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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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The Trip to Bethlehem: 4-Part Message Series

In her book, The Trip to Bethlehem, Reverend Hypathia Hasbrouck writes, “The Christmas story is our story. Each year, the traditional Christmas story stirs believers and unbelievers alike, not only because it celebrates the birth of the Christ child—the baby who grew into the man whose life and teachings changed the course of history and shaped the mind and culture of the Western world—but also because it appeals to the very depths of our being. It stirs all of us because the Christ child represents the higher Self, the true Self, of everyone. That child is within us and in our depths, we know that at some time we are destined to take the mystical trip to our inner Bethlehem, the birthplace of our own higher Self.” 

Join Unity Spiritual Center at 10 a.m., on December 1, 8 and 22, and at 7 p.m., on December 24, as Rev. Carmela Vuoso-Murphy guides participants on this journey. The Christmas Eve Service includes a candle lighting ceremony and caroling. 

Location: Unity Spiritual Center, 453 Bellwood Avenue, Asbury (physically located in Pattenburg). For more information, call 908-730-8792 or visit UnitySpiritualCenter.org. 

In-Print News Briefs Unity Chirstmas
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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