Rev. Ed Townley's Current Talks
Ed is the Senior Minister of Unity Church of Greater Hartford, CT.
Spirit Expressing is grateful for the opportunity to feature Rev. Ed's talks, teachings and resources. Check back here for Ed's weekly talks at Unity Hartford (and other guest speaking appearances.)
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Unity Church of Greater Hartford
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August 2010
August 1, 2010
Who is My Brother?
If we continue to view our spiritual adventure as a one-man operation, we’ll miss its deepest creative power. The Spirit Expressing Performance Company joins Rev Ed to explore the importance of being there for each other, and the distractions that can get in the way.
August 8, 2010
Living Life Backward
Through the magical King Arthur stories of T.H. White’s The Once and Future King we find that we need not – indeed, cannot – allow ourselves to be limited by what others insist on believing. Our spiritual power demands infinite freedom!
August 22, 2010
The Owl at the Window
Rev Ed brings the Power of Story summer series to a close with a three-week appreciation of the greatest Hero’s Journey of our time, the story of Harry Potter, boy wizard. It all begins with discovering the truth of who we are.
August 29, 2010
The Boggart in the Wardrobe
Our newfound spiritual powers are exciting and creative. But before we put them fully to use, we must dissolve every preconception – and face every fear. The process is often painful, but the rewards are always great.
July 2010
July 4, 2010
We Hold These Truths
Our country was founded, not on a shared religious dogma, but on an affirmation of universal spiritual principles. Rev Ed discusses the Deistic passion that found expression in the basic documents of a new nation.
July 11, 2010
The Wizard at the Door
Like Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, we can make our lives very comfortable indeed. But the day will come when a knock on the door calls us to a great spiritual adventure – and everything depends on how we respond.
July 25, 2010
I Won't Grow Up
It’s important that we embrace the great spiritual adventure we’re here to accomplish. But if we become addicted to the sense of adventure and constant change, we may find ourselves left behind when a deeper, quieter work becomes essential.
June 2010
June 27, 2010
Come to the Garden
As spiritual beings, we often feel orphaned and alone in the unfamiliar energies of our human lives. Like Mary in The Secret Garden, we must release elevated expectations to find the hidden beauty and possibility of our strange earthly home.
May 2010
May 2, 2010
Seven Seals, Four Horsemen
The more awake we become to our spiritual purpose, the more shadow energies we arouse. It’s all part of the creative process – and our innate powers are always stronger than the shadows!
May 9, 2010
Contractions and Convulsions
If only 144,000 are to be “saved,” why bother trying? And if birth pangs are so painful, why should we even go there? The Revelation continues to call us forward, through many kinds of shadow, to the one and only Light.
May 16, 2010
Bless the Beasts and the Children
Our creative consciousness, pregnant with the Christ, encounters a dragon of resistance and negativity. The drama gets pretty intense – but never bet against Mom!
May 23, 2010
Fallen is Babylon
The systems that served us in our old, limited sense of self won’t work in the new “kingdom consciousness.” Old ways have to crumble to make way for the new. Sound familiar? This is where we came in!
May 30, 2010
Making All Things New
The kingdom of heaven isn’t a place we have to find. It’s a new dimension of experience that comes to us when we’ve done the work and mastered the battles, holding firm to our spiritual Truth. And it’s worth the wait!
April 2010
April 4, 2010 - Easter Sunday
The Resurrection People
Rev. Ed Townley will give a moving message for Easter Sunday, as we continue the journey through Lent, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday, and arrive at this special day. The service will include the opportunity to participate in spiritual communion.
April 11, 2010
Arise and Shine
We've moved through a crucifixion and embraced a resurrection. What next? Where will our spiritual path take us now? Rev. Ed finds a possible answer in the biblical Book of Isaiah -- a call to let our newfound spiritual light fearlessly shine.
April 25, 2010
Seven Letters, Seven Chakras
The final book of the Bible describes a time of conflict and upheaval very much like our own. How can we hold fast to the positive in the face of such turbulent negativity? We begin by marshaling all of our spiritual powers and perceptions. If we’re going to embark on the spiritual journey that is our true purpose, we have to wake up – one chakra at a time!
March 2010
March 7, 2010
The Wisdom of Showing Up
The spiritual power of Wisdom is not expressed through knowledge, but by developing “an understanding heart.” Rev. Ed discusses how we can develop our innate power of Wisdom by “showing up” for the challenges and opportunities of each and every day.
March 14, 2010
The Wisdom of Singing On
In welcoming new members to our growing spiritual community, we are stepping up to a new dimension of spiritual expression and exploration -- in our own lives, and in our conjoined energies.
March 28, 2010 - Palm Sunday
Understanding Jesus
If we are to express our own innate Christ energy as fully and joyfully as Jesus did, we have to clearly understand who he was, what he did and who he is today. Rev. Ed is joined by the wonderful singer/songwriter David Roth for a very special Palm Sunday message of spiritual awakening and human challenge.
February 2010
February 7, 2010
Putting on Spiritual Armor
The spiritual power of Strength and the physical attribute of strength are not the same. Recognizing the difference is the first step in claiming this important power for ourselves.
February 14, 2010
The Strength of Being Vulnerable
A sense of our own strength is essential before we can enter fully into loving relationships. This Valentine's Day, we give and receive the power of love from an awareness of our spiritual strength.
February 21, 2010
Guest speaker - Rev. Bonnie Gilbert Ashe
February 28, 2010
Defining Your Gifts
As we leave the month devoted to the spiritual power of Strength, we appreciate how our unique, individual expressions of Strength fit together perfectly in a spiritual community of infinite possibility.
January 2010
January 3, 2010
Getting it Together
New year, new decade, newborn dimension of Christ awareness -- the question is, where do we go from here? Rev Ed suggests seven areas of ministry that we need to express -- and the world needs to receive.
January 10, 2010
Thought Exchange Process and Forgiveness
Guest speaker David Friedman speaks on the importance of replacing deeply embedded resentments that are blocking the flow of good in our lives with new thoughts of acceptance and forgiveness that create a healthier, happier life experience.
January 17, 2010
The View from the Mountaintop
So here we are – a new year, a new decade, a new arsenal of spiritual tools at our disposal. What should we create together? Let’s consider the possibilities!
January 24, 2010
Time to Move Mountains
Our yearlong focus on the Twelve Powers begins with Faith -- the tiny, essential seed from which infinite possibilities spring forth.
January 31, 2010
First Power, First Step
How can embracing our spiritual power begin with a process of surrender? Rev. Ed explores the conundrum as he continues his focus on Unity's Twelve Powers -- and the Twelve Steps of recovery.
December 2009 (Advent)
November 29, 2009
Let It Be Christmas: Faith in the Light
The journey to Christmas begins with an unexpected possibility -- and a spark of willingness.
December 6, 2009
Let It Be Christmas: Peace in the Process
We may be impatient to arrive at our Christmas destination, but the journey unfolds in timelessness. Once the seed has been planted, we move patiently and peacefully forward, waiting and willing.
December 13, 2009
Let It Be Christmas: Love In the Darkness
Our journey to the new Light of Christmas takes us through greater and greater depths of darkness. We are called to venture beyond every comfort zone, centered in the love that is our Source.
The inn is full. The barn is cold. The animals are noisy. The timing is all wrong. Nothing feels spiritual. And everything is.
November 2009
November 1, 2009
Becoming a Wizard
This Sunday is the fifth week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we are using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.” Join Rev. Ed in this lively, illuminating appreciation of the spiritual hero’s journey.
November 8, 2009
Hello, I Must Be Going
This Sunday is the sixth week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we are using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.” Join Rev. Ed in this lively, illuminating appreciation of the spiritual hero’s journey.
November 15, 2009
Wizards, Wizards Everywhere
This Sunday is the last week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we are using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.” Join Rev. Ed in this lively, illuminating appreciation of the spiritual hero’s journey
November 22, 2009
Thanks For Nothing
When we are unconditionally grateful for shadows and light, for everything and nothing, we are truly connected the creative Power within us -- and well on our way to the unconditional love that is the kingdom of heaven.
October 2009
October 4, 2009
There Must Be Someplace Else!
This Sunday begins the first week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we’ll be using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.”
October 11, 2009
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore!
This Sunday is the second week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we are using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.”
October 18, 2009
Disasters and Disappointments
This Sunday is the third week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we are using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.” Join Rev. Ed in this lively, illuminating appreciation of the spiritual hero’s journey
October 25, 2009
Which Witch is Which?
This Sunday is the fourth week of our seven-week fall series, Spiritual Heroics: Exploring Life’s Purpose & Promise. In addition to Unity principles and guidance from the Bible, we are using the classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum as a primary “text.” Join Rev. Ed in this lively, illuminating appreciation of the spiritual hero’s journey.
September 2009
September 6, 2009
This We Believe: Q & A
Over the last five Sundays, Rev. Ed talked about the basic, universal spiritual principles that guide and empower us in the Unity movement. This Sunday Rev. Ed will answer any further questions you have about the universal principles and the Unity movement. Look forward to a lively discussion.
September 20, 2009
We Gather Together
For just the seventh time in our 77-year history, Unity Church of Greater Hartford welcomes a new Senior Minister. Rev. Ed Townley will be formally installed during our service today, and will share a vision for the future as our spiritual community embarks upon a new chapter together.
August 2009
August 2, 2009
This We Believe: It's All God
Using Rev. Ellen Debenport's new book The Five Principles as a focus, Rev Ed begins a five-week series on the basics of Unity belief.
August 9, 2009
This We Believe: An Inside Job
Rev Ed suggests that the most important -- and challenging -- step we must take to continue our spiritual journey is the relocation of God from a distant height to an intimate Presence.
August 16, 2009
This We Believe: The Third Principle - It's All Inside Out
Knowing ourselves to be One with the Allness of God can sometimes be more confusing than helpful. Knowing the truth alone won’t solve the challenges we encounter in life. We have to dig deeper – to understand not just what our relationship to the divine is, but how it works.
August 23, 2009
This We Believe: The Fourth Principle: The Pracical Power of Prayer
Praying to God is not like sending a Christmas list to Santa Claus. We don't ask for presents, and hope we've been good enough to deserve them. We assume the role of co-creator, aligning with spiritual Power to guide it into tangible expression. In the fourth of his five-week series on basic Unity principles, Rev. Ed turns to the example and teaching of Jesus Christ to understand the cooperative commitment that prayer truly represents.
August 30, 2009
This We Believe: The Fifth Principle: Go and Do Likewise
Putting principle into practice is the essential final step, and a constant challenge to accomplish. Rev. Ed concludes this five-week series by suggesting two additional universal principles that offer specific and tangible suggestions for living a Spirit-centered life.
July 2009
July 5, 2009
Starting Out
In Rev Ed's first Sunday with his new congregation, he shares a vision and appreciates a journey.
July 12, 2009
Seeing the Good - I
Rev Ed uses his personal story as an example of the amazing possibilities that open for each of us with just a spark of willingness.
July 17, 2009
Seeing the Good-II
While continuing to share his personal story, Rev Ed describes the five roles of the Hero's Journey.
July 26, 2009
The Bible: What's in It for Me?
Rev Ed begins assembling the basic tools we all need for our spiritual journey with a focus on the challenging but rewarding road map offered in the stories and wisdom of the Bible.