Unity of Walnut Creek

2018-12-16 December 16, 2018 – Love Is My Decision Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell delivers a heartfelt message exploring how love emerges most powerfully during life's most difficult moments, weaving together the story of Bob May - who created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer out of grief and desperation - with the pivotal decisions made by characters in the Christmas story. She invites us to see ourselves in each character, from Herod's fear-based withholding to Mary's courageous willingness to make space for the divine, reminding us that we always have the choice to open our hearts. Rev. Kristin Powell encourages us to ask "what would love do now?" and to trust that when we say yes to love, healing, creativity, abundance, and liberation naturally follow.

2018-12-09 December 9, 2018 – Being the Presence of Peace Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell shares the transformative gifts of silence and stillness drawn from her retreat at the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, where time spent with monks, hawks, and the vast ocean renewed her spirit. She explores how befriending silence allows us to release tension, return to our true selves, and access the ever-present foundation of peace within. Through the beautiful story of a Japanese tea master who disarmed a mercenary warrior simply by embodying peaceful presence, Rev. Kristin Powell illustrates that when we do what we naturally love with ease and skill, we become the living presence of peace in the world.

2018-12-02 December 2, 2018 – Faith Opens A Way Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell explores the transformative power of faith in this first Sunday of Advent message, inviting us to pull the thread of divine mystery into our everyday lives. Drawing on the healing journey of Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore and the story of a mother and daughter marveling at the space within solid matter, Rev. Kristin Powell reminds us that we are made of spirit and that anything is possible when we align with that truth. She offers practical wisdom for conditioning our minds toward abundance - releasing thoughts of lack and opening the door to the divine presence that is always knocking from within our hearts.

2018-11-25 November 25, 2018 – A Native American Thanksgiving Rev. Kristin Powell and Mark Tourtillott Rev. Kristin Powell welcomes Mark Turtelette, a Menominee, Ojibwe, and Ho-Chunk drummer and singer, back to Unity of Walnut Creek for a special Native American Heritage Month conversation exploring indigenous spirituality, prayer, and storytelling. Mark shares how Native prayer begins with gratitude rather than asking, how the Creator is understood as the great mystery, and how every person is born with all the gifts they need to succeed. Through the legend of Spirit Rock, sacred drumming, and reflections on forgiveness and warrior culture, this heartfelt dialogue reveals beautiful parallels between Native teachings and Unity principles while honoring the richness of indigenous traditions.

2018-11-18 November 18, 2018 – Grateful To Be Home Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell weaves together the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz with profound spiritual truths in this message about coming home to our authentic selves. She explores how our spiritual journey mirrors Dorothy's path - requiring brave companions, a willingness to walk into the unknown, and the courage to unmask what no longer serves us. Rev. Kristin Powell reminds us that the power we seek has been within us all along, and that dropping our pretenses allows our divine capacities to shine forth. She invites us to ask ourselves "Who are you?" with honesty and to gratefully return home to the truth of our being.

2018-11-11 November 11, 2018 – A Renaissance of Spirit Rev. Sonya Milton Rev. Sonya Milton draws on Jean Houston's "The Wizard of Us" to explore how Dorothy's hero journey mirrors our own spiritual transformation - from seeing oneness to learning to see from oneness. Weaving together the challenges of our times with Cynthia Bourgeault's concept of "unitive seeing," Rev. Sonya Milton invites us to move beyond fleeting mystical experiences into a permanent shift in perception that becomes our ordinary state of being. She reminds us that meditation and spiritual practice are the treasure and pearl of our time - the yellow brick road leading to a renaissance of spirit where we each become the hero in our own story.

2018-11-04 November 4, 2018 – Shadow Dancing with Wicked Witches, Flying Monkeys and Phony Wizards Rev. Kristin Powell

2018-10-28 October 28, 2018 – Falling Asleep and Waking Up Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell draws on the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz to illuminate how we fall asleep on our spiritual journeys - lured by seductive "poppies" like consumerism, technology, and numbing habits - especially when we are closest to realizing our dreams. She reminds us that the divine within never sleeps, and that grace, like Glinda's snow, is always available to reawaken us. Through humor, personal story, and the wisdom of Jean Houston's "The Wizard of Us," Rev. Kristin Powell invites us to stay alert, cultivate spiritual companionship, and cross the threshold into the vibrant, inclusive "Emerald City" of our highest consciousness.

2018-10-21 October 21, 2018 – A Lion’s Courage to Be Me Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell delivers an inspiring message on spiritual courage through the lens of The Wizard of Oz, exploring how true bravery is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move through it. Drawing from the Latin root of courage - "core," meaning heart - she invites us to recognize that the most courageous acts of our time are not feats of bravado but vulnerable expressions like saying "I love you," asking for help, and showing up authentically. Rev. Kristin Powell reminds us that we each signed a soul contract to be here now, and that simply being our fully original selves is the bravest thing we can do.

2018-10-14 October 14, 2018 – Tapping My Heart’s Capacity Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell draws on the beloved story of the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz to explore how we already possess the love we seek - we have simply forgotten or become "rusted" in old patterns that block its flow. She shares personal stories of childhood innocence and intimate connection to illustrate how we can feed our hearts through what she calls "CGE" - childlike innocence, gratitude, and empathy. Rev. Kristin Powell invites us to rediscover the open-hearted wonder of our inner child, speak to ourselves with kindness, and allow divine love to flow freely through us into a world hungry for healing.

2018-10-07 October 7, 2018 – My Magnificent Mind Rev. Kristin Powell

2018-09-30 September 30, 2018 – Answering The Call Rev. Kristin Powell launches a seven-week fall series based on Jean Houston's "The Wizard of Us," using the beloved Wizard of Oz myth as a map for spiritual self-realization. Through a personal story of walking a labyrinth and suddenly seeing the world shift into breathtaking beauty, Rev. Kristin Powell illustrates how the realm of spirit is always just a breath away - waiting for us to say yes. She explores why we refuse the soul's call - fear, false ideas about selfishness, comfort with familiar pain - and passionately urges listeners to embrace the technicolor life that emerges when we courageously follow our inner guidance toward transformation.

2018-09-23 September 23, 2018 – Prayer Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell explores the ancient prayer of Jabez - a hidden gem tucked within the genealogies of Chronicles - revealing how this simple yet powerful prayer can transform our understanding of blessing, divine guidance, and our true purpose. She invites us to flip the traditional direction of prayer, imagining Spirit praying through us, calling us to enlarge the territory of the divine on earth by releasing scarcity myths and the ways we keep ourselves small. Through inspiring stories of everyday people choosing integrity and kindness, Rev. Kristin Powell reminds us that we are not bringers of pain but bringers of joy - born of original blessing and meant to let Spirit flow freely through our lives.

2018-09-16 September 16, 2018 – Ohana Aloha – The Power of Family Love Faith Rivera Faith Rivera shares her deeply personal message on "Ohana Aloha" - the power of family love - drawing from her Filipino-Hawaiian upbringing to explore how our closest relationships serve as our greatest spiritual practice. She reveals how a childhood loss created a false belief that success meant losing loved ones, leading to years of stage fright and fear of connection, until an epic breakthrough helped her invite her "power posse" of ancestors and loved ones into every moment. Faith Rivera reminds us that ohana extends beyond blood to include community, nature, and ancestors, challenging us to ask who we are including in our circle of love and to live aloha in our daily lives.

2018-09-09 September 9, 2018 – Roots and Wings - Connecting Our History & Future Rev. Kristin Powell delivers a joyful celebration honoring Unity of Walnut Creek's 70th anniversary and 50 years on their sacred property, weaving together the theme of "roots and wings." Drawing from a powerful spiritual experience among the redwoods and the symbolism of the goat farm that once occupied their land, Rev. Kristin Powell traces the community's rich lineage from founder Marie Giles through beloved ministers who shaped its growth. She reminds the congregation that each person is a spiritual leader, encouraging them to honor their deep roots of connection and healing while spreading their wings into an exciting new era of expansion and awakening.

2018-09-02 September 2, 2018 – Going into Labor With Joy Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell delivers a heartfelt Labor Day message exploring how our deepest callings and creative gifts are sacred channels through which Spirit becomes visible in the world. Drawing on the story of her Aunt Leola baking pies at age 101, the beautiful metaphor of pregnancy and birth, and her own journey of discovering ministry, Rev. Kristin Powell invites us to open ourselves to divine ideas and trust the process of bringing them into form. She reminds us that work is not merely a task but a sacred privilege - a place where our higher self meets the world - and encourages us to create with ease and serve with joy.

2018-08-26 August 26, 2018 – Activating the Power of Life Rev. Paul Hasselbeck Rev. Paul Hasselbeck delivers a dynamic and intellectually rich exploration of Unity's 12 powers, focusing specifically on the power of life. Drawing from his personal journey - from initially disliking the 12 powers to discovering their central importance through archival research of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore's original writings - Rev. Paul Hasselbeck illuminates how these powers are not abstract beliefs but provable principles we use every moment. He invites listeners to move beyond vague spirituality into conscious, practical application of divine principles, emphasizing that we are not passive recipients of God's will but active users of principle itself, capable of making and remaking ourselves through wise and intentional use of the power of life.

2018-08-19 August 19, 2018 – Activating the Power of Release Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell delivers a powerful message on the spiritual power of release, using the biblical story of Lot's wife as a vivid reminder of what happens when we remain preserved in attachment to the past. Through the inspiring story of a woman named Sarah who transformed her life by peeling off old labels of unworthiness, Rev. Kristin Powell illustrates how renouncing limiting beliefs and saying a strong "no" to what no longer serves us creates space for abundant good to flow. She offers practical tools for letting go - from core beliefs and habits to others' opinions - reminding us that like pulling a stubborn weed, releasing what blocks our light can be deeply satisfying and transformative.

2018-08-12 August 12, 2018 – Activating the Power of Zeal Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell explores the spiritual power of zeal - that deep, sustaining passion and vitality that propels us forward in life. Drawing from Unity's 12 Powers tradition and co-founder Charles Fillmore's declaration that he "sizzled with zeal" at age 94, Rev. Kristin Powell reminds us that zeal is not a fleeting burst of excitement but a slow-burning fire fueled by our connection to Spirit. She invites us to discover what makes us come alive, honoring even our divine discontent as a pathway back to passion, and encourages us to take one step toward activating the dreams and desires that light our fire.

2018-08-05 August 5, 2018 – Activating the Power of Order Rev. Kristin Powell Rev. Kristin Powell explores the spiritual power of order as part of the 12 powers series, inviting us to recognize the divine patterning that underlies all of life - from the rhythms of nature to the routines that ground our daily existence. She beautifully illustrates how activating this power requires both surrender and intentional practice, much like learning a dance where we allow the divine to lead while we follow with wisdom and grace. Through vivid stories - from whirling dervishes to neural pathways to her mother dancing with her uncle - Rev. Kristin Powell shows how we can reset old patterns, declutter what no longer serves us, and create new grooves aligned with spirit. This message reminds us that when we rest in the knowing that all is well and partner with the divine, our lives flow with a natural, graceful order.

Unity of Walnut Creek - Messages