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818 Kudos Keep 818 Alive! 818 Press 818 KEEP 818 ALIVE! NEWS... Good night 8:18. Our final 8:18 event will be Friday April 4th, 2008. Link to 8:18 News updated 1/28/08 Link to 8:18 News updated 02/08/08 "Good night 8:18" WE TRIED..... In April 2007, Unity's Board approached us (Preston & Emily - 818's producers). Out-of-the-blue, they told us they had made a decision to stop 818 within a matter of 6 weeks, and without the possibility of re-assessment. To make a long story short, there had been a lack of communication about some issues, and after numerous delicate talks, and a miraculous response from the 818 community, things were cleared up, and 818 was allowed to continue at least thru Dec. of 2007! (Maybe longer, we'll see.) Four things made the difference: 1) Clear communication between us and Unity's Board. 2) The wonderfully supportive and powerful letters of the 818 community (please read some of them that follow below). 3) We took on a 100% accountable role. 4) Members of the community stepped up to work in many positions vacated by Unity staff. "We deeply thank the 818 community SO much for taking a stand to KEEP 818 ALIVE! We all worked a miracle, and we continue to keep our community of Love strong and expressive. The world needs more gatherings like ours, not fewer." - Preston & Emily 818 COMMUNITY LOVE-LETTERS Dear Unity Church, Dance is one of my favorite expressions of my love of God. Every time I go to 8-18 @ Unity I truly sweat my prayers out. When I dance I meditate on The Divine and when I dance long enough and hard enough I feel a deep cosmic connection - a current of Love moving from Great Spirit into Mother Earth. When I reach that state, it seems like I can dance without end. It must be a state similar to what Native Americans might reach with their days-long dance rituals. I LOVE dancing with Spirit in Church. I love meeting the smiling faces of the amazingly diverse and multi-aged community that attends 8-18. There are so many kids and young adults attending these days! What a wonderful way to bring their social interaction into the spiritual community! I feel that is such an important service all by itself in this day and age. Let the children and young adults play and gather and converse with the spiritual community in a spiritual house of God. What's more perfect than that? Where else can such a social outlet occur so safely, joyfully, so easily and lovingly with Spirit? When I go to Church on Friday nights - that is to say 8-18 - I feel such a joy and love in the community that it radiates from the Unity building even as I park in the lot outside. I feel it. I know that spirit is radiating out of the Church and into all of Chicago. I imagine it radiating into the World also! I heard Unity might no longer host 8-18. This would be a very sad thing indeed. Dance is such a wonderfully sacred expression when done in an atmosphere of spiritual gathering and upliftment. I'm simply dumbstruck at the idea that this amazing and wonderful Spirit should be turned out. I really don't understand what the issues are, but I'm sure that whatever these issues might be that EVERYONE in this 8-18 community will help to clear them up. I'll be praying that all people associated with this event and any decision making concerning it shall be open to Divine Guidance and Wisdom, that angles of clarity and compromise shall attend. I pray for the highest and best Good of all. See Psalm 150 v4 - We are to praise God with dancing. Also, I want to give you my deepest thanks and appreciation. As one of my churches I'm so glad that Unity Chicago exists and offers me a non-dogmatic and spiritually-inclusive gathering. I have gone to several Sunday morning services over the years. I often attend CSL Church only a block from my house but some mornings I want to pray and mediate in the beautiful Church and gardens on Thome. Of course I go to every possible 8-18! Love and blessings to you, Travis, Self-employed Carpenter and Handyman To whom it may concern, My name is Dana Hildreth, and I have been attending the 818 - Circus of the Spirit event held by Preston and Emily Klik for nearly a year. I would first like to thank you for the space you have been providing for the community to gather in the names of Love, Life, Creativity, Positivity, and Acceptance. I can think of no place more appropriate for such an assemblance than Unity Chicago. My partner introduced me to 818 in June of 2006, and I recognized the blessing immediately. Never before have I seen such a diverse group of people in the same place at the same time, all of them supporting and nurturing and gardening each other. I have since brought numerous friends to these events, and each of them leaves speechless and spiritually moved. Many become regular attendees. One of the most positive aspects of the event is the community that can be found throughout. In the drum circle, people are sharing energy and participating in other's praise and thankfulness and joy. In the music rooms people are creating celebratory music with each other. On the dance floor, people young and old, weak and strong, short and tall are all dancing together, each giving their spiritual and energetic contribution to the Love and Energy that is found at every 818. This particular kind of community is hard to come by, yet always necessary. You cannot find it at yoga classes, bars, parks, and most CERTAINLY not on television. I am so grateful for the support, acceptance and love that is practically spilling out of the windows of Unity on the first Friday of every month. I am grateful that these children are learning about patience, love, diversity, and performance art. I am grateful that there is a place that I can regularly go to see this community of people, this family that I have come to know and love, and to celebrate the blessings in my life with them. 818 at Unity has been such a blessing and miracle in my life, and in the lives of many around me. I deeply urge you to consider continuing the peaceful and healing gathering of the 818 community. It has grown and thrived, and will continue to. Thank you for your time. Blessings and Grace, Dana |
MORE GREAT LOVE LETTERS From DePaul University Professor Jason W. : To Unity's Board and staff, I was very disappointed to hear of Unity Church's decision to discontinue 818. I look forward to this event every month. It is the only place I can think of where people ranging from pre-teens to elderly can get together in community (without alcohol) and all are welcome. Please keep 818 alive at Unity. 818 is one of most positive communities I have ever experienced. For most of the people who attend, it is a SPIRITUAL experience. I consider it to be like attending church and wish I could do it every week. Two of the central activities are a drum circle and dancing. For the many people around the world who take in part in these activities, they are a form of worship universally practiced to effect contact with the divine energy, and connecting with others in spiritual community. Although these forms of worship are not considered part of the mainstream of Western religions, they are seriously practiced in other parts of the world and are gaining popularity as spiritual practices in America. One of the theories behind the origin of the word 'religion' is the Latin word religare, which means "to tie, to bind." Religion binds us to divinity and to each other. Every month, Preston ends the dance with Ziggy Marley's "Love is My Religion," one of the most positive messages you can send in a world torn apart by religious conflict. I believe this message is right at home at a place like Unity Church. As we dance at 818, we dance under the symbol of the Unity Wings, which symbolize the relation between Spirit, soul and body. When we dance and drum, we elevate our Spirit through the medium of our bodies, thus enriching our soul. These activities are completely in keeping with the goals of Unity Church. 818 is definitely grounded in spiritual experience and worship, even if it appears to be 'just a party.' I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision and allow 818 to continue to provide a space for celebration and worship for the devoted attendees of this wonderful event. thank you, Jason W., Professor, DePaul University Dear Reverend Erica, Unity Staff and Unity Board: It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter. 1) With heavy heart that I hear word that 818 -- Circus of the Spirit may be asked to stop being held at Unity. 2) With joyous spirit as I know all that 818 is and has become. I'm writing to ask you to keep hosting 818 in your home. I've seen 818 from its infancy. I was Preston's roommate when it started, and lived with him and/or Emily for most of its existence. I saw him take this idea from thought to reality. I've watched it blossom from a kernel of inspiration to a community that comes together once a month to share ideas, create healing energy and that surrounds each other with love and light and dance. I watched as Preston met Emily and found a partner to help him facilitate each new 818; who quickly became a co-creator, an equal, a soulmate. The ideas and people that were attracted to the event grew and blossomed. The energy surrounding all of it was palpable. It was hard work for Preston and Emily, but it was well worth it they would come home simultaneously exhausted and electrified at the same time, eager to talk about everything that had happened that night, eager to talk about what they could do to make it better next time. 818 has given so many people the opportunity to self-express the Divine in so many ways. Whether it be letting loose on the dance floor, letting themselves hear the still, small voice inside themselves during the final guided invocation/meditation, or showcasing the gifts the Universe has given them on a small side stage where they can present a performance, 818 allows people to come and shine in whatever way they feel most comfortable. And, it provides a safe alternative to bars, dance clubs, raves, or other venues where there is alcohol served and cigarette smoke to contend with. As a recovering alcoholic, I can say that there are many people in recovery who still struggle with wanting to have fun without wanting to go to places where there is still liquor. Not everyone is at that stage, but there are people who struggle with that, and 818 is such a beautiful alternative to experience great music, great people, and great energy with no fear of dealing with any mood or mind altering substances. I understand that there have been concerns on the behalf of Unity. I would beseech you to give Preston and Emily a chance to address these concerns before asking them to leave. I know them personally and know their dedication and commitment to this event and to spirit-expressing, global healing and the most powerful element of change love. I know if given a chance, they would sit down and brainstorm ways to address these issues. Perhaps the fee gets much more 'firm.' I'm sure if they need to get more people to volunteer and be extra vigilant about the security issues you are concerned about, they will ensure your concerns are resolved. I know this event is extremely important to them and to the community in Chicago who is yearning to come together and celebrate life, love, hope, peace, tolerance and healing. Your Spirit of Being statement says that łAs a Global Change maker, we manifest the power of harmonizing both heart and mind in the continued building of the Beloved Conscious Community.˛ I can hardly think of a better way to support this element of your purpose than to keep 818 and to let them continue to build and support the Beloved Conscious Community. They so desire to. Please let them. Please don't close your minds to the idea of letting them stay. If they can resolve the issues you've raised, please don t close your hearts to an event that helps so many people feel a part of something bigger than themselves something that truly is spirit expressing. In love and light and with God's grace blessing each of you, Jocelyn To the Unity board and staff: When I think about what 818 has meant to me, I think of two things: Unity In Chicago, and healing. It was because of my experience with 818 that I felt compelled to give Unity In Chicago a try, and it was through both my experiences and journey with 818 and Unity In Chicago that I had multiple layers of healing occur. Let me explain: A couple of years ago I was coming out of the other end of a devastating illness; one in which for 3 years I was completely bedridden and in excruciating pain. I had prayed consistently for help and for God to send me someone who could take me out of my living hell. Not long after I started a very specific prayer ceremony for help, Emily Klik appear at my door step. Angels come along in all forms, and this angel came with a healing table slung over her shoulders, and the hands that I call "The gifted hands of God". After a few Craniosacral sessions with Emily things began to shift dramatically for me. Her hands worked wonders, and so did her imparted wisdom and compassionate heart. Gently, she encouraged me to check out Unity in Chicago, but with my wounds from my Catholic upbringing I was very resistant to the idea of attending "church" again. She kept telling me how different it was, and yet I had such a mental construct around "church services" that I had a hard time trusting what she was saying. She mentioned how Unity holds an event called 818. After listening to all the things the event offered I knew I had to check it out. I had owned a Native American drum for a few years but had never used it, so when she mentioned the drum circle I knew I had to experience it. And so, a week later, I attended my first 818. I started at the drum circle in the Gazebo, and as I participated, I felt parts of myself that had departed before my illness return back to me. It was a powerful and transformative experience, and I will never forget it! Later that evening, I went upstairs and received a healing from a massage therapist. I looked around the room in the Sanctuary and felt so much love, that before long I even found myself on the dance floor. My body - which had been entrapped by a physical illness for so long - began to move again, and with each movement years of trapped emotions began to express themselves. And so it was that my healing extended throughout the entire evening. After that night at 818 I felt I needed to give Unity In Chicago a chance. I thought to myself "If Unity can hold space for the type of event that 818 offered, then I definitely wanted to learn more about it." And so that very Sunday I attended my first service at Unity In Chicago. Within a month I became a member. I am now a member of Unity In Chicago as well as Unity of Sedona. Not only am I completely healed today, but I myself am a Craniosacral therapist, with a mission of spreading hope to all those who have been diagnosed as "incurable" (as this was my diagnosis). I accredit this massive shift, to Emily and Preston Klik, to 818 - Circus of the Spirit, and to the teachings of Unity In Chicago. All of which greatly contributed to my profound healing. When I heard the news that 818 might no longer be a part of Unity In Chicago I was greatly saddened, and felt compelled to share with you just what 818 means to me, and how much I feel it is part of the greater whole Unity In Chicago has to offer. I humbly ask that you please reconsider, and that you allow for 818 to continue at Unity In Chicago. If the staff needs any assistance with set-up or clean-up before or after the event, I would be happy to volunteer my time and contribute in any way I can. It is my hope that you consider what 818 has meant to me - and so many others in the Unity In Chicago community - and that you will keep 818 going here in our Unbity In Chicago community. Thank you for your willingness to further consider this subject. Sincerely, Kathleen "Kali" (Unity In Chicago and Unity of Sedona member) Dear Friends at Unity Church, The following is a letter of thanks to you for making 818 a possibility at Unity. I heard that you have considered ending 818's presence at Unity. Therefore, I wanted to let you know how significant 818 has been to my spiritual life and to express my undying gratitude to you, Unity, for hosting this event. For me it is the most important spiritual event of each month. In March 2006 I had a spiritual epiphany of growth at 818. We all grow spiritually throughout our lives. Unity Chicago looks for growth at a consistent and sustainable rate. At 818, I got just that. In just a little over a year, my life has expanded 77 fold in spiritual awakening. I thank 818 for helping that process, and I have extreme gratitude for Unity for making that possible. Possibility is the one key in life that makes amazing transformation of the spirit happen. Unity saw possibility in 818 and took that chance. Possibility has flourished. I was never independent. I grew up as a Presbyterian pastor's kid, but I avoided religious events. In March something drew me to 818 @ Unity, and I uncharacteristically introduced myself to over a dozen strangers, including Emily and Preston, who are also loving Unity members, and who are now very dear friends of mine. If not for 818 and Unity, I simply would not have met Unity members who very profoundly changed my life and filled it with love and light. 818 is where Unity Chicago's mission of community outreach has been in full force for nearly 4 years. After discovering 818, I went to Unity's Sunday services from May last year until I got a job on Sundays. I hope to take Unity's introduction course. I still go to every 818 event, which I is church for me. 818 is where I spiritually commune with the Divine, with God. While most consider prayer to be something that must be spoken word (as outlined at Unity.org as Unity's fourth tenet), I have found some of my best communion with God to be through dance, an alternative form of communication. Dance, music, and art are absolutely forms of communication. I say this as a professional artist who specializes in all three (with two degrees in music composition). No one understands art as communication better than God. Dancing as a form of prayer is certainly no new concept. I dance to the music of our day, loving life in the present, and sharing presence of spirit with the community at 818. I feel the spirit of God fill me with love and light. I feel exstasis, Greek for "standing outside of oneself." I communicate my prayers through thoughts to God, because I am closest to the Divine in that state. When I dance, I communicate to others, inviting them into community love and spiritual fulfillment. Certainly stillness speaks (as Eckhart Tolle says), but there is also a stillness that can be found in movement. Action of body can move the world. Stillness of mind can move peace. A world of peace in motion can accomplish great things. 818 is a microcosmic world of peace in motion, in sound, rhythm, art, and creative expression. 818 extends Unity's concept of prayer, just as Miriam did so "scandalously" with her tamborine, dance, and song in the wilderness. Unity offers this form of outreach that extends from: A) spoken word and musical prayer in its services to B) heightened levels of dance, music, and art in 818. What Unity has sponsored for nearly 4 years is an intense concentration of spiritual awakening through active artistic and creative expression open to anyone, regardless of religion. We are extremely grateful to you, Unity, for allowing us this opportunity to share in the love and light of the world. Our community has grown and prospered from Unity's love and nurturance. We share your mission of community outreach and will continue to do so in the future. Thank you for your sharing, your love, and your light with the world. Thank you for believing in 818's possibility, and making it a reality. Most of all, thank you for being instrumental in my own personal spiritual awakening and enlightenment at 818, and for housing this catalyst for God-driven peace, the same kind that is spreading across the face of this earth at astounding rates. Many blessings and extreme gratitude for everything Unity stands for, Ora Dear Friends and Members of Unity Chicago, Sometimes words are simply inadequate. They can ably describe facts, events, and places, but even the finest poetry in history cannot fully convey the subtle language within the heart. The true expression of the intense gratitude and joy I feel towards Unity Chicago, Preston and Emily Klik, and 818 would not be a letter. Instead, it would be an exuberant song, an ecstatic dance, a radiant meditation. Fortunately, I have had the chance to express this overflowing gratitude in these ways and more - at 818 itself, in the sacred halls of Unity Chicago. I hope the words in this letter contain the fragrance of that radiant flower that blooms the first Friday of every month, a flower that is rooted in the divine and watered by the open hearts of human beings given space to celebrate and express their true natures. In years of searching for community and a true outlet of expression, 818 is without a doubt the best gathering I have ever been blessed enough to discover. When I say "best", I mean the most innocent, the most spiritually clean, the most purely celebratory, the most ego-dissolving, the most inviting; the gathering that most gingerly and energetically leads people to The Divine. The energy of the dance floor, led by Preston's encouraging, warm hearted attitude, is not aggressive, egoistic, or image-conscious. On the contrary, it is a playground for people to express freely without worrying what anybody thinks, to connect from the heart without worrying about the motives of the other person, to seek Spirit through the ancient practice of ecstatic dance without worrying that they are doing something wrong. Such innocence, such bliss, such collective union with The Divine! Toddlers and old men, spiritually open adults and teenagers just in the process of discovering themselves and their gifts, all dancing together in harmony and positivity on the dance floor - more than once it has made me cry, just standing on the wings and watching it. 818 has helped foster a community of individuals seeking soul expression and heart connection as a path to Spirit. By welcoming me into that community, by awakening creative impulses within me, by showing me how creativity can come from The Divine instead of from the ego, 818 has drastically changed my life and helped transform my soul and my day to day existence. All of my life, I had considered myself stifled, "not a creative person", isolated. I had a desperate desire to change this, but did not know the way. The first day I went to 818 was a watershed in my life: I remember Emily telling me that her role in the world was to encourage creative expression in other people, and in my case, she has been proved right. I learned how to drum at the drum circle, found my voice in the Subtle Sounds room, discovered my potential as a healer through the connections I made there, and danced in a spirit of sharing with other people (for the first time in my life) on the dance floor. Coming to 818 demolished old self conceptions I had held since adolescence: I had no musical abilities, dance was a lonely and isolating pursuit for me, and, most destructively, that I was socially awkward and unable to make any sort of meaningful connections with people. Preston and Emily Klik have, through their shared vision, heart-centered willpower, and sterling integrity, facilitated a space with so much light, that all of these misconceptions that were hiding in the shadows had to vanish. I am eternally grateful to them for creating this, eternally grateful for Unity Chicago for hosting it, and eternally grateful to God for leading me to it. The light which I experienced on Friday night led me to come to service on Sunday morning quite a few times, the first time in my life I have ever willfully gone to a church service. 818 is an entity of light, innocence, and divine expression in the world. It has transformed and positively affected not just my life but many others as well. My gratitude finds its expression every time I raise my voice to sing, beat my hands, or look another human soul in the eyes and feel a connection. I hope that 818 has a chance to touch your life as profoundly as it has touched mine, and thank you for taking the time to read my words. God Bless, Sasha To Whom It May Concern: My name is Mary Carol Smith and I am a teacher who lives in Saint Charles, Illinois. For the last three years I have been a regular participant at 818. I am a certified Pranic Healer, Reiki Master, and Reflexologist. I teach the alternative therapies I just mentioned at Delnor Hospital, and Waubansee College. I also teach Special Ed children at Bartlett High School in Bartlett. Out here in the "boonies" there isn't much in the way of a structured community for people who are very open minded. Since I agree with Emily and Preston that "Love is My Religion" I have many times made the 100 mile round trip to attend 818 and have introduced many people to the wonderful monthly event. I have even taken my Reiki students from Waubansee College as a field trip. My boyfriend Richard Goodstein lives in Manhattan NY and makes it a point to come in to visit the first of the month so we don't miss celebrating 818 together. Emily and Preston have always provided the most wonderful energy and reverance to this event. One time when Richard and I had to take the train into the city, so we actually rented a limo so we wouldn't have to miss the ending meditation and prayer. (The trains stop running at midnight.) Richard and I have even been talking about possibly getting married and we were considering Unity. We definately would involve Emily and Preston somehow either as the actual ministers or/and entertainment. Richard and I are very sorry that all of the wonderful energy and goodness that has been created by the community of 818 might go away. As two of the farthest travelers to attend 818 we respectfully request that you reconsider. We would then reconsider the endowment to Unity we were thinking of bestowing. With much love and respect, Mary Carol . . . home/events/more . . . contact . . . cart . . . |