Unity of the Heartland 720 S Rogers Rd, Suite A Olathe, KS 66062 Phone - 913-780-4569(4JOY) 24 hour prayer support Silent Unity 816-969-2000

Sunday Services 10:30am (hospitality after services) Youth Ed available for: Uni-Tots, Uni-Kids, Uni-Teens, Y.O.U. Contact Info and Office Hours Prayer Request: UnityPCT@gmail.com

Unity of the Heartland Leadership Council

Rev. Robin Ferguson

What led you to pioneer a church? I am a birther by nature. I have always been in the position of starting something that didn't previously exist, or taking it to it's next level. I have a 'Just Do It' nature, so when I got guidance to do this, I didn't spend a lot of time worrying about how it would happen, but knew if God was directing it, the way would be shown - and it has been, every step of the way!

What do you like best about being part of the Council? I get to work side by side with people who are walking their talk and committed to cocreating a community that stands as a place of love and transformation, how great is that? And there is so much laughter along the way, it makes every meeting a joy to be a part of!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? That I used to be shy? That I have a tattoo? That I have ridden around a race track at 160mph? Walked on hot coals? That I am actually an alien from outer space? (Okay, you may have guessed that one :-)

What are some of your favorite quotes or affirmations? 'You ought to believe something in life, believe that thing so fervently that you will stand up with it until the end of your days.' Martin Luther King

What books have been most helpful to your spiritual growth? So many! Of course the Bible and my favorite Unity book is Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth. Other favorites are The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, The Book of Secrets by Deepak Chopra, How then Shall We Live? by Wayne Muller, Mastering Life's Energies by Maria Nemeth and Real Love by Greg Baer.

What is your favorite snack food? Cheez Its and Apples

Don  McClasky - Chair of Council

What led you to find Unity and Unity of the Heartland? As far as Unity itself is concerned, My wife, Gayle and I were preparing to get married and begin our life together, so we were looking for a church in which we could feel comfortable and that matched our beliefs. We joined Unity of Overland Park in 1980. Over time we got away from going to church for a number of reasons but always loved being reminded of the Spiritual Truths embodied in Unity Principles. I wanted to reconnect to a spiritual community closer to my home and after hearing Robin and sensing her sincerity, voila, I found Unity of the Heartland.

Why did you join the council? I became more involved with Unity of the Heartland because Robin asked me to organize a growth committee. Out of that came a desire to look at how UOH could better serve and support each other and the community. When Robin asked if I would be open to be on the council, I felt that this was a natural extension of the questions and desires that I began earlier. My vision or purpose in being on the council is to try to understand each person’s gift or passion and create support for that.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I am basically a fairly introverted person.

What are some of your favorite quotes or affirmations? It is as it is. Acceptance. Reach for a better feeling thought.

What books have been most helpful to your spiritual growth? Most people who know me are aware of the fact that my reading of The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle was a spiritual awaking for me. Prior to that, I understood spiritual principles on an intellectual level. It wasn’t until I practiced being Present that I began to know more of who I AM. I also enjoy the Abraham-Hicks books and CDs and practice reaching for a better feeling thought, and by doing so, come into closer alignment with my Higher Being.

What is your favorite snack food? Cookies, cookies, cookies.

What led you to find Unity and Unity of the Heartland? I belonged to a local study group for the Institute Of Noetic Sciences. I noticed that many of the members also attended Unity churches and also went to Unity Temple for the Cornerstone speaker series (which is now defunct). These two connections caused me to try Unity at Overland Park about ten years ago. I was immediately captivated by the guilt-free, heart-centered atmosphere. After several minister changes, I was looking for another Unity church when Vicky Joyce told me about Unity of the Prairie (now Unity of the Heartland). Again, I found the spiritual home I had been missing.

Why did you join the council? After attending Unity of the Heartland for several months, I decided that I wanted to commit myself to sustaining and growing this ministry. I loved Robin's messages and spiritual integrity and wanted to be sure that her voice was heard by all who needed it. Joining the council seemed like the best way to accomplish that (and Robin twisted my arm!).

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I collect Southwestern and Native American artwork and study Native American traditions.

What are some of your favorite quotes or affirmations? "There are only two ways of viewing this world; you can act as if nothing is a miracle OR as if everything is a miracle. I choose the latter." --Paraphrased from Albert Einstein.

What books have been most helpful to your spiritual growth?
"The Road Less Traveled" by Scott Peck. This book started me on my current spiritual path.
"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book shows how simple and difficult spiritual integrity can be.
"The Power of Now" and "The New Earth" by Ekhart Tolle. The books draw us into the present moment, where all power exists.

What is your favorite snack food? Chocolate ice cream

What led you to find Unity and Unity of the Heartland? I have been on the periphery of Unity for many years & always knew if & when I joined a church community, it would have to be Unity due to the openess & acceptance of various beliefs / diversity. When Rev. Robin began a new Unity community in Olathe, Ron & I were excited as it was the right time & the right place for us. We've stayed because we love the fun & inspiration Rev. Robin brings to us, plus the opportunity of service with a wonderful group of new friends.

Why did you join the council? I was asked to serve and I felt it was a good chance to give back to what I think is an amazing community of people. I have felt honored by the opportunity and it's been nothing but pleasure and fun.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? Well....if I tell here then when people take the time to get to know me, they won't get the fun of surprise.

What are some of your favorite quotes or affirmations? My all time favorite:  "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and found that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." Rabindranath Tagore

What books have been most helpful to your spiritual growth?
"The Universe is Calling" Eric Butterworth
"The Power of Now" Eckhart Tolle
"The Divine Matrix" Gregg Braden
"Working With Oneness" Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
"I Remember Union" Flo Calhoun

What is your favorite snack food? Sun Chips and cheese - with maybe some fresh fruit. Well, OK, funny how I forgot to mention Sheridans.

 

Kate Ilaria - Member

What led you to find Unity and Unity of the Heartland? Divine Guidance--when we unexpectedly decided to move to Kansas from New Jersey almost three years ago. While living in New Jersey we read the Science of Mind magazine from the Church of Religious Science. There were no new thought communities near where we lived, so one of the intentions we had in our move to Kansas was to find a spiritual community of like-minded people. We attended a service at Unity of the Heartland, loved it and decided to stay! Being a part of this community has led us to Unity and its teachings.

Why did you join the council? I decided to join the council because I wanted to give back to a community that embraced me and my family from the first time we stepped through the doors. This is my way of saying "thank you" for loving, honoring and accepting me and my family just as we are on this spiritual journey.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? People may be surprised to know that I am a craftoholic! I cannot pass a fabric, craft, scrapbooking or yarn store without checking it out. And if they are having a sale or have a clearance aisle...I could be there for hours!

What are some of your favorite quotes or affirmations? "When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."  Oscar Wilde

What books have been most helpful to your spiritual growth?
 "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay
"Manifest Your Destiny" by Wayne Dyer
"Creative Visualization" by Shakti Gawain
"Ask and it is Given" by Esther & Jerry Hicks
"Science of Mind" by Ernest Holmes

What is your favorite snack food? It depends on what I'm craving. If it's something salty...potato chips. If it's something sweet...chocolate.

What led you to find Unity and Unity of the Heartland? I found Unity through going to Unity Temple on the Plaza for the Mid-America Dharma Group's meditation sitting group/sangha. I would arrive early for the sangha and would look at the board of events and found that I liked what I read so I tried A Course in Miracles and was even more drawn into Unity. After we had Camryn, I wanted to find a spiritual community that was closer to our home in Gardner so that she and we could experience a deeper connection with people who lived in our area.

Why did you join the council? I joined the council initially because Robin asked me to, but I've stayed because I love our community and what we've all built together. I feel I have grown enormously throughout my three plus years and have seen and been a part of tremendous changes and forward movement. It's an honor to serve with Robin and the rest of the council and all of you! You are the heart of the Heartland!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? My daughter Camryn and I will be testing for our Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do in October 2008. Tae Kwon Do has been my "ministerial" school in many respects because it has challenged me to my core by testing my ability to break through mental and physical obstacles and mirrors my spiritual growth as I advance in belts and knowledge. It's a very physical but peaceful practice and also deepens for me what I learned in studying Buddhist meditation before Camryn was born. We started our journey as a white belts in January 2006, Camryn was 9 and I was 42. As we go through this journey together, we've learned to honor one another in the process and embrace each other as spiritual beings on a individual path and go beyond the roles of "mother" and "daughter." Tae Kwon Do is my other spiritual home!

What are some of your favorite quotes or affirmations? From What the Bleep to We Know movie: Create your future from your future, not your past.

What books have been most helpful to your spiritual growth? The Insight Meditation books by Goldstein and Kornfield. Also, The Universe is Calling, Seat of the Soul, Heart of the Soul, The Four Agreements, The Power of Now, The Book of Secrets, The Divine Matrix. Really, too many to name!

What is your favorite snack food? Dark Chocolate