Sunday Service

Dear Unity Family,

Easter is a unique and meaningful time in Unity. While traditional Christianity focuses on events like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter morning as historical observances, Unity invites us to look deeper—beyond the mythology and into the powerful spiritual teachings that Jesus embodied.

As Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, put it:
“Unity strives to be the religion of Jesus, not the religion about Jesus.”

Before the 4th century, early Christian communities placed little emphasis on the crucifixion and resurrection. It wasn’t until much later—closer to the 8th century—that Easter became a universally observed tradition. Originally, the focus was on living the teachings of Jesus: love, wholeness, healing, and inclusivity.

Even so, there is deep symbolic wisdom in the Holy Week story when seen through a metaphysical lens. Each part of the journey reflects our own inner spiritual path:

• Palm Sunday marks the entry into Jerusalem—symbolizing our entry into a higher state of consciousness. It’s about opening ourselves to Divine ideas of healing, growth, and love.

• Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," referring to Jesus' command to "love one another." His humility is shown through washing the disciples' feet and sharing the Last Supper—a reminder that love is shown in service.

• Good Friday tells of the crucifixion and burial. In Unity, we see this not as Jesus being a victim, but as a master teacher and way-shower. Metaphysically, crucifixion represents any life experience—joyful or painful—that invites us to "cross out" limiting beliefs or feelings of separation from God. It’s a powerful symbol of forgiveness, release, transformation, and preparation for something greater.  

• Easter is our celebration of resurrection—not just of Jesus, but of the Christ within each of us. It symbolizes rising into new life, awakening to greater spiritual awareness, and living from that place of divine love, strength, and clarity.

This year, we will honor Good Friday with a sacred Black Stone Ritual—inspired by Native American tradition. This is a chance to consciously release what no longer serves us, for forgiving ourselves and others.  Nothing changes without forgiveness. Forgiveness creates space for renewal.

On Easter Sunday, we’ll celebrate the transformative message of Jesus: a radical philosophy of love, inclusion, and recognizing the divine light—the Christ—in everyone, no exceptions.

See you this Sunday—come ready to shine!

Gordon

PS.  We will have a very special guest this Sunday!  (No, not the Easter Bunny.)

Who is Bill Brooks?

Bill Brooks has performed and traveled throughout Europe and the United States. He was most recently seen on Broadway in the Irish Rep.’s benefit concert of CAMELOT with Melissa Erico and Jeremy Irons at the Schubert Theatre. He has played a variety of roles including Chein in EVITA, Gus/Growltiger in the Hamburg production of CATS, Tateh in RAGTIME, Zaza in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Old Soldier/Judge Roan in PARADE, and appeared Off-Broadway in DISAPPEARING ACT.

Bill was a 1998 Cabaret Fellow at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, and won a 2005 BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD for “Best Musical Comedy Act” as co-creator, producer and performer in 3 TENORS IN SEARCHOF AN ACT! He has also directed and coached other performers including FOUR GALS SINGING and the debut duo act, MAKE YOUR OWN PARTY.

In 2009, he released a demo CD entitled GRATEFUL and in 2015 he released his 2nd CD, BILL BROOKS LIVE AT UNITY OF NEW YORK recorded at Symphony Space in NYC. 

Most recently, Bill was the featured soloist in the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus production of I AM HARVEY MILK. Unity Spiritual Center Albuquerque is Blessed to have him as a regular soloist!