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Nearby LodgingHyatt Place757-312-0020709 Eden Way North, Chesapeake VA 23320Marriott Hotel 757-523-1500725 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake VA 23320Hilton Inn757-420-12121565 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake VA 23320Comfort Suites 757-424-11721550 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake VA 23320Red Roof Inn757-523-1826724 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320Courtyard by Marriott757-420-17001562 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320Fairfield Inn757-420-13001560 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320Hampton Inn757-420-15501421 Battlefield Blvd N, Chesapeake, VA 23320Love OfferingUnity has operated on a love-offering basis since itsinception by the Fillmores. The instructors do notreceive payment for teaching classes; they arereimbursed for travel, lodging and meals only. In orderto show appreciation, a love offering will be receivedon Thursday in each class. You are not required toparticipate, however, your support helps keep oursessions at a reasonable cost and is most appreciated!Questions?Call James “Scotty” ScottUnity Renaissance1120 North Eden WayChesapeake, VA 23320757-420-5280Spiritual Education and Enrichment WeekUnity RenaissanceApril 16-20, 2018The Gnostic Gospels:The Untold Story of Jesus1120 Eden Way NorthChesapeake, VA 23320www.unityrenaissance.org
Welcome to Unity Renaissance ChurchWe are excited to host a first-ever Gnostic Gospels Weekthis spring in Chesapeake, Virginia. Our Licensed UnityTeachers and ministry teaching staff bring decades ofexperience, insight, education and most importantly,enthusiasm to teach and share Unity principles with studentslike you.“Gnostic Gospels: The Untold Story of Jesus” is our themefor this week. Most classes are electives within the S.E.E.curriculum. These gospels offer an alternative look at aChristianity that was growing up in the first two centuriesafter Jesus’ death. The four canonical gospels (Matthew,Mark, Luke & John) were not the only writings of thattime there were more than 50 other writings just within theNag Hammadi Scrolls alone. Come and explore them withus!InstructorsRev. Elizabeth Mora, MDiv, is adynamic, inspiring minister whois passionate about helping people grow ontheir spiritual path. She combines her engaging speaking style and personality with a spiritual depth from years of daily practice, andextensive Unity and interfaith learning. “I’vebeen in Unity over 30 years. Unity is simplythe best thing in my life. So I’ve had theseteachings for a long time, and Unity has had areal impact for me. I love Unity because it affirms people rightwhere they are.” Rev. Elizabeth serves as the minister at Unity ofMontclair, New Jersey.We look forward to a great week of learning, sharing andgrowing together.What to Do, Where to GoUnity Renaissance is located just 19 miles from theVirginia Beach oceanfront, home to delightful beachesand the Association for Research & Enlightenment(A.R.E.). Within a few blocks, there is a regional mall,several shopping centers, and many hotels and motelswithin a mile or two of the church (see partial list on theback cover).What a great place to spend a week of your spring! Soakup the light and bask in the sun. As we study the GnosticGospels, we will also study Jesus, his teachings, andourselves a bit deeper.Rev. Paula Mekdeci—Paula is thesenior minister here at Unity Renaissance.Her vibrant energy and vision have had apowerful impact on this ministry. She hasa Masters of Divinity from Unity Instituteand Seminary. From 2007 until 2013, sheserved as Vice President ofCommunications and Publishing at UnityWorld Headquarters, overseeing DailyWord, Unity Magazine, Unity Books, Unity Online Radio andUnity marketing and communications.
Class DescriptionsElectivesThe Gospel of ThomasJames Scott, LUT(Pre-approved elective) Thomas is a gospel of the sayings ofJesus, most of them directed at the disciples, with an amazingfocus on the present moment and the unity of all. Considered theFifth Gospel by the fellows of the Jesus Seminar, Thomas deservesdeep study by every serious student of the teachings of Jesus. Comeprepared to realign your mind.The Gospel of Mary MagdeleneRev. Paula Mekdeci(Approved elective) When Rev. Paula taught this class in spring of2017, students quickly found themselves exploring not just a gospel,but the early church fathers’ exclusion of women from the leadershipof the Christian church. Why was Mary called “The Apostle to theApostles?” You will learn about Mary’s deeper relationship andpartnership with Jesus, and how she was a wise and powerfulspiritual teacher in her own right.The Gnostic GospelsRev. Elizabeth Mora, MDiv(Pre-approved elective) Based on Elaine Pagels’ award-winningbook of the same name, this class is a both a history and summaryof the findings within the Nag Hammadi Scrolls. The way in whichthe scrolls were discovered and then hidden through many yearssounds like a TV series, but the subject matter of the scrolls and theteachings of the Gnostics takes Christianity far beyond where themainstream church has gone. Some people have even gone so far asto call Unity ‘modern-day Gnosticism.” Will you agree with thatafter taking this class?ElectivesThe Gospel of JudasRichard Mekdeci, LUT (cr edit pending)The Gospel of Judas is a Gnostic gospel whose content consists ofconversations between Jesus and Judas. Judas is portrayed as awilling ‘part of the plan’ of Jesus’ purpose, and not theultimate betrayer that he is often depicted as. In this gospel,Jesus even selects him for additional teachings beyond what isbeing taught to all twelve disciples.The Gospel of PhilipRichard Mekdeci, LUT (cr edit pending)The Gospel of Philip is best known for its portrayal of thephysical relationship shared by Jesus and his most beloveddisciple, Mary Magdelene. Because it ran counter to traditionalchurch dogma, this gospel was suppressed (and destroyedwhenever possible) until its discovery within the scrolls in NagHammadi, Egypt. The key concepts involve the union of our maleand female aspects to create a unity that is perfectly aligned withSpirit.The Sophia (Wisdom) of Jesus ChristRev. Elizabeth Mora, MDiv (cr edit pending)In this course, students will learn some of the Gnostic teachingsabout the origins of the divine realm as explained and experienced byJesus. The Sophia takes the form of a dialogue between Jesus and hisdisciples. Sophia (a wisdom aspect of Spirit) tries to bringcertain elements into existence in this plane, and Jesus steps in tohelp the situation by bringing these concepts back into the realmof Spirit and Breath. Some scholars say it introduces the idea ofsalvation from a whole new perspective.The Essenes and Early ChristianityConnie Skidmore(This class is not available for credit) The Essenes were a sect ofSecond Temple Judaism. They existed prior to the birth of Jesusand after his death. Scholars continue to find connections withJesus’ life and family and the Essenes. Connie Skidmore will takeyou on an exploration through this mystical Christian connectionand what it means to modern spiritual study.
InstructorsRichard Mekdeci, LUT—Richard is aLicensed Unity Teacher and the MusicDirector at Unity Renaissance. Hispassions are Posi (Positive) Music, andits spiritual complement, New Thoughtmusic. He is the CEO and co-founder ofEmpower Music & Arts. Richard travelsthe country, teaching through retreats,concerts and workshops the messages ofpeace, self-worth, and the uniting power of music. He iscurrently in his final year of Ministerial study through theUrban School.James Scott, LUT—Scotty is AdultEducation Director at Unity Renaissance.He also travels the nation as a speaker andworkshop facilitator, and mixes humorwith metaphysics in large and powerfuldoses. He has stretched our educationprogram into the Gnostic Gospels andother non-traditional offerings over thepast few years, giving our students abroader look at historical Christianity. Scotty has been anLUT since 2006.Connie Skidmore—Connie teaches manyclasses on the mystical side of spirituality.She has a Masters in Religious Educationwith post-graduate emphasis on adulteducation. She has taught several classeshere at Unity Renaissance.Gnostic Gospels:The Untold Story of JesusTimeDayClass TitleInstructorJames Scott, LUT,Unity RenaissanceRequired ElectiveX10 a.m.12 noon.MonFriThe Gospel ofThomas10 a.m.12 noonMonFriThe Gnostic Gospels Rev.Elizabeth Mora,Unity of Montclair12 p.m.-1 p.m.MonFriLunch Break1-3 p.m.MonFri.The Essenes & Early Connie SkidmoreChristianity1-3 p.m.MonFri.The Gospel of JudasRichard Mekdeci,LUTUnity RenaissanceX3-5 p.m.MonFri.The Sophia of JesusRev.Elizabeth Mora,Unity of MontclairX5-6:30p.m.MonThur.Evening Break6:30-9p.m.MonThur.The Gospel of Philip Richard Mekdeci,LUT,Unity RenaissanceX6:309 p.m.MonThur.The Gospel of MaryMagdaleneXRev. Paula Mekdeci,Unity RenaissanceX
BOOK ORDER(registration form on reverse side)The Gospel of JudasThe Gospel of Judas Rudolph KaiserThe Gnostic GospelsThe Gnostic Gospels Elaine PagelsThe Gospel of PhilipThe Gospel of Philip Andrew Philip Smith & Stevan DaviesThe Gospel of ThomasThe Gospel of Thomas Stevan Davies 18.60 12.35 14.31 16.21 16.18Book Order Due April 6Books Will Be Available April 16Book Prices include 10 % discount & Virginia Sales TaxCircle Books DesiredThe Gospel of Mary MagdeleneThe Gospel of the Beloved Companion Jehanne de Quillan 14.26 The Sophia (Wisdom) of Jesus ChristThe Sophia of Jesus Christ Joseph LumpkinBOOK ORDER TOTAL:Place total on Registration Form (other side)
(book order form is on reverse side)UNITY RENAISSANCEGNOSTIC GOSPELS WEEK April 16-20, 2018REGISTRATION FORMFull Name:Address:City, State, Zip:Unity Church Affiliation:Name for Nametag:Phone-Daytime/Cell:Email: (Registration confirmation sent via email)TAKE ONE OR MORE CLASSES!Tuition: per class: 125.00 (Class & SEE Credit) :: Class Audit Only 80.00 125 80Credit AuditThe Gospel of ThomasThe Gnostic GospelsThe Gospel of Philipn/a The Essenes and Early ChristianityThe Sophia of Jesus ChristThe Gospel of JudasContribution to Scholarship Fund (Thank you!)BOOK ORDER TOTAL (order form on back)EVENING BANQUET (Thursday) 25.00The Gospel of Mary MagdeleneTOTAL PAYMENT Visa/MC/Check payable to Unity RenaissanceName on CardCard NumberExpiration DateBilling Zip CodeCVV Code (from back of card)Signature
The Gnostic Gospels help the situation by bringing these concepts back into the realm Rev. Elizabeth Mora, MDiv (Pre-approved elective) Based on Elaine Pagels’ award-winning book of the same name, this class is a both a history and summary of the
