Rev. Gabriel speaks on ‘Riding the Wave’

Rev. Joanna Gabriel will give the talk “Riding the Wave” at the Unity of Whidbey service on Sunday.

As we move into the new year, it seems that people are dealing with sudden changes and challenges all around.

How do we find and maintain our connection to God/Source amid of the shifts and the unexpected circumstances?

Join Gabriel, with music by Tadd CharetteNunn and Talia Toni Marcus, and explore ways to find strength and clarity, especially when the unexpected shows up. Donna Vanderheiden will be the platform assistant.

A Course in Miracles group meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

All are welcome. Visit Unity of Whidbey’s website at http://www.unityofwhidbeyisland.org for more information.

‘Empowering Women of Botswana’ at Trinity

The “Faith in Action” series continues with “Empowering Women of Botswana” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the Fireside Room of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Dorcas Young will discuss her proposed mission to her native homeland, Botswana, to teach the women healthy cooking, food preservation, employment in the community and providing self sustainability with their resources.

As a Whidbey Island resident and U.S. citizen for 15 years, Young has learned that we live in a caring, supportive, sharing community and wants to share her knowledge in her native country. She is a wife and mother of five children and a local businesswoman active in the farmers market and Greenbank Pea Patch. Her mission is to pass on her knowledge to the young women of Botswana, teaching skills of productive gardening, healthy eating and food preservation.

Series on churches continues at SWCC

Pastor Darrell Wenzek will speak Sunday at South Whidbey Community Church. Having just completed a series on the churches of the Book of Revelation, his topic will conclude the series with “The Church at South Whidbey, Part Two.”

Sunday worship is from 10 to 11 a.m., and is preceded by an adult learning forum at 9, with Stan Walker leading a study in the book of First Corinthians, and Rick Zapata leading a study in the book of Genesis: the life of Abraham. These are open classes and everyone is invited. Home Bible studies are also offered; check the church website for times and locations.

For further information about the church and services, call 221-1220 or check out www.whidbeychurch.org.

Humor and spirituality at the next UUCWI service

At the Sunday service for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island, guest speaker Allan Ament will explore the connection between humor and spirituality in a talk subtitled, “I want to make people laugh so they will take this seriously.”

A retired lawyer and mediator, Ament teaches for the University of Phoenix and serves on the board of several local organizations. He is also a member of Wake Up Laughing, a South Whidbey improvisational comedy troupe.

All are welcome. Values-based children’s religious exploration classes and childcare will be provided. The service is at 10 a.m. at 20103 Highway 525, just north of Freeland. Check www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information.

St. Hubert to host women’s retreat

A Women’s Retreat for South Enders will be at St. Hubert Catholic Church on Saturday, Feb. 5.

The retreat starts at 10 a.m. and will be led by Dr. Marianne Dorman. The theme is “Pondering the Word of God by following Mary’s example.”

Attendees should bring a sack lunch and a Bible. RSVP by calling 222-3566.

Christian Science service is on love

Most of us seek love, yet the purest love comes from our Creator, who guides, protects and heals us.

If you’ve ever felt separated from love, or questioned whether this love is surrounding you right now, join the Christian Science service on “Love,” a synonym for our father-mother God, from whom we inherit the ability to love others as we are loved.

“This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death,” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”).

This healing service begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at 15910 Highway 525, across from Useless Bay Road.