineage as founded by the Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and the Red Thread Zen Circle of our own teacher, Louis Mitsunen Kyogen Nordstrom Roshi.

The purpose of the Zen Center of Richmond is to make accessible and embody the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, as expressed in the Soto Zen tradition established by Dogen Zenji in 13th-century Japan and conveyed to us by Louis Mitsunen Nordstrom Roshi and all Buddhist teachers. We offer a nurturing environment where everyone is welcome.

Leadership Prayer Breakfast

9:00am — 11:30 am

Guest Speaker, Rev. Ellen Debenport

This Sunday, January 10, we are welcoming Rev. Ellen Debenport to speak about a subject that is relevant in everyone's lives: transition.  She has put all of her knowledge into her new book Hell in the Hallway, Light at the Door.  She will impart her wisdom and experience about what to do when one door closes, but another hasn't quite opened yet.  Her book will be available for purchase and she will be holding a book signing after both services.  We welcome her message and think it's a blessing that it has come at such a perfect time for transitioning into the new year!

This Week @ Unity of Richmond 1/3 - 1/9

Sunday 3rd

Contemplative Service

9:00 am — 10:15 am

Experience the beauty of the silence, oneness and inner peace on Sunday mornings. Take an hour to escape from the stresses of the week. Center yourself in the presence of love, joy and abundance. Allow the music to stir your soul. Meditate to heal your heart. Listen to the words of inspiration to awaken the Christ Consciousness within you to infinite possibilities. Come and be renewed by the Infinite Spirit of Life — God.

Green Team

10:15 am — 11:00 am

Mission: To promote stewardship of the environment and an awareness of our oneness with the earth through education, respect for the interdependence of the Universe, sustainable living and the preservation of our natural resources. Meets 10:15-11 a.m. and 12:30-1:15 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month.

Centering Prayer

10:15 am — 10:50 am

Join Barbara Hess, LUT, for a Centering Prayer experience on the first Sunday of each month in the Contemplation Room.

Celebration Service

11:00 am — 12:15 pm

Celebrate Spirit in an inclusive and loving environment. Be inspired by the music presented by our soloists, instrumentalists, and choir. Experience unconditional love, non-resistance, non-attachment and trust in Spirit in a 75-minute worship session, allowing God to flow through you and show you the Way into unlimited possibilities to LIVE LIFE FULLY! Come and feel the joy of Spirit moving and flowing through you.

Youth Education

11:00 am — 12:15 pm

Downstairs for Children and Youth, our Children’s Celebration Center offers Sunday School from Nursery – 5th grade; a Uniteen group for 6th-8th grades; and Youth of Unity (Y.O.U.) for 9th-12th grades.

4T Prosperity Course *NEW*

6:00 pm — 7:30 pm

Sundays, January 3-March 20, 6-7:30 p.m. — This is a course in prosperity transformation and commitment to change. Join us in this transformation! Facilitated by Mike Shelton and Erin Rice.

Financial Peace University *NEW*

6:00 pm — 7:30 pm

Sundays, January 3-February 28, 6-7:30 p.m. — This is a course on how to get out of debt, build wealth, and secure your family’s future. Facilitated by Rob Rust and Amanda Rode.

Monday 4th

Svaroopa Yoga

9:00 am — 10:30 am

Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.  Instructor: Deborah Woodward.

Svaroopa Yoga

6:30 pm — 8:00 pm

Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.  Instructor: Deborah Woodward.

Tuesday 5th

Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm — 8:30 pm

Wednesday 6th

Mid-week Faith Lift Service

6 pm— 6:45 pm

Metaphysical interpretation and discussions on the ministry of Jesus. 

The Christ— *NEW*

7:00 pm— 9:00 pm

Wednesdays, January 6 – February 3, 7-9 p.m. — Start out the New Year deepening your understanding and relationship with the Jesus Christ consciousness. Using the Bible as the primary text, this five-week series will explore how the Christ idea came to be. Understand the differences and similarities between the Christ idea and Jesus Christ, and consider taking steps in one’s own spiritual journey to behold the Christ in others. Facilitated by Barbara Hess, Licensed Unity Teacher.

Thursday 7th

Women’s Codependency Group

6:30 pm— 7:30 pm

Codependence is a disease that deteriorates our souls. It affects our personal lives, our families, children, friends and relatives, our businesses and careers, our health and our spiritual growth. It is debilitating, and, if left untreated, causes us to become more destructive to ourselves and others.

Codependency happens to individuals when they try to obtain love or approval from others without caring for themselves. Healing consists of awareness, acceptance and change.

Friday 8th

Nothing Scheduled

Saturday 9th

Zen Center Meditation Group

9 am— 11 am

At Zen Center of Richmond we practice in the White Plum lineage as founded by the Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and the Red Thread Zen Circle of our own teacher, Louis Mitsunen Kyogen Nordstrom Roshi.

The purpose of the Zen Center of Richmond is to make accessible and embody the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, as expressed in the Soto Zen tradition established by Dogen Zenji in 13th-century Japan and conveyed to us by Louis Mitsunen Nordstrom Roshi and all Buddhist teachers. We offer a nurturing environment where everyone is welcome.

This Week @ Unity of Richmond 11/29 - 12/5

This Sunday we are happy to host Reverend Jesse James as our special guest speaker, followed by her workshop focused on bringing a deeper sense of Being by knowing and remembering just how cherished you are by God.

Sunday 29th

Guest Speaker Rev. Jesse James

9 am — 11 am

Guest Speaker Rev. Jesse James speaks on “Leaning IN” at our services.

Celebration Service

11 am— 12:15 pm

Celebrate Spirit in an inclusive and loving environment. Be inspired by the music presented by our soloists, instrumentalists, and choir. Experience unconditional love, non-resistance, non-attachment and trust in Spirit in a 75-minute worship session, allowing God to flow through you and show you the Way into unlimited possibilities to LIVE LIFE FULLY! Come and feel the joy of Spirit moving and flowing through you.

Youth Education

11 am— 12:15pm

Downstairs for Children and Youth, our Children’s Celebration Center offers Sunday School from Nursery – 5th grade; a Uniteen group for 6th-8th grades; and Youth of Unity (Y.O.U.) for 9th-12th grades.

Workshop with Rev. Jesse James

1:00 pm— 3:30 pm

Suggested Love Offering $20

“Does your heart yearn for this kind of time just for you as part of the busy holiday season that is fast approaching? Does your heart yearn for time to tend and rekindle your sacred flame of Being at a deeper knowing? If your answer is YES to either of those questions, please join Rev. Jesse for this experiential workshop to find time apart to tend and rekindle your flame of knowing/remembering just how cherished you are in the heart of God.

Rev. Jesse says: Preparing for this workshop has changed me at depth. My prayer is that it will be transformative for you, as well.”

Please bring with you:

-An open heart willing to love and be loved in this now moment

-A picture of beautiful you

Rev. Jesse was Senior Minister at Unity of Greater Portland, Portland, Maine for 10 years. Following that, she traveled to Florida to be “Gammy” to her beloved granddaughter, Kylee. During that time, she also was assistant minister at Unity of Port Richey, Florida; sought-after guest speaker; and workshop presenter in Florida.

Monday 30th

Svaroopa Yoga

9 am— 10:30 am

Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.

Svaroopa Yoga

6:30 pm— 8:00 pm

Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.

Tuesday, December 1st

Yoga Instructor Training with Ms. Nitya

6:00 pm — 10:00 pm

Ensemble Rehearsal

7 pm— 8:30 pm

Wednesday 2nd

Mid-week Faith Lift Service

6 pm— 6:45 pm

Metaphysical interpretation and discussions on the ministry of Jesus. 

Remembrance Service

7 pm— 9:00 pm

Remembering, Loving, Sharing our Lossess and Healing our Hearts together!

Thursday 3rd

Women’s Codependency Group

6:30 pm— 7:30 pm

Codependence is a disease that deteriorates our souls. It affects our personal lives, our families, children, friends and relatives, our businesses and careers, our health and our spiritual growth. It is debilitating, and, if left untreated, causes us to become more destructive to ourselves and others.

Codependency happens to individuals when they try to obtain love or approval from others without caring for themselves. Healing consists of awareness, acceptance and change.

Friday 4th

Nothing Scheduled

Saturday 5th

Zen Center Meditation Group

9 am— 11 am

At Zen Center of Richmond we practice in the White Plum lineage as founded by the Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and the Red Thread Zen Circle of our own teacher, Louis Mitsunen Kyogen Nordstrom Roshi.

The purpose of the Zen Center of Richmond is to make accessible and embody the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, as expressed in the Soto Zen tradition established by Dogen Zenji in 13th-century Japan and conveyed to us by Louis Mitsunen Nordstrom Roshi and all Buddhist teachers. We offer a nurturing environment where everyone is welcome.

This Week at Unity Richmond 11/16 - 11/21

Come celebrate the season with us this weekend at our Grand Illumination and Unity Holiday Festival!  This Friday from 6 pm - 9 pm and Saturday 10 am - 4 pm.

Please don't forget to donate to our canned food drive benefitting FeedMore Central Virginia Food Bank!  Bring any of these items and leave them in the drop box at church to provide food to the hungry.  We will continue collecting from now until Sunday, November 22nd.


Monday 16th

Svaroopa Yoga
9 am— 10:30 am
Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.

Svaroopa Yoga
6:30 pm— 8:00 pm
Experience easy poses, deep relaxation, and breathing practices that relieve aches and pains. Open to an abiding, steadfast calm and joy that’s part of your essential nature. Deepen your prayer and meditation practice as you embody the Unity principles in your whole being — spirit, mind, and body.

Tuesday 17th

Finance Team Meeting
5:30 pm— 7:30 pm

Ensemble Rehearsal
7 pm— 8:30 pm

Wednesday 18th

Mid-week Faith Lift Service
6 pm— 6:45 pm
Metaphysical interpretation and discussions on the ministry of Jesus.

Thursday 19th

Women’s Codependency Group
6:30 pm— 7:30 pm
Codependence is a disease that deteriorates our souls. It affects our personal lives, our families, children, friends and relatives, our businesses and careers, our health and our spiritual growth. It is debilitating, and, if left untreated, causes us to become more destructive to ourselves and others.

Codependency happens to individuals when they try to obtain love or approval from others without caring for themselves. Healing consists of awareness, acceptance and change.

Friday 20th

Unity Holiday Festival & Grand Illumination!!!
6 pm— 9 pm
Join us all weekend for holiday cheer!  Activities, food, and fun for the whole community!

Vendor displays Friday, November 20, 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you’d like to be a vendors or chili cooker for the Unity Holiday Festival, contact us to register.

Saturday 21st

Unity Holiday Festival!!!
10 am— 4 pm

Zen Center Meditation Group
9 am— 11 am
At Zen Center of Richmond we practice in the White Plum lineage as founded by the Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and the Red Thread Zen Circle of our own teacher, Louis Mitsunen Kyogen Nordstrom Roshi.

The purpose of the Zen Center of Richmond is to make accessible and embody the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, as expressed in the Soto Zen tradition established by Dogen Zenji in 13th-century Japan and conveyed to us by Louis Mitsunen Nordstrom Roshi and all Buddhist teachers. We offer a nurturing environment where everyone is welcome.