What We Believe:
Unity
is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based
on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the
universal truths in all religions and respects each individual's right
to choose a spiritual path.
God is Spirit, the loving source of all that is. God is the one power,
all good, everywhere present, all wisdom. God is divine energy, continually
creating, expressing and sustaining all creation. In God, we live and
move and have our being. In Unity, some other ways we speak of God are
Life, Light, Love, Substance, Principle, Law and Universal Mind.
We believe that Jesus expressed his divine potential and sought to show
humankind how to express ours as well. We see Jesus as a master teacher
of universal truths and as our Way Shower. In Unity, we use the term
Christ to mean the divinity in humankind. Jesus is the great example
of the Christ in expression.
We are each individual, eternal expressions of God. Our essential nature
is divine and therefore inherently good. Our purpose is to express our
divine potential as realized and demonstrated by Jesus and other master
teachers. The more we awaken to our divine nature, the more fully God
expresses in and through our lives.
Unity founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore studied the Bible as history
and allegory and interpreted it as a metaphysical representation of
humankind's evolutionary journey toward spiritual awakening. In addition,
Unity recognizes that the Bible is a complex collection of writings
compiled over many centuries. We honor the writings as reflecting the
understanding and inspiration of the writers at the time they were written.
The Bible continues to be a valuable spiritual resource for us.
Our Teachings:
Unity
teaches that each person is a unique expression of God created with
sacred worth. Living from that awareness transforms our lives and the
world. Unity emphasizes the creative power of thought in our life experience.
We refer to this as the Law of Mind Action. When we take personal responsibility
to choose life-affirming thoughts, words and actions, we experience
a more fulfilling and abundant life.
Unity emphasizes the importance of applying spiritual principles in
our daily lives. Unity teachings continue to evolve as we identify,
embrace and apply spiritual insights and the spiritual implications
of new discoveries.
Prayer and Meditation:
Affirmative
prayer is the highest form of creative thought. It includes the release
of counterproductive, negative thoughts, as well as holding in mind
statements of spiritual truth. Through meditation, we experience the
presence of God. Prayer and meditation heighten our awareness and thereby
transform our lives.
Spiritual Action:
In
Unity, we feel a sacred responsibility, individually and collectively,
to make a positive difference through personal example and active service
in our churches, our communities and our world.
Youth and Family Ministry:
Unity
recognizes that there are many expressions of family life. All are welcome.
Unity creates an affirming environment that fosters positive self-image,
personal responsibility and unconditional love and acceptance.
Unity -
Beholds all children as whole and perfect expressions of God.
Empowers children to fulfill their divine potential.
Teaches children to meditate and pray.
Invites children to experience a loving God.
Unity provides a strong spiritual foundation for children's lives.