Nearby Lodging

Hyatt Place 757-312-0020 709 Eden Way North, Chesapeake VA 23320

Marriott Hotel 757-523-1500 725 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake VA 23320

Hilton Inn 757-420-1212 1565 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake VA 23320

Comfort Suites 757-424-1172 1550 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake VA 23320

Red Roof Inn 757-523-1826 724 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Courtyard by Marriott 757-420-1700 1562 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320

Fairfield Inn 757-420-1300 1560 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320

Hampton Inn 757-420-1550 1421 Battlefield Blvd N, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Love Offering

Unity has operated on a love-offering basis since its inception by the Fillmores. The instructors do not receive payment for teaching classes; they are reimbursed for travel, lodging and meals only. In order to show appreciation, a love offering will be received on Thursday in each class. You are not required to participate, however, your support helps keep our sessions at a reasonable cost and is most appreciated!

Questions? Call James “Scotty” Scott

Unity Renaissance 1120 North Eden Way

Chesapeake, VA 23320 757-420-5280

Spiritual Education and Enrichment Week

Unity Renaissance April 16-20, 2018

The Gnostic Gospels:

The Untold Story of Jesus

1120 Eden Way North

Chesapeake, VA 23320 www.unityrenaissance.org

Instructors

Rev. Elizabeth Mora, MDiv, is a dynamic, inspiring minister who is passionate about helping people grow on their spiritual path. She combines her engag-ing speaking style and personality with a spir-itual depth from years of daily practice, and extensive Unity and interfaith learning. “I’ve been in Unity over 30 years. Unity is simply the best thing in my life. So I’ve had these teachings for a long time, and Unity has had a

real impact for me. I love Unity because it affirms people right where they are.” Rev. Elizabeth serves as the minister at Unity of Montclair, New Jersey.

Rev. Paula Mekdeci—Paula is the senior minister here at Unity Renaissance. Her vibrant energy and vision have had a powerful impact on this ministry. She has a Masters of Divinity from Unity Institute and Seminary. From 2007 until 2013, she served as Vice President of Communications and Publishing at Unity World Headquarters, overseeing Daily

Word, Unity Magazine, Unity Books, Unity Online Radio and Unity marketing and communications.

Welcome to Unity Renaissance Church We are excited to host a first-ever Gnostic Gospels Week this spring in Chesapeake, Virginia. Our Licensed Unity Teachers and ministry teaching staff bring decades of experience, insight, education and most importantly, enthusiasm to teach and share Unity principles with students like you. “Gnostic Gospels: The Untold Story of Jesus” is our theme for this week. Most classes are electives within the S.E.E. curriculum. These gospels offer an alternative look at a Christianity that was growing up in the first two centuries after Jesus’ death. The four canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) were not the only writings of that time… there were more than 50 other writings just within the Nag Hammadi Scrolls alone. Come and explore them with us! We look forward to a great week of learning, sharing and growing together.

What to Do, Where to Go

Unity Renaissance is located just 19 miles from the Virginia Beach oceanfront, home to delightful beaches and the Association for Research & Enlightenment (A.R.E.). Within a few blocks, there is a regional mall, several shopping centers, and many hotels and motels within a mile or two of the church (see partial list on the back cover).

What a great place to spend a week of your spring! Soak up the light and bask in the sun. As we study the Gnostic Gospels, we will also study Jesus, his teachings, and ourselves a bit deeper.

Class Descriptions

Electives

The Gospel of Thomas James Scott, LUT (Pre-approved elective) Thomas is a gospel of the sayings of Jesus, most of them directed at the disciples, with an amazing focus on the present moment and the unity of all. Considered the Fifth Gospel by the fellows of the Jesus Seminar, Thomas deserves deep study by every serious student of the teachings of Jesus. Come prepared to realign your mind. The Gospel of Mary Magdelene Rev. Paula Mekdeci (Approved elective) When Rev. Paula taught this class in spring of 2017, students quickly found themselves exploring not just a gospel, but the early church fathers’ exclusion of women from the leadership of the Christian church. Why was Mary called “The Apostle to the Apostles?” You will learn about Mary’s deeper relationship and partnership with Jesus, and how she was a wise and powerful spiritual teacher in her own right. The Gnostic Gospels 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 findings within the Nag Hammadi Scrolls. The way in which the scrolls were discovered and then hidden through many years sounds like a TV series, but the subject matter of the scrolls and the teachings of the Gnostics takes Christianity far beyond where the mainstream church has gone. Some people have even gone so far as to call Unity ‘modern-day Gnosticism.” Will you agree with that after taking this class?

Electives

The Gospel of Judas Richard Mekdeci, LUT (credit pending) The Gospel of Judas is a Gnostic gospel whose content consists of conversations between Jesus and Judas. Judas is portrayed as a willing ‘part of the plan’ of Jesus’ purpose, and not the ultimate betrayer that he is often depicted as. In this gospel, Jesus even selects him for additional teachings beyond what is being taught to all twelve disciples. The Gospel of Philip Richard Mekdeci, LUT (credit pending) The Gospel of Philip is best known for its portrayal of the physical relationship shared by Jesus and his most beloved disciple, Mary Magdelene. Because it ran counter to traditional church dogma, this gospel was suppressed (and destroyed whenever possible) until its discovery within the scrolls in Nag Hammadi, Egypt. The key concepts involve the union of our male and female aspects to create a unity that is perfectly aligned with Spirit. The Sophia (Wisdom) of Jesus Christ Rev. Elizabeth Mora, MDiv (credit pending) In this course, students will learn some of the Gnostic teachings about the origins of the divine realm as explained and experienced by Jesus. The Sophia takes the form of a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples. Sophia (a wisdom aspect of Spirit) tries to bring certain elements into existence in this plane, and Jesus steps in to help the situation by bringing these concepts back into the realm of Spirit and Breath. Some scholars say it introduces the idea of salvation from a whole new perspective. The Essenes and Early Christianity Connie Skidmore (This class is not available for credit) The Essenes were a sect of Second Temple Judaism. They existed prior to the birth of Jesus and after his death. Scholars continue to find connections with Jesus’ life and family and the Essenes. Connie Skidmore will take you on an exploration through this mystical Christian connection and what it means to modern spiritual study.

Time Day Class Title Instructor Required Elective

10 a.m.-12 noon.

Mon-Fri

The Gospel of Thomas

James Scott, LUT, Unity Renaissance

X

10 a.m.-12 noon

Mon-Fri

The Gnostic Gospels Rev.Elizabeth Mora, Unity of Montclair

X

12 p.m. -1 p.m.

Mon-Fri

Lunch Break

1-3 p.m. Mon-Fri.

The Essenes & Early Christianity

Connie Skidmore

1-3 p.m. Mon-Fri.

The Gospel of Judas Richard Mekdeci, LUT Unity Renaissance

X

3-5 p.m. Mon-Fri.

The Sophia of Jesus Rev.Elizabeth Mora, Unity of Montclair

X

5-6:30 p.m.

Mon-Thur.

Evening Break

6:30-9 p.m.

Mon-Thur.

The Gospel of Philip Richard Mekdeci, LUT, Unity Renaissance

X

6:30- 9 p.m.

Mon-Thur.

The Gospel of Mary Magdalene

Rev. Paula Mekdeci, Unity Renaissance

X

Gnostic Gospels: The Untold Story of Jesus

Richard Mekdeci, LUT—Richard is a Licensed Unity Teacher and the Music Director at Unity Renaissance. His passions are Posi (Positive) Music, and its spiritual complement, New Thought music. He is the CEO and co-founder of Empower Music & Arts. Richard travels the country, teaching through retreats, concerts and workshops the messages of

peace, self-worth, and the uniting power of music. He is currently in his final year of Ministerial study through the Urban School.

James Scott, LUT—Scotty is Adult Education Director at Unity Renaissance. He also travels the nation as a speaker and workshop facilitator, and mixes humor with metaphysics in large and powerful doses. He has stretched our education program into the Gnostic Gospels and other non-traditional offerings over the past few years, giving our students a

broader look at historical Christianity. Scotty has been an LUT since 2006.

Connie Skidmore—Connie teaches many classes on the mystical side of spirituality. She has a Masters in Religious Education with post-graduate emphasis on adult education. She has taught several classes here at Unity Renaissance.

Instructors

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