Spotlight On Service: Jane Bloom
By John Daubney
For those of us called to service there is often a calling which comes from within the “heart space” as Jane puts i.: that “still small voice” or the heart-pull that says “there is a real need here and I can help.” Her joy in working with Unity’s children is very apparent and in that service she has experienced spiritual growth and expansion as a person. Jane has blessed us all with her work, as she focuses on using her gifts to make a difference in the world.
Two years ago, looking for a quieter and simpler life, I moved to Arlington, Vermont. Having been formerly involved at Unity Church in Amesbury, Massachusetts and owning a passion for the teachings of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore I eventually made my way here to Unity of Albany.
“Then you will know the truth
and the truth will set you free”
John 8:32.
Through the six decades of my life, I have been influenced by many diverse cultural mores: June Cleaver, Malcom X, the Beatles, Gandhi, Watergate… It is little wonder that I am not schizophrenic; I know I have been disillusioned. Coming to Unity, however, has been coming home. I have come home to my inner child, my truth. Through the work that I have been doing, I recognize and understand more and more who I am and what I am about. God is my Source; God will provide me with all manner of good; I am a child of God. I am free. These are troubled times, but it is through this recognition that I can face each day with a smile on my face and joy in my heart, and I can put aside the “small stuff” around me.
My mother has been my greatest influence and model for service. Following her example, I have always been involved in some type of service since my Brownie days in first grade. It brings me joy to see that what I can do to use my own special gifts and talents to bring a light to the eye of someone else, or make their day just a little better.
The second time I attended a Unity service in Amesbury, MA back in 2005, the Service Coordinator announced from the platform that there was a need for a hospitality leader. “Well”, I thought, “How hard is it to make a pot of coffee?”, so I met her afterwards and began a long journey of participation in the many service teams. I did hospitality for 2 ½ years which was a great way to meet people and get to know the church culture. From there I moved into other Ministry teams: Chaplains, Ushers and Greeters, Sunday Service Coordinator, Power Pointand Sound, Teacher in Youth and Family. I basically showed up where the need was.
Being in service is a calling that I feel deep in my heart space. Where and when I serve is motivated by that intuitive “small voice” that nudges me to move in one direction or another. I do what I feel called to do at the time. Sometimes I move onto a service team because there is a need, but mostly because Spirit is calling me to use my gifts here or there. Every opportunity has brought me great joy.
My love in service has been the children. The world and its economies, politics, and environmental issues are very difficult to deal with and everything is changing so rapidly that it is difficult to know which way to go! But there is also hope on the horizon. When I look into the faces of the kids on Sunday morning, I KNOW there is hope. I have the honor and privilege to bear witness to the future of our world every week. I have watched their passion as they discuss ideas on how to right the wrongs of our environment; I see their fortitude and compassion as they talk about ways to avoid bullying in their world and to make peace with all manner of diversity. I’m amazed at the questioning voices that ask “How come it isn’t better?” Not only the youth of our little community, but all the youth of Unity are a passionate, caring, bright, group of young people who will soon lead this country and this world into the future. I have seen them at rallies and retreats, I have heard their voices and I know that we are surely in good hands. Witnessing this and hopefully being one small part of it is why I do what I do.
I realize that I have a very narrow comfort zone at times and a strong sense of discomfort when I attempt to move out of it. At the same time I sense there is something important on the other side of that line that has something to do with my growth and expansion. That is the challenge and the reward of giving of myself in service.
What I would say to anyone thinking of getting involved in service, I cannot say any better than Kahlil Gibran who said, “I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” It has certainly been a joy for me.