Any experiences with Unity Church?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Any experiences with Unity Church?
12
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:07pm
Hi,
just wondering if anyone has had any experiences with the Unity Church? I am thinking about attending a service and am wondering if it is right for me.I especially enjoy the emphasis on meditation.
Thanks,
Kelly

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 3:47pm

Hi, Kelly, and welcome to Faith & Spirituality.


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 5:08pm

Hi Kelly,
I just signed up for this message board and this "just happened" to be the first discussion I saw. lol

I've been attending a Unity church regularly for the last 8 years. I gave up on organized religion in my early 20s and thought I would never go to any church again, although I practiced meditation and considered myself a very "spiritual" person.

Unity has a very different slant on Christianity. Traditional/Evangelical Christians consider Unity "not really Christian" at best, and at worst, a cult... nothing could be further from the truth. Unity teaches empowerment of the individual, and emphasizes spiritual, psychological, and physical healing and wholeness.

I would also recommend you try it out and see what you think. True, Unity is not for everyone... but it's EXACTLY right for some. Also, although all Unity churches focus on the 5 Unity principles and the teachings of the Fillmores, each church is unique and has its own "personality."

I will look forward to hearing what you think...

Blessings,
~Nash~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 5:48pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 7:57am
Hi,
The last time I attended any church was at about age 14.I hadn't planned on going again, but found a renewed interest in spirituality.I also have a toddler that I would like to expose to some spiritual teachings from someone other than her parents.I didn't realize that a church like Unity existed.It will feel a little strange going to an actually building again, but I think I might need the support a church can offer.
Thanks,
Kelly
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2006
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 8:46am

Thanks, Ginger Cookie!
I'm sure I'll enjoy this board very much.

Let me introduce myself. I am 52 (or will be, next month) and have two sons ages 28 and 30. I live in TN. I work as a commercial sales assistant for a company that sells fitness equipment, although I have a masters degree in clinincal psychology and used to work as a therapist (quit 9 years ago b/c of burn out).

My spiritual growth is a main focus of my life at this point. I do identify myself as a Christian, but honor all paths to the Divine; I particularly feel an affinity for Hinduism and love to listen to Sanskrit chants.

I play didjeridu, which is also a form of meditation for me.

I'm looking forward to exploring other threads on this board.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Namaste,
~Nash~

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2006
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 9:09am

Hi Kelly,
I have two sons who are now adults and I wish I had known about Unity when they were growing up. I didn't want to raise them in the kind of Christianity I was familiar with, because it no longer felt right to me, so they really didn't get any kind of religious upbringing. But I did try to teach them to appreciate spirituality and to think for themselves. My younger son is now a fairly avid student of Taoism, which seems to be the perfect path for him. My older son leans toward Buddhist beliefs but is not currently attending the Zen Center in his area, or practicing meditation right now. I wish he would get back into it more because he is at a place in his life where he could use the support.

In my particular church, we enjoy the social aspect very much and there is tremendous love and support among members. But there is also a "hard core" group of us who are very focused on achieving and maintaining a higher level of Consciousness. I hope you will be able to find a church that meets your particular needs - being with like-minded others can enhance your life in many ways.

Blessings,
~Nash~

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 9:27am

Nash,
It sounds like you have done a great job with your sons.Obviously you were able to guide them in a way that will help them so much in life. I hope I can do the same with my daughter.

I think you're right that being around like-minded others will be beneficial.I am missing that right now, and i think the community aspect will be beneficial.

That's very interesting that you play the didjeridu.I didn't even know what it was until I googled it.

Thanks for sharing, Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 12:52pm
Hi, Kelly,
I first stepped into a Unity church 24 years ago...I too was very attracted to the meditative quiet time, and have had many of my most spiritual moments during a meditation in a Unity church! As we have moved around, we have been to many different Unity churches, I think 5 in all, now. They are all very similar in the actual service, where they differ is size of congregation, and how dynamic the minister is. My favorite was in Houston, the minister, Howard Caesar, was simply awesome, and the setting was wonderful... a large pyramid with beautiful wood inside. A very serene place.
Unfortunately, the Unity nearest me now is rather lackluster, but have found an independent "New Thought" church that I enjoy from time to time. (Unity, Religious Science (or Science of Mind) Divine Science, and many independent churches are under the umbrella of New Thought. There is even an International New Thought Alliance, that has annual conventions, I was lucky enough to go one year and hear some amazing people!)
Good luck on your quest!
Peace,
Nikki
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 2:11pm
Thanks Nikki.
Are the meditations generally guided or silent? Also, what kind of music is there normally? I'm just wondering how similar it is to a traditional church service.
Kelly
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 2:59pm
Hi, the meditations vary from guided to just silent with soothing music in the background, 'usually' there is a brief intro spoken soothingly leading into the meditation, followed by some silent time.
The music-- there is a Unity hymnal, that the congregation usually sings a couple of songs out of, and they also have guest musicians at times.
sooo, maybe you wanna check it out yourself and see what you think! Never any pressure at the churches, just friendly welcome and if it suits you and you want to come back, fine, if not, equally fine! No trying to recruit or convert found here.

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