Meet Unity's Ministry Teams 2025

group of people

Living on Purpose- Spiritually Focused Fulfillment

sunset over the pondUnity Spiritual Center of Lansing’s mission and vision statements are inspired by the vision of Unity Worldwide Ministries. "Advancing the Unity movement that calls us to awaken to our oneness with God, each other and all creation"

Mission: Awakening to our oneness with God, each other and all creation

Vision: A world powerfully transformed through the growing movement of a shared spiritual awakening.

Living into our purpose, we seek to support as each other in our ongoing spiritual awakening through Sunday Services, learning sessions, safe relationships, diverse and inclusive activities, social actions and opportunities for everyone to make meaningful contributions of time, talent and treasure through active engagement and service.

love in action with intersecting circlesMission Focused Teams: - there is a place for YOU!

In Unity, we learn that we are love and that it's in our spiritual nature to give.  "Love in Action" is based on the truth that each one of us has spiritual gifts or unique talents and abilities to express into life. Each one of us is important to maintain a thriving, growing spiritual community. All that we say, think, and do makes a difference!  Note that you do not need to be a Unity member to participate in a team.

If you're interested in being on a ministry team or becoming a team leader, contact the church office at (517) 371-3010 for more information.

The Leadership Council of Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing is comprised of

The Board of Trustees and the Leads of our Mission Focused Teams.

Teams are envisioned and created by the congregation. 

Each team is self-directed and empowered to work in cooperation with other ministry team.  A board member often liaisons with each team.

organizational chart 2024

USCL's Leadership Council

The Leadership Council meets a minimum of twice a year to cast a vision forward for the development of Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing to ever live more fully into our mission, vision and core values.

2024 Board of Trustees:

President Chrissie Shearer, Vice President Jeff Benoit, Secretary Jill Dening, Treasurer Jane Cloos, Members at Large: Lucille Olson.Janet Cortright, Donnette Pinkerton

 

Board of Trustees Pledge: Recognizing God as our Infinite Source and Power, we, the servant leaders of Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing, are anchored in the spiritual practices of meditation, tithing and visioning. Thank you, God, for the opportunity to love and to serve!

 

Ministry Teams


hands creating a board layout Design Team logo

INCLUSION (DIVERSITY) TEAM

Kathy Assif
Kathy Assiff

 

Facilitator: Kathy Assiff

 (I.D.E.A. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Acceptance/Accessibility)

Diversity Statement 

  Mission: “To promote increased awareness of the many facets of diversity in     an effort to consciously practice the Unity principle of being an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all people.”

 Main Responsibilities: Coordinate with other teams to ensure Inclusion and Diversity is a consideration in their activities, review signage, graphics and displays for IDEA values, education, Facebook postings and more.


Jeff Benoit
Jeff Benoit

Administration with business symbols  ADMINISTRATION TEAM

Facilitator: Jeff Benoit

  Mission:   The Administration Team’s mission

is to provide effective administration support

for the ministry and its mission.

 Board Liaison: Jane Cloos

 Subteams: Budget, Tech, Venue Rental 

 Main Responsibilities:  Financials, Operations


Jeff English Music Director
Jeff English

music symbols, director, golden sky  CELEBRATION TEAM

Facilitator: Jeff English

  Mission: To create well planned celebration services that inspire and uplift, model Unity Principles, and include everyone  

  Sub teams: Music - Jeff English

Ushers - Edmund Mack;

                                                                     Counters - Stacey   Ames;

Platform Assistants Chris Janson

  Coordinates with Design Team and Tech Team

  Main Responsibilities - Sunday Service Experience


facilities teamFACILITIES TEAMjerry

established December 2022

Facilitator Jerry Podany

The Facilities Team's mission is to

ensure proper maintenance of our buildings and grounds;

make recommendations to the Board for major repairs and capital expenditures.

  They may form sub teams of volunteers to assist with maintenance e.g. "adopt-a-garden-bed"; lawn mowing; HVAC maintenance, etc. as well as task teams for specific projects like re-roofing the pole barn.

 


EDUCATION TEAM

 EDUCATION TEAMDonnette Pinkerton

Team Facilitator: Donnette Pinkerton

Mission:  To provide spiritual growth and development classes, seminars,   activities and resources that support participants’ spiritual awakening to their   oneness with God, each other, and all creation

 Main Responsibilities: Planning SALT, Classes, Workshops and Special Events like movies and concerts, Lending Library

Two subteams: SALT responsible for Sunday Adult Learning Times and SAGE facilitated by Dan Maynard to plan special events, workshops and serial classes.


 SOCIAL Team Facilitators: Lisa Haston and Maggie Bishop

circle with social of people icons

 Mission:   To acknowledge the interests of USCL and the community by engaging with others in ways that advance the movement of shared spiritual awakening, incorporating Unity principles by creating oneness with God, each other, and all creation.    

Subteams are active:  Lunch Bunch, Caring Connections, Labyrinth, Lugnuts, Game Days

Coordinates wtih Hospitality Team

Social Activities


hospiotality teamClick here for more detailed information on

the Unity HOSPITALITY  Team

Facilitators: Nanette Podany and Chris McEnhill  

 

 

 

Nanette Podany
Nanette Podany
chris
Chris McEnhill

Schedule volunteers for serving snacks and beverages before, during and following Sunday Service.  Cleaning up following service.

 

Also organize table decorations in conjunction with Design Team

Works with all the other teams

Subteams: Tuesday work team, Sunday kitchen team

 

 


Greg Dening
Greg Dening

logo for tech teamTECH TEAM Facilitator Greg Dening

 Main Purpose - to insure best functioning and best practices for all technology

 Works with Administration Team for Office computers, Celebration Team for Video, Sound and Hybrid Broadcasting, SAGE Team for Virtual and Hybrid events either on Zoom or YouTube and Venue Rental Team for rental needs for sound, video, steaming


SUBTEAMS


Susan Winkelstern
Sue Winkelstern

Words - Design Team

DESIGN TEAM

Facilitator: Susan Winkelstern

 

 Main Responsibilities: Oversee the cohesive appearance in all decorating   designs, plan special decor for holidays, determine permanent signage, display   placement, furniture, paint colors, deep cleaning

 


 


event rentalVenue Rental Team

Reports to Administration Team Jeff Benoit

Event Facilities Manager Team:

Team of people trained to be contracted by event

Venue Rental Facilitator: Jeff Benoit

Event Leads: Jill Dening, Karla, Karla Janing, Greg Dening

Finaces: Jessica Shelton, Office Manager

This team establishes costs, sets prices, arranges staffing etc. make the Unity Campus available for non-Unity events for members, congregants, non-profits and organizations.


plate and silverware - Lunch BunchLunch Bunch (Outreach): Facilitator Nancy ClaytorNancy Claytor

A monthly social gathering

the 1st Friday of the month at a local restaurant. 

This is a "no-host" lunch for the purpose of socially connecting.

 

Sub team of Outreach/Social

 

 


praying hands with lightSilent Prayer Team: Facilitator Rev. Sharon

A team of 16 people praying with all those who request prayer support. 

Prayer requests come through our prayer box in the Great Hall,

online and by phone at 571 371-3010 (you can leave a message).

 

 


Deb Pennington
Deborah Pennington

leaf and words Caring Connections

Pastoral Connections: Deb Pennington

 

Sending out cards and making phone calls to those

 

experiencing health challenges, grief, or in need of connection


globeUNITY EARTHCARE TEAM: Lead - OPEN

Although the team is not currently active, EarthCare activities continue

Styrofoam Recycling: Sybil Spencer and Lisa Schmidt

Dental supplies recycling: Lisa Schmidt

Recycling Batteries: variety of people

Also: collecting aluminum tabs to support Ronald McDonald House

Activities on the horizon: Community Garden, Memorial Meditation Forest


TEAMS ON HIATUS

As we reorganize in a time of post fire, post relocating and impact of Covid-19, the following teams are on hiatus until congregational leadership is moved to reinstitute, refresh and reorganize as they are being called to do.

outlines of man, woman, childYouth and Family Ministry Team:  OPEN

Until our youth program re-forms, all ages are welcome into Sunday Services. There is a family area in the SE corner of the great hall as well as activities books for young people.

Mission:  Rooted in love, joy, integrity and Unity Principles, we strive to provide a safe and respectful environment that enables today's youth to become tomorrow's world changers.

The Youth and Family ministry previously worked in conjunction with the EDUCATION TEAM to coordinate our learning programs.


organizational chart 2023