by John Daubney
Karin loves to share her joy through service to others. She believes that being of service is being in the natural flow of life and abundance. No matter what our life circumstances may be, we can always give out of our abundance. We can simply choose to smile or be kind or lend a helping hand, and be richly rewarded in return.
“The 4T and Prosperity Plus programs teach that, to be in the flow of abundance, it is beneficial to develop a practice of showing up in life as abundance: being abundant in time, talent and treasure. From Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations with God), I learned there is always something we can give: comfort, love, affection, or making someone smile or laugh. There are many ways we can share our abundance. The best for me is to bring joy.
“I see service as being in the flow of abundance; giving from my energy, giving from my heart. The flow of abundance is the flow of life. Life is an energy that permeates everything. Life wants to flow, it does not like being constrained or pinched. If you look around, you see that the world is abundant. Look at a tree in bloom. It is abundant in flowers. It produces way more flowers and seeds that it needs for its own reproductive purposes, it offers of itself to life. Service is an opportunity for us to do the same. I love the feeling of being in the flow; serving is easy, serving is a joy.
“I serve in many capacities. I started with hospitality when I asked Jim Fuller where could I be of service. I love taking care of people, I love making a small contribution that warms people’s hearts. The gatherings after service on Sunday are beautiful. I love that people come down to have a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, and a heartfelt talk with friends. The time together is important and brings us closer together. I love contributing to hospitality whether it is preparing the food or coffee, or tables or helping clean up. And it is beautiful that people always show up to help. Hospitality is the heart of our beautiful community.
“This past year, I have served as teller. The teller team is a committed group of people that show up at their appointed time, and is well organized by Laurie. The tellers help keep our financial house in order. While it may not have the same warm feeling as hospitality, it is important work that requires it be done correctly. The tellers team rocks!
“Ever since Paul Bernard passed, I’ve been co-hosting the Sunday A Course In Miracles with Nancy Remick. This is perhaps my biggest service commitment. This group meets every Sunday. It is not a service to Unity, although most people that come are Unity members. Serving in A Course in Miracles is, for me, serving spirit. We open the meeting with a prayer: “I am here only to be truly helpful …“, which summarizes what service is for me. The Course also teaches that giving and receiving are the same. Serving others is then giving to yourself. And this is truly so because when you give without attachment, you also receive. “In my experience, I receive an openness within myself that feels good. I feel as if room is made within my heart. And then, when the teachings from the Course touches someone’s heart, I also receive a blessing in mine. We “teach” what we give. The lesson that I receive is by giving it to others. The Course has been a blessing and has brought much peace into my life. It has allowed me to expand my awareness of the love that is all around us. My hat is off to Nancy Remick for her more than 30 years of commitment and dedication to our group beginning in 1984.
“This year, I said yes to serving on the Board of Trustees for Unity. I love the team I’m working with. They are a dynamic and uplifting group of people, each bringing different gifts. I look forward to growing in the roles this opportunity brings me. In particular I enjoy holding a Prosperity Consciousness for our church.”