We are so very fortunate to have an exceptionally talented and engaged Board. They are doing a LOT of prep work on this, with such cooperation and loving energy! They are committed to keeping everyone in the congregation informed and included in this process! If you have questions or concerns, please talk to a Board member!

Each applicant will be asked for a resume, DVD or CD or link to a recent Sunday talk, and a statement of personal philosophy. Each applicant will receive a CD and a DVD of one of OUR services to see if they will fit in with us.

The following ad has been submitted to Unity headquarters:

Unity Center in Mills River (near Asheville) NC announces an opening for the position of Associate Minister. This promises to be a career opportunity rich in creative and professional potential.

We are seeking an ordained Unity minister well grounded in Unity principles and conversant in alternative spiritual and transformative traditions as well. Previous ministerial and/or other professional experience is a plus. Sense of humor is a must.

Unity of Mills River has a sixty-five year history as a progressive alternative spiritual community in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. The last 28 years have evolved under the innovative spiritual leadership of Rev. Chad O’Shea.

We envision the Associate’s duties being addressed with a flexible, non-traditional schedule that accommodates administrative and congregational need with exact hours reflecting a balance of necessity and generous personal time.

Duties will include a wide range of typical ministerial activities including Sunday pulpit work, classes in Unity Basics and other transformative traditions, typical administrative and pastoral responsibilities such as processing correspondence, electronic and otherwise, counseling, weddings and visitations. Enthusiastic commitment to nurturing Youth Education activity will be applauded.

Compensation begins with a base salary of $18,000 per year. Additionally, a monthly profit-sharing plan will be negotiated based on a percentage of any non-designated monthly income above the church’s break-even point for that month. Furthermore, one evening per week shall be set aside to accommodate a weekly program of the Associate’s choosing with all love offerings generated by that program accruing to the Associate. Finally, all counseling and wedding love offerings generated by the Associate shall be considered his/hers to keep. A stipend for moving expenses will be paid by the Church, and health benefits will be provided on a basis to be determined.

Routine pastoral and administrative duties will be shared with the Senior Minister to facilitate reducing his work load to eventual emeritus/retirement status. We fully intend this to be an opportunity to embrace the Senior Minister's role, over the course of a 24-36 month transition period.

Many other advantages accrue to this opportunity. Among those are: The scenic Blue Ridge Mountain environment with a lovely four season climate and plenty of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, kayaking, biking, camping, golfing and fishing.

The Asheville, NC area has a diverse, progressive population celebrating a quality cultural and artistic ambiance that includes its designation as a dynamic music venue, not to mention recognition as the nation’s number one destination for the best in local brew. To all of that you can add a relatively low cost of living

The Sunday Celebration at Unity of Mills River features a legendary musical experience highlighted by the keyboard and vocal artistry of Lytingale together with the Unitic Band regulars and a dynamic group of guest musicians.

We are a welcoming and eclectic congregation, averaging about 160 on Sundays. We meet in a 10,000 sq. ft facility recently constructed on our beautiful twenty-one acre campus. Our lovely chapel seats 200 plus and is looking forward to being filled.

Our current net worth stands at $1,575,000.00 with a cash flow that was right at a break even for fiscal year 2011. Our current cash reserve position stands at $85,000.

Last, but not least, there will be the opportunity to work with a truly original spiritual innovator, an experienced and dedicated staff and a fully engaged and nurturing Board of Directors who will all be delighted with the opportunity to add a new colleague’s creativity to our Unity family’s services and programs.

If this sounds like you, and you’d appreciate being considered for an all-expense paid try-out talk and interview visit, please send an e-mail of your resume to: UnityBoard(at)yahoogroups.com .

Also, please snail-mail a DVD or CD of a recent speaking engagement to: Dick Allen – Board President – Unity Center of Mills River – 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road – Mills River, NC – 28759 – To further explore this opportunity visit our website www.unitync.net or call Rev. Chad: (828) 891-8700.

Thank You for Your Kind and Caring Interest,
Rev. Chad and the Unity of Mills River Family

The Board is seeking volunteers to serve on an "Associate Minister Search Committee." Since our letter to Unity Village offering this position has gone out, and applications will soon be forthcoming, we need a committee to evaluate the applications, videos of the applicant’s services, and other pertinent information accompanying the resumes.

Our desire is that the committee will represent a good cross-section of our church congregation, representing a variety of ages and length of time attending Unity. We want applicants to be willing to commit to a 6-month, possibly longer, time period of involvement to select the best applicants to come in for "tryouts" in front of Sunday morning attendees and possible Sunday afternoon class sessions.

Anyone interested in serving in this vital role is urged to request an application from any board member. The Board will determine the composition of the committee by Sept 21. At least one Board member plus Chad will also serve on the committee, and the whole congregation will be included in the final decision.

The importance of the efforts of this committee cannot be over-emphasized. Please consider this opportunity and volunteer if so moved.