Upcoming Speakers
Dan Peikarsky
Dan Piekarsky has been a member of Unity of Bloomington since 1996. He has been learning and living with Unity Practices and Principals since the first time he attended a service in the Waldron Theater. One could argue that his process has been slow, but the lessons absorbed have become embedded deeply with years of commitment, service and leadership to this community. He endeavors to be the light and to see the light.
He is married to the love of his life, Beth, and has two adult children, Will and Christopher.
Ministerial Candidate: Rev. Ruth Miller
Ruth L. Miller integrates new understandings of culture and consciousness in a way that “the rest of us” can understand.
Working as a futurist and organizational and community development consultant, she taught in several colleges and universities around the Pacific Northwest, based on her degrees in anthropology, environmental studies, cybernetics, and systems science.
Now in her second career, the Rev. Dr. Miller serves as an ordained New Thought minister in Unitarian, Science of Mind, and Unity churches around Oregon.
Dr. Miller has written over two dozen books on the history and power of applied metaphysics, and dozens of reports on future impacts of present actions. She also manages several websites and a YouTube channel to provide broader access to her books, interviews, classes, and lectures, and she is the host of a regular radio program called Noetic Moments, on the science of consciousness.
Ministerial Candidate: Rev. Katherine Breau
https://tinyurl.com/watchKB1
https://tinyurl.com/watchKB2
https://tinyurl.com/watchKB3
Ministerial Candidate: Minnassa Gabon
https://tinyurl.com/watchMG1
https://tinyurl.com/watchMG4
https://tinyurl.com/watchMG5
https://tinyurl.com/watchMG6
Weekday YouTube Show: https://www.youtube.com/@MinnassaWellness
'Our Most Important Relationship', with David Alan Brown
What are your agreements with God? Are you in an active spiritual partnership with the greatest power in the Universe? What might that look like and why is it important? David Alan Brown invites you to consider the context of human relationships and realize the power of your most important union — the one between you and Higher Power.
'Easter in Story and Song', with Phyllis Wickliff
“In your Easter bonnet / with all the frills upon it / You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.” Some of us will remember this song from the old Fred Astaire/Judy Garland movie – The Easter Parade. Easter parades are only one of the customs that traditionally mark the Easter season and the beginning of spring. Easter lilies; Easter baskets; big family dinners, often with ham or lamb; new clothes for church, with hats for ladies and patent leather Mary Janes for young girls. And, of course… Easter Egg Hunts!!! We invite you to incorporate some of these Easter traditions into your spiritual celebration of the season. Spiff up your wardrobe with a new outfit, a church lady hat, or new shoes. Plan a communal dinner with family or friends. Be a Secret Easter Bunny and create an anonymous surprise Easter basket for a friend. And . . . bring your children, nieces, nephews, young friends to the Unity of Bloomington Easter Egg Hunt immediately after the Sunday service on Easter, March 31. Rain or shine. The Hunt will take place in the playground if the sun is shining. If it rains, we will hide the eggs downstairs in CCCNS territory.
‘Joyful Palms: Embracing Holy Week’, with Rev. Robin Volker, via Zoom
On this Sunday, we embark on an eight-day journey reflecting on the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry.
This week, Reverend Robin invites us to release any preconceived notions or misunderstandings from past teachings. Together, we will listen with open hearts and open minds to receive a message that resonates with fresh and authentic significance for our lives today.
‘Win With Wisdom’, with Rev. Robin Volker, via Zoom
Wisdom is one of the foundational powers of God as taught by Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity.
Do you believe you are anointed with the power of wisdom in your life? What are the steps we can use to climb the ladder to higher spiritual wisdom? Join Reverend Robin Volker on March 17, 2024, for this inspiring message full of practical insight and transformative ideas.
‘Unity’s M&Ms: Metaphysical Bible Interpretation and Metaphysics’ with Rev. Paul Hasselbeck, via Zoom
People have commented on how Paul makes the [Unity] teachings more understandable and practical in daily life.
Our leading Metaphysics authority, Paul has had a major role in bringing Unity’s Metaphysics into the 21st century.
With a genuine passion for clarity and precision, Paul guides his students to awaken awareness and deepen understanding.
You can learn more about Rev. Hasselbeck on his website: www.paulhasselbeck.com
'The Divine Makes All Things Possible', with Rev. Karen Williams
If you’d like to make a huge leap in your spiritual practice, this is the talk for you! We have been given a tremendous gift from the Divine to tap into our higher Self to help us remember who and what we really are. Yet, we must be willing to choose that higher Self (Spirit) within us to feel that loving connection over everything else. When we remember our true identity and choose the part of our minds that knows only love, rather than fear, we find our channel back to God and a peaceful life regardless of the challenges in our lives. “Nothing is too big or hard or confusing for me to handle today if I seek the Holy Spirit’s help,” said Karen Casey. This is because the constant voice we carry within our minds, given to us by God in every moment, is teaching, guiding and even adjusting our consciousness. Matthew 19:26 NIV: “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
Stick around for the ‘Course in Miracles’ workshop afterwards!
‘Good Grief’, with Jonna Capio
Momentous change is all around us. The process of change includes grief and loss in letting go of “what was” and fears of “what will be”. How are we humans to be with this chaos and volatility happening all over the world and in all climates: environmental, social, cultural, financial, political, etc.? Jonna Capio will present her research, reflections, and what she has learned from her own personal grief journey in learning to be with “what is now”.
'Fasting for Sustenance', with Luke Salmon
Luke Salmon was born and raised in Bloomington, attended Bloomington North and Ivy Tech, and is currently employed at Catalent as a Senior Manufacturing Specialist.During the pandemic, he played an important part in training personnel to operate new equipment that produced the Covid vaccine.
He is married to Monica, with two children, Maebry and Waylon.
Luke is a member of the UOB Board, and is the Board liaison to the Chapel Action Team, Youth and Family Ministry and Hospitality Committees. In addition, he is taking some of the online SEE courses available through Unity Worldwide Ministries.
Come to Luke with any questions, ideas or blessings in the areas of co-creating a sacred space, kids and family, or food!
'Not That Far Apart: A Dialogue on Faith Styles', with Joanie & John Spain
The 14th Century Zen Buddhist monk and poet Ikkyu wrote: “Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain, but at the peak we all gaze at the single bright moon.” John and Joanie Spain started dating just as John began his studies for a Master’s degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. As a Humanities major and serious student of Ernest Holmes (a contemporary of the Fillmores), Joanie enjoyed talking about world religions and spirituality. They quickly realized that they always arrive at the same place, but get there with very different language and metaphors. Join John and Joanie in discussion, as they explore what it means to seek “the single bright moon” in relationship and in the context of an increasingly polarized world.
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“Not all who wander are lost” describes John Spain’s life journey. While employed in too many jobs to recount ere, he devoted much time and energy to what he calls two of the world’s most expensive hobbies: flying airplanes and pursuing two graduate degrees. So far, he hasn’t been able to convert either hobby into a career, but he has derived great satisfaction and meaning from both. His seminary education grounds his spiritual wandering in traditional Christianity and encourages exploration to the limits and boundaries of his chosen tradition.
When not drafting meeting agendas as Board President of Unity of Bloomington, Joanie Spain is a Career Advisor in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She also is completing the certificate program in Spiritual Direction through Unity Worldwide Ministries and leads life skills classes with the women of Sojourn House, a two-year residential program for survivors of human trafficking (yes – right here in Bloomington).
John and Joanie have been married for 26 years. They currently share this journey through life on five tranquil acres with their basset hound-mix Toby, roving bands of deer and wild turkeys, and the occasional red fox.