Unity Center
in western North Carolina
Meet Our Chaplains ~ bios and photos of our Unity Chaplains
Namaste'
I am swimming in creative energy
I Am breathing the Divine
My hands dance the story of
Innumerable lives
While a floodgate pours open my heart.
Flames play upon my fingertips
My ears are filled with the footsteps of
Camaraderie from those dancing dreams
Not unlike my own.
Swirling, flowing waves of Godlight
Threaten to drown my assumptions-
Who is not the same as the other?
Who has never felt passion?
You do not remember my name
But
It is the same as yours.
I Am.
~Amanda L. Trancoso, written during Chaplain training retreat
2004. "Our retreat was over, and as I was walking the labyrinth, this poem came to me. I saw it as kind of a summary of our retreat."
Unity Chaplain Program
Chaplains are available to pray with you after each Sunday service...
Look for the Chaplain
signs at the back corners of the sanctuary.
A new concept has blossomed in Unity. Members of the congregation are being trained as chaplains. The organizer of this program, Lei Lanni Burt, (Unity of Phoenix, AZ), defines a Unity Chaplain as:
Someone who is here to support you on your spiritual journey.
Someone who will create and hold a spiritual space with you.
Someone who will listen to you & hold what is heard in strictest confidence.
Someone who will pray with you.
Unity Chaplains are NOT ordained ministers and have not been trained to counsel people. They are NOT trained to go out and "minister" to the larger community. They are NOT spiritual counselors or even "advisors".
Unity Chaplains are trained to do 4 things for Unity Center congregants:
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Hold spiritual space.
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Listen.
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Pray one-to-one with any individual who asks.
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Hold what is heard in absolute confidence.
In recent years, The Chaplain Program has been introduced in many Unity Centers across the U.S. & Canada, and the results have been highly praised by many ministers and by the Association of Unity Churches. Besides revitalizing the churches, the program has greatly enriched the lives of the volunteer Chaplains.
A thirty-hour training program, including an off-site weekend retreat, prepares the Chaplains for their work. At Unity Center our first Chaplains were officially dedicated on March 21, 2004.
Our Chaplain team was founded by Romella and Ed O’Keefe, who also led our training team for 2 years. In 2003 they organized the program & conducted training for Unity in Buffalo, NY. The O’Keefes received their own training as Unity Chaplain trainers in Ontario from the program's founder, Rev. Lei Lanni Burt.
The training is mandatory for those wishing to be chaplains and requires attendance at all five sessions plus the weekend retreat. The first two sessions are offered for anyone who is interested.
OPEN to the PUBLIC (Required for Trainees):
Workshop on Prayer, 9am-noon. The four major kinds of prayer and how they can revitalize your life. Suggested Offering: $10
Workshop on Unity Basics, 9am-noon. Empower yourself thru this study of the basic principles of the worldwide Unity movement. Suggested Offering: $10
All are invited to find out more about this exciting program, especially if you might consider becoming a Unity Chaplain. The Chaplain training will be offered once a year in the spring.
Chaplains serve a one-year term and may renew their commitment for subsequent terms. Emeritus Chaplains may continue to provide some chaplain services.
Qualifications to become a Chaplain:
- Openness to divine inspiration (aka your intuition).
- A willingness to serve others in meaningful ways.
- A willingness to learn to hold prayer consciousness.
- Be a Unity member (or have a willingness to join). New members are especially welcome!
- Willingness to participate in 40 hours of excellent prayer training (offered each spring).
Benefits:
- An increase in your knowledge & appreciation of your church & the whole Unity Movement.
- A deepening of your prayer life.
- A new confidence and ease in praying by yourself and with others.
- Enrichment of your life through personal and interpersonal growth in love.
Outgoing coordinators Romella Hart-O’Keefe and Ed O’Keefe were trained by Unity minister Lei Lanni Burt, the originator of the program now part of many Unity churches in the United States and Canada.
According to Romella, “We began here in the mountains in 2004. We’ve made changes and modifications in the national program to better fit the needs of our Unity Center. Over the years here 26 chaplains have been trained. Many continue to be active as Emeritus Chaplains. At present, we have ten fully active chaplains.”
Ed O’Keefe summed up the outgoing Co-Coordinators’ experience: “We want to thank Unity Center for starting and nurturing the Prayer Chaplain Program. It has been our great honor and privilege to bring this fine program to this area. Working with the chaplains has been a high point in our lives and in our own spiritual development.
Romella added, “As we step aside to allow new leadership to emerge, we are confident that the Prayer Chaplain Program will continue to thrive and develop.”
Unity Chaplains Annual Report - presented at May’s annual meeting.
Of our original class of 12 chaplains for the 2007-2008 year, 8 are currently Active Chaplains, plus the two coordinators and four very active
Chaplains Emeriti. The statistics given also include some participation of those four chaplains who due to relocation or illness are currently inactive.
- The Chaplains provided sacred space for prayer at 104 Sunday services and conducted & participated in the annual 24 hour prayer vigil & service on World Day of Prayer.
- Chaplains prayed with 226 persons at church (in addition to World Day of Prayer.)
- 252 Wellness Calls were made to persons requesting wellness phone calls.
- 4 in-home visits, 16 hospital visits and 13 nursing home visits were made.
- Romella O'Keefe continued the prayer shawl ministry (from 2006) and Linda Fitzsimmons (Chaplain Emeritus) took over coordination in 2008. Fifty prayer shawls have been made, blessed, and lovingly distributed
- Sam Richardson (Chaplain Emeritus) continued his Labyrinth Walks on 5th Wednesdays
- Eric Monteith initiated the CommUnity garden.
- Chaplains Emeriti K'sitew and Jen Dale continued their work with hospice
- Tim Norwood assisted with Youth Ed services
- Amanda Trancoso Mack is beginning a Reiki Healing group
- Jim Wohlgemuth held a special clothing drive for a Native American reservation in South Dakota
- Mary Wohlgemuth designed special prayer-wellness cards for wellness calling.
All active Chaplains continue to find unique ways to serve as Chaplains and are charged with the responsibility of holding each other and Unity Center in the Light.
Gary, my friend from western New York State, is very ill. Gary is very intelligent, well-read, and well versed in spiritual matters. I just learned that he has asked his friends NOT to pray for him because he is aware of recent (2006) research which found that prayers were not only not effective but sometimes even produce negative results!
The study Gary referred to was a very large, major piece of research involving 1,800 heart patients (the prayees) and, as pray-ers, Catholic monks and cloistered nuns and our own Silent Unity among other Christian groups. Funded to the tune of 2.4 million dollars by the prestigious John Templeton Foundation, the main designer of the study was Herbert Benson, MD, formerly of Harvard Medical School and author of the groundbreaking 1975 book The Relaxation Response. Certainly no one could question either the credentials of the investigators or the positive purpose of the project which was titled STEP (Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer).
In the STEP research 1,800 patients about to undergo coronary bypass surgery were divided into groups so that Benson could determine whether prayer “worked” and in addition, whether it was more effective if the patients knew they were being prayed for.
“The results shocked the world and bewildered the researchers, most of all Benson who had spent much of his career promoting the beneficial effects of the mind on the body…. Their results indicated that no amount of prayer under any conditions, whether the patients knew it or not, made any difference to the outcome of their operations. Indeed, the results were the very opposite of the researchers’ expectations.” (p.88). The prayed-for patients actually did worse than average!
The quotation above is taken from Lynne McTaggart’s 2007 book, The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and Your World. (McTaggart’s first book was the international best seller The Field: The Quest For the Secret Force of the Universe which documented discoveries that point to the existence of a quantum energy field. She is a much respected analyzer and reporter of consciousness research data.)
McTaggart devotes a whole chapter (Chpt.6- In the Mood) to the puzzling STEP research findings and to other research studies on the effectiveness of prayer. About the negative findings of the Benson STEP studies she writes, “I came to think that the very designs of the studies might have been responsible. Although the studies attempted to be rigorous, in many instances they violated the most basic rules of scientific research”. (p.89). She goes on to expound on the studies’ many flaws.
Unity’s Bob Barth, Director of the Office of Prayer Research created by Unity several years ago to study the scientific evidence on prayer, agrees with McTaggart and points out the inherent complexity of designing these kinds of studies. Barth notes that the STEP studies represent only a small proportion of the prayer research that’s been done over the years. Of the more that 227 studies investigated by Unity’s Office of Prayer Research, 75% show a positive impact.
Lynne McTaggart is an erudite and clear guide to these and similar developments in the ongoing dialogue between science and religion. She is totally convinced of the value of what she terms ‘healing intention’. She states, “Healing intention is different from prayer. With intention the agent of change is human; with prayer it is God. Simple healing intention can be more easily controlled for a scientific study…”.
As a Unity student of Truth and as a Prayer Chaplain who is constantly working on the definition and concepts of prayer, I find that sentence of Lynne’s challenging and intriguing: “With intention, the agent is human; with prayer it is God.” Both the world of science and, for the most part, the world of religion make that dubious distinction between us humans and God, as if we were two separate entities, two distinct beings. But Unity teaches that God is One. I personally have come to believe that it takes the work of a lifetime to begin to understand that metaphysical proposition: "There is only one presence and one power in the universe, God the Good, Omnipotent.”
I believe that when we PRAY for ourselves or others, that is, when we deliberately set our INTENTION for the removal of any obstacles to the good that is all round us, we are being co-creators with the Divine. The agent, to use McTaggart’s word, is both human and Divine – and we ARE that agent, we are IT.
As for my ill friend, Gary, I continue to pray (and intend) for him. He may or may not be able to receive my good thoughts and wishes, but they’re out there in the vibrational world of thought, the thoughts that create worlds, as Abraham puts it. And I have faith that such good thoughts and wishes, such prayers, are helping to heal the world, even though I do not pretend to understand how it all works.
~Ed O’Keefe, Chaplain Co-Coordinator with Romella Hart-O'Keefe.
Fall, 2007: New Prayer Chaplains To Be Dedicated
At the 11:00 am service on
Sunday, October 21, new prayer Chaplains will be officially dedicated by Rev.
Chad O'Shea. They will have completed a 40-hour training program which included
a two-day retreat at Kanuga Conference Center, a course in Unity History and
Principles, and 18 hours of Saturday workshops on various aspects of praying
with and for others.
The Unity Prayer Chaplain program nationally is six years old and was designed to supplement the work of Unity ministers and make available specific outreach prayer services to Unity congregations. Chaplains have served this ministry for three years.
Chaplains perform four major functions at our Center:
- They are available after each Sunday service to pray with individuals in the "Chaplain corners."
- Some Chaplains can be called anytime there is a prayer need.
- They make periodic "wellness calls," offering telephone prayer support to Unitics who request calls.
- When feasible, they visit ill or shut-in congregants in hospitals, at their homes or in nursing homes.
Each Chaplain develops a Personal Service Plan outlining the specific services s/he will focus on, such as being available for "prayer calls" from congregants, conducting prayer services, serving as a hospice volunteer, hospital adjunct chaplain, etc.
Prayer Chaplains serve for one year and may opt to continue for a succeeding year.
~ Ed O'Keefe & Romella Hart-O'Keefe, Chaplain Co-Coordinators
- A well-designed and inspiring 40 hour training program to:
- increase your knowledge & confidence about the many forms of prayer.
- deepen your own spiritual dimensions.
- practice one-to-one prayer with others.
- gain new confidence and ease in praying by yourself and with others.
- enrich your life through personal & interpersonal growth in love.
- Guidance and support in honing your own PERSONAL SERVICE PLAN for the year, outlining how you will serve the church & the larger community.
- The supportive fellowship of a unique and caring group of fellow seekers of Truth.
See the training schedule for 2007. Reserve the dates. For further information, see or call Romella or Ed O’Keefe. Coordinators
The primary purpose of the Chaplain program is the holding of spiritual space for people and praying with and for them. Chaplains are available in the "Chaplain’s Corner" to pray with people after each Sunday service, and are available by phone or email for prayer.
In addition, Chaplains now create their own Personal Service Plan outlining how they will fulfill their promise of spiritual service. Examples of the services the Chaplains will provide include:
- Conduct occasional Wednesday night prayer service
- Organize World Day of Prayer vigil & service
- Make periodic wellness calls to those Unitics who have requested them.
- Serve as volunteer prayer chaplains at local hospitals.
- Visit shut-ins in nursing homes or their homes.
- Work as Hospice volunteers.
- Organize "Songfests" at assisted living centers or nursing homes.
~ Ed O'Keefe, Chaplain Co-Coordinator
The Chaplain Program, after three years at Unity Center in its present form, is undergoing a restructuring and will foster new initiatives.
What will not change is the familiar "Chaplain’s Corner" where chaplains pray with people after each Sunday service. All chaplains will continue to participate in that aspect of the program.
"The primary change," according to Rev. Chad O'Shea, "will be that each of our beloved Chaplains will design his or her own unique way of serving our very diverse congregations and the larger community. Chaplains are each developing a personal Plan of Service, outlining how they will fulfill their promise of spiritual service. These Personal Service Plans, which may change annually, provide our chaplains a way to uniquely follow Spirit in being available to our congregation. I applaud them for developing this wonderful channel of service."
One significant change already being implemented: nine Chaplains have indicated their willingness to receive calls from our church family when a prayer need develops. The names and phone numbers of the Chaplains offering this particular service are available at the church.
According to K’sitew, one of the Chaplains, the primary purpose of the Chaplain program – the holding of spiritual space for people and praying with and for them – remains the same. The new plan just gives more creative options for doing that, along with more freedom and flexibility to the chaplains for how they wish to serve. Examples of the services the Chaplains will provide include:
- Conducting occasional Wednesday night prayer services.
- Making periodic wellness calls to those Unitics who have requested them.
- Serving as volunteer prayer chaplains at local hospitals.
- Visiting shut-ins in nursing homes or their homes.
- Working as Hospice volunteers.
- Organizing "Songfests" at assisted living centers or nursing homes.
Romella Hart-O’Keefe & Ed O’Keefe, Coordinators of the Unity Center chaplains, indicated that details are still being worked out for the revised program. They will be finalized at a Chaplain Retreat on May 4 & 5. The following day, Sunday, May 6, is designated as Chaplain Sunday when Rev. Chad will dedicate Chaplains for the coming year.
"Later on," Romella said, "we will be designing a new training program for future Chaplains. We will combine the best elements of the original training on Unity principles and prayer (including lots of practice of one-to-one praying out loud) with our new emphasis on developing Personal Service Plans.
"When we are ready, all interested persons will be invited to join our Revised Chaplain Program."
~ Ed O'Keefe, Chaplain Co-Coordinator
I recently read Deepak Chopra's novel, Soulmates. It reads a bit like The Celestine Prophecy. The take-home message for me was "Anything is possible." And I do believe that. While I have not achieved it in all areas, I have experienced it in many ways.
One example involves my beloved canine companion, Jazz. This black lab came into my life at a time when I was going through a lot of soul-searching and healing. She saw me through many rough times, and I truly don't know if I would have made it without her. Shortly before her 12th birthday, she developed some serious symptoms and began to decline quickly. About that time a new housemate moved in with me, a young man (I can't even remember his name) and his black lab named, Jazzy. Within five days of their arrival, my Jazz's time here came to an end.
The presence of another black lab in my home (and one named, Jazzy, at that) was such a balm to me. Even though she wasn't my beloved dog, her presence did a lot, on the subconscious level, to ease my loss. Within a month this housemate and his dog had moved on (some circumstance took him out of town). The perfect timing of this man and his doppelganger of my dog to ease my loss was not lost on me. So when I am encountered by the phrase, "Anything is Possible." I have no doubts.
Prayer is one method to help you achieve whatever possibilities you are wanting to bring into your life. By focusing on what it is that you want, and bringing it to a knowing level that it has already or is in the process of happening, prayer can help you create whatever you desire in your life.
The Prayer Chaplains of Unity are here for you. We are available on Sundays after each service in the Chaplain's Corners. You can also call the church and request that a prayer chaplain call you. Our calls are short calls, focusing on a short conversation to determine your needs and then a prayer.
We encourage you to come pray with us. It is our pleasure to serve you. Be open to the possibilities of creating a better life for yourself. After all, anything is possible.
love and light,
October 2006: Prayer Is Powerful....
The sudden, tragic death of the crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, saddened me deeply. I have been searching for meaning in the irony of his death. Here's a man who has put himself in danger's way hundreds of times and always walked away. Then one day he is swimming with a docile ocean creature and WHAP, one flick of a tail, a barb to the chest, and Steve is dead. It doesn't seem right or fair; It is just too bizarre of a demise for such an adventurous soul.
But after watching the specials on Animal Planet about Steve Irwin and the memorial service, his words that he is here to help conserve the animals stuck in my mind. In processing his goal & his life in my head, the light finally flickered. If Steve had died from a crocodile attack or a snake bite, many might write him off as a fool who had it coming. Timothy Treadwell died in the jaws of a grizzly bear, the creature he was so intent on helping to conserve. I don't know of any surge in conservation efforts of grizzly bears following his tragic death.
But Steve, with his seemingly superhuman abilities to defy death in the face of man-eating creatures, met his demise through a normally timid animal. This makes him an ordinary human, no superhuman. It also makes him a hero - a man whose passion and enthusiasm for wildlife had no bounds. And I believe that his legacy will be an increased consciousness towards the conservation of wildlife as a result of the love and respect that many people all over the world have for his work. The irony of his death draws more attention to his cause and hence aids his ultimate goal of helping wildlife.
I pray for Terri Irwin, her children, and those who knew and loved Steve. Death, whether sudden and unexpected or following a lengthy illness, creates a void in the lives of those who were close. Alan Cohen's recent quote-of-the-day helps me direct my prayers: "When you pray for things, you are really seeking the feeling the thing brings you. Cultivate the feeling, and the thing becomes secondary. Then it will come spontaneously and effortlessly."
So I pray that Terri and her children feel loved & secure and will keep Steve's mission going. I pray that they will not cry because of their loss, but will rejoice at the time & experiences that they had together.
In your prayers for yourself and others, and when you visit with a prayer chaplain on Sunday, keep in mind what the feeling is that you are seeking. We attract into our lives that which we focus on. So be clear with yourself. Dig deep for the feeling that you are after and focus on that. It will come. Prayer is powerful.
We encourage you to take advantage of your prayer chaplains on Sundays. You may also call or leave a note at the church requesting a call from a prayer chaplain when you have special needs for yourself or a loved one.
Many blessings to all. ~ Amy Holm Stamey, Chaplain Coordinator & Trainer.
August, 2006: Prayer Is....
My concept of prayer went from that of a child's wish for a pony into a very long latent cycle when my young, but already scientific mind realized that the "God" and the "prayer" I had been taught through the Lutheran church never manifested for me.
In the mid 1990s, I was fortunate to hear Joan Borysenko speak at Northern Arizona University. She retold an experience of a woman who had been in a car accident. This woman had an out of body experience during her rescue. During that time, she noticed a car pull over and a woman step out. Suddenly, a broad beam of light streamed from the pedestrian over to the vehicle in the accident.
The woman "up above" had enough presence of mind to realize what was happening. The other woman had stepped out of her car and began praying for the occupants of the vehicle in the accident.
THAT concept of prayer made sense to me. I could grasp prayer being energy sent to give support to another in whatever way was needed.
The 4T Prosperity Program continued my education in prayer. As I'm sure you've heard many times, prayer doesn't change God, prayer changes us. And it is OUR thoughts that create our reality.
One of my favorite quotes from Alan Cohen that I have pasted above my desk reads, "Is the thought you are now thinking taking you where you want to go? If not, what thought would"?
Prayer helps us get to that thought that we want. The Unity prayer chaplains are there for you, to help you express gratitude for what you do have and to help you realize your potential in all areas.
Remember, there is strength in numbers, even just one other. The chaplains are a wonderful hand to reach out to. A resource of the church consisting of people who care about you and want to help you through prayer. We welcome your visits to the Chaplain Corner's on Sundays or you may call the church and request a call from a prayer chaplain at any time. We are here for you.
~ Amy Holm Stamey, Chaplain Coordinator & Trainer.
Six new chaplains were dedicated on Sunday, April 2, by Rev. Chad O’Shea. They join six veteran chaplains who have opted to serve for another year.
Having successfully completed fifty hours of training, the new chaplains are Joseph Allen, Jay Dale, Jennifer Dale, Anne Fischer, Linda Fitzsimmons, and Mark Moran. They join our current active Chaplains: Eric Montieth, Krishna Murphy, Ed O’Keefe, Romella Hart-O’Keefe, Amy Holm Stamey, Cathy Visoskis. Read their Bios and get to know them!
The new chaplains look forward to meeting you and holding spiritual space with you. This is their primary purpose – to join you in heartfelt, powerful prayers. You are invited to say "hello" and to welcome the new chaplains.
Also honored at the April 2nd ceremony were retiring chaplains: B.J. Condrey, Terry Gratton, Helena O'Neal, Chaz Steadman, and Jana Weed. They join the ranks of Emeritus Chaplains K’sitew, Sam Richardson, and Amanda Trancoso.
Chaplains serve a one-year term and may renew their commitment for subsequent terms. Emeritus Chaplains may continue to provide some chaplain services.
Ed & Romella O’Keefe are retiring as Coordinators & Trainers, with our thanks for starting the Chaplain program at our church and for their loving leadership.
Our new Chaplain Coordinator & Trainer is Amy Holm Stamey, who just completed training for the position in Viriginia. Amy was ordained as a Chaplain in 2005, and has served for one year. Welcome, Amy!
Chaplain Coordinator Makes Confession
Yes, I have a confession to make. It all started on Thursday, June 30 about 5:00 pm. I was driving by myself to the Cincinnati Greyhound bus station to pick up my step-son, Jonathan Hedrick, who was coming to our home in Mills River to celebrate his July 5th birthday with Romella and me.
Jon is not your ordinary son. He is a developmentally delayed, autistic adult. The plan goes like this: A social worker puts him on the bus in Buffalo, NY and Jon travels by himself to Cincinnati – as far as he can get without changing buses. I’m to be there waiting for the bus to arrive, then I drive him the 380 miles to our house. On the return trip, we reverse the process. This plan has worked out very well in the past.
You might think it would make more sense for Jon to take a plane to Asheville, but Jon is deathly afraid of airplanes, so that wouldn’t work.
This time, however, there’s a big problem. As our 9 year old auto with 183,000 miles is climbing up a large mountain near Jellico, Tennessee, it suddenly falters; it is clear it is losing power fast & that the transmission has gone. I pull over to the side; the engine is now smoking like a warehouse fire. The car has expired.
Not only do I need a tow – I must find a rental car and get to Cincinnati by 10:00 pm. It is now 5:00pm, the nearest city which might have rental cars is 50 miles away, and I know car agencies are closing up for the night. Luckily I have a cell phone, a Triple A card, and a credit card. I call AAA. They come through with flying colors! They find me a tow truck and even make arrangements for Enterprise Rental Cars to drive out 45 miles to deliver me an auto (the last one at their office, praise God). Within an hour, my car is being towed to its final resting place, a fine rental car has been delivered to me, and I’m on my way for the 200 miles remaining. I arrive in plenty of time to meet the bus.
Why am I telling you all this, and what is my “confession”? Well, as Chaplain Coordinator at Unity, one of my jobs is to remind all of you Unitics to avail yourselves of your assigned chaplain whenever a prayer need arises. Especially in times of crisis! Providing spiritual help in crises is one of the reasons the chaplain service was initiated.
I was in a significant crisis. Do you think I called my wonderful chaplain (BJ Condrey) and asked her to pray with and for me as I tensely waited for my rescuers on that lonely & scary Tennessee highway? No, I never even gave it a thought until several days later!
That’s my confession. I, who teach this stuff to others, did not remember to avail myself of a Chaplain’s help during a crisis. I prayed for help myself, of course, but never even thought of calling BJ until several days later. That’s the way I’ve been programmed throughout life – to take care of myself.
Perhaps you – and I – can use my story to make ourselves more aware BEFORE A CRISIS HAPPENS of our intention to call our chaplains when a crisis occurs.
We need not be hindered by earlier programming. We can learn new ways, smarter ways to react, easier ways to cope. Calling our chaplain in a crisis can be one of those ways.
~Ed O'Keefe, Chaplain Coordinator, Aug. 2005
Top Ten Reasons to Call Your Unity Chaplain
10. When your house guests have stayed more than three days.
9. When your dreams come true.
8. When your dreams don’t come true.
7. When your life is so filled with “meaningless must-do’s” that you don’t have
time to potty, much less to pray.
6. When you want to share with someone who will listen and understand.
5. When your significant other ate the last candy bar or piece of cake, and you feel depressed.
4. When your children don’t call – even on Father’s/Mothers’ Day.
3. When you’re tired of being under-employed and/or unappreciated.
2. When you’re filled with gratitude.
1. When your heart is as empty as your house after a loved one has died/left.
Are You Being Called to Chaplaincy?
It’s not usually a loud honking noise like a hundred geese flying south in the fall. It’s more like gentle flutterings from delicate butterflies in the garden of your soul. They wistfully whisper about the next step in your spiritual development, about serving others in new ways, about giving back something for all the gifts you’ve received.
Perhaps you’re listening to the calm, but insistent, call to be a Unity Chaplain, to learn and teach others how to effectively center ourselves in the peaceful presence of God.
Often when people are approached to consider taking the chaplain training, four possible obstacles are raised. One may be valid; the others are not. The one that may have validity is that you may already be too busy and not have the time or energy to take on a new challenge and commitment.
The second concern often expressed is about the expense involved; the third has to do with fear of praying out loud with another; the final one is the feeling of unworthiness for what is seen as such an exalted undertaking.
As for the expense ($210 includes the weekend retreat at Kanuga Conference Center), have no trepidation. Scholarships are available. Talk to Minister Chad. Unity Center wants no one to be deterred because of mere money.
“I couldn’t pray out loud with anybody. That sounds scary; I wouldn’t be able to do that!” That’s the third obstacle. We’re not used to praying out loud; we think we’d be embarrassed and/or get tongue-tied. We think we’d be terribly uncomfortable. Well, there’s good news: that’s what the training is for. During the thirty hour training program we not only learn to do it – we get lots of practice with one another and with the current chaplains who assist us and cheer us on until we get the hang of it. It gets easier and easier with practice and soon is a non-problem.
The final objection, the feeling of unworthiness or inadequacy for the title and work of a chaplain, can be a real deterrent to a person’s accepting the call to service. The best advice: talk to one of the current chaplains about it. Share your feelings with them – or with the coordinators, Romella and Ed O’Keefe, or with Rev. Chad. You’ll find how they coped with similar emotions and how they came to see that, like the Master, it is not they, but Spirit who does the work. The chaplain’s job is to learn a few techniques and then to get his/her ego out of the way, so God can do the work.
If you already know you’d like to become a chaplain, or if you’d like to consider the matter further, come to one of the two Orientation sessions (after the second Sunday service) on either February 13 or 20, 2005.
~Ed O’Keefe, Coordinator, 890-4889,Posptsokeefe@cs.com
"My goal in life is to serve others and being a chaplain has given me a wonderful way to do that. It has also changed my personal way of praying 100%. I am truly grateful for the program." ~BJ Condrey
"The opportunity to “walk the talk” is a humbling privilege for me as a chaplain/trainer. Each time we pray together, I am awed and humbled by how Spirit infuses us with prayer that flows easily and effortlessly from the heart. I am grateful for the privilege of holding sacred space with others as a chaplain and chaplain trainer. Thank you, God." ~Romella Hart-O’Keefe
"Serving as a prayer chaplain for my fellow Unitics has been a deeply enriching, soul-satisfying experience. I am humbled to be able to connect with friends and family in this way – through prayer, the expression of Spirit." ~Jana Weed
"At first I felt shy and a bit self-conscious about leading prayers with others, strangers. Prayer was something I had considered private - the communion of my soul with God. But I found that taking this holiest of acts and sharing it with others (who have invited me to share it with them) was a wonderful experience. …Becoming a chaplain took me from being just a member of a church to being a member of a church family." ~Amanda Trancoso
"During the darkest moments of my life, my connection to God often feels very tenuous, thin, fragile. Serving as a chaplain, being part of a group focused on helping others surrender to prayer, has humbled me and helped me strengthen my connection to God." ~ Helena O’Neal
"I serve as coordinator for the Unity Chaplain program. It has been a great joy to witness and participate in the personal growth of the chaplains themselves. Many have found this privilege of spiritually nurturing others to be the next step in their own spiritual path. And I personally have learned a great deal from the ideas and examples of these fine folks who heeded the call to this special service." ~ Ed O’Keefe
A Journey into Prayer Consciousness
by Jana Weed
Spiritual Practices… Spiritual Exercises … Spiritual Journeys … What do these terms mean to you, the reader? Take a moment or two to reflect on these ideas, and what they mean to you personally.
Then consider, if we were sitting as a group, we could share with one another our definitions. And we would discover a sense of unity in our ideas as well as a beauty contained in our diverse experiences. No real surprise … right?!
I think what is surprising, for me at least, is what activities do often bring about significant changes in consciousness… or put in another way, one’s capacity to expand one’s awareness and sense of connectedness with everyone and all things.
Several months ago, I embraced the opportunity to become a volunteer Prayer Chaplain in Unity Center’s inaugural Chaplaincy program. Honestly, I felt it important to lend my support to this new team at Unity… and I thought it would be meaningful to expand my prayer activity.
I joined the Chaplain Team in the same way I would take a journey… by stepping out onto the road with as few expectations as possible. Over the years, I've discovered that the fewer expectations I create at the start of the journey, the more I am rewarded with experiences, memories and treasures that reach beyond my current imagination.
Delightfully!!!! … this has been my experience in serving as a volunteer Prayer Chaplain.
Beginning with the 40 hours of training and Weekend Retreat at Kanuga… to calling and praying with Unity members on a regular basis … to praying with folks at the church and on the phone… the "expansion of my prayer consciousness" has manifested.
Most importantly, I have discovered the treasure of being a vessel for the movement of Spirit and the words that follow, as I center myself in my heart with another’s prayer request "to pray." This exercise ALWAYS uplifts me. As I have watched this occur within me over and over during the past few months, I have discovered that when I engage in prayer, the act not only works to uplift the person I am praying for, but it serves to strengthen or heal me as well. It was an unexpected discovery… on a journey I sincerely invite you to take.
Here’s the story of the first time I experienced this upliftment. One day, while working at Unity, something occurred which I don’t even recall. But I found myself in a state of agitation and unrest. Within minutes I received a call from someone out-of-state regarding church business. But as we talked, this person shared a crisis that they were dealing with. So I offered as a Chaplain to pray with them.
We closed our eyes, moved our attention into our hearts, and then I began to pray. Words and ideas came that I don’t even recall. But as the activity of prayer unfolded, I found my thoughts quieted, my mind at rest; my heart and spirit more peaceful. At the end of the prayer, we both enjoyed long, quiet breaths, opened our eyes… spent a moment of quiet reflection and then said our good-byes. As I gently replaced the phone in its cradle, I realized that all of my unrest had simply disappeared… dissolved and washed away by the activity of prayer. I felt connected anew to the people in my world and to the Infinite Presence witnessing it all.
So now, when I offer to pray with someone, I know that I too will be prayed for. This is only one treasure I’ve discovered in my Chaplaincy journey. There are so many more!! You can speak to any Prayer Chaplain about their personal experiences. We would be happy to share. I know that as we individually expand our own prayer consciousness and those that we pray with, we also serve to expand the prayer consciousness of our spiritual home… and ultimately our greater communities.
Consider the journey of becoming a Unity Chaplain in 2005. Ed and Romella O’Keefe will offer 1-hour Orientations on Sundays, Feb. 13 and 20, 2005 ~ describing the program and training. This will be followed by nearly 40 hours of wonderful, in-depth training from Feb. 26-April 9. Contact: Ed O’Keefe: 890-4889 or Unity: 891-8700 or 684-3798.
A New Year for the Chaplains
June 2005: Unity Center’s Chaplain Program celebrated its first birthday on April 10. New and returning Chaplains for 2005-2006 were dedicated on that day, and Emeritus status was awarded to chaplains who chose that new role. (All Chaplains serve a one-year term, which may be renewed for a subsequent year.)
Our newest Chaplains are: Terry Gratton, Amy Holm, Eric Monteith. Welcome!
Continuing full Chaplains are: Bobbi Jo Condrey, Kirshna Murphy, Ed & Romella O'Keefe, Helena O'Neal, Chaz Steadman, Cathy Visoskis, Jana Weed
Emeritus Chaplains are: K'Sitew, Sam Richardson, Amanda Trancoso
The congregation has been polled by mail to determine which level of service each person prefers – whether in addition to having access to a Chaplain for specific prayer assistance whenever the need arises, they would also like to receive regular "wellness calls." Did you return your card??? If not, it's never too late - just let us know! Letters have gone out to introduce you to your assigned Chaplain, with contact information.
A First Birthday and a New Beginning
April, 2005: Unity Center’s Chaplain Program celebrates its first birthday on Sunday, April 10. New and returning Chaplains for 2005-2006 will be dedicated on that day, and Emeritus status will be awarded to those chaplains who chose to continue in that role for the coming year. (All Chaplains serve a one-year term, which may be renewed for a subsequent year.)
A refinement is being added to this year’s program. All Unity Church congregants - those who frequently participate in the church’s activities, as well as those who support the church in other ways - will be assigned a personal chaplain who will be available to provide prayer assistance whenever the need arises. Chaplains will be available by telephone to provide prayer support.
In addition, those who request it will receive "wellness calls" periodically from their chaplain. If invited, their Chaplain will call regularly, about every six weeks, to check on prayer needs.
"The significant change this coming year," according to Minister, Rev. Chad O’Shea, "is that everyone will have access to his or her own personal chaplain whenever the need arises. This wonderful service will be provided by our chaplains, each of whom has graduated from a thorough, thirty-hour training program in providing prayer support."
The congregation is being polled by mail to determine which level of service each person prefers – whether in addition to having access to a Chaplain for specific prayer assistance whenever the need arises, they would also like to receive regular "wellness calls." A later mailing will name each person’s Chaplain and provide phone numbers for reaching their Chaplain.
"We are delighted to provide this inspired service to our Unity family," Rev. Chad added. "We commend our chaplains for creatively extending their services to all of our congregation."
The coordinator of the Chaplain Program is Ed O’Keefe. He and his wife, Romella Hart-O’Keefe, themselves trained by Rev. Lei Lanni Burt, the founder of Unity’s national chaplains’ program, provide the annual training.
Nine Installed as
New Unity Chaplain Program Begins
March 2004: The first class of nine new chaplains was installed and dedicated on Sunday, March 21, 2004, by Unity minister Rev. Chad O’Shea.
“These men and women are pioneer graduates of a wonderful program that will enhance our church family in many significant ways,” said Rev. Chad as he presented each new chaplain a certificate and an official Chaplain Emblem. Romella O'Keefe led us in singing the Chaplain theme song, "Here I Am, Lord."
The five women and four men had just completed a forty-hour training course, including a week-end retreat, to prepare them for their new roles as Unity Chaplains.
Their function is to pray with individuals who request one-to-one prayer at Sunday services; to make “wellness calls” to active members of the church and to pray with them if requested; and later, (when this part of the program is implemented) to make visitations to those who are ill or needing spiritual nourishment.
Across the U.S. and Canada, the Unity Chaplain Program has been shown to both revitalize churches and enrich the lives of the volunteer chaplains.
The pioneer members of the Unity Fletcher chaplain class are Bobbie Jo Condrey, K’sitew, Krishna Murphy, Helena O’Neal, Sam Richardson, Chaz Steadman, Amanda Trancoso, Cathy Viscoskis, and Jana Weed.
Each chaplain has committed for one year of service. Each year another class will be trained. Present chaplains can re-commit for the following year if they desire.
The 2005 training program will start in March of next year. Training includes a one-hour orientation, a weekend retreat, and five Saturday workshops on Prayer, Unity Basics, and on the specifics of the chaplain program.
At least two chaplains are on duty each Sunday between services and after the 11:00 AM service. “Wellness Calling” will begin in May.
Training coordinators are husband and wife team, Romella and Ed O’Keefe, who were themselves trained by Rev. Lei Lanni Burt, Unity Pastoral Minister of Phoenix, Arizona, the originator of the program.
Ed is serving as Coordinator of the Unity in Fletcher program. Direct any questions to him at 890-4889, or email: Posptsokeefe@cs.com.
April, 2004: This month our new chaplains will begin telephoning active members of our church family, an activity called "Wellness Calling." Once a month you can expect a call. The chaplain will introduce himself/herself and ask to speak to the family member(s) who goes to Unity church. The chaplain will ask how you’re doing and if there’s anything you’d like him/her to pray with you about. If you desire such a prayer, the chaplain will, for a few moments, lead you into a prayer consciousness, and join you in a short prayer.
The prayer you request need not be a prayer of petition (an "asking for" prayer); it might be a prayer of praise or thanksgiving for something wonderful in your life, perhaps a prayer of protection for a loved one who is far away. This telephone prayer, like all of our chaplains’ work, is strictly confidential – just between you and your chaplain.
If the call comes at an inconvenient time, you & your chaplain may work out a better time for your monthly call.
If you do not wish to receive a monthly call from a chaplain, just let us know by telling the chaplain during the first call, or you can call the church at 891-6700 or 684-3798. In that case, we will be happy to remove your name from the "Wellness Calling" list.
This Wellness Calling is one of the main functions of the nine Unity Chaplains who are serving you this year.
Another of their functions is to offer one-to-one prayer after each Sunday service with all who desire it. The chaplains "on duty" each Sunday will be introduced by the minister and will be wearing distinctive badges.
We hope that you will find the services of our Unity Chaplains a positive and helpful asset to your lives.
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