April 2012 Update

Things are in full swing as we prepare for graduation, weddings, retreats and more!
 
Unity Institute and Seminary hopes to see you at the commencement ceremony as we graduate 16 students on the evening of June 7. We will again join with Unity Worldwide Ministries for a single service where students will receive their degrees and be licensed and ordained at the Activities Center at Unity Village.

We just completed our fifth Annual Lyceum with keynote Matthew Fox and it was, as in years past, enlightening, educational and lively! There were many great presentations by scholars from around the country and our own UI students. In conjunction with Lyceum, we also had our special weekend retreat for members of our 1910 Society. UI's top donors spent a weekend learning more about what we do and helping us plan the next great successes for the Institute.

You're also invited to check out our summer schedule of classes. In addition to Spiritual Enrichment and Education (SEE) classes on campus, you're welcome to audit or to take for credit one or more of our condensed summer graduate classes. These include:

•    Change Management and Strategic Growth in your ministry with Rev. Ian Lawton.
•    Gender Issues and Feminist Theology with Dr. Nancy Howell.
•    Storytelling and Reader's Theater with Dr. Robert Fish.

We are also busily getting ready for our next SEE on-campus sessions beginning July 15 and our special SEE NGU week August 5–11. Of course, self-paced classes can be started anytime and anyone can take the free Unity Today class online. For more information or to learn about scholarship funds available for SEE, simply email see@unityonline.org. Many of these events and classes are available at free or reduced rates to members of our Alumni Assocation, which is open to both LUT's and ministers. Join now and be a part of this great group to support UI, connect with our future spiritual leaders, and share your wisdom with our students!

Finally, we're very excited about our second annual spiritual and educational journey. This year we're going to Cruise the Mediterranean and learn about Unity's connections to sites such as Ephesus, Istanbul, Split and more. Be sure to watch this newsletter and our website as we will soon be announcing our 2013 destination!
 
In the Retreats and Events department, we have our first Silent Meditation retreat May 27–June 1. As well, our Life Coaching is growing by leaps and bounds … be sure to check it out and share it with others. Special retreat pricing for groups of just 10 or more, amazing presenters like Sonia Choquette and Rev. Mary Omwake, and a rapidly filling calendar of presenters (we're already booking for 2013 and beyond) means that now is the time to customize a retreat for your group and “Come Home to Unity.”

 As always, the Unity Village Bookstore and Coffee Shop has all new gift items, books and Unity-branded apparel and items for you. And of course it's a great spot to enjoy lunch, a Starbucks® coffee drink, or treat yourself to a sweet indulgence like our delicious scones.
 
If you just need a personal getaway, remember we have the beautiful and environmentally friendly, LEED-certified Unity Village Hotel awaiting you! Plan your weekend now for rest, relaxation, and reconnecting with Spirit.

From everyone in Education and Events, thanks for all you do and we look forward to seeing you at the Village soon!


 

February 2012 Update

It is a busy time for Unity Institute® and Seminary and the Retreats and Events Department!
 
Students had another successful round of Licensing and Ordination interviews as we prepare to graduate 16 students on the evening of June 7. Students are very busy this year in church internships around the country, chaplaincy internships with our new partner, Research Medical Center, and internships in the Telephone Prayer Ministry. If your church would like to have a student ministerial intern or student speaker at your center, contact Rev. Claudell County at countych@unityonline.org or Rev. Mark Fuss at admissions@unityonline.org.

As well, many students, along with other scholars, are preparing papers for our fifth annual Lyceum, April 11–14, with guest keynote Matthew Fox. This special event will coincide with our 1910 Society weekend, recognizing UI's top donors, and the events will be topped off by a special Cosmic Mass on Saturday, April 14.

We're also thrilled that Rev. Ian Lawton will be returning this summer to teach a class for the Institute in conjunction with a special weekend retreat. 

SEE is busy with our next on-campus sessions, beginning March 12 and online sessions beginning in early April. Of course, self-paced classes can be started anytime, and anyone can take the free Unity Today class online. For more information or to learn about scholarship funds available for SEE, simply email see@unityonline.org.

We're thrilled that the Heart-Centered Metaphysics Workbook is now available! And in 2012, we'll be rolling out online registration and other features to make it even easier for churches to enroll students for credit.

Many of these events and classes are available at free or reduced rates to members of our Alumni Association, which is open to both LUT's and ministers. Join now and be a part of this great group to support UI, connect with our future spiritual leaders, and share your wisdom with our students!

Finally, we're very excited about our second annual spiritual and educational journey. This year we're going to Cruise the Mediterranean and learn about Unity's connections to sites such as Ephesus, Istanbul, Split and more. There is still time to join us on this wonderful journey with nearly 40 Unity friends.
 
In the Retreats and Events Department, we have many wonderful retreats focused on prayer, meditation and the power of you! Also, our Life Coaching program is growing by leaps and bounds. Be sure to check it out and share it with others. With special retreat pricing for groups of just 10 or more, amazing presenters like Sonia Choquette and Rev. Mary Omwake, and our calendar filling sooner every year (we're already booking for 2013), now is the time to customize a retreat for your group and “Come Home to Unity.”

As always, the Unity Village Bookstore and Coffee Shop has new gift items, books and Unity-branded apparel and items for you. While you're there, enjoy a Starbucks® coffee drink, a scone or even a freshly prepared sandwich or salad.
 
If you just need a personal getaway, remember we have the beautiful and environmentally friendly LEED-certified Unity Hotel awaiting you with a new loyalty program that rewards you with free nights!

From everyone in Education and Events, thanks for all you do, and we look forward to seeing you at the Village soon!

 

December 2011 Update

We are truly blessed this season in the Education and Events and Retreats departments! 
 
At Unity Institute® and Seminary, we have increased our enrollment in the ministerial program by 20% this year (including 17 online students!), and our students enjoyed the recent talks with Bishop John Shelby Spong and Rev. Ian Lawton. In addition, members of the Alumni Association were able to attend for free, watch the livestream, or catch it on podcast. Ian will be back to teach next summer, and of course we have our upcoming Lyceum in April with Matthew Fox followed by a Cosmic Mass that weekend. Come join us!

And speaking of the Alumni Assocation, which is open to both LUT's and ministers, we're looking for dedicated members who wish to serve as officers and take this group to its next level…for more information, contact me collinstj@unityonline.org and I'll let you know how to get involved!

SEE is also expanding, offering not only online and on campus classes, but also a new beta test of classes from the Village via Skype. And in 2012 we'll be rolling out online registration and other features to make it even easier for churches to enroll students for credit.

Of course, if your church would like to have a student ministerial intern, participate in Seminary Sunday, or simply have one of us come speak at your center, contact Rev. Claudell County at countych@unityonline.org or Rev. Mark Fuss at admissions@unityonline.org.  We are here to help!

Finally, we're very excited about our second annual spiritual and educational journey. This year we're going to Cruise the Mediterranean and learn about Unity's connections to sites such as Ephesus, Istanbul, Split, and more. We hope you'll be a part of this wonderful journey that already has nearly 40 Unity friends on board.
 
In the Retreats and Events department, we've heard the feedback and are now offering retreats as a single package with meals included, and are pleased to be in our third year in a row without a price increase. We've also listened to your requests and now offer special pricing for groups of just 10 or more! With our calendar filling sooner every year (we're already booking for 2013) now is the time to customize a retreat for your group and “Come Home to Unity”! 
 
As always, the Unity Village Bookstore and Coffee Shop has all new gift items, books and Unity branded gear for you. While you're there, enjoy a Starbucks® coffee drink, a scone or even a freshly prepared sandwich or salad.
 
If you just need a personal getaway, remember we have the beautiful and environmentally friendly, LEED-certified Unity Hotel awaiting you with a new loyalty program that rewards you with free nights! 
 
Blessings,
 
Dean Ted

 

October 2011 Update
 
Many exciting events are occurring in the Education and Events and Retreats departments!

At Unity Institute® and Seminary, our students are being treated to two exclusive workshops with well-known names in Unity. Recently Rev. Temple Hayes met with students for Speaking With Power and Confidence: How to Be Heard and in November they will spend a day with Bishop John Shelby Spong prior to the Rescuing Christianity From the Brink lecture and workshop from November 10 to November 13. Both of these student events are made possible through donations and we are grateful! Members of UI's Alumni Association are also invited to join Bishop Spong and the students the afternoon of November 10.

Donations also made it possible for UI to award more than $100,000 in tuition scholarships to students in SEE and the Ministerial and Religious Studies programs. This includes the recent awarding of the Mary Jane Ondr Scholarship that provides full tuition to second-year student Jesse Tanner.

Our faculty is very busy this year offering a full year of courses (including online classes), publishing books and articles, and speaking at churches and conferences. If you would like a faculty member or student to speak at your church, contact Rev. Claudell County at countych@unityonline.org or if you'd like to make it a part of your Seminary Sunday, feel free to contact Rev. Mark Fuss at admissions@unityonline.org.

For updates about our church internships, online classes and student perspectives be sure to catch the podcast of Village Events and Voices from October 3, 2011.

In the Retreats and Events department we have seen more weddings, more external events and more visitors to the Village this year, including groups of 300 and more. Customize a retreat for your group and “Come Home to Unity” this year! We're also excited to be renovating two of our cottages for next year's IYOU gathering!

As always, the Unity Village Bookstore and Coffee Shop has all new gift items, books and Unity branded gear for you. While you're there, enjoy a Starbucks® coffee drink, a scone or even a freshly prepared sandwich or salad.

If you just need a personal getaway, remember we have the beautiful and environmentally friendly, LEED-certified Unity Hotel awaiting you.
 
Blessings,
 
Dean Ted

August 2011 Update
 
We are having a very busy Retreats and Events season this summer and are gearing up for an exciting fall term at Unity Institute® and Seminary.

The Retreats and Events department has seen more people and companies—including 50 weddings and nearly 30 receptions this year—choosing Unity Village for meetings, retreats, workshops and more. After many successful retreats such as Sonia Choquette, the Spanish Prayer Retreat, and YOU, we look forward to upcoming special events with Rev. Jim Rosemergy, Bishop John Shelby Spong, Rabbi Rami Shapiro and our own Rev. Tom Shepherd's “Write Now” retreat. Find more information on all of these on the Retreats and Events calendar. Your church group can also plan your own customizable “Come Home to Unity” retreat!

The Hotel and Conference Center has been very active, with many fully-booked weekends, thanks in part to listings on Expedia, Travelocity and other venues. A new Loyalty Program has also been initiated to reward those who repeatedly choose Unity Village as their destination of choice.

The bookstore is now offering even more Unity-branded products, additional food items, and of course, the best deal on Starbucks in the metro area! Be sure to stop by next time you're at the Village to check out the new gift items, books and more. And while you're shopping, stop by the Inn to get some of the special Unity blend coffee and enjoy the new recipes that Chef Michael has for you!

At the Institute, we are welcoming eight new candidates for interviews in September, and now offer almost one third of our graduate credits online. We had our first ever Spiritual Education and Enrichment (SEE) week dedicated to NGU (Next Generation of Unity), attracting nearly 20 students, many of whom were new to both SEE and the Village.

The Library and Archives is busy with the recently acquired Eric Butterworth collection and a part-time archivist has been hired dedicated to the materials. Eric's lectures and Sunday sermons are being remastered into mp3 recordings. We are thrilled to have Eric Page, recently graduated with his M.Div., back as our full-time Unity Archivist.

Finally, we have launched our new Student Information System, which will go live online during the next year. This system allows students to register online for both the graduate program and SEE. Churches will also have the ability to list their SEE classes in one convenient place allowing students to register directly with UI for their credits!

Of course UI is continuing its offering of spiritual and educational opportunities with such exciting experiences as our spring “Cruise the Ancient Empires” trip, the 1910 Society and more.

For information on these and the many other events taking place, tune in to Village Events and Voices on Unity Online Radio, Mondays at 2 p.m. (CT).
 
Blessings,
 
Dean Ted

June 2011 Update
 
The Events and Retreats department at Unity is in full swing for summer, and Unity Institute® and Seminary (UI) has many exciting plans for this year.
 
The recent graduation and licensing and ordination ceremony was beautiful as 10 students graduated before a large crowd in the Unity Village Chapel. Many more people watched the ceremony via livestream, and Rev. David MacArthur, chair of the Unity Worldwide Ministries Board, gave a moving keynote address.
 
At this year's People's Convention, the UI table was popular and our opening night wine and cheese reception brought many alumni together. With 40 new members of the UI Alumni Association, our group is growing fast. We have many additional offerings available for members this year.
 
UI's first spiritual and educational international trip to Egypt in 2011 was a great success. A 2012 trip is planned to the Mediterranean. Cruise the Ancient Empires is scheduled for April 30–May 12, 2012.  Join us as we sail to exciting ports such as Venice, Istanbul, ancient Ephesus, the Greek Islands and more!
 
UI now offers almost a full year's worth of graduate level classes online and all SEE A and B courses are available online. In addition, we are expanding our SEE offerings on campus to include an exciting week of SEE for NGU in August.
 
Our retreat calendar is packed with many wonderful events including great presenters such as Karen Drucker, Lori Sandstrom, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Rev. Robin Reiter and more. Put together a group from your church and get special pricing on many of these events by contacting Rev. Carla McClellan, retreats manager at Unity Village.
 
We're also very busy with many weddings and corporate events on grounds. We've had 30 weddings and many more are scheduled. Recently we hosted an outside group of over 800 people for weekend meetings.
 
Our green LEED-certified hotel has been busy with many retreat guests, and the campus bookstore has many wonderful new items each month. Be sure to schedule time to come stay at the Village, shop and enjoy the fountains and other wonderful amenities on campus.
 
For more information on the latest happenings at Unity Village, I invite you to listen to Village Events and Voices on Unity Online Radio on Mondays at 2 p.m. CT. Free podcasts of the show are also available for download 24/7.
 
Blessings,
 
Dean Ted

April 2011 Update

We continue to move forward in many exciting ways at Unity Institute® and Seminary. 

The new Alumni Association provides members numerous discounts at Unity Village, access to an alumni Facebook community, free admission to Lyceum 2011, a special members-only reception during this year's People's Convention, and exclusive member-only offerings with special guests such as Bishop John Shelby Spong. I invite you to explore this new opportunity.

We are also thrilled to be offering more online courses than ever before in both SEE and the graduate program. In addition, our F1 Visa renewal is complete, allowing international students to attend the ministerial program at Unity Village.

We are proud to be launching our first-ever SEE week geared specifically to NGU'ers [Next Generation of Unity] in August. Learn more on Facebook.

Our Retreats and Events department is very busy this year with a record number of weddings and receptions, events and, of course, Unity-based retreats for ministers, congregants and the general public. Check out the events calendar to see how many Unity ministers are a part of this year's schedule, or sign up now to make your own special trip to the Village.

For more information on the latest news from Unity Village, I invite you to listen to Village Events and Voices on Unity Online Radio, Mondays at 2 p.m. CT. Podcasts of the programs are available 24/7 for free.

Listen to this episode in which Charlotte Shelton, president and CEO of Unity, and I along with other participants discuss the highlights of Unity's recent trip to Egypt.

Dean Ted

January 2011 Update

As we begin the new year, I am gratefully aware that 2011 is going to be a big year for Unity Institute and Seminary. There is so much happening on campus.  

At Unity Library and Archives, staff are busy itemizing and digitizing the numerous papers, tapes and other items received from the Eric Butterworth Foundation and the estate of Olga Butterworth. Many items will be made available through the archives and in the online store in the next few months.

The Unity Institute Alumni Association, open to licensed Unity teachers and Unity ministers, continues to add new members. There will be a variety of events in the coming year. To learn more or to become a class representative, contact Rev. Mark Fuss at 816-251-3535, Ext. 2110.

Lyceum 2011 is just around the corner—April 13–16, 2011. In addition to student presentations, this year's Lyceum will include keynote presentations from Rev. Dr. Paul Alan Laughlin, Dr. Donald Rothberg and the venerable Bhante Wimala, who will explore how the concept of Buddhist compassion can accelerate world peace.

Blessings and gratitude,
Dean Ted

October/November 2010 Update

Unity Institute® is definitely “in the flow” with many exciting programs, new courses and beautiful new fountains flowing in our courtyard. The energy is vibrant, and our students, staff and faculty are enjoying the start of a new term.

We continue to expand our online offerings including all SEE A and B courses and will soon be online with 15 courses in the graduate program. As well, we are offering Unity for Today (SEE's introductory online course) free to anyone who is curious about learning more about SEE and our online offerings.

In other news, our Alumni Association has grown to more than 100 ministers and licensed Unity teachers and continues to expand with volunteers who are stepping forward to be class representatives, plan alumni functions, and shape the future of this exciting organization.  

Plans are also in place for our Fourth Annual Lyceum in which scholars, teachers and graduate students will meet at Unity Village, April 2011, to present papers on “Spiritual Studies From a Global Perspective: The Ongoing East-West Dialogue.” We are thrilled to have keynotes, workshops and other activities, including special guests Rev. Dr. Paul Alan Laughlin, Dr. Donald Rothberg and The Venerable Bhante Y. Wimala.

A special thanks to the numerous churches and centers that have invited us to speak for Seminary Sunday and shown the informative Unity Institute video. Our admissions representative, Rev. Mark Fuss, has enjoyed meeting and talking with many of you at the regional and subregional conferences.  

It is through your continued support that we have been able to expand our course offerings, make our beloved Library and Archives more readily available, and award more than $100,000 in scholarships in 2010–11 to our future spiritual leaders in SEE and the ministerial program.  

Blessings and gratitude,

Dean Ted

August/September 2010 Update

As summer winds down, we continue to have great enthusiasm about the progress being made at Unity Institute. We recently renewed our F-1 Visa eligibility for our diploma program, which opens the door for foreign students to attend classes at Unity Village. In addition, we have 24 Spiritual Education and Enrichment classes available online now and will offer a total of 15 graduate classes online by the end of this year.

We recently launched The Myrtle Fillmore Collection—an online exhibit that profiles the personal writings and correspondence of Myrtle Fillmore. I'd like to extend a big thank you to the class of 2006—whose donations contributed to making this project possible. This exhibit makes Myrtle Fillmore's works more widely accessible to the public and Unity leaders.

Also in archives news, we are thrilled to be cataloguing and preparing the Eric Butterworth Collection, which was recently transferred to us by the Eric Butterworth Foundation. Look for more information about this collection coming soon.

I am pleased to note that the Unity Institute Alumni Association now has over 50 minister/LUT members and continues to grow.

Churches are also signing up to have faculty and staff speak at their centers as part of the Unity Institute Seminary Sunday program, which officially kicks off in October.

Many thanks on behalf of the students, staff and faculty of Unity Institute for your continued support. 
 
Blessings,
 
Dean Ted

June/July 2010 Update

I am thrilled to be back from the Peoples' Convention in San Diego where we welcomed dozens of new members to the new Unity Institute Alumni Association. We also launched the Institute's Seminary Sunday campaign with a new DVD and reported to the field about the many exciting developments at Unity Institute.

We have launched two new Fillmore classes in the SEE program (one specifically focused on Myrtle's writings), and I am proud to announce that we have expanded our online course offerings to include alI SEE courses plus 10 courses in the Ministry and Religious Studies program. In addition, we have five more online classes under development.

The Eric Butterworth Foundation recently donated a collection of Eric Butterworth's audio recordings, lectures, sermons and more to the Unity Library and Archives. Unity staff are currently sorting and documenting the items.

We are also moving forward with a dedicated online archive for Myrtle Fillmore's writings and photos, which will be unveiled in August 2010.

With nine graduates this June heading into the field and 19 new students expected this year, we see wonderful growth and a bright future for the Institute and the Unity movement. Many thanks to all of you who continue to support our future spiritual leaders. We are truly blessed.
 

April/May 2010 Update
“It was just a year and a half ago that I boldly stepped out of a position without a new job in place,” remembers Collins. “I knew I no longer belonged in that role, but did not know where my next calling would be …yet Spirit answered. Immediately upon resigning my position, I unexpectedly received a financial gift that would tide me over for three months, so I was able to take time to sit in the silence and see where I was guided. Coincidentally the job at Unity appeared and, after the application, interview and hiring process, it was virtually three months to the day that I began my new position.”

Many exciting initiatives are under way at Unity Institute under Collins' direction. “The first graduates of the master's and certificate programs have entered the world,” he says. “Our accreditation process is moving forward, and we welcomed a dozen new future ministers to our programs.”

In addition, Unity Institute continues to expand its online course offerings and recently welcomed Rev. Mark Fuss as a full-time admissions representative.

Unity Institute is also launching its first-ever alumni association in May. “Creating a full-fledged alumni association will bring our past, present and future ministers together while building a strong alliance with the Unity Worldwide Ministries (formerly the Association), Unity School and Unity Institute to ensure a prosperous future for the movement,” notes Collins.