Tours on Wednesday, June 13, and Thursday, June 14, are available to both registered convention attendees and non-registered companions and family. All tours include round trip transportation on deluxe highway coaches, an Action Tours guide on each coach, admissions to all attractions, meals where indicated, all taxes and gratuities. Read more...

Seminars for 2012

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
9:00-11:00am

Attracting More Men to Your Church and Energizing the Ones You Have by Greg Finch

In this seminar you will learn how to develop a dynamic, life-changing Men's Group Ministry to bring more men into your Unity Church, while enhancing the spiritual growth of those men already attending. The seminar is based on lessons learned over six years by the Christ Unity Church Men's Group of Sacramento, CA. Greg will demonstrate how to create a safe, sacred space for participants to discuss:

The value of safe, sacred space where men can delve deeply into spiritual matters
The value of closed small groups meeting weekly
Creating empowering weekend retreats
The Arc of Five, a model for men's spiritual growth
The importance of strong, capable leadership in creating and sustaining the work
Books and other resources to guide and inspire spiritual inquiry and community building.

Oasis of Stillness - Mini Retreat by Paulette Pipe

Rejuvenate your soul with this refreshing two-hour Oasis of Stillness Retreat facilitated by gifted retreat leader, and host of Touching the Stillness on Unity Online Radio, Rev. Paulette Pipe. Engage in various forms of prayer, meditation, and reflection - all designed to lead to an inner still-point of tranquility and deepened connection with the Divine. At the end of this mini spa for the soul, you'll likely return to the activities of convention feeling calm, yet renewed and fortified. For more information about Rev. Paulette Pipe go to: www.touchingthestillness.org

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
1:30-5:00pm (30 minute refreshment break at 3:00pm)

Healthy Congregations by Martha Creek

This seminar is a new way of thinking about both the congregation and its leadership. You will view the congregation as a whole, as an organism, as a system. Instead of seeing separate parts, you will see interrelated parts and their interactions. No one part promotes health or illness. Everything contributes. The congregation is seen as a unit in need of care. Therefore, this seminar centers around the stewardship of the congregation: how leaders care for, respond to, and oversee the congregation's life together.

Congregational leaders are the chief stewards. They are in a position to promote the well-being of the congregation. They set a mood and tone for the congregation. They are accountable for setting a direction, taking stands, staying connected to others, encouraging participation, and attending to the ongoing interplay of many conditions and forces.

In this seminar you will:

Gain a renewed sense of purpose and mission
Cultivate strong leadership capacities to challenge the congregation
Learn how to develop healthy patterns of living together in community
Learn to focus on strength, resources, and options for the future
Boost confidence in responding to challenges and opportunities
Learn how to lead with calm and thoughtfulness
Reflect theologically about relationships
Move the congregation toward healthy functioning

The Wisdom Gospels by Rev. Ed Townley

The ‘lost' gospels of Thomas, Philip and Mary Magdalene are more than simply variant versions of the ministry of Jesus Christ described in the four familiar gospels endorsed by the fourth-century church. Taken together – and with the Gospel of John as a surprising and supportive resource – they present the teachings of Jesus as a mystical path of love and personal empowerment, rather than a hierarchical path of fear and obedience.

Rev. Ed Townley, senior minister at Unity of Greater Hartford, is the co-host of Bible Alive! on unity.fm; he also responds to all Bible questions sent to the unity.org website. He has delved deeply into the three writings he calls the Wisdom Gospels, newly discovered and translated after being lost for thousands of years. In this seminar he shares their central message, unique energy and clear relationship to the universal spiritual principles on which Unity is founded.

Stepping Stones for spiritual evolution in multi-generational ministries by Rev. Kathy Kellogg & Rev. Jane Simmons

Discover stepping stones for creating ministry-centered multi-generational spiritual communities and for supporting family-centered spiritual evolution.

Today's ministry is moving beyond the church walls to become a more fluid partnership between ministry-based programming and family-centered spiritual mentorship. Part 1 explores the steps leading to thriving youth and family ministry. Part 2 focuses on creating a program that supports parents as spiritual mentors.

The Ownership Project by Rev. Gary Simmons

The Ownership Project is a straight forward presentation highlighting four strategies for increasing the culture of ownership within the congregation. Topics include:

Understanding and managing the Receivership / Ownership polarity
Moving from tithing to Source to tithing as Source
Member Integrity-shifting to an Intentional Member paradigm
Storycrafting-Showcasing your congregation's spiritual journey
The Shadow Effect-How shadow work can nurture a more emotional mature congregation

This seminar is geared to spiritual leaders and their board members.

Rev. Dr. Gary Simmons is a renowned peacemaker and spiritual leader. He has won personal praise from Ken Wilber for his formulation of an integral model of ministry. Simmons is the author of Unity's best seller The I of the Storm, now in its sixteenth printing. His latest book is The Soul's Conspiracy and he is co-author of The Art & Practice of Living with Nothing and No One Against You. He serves as a private consultant and is a principle partner of The Q Effect, LLC.

Quantum Spirituality by Peter Canova

Are we Living in a giant Hologram? Glimpse a higher reality that can transform your life! Is it possible our real being exists in another dimension? Join us on a tour de force of creation and the origins of humanity. Learn the secret of what it really means to “live in the light.”

The illusory nature of our universe as a holographic play of light
The meaning of consciousness
Quantum physics
The ancient Mystery Schools
Gnosticism
Jungian psychology and Gnostic parallels
The suppressed story of early Christianity
The secret teachings of Jesus
Mary Magdalene and the lost women of the church

Peter Canova's talk examines the startling convergence of science and ancient mysticism in a story that sounds like science fiction! The Gnostic Gospels were unearthed in the Egyptian desert in 1945. Within the worn pages of these scrolls lay a prophetic wisdom that predicted the most far reaching theories of modern quantum physics and psychology in describing the creation of the universe, the origins of humanity, and the nature of our reality. Moreover, the recovered texts portray the early Judaism and Christianity as the Western branches of a radically feminine oriented Universal spiritual tradition that permeated all religions and guided practitioners to a direct experience of the divine. You'll learn the truth about what it means to be living in the Matrix.

For the past thirty years, Peter Canova has researched mainstream and alternative religious/spiritual studies, along with quantum physics. He is considered one of America's foremost authorities on the secret teachings of the Gnostic gospels, the Sacred Feminine, and ancient spiritual traditions. He is the author of the acclaimed spiritual thriller, Pope Annalisa, the winner of an unprecedented seven national book awards in less than a year since its publication.

Viviendo una visión Miguel Corales
Henry Ford fue atraído por una visión, ¿es acaso que solo unos pocos son los que pueden ser llamados o atraídos por una visión? ¿Qué visión nos atrae? ¿Cual visión es del mundo, que visión vive en nosotros. Vivamos nuestra visión

Living a Vision by Miguel Corales

Henry Ford was attracted to a vision. Could it be that only a few may be drawn to a vision? What would the World's vision be? What brings us to these visions? What vision lives within? Let's unveil our vision.

Building a Vibrant Music Ministry by Richard Mekdeci and Sue Riley

Do you want an energetic music ministry that helps your Sunday celebrations? Do you want to draw to you the perfect Music Director who can co-create this ministry? Are you looking for creative ideas on how to fund this position? Are you tired of special events which draw 5 people? What are the steps you might take to weave your band of musicians into a ministerial music ministry?

These are just a few of the ideas that will be shared by Richard Mekdeci and Sue Riley, co-authors of a brand new book "Music In Ministry". These veteran Music Directors and Music lovers have more than 30 years of church music experience between them in addition to coordinating concerts, organizing Sound Connections Music Conference, creating the yearly emPower Posi Music Festival and traveling and presenting at hundreds of Unity and New Thought centers worldwide.
Take advantage of the unique and comprehensive experience Richard and Sue bring to the table.

Pulled by a Vision - How a Unified Identity Pulls People to Your Ministry by Kristen Preud'homme

Together, we are much more powerful than we are acting as separate agents. The Unity Identity Program (branding) creates a clear and cohesive representation of our Unity movement as a whole. Based on extensive research, it is designed to welcome those who are seeking our Unity teachings through your spiritual community. Welcome to this session; ask your questions and find out what's been created to enhance the visibility of your ministry.

Integrating Polarities in your Personal Spiritual Development by Cindy Wigglesworth & Beena Sharma

This seminar will take you into a deeper understanding of how polarities work and the implications of using this lens to better interpret past and emerging realities in your ministries. Building on their keynote, Beena and Cindy will discuss how to take advantage of the energy of polarities in your own spiritual work and how you can in your ministries and in your roles, work with a relevant polarity far enough for it to make a real difference in your individual and collective spiritual journey. You will also gain an awareness of the systemic impact of a collective awareness and integration of the critical polarities in your context. With each polarity, you will be able to: ‘see it, map it, tap it, and track it' - this will include working through exercises pertaining to the polarity(ies) you have most energy for. Cindy and Beena will further review some of the current polarities "at play" for Unity, looking at the larger picture and enable a deeper grasp of the subtle dynamics that reflect in the Unity system. Overall, you will have an opportunity to explore how to integrate these concepts into your sermons and workshops in your local ministries, and facilitate the process for others to glimpse what you will be able to see yourself through this conversation.

Thursday, June 14, 2012
1:30-5:00pm

Heart to Heart -- or Subconscious to Subconscious? By Mitzi Crall

It is said that we only use five to 10 percent of our brains. If that were the case 90 to 95 percent of our brain would be unnecessary. Obviously we use all of our brain. We just use most of it outside of our conscious awareness. Five to 10% of our brain is what we use consciously. In fact, the numbers are more accurately one to12 percent of our brain is used consciously and 88 - 99 percent is used subconsciously. One of the places where our subconscious is most influential is in our relationships. Eighty-eight to 90% of the dynamics that determine the success or failure of relationships happens outside our conscious awareness. This is not limited to our relationship with our significant other, this includes all relationships. And since success in every aspect of our life is determined by how successfully we interact with those around us, this seminar has the potential to impact your life in a myriad of ways. Unless you live in an isolated bubble the information delivered during this seminar has the potential to transform and change your life.

Learn how right- and left-brain dominance determines how we use language. Understand why we are automatically attracted to our opposites. And discover the keys to keeping interactions on an even keel by recognizing the role of inferred and direct language and how it correlates to right- and left-brain dominance.

If you are tired of hearing variations on familiar themes and want to learn something unique, insightful and useful, this is the seminar for you.

Energy Management: A Revolutionary New Approach to Self Mastery by Jackie Woodside

Everyone today speaks of being overwhelmed, overloaded, stressed and burned out. It is an epidemic in our culture that leaves people disempowered and not fully able to deliver on their mission and purpose. Energy Management is a revolutionary approach to increasing effectiveness, productivity and peace of mind. It is based on the latest scientific research on human consciousness and potential, as well as on deep spiritual and metaphysical truths.
This Energy Management workshop will help you

Gain an understanding of your current relationship with time
Throw away your lengthy “to do” lists that cause stress, overwhelm and leave you feeling ineffective
Find out what feeds and drains your energy
Identify your core values and how to live in alignment with them
How your level of consciousness impacts your experience in life and relationship with time
Enhance your life with a tremendous increase in productivity, clarity, purpose, power and satisfaction

You will not find another system like this one! It is UNIQUE, WILD and most of all – IT WORKS!

Jackie Woodside is an expert professional coach specializing in purpose and productivity – supporting people in being their “God-Self-on-Earth.” She is a gifted speaker and workshop facilitator. She has spoken at numerous Unity churches, was a featured speaker at the Unity Eastern Region Conference and was a featured trainer in the Association of Unity Churches Enlightened Leaders Program. Jackie is a member of Unity on the River in Amesbury, Massachusetts where she served on their Board of Trustees for 6 years, five of those as the Board President.

Just 1% More by Bukeka Shoals

I believe what we are seeing from Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street is a cry for compassion, peace, and greater desire for connection. These qualities are rising up in a collective consciousness and calling for a greater awareness of our individual spiritual awakening.

In Unity we have the knowing that Divine intelligence is in effect and we already have all we require to be the compassion, the peace, and connection being called for in the world today. The question is how do we express these qualities in a greater way, if even 1% More than we have ever been before, as individualized expressions of God for ourselves and for the world.

This seminar invites participants to fully surrender into this “1 percent more” by being mindful of choosing compassion, peace and connection with source and all that is.

Building Effective Ministry Teams by Rev. Cher and Rev. Bill Holton

We all know that Ministry Teams offer opportunities for your congregants to use their gifts in sacred service. The challenge is to build effective, inspired, dedicated, functioning teams where all team members are living our Truth Principles as they produce successful outcomes which contribute to your thriving spiritual community! In this dynamic, highly interactive session, you will discover team building techniques and activities you can take back to your church to use with your Board, your leadership team, your volunteers, and your congregation to create a powerful spiritual synergy. This is a not-to-be-missed session that gives you incredible take a ways you can put to use immediately!

Combine a flair for the dramatic, a deep understanding of metaphysics, and a zest for ministry, and you have defined the dynamic duo of Revs. Drs. Bil & Cher Holton. For nearly 7 years, they have served as co-ministers at Unity Spiritual Life Center in Durham, NC. Add their experience as corporate team building consultants since 1984, and you have the ingredients for practical, proven content! This exciting couple brings their love for Truth Principles to everything they do, as they share techniques to help you build your church/spiritual center so it lives its vision and mission in everything it does.

Streaming Your Ministry Live.. . and Other Tech Things by Rev. Brian Griffin

In this session you will be introduced to information that is of the utmost importance to you and your ministry. Most of us are aware of the advances in technology, however are not aware of how technology can enhance churches, spiritual center and ministries. It is up to us as ministers and spiritual leaders to provide our churches, spiritual centers and ministries with a service arm that extends beyond physical and geographical borders. To accomplish this, let's get acquainted with the ELECTRONIC CHURCH.

The information offered in this session will allow us to reach out to members and potential congregants that are current with the times and personal at the same time. With the use of streaming, video conferencing, and an interactive classroom, your church, spiritual center, or ministry will take on a new face and reach beyond current outreach methods. Everything presented in this session may not be for you; however, there will be something you can use to enhance your ministry. What ever level your computer knowledge is, there will be something for you.

An Introduction to the Enneagram by Carol Saunders

Knowing ourselves is a spiritual practice. When we understand the constructs of our personality, we have greater leverage to choose higher states of being. The Enneagram is a tool that can help us identify the underlying motivations behind our behaviors and point the way back to our original Essence. It also can help us better understand other people in our lives and why they do what they do. In this 3 1/2 hour seminar, you will get a broad overview of the spiritual dimension of the Enneagram and each of the nine personality types. We will also touch on each of the types' leadership styles.

Presented by Carol Saunders, Founder/Spiritual Leader of Abundant Life Unity Church. Carol is a Licensed Unity Teacher and ordained Interfaith Minister. Abundant Life Unity Church was pioneered in 2010 and is located in Deerfield, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago. She has been a student of the Enneagram for 15 years and has led classes/lectures on the Enneagram since 2004.

Learning to Unlearn by Rev. Magaly Sanchez

Rev. Magaly Sanchez is a natural-born Dominican Republic citizen. She is a Medical Doctor specializing in Pediatrics and Perinatologist. She is currently an Associate Minister of Unity en Dominicana, Inc. and Director of the Unity National School in the Dominican Republic.

Synopsis item to develop:
“You are the source. You are creating everything with your mind. Out of you there is nothing. Everything is a projection… we all are different aspects of the One the Allness; we just need to change our perception.” This last quote is based on Unity's third spiritual principle: law of mind action—cause—we are what we believe, but we also create what we are.

Knowing all of this is not enough, we must apply it in our lives. As Unity's fifth spiritual principle says, a person must live the Truth he or she knows. So we will be “United in One Vision: to bring into manifestation a new world that works for all.”

Creating Intentional Prosperity by Rev. Toni Boehm and Rev. Pat Bessey

Want to revitalize a consciousness of prosperity in your ministry? Do you understand the difference between prosperity and abundance? Are you aware that just a few short years ago 55% of all charitable dollars went to churches; today that number has dwindled to 33%. Do you wonder what has changed that has affected the giving?
What you can expect from this workshop!

How culture affects financial stability
What are the generational groups that live within your giving community and how do you communicate effectively with each group?
An understanding of what constitutes a great ASK letter
A clear vision, ideas, and tools on how to create a consciousness of abundance that works!
How to create a shift in consciousness regarding abundance, finances, and tithing

As Unity ministers, we believe that spiritual principles work and that the tools taught in this workshop will shift both the culture and conversation within your spiritual community.

Comments from participants:

“Many specifics and take-aways”
“A new approach to prosperity/abundance”
“Loved the organization of the material and Pat and Toni's enthusiasm.”
“All of it and its practicality.”
“Gave me clarity as prosperity ideas were reframed.”
“A real shift in seeing my members in a more understanding way.”

“Being” an Enlightened Leader

So, what's the difference between a traditional leader and an “enlightened” leader? Can you define the distinction? More importantly, do you know how to get there once you do?

Join other enthusiastic leaders as we explore the key Unity leadership dimensions that are necessary in order for you to truly embody leadership excellence. Know the inherent attitudes and skills that combine to make up your ability to effectively perform as an enlightened leader within a truly thriving ministry.

In this workshop, we will clearly articulate the Leadership Dimensions and individual actions that are critical to creating the vision for a thriving ministry in all aspects. We'll explore how to bring these leadership dimensions to life and learn how to practically use these leadership attributes in board and key leader selection, development and accountabilities. You won't be able to wait to get back and practice these skills!