Unity East Church
Spiritual Leadership
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Joanne Blum, Ph.D. has served as Spiritual Leader of Unity East Church in Pickerington, Ohio since February, 2001. Joanne’s roots in Unity go back to early childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she attended the Progressive New Thought Temple, under the ministerial leadership of E. V. Ingraham. She was fortunate to have been reared on Unity teachings, through family as well as through Unity publications such as Unity Magazine, Daily Word, and Wee Wisdom, and she has always been active in Unity and New Thought churches.
Having a doctorate in English from Ohio State University (1986), Joanne worked as a college English instructor for 20 years, teaching a wide variety of language and literature classes. She also worked in the English department of Ohio State as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies. With a strong interest in writing, Joanne found it natural to undertake ministry first through the avenue of writing and publication. From 1995 to the present, she has been a frequent contributor to Unity Magazine, Science of Mind, and other publications (some recent articles may be found on the publications page). She is also the author of four books, among them Living Your Calling and Oh My Beloved: Seven Lessons in Sacred Relationship. These writing activities led naturally to opportunities to guest speak, and facilitate workshops on spirituality, for area Unity churches. In February, 2001, after the retirement of Unity East’s former Spiritual Leader, Mary Lake Farley, LUT, and after having been a frequent guest speaker at the church for more than a year, Joanne assumed the position of the church’s regular Spiritual Leader.
Joanne is married, and her husband, Joe Lambert, is also actively involved in the church’s services and activities. Joanne and Joe are also musicians and perform regularly for Unity East and elsewhere within the community. They have produced two CDs—Joe is an accomplished recording engineer—titled Love Is Enough and Even More Love. You can find more information about their music at CDBaby.com.