Chaplain Leadership
Current Coordinator: Deni Niethammer	Deni Niethammer (2007-2009) moved here from Boulder, CO, in July of 2006 to be closer to her three wonderful adult children, Eric, Curt and Sarah. Although it was hard to leave friends behind, moving here was one of the best decisions she's ever made. Not only does she get to see her children more often, but also she's quite sure she's found ‘heaven on earth’ here in beautiful western NC. She's been attending Unity since about 2000 and is delighted to be a member of this Unity Center and a part of the Chaplain program. She is excited to be able to offer heartfelt prayers and thoughts to those who ask her help. She is a realtor who offers Flat Fee MLS Listings to For-Sale-By-Owner sellers and also a gem/jewelry retailer. She loves her work, and also appreciates all the activities this beautiful area has to offer. She especially enjoys hiking, biking, dancing, cooking, and vegetable gardening, as well as finding new, exciting places to eat out.  She performed in our Unity Plays Broadway show. Deni is very excited about being of prayer service. Since going through the Chaplain Training Program, Deni has learned that prayers really are answered!  She became our Chaplain Coordinator in 2008.
Romella Hart-O'Keefe and Ed O’Keefe	Romella Hart-O'Keefe and Ed O’Keefe, Ph.D., M.T.P.T., founded our Chaplain team in spring 2004, and served as trainers and Coordinator in 2004, 2005, and 2007.  In 2003 they organized the program & conducted training for Unity in Buffalo, NY, and they moved to our area in late 2003. The O’Keefes received their own training as Unity Chaplain trainers in Ontario from the program's founder, Rev. Lei Lanni Burt, Unity Pastoral Minister of Phoenix, Arizona.   They enjoy teaching various Unity courses on Prayer and Unity Basics, as well as classes in EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) and Dowsing.  Ed offers Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy (Myotherapy) thru his Positive Points Wellness Center in Fletcher NC.  Romella sings with the Hendersonville Chorale, and both have been featured in our Unity Plays Broadway shows.
Amy Holm Stamey	Amy Holm Stamey served one year as Chaplain Coordinator & Trainer in 2006.  She completed Chaplain training in spring 2005, and advanced training to become a Trainer in early 2006 from the program's founder, Rev. Lei Lanni Burt.

Unity Center in western North Carolina	Meet our Unity Chaplains Emeritus ~ photos by Bobbie Jo Condrey
Joseph Allen	Joseph Allen (2006-2007) lives atop a mountain in Asheville. An active dowser, he is an ordained metaphysical minister and a student of Buddhism. He is also a reiki practitioner. Joseph Allen knew as a young boy of age 10 or 11 that he did not fit well into the teachings and culture of the small conservative Southern Baptist church of his upbringing. “That led to some problems early on,” is his cryptic understatement. A native of Asheville, he graduated from Erwin High School. The rest of his extensive and ever expanding education has been via personal experience, workshops and seminars, and computer-mediated courses. “Following inner guidance, I became a New Age junkie even before my teens. But it was only a few years ago that I hit upon the meat of New Thought teachings. They changed my life.” He discovered, and then learned to deeply revere, metaphysical teachings, popularly labeled “Truth Teachings.” Students of Unity know that Unity’s founders, Charles and Mrytle Fillmore, were both products of, and leaders of, the Metaphysical Movement, also called the New Thought Movement, that swept through this country in the second half of the 1800’s and changed the face of religious thought forever both here and throughout the world. One inspiration followed another and Joseph continued to study New Thought and to grow in spiritual understanding. Via the internet, he successfully completed a one-year training program sponsored by the International Metaphysical Ministry. He was recently ordained a minister. “It was a good program and I learned a lot. I’m looking forward, as time permits, to deepening my knowledge and education.” A dowser since early childhood, Joseph doesn’t remember anyone teaching him how to dowse. “It’s as if I’ve always known how to get needed and useful information by means of a pendulum.” A computer whiz, he is webmaster for the Appalachian Chapter of the American Society of Dowsers, and has previously served as their Secretary. Joseph also designed and developed his own website in connection with his metaphysical ministry. Within this website (ds.tigersseyedowsing.com) he also manages a free New Thought Library. “I inherited this from a group which could no longer handle it. Unitics would probably enjoy perusing the website. Many metaphysical books can be read on the site including some by Charles Fillmore”. (The “ds” in the web name stands for Divine Science, one of the offspring movements – like Unity – of New Thought. Emmett Fox was the best known Divine Science spokesperson). About two years ago, drawn to Unity’s ideas through the Internet, Joseph asked two of his fellow dowsers about the climate of our Unity Center. They told him he would find at Unity Center ideas compatible with his own, as well as great music. He came to a service and has been with us ever since. “I now have a place to go for regular upliftment. The lessons taught here supplement my own study and reading. They always embody aspects of the Truth teachings. And the chaplain training has deepened my own prayer life. Being a Chaplain also gives me a compatible and comfortable way to be of service and to ‘payback’ this vibrant spiritual community.” Special persons who have greatly influenced Joseph Allen include his grandfather who died last November. “He was a great man whom everyone loved; somewhat psychic, he loved me unconditionally and he taught me to be less confrontational. And then, of course, there’s my partner, Seana Steele. She is a very supportive, positive influence who keeps me motivated.” Seana, who recently moved here from Florida, is completing a degree in Creative Writing at Florida State University. The couple lives in Weaverville. Joseph works as an auditor at an Asheville Red Roof Inn. He enjoys working in the hospitality industry. In the past he worked as a technical support person for a computer service. Joseph brings to all he does a great interest in alternative healing modes. A reiki master, he has also studied Creative Energy Therapy, herbalism, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT), homeopathy and aromatherapy. Some would say that our youngest chaplain, Joseph Allen, is ‘an old soul’. He seems to this writer to be an early version of an Indigo Child, a modern version of an ancient prophet, feet firmly planted in our own time, yet his attention pointed, and pointing us, in the direction of ancient and timeless Truth teachings.
Bobbie Jo Condrey	Bobbie Jo Condrey (2004,2005) ~ A constant smile and high spiritual energy are hallmarks of "BJ", and she is often seen with her digital camera. She was born 70 years ago in Rutherford County, where most of her extended family still resides. After high school she traveled for the next 20 years. By age 15 she knew she was to be a nurse ("I have always been a caretaker," she says), and after high school, enrolled in the three year program at Spartanburg Regional Hospital, even then a large, 300-bed facility. She graduated with an R.N. and began a 46-year career in nursing, mostly in hospitals, mostly in Intensive Care units. She also taught and trained practical nurses for 3 years at Isothermal Community College. BJ, whose ex-husband was career military, moved every few years, living in 7 different states, and even spent 3 years in England. She held nursing licenses in 5 states and held many positions, including Director of Nursing at Cordell, Oklahoma. She retired in 1984 and moved to Andrews, NC, where she did part-time work in the intensive care unit. In 1989, she took a position with the Department of Social Services in Rutherford County as a supervisor of Aides in home settings. In 1999, after what she calls "retiring", she continued for a time as a nursing consultant for enhanced care in several rest homes. From fall 2002 until 2004, BJ served as Custodian for Unity Center. She grew up in a family which was Methodist with fundamentalist leanings. "I had a great childhood," she says, "and I am very grateful for having been taught Christianity." She was uncomfortable, however, with the teaching that humans are separated from God. "I silently questioned this from an early age."  BJ says, "Bob and I have 3 daughters, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, all of whom live in North or South Carolina. Even though we are divorced, we will always be a family. In my opinion, God chose the absolute right man to father our children. In spite of our differences, we are good parents. Our daughters think they were raised by the Cleavers." Bobbie Jo tells of an important spiritual experience she had shortly after retiring in 1984. "I was sitting on the deck outside my home in Andrews. I was watching a hawk making lazy circles in the sky. Suddenly I knew that I was not separate from God, that God was within me. No longer could I believe that people were really separate or that God watches us like a judge." About 20 years ago a friend began talking to BJ about Unity. One day BJ was house-sitting for her friend and looking at her bookshelf. "It was as if my hands were led to pick up this one particular book; it was Marcus Bach’s The Unity Way. That book started me on the path. I was immediately drawn to Unity teachings; these were principles I could live by. Since I had been a teenager, I had been plagued by guilt. Now I knew that I was worthy of love". On the internet she found information about our Unity Center, visited the church, then began driving the 100 mile round trip regularly to be with her new church family. "I needed Unity. It takes a while to reverse 50 years of thinking that we are separated from our God Source, but finally clarity grows into the full realization that we are divine beings as well as earthly beings". BJ laughed as she thought of the appropriate title of one of Alan Cohen’s books, I Had It All The Time. Bobbie Jo lives in Flat Rock with her dachshund, Corky. She moved there in 2000 so that she would no linger have to drive that 100 mile trip (almost every Sunday) to our Unity Center. An outdoors person, she loves canoeing, hiking, and traveling, as well as line dancing. She was very active in athletics in younger days, especially in basketball and softball. "But my greatest passion" she says, "is photography. I started when I was 16 years old. My favorite subjects are wildflowers and people. The main lesson I have learned from photography is awareness. It helps me to see God in nature and in people". Bobbie Jo reports that the call to chaplaincy came last year at a time when she felt stymied about prayer and didn’t have a clear concept of what prayer was. The training taught her that there are many different ways to pray and that much of her life was already a prayer. "Prayer comes easy to me now. And I know that prayer for others is just sharing spiritual energy – often without any words at all. I used to worry about what I would say when I prayed with people. Now there’s no struggle at all. And when I do speak, the words come through me, but certainly not from me." Chaplain Bobbie Jo Condrey is a wonderful example of a "blended being," a person more and more aware of the oneness of her human self and her Divine Self, one who sees that the separation of these two selves is really an illusion.
Jay Dale	Jay Dale (2006-2007) is an elementary school principal in Buncombe County. Jay lives with his wife, Jennifer, and three daughters, Morgan, Taylor and Larkin in Swannanoa. Jay Dale is a born teacher, a lover of children and of the nurturing process. He comes from a family rooted in education. His mother is a retired finance officer for a Cincinnati area school system. A brother, grandfather, and uncle are or were teachers or principals. “I guess teaching is in my blood; I can’t imagine having any other profession.” Jay grew up in Goshen, Ohio, near Cincinnati. His family infrequently attended a Methodist church. In high school he was on the football and track teams. He continued his interest in sports while at Hanover College, Indiana; he graduated in 1988 with a BA in History. (Fans of TV's “Cheers” may remember bartender Woody reminiscing about his Alma Mater, Hanover College. “Woody Harrelson really is a fellow alumnus,” says Jay.) Eight years later, Jay received a Master of Arts degree from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. After his first degree in 1988, Jay taught seventh grade geography in Cincinnati (plus coached three different sports.) After moving to Asheville 15 years ago, he taught history and economics (and coached) at Buncombe County’s Alternative High School before becoming vice-principal there and, later, at another Buncombe elementary school. Since 2002 he has been principal of Pisgah Elementary School. When asked what gives him joy, Jay immediately answered, “First of all, my family.” Jay met his wife Jennifer when they both worked at a neighborhood park sponsored by General Electric, a major Cincinnati employer. “Jennifer was my boss for a while. I was immediately drawn to her, but she had doubts about me at first,” Jay remembers. They were married in 1990. Twin girls were born in 1996, Morgan and Taylor. Four years later came Larkin. The family is almost always seen together at various Unity functions, and it's obvious that the three girls are the focal point of Jennifer and Jay’s life. In addition to his principal’s duties, Jay coaches three different soccer teams, on which their daughters play. About three years ago, the Dales, not church-goers at the time, began to search for a church home. They found themselves one Sunday morning at our Unity Center, came back several times, and knew their search was over. Jay reports, “From the very first day, I felt comfortable here; I felt accepted and loved. I was attracted by the high energy of this congregation. Above all, it’s the lack of judgment that drew and has kept me in this church. I am free to be who I am; people don’t put expectations on me.” Jay was drawn to join the Chaplain program last spring. The training was profoundly meaningful to Jay. “The training really opened me up. I grew as a person. And it was great to learn how to serve people in a new and different way.” Another major Unity involvement of Jay’s is the EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapies) Healing Circle. He (and Jennifer) came to several classes to learn about it and became intrigued. “But”, Jay says, “we assumed we wouldn’t be able to keep attending the meetings because of our extremely tight schedules. However, it’s been six months now and we’re still coming! EFT has been phenomenal for me, a wonderful transformative tool to help me grow. I’m awed how EFT helps me to handle emotional issues, many of them deeply rooted in my past. I’m hooked on EFT.” Jay Dale seems quite content with his life. Does he desire to move up into higher administrative positions with the school system? “No way!” says Jay. “I want to stay as close as possible to the kids. My one regret as principal is that I’m somewhat removed from the classroom where all the rich interactions take place. I crave direct contact with the kids. When I’m feeling ’down’ or discouraged, I run to one of the classrooms to get some hugs from the kids to get my equilibrium back….Going to the classroom is almost like going to church.”
Jennifer Dale	Jennifer Dale (2006-2007), formerly a probation officer in Ohio and a social worker in Asheville, is a reiki master teacher and practitioner. She is a great lover of animals. When Jennifer Dale graduated from high school in 1983 in Cincinnati, Ohio, her father, the County Superintendent of Schools, handed her the diploma. More education of all kinds has followed Jen ever since. She is a student of life, open to life's many lessons and adventures. Her seemingly boundless energy has led her to sample many occupational and spiritual paths. Jen's formal educational achievements include a BS in elementary education from Eastern Kentucky University and training as a guidance counselor at Gardener-Webb University. She is also certified as a personal trainer. While attending a massage school, The Whole You, in Rutherfordton (1999 graduate) she was introduced to Reiki which, she says, "became one of the great loves of my life." A Reiki Master, she has recently been accepted into the prestigious International Center of Reiki Training. Certification with this institution will enable Jen to offer Reiki courses to nurses, personal trainers and massage therapists. "Reiki has been one of the greatest blessings in my life - after my family, of course. From the very beginning of my practice, some of my clients reported remarkable results, including tumors disappearing after several sessions!" She has recently added EFT, Emotional Freedom Therapies, to her Reiki treatments; she feels this adds to the effectiveness. Her business cards read: "Reiki - Hands of Healing". Jennifer is the mother of three daughters and the wife of Jay Dale. She is careful not to let her many interests, talents and avocations take an undue amount of time from her family and home. "We live in an old farm house, which I call my dream house, in a rural area of Swannanoa. We have horses, dogs, and chickens and I really love it. I am committed to my family and to spending large amounts of quality time with them." Just to read a partial list of the jobs that Jennifer Dale has held, full time, part-time or volunteer, is enough to tire an average person: Substitute Teacher in public schools in Cincinnati and Buncombe County; Program Coordinator for a job program for disadvantaged youth, including supervision of 17 work sites; Supervisor of summer work programs for college students; County Probation Officer for two years; Education Director for a county probation department; Group Home Supervisor at Blue Ridge Mental Health; Counselor at emergency youth shelter; Case Manager at Blue Ridge Mental Health; Supervisor of an in-school suspension program in Buncombe County; Manager of a mobile home park in Arden; Personal Trainer at a YMCA; Guardian Ad Litem advocating for children involved in the court system; Reiki Practitioner. "All of these experiences have helped me grow and develop as a person," Jen says. "I have had many great teachers and role models. I've also learned to be quite assertive when I see incompetence or uncaring attitudes among those entrusted with the care of others." Then she adds with a mischievous grin, "I've been known to 'bully the bullies' sometimes." Asked to name major influences in her life, Jen immediately told of a course she took in a Crisis Counseling program where she was introduced to the theories of death and dying of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. "I knew right away that somehow, somewhere I will be working with the dying. And now I know that it will involve Reiki and other forms of energy healing." A second major influence occurred when she was working in a County Probation Department in Ohio. Besides teaching about drug related crimes to county middle schoolers, she also taught stress management classes to DWI (driving under the influence) offenders as part of their rehabilitation program. She learned, then taught the techniques of meditation and guided imagery of Belleruth Naparstek, who has written and produced many groundbreaking books and tapes on the subject. "One of the highlights of my life occurred several years ago when I was attending a two-day workshop with Belleruth here in Asheville. I found myself together with her on an elevator and I was so excited I forgot to get off on my floor. We traveled together all the way to her suite on the penthouse floor! We chatted all the way." Jen reports Deepak Chopra as the third most important influence on her spiritual development. "I was fortunate enough to attend one of his workshops in Asheville a few years ago." What brought Jen to Unity? "I've always been interested in spirituality and what goes on in churches." Her Methodist father and Catholic mother were not so interested as she. She remembers once trying to bribe the family to go to church on Sunday by offering to buy breakfast for everybody after services with money she earned by babysitting. "As a kid I used to love to memorize Bible verses; I won a popsicle once for memorizing the most verses.... I was exposed to many churches. I was never moved by the teachings, the dogmas, but by the feelings evoked and the fellowship." After visiting churches in this area, she, husband Jay and their daughters were drawn to our church and immediately became active participants.
Anne Fischer	Anne Fischer (2006-2007), a former teacher and social worker, felt the call to chaplaincy from her home in Morganton. She is also a reiki practitioner and gives workshops in One Brain, a stress release procedure. She is a master gardener and has an adult son. Anne was involved with Unity at the Airport Road, Arden, location in 1990-91 and helped start a Morganton site that existed for about 3 years. "I see prayer work as an integral part of energy and stress release work that I have been doing for several years. In 2000 I became a reiki master teacher and an advanced consultant facilitator of the One Brain system from Three In One Concepts (Burbank, CA). I became a basic facilitator in 1994. Anne has also had a social-health welfare ministry working on women’s issues since the 70’s, shortly after she moved to Burke County in 1973. "As a member of the Council on the Status of Women, I helped establish a rape crisis service that was eventually folded into services for battered women. I facilitated court advocacy and eventual shelter services for victims of domestic violence initially working with Caldwell County’s shelter program in the early 80’s – and obtaining United Way funding for Burke Women. "In the meantime, with a total of 12 years of service to that program eventually, I help found another organization, after it became increasingly clear that many poor women in the region needed help accessing abortion services who simultaneously often experienced violence, abandonment and overall lack of any kind of support system." From her beginning professional career as a high school teacher in family and Consumer Sciences in California, Anne served on the Bakersfield-Kern County Planned Parenthood Board, and became patently aware of the need for family planning and women being able to be in control of their reproductive health care. That carried over into her work after she moved to NC and earned her Masters degree in child development from UNC-Greensboro. She became involved in many arenas of human services, including teaching preschool and establishing child development centers for children of low income women so they could go to work as well as provide developmentally appropriate learning environment for their children; evaluating young children for developmental delays. She then served as a social worker in a variety of settings for Catawba County for several years - serving as a special transitioning teens in foster care; peri-natal patients, permanency planning, and family preservation programs. Anne originally hails from New York and has been in NC since 1971 via California; she has one son, now 22. She has been politically active, serving in an elected office of the Soil & Water Board of Supervisors in the late 80’s; then ran for state Senate in 1990 and the US Congress in 2004. She is also a master gardener and works for the City of Morganton as a landscaper and also teaches swimming. She is also a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Catawba Valley, serving as President elect 2006-07. "I have had many interesting life and learning experiences – one might say ‘messages from the Universe’- to help me get awareness, clarity, and understanding of this journey I am on."
Linda Fitzsimmons	Linda Fitzsimmons (2006) first found Unity in Irving, TX, in the mid 80's and knew right away it was for her. " I felt completely at home with the Unity principles and belief system. I have attended Unity churches ever since. I've been reading the Daily Word all those years and would feel lost without it." She has been active in our church for over two years, and is a long-time devotee of Transcendental Meditation.   After 26 years of marriage, she divorced in 1989 living in Dallas, TX . She has 2 grown children. Her daughter Colleen lives in Pasadena, MD with her husband and 2 children. Her son Scott lives just north of Dallas, TX with his wife and 3 children. In 1991 Linda moved to Fairfield, Iowa, to attend Maharishi University, earning an AA degree in Business in 1993.  She has been practicing Transcendental Meditation over 30 years.  Through a friend, she visited Asheville and decided to move here in 2002. She joined Unity Center in spring 2005 and has volunteered as a greeter, an usher, helping in the kitchen, and singing on stage and in the "Unity on Broadway" shows.  A decision to divorce after 26 years of marriage is not made lightly. Chaplain Linda Fitzsimmons now considers her decision – in Dallas, Texas in 1989 – "the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done." Her daughter, Colleen, was already grown and married; her son, Scott, was 18. Linda then moved to Austin, Texas, to begin her new life. Two years later, Linda enrolled at Maharishi University in Fairfield, Iowa. She graduated in 1993 with an A.A. degree in business management. "I didn’t mind being one of the few older students," she relates. "I learned from meeting students from other countries that we are all one and I became more accepting of others. In addition, a comparative religion course influenced me greatly by exposing me to a variety of religions other than Christianity." Her former husband had introduced her to Transcendental Meditation in the early ‘70s. This, of course, influenced her choice of the university. She reports that Fairfield, IA, was also a very vibrant, new-age community. "There was plenty of spiritual activity there. It was a great place for me to heal." Linda took reiki classes there, did the Forum (Landmark Education’s life-changing seminars) and read widely in self-help books as she learned to handle life as a single person. She lived in Fairfield until September 2002 when she moved to the Asheville area. After being laid off from her job, she visited a friend who lived here and fell in love with the beauty of the mountains. "Winters in Iowa were harsh and cold; I needed to warm my bones in the moderate climate here." Born and raised in a Methodist family near Pittsburgh, PA, Linda was the oldest of three daughters. Although Linda remembers resentment at being forced to attend Sunday service during her teenage years, she is very grateful she was raised in a loving Christian family. Linda has also lived in Virginia, Kentucky (14 years) and Texas (11 years). In addition, she likes to travel. "Whenever I was laid off, or downsized as they call it now, I would fly somewhere. My daughter worked for one of the airlines and I could travel free. It was a great blessing!" When asked how she discovered Unity, Linda replied, "A young woman I worked with, invited me to attend her Unity church in Irving, Texas. Right away I had that ‘at home’ feeling that so many Unitics talk about. I’ve never felt the need to search further. I am filled with gratitude for Unity, especially this Unity Center of Fletcher which has meant so much to me." It was at a Unity church in Iowa that Linda began to sing again and so acknowledge the beautiful voice that is one of her special gifts. "Performing as a singer helped me increase my confidence level which was low at that time." The teachings of Unity helped Linda overcome what she gradually came to realize were deeply rooted tendencies toward anger and negativity. "I hadn’t realized how negative my habitual thoughts were. Listening to (Rev.) Chad gradually taught me to become aware of my inner state of consciousness. And awareness is the key. It must occur before we can change anything." The path to positive change for Linda was the cultivation of gratitude. Appreciation and gratitude began to replace the old negative patterns. "And, of course, the process is ongoing. I’m by no means finished, but I’m doing my best to move forward." Linda Fitzsimmons became a Unity Prayer Chaplain in the spring of this year. "I wanted to serve others, to give back some of what I’ve received. Unity has meant so much to me that I want to help others to grow and change too." The listening skills she learned in the chaplain training program and the practice of holding spiritual space for others, especially those who may be experiencing problems, have helped Linda be a beacon of light and a model of love in action.
Terry Gratton	Terry Gratton (2005) ~ Born and raised in Illinois, Terry was the eldest of 5 children. She graduated from a three-year diploma school of nursing, and has been an RN since 1963. She married a Chicago policeman 40 years ago, and they have three daughters and six grandchildren. Terry is a very talented artist and has won several awards for her art work. Terry is involved in volunteer work at church, making coffee for Sunday early service, helping coordinate with concerts, and serving on the greeting committee for new members, visiting hospitalized members, and serving on our Board of Directors.  She says, "I decided to apply to the chaplaincy program after carefully considering my motives for being a chaplain. Not only do I enjoy praying formally, I love the peace and serenity I receive when I play in my garden and create in my studio. I work as a nurse at Transylvania Hospital. I am however, semi retired. My greatest joy is to work with others empowering them to help themselves in may different ways and to bring tenderness to those who may not have experienced much in their lives."
K’sitew	K’sitew (2004) is a native Californian whose name comes from his years of living with the Cree People in Northern Alberta. In his pre-Cree life, he joined the Marines to see the world (never leaving California). He went into electronics and spent 12 years in Silicon Valley where he married and had three children. Armed with multiple degrees, partly funded by the GI Bill, he joined the staff at Univ. of California: Santa Cruz where he worked with the Dept. of Community Development, the start of a lifelong commitment to work with the poor of all races and especially with the Indians of the American west. Six years later, he felt a call to Canada and that began his experience with the Cree Indians. From the Cree he learned many life-changing lessons including the Way of Kindness, appreciation & prayer for one’s enemies, gratefulness as integral to life, and how to hold Sacred Space (one of the roles of Unity Chaplains). He says, “Slowly, year by year, I changed and became K’sitew. There is no English translation that captures the totality of my Cree name. ‘Warmfire’ is literally correct, while ‘Soulfire’ is closer poetically. K’sitew is the Fire at the Centre of the Sacred Circle. It is the spirit of Relationship and Transformation. It is where all things come into balance.” When his eldest son committed suicide in January of 1993, K’sitew went into deep, soul-wrenching grief. When he emerged months later, after finally finding ‘the peace beyond understanding’, he rejoined White society, first in the Yukon Valley. “A life threatening illness brought me to my knees, and when the doctors gave up, Reiki found me. A slow, but full, recovery led to ordination (non-denominational), the founding of the Church of Northern Miracles in Whitehorse, an Internet Ministry, training in Attitudinal Healing, and a strengthening focus of healing and spirituality.” Eventually tiring of long, cold winters, K’sitew came south visiting friends and relatives across the continent. “Creator eventually led me here, to North Carolina, Kathleen, and Unity.” Books have meant a great deal to K’sitew, especially A Course in Miracles and Conversations With God.  He is a Reiki Master and is trained in Attitudinal Healing.  He practices and teaches Medicine Reiki™, a sacred blending of American Indian Medicine and Reiki with the power to change your life. www.medicinereiki.com/
Sarah Linehan	Sarah Linehan (2007) moved to Asheville this past July and couldn’t be happier. As soon as she arrived, Sarah began searching for a church to call home and believes she's found it. She feels lucky to meet so many warm & inviting people here at Unity. She appreciates the diversity of ideas & experience in this community or Kula, a Sanskrit word that roughly translates to "community of the heart." Born and raised in New York City, she has a gypsy soul. She's hung her hat in Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Singapore, Dublin... and now is happy to call home the breathtaking mountains of western NC. She recently took a position at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medicine in Montford and has a 9-minute commute. Halleluiah! One prayer answered. She looks forward to meeting more Unitics and serving the community. "Thank you for opening your hearts to me. With love, Sarah." Sarah has moved back to New York to assist her mother who is undergoing a serious health challenge.
Mark Moran	Mark Moran (2006-2007) ~ Mark and his wife, Susan Quigley and his stepson, Steven, moved to our area in February 2006 from New Hampshire. Mark is an inventor and a Master Wheel Wright. He has an automotive business specializing in straightening and repairing wheels. He is an ordained non-denominational minister, and has done extensive transformational work at Landmark Education beginning with the "est" in 1981, and just about every course they've put on, which also included being on staff in the mid 1990's. Though raised without much religious teaching, his parents would occasionally take them to the Unitarian church services which he liked because of the openness to all belief systems including non believer's. He went to SIU in Edwardsville, Illinois, on a full piano scholarship even though he had no musical lessons, and to this day doesn't know how to read music.  Due to having a child on the way he dropped out, and became a auto mechanic to earn money to help raise their son Noah Sax (wanted to name him "Sky Rock" but fortunately his mother-in-law talked them out of it). In 2001 Mark married Sue Quigley and about 6 months later was diagnosed as to having a cancerous tumor in the lower part of his throat, and was told he would most likely die from it since he was at level 3.5. His new wife told him that she wasn't going to let him die, and henceforth a miracle happened (really)... he lived through the operation, and we're all so blessed for that.  He also survived the 1960's, but like so many others doesn't seem to remember much of them. He was involved in the peace movements in the 1960's and still participates as much as he can. Mark is multi-talented with skills in metal fabrication and welding, as well as being a "jack of many trades" and master of a few, including building houses to inventing many items including a helium balloon wind generator (he's still working on that one) and an electric tricycle, and the redesigned wheel straightening systems that are used in many wheel shops around the country to this day. Mark Moran is 55 years old, and has also traveled far spiritually from an early life of substance-based highs to one where emotional highs aren’t so artificially induced. He lives on the campus of Warren Wilson College with his wife, Sue Quigley, and her son, Steven, age 12. Sue recently began her "dream job" there; she is in charge of safety programs at the college. They love living on campus and being part of that rich community. Of his family of origin, Marks says, "We were a liberal hippie family. My father used the GI Bill to go to college to become an high school English teacher, and has traveled the world extensively. My parents went to the Unitarian Church for part of my childhood. After becoming a teenager, I rarely went to church at all. I was raised with a keen sense of social justice and political activism. My two sisters and I were taught that social action was appropriate when discrimination occurred. For example, I remember in the ‘60’s we picketed a segregated restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, where we lived for most of my young life. Then we moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1967."  Mark’s parents are divorced and he has a step-brother and a half brother. When Mark was about 14 to 15, he "found God" in LSD and began a long pursuit of drugs and alcohol. After his high school graduation, he was awarded a music scholarship to Southern Illinois University because several well-known piano teachers at the University were greatly impressed with his musical talents. Without reading music, or even playing "by ear", Mark could sit at a piano and compose and play beautiful melodies. "But I dropped out after two semesters; sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll were more important to me then." Mark met a young woman in 1969, a free spirit like himself. He was 18 at the time. They lived together for 4 or 5 years in communes. While in Tucson, AZ, they had a son, Noah. This is Mark’s only child, though he has four stepchildren. Noah is now in his thirties and lives in New Hampshire. Mark has three grandchildren. A major turning point in Mark’s life was his decision in 1980 to attend EST, the famous transformational program developed by Werner Erhard. "EST changed my life completely; I was able to immediately stop the alcohol and drug habits that were so much a part of my life for so many years. I was so profoundly affected that I stayed with the program, taking further courses for the next six years. I owe my life to the program." Mark and his wife, Sue, met with the help of an Internet dating service six years ago. Two years later they married. "This was a big deal for me and scary; I’d been a bachelor for fifty years!" Six weeks later, a serious illness struck. Mark was found to have a cancerous golf ball-sized esophageal tumor. He was told that he would probably die; after chemotherapy and radiation, delicate surgery was performed. "I’ve been fine ever since," Mark says, "and profoundly grateful." What brought Mark and Sue to Western North Carolina? For health reasons, Sue had to seek a warmer climate than the one in New England. While researching suitable regions of the South on the Internet, Sue suddenly "knew" that the Asheville area was to be the place, even though neither had heard of Asheville before. Our Unity Center’s website caught their eye; Sue corresponded with Lyte, our esteemed music director, and the rest is history. Mark has been in the automotive business most of his life. His specialty since the late ‘60s is all aspects of wheels – alignment, suspension and framework. He has invented wheel straightening machines and processes. He sells and services wheel straightening equipment to auto dealers and garages. For about three years he also worked in and managed health food stores. When asked to cite the main turning points in this life, Mark quickly lists three: the birth of his son, Noah; finding EST; and meeting and marrying Sue.
Helena O’Neal	Helena O’Neal (2004,2005) is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 30 years experience in the mental health field. Clinical Director of the Adult Psychiatric Unit at Mission Hospital in Asheville, she also has a private counseling practice with a focus of women’s issues and addiction. Helena is married and has two sons, a daughter-in-law and a four-year old grandson.
Sam Richardson	Sam Richardson (2004) has been involved with Unity for over twelve years. Raised in Virginia, he often spent time in this area and now calls it home. He practices and teaches Integration Energy Therapy (IET). Sam studied with IET's developer Stevan J. Thayer, and is a certified IET Master Instructor who has taught IET at the National Dowsers’ Conference in Vermont and at healing centers in Massachusetts.  Sam is a long-term Dowser, and he has also built labyrinths in many different states from South Carolina to Massachusetts.  When there are five Wednesdays in a month, Sam brings his portable labyrinth into Unity Center for the Soul Series class.
Amy Holm Stamey	Amy Holm Stamey (2005-2007) was born in Detroit but one hard winter convinced her Dad that Florida might be a more hospitable climate and hence she was raised in central Florida. As a Lutheran, Amy never experienced "God" as taught to her through the church. In college she joined a fundamentalist Christian cult, but that didn't fit either. Shirking all religion for most of her adult life, spiritual laws nevertheless came into Amy's life disguised as personal growth tools. Shortly after moving to western North Carolina in 2001, Amy enrolled in the 4T Prosperity program through Unity Center. While the words "God" and "prayer" were triggers, she could accept the concept of "spirit within". After becoming involved with a Unitic and attending services and events at Unity, Amy found that the principles behind Unity rang true for her. While it was a stretch for her to delve into prayer ministry, the opportunity for expanding her spiritual base and reaching out to others prompted the adventure of becoming a Chaplain. On the mundane level, while she holds degrees in medical microbiology, Amy is happily creating beautiful, harmonious living spaces as a general contractor in Zirconia, NC. When Amy Holm came to live in Western North Carolina after ten years in Flagstaff, AZ, she missed, more that anything else, the glorious and brilliant sunsets of the southwest. She mentioned this to Vervin Stamey whom she had just met at Unity Center’s 4-T Prosperity class. Little did she know that Vervin lived in Zirconia atop a mountain with a staggering view of the western sky. Now, three years later, they share the remarkable sunsets from the home they make together on what they call Vervin’s View. They were wed on the mountain on October 22, 2005. While in Flagstaff, Amy worked as an environmental researcher. She loved her work and the area, especially the beautiful Grand Canyon where her job entailed many 18-day whitewater-rafting trips along the Colorado River. “The Grand Canyon captured my heart. From a distance it can appear barren and vast; close-up, it is replete with lush side canyons and streams, lizards, big-horn sheep, and song birds,” she said. She had prepared herself well for this scientific research work with a BS degree in microbiology from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in medical microbiology from the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to living in Flagstaff, Amy had held many jobs in various places including Atlanta, Charleston, and Vermont where she managed the dining room at the famous Inn at Shelburne Farms, one of the Biltmore mansions, now a non-profit education center. She has also been employed as a waitress, bartender, and caterer, and taught at a community college for a year. Recently she has enjoyed the new experience of successfully sitting for the NC general contractor examination, helpful for the construction she and Vervin undertook of a large Deltec “round” house on a corner of their 76 acres. “The house is now finished and is for sale,” Amy announced proudly. She enjoyed the creative process of building a house and the artistry of combining construction materials, colors, and textures into a beautiful and harmonious living space. She looks forward to the next phase: planning& creating a small community, Bear Ridge Mountain Estates, on their land. “The land on this ridge is sacred. Great healings have occurred in Vervin and me and others who have spent time up here. I’d like to create a small, serene neighborhood for others to benefit from the peace and tranquility we have here.” Born in Detroit, Amy lived her formative years (age 4 to 18) in Florida. “The God the [Lutheran] church taught never manifested for me. There were traumas in my youth in which I called on that God and was left deeply disappointed.... for many, many years I was quite anti-church.” Her parents now live in Cashiers in the summer; her brother & family reside in Hendersonville. Her sister & family live outside NYC. Looking back, Amy sees two major turning points in her life and spiritual development: a nine-year struggle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and her fortuitous participation in a 4-T Prosperity class here at Unity Center. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a mysterious illness characterized by debilitating fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, and mental “fuzziness.” “While the physical symptoms of CFS are bad enough, the mental and emotional aftermaths are crushing. Some days a shower was all I could muster. Other days, thankfully most days, I was able to function at about half-capacity. The isolation, the feelings of being nonproductive and missing out on life led to depression,” Amy recalled. At times unable to work, Amy read everything she could find about the condition and listened to advice from friends, family, and acquaintances. She tried virtually everything - including acupuncture, allergy shots, homeopathy, meditation, psychotherapy, supplements, replacing mercury dental fillings, various diets. Some treatments resulted in “baby-steps” in recovery; most did nothing. One day a cab driver in Las Vegas, a complete stranger driving Amy from an appointment (with yet another CFS specialist) back to the airport, asked Amy if she'd considered the emotional side of why she had CFS, then recommended a workshop by Carol Reynolds of the Vision Network in Las Vegas. Desperate for help, Amy considered this advice. The message took on even greater importance when she recalled that her sister had been given a life-changing message from a cab driver in New York City years earlier. In the airport waiting for her flight, Amy called and signed up for the next seminar. “I took all the seminars that Carol offered. I even repeated some. These workshops were fundamental in my personal growth: in giving up feeling like a victim, not taking the judgments of others so personally, and empowering myself to achieve whatever I chose. Even today, I often use tools Carol taught me. Only years later did I realize that many of her teachings are those that Unity is based on. She just presented it in a form (nonreligious) that I could hear at the time.” “My nine-year struggle to overcome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome definitely had a silver lining. Without it, I would never have learned so much about myself, about human behavior, and how to take life lightly and appreciate every hour that I am awake. The personal transformation has been a jewel!” The final pieces of Amy’s journey to recovery came three ways. First, she found someone to love. Second, she moved to Vervin’s View to be immersed in its healing energies, and basked in the healing energies of his magnetic Nikken mattress, which Vervin largely credits for her recovery. And third, she found a book, Meditation As Medicine by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., about yogic techniques for healing. “I had been told many times that I needed to do energy work to heal. Other modalities didn’t work, but this stuff did miracles.” The second major turning point occurred in 2002 when, following advice of friends from Arizona, she enrolled in 4T's classes here at Unity. Two momentous events happened during the class: she met and fell in love with Vervin Stamey, and she grasped the essence of Unity’s teachings. She later decided – with Vervin’s encouragement – to make our Unity Center her spiritual home. “Unity appealed to my logical mind and my scientific training. God is inside us, not ‘out there’ somewhere leading a separate existence. And when we pray, we do not entreat God to change His/Her mind and create some special effect in the world. We pray to change our attitudes and ourselves, and then the Law of Attraction kicks in. The Unity approach to life makes sense to me, and I appreciate the positive attitudes and open-mindedness of my fellow Unitics.” When Amy heard about the Chaplain program, she thought it would be an ideal way for Vervin to share himself and his gifts. Discussion made it clear that, while he liked the idea of prayer, Vervin decided against the 40-hour training and the one-year commitment of the program. Amy then remembered the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Still a little gun-shy of religion and uncomfortable with old Lutheran definitions of “prayer” and “God”, she made a large stretch and took Chaplain training. “Being a Chaplain has greatly expanded my concepts about prayer and my practice of prayer. It has also healed many of the scars I had from my Lutheran upbringing. It is so simple to pray. It takes only a few moments, yet the ripple effects go on and on. I keep testing the power of prayer, and I see results time after time. I love it!” We are delighted that Amy found a home from which to enjoy her sunsets and that she has found her spiritual home, both thanks to her husband, Vervin. We are also grateful that she became the change she wanted to see and became a Chaplain.
Chaz Steadman	Chaz Steadman (2004,2005) was led to Unity of Greenville in 1994, after 42 years as a Baptist. He has been attending our Center since 2001. After 4 years as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, Chaz has worked in Customer Service for the last ten years with various corporations, educational agencies and government. His interests include computers, tennis, and martial arts. In April 2004 Chaz re-married. Their blended family of 3 daughters and 2 sons lives in Pickens, SC. At age 17, our featured chaplain, Chaz Steadman, operated an elevator in one of the three house office buildings which house our Representatives in Washington, D.C. To keep his appearance within the strict guidelines, he had to hide his long hair by wearing a wig. “I’ve been kind of a rebel from an early age,” Chaz says, “and in a society like ours, we often have to make concessions to continue to operate within that society to bring about positive change.” Chaz has had a diversity of occupations. At age 15, he worked in a Mexican restaurant, and since then has sold automobiles, Amway products, and I.D. badging supplies (sometimes creating the badges himself. For example, he designed & produced the Chaplain badges used in our church.) He worked as a laborer helping build the Washington, D.C. subway system. For four years he flew helicopters for the US Army. Presently he is administrative assistant to an insurance broker. Because his father was in the Air Force, Chaz’ family moved often. Born in Bermuda, he has lived in California, New York, Virginia, Ohio, Florida and Wisconsin. Finally in 1988 he settled in Pickens County, SC, his present home. Even a brief conversation with Chaz brings out the central role of family in his life. In April last year he married and established a home with his wife, Melissa, and a blended family of five children; three teenage girls and two boys, 10 & 11. Midette, 15, and Aaron, 11, are Chaz’ natural-born children and often come to our Unity Center. “Before Melissa and I were married, I had been a single, full time dad for six years. While it had its worries and frustrations, that was a very valuable experience for me. I learned a lot about myself, the children and about the demands of unconditional love. I’ve come to believe that learning to love is the essential purpose of our lives. A gigantic step forward for me has been my relationship with the children.” Always the rebel, Chaz dropped out of high school, but earned his GED diploma in 1971, the same year his class graduated. While living in California, he acquired two associate degrees, the last one at Cabrillo Community College, near Santa Cruz, in Solar Energy Technology. “Solar energy has always fascinated me. I became something of a evangelist with the message that solar energy could solve many of the world’s energy issues. I soon found, however, that most individuals weren’t willing to change their ideas and their habits in order to accept solar technologies, even though many of those technologies are simple. I became disillusioned at the prospect of a world not willing to save itself from non-renewable power sources. Now I call myself a ‘reformed idealist’.” How did Chaz, after 42 years as a Baptist, find Unity? A woman friend introduced him to the Greenville Unity church in 1994. He liked the openness of Unity. “As a rebel, I’ve always been against the idea that there is only one way.” Active in the church, he began to lead part of the Unity of Greenville Sunday service. Then Greenville Unity went through a leadership change and this led him to our Fletcher church four years ago. He now travels 60 miles each way to our Center. Besides his Chaplain duties, he also does the video recording of the second service each Sunday. “I like the open-mindedness, the non-judgmental attitude of our church. I like the diversity of our congregation, and the individual chaplains are also very diverse in background and ideas.... Unity has provided an acute awareness of the spiritual side of life that I never would have realized in a more traditional church.” A man of many and varied interests, Chaz sees himself as a person able to adapt to life. His interests include computer animation, the creation of visual effects of all kinds, human powered craft, martial arts, and the employment of chaplains in the corporate world. In good weather he often motorcycles to church. His favorite sport is tennis and he sometimes teaches and coaches tennis teams. Chaz recommends the chaplain program to anyone who wants to take a step forward in his/her spiritual journey and be of service to the church. “Before the (Chaplain) training, I was not a person who prayed very often. Now I am much more spiritually aware. When I pray with others, I really feel like a channel and the words just flow through me with no effort on my part.” Summarizing his outlook on life, Chaz said, “Everything in life seems to me to be a process. All the various elements in our lives kind of flow together. They meld into one cohesive whole which is our life”.
Amanda L. Trancoso	Amanda L. Trancoso (2004, 2007) was led by spirit to Unity in July 2002, as she anticipated the birth of her first child. Having had a long hiatus from 'the church thing', she found a spiritual family and renewed sense of purpose here at the Unity Center. She jumped straight in and has served the church in various capacities, including as Youth R.E.P., chaplain, board member, and greeter (with daughter Eden).  Participating in the inaugural Chaplain program was extremely rewarding for her. Amanda particularly enjoyed the bond shared between Chaplains, and she deeply appreciated the confidentiality training and gaining the ability to immediately tap into sacred space. Amanda enjoys the Chaplain program because of the wonderful sense of community and vibrancy that grows out of coming together in prayer. She's a Medicine Reiki Master, DONA-certified birth doula, and writer, but her full-time job is raising daughters Eden and Ivy. She's engaged to Josh Mack, the custodian at Unity since 2003. They will be married at the church in May 2008. Amanda is (passably) fluent in American Sign Language, and she's always available for prayer with our Deaf members even when not 'on duty'.
Cathy Visoskis	Cathy Visoskis (2004-2007) has moved to Pittsburgh PA to live with her only son Michael, born in 1977 and raised by Cathy as a single mom.  Besides being a Reiki Master, she is a Life On Purpose coach and is also versed in aromatherapy, herbs and nutrition. Cathy has worked in the mental health field as a psychiatric rehabilitation counselor.   Early and severe physical and psychological problems, instead of crippling Chaplain Cathy Visoskis, led her to an intense and practical faith that God would lead her out of her difficulties and into a richer, better life. She shared this story in the hope that others might benefit. Cathy was born 51 years ago into a Lithuanian/Irish family in the Pittsburgh area where she lived before moving to NC in 2002. She is the second oldest of six siblings. Because of childhood abuse, Cathy suffered from many problems including cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck for which spinal surgery was recommended) and periodic debilitating seizures. However, these and other problems associated with post traumatic stress disorder, like chronic headaches and arthritis, have either been overcome completely or brought under control with the help of traditional medicine and significant use of alternative approaches. “I love to do research on natural remedies – oils, vitamins, herbs, etc. And I was guided every step of the way during my recovery. Divine intervention and guidance were always at hand.” For example, some years ago a friendly landlord introduced her to the Internet. “When God gave me a computer,” Cathy says, “He gave me the world! Information about alternative methods and therapies became available to me.” The Internet gave Cathy access to advanced Reiki, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) and the Life On Purpose Institute, three major influences on her journey to wholeness. Another major influence on her success was “Renaissance”, a Pittsburgh-based agency for psychological and social rehabilitation. Cathy went there as a client, but soon began volunteering and then was trained to be a peer counselor. When first approached to be part of staff, she was terrified. “I have always been afraid when challenged to do something new, but I do it anyway. And then I find myself taking off like an airplane, soaring like an angel.” She soon found herself leading groups and giving workshops in nutrition and other subjects. Cathy always felt divinely guided in her process of recovery. For example, a friend set up an appointment for her with a neurologist, Dr. Jeffrey Arlt, who just happened to be fond of alternative approaches to his patients’ well-being. He performed Reiki healing on Cathy, taught her to do Reiki and gave her her first attunement and tapes with which to practice at home. Dr Arlt also used oils, aromatherapy and herbs. (Later Cathy would get additional training in Reiki from her beloved Internet and from our own K’Sitew. She uses reiki and EFT together in her work as coach.) Meanwhile Cathy earned another associate degree, this time in social work. (Her earlier degree was in accounting; she reports that she always liked numbers.) The Internet brought her tele-training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, (NLP) and work with Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT), a technique for balancing the body’s energy sort of like “psychological acupuncture without the needles”.  She next found and pursued, again on the Internet, a concept and program that was to change her life in a most profound way. She discovered Life On Purpose and its charismatic founder, Brad Swift, (a past president of Unity Center’s Board). Cathy had some telephone coaching sessions with Brad and was encouraged to enroll in a tele-training program for becoming a life coach. After her usual churning anxiety about this new challenge, she decided to enroll. A culminating experience, a training retreat called FROLIC, was scheduled in Asheville in April 2002. “I had no money, so I was encouraged to apply for a Service Assistant scholarship. It was awarded to me. It was a dream come true, a life-changing event. I couldn’t stop crying”. Two months later, in June 2002, she accepted the position of Office Assistant at the Life On Purpose Institute and moved to Flat Rock. In January 2003 she became certified as a Life On Purpose Coach, which Cathy sees as an amazing achievement. Brad Swift invited Cathy to try our Unity Center Sunday service – and when she did, Cathy knew she had found a new spiritual home and extended family.  Following are some quotes from our interview: “During my childhood, I had to be strong. I wasn’t allowed to cry or be sick.” “I once had a breakthrough dream in which I had to walk through a burning house. I knew when I awoke that I had broken down the walls that had held me back.” “I have no bitterness about the past. Because of what happened to me, God was able to transform me into who I am now.” “I had no intention of staying on disability. I never could just sit around. I’m a “people person”. Renaissance taught me that. And I need to touch people.” “My purpose is to be an ambassador of peace, passion and love. My goal is to empower others to be the best they can be through whatever means are helpful.” “I realize now that I’ve been a chaplain all my life. That’s who I am. The chaplain training enhanced all my previous learning and then went even deeper.”
Elsa Weber	Elsa Weber (2007) discovered Unity while living on the beautiful garden island of Kauai. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Chaplain because it coincides with her desire to live as though "every thought, word, and deed is a prayer." Elsa is a Fitness Therapist dedicated to helping people rediscover their innate love of exercise again by first unlearning their self-limiting beliefs about what exercise—or moving our bodies—is supposed to look like. Elsa believes in holistic exercise choices that engage the heart and capture the imagination. She reminds us that as a child, moving our bodies was called play! Elsa is certified as both a Fitness Trainer, and Fitness Therapist (with advanced training to work with special needs people: heart attack survivors, diabetics, those recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery, arthritis, etc.) through the International Sports Sciences Association. She holds a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University and has studied Coaching, Appreciative Inquiry, and Peak Performance through the College of Executive Coaching. In 2008 Elsa moved to the Northampton, Massachusetts, area.
Jana Elayne Weed	Jana Weed (2004, 2005) has happily served as Unity’s administrator since 2000. She has two passions: the spiritual quest in all its multitude of expressions, and communing with nature and its wonderful web of life. She shares her life with Peter, her husband of 22 years, and Madison, a cat, and two dogs, Rocky and Trixie.  Born in Texas, Jana grew up as an "Air Force Brat." Every four years she and her mom, dad and two younger brothers moved to the next air base. Unlike many such "brats," she enjoyed the moving and looked forward to making new friends and seeking out new adventures. "Those early experiences", she says, "made me more adaptable and flexible, more open to other cultures, other ways of life." She admits she was a "Tomboy" and has always loved outdoor sports, hiking, nature walks, animals and birds. When she was twelve, her father bought her a quarter horse and that was a great event in Jana’s life. She enjoyed riding for hours thru the hills near her home on the outskirts of Fort Worth, often with friends. After graduation in l976 from a high school in New York, the family moved back to Fort Worth, TX, where her dad retired. There she met Peter in 1980 and married him the following year. While attending college part-time, she worked in their cabinet shop. Although modest about her achievements ("I mostly stood at the end of the saw and caught the pieces of wood"), she became the drawer-making expert & helped out in other ways too. Jana graduated from the Univ. of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Journalism, and was hired by a publishing company. For 4 years she was on an editorial staff that produced a Fort Worth monthly magazine and two trade journals, one called The Nursery Manager. "People got a laugh when I'd phone them and introduce myself as Jana Weed from the Nursery Manager magazine!" This position honed Jana’s computer & typing skills, phone skills, and her superb interpersonal abilities – huge assets for her present position as Unity Center’s Administrator. In 1990 Jana & Peter moved to Charlotte, NC, then later to the Asheville area. Like many, they felt right at home and loved the mountains, the moderate climate, the four seasons, and the mixture of people with varied backgrounds. Jana speaks of this area as "a treasure trove of culture, spirituality, art, and environmental concerns. Here you can find anything that speaks to your heart." What led Jana to Unity? "Since early teen-age years, I’ve always been a seeker and an avid reader." As a youngster, she was interested in ESP & miraculous stories, reading about Edgar Cayce, then all of Ruth Montgomery’s books. "Fortunately, my mother (Tara Munger, who attends Unity) and my husband, Peter, were also seekers. Peter’s grandparents had been Unity members so we tried out Unity of Charlotte." They liked what they found and realized that Unity, with its absence of dogma and openness to all truth, could meet their needs. Peter and Jana also became very involved with the Course in Miracles. They studied that material over 5-6 years which helped Jana to define and refine the concept of God as the Omnipresent One, which she had puzzled over for years. To add to the mix, her mother, Tara, traveled to India to visit Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a supremely conscious Avatar and Guru. Following Tara's example, in 1996 Jana spent a month in India. "It was absolutely life-transforming for me to be in the presence of this living spiritual Master. What the experience did for me was to allow my knowledge of God to go from my head to my heart, from understanding of infinitely expanding consciousness to its experience. From that time on, I have never had any doubts." Jana has returned to India 3 more times to see Sai Baba and to visit other ashrams. Sai Baba’s teachings are simple: the Unity of all humankind and the Oneness of omnipresent God/Spirit. "In my view," Jana summarized, "the purpose of our human life is to learn to remember our divine natures and origin as we work out the details of the mundane world. Earth is the classroom; the curriculum is self-mastery of our mind, emotions, body and soul. Our task, in love, is to become an ever clearer expression of continually expanding divine consciousness."

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Last modified: 2009-05-30
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