WEEKLY UPDATE February 25, 2025 | |
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In 1953 Johnnie Colemon, a Black woman, began studying for the ministry at Unity Village. She had been drawn to the healing principles taught by Unity after she was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months to live. Alive and now healthy, she was herself a healing miracle, and she wanted to dive deeply into the teachings to change others’ lives as well.
Like all Black students, she was told she could not live on campus. For two years, she commuted 15 miles each way to the YWCA in Kansas City. One day on her way to school, her car broke down in the pouring rain. By the time she got to campus, she had had enough. Dripping wet, she found her white classmates in the restaurant, burst into tears and told them, “I can’t take it anymore. I’m finished. I won’t be back.”
Her classmates wouldn’t accept it. They signed a petition urging Unity to provide housing for Colemon, and the School relented. Unity offered her a cottage at the end of the farm where some of the workers lived. “It was not a nice cottage. They expected me to say no. I said, ‘Fine. Take me to it.’”
Johnnie Colemon, like Unity, was changed by the experience. “I made up my mind the first night in that cold cottage that I would be very aware of all people in my ministry,” she later wrote. After that, the training brochure no longer said Black students would have to live in Kansas City. For many years, however, housing on campus remained segregated and of unequal quality.
Rev. Colemon went on to establish the first Unity church in Chicago and it attracted thousands of people. In 1985 she established Christ Universal Temple. After more than 50 years in ministry, she made her transition in 2014 at age 94.
Rosemary Fillmore Rhea, the granddaughter of Unity founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, reflected on Johnnie Colemon’s story with embarrassment and regret. She wrote, “Today it is difficult to believe that Unity would participate in such blatant discrimination. Johnnie Colemon let her voice be heard, and by so doing, she made an important contribution to Unity and its future. She is living proof that if you stand on principle and move forward with faith, there is no mountain that cannot be moved.”
Excerpt from "Unity Honors Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon" by Marchel Alverson, www.unity.org
Open Your Mind and Be Healed by Johnnie Colemon
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Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center offers a
safe and sacred place for study, participation, fellowship,
support, and transformation as we awaken to
the joy of living!
We invite you to join us in 2025!
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Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center is a diverse, open and affirming community that embraces all people regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, ethnicity, age or physical or mental ability - without intent or attempt to convert.
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Learn More about Unity...
Interested in more information about Unity? Who are we and where did we come from? Click on these links to inform and empower you! www.unity.org and www.truthunity.net. Blessings!
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Calendar of Events
Wednesday, February 26
Yoga Class with Jamie Fitzwater
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 27
Loving Kindness Meditation Class
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Way of Mastery Book Study (Zoom)
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 1
Meditation Class with Darrell Key CANCELLED
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 2
Rev. Denise Creech, Guest Speaker
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
1st Sunday Potluck Lunch
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 5
Yoga Class with Jamie Fitzwater
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 6
Loving Kindness Meditation Class
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 8
Meditation Class with Darrell Key
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 9
Canda Lambert, Spiritual Leader
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 12
Yoga Class with Jamie Fitzwater
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 13
Loving Kindness Meditation Class
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 15
Meditation Class with Darrell Key
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 16
Louis Purdey, Guest Speaker
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Board Meeting
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 18
HU - Experience the Sound of Soul
with Michael George
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19
Yoga Class with Jamie Fitzwater
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 20
Ostara - Spring Equinox Drumming Celebration with
Rev. Denise Creech and Canda Lambert
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22
Meditation Class with Darrell Key
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 23
Rev. Reese Washington, Guest Speaker
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 26
Yoga Class with Jamie Fitzwater
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 27
Loving Kindness Meditation Class
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 29
Healing Sound Bath with Canda Lambert
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Meditation Class with Darrell Key CANCELLED
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 30
Joshua Inacio, Guest Speaker
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
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Rev. Denise Creech will be our guest speaker this Sunday, sharing her message "The Three Roads", a Celtic tale about life's journey. When given a choice, which road will you take?
Rev. Denise is an ordained independent Unity Minister, a Shamanic Practitioner. and a Reiki Master. Since her ordination, she has traveled to Unity and New Thought churches to guest speak, served as the Interim Minister at Unity Church of Austin in Austin, TX, Co-Minister at Unity Church of Tidewater and at Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center. She retired from ministry in August 2023.
She is currently sharing the Celtic Wheel of the Year celebrations with Canda Lambert, Spiritual Leader and Certified Sound Healer, right here at UWSC!
Platform Assistant: Lynda Birckhead
Chaplain: Jane Siegel
Greeter: Jane Siegel
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How wonderful it feels to receive the gift of God’s grace or to receive an unexpected blessing. Grace comes into the world through the words and actions of people just like me. I give the gift of grace when I let the small things go, when I forgive easily and when I offer help without being asked. God’s grace fills my heart with gladness and keeps my awareness centered on God, the source of all love and grace. | |
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Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center graciously accepts love offerings during Sunday Services and special events, online through paypal.me/UnityWilliamsburg, Zeffy, and by check, mailed to 624 Queens Creek Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
How to donate with Zeffy. Video tutorial here
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Message from the Board
On Sunday, Carylanne shared a beautiful message about our soul signatures - the work our souls came to do in our Earthly journey. She mentioned notable people throughout history who had impactful signatures. But her message on the impact we each have in our daily lives is also profound. Especially in times of societal uncertainty, fear and division, making the conscious choice of how we show up in the world matters tremendously. To choose to be a reflection of God's love and peace as Jesus, our way shower, exemplified is the way to shine light and dispel fear at the heart of so much discord. The message was a wonderful reminder that we all fill a unique and integral role in manifesting a more loving, compassionate and peaceful world. Carylanne also mentioned at couple of movies that are really incredible representations of soul signatures and in celebration of Black History month. The Shack (2017) and Hidden Figures (2016) are two of my favorites. If you are looking for additional recommendations - several critically acclaimed films include Harriet (2019), The Six Triple Eight (2024), and Till (2022).
Finally, I want to extend a big "Thank You" to Paulette for sharing beautiful hymns and spirituals in honor and recognition of Black History month.
"One love, One heart. Let's get together and feel all right"
~Bob Marley
Blessings, love & light,
A
Amy Shao, President
Jane Siegel, Vice President
Lynda Birckhead, Secretary
Johan Wagner, Treasurer
Jude Eastman, Member at Large
Teo Feliciano, Member at Large
(*To email a board member, click on their name above.)
Next Board Meeting will be March 16.
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Thank you for being part of our spiritual community at Unity Williamsburg Spiritual Center! If you’ve had a positive experience us, would you consider leaving a Google review? It would mean a lot to us and help others discover our center. Thank you so much!
How to write a Google review - Video tutorial here
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This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month so it's time for the Potluck Lunch! Join us after the service for delicious food and great conversation. Please bring a dish to share.
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Our soup chefs will be making homemade soup again for pick up after this Sunday's service. Choose between French onion or lentil soup; or buy one of each. YUM! Each pint container is $8 or two for $15.
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Please visit our new Facebook home here or search @unitywilliamsburgspiritualcenter. We will be posting the Daily Word, affirmations, meditations, inspirational music and sermon spotlights daily. We will also post information about upcoming services and special events.
Our Sunday Services will be broadcast via Facebook Live every Sunday at 10:30 AM.
Please "Like" the posts and share content from the page to improve our online visibility. If you have suggestions from content, please contact Amy Shao or Jude Eastman.
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Zeffy is a fee-free donation portal specifically for non-profits. This means 100% of your love offering comes to UWSC. There will be cards with the scannable QR codes in the Sanctuary on Sunday like the one pictured. By scanning the QR code, you are taken to a donation page where you can choose a one time or recurring donation and amount. You do not need to create an account. Once you submit your donation, you will receive an immediate "Thank You" email with a downloadable tax-deductible donation receipt for your records.
So give it a try and let the Board know what you think!
How to donate with Zeffy. Video tutorial here
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