Who's Who of Unity
Our Mission and Purpose
A Brief History
Who's Who of Unity
| Co-Minister | Rev. Lynnette Carlson | revlynnette(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Co-Minister | Rev. David LeBeau | revdavid(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Board of Trustees | |||
| President | Jonna Risher | pres(at)unityofbloomington .org | |
| Vice President | Ginger Curry | vicepres(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Treasurer | Jeff Grissom | treas(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Secretary | Terri Snow | sec(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Member | Doug Clickenger | ministry(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Member | Joe LaMantia | jlama(at)kiva.net | |
| Center Staff | |||
| Pianist | Marianne Ackerson DM | pianist(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Bookkeeper | Amy Young | ||
| Administrator | Doug Clickenger | ministry(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Music Ministry Director | Ginger Curry | music(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Youth Ed. Director | Ruth E. | youthed(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Words of Inspiration | |||
| Bookstore Manager | Bob LeBeau | bookstore(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Facilities Manager | Dawn Powell | facilities(at)unityofblommington.org | |
| Team Leaders | |||
| Member Development | Doug Clickenger | ministry(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Hospitality Coordinator | Joan Keeler | hospitality(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Kitchen Coordinator | Dawn Powell | facilities(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Welcome Coordinator | Donna Foose | foosedl(at)bluemarble.net | |
| Soul Food Coordinator | Mark Syzmendera | ||
| Special Events | Cricket Houze | ||
| Support Team Chair | Michael May | ||
| Meditation Coordinator | TBA | ||
| Board Development | TBA | ||
| Member Care | Jonna Risher | pres(at)unityofbloomigton.org | |
| Prayer Ministry | Bob LeBeau | prayer(at)unityofbloomington.org | |
| Spiritual Counseling | Spiritual counseling is available at Unity on Mondays and Thursdays, 10 AM - 4 PM. | Please call the Ministry offices at: 333-2484 for an appointment. |
*Note: E-mail addresses have been obfuscated to discourage spam bots. Please replace each (at) with the @ symbol.
Our Mission and Purpose
Our Mission: We are a loving spiritual community welcoming all and celebrating the transforming power of Truth principles.
Our Purpose: Unity of Bloomington offers opportunities to transform our lives and to realize the Truth of our divinity by learning the principles of practical Christianity and experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
A Brief History
Organized by I.U. professor Nick DeWitt, Unity of Bloomington was established on April 15, 1982 as a small study group (3-14 individuals) that met in various homes and locations throughout town. The first Sunday service was held on February 8, 1987 in the auditorium of the Monroe County Museum (called the old library) at the corner of Sixth & Washington Streets.
In June of 1989, the Board of Directors selected Rev. David LeBeau as Unity’s first minister, and leased space formerly used by Leslie’s Restaurant for a bookstore and educational room on the corner of Sixth and Washington Streets, across from the old library building.
Unity moved its Sunday services and Youth Education to the John Waldron Arts Center at Fourth and Walnut Streets in 1992 to accommodate growth. In June of 1997, Unity chose to relocate Sunday services to the Sixth Street location. This move allowed Unity to eliminate the cost of leasing the John Waldron Art Center.
The first “visioning session” was held in the Unity Chapel after a Sunday service in January of 1998. This session produced a common vision, and led ultimately to the acquisition of the facility at 1101 North Dunn Street during the same year.
In early 1999, Rev. David LeBeau announced his intention to resign as full-time minister that summer. After a lengthy search for a new minister, Rev. Judith Anne Ballard accepted Unity’s offer to be the senior minister in September 1999.
In July of 2000, Rev. Ballard resigned her position effective immediately. The Board of Directors decided there would not be a search for a new senior minister. Unity adopted a some what hybrid lay ministry model, with the Board and the congregation being responsible for the services and activities of the ministry while Sunday talks were rotated among three trained clergy: Rev. Sam Windell, Rev. Lynnette Carlson, and Rev. David LeBeau. The rotation also included regular guest speakers.
In early 2001, the Board of Directors hired Rev. Carlson as Unity’s ministry coordinator to develop programs and coordinate special events. Unity held another “visioning session” in 2003. During this session titled, “Discerning Spirit’s Future for our Ministry,” the organization mission was reviewed, a purpose statement and core values were recorded, and a future growth plan was discussed.
On September 12, 2004, Rev. Sam Windell made his transition.
On April 24, 2005, the congregation voted by a 93% majority to authorize the sale of 1101 N. Dunn Street in support of pursuing acquisition of the Emmanuel Baptist Church at 4001 South Rogers Street.
In February of 2006, after raising over $100,000, Unity sold it Dunn Street building to Windfall Dancers and purchased the former Emmanuel Baptist Church property.
On February 12, 2006 the final services were held at the 1101 N. Dunn St. location. Following the service everything that would be needed for the first service at the new location was loaded up in a truck and many member’s and friend’s vans, station wagons and cars. The truck led a large caravan to the new location.
On February 19, 2006 the first service was held in the new Chapel. Attendance was well over 100. Construction was begun on offices and bookstore in the foyer. Tubs and boxes of books and other items were stored in the back pews of the chapel.