Daily traditional prayer services have been held at Unity Village for employees since the 1920s. In 2008 a new kind of service was created—one that incorporates a variety of meditation and prayer elements.

Jenny Hahn, graphic designer at Unity, and Rachel Simpson, student at Unity Institute, brought the idea of an alternative prayer service to Unity President and CEO Charlotte Shelton. Hahn remembers: “Charlotte said, ‘Okay then, come up with it.'” So that's what the two did with the help of a few others.

They worked to create a meditation service that combines both community-building activities and sacred time in the silence. The new service launched on March 6, 2008, and is called Sacred Circle.

Since that time, the service has become a mainstay at Unity Village. Employees, students and visitors on campus join together every Thursday at 11 a.m. “We are so happy that people find value in the service,” says Hahn. “It's been really fun to watch it evolve over the last two years.”

When developing the format for Sacred Circle, Hahn and Simpson wanted to incorporate elements for mind, body and spirit. “We believe there are many different ways to pray,” says Simpson, a ministerial student at Unity Institute. “And we wanted to incorporate many different elements into Sacred Circle.”

While the service has a consistent format every time, a new volunteer facilitator leads each week. Upon arrival, participants find a light-hearted atmosphere with “wiggle music” playing in the background. The facilitator selects upbeat, positive music, and participants are given a few moments to dance or stretch if they so choose. “We wanted to create something experiential,” Simpson explains. “We wanted people who sit at desks all day to have a chance to move their bodies.”

Lila Herrmann, a copyeditor at Unity, really likes the contemporary music and upbeat ambience. “I think it's energizing.”

Also during “wiggle time,” participants are given an opportunity to fill out prayer request forms, which are held in Silent Unity for prayer.

Next, each participant receives a small card with a spiritual quote—often from a Unity classic author—which is also selected by the facilitator. Participants then come together to discuss the spiritual quotes in small groups. “We wanted to make writers like Unity's co-founder, Charles Fillmore more accessible [to everyone at Unity],” Simpson says.

“It's social fellowship [that draws me to Sacred Circle],” says Sally Falk, a graphic designer at Unity. “I enjoy having the opportunity to explore these topics and authors with my co-workers. So often we are caught up in our daily duties, but Sacred Circle gives us a chance to stop and discuss core Unity ideas.”
 
After discussing the quotes for a few minutes, participants sit in a circle around the room with a “singing bowl” in the middle. The singing bowl is the heart of the Sacred Circle service. The facilitator directs everyone to get comfortable and close his/her eyes. The facilitator then “plays” the bowl for about 10 minutes. The bowl's reverberation resonates throughout the room and is the only sound heard. “I love the chance to meditate in the silence,” Herrmann explains.

Since its inception, ministers in other locations have adapted the Sacred Circle concept for their own purposes. “I like the interactive aspect of it, and the opportunity to explore ideas and share them with others,” says Rev. Lynne O'Dell, senior minister of Unity of Toledo in Ohio.

Laura Harvey, editor of Daily Word® magazine sums up her experiences at Sacred Circle. “It gives me a chance to refocus and recenter myself during the midst of a busy day. I love the opportunity to mingle with co-workers, discuss spiritual topics and then spend a few moments in the silence.”

 

If you are at Unity Village, Sacred Circle takes place on Thursdays at 11 a.m. at the south end of the Administration Building. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Find Sacred Circle on Twitter.