Cornerstones of Unity East
We acknowledge:
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There
is only one presence and one power in the Universe and in our lives, God
the Good.
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The
Christ Spirit is within each individual.
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We
create our experiences by the activity of our
thinking.
Manifestation begins in thought.
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Unity is a way of life.
Knowing and understanding Truth are not enough. One must apply the
Truth.
The
Cornerstones of Unity East are based on the practice of the presence of God
through prayer, meditation, and silence.
Statements
of Vision for Unity East
We
envision:
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Prayer, meditation, and
silence as an integral part of all aspects of this ministry.
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Deliberate participation in
the law of giving and receiving, both individually and collectively,
through loving service and outreach.
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Sunday Services filled with
a loving community of people experiencing the presence of God by active
participation in prayer, meditation, music, and teaching.
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Our church as a center for a
variety of multi-level educational programs for all ages designed to
promote understanding and encourage application of principles resulting in
spiritual growth.
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Social/fellowship activities
that promote a sense of family and community through sharing laughter,
fun, joy, and creative expression of self.
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Communicating accessible,
well-received information about the ministry of Unity East and its
activities through all available avenues.
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For our building and
grounds, a light-filled facility that is welcoming, accessible,
functional, attractive, and versatile.
Leadership
Spiritual Leader: Joanne
Blum, Ph.D. (Click here to read
articles by Joanne)
Youth Ministry Director:
Susan Reed-Goeschl
Church Administrator: Judy
Renner
Financial Assistant: Mary
Mitchell
Those serving on our Youth
Ministry Team:
Amanda Bailey,
Bethany Blakely, Rick
and Vicki Evans,
Meg Freeling, Rebecah
Freeling, Kathy Hilyar, Cassie Holderman,
Zara Holderman, Stephanie Goad, Traci McCue,
Gladys Moorehead, Ella Schulz, Sheronda Whitner,
Teri Wilson, and Tina Zielinski (and a wealth of volunteers
from our congregation who support our program as needed)
Musicians: Ralph Leeseberg,
Jack Widner, Lynda McClananhan and Joel Knepp, Elmer Fischer, Louise
Salvador, Sid Omasta,
Joanne Blum, Joe Lambert, In Spirit, La Joyce Daniel-Cain, and many other musicians who
perform occasionally. (Click here
to view photos of our musicians)
Volunteer Teams & Leaders:
Bookstore Team: Mary Ruth
Building Maintenance Team: Gary Bassitt
Care Team:
Jo White
Community Service Team: Kathy Hilyar
Fellowship Team:
Finance Team: Mary Mitchell
Greeter Team: Fred Moore
Grounds & Garden Team: Bobby Lewis
Sound Tech Team: Joe Lambert
Usher Team: Fred Moore
Volunteer Coordinator: Judy Renner
Board of Trustees:
Elizabeth Betzel, Faye Bragg, Joanne Blum, Vicki Evans, Sue Keith, Sharon Tate,
Josephine White
History
Unity East Church was incorporated
in 1989 by Melvin Ryman, long-time Unity minister.
Services were held on Livingston Avenue in Reynoldsburg for the first
year. Then the church moved to
Milnor Road in Pickerington. In
the early 1990s, Sidney Ryman, Unity minister, joined Mel in leadership of
the church. In 1995, Mel left
Unity East Church for retirement, but later assumed leadership of Unity
Christ Church in Riverside, California, where he serves today.
Sidney Ryman continued leadership of the church until she made her
transition in 1997. Leadership
of the church was then carried on by Mary Lake Farley, Licensed Unity
Teacher. Mary’s loving
leadership facilitated growth in the numbers as well as the congregation’s
involvement in the church. Mary
retired from the ministry in December 2000.
The Milnor Rd. church around 2001
In February 2001, Joanne Blum, Ph.D.
began leadership of Unity East.
Under Joanne’s energetic nurturing, the congregation continues to grow in
numbers and in spiritual strength.
A Youth Ministry Program began in September 2001 with Susan Goeschl
as Director. Due to growth, the
church moved from its long-time location on Milnor Road in Pickerington to a
temporary location in Etna, Ohio, while undertaking a year-long facility
search. Thanks to the overwhelming support of members and friends, Unity
East purchased its first church facility, at 170 E. Columbus Street, in the
village of Pickerington, in April, 2003. A Pickerington landmark with a rich
historical heritage, Unity East's current quarters are comfortable,
inviting, and in excellent condition. Unity East is blessed with a multitude
of talented musicians, who provide joyous worship in song. In October of
2006, Nancy Brinda stepped into the Youth Ministry Director position,
replacing Susan Reed-Goeschl, who stepped down to pursue other interests.
Nancy served the youth and families of our church community with skill and
devotion for the better part of a year before returning to her first love of
tutoring children in the public school system. In November 2007, Susan
Reed-Goeschl returned to Unity East as Youth MInistry Director and is
currently serving our youth program with great enthusiasm and creative
energy. Periodically guest speakers, workshops, concerts, and social
gatherings add to the joyous, loving, inclusive environment of Unity East
Church.
