Every month within the Youth and Family Ministries program at the Unity Center of Peace, we study one of the 12 Powers. In January, we looked at the Power of Faith, which is the “Power of Perception, Conviction, and Expectancy” (from Divine Audacity by Linda Martella-Whitesett). The lessons often started out with the children breaking some kind of bread, e.g., Hawaiian sweet bread, pita, gluten free baguettes, biscuits, tortilla, etc. Breaking bread, or having a meal together, is a symbol of our family as a community. We eat together and share in our words of wisdom that we have heard from our friends, our parents, a teacher, or someone else. 

Throughout the month of January 2026, the YFM program has been looking at different Faith Leaders, and they have used this as their medium for expressing their Power of Faith. Each week we have learned about three Leaders, which means the children were briefly introduced to who each leader was, or is, and how they enacted their Faith. Three people can be a lot to get across, particularly if that person is famous, unknown, or offers a big concept to unpack. So at the YFM program we have decided to write this blog to provide a resource for the children and their parents to those we have studied. Some of them are global leaders.  Some of them are personal to the YFM director and the YFM assistant. Much of this information has been pulled from the Internet and should be used as directional signage towards deepening you and your children's knowledge. We encourage you to dive deeper into a Faith Leader as the process of studying them can lead you deeper into your own Power of Faith. 

As we are waking up today with perhaps a new and austere form of spiritual sobriety, the memory comes to mind of one iconic film-and-dancing star who was herself a kind of lone iconic woo-woo individual in her own right: Shirley MacLaine.

From the central currents of mainstream orthodoxy, we ourselves may also qualify as “woo-woo”—odd, eccentric, strange.

A newly recognized, outstanding Oxford scientist—another amazing “star lady”—-astrophysicist-cosmologist Jude (Judith) Currivan, asserts that what was once perhaps rightly called “woo-woo,” is now becoming validated as a “personal interconnectedness of human-wholeness.”

As Jude explains, what once was truly “woo-woo” has now become truly “we-we.” That is to say: Seen as a living species, we are far more interconnected than we are actually divided.

For more on this, please see her recent lucid books, for I am far too limited to qualify as “guide.” [ “The Cosmic Hologram” and “The Story of Gaia” — fascinating, though not quite “easy reading” ]

Our very own Gaines Steer recently organized an interview with a reporter from The Daily Tar Heel, an independent student newspaper of UNC, to write an article about our Outdoor Sacred Spaces. A spirited UNC student journalist named Ella interviewed Gaines Steer, Mark Smith, Katja Sage and Rev. Victoria a couple of weeks ago to get an indepth story about the Medicine Wheel, Labyrinth and Serenity Trail with a sprinkling of details about Unity Center of Peace as a spiritual community. We are thrilled to present the the final piece that is published on their website.  

READ ARTICLE HERE

Our souls need education
Just to find out who we are.

Our Lights must be uncovered
to see clearly where we are.

Our journey without distance
from head to heart and back

reveals a Wealth within us
With no limit and no lack.

A Fullness without measure
Overflows with Love and cheer,

Unity Center of Peace will be honoring two outstanding African Americans each Sunday in February.

Starting Sunday, August 6 th we will be exploring a new way of thinking about, and experiencing
abundance in all areas: Health, Love, Wealth and Happiness. This series is inspired by Derek
Rydall’s book The Abundance Project. Each Sunday we’ll explore a new chapter where we’ll
discover spiritual principles guaranteed to transform our understanding of prosperity. In
addition to the Sunday series, we will be hosting a book study to dive more deeply into these
principles…and there are two ways to join: In person Sunday after the service with Marea
Kavanagh facilitating, and via Zoom on Monday evening with Rev. Victoria.

Here are Marea’s personal thoughts on the material:
“As I have started reading The Abundance Project in advance of our upcoming book study, it
has become abundantly clear (pun intended) that I am thirsting for these insights.  Again and
again, I find myself reading and re-reading a paragraph that speaks to me…making notes…and
contemplating how these Spiritual Truths apply to aspects of my life where I’m currently
struggling.  I’ve had more than a few ‘aha’ moments and I’m only on the second chapter.  And
in a world that feels increasingly out of control and full of struggle, I’m also considering how
these Principles apply to the ‘big picture’, and what is ours to do? I’d love to have a
conversation about this.   

I’m excited at the thought of a group of us in the Sanctuary on Sunday afternoons, or on Zoom
on Monday evenings, sharing of ourselves, supporting each other, and coming together in
Oneness as we integrate the Abundance Principles into our lives. If you are new to this
community, what a perfect way to grasp the spiritual Principles while making new friends. If
you are concerned that you may not have time to stay caught up with the reading every week,
please do not worry!  We are using this book as a guide to a much bigger conversation that I’m
sure you will enjoy participating in.  And if you know you won’t be able to attend every week,
join us anyway. We all have busy lives and your presence some of the time is much better than
none of the time.  I have a very deep sense that this is going to be a special 6 weeks.”

As an exciting bonus the book’s author (and personal life coach to many celebrities) Derek
Rydall, will be joining us live, via Zoom, for a free coaching call!! But you need to register for the
book study to get the Zoom link. Click here to register now - https://unitychapelhill.org/spiritual-support/upcoming-book-studies/

And to access the weekly book study guides, click here - https://mailchi.mp/6990242016e4/theabundanceprojectstudyguide

On the journey to deepen our relationship with God, one of the most powerful ways for us to commune with Spirit is through a disciplined spiritual practice. These practices are many and can vary from the simple (but powerful) gift of gratitude to affirmations, deep meditation, contemplation and many more. In any pursuit, a spiritual practice reveals the key that unlocks the gates of heaven and allows us the opportunity to recognize God’s innate qualities on Earth. When we consistently engage in our practice, we demonstrate a deep commitment to our spiritual growth. Commitment to spiritual growth is not an easy path, and  it takes more than irregular  practice or a Sunday service to see lasting and impactful vibrational changes. Spirit is a way of life; and a powerful way to live that is filled with self-love, self-respect and constant surrender that results in personal freedom and liberation. Disciplined practice allows us to be available to Spirit and supports our alignment with the divine flow of the Universe.