Members' Stories...

Eleanor Spiegelberg, A very special soul and long-time Unity member and gifted leader made her transition July 11, 2006.  She will be much missed and we say to her, "God Speed on your journey to the Light."

The truth that I was seeking became clear when it was explained by the Unity teachings. For years, I tried to be a devout Christian in an orthodox teachings church, but I thought my disbelief was because I didn't have enough Faith.  So I would pray for more Faith.  In a way, my prayers were answered because I was led to visit the Unity church and what I heard was a revelation of what I innately believed.

It's taking longer than I'd like to get over the belief in two powers, but I am learning to meditate on the truth of one Presence and one Power.  Also, practicing the Presence so that I know I am a child of God.  Practical Christianity is a definition of Unity I like as well as Jesus' saying "follow me" rather than worship me.

Having that mind which was in Christ Jesus, Unity has taught me a responsibility to study, to meditate, and to do all that is necessary to bring light to my consciousness, not for my sake alone, but that this light may flow forth to the world and benefit it with healing, blessing and peace.

On the mystical path, I am convinced that whenever spiritual light comes to a person, he is called upon for that light, and from those who have the most, of them is most expected.  So Unity is not an easy path, but one that, I am sure for me, is the right one.

My life has new meaning now and a focus on all the great possibilities that God has in store for us – all of us.

I see all of my fellow travelers in a new light, and realize we're all on a journey seeking our God, our Good.  And very importantly, I have gained the knowledge that each one of us may not be at the same place on our pathway to understanding. That makes clearing the way to feel compassion for others.  Also to forgive ourselves for not "measuring up."

This wonderful Unity Spiritual Center is so full of people waiting to be your friends.  It will revitalize your life, fill your heart with joyous anticipation, and you'll be on your way to enlightenment.

Come join us at one of our services and feel the love!

      In the late 80's, a couple of my sisters and oldest brother encouraged me several times to visit the Unity Spiritual Center (known then as The Church of Unity Westlake).  I resisted mainly because I'm not one for exploring new things and I was entrenched with Roman Catholicism.  For over three decades, I had attended mass nearly every Sunday.
     On Mother's Day of 1994, my wife requested that I take her to visit the Church of Unity Westlake.  So I did, and I'm glad I made that choice.

What was different?

       When we entered the building, a pair of volunteers known as greeters met us.   They serve by standing inside the door greeting anyone entering, like an informal welcoming committee.  They offered a warm smiling welcome and a hug if one chose to accept it.  I found this a bit shocking and uncomfortable, so I decline and accepted a handshake.  During the service, I was surprised they provided time, about five to ten minutes for guided meditation.  The whole service seemed to be filled with an energy that was positive, full of enthusiasm, and friendly.  At the end, we held hands and sang the "Peace" song.  I left feeling energized and full of joy.

Why return and stay?

      The discussion with my wife in returning was brief.  It was a "No Brainer".  I have felt energized from attending mass, but not like this.  In addition, Unity teaches what I already believed, except the Unity message is focused on the "Good" of all creation.  It is this very message that I still find challenging to practice but I believe it to be the heart of the teaching of Jesus the Nazarene.
       The message of Unity has helped me transform my thinking.  I used to hold a negative outlook of our world.  In the news media and movies, I saw lots of killing, robbery, destruction, and so on.  As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, I saw the destructive capabilities of our military.  I spent eight years as a social worker  in a foster care program where I was exposed to cruelty and horrors performed on children.  I lived in a world that is polluted mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I saw the Books of Daniel and Revelation as prophesy showing that man's path is leading to self destruction and the necessary act of purification so that man can return to oneness with God.  Occasionally I'd see acts of kindness and good deeds, but I believed that the human race was doomed to destroy itself.  But now, I see goodness everywhere daily.  I feel joyful often and celebrate life daily.  Furthermore, Unity encourages its members to study and grow in the spiritual truths and to apply those truths in daily living.  The truth that we are all children of God, equals, and connected spiritually to all creation and our creator.
      I use to think that I worked to provide food, shelter and other things for my family.  I never thought about work as a service provided for all of God's children, but now I do.   Because of Unity, I go to work with the intent to provide service for God and God's children.  I don't work for my employer, no.  I work for God.  When I remember to hold this concept in mind while performing my customer service duties, I remember to remain calm and provide the best service I can to those I am speaking with on the 800 service line as well as my fellow employees.

What does Unity mean to me?

The ultimate truth is that we are all one, regardless of race, color, creed, or any other discriminating physical appearance we have.  Unity means oneness; we are all connected to the One Spirit or Creator.  As Jesus of Nazareth said, "the Father and I are one", or there is no separation between the creator and the creation.
        The Unity Spiritual Center provides the knowledge and tools needed to release our false perception of separation and realize our oneness.  Eventually we all will live in harmony as one.  The question is…when?

Then at the invitation of a Unity minister friend whom I'd met at Unity Village, I came to the Cleveland area and after a few years was led to enroll in a master's degree program at Ursuline College. In the same year, 2002, I was awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Ministry and completed a four year residency program in Clinical Pastoral Education and became a full-time chaplain.

Because my place of employment is in Westlake, I moved to Rocky River from Shaker Heights so my commute would be 15 minutes instead of fifty!  I began attending Unity Spiritual Center and took the class that Reverend Barbara offered in advanced prosperity - The Keys to the Kingdom.  I felt great reviewing the principles of prosperity and bringing back into my awareness that "everyone deserves abundance; I must celebrate this truth in my own life and seize every opportunity to help others prosper."

This principle reawakened in me the idea of service to others and prompted me to open a special checking account in which I deposited any monies from sources I hadn't anticipated.  Wow! I shortly had enough in the account to pay for new eye glasses, which made them free, a marvelous trip to Colorado that was, in effect, free, and to write checks to causes in which I believe with no dent in my personal account!!

I am grateful and love the continuing opportunities to add to this account.  I know they come from my conscious awareness that I, "defer to the Infinite Intelligence of God within and follow it into my future."

I am glad to be part of this commUNITY of faith-filled believers in the greatness of GOD. 
Shalom, salaam, 
Anne Pennington