In this time of economic strife, one Lawrence church is offering residents a chance to re-examine what it means to be wealthy and prosperous.

The Unity Church of Lawrence, 900 Madeline Lane, is offering a series of classes called “Spiritual Economics” that examines the positives and negatives of spiritual, emotional and financial abundance.

“Prosperity is not just having things, but it’s the consciousness that attracts those things to us,” says the Rev. Don Layne of Unity Church. “So your spiritual side is as important or even more important than what you manifest in your life.”

By focusing on all aspects of a healthy life — whether it is children, spouses friendship or faith — class instructor Sharon Dwyer says people can not only gain a new understanding of their fortune beyond money, but they also can open new avenues of prosperity.

“Just by opening up your mind and seeing things differently we can be open to opportunities that come along rather than being closed to them by being depressed or inwardly drawn,” Dwyer says.

Layne says one must understand what true wealth is before becoming wealthy. He compares the process to buying a new car.

“Say you wanted to buy a new yellow Beetle,” he says. “After that you start recognizing there are a lot of yellow Beetles on the road — not because there are more out there but because it’s in your stream of consciousness.”

The Unity Church has offered classes on abundance toward the beginning of the year for several years, Layne says. The classes are based off a book from Unity author Eric Butterworth, who often said, “You can change your life by altering your thoughts.”

Layne says these teachings on abundance are important.

“You were born to have everything that you need in your life to be prosperous,” he says. “The universe conspires to make you prosperous, and by you ignoring that opportunity in your life, you’re wasting the opportunity that God gave you.”

While many people have lost their jobs, wealth and possessions, Layne and Dwyer say looking at the abundance of healthy aspects of life and not dwelling on the lack of abundance can help people overcome tough economic times.

“By reaching out and being a help to other people we also can change our perpective and our situation and then break that habit of depression,” Dwyer says.

Layne says while the economy and friendships can fluctuate from good to bad, spirituality always endures.

“Everything in the universe is cyclical. We’ve gone through lack times before, and we’ve experienced abundance coming out of it,” he says.

The classes will start on Jan. 11 and take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays for the next six weeks. Readers interested in learning more about the class can call the church at 841-1447.