Detroit Unity Temple Lay Ministries
Mission & Objectives

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. 
Elizabeth Andrew

 

Adult Education Inspirare
Gerri Hardaway-Stone, Lay Minister

Our mission is to provide classes, workshops, study groups and other learning activities that allow individuals to expand their knowledge of Unity principles, and the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to apply this knowledge to their daily lives.  Our objectives are to create an open learning environment that attracts a wide range of students, and dynamic teachers; to provide support and information to people interested in pursuing a formal program of study to become a licensed Unity teacher or ordained Unity minister.

Children’s & Youth Ministry
David Joseph, Youth Coordinator

Children’s Church
Delores David & Evangela Ervin, Co-Lay Ministers

Our mission is to serve the children by encouraging the full expression of their Christ potential in an atmosphere of loving support through music, creative play, exciting lessons and fun-filled activities.

Uniteens
Open Position

Our mission is to cultivate, educate and elevate the Christ consciousness of the pre-teens by demonstrating the teachings of Jesus Christ from the Bible.  Our objective is to be Christ-centered at all times and aware of how to integrate the Biblical teachings and practices of the Christ in a manner that our children will be able to understand so they will practice and live Unity and biblically based principles in their everyday life experiences.

Youth of Unity
David Joseph, Youth Coordinator

We the members of the Y.O.U. envision a year filled with unconditional loving and successful experiences, where we become a cohesive harmonious family which grows to higher spiritual consciousness through service to others, knowing ourselves and having fun.  Our objectives are to provide opportunities for spiritual exploration and growth; to involve the individuals in prayer and meditation experiences; to promote the idea of individuals working together and to create community among them.

Clown Ministry
Open Position 

Our mission is to promote spiritual growth for our community’s young at heart.  Our goal is to dispense more happiness than despair, and to share our God-given creative abilities.

Counseling & Spiritual Caregivers
Jacqueline Holt, Lay Minister

Our mission is to bring an effective healing ministry to persons with mental, physical, spiritual and/or social needs, combining the best of theological and psychotherapeutic insights. In our church setting we bring about this encouragement for change and empowerment which is designed to bring about insight and a feeling of freedom.  Our objectives are to deliver low-cost professional and lay counseling to our church and broader secular community, and to network/partner with other organizations in the delivery of services.

Forgiveness Ministry
Charles W. Thomas, Jr., Lay Minister

Our mission is to raise the consciousness of forgiveness at Detroit Unity Temple and to provide resources to help spread forgiveness throughout the community at large. Our objective is to support Detroit Unity Temple members, visitors and guests in their forgiveness needs, activities and goals; and to spread information about forgiveness to the Detroit Unity Temple congregation.

Fellowship
Pamela Griffin, Lay Minister

The Fellowship Ministry is joyously committed to serving God through serving others. We demonstrate this by creating an atmosphere of love, kindness and servitude.  The objective of the Fellowship Ministry is to greet worshippers and serve them a nutritious meal after each service and to allow the congregation to interact with and support each other and be an integral part of the Sunday activities.

Greeters
Priscilla Singer & Thomas Powell, Co-Lay Ministers

Our mission is “to greet you in love and peace. We behold the Christ spirit in everyone who enters the Temple doors”. Our objective is to greet and control the  flow of worshippers as they enter the auditorium for services.

Health Services
Edna Williams, Lay Minister

Our mission is to assist and aid our congregants, friends and the surrounding community with their health challenges, physical and mental.  Our objective is to offer monthly health awareness events; provide information and referral to local health services resources; to inform the ministerial staff of individual needs- physical, mental or material; to bring health organizations into the church in order to inform the congregation and community of the various health concerns and where help services may be provided.

Prayer Ministry
Gladys Reynolds, Lay Minister

We, the Prayer Ministry of Detroit Unity Temple, as channels of God, are dedicated to providing spiritual consciousness raising of the whole person - spirit, mind and body - through the practice of prayer and praise as exemplified by Jesus Christ and the Truth principles of Unity. Our primary objective is our commitment to serve our congregation, our community and our world as faith builders with prayer as our foundation.

Prison Outreach Ministry
Open Position

Our mission is to act as a spiritual resource and guide to incarcerated individuals in Michigan and throughout the U.S. through the sharing and application of Truth principles.  Our objective is to form a spiritual partnership between the Temple and correctional facilities in Michigan and across the U.S. Through this partnership, prisoners will have the chance to learn and apply Truth principles, which will guide them in their spiritual development in prison and after their release from prison.

Public Relations
Johnnie Lou Hunter, Lay Minister

Our mission is to inform the congregation and the public about events and activities held at Detroit Unity Temple through using the following strategies: press releases, public service announcements, arranging media coverage, advertising, and community services (calendars, boards, cable access, etc.).

Spirit Illustrated Editor
Gerri Hardaway-Stone, Lay Minister

Our mission is to produce a quality newsletter that reflects Detroit Unity’s Christ-centered Unity community.  Our objectives are to provide a platform for the minister(s) and Board Chair to share thoughts and blessings; to keep readers up-to-date on activities at Detroit Unity; to give details on Detroit Unity Temple’s role in the community; to advertise and support major events sponsored by Detroit Unity; to provide information on ongoing classes, workshops, meetings and activities.

Sunday Services Coordination
Bessie Harris & Elise Thomas, Co-Lay Ministers

Worship services at Detroit Unity Temple are a celebration of the Divine Spirit. It is the mission of the Sunday Service Coordinators to ensure this celebration is effortless and harmonious. Our objective is to assist the minister(s) and guest speakers handling details, set-up, and making corrections before, during and after Sunday and special services.

Tour Guides
Iris Williams, Lay Minister

Our mission is to reach out to new people, letting them know who we are and giving them a warm welcome and invitation to return.  Our objectives are to welcome visitors to Detroit Unity Temple, show visitors our facilities and inform them of our activities, Unity publications, classes and a brief summary of Unity philosophy and history.

Unity Friends
James Cowans, Lay Minister

To assist bereaved families by offering love and support through the stages of the grieving process. Our objective is to work with bereaved families beginning at the time of the death and following the funeral and/or memorial service of a loved one. We keep in contact with the family and loved ones for up to a year, offering our continued love and support.

Ushers
C. Joanne Perry & Diane Williams, Co-Lay Ministers

The mission of the Ushers is to assist in making attendance at Sunday services and special programs a meaningful experience. Our objectives are to greet those entering the sanctuary for service or special events, and to present them with a bulletin or any other handout materials; to assist in seating worshippers quickly without disrupting the flow of the service or program; to acknowledge visitors by presenting them with a visitor’s packet.

Volunteer & Special Events
Lois Jones, Lay Minister

The Volunteer Ministry lovingly demonstrates our gifts from God as we link ourselves through networking and service in the Church and in the community.  Our objectives are to see our congregants enthusiastically and joyfully seek volunteer opportunities at the Temple; to have an abundance of volunteers faithfully serving at the Temple; to keep our Church organizations fully staffed; to attract and recruit new volunteers for ongoing activities/programs and to better communicate with all areas in need of volunteers.  The Special Events Ministry mission is to coordinate special one-time events such as luncheons, teas, fashion shows, and concerts.  This ministry’s main objective is to achieve an optimal balance between providing attendees with a meaningful growth experience and Detroit Unity with a healthy financial benefit.  

Visitation Ministry
Dianne Rhodes, Lay Minister

The Visitation Ministry asks from God wisdom, guidance and love to strengthen the prayers of those confined to hospitals, convalescent, group and private homes. Our goal is to bring great solace and peace to those in need. We go forth with joy and dedication to give hope and build faith.  Our objective is to make visitations and telephone calls as assigned and to remain in contact with the Visitation team, who receives updated information concerning our shut-ins from the minister(s), support staff and our congregants.

 

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