First posted: Nov 28, 1997
(Note: our new building has plenty of parking & restrooms!)

Some of the comments you hear go like this:  "I felt like I had finally come home."  "They really practice what they believe here."   "I've traveled all over the country, and there's nothing like this anywhere else."   "This is not your typical church."

Just what is going on?

"We offer a Sunday 'show' that is dynamic and contemporary," says their minister Rev. Chad O'Shea. "We want people to experience the peace and joy and love that Jesus talked about, starting with the hug at the front door. Our meditation time is longer than most... if the juice is really flowing, I let it run. This is what it's all about, feeling the spirit, doing the work, not just talking about it."

Described as a cross between George Carlin and Ram Dass, Rev. Chad is an eclectic synthesis, using used-car lingo to contemporize Christian scripture and quoting the Third Zen Patriarch ("The great way is not difficult for those who have no preferences."). There's always a couple good jokes and teaching stories, and a large part of the teaching happens outside the "Sermon" time.

"I'm really a fundamental preacher - I believe in putting the da 'fun' before da 'mental'," quips Chad. "I really do believe in going back to the essential, core teachings of the great masters of the conscious life. Jesus was a master shrink, with an incredibly rich body of teachings to show us the way to experience joy in our lives. To be happy, we have to unlearn all the ways we make ourselves unhappy. It's an inside job and it's not easy. The only thing harder is not doing it, and continuing to live in our suffering."

The service begins with the Unitic Band's morning jam on "We Are All Friends Here." It quickly becomes obvious that this is not your typical church music either. Led by Lytingale (Chad's wife) on keyboard and vocals, the Unitic Band features Dave de la Rosa on guitar and vocals, Joel Pressman on bass, and Pete Latrella Jr. on drums. Frequently augmented by Georgia Pressman on flute or Ruben Orengo on jazz violin, the band has been described as "world class". Most of their songs are original, penned by Lytingale or Dave, and speak strongly to the spiritual message of the church. From "Sucked Into Seriousness" (with a hot kazoo solo) and the hand-clapping, feel-good "Shine On Me" to the fervent inspiration of "Lord, I Would Follow" or the earthy blues of "The Calorie Blues", these songwriters serve up a feast of contemporary musical styles.

One of the most unique parts of the service is the way the teachings and the music all flow together. Lyte describes this process in a book,  Growing Your Church Music Program, written in conjunction with her workshops for national and regional Unity conferences. "A blooming compendium of ideas dedicated to the flowering of spirit through the magic of music," the book is a how-to manual for ministers, church musicians, music committee members, and board members. Lytingale also has 3 albums, 2 songbooks, and sheet music (solo, group, choral, and instrumental songs) available.

"Our musical program is responsible for a large part of our growth," believes Rev. Chad. "If you look at the growth of churches in the Pentecostal movement, you'll see the emphasis they place on music, and I don't mean tired old hymns played on an organ, but music that's up-beat, hand-clapping, loud, and contemporary. Music has such power to uplift and teach...in a way that words do not...because it helps people really experience something."

But the "Sunday show" is not the only thing going on at Unity Center. There is a wealth of ongoing classes and special workshops. "The hard part is finding space to schedule everything," says the administrator.

The Unity Bookstore demonstrates their openness to all spiritual paths. Bookstore Manager Shirley Banks carries a wide variety of book titles, music, gifts, and video rentals.

Even the church newsletter is uncommon. Using a 20-page tabloid newspaper format, the Unity News and Views goes far beyond the usual listings of church happenings. Each bi-monthly issue carries a wealth of spiritual articles, poetry, news from the environmental front, delightful quotes, even advertising.

"Our business-card sized ads allow Unity people to connect with the services of other like-minded individuals, and pay our printing cost," says the editor Lytingale. "We print 2,000 copies now, mailing to folks all across the country, with 1,000 copies distributed at drop-off points around town. We are first and foremost a spiritual journal. Our newsletter is an important outreach to the community." Annual subscriptions are available for a donation of any amount, specifically to the newsletter. Parts of the newsletter are also published online on the World Wide Web.

A program called Love in Action, originally modeled after Unity in Overland Park, Kansas, seeks to involve church members more deeply. "It's all about finding your bliss, your special way of being of service," says program coordinator Nancy Glowacki. "We're building teams and making commitments, not just to serve the church, but to share and express the gifts God gave us in exciting and fulfilling ways."

You can imagine that Unity has long outgrown its present building. After two additions to the converted 3-bedroom house, they purchased 21 acres of rolling pasture land nearby. Plans for a new church home are being made, featuring a 300 seat chapel, with a spacious YE wing (with hopes for an eventual alternative school) and a bookstore/administrative wing. Plans for the immediate future also include a local television ministry.

(Note: we moved into our new building in September, 2001)

Allen Watts once said that there are two kinds of people: ones who want to become enlightened, and people who want to go to workshops about enlightenment. An essential ingredient of bringing the New Age into manifestation seems to be the willingness to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Worship for the 21st Century must include both the experience of Oneness and the tools for re-creating it in daily life. Unity Center offers a unique way to experience personal growth as well as the benefits of spiritual community.