Unity of Chautauqua

Opening Minds, Touching Hearts, Transforming Lives

Unity of Chautauqua

A positive path for spiritual living

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.

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Unity of Chautauqua is a vibrant, open, and affirming community that includes people of all races, religious backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.

Spiritual seekers often say that finding Unity is like coming home.

Unity of Chautauqua summer program brings Unity ministers from many locations to bless us and for them to be blessed by the programs of Chautauqua Institution.
Come join us this summer!

UNITY SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Sunday Service 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Hall of Missions
Daily Word Meditation 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Monday – Friday Hall of Missions
Positive Path for Spiritual Living Wednesday 6:30-7:30 pm Turner Community Center

2026 SUMMER PROGRAM
Chautauqua Institution

WEEK ONE: June 27 – July 4

Rev. Sharon Ketchum, Lansing, MI

Rev. Sharon J. Ketchum is the senior minister of Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing since 2016, after serving for 16 years at Unity Kitchener, Canada. Sharon has a master’s degree in Early Christianity, her paper “My Search for the Voice of Jesus”, is a rich study of historical comparisons and metaphysical insights from the Five Gospels. Sharon has chaired the Unity Worldwide Ministries Board of Trustees, and has been active with UWM EarthCare, Education and Social Action teams. She lives in Lansing Michigan with her wife, social worker Maxine Thome and a houseful of dogs and cats.

SUNDAY SERVICE June 28th: “Sacred Sparks: Women Who Ignited Change”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

Before history remembered them, they were women who listened deeply and acted boldly. In this inspiring message, we explore the lives of women from the Bible through a metaphysical lens—figures like Mary, Esther, and Ruth, whose stories reveal timeless spiritual truths. These are not just accounts of the past, but living invitations to awaken courage, trust, and divine purpose within ourselves. Each woman becomes a mirror, reflecting the inner strength and wisdom we all carry. What if their bravery is stirring in us now? What if their faith is our faith, waiting to be expressed?

Join us as we uncover the sacred sparks that still ignite transformation today—and discover how we, too, are called to be agents of love, change, and awakening.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING July 1st: The Gospel of Mary: Awakening the Inner Teacher. Reclaiming Sacred Wisdom, Inner Authority, and the Courage to Trust Your Soul’s Voice

Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

Hidden in the sands of early Christianity is a voice that almost slipped through history’s fingers… and it belongs to Mary. Join us for a fascinating one-hour exploration of the Gospel of Mary, a text that invites us into a more intimate, intuitive, and empowering understanding of spiritual life. Here, Mary Magdalene emerges not as a background figure, but as a bold teacher of inner wisdom, courage, and direct connection with the Divine.
What if spiritual authority isn’t something granted from the outside, but awakened from within? What if the journey of the soul is less about rules and more about remembering?
Come curious. Leave stirred, challenged, and perhaps just a little more awake.

WEEK TWO: July 4 – 11

Rev. Mary Elita Masters, Kenmore, NY

Rev. Mary Masters is retired from the position of Senior Minister at Unity of Buffalo, NY, a position she held for 23 years. She currently serves the Unity movement as a ministry consultant and the Regional Representative for the Eastern Region of Unity. Rev. Mary has held leadership positions as Board president with Unity Worldwide Ministries and the Eastern Region of Unity. She has also been an adjunct faculty member for Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute.

Prior to ministry, Mary worked in college athletics serving as an Assistant Commissioner for the Big Ten Conference. She lives in Kenmore, NY with her spouse Judy and their four-legged friend, Lady Bird, a rescue dog from Texas. One of her favorite affirmations is “Behold, I am making all things new! I am learning new things every day.”

SUNDAY SERVICE July 5th: A Unity Lesson on Prosperity: What to do when it appears there is not enough
9:30AM Hall of Missions

Jesus taught that in all things, seek first the consciousness of God, and then what is needed will be provided. In this lesson, we will learn not just the “what” of Jesus’ teachings about prosperity, but the teaching methods themselves that we can apply in our own lives. The standard answer that is given for “how” Jesus taught spiritual principles is using precepts, parables, miracles and actions. Let’s remember that the word “prosperity” comes from the Latin root which literally translates “according to hope” or “to go forward hopefully.” Thus, prosperity is not so much a condition of life as it is an attitude toward life. – from Spiritual Economics by Eric Butterworth

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING July 8th: “Tending the Spark, Fanning the Flame” – inspiration and practices for living the mystical life.
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

In keeping with the Interfaith theme for this week, “Truth, Trust and the Sacred,” we will learn some of the essential teachings and practices of Christian mystics and how to incorporate them into our daily lives. A mystic is one who shares the age-old passion for wanting to know God directly, on a deeply personal level, without a go-between or an intercessory. The mystical path is following that deep yearning to experience God, to feel God’s presence, not just read a book about God or be told by some authority what to think about God. This is what our Unity co-founder, Charles Fillmore meant when he said – “I will go directly to headquarters.” Join us for this experiential workshop where we will “practice the Presence” together, drawing inspiration and practices from mystics that include, St. Francis of Assisi, Brother Lawrence, Meister Eckhart and St. Teresa of Avila.

WEEK THREE: July 11 – 18

Rev. Kurt Condra, Evanston, IL

Rev. Kurt Condra is senior minister at Unity on the North Shore in Evanston, IL. He has presented classes and workshops on spiritual abundance, speaking authentically, and healing relationships. He has written for Unity Magazine, Daily Word and Unity devotionals for Lent and Advent. He has served on the boards the Great Lakes Unity Region; Interfaith Action of Evanston; and Evanston Pride, supporting the local LGBTQIA+ community. Before ministry, Kurt worked 20 years in the publishing industry, first for the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle in their new media divisions, then becoming editor and, later, Managing Editor for Newport Communications, an award-winning trade magazine publisher. He graduated from Unity School of Religious Studies and was ordained by the Association of Unity Churches in 2004. He earned a B.A. in Communications from California State University at Fullerton in 1984.

SUNDAY SERVICE July 12th: Beyond Division: Remembering What We Belong To
9:30AM Hall of Missions

In a time of deep political polarization, it’s easy to forget what holds us together. This message reframes belonging as an inner stance rather than an external outcome, inviting us to embody a deeper connection that allows for both conviction and compassion in our civic engagement.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING July 15th: Being Breathed: An Experience of Belonging
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

What if belonging isn’t something we achieve, but something already happening within us? Through guided reflection, breath awareness, and relational presence, this workshop invites participants into a direct experience of being held within life itself—and discovering a deeper ground for connection with self and others.

WEEK FOUR: July 18 – 25

Rev. Kathy Harwood Long, Oxford, MI

An ordained Unity Minister, Kathy works as a mentor and emissary for sacred ecology spirituality and The New Story of evolutionary change. She serves as the Executive Spiritual Director for Unity EarthCare Alliance, President for Unity Great Lakes Region Board of Trustees, and as the Unity Regional Advisory Council team lead. Kathy invites systemic changes in the lives of individuals, and throughout the Unity movement, for the sake of the earth–and the children that inherit her.

SUNDAY SERVICE July 19th: “Sourcing Spiritual Solutions for Unprecedented Times”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

Does spiritual consciousness have yet to reveal to us unanticipated solutions for the challenge of today? Explore the evidence for the role of consciousness in science and indigenous wisdom for our personal and collective overcoming. Unity & New Thought’s contributions in the domain of metaphysics and consciousness accountability for 130+ years, offer another needed tool to support all creation, and particularly our youth.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING July 22nd: “Post Doom Spirituality”
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

The role of consciousness, spiritually and in science, has become the emerging edge of evolutionary change. What is the universe up to?!—and are we listening? Is there another vantage point for our human lens yet to be fully brought to focus? Share in a simple exploration of the leading voices and models encouraging a post-doom spirituality and life to be lived.

WEEK FIVE: July 25 – August 1

Rev. Russell Heiland, Oakton, VA

Rev. Russell Heiland is Senior Minister at Unity of Fairfax in Oakton, VA, a suburb of Washington, D.C. He received his Unity Ordination and Master of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington in a joint ceremony in May 2007. His Master’s thesis entitled “Inner Vision and Synchronicity: Dream Work as Taught by Charles Fillmore and Carl Jung” represents original scholarly research of dream work in the Unity movement and is available for reading at TruthUnity.net. Prior to joining Unity of Fairfax, he served at First Unity of St. Petersburg, FL and Unity of Wilmington, NC. He is the founding spiritual leader of Crystal Coast Unity in Atlantic Beach, NC. Rev. Russell currently serves on the Unity World Headquarters Board of Directors.

SUNDAY SERVICE July 26th: “What Does it Mean to Be a Conscious Evolutionary?”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

The spiritual life is both an individual and collective experience. This Sunday, Rev. Russell Heiland invites us to journey into the awesome creative potential for spiritual awakening found by exploring what it means to be a conscious evolutionary.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING July 22nd: “Accept or Except, Which?”
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

You may have said, or heard someone say, “My life would be great except for…” Want to know the secret for releasing the “exception” and claiming peace? Join Rev. Russell Heiland to learn tools you can use to navigate the “if only’s” and “ain’t it awful’s” that keep us steal our peace and joy.

WEEK SIX: August 1 – 8

Rev. Robin Ferguson, Kansas City, MO

Rev. Robin Ferguson is a Unity minister who has previously served as both a Sr. Minister, as well as a Leadership and Organizational Consultant for Unity Worldwide Ministries. In addition, Robin is a Master Certified Coach, the highest ranking awarded to coaches by the International Coaching Federation, with a focus on personal transformation and leadership development. She currently owns her own coaching and consulting business, partnering with individuals and leaders worldwide in transforming their lives and work, for greater impact and fulfillment.

She is the author of The Phoenix Effect: Transcend Limitation and Ignite the Power Within You. You can contact her at www.robin-ferguson.com.

SUNDAY SERVICE August 2nd: “A More Perfect Union”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

How does our commitment to a “more perfect” society reflect our spiritual commitment to personal transformation? How does a truthful reckoning with our past—both the light and the dark—become a spiritual prerequisite for a flourishing future? Let’s explore the foundational truths that serve as an active, living force that can help us shape the next chapter.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING August 5th: “Writing the Next Chapter”
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

This workshop explores how we can move from being passive inheritors of historical narratives to active authors of our own future, using creative reflection to rewrite the scripts that hold us back. By examining the relationship between our past and our present, we can write the next chapter in a way that serves our highest potential and collective healing.

WEEK SEVEN: August 8 – 15

Rev. Nat Carter, Chesterland, OH

Rev. Nat Carter came to Unity ministry as a yoga teacher and Unity M. Div. student at a Methodist seminary. He has served Unity churches as a senior or co-minister in Michigan, Washington and Colorado since the 1980s. In the last 12 years, he has served as a transitional ministry specialist to churches throughout the US and Canada and has now settled as a single, part-time minister at Unity of Chesterland in suburban Cleveland. He is no more able to retire from ministry than a musician can retire from music.

SUNDAY SERVICE August 9th: “Emerging Order”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

Some spiritual traditions view life on Earth as a condition from which humanity and individuals need to graduate or be saved. Yet others celebrate the incarnation of divinity in materiality and the ongoing activity of creation. Both approaches have deep, spiritual truths to teach. Unity and the teachings of Jesus choose bringing heaven into life on Earth, choose being radically inclusive of creation’s incompletion, and choose prosperity, healing, purpose, and oneness as the context for the emergence of Divine Order.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING August 5th: “The Art of Stillness”
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

This is an introduction to and brief practice of two basic and seemingly opposite forms of meditation from the Christian, yogic and Buddhist traditions—concentrated focus and open mindfulness. It’s not complicated.

WEEK EIGHT: August 15 – 22

Rev. Glenda Walden, Evansville, IN

Rev. Glenda Walden’s motto is “Have Kayak, will travel”. Aside from being an avid kayaker, she is a true “water baby”, and proud “grammy” whose creative endeavors include diamond art, ukulele playing, and soulcollage.

Rev. Glenda P. Walden is a 2015 Unity Urban Ministerial School graduate. She became an ordained Unity Minister, on May 6, 2016. She currently serves at Unity Community & Leaders as the Ministerial Education and Student Cohort Coordinator. Prior to her current ministry, Rev. Glenda served as senior minister at Unity of Fort Wayne Spiritual Center for five years and as a part time minister at Unity of Evansville for almost 4 years.

“Being a minister and teacher is a gift that allows me to bear witness to the awakening of Truth in others and to constantly be transformed alongside them.”

SUNDAY SERVICE August 16th: “The Soul” Diet: The Metaphysics of Manna
9:30AM Hall of Missions

In Unity, we often view the “Manna” in the wilderness not just as physical flakes, but as the divine ideas that sustain us moment to moment.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING August 19th: “Soul Food – Recipes for a Radiant Life”
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

Exploring the “ingredients” of a high-vibration life. This workshop uses the metaphor of a recipe to help participants consciously select the spiritual practices, thoughts, and actions that create a “radiant” experience of living. Goal: Participants will leave with a personalized “Spiritual Recipe Card” for their current season of life.

WEEK NINE: August 22 – 30

Rev. James Stacey, Bloomington, MI

Reverend Stacey has served for nine years as minister of Unity South Twin Cities, Bloomington, Minnesota, located in the south Minneapolis—St Paul metro area. Before his current church he served ministries in Syracuse, NY, Sunrise Beach, MO, and the founding congregation of Unity in Kansas City. In the summer season 2025, James joined the Boards of Unity of Chautauqua and the Ecumenical Community of Chautauqua (ECOC). He is privileged to offer selfless service to these organizations.

James cherishes the history of Unity as a reminder of what is still valuable in our movement today. He presents Unity as both a wisdom teaching and an inspiring daily practice. Making the classic Unity teachings relevant for today is James’ passion. He considers himself to be a devoted Chautauquan since his first visit in 2004. He has returned to Chautauqua nineteen times.

SUNDAY SERVICE August 23rd: “In Our Unity of Purpose”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

The theme of Week 9, “The Importance of Gathering,” inspires Reverend Stacey’s talk on the power of gathering with intentional purpose. A community that is fully aware of its purpose reaches its goals, fosters a sense of belonging and fulfillment in its own members, and offers benefits to the world beyond its own community. “In Our Unity of Purpose” was the opening of an affirmative prayer used by Unity’s founders more than a century ago. Reverend Stacey believes the complete prayer contains a secret of growth that is still relevant and that he intends to reveal.

POSITIVE PATH FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING August 26th: “Spiritual Keys to Aging Well”
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Turner Community Center

Join our discussion of Unity’s new publication, “Spiritual Keys to Aging Well.” We will explore the concept of aging shifting to eldering. This is a new perspective that sees aging and the final years of life as another stage of development in our life experience with its challenges and opportunities. Our aim is to find a balance between acknowledging the passing of years without buying into the idea that aging inevitably brings decline. Every participant in this class will receive a free booklet from Unity to continue their exploration of aging with grace and meaning.

Closing Sunday Service for the 2026 Season!

Rev. Barbara Williams
Rev. Barbara Williams coordinates Unity’s summer program at Chautauqua Institution since 2018. She retired as the senior minister of Unity of Port Richey, Florida in 2016. She also served as Director of Adult Education and Director of Youth and Family Ministry for First Unity Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Prior to her ministry career, Barbara spent twenty-one years in the corporate world where she held positions of leadership in the Information Technology department of Duke Power.

Barbara has presented classes and workshops on Bible history and interpretation, compassionate communication and conflict resolution skills, self-discovery, world religions and parenting skills. Her passion is to support and empower others as they uncover their divine essence. She lives in Clearwater with her husband Dusty and their rescue puppy Sandra Dee.

SUNDAY SERVICE August 30th: “The Receptive Heart — Cultivating the Inner Soil”
9:30AM Hall of Missions

Jesus was a master storyteller. In the Parable of the Sower, He talks about a farmer scattering seeds — some fall on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some in good soil.

Now, in Unity, we see “seeds” as Divine Ideas — truth from Spirit — and the “soil” as our consciousness. The question is: What kind of soil am I offering Spirit today? So, this Sunday, let’s be spiritual gardeners. Let’s prepare our soil, tend our seeds, and watch Spirit’s harvest unfold in our lives.

Our History

Unity of Chautauqua was founded in 1982 and since then we have sponsored 387 visits by Unity ministers to Chautauqua Institution (www.chq.org) Each of the nine weeks of Chautauqua’s summer program, a Unity minister will be the speaker at our Sunday Celebration service, provide weekday Daily Word morning meditations and a Wednesday evening workshop. You can view past summer guest speakers on our YouTube channel.

Unity’s Five Principles

1. God is absolute good, everywhere present.

2. Human beings have a spark of divinity within them, the Christ spirit within. Their very essence is of God, and therefore they are also inherently good.

3. Human beings create their experiences by the activity of their thinking. Everything in the manifest realm has its beginning in thought.

4. Prayer is creative thinking that heightens the connection with God-Mind and therefore brings forth wisdom, healing, prosperity, and everything good.

5. Knowing and understanding the laws of life, also called Truth, are not enough. A person must also live the truth that he or she knows.

Unity World Headquarters is located on a beautiful 1,200-acre campus at Unity Village, just outside of Kansas City, Missouri. www.unity.org

Janine Chimera
Janine is our Unity of CHQ music director. She is a singer-song writer who was born and raised in Jamestown, but lived in Florida for 31 years. She has two married sons. With a master’s degree in Speech/Language Pathology, Janine worked in Florida school systems specializing in communication for non-verbal students. She provided music for Unity of Melbourne for 15 years, grateful for this community who grew her as a musician. Janine’s passion is for music and matters of spirit and of the heart. Combining these led her to dive into the worlds of therapeutic music, sound vibrational therapy, and group drumming. She also gives music lessons, and has used music to work with students with special needs. Janine plays guitar, piano, hand drums, and Native American flute. She recorded and published 2 CDs. Her greatest desire is for her music to be an instrument for peace and healing.

A favorite quote: “If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.” – Nikola Tesla

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Love Offering
Your faithful and generous support of our spiritual community is greatly appreciated.
You may use the PayPal link below or send your donations to:
Unity of Chautauqua
c/o Kelly Mareri
16 Emory Drive
Jamestown, NY 14701

Online Donation

About Us

Here you can find information about the upcoming program for Unity of Chautauqua.
For more information about Unity Worldwide, visit unity.org
For more information about the Chautauqua Institution, visit chq.org

Get In Touch

UnityCHQ@gmail.com

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UNITY OF CHAUTAUQUA
Minister, Rev. Barbara Williams
Music Director, Janine Chimera
Board of Trustees:
President & Treasurer, Kelly Mareri
Secretary, Virginia Richardson
Members at Large: Andy Jochum and Anna Jochum

Unity of Chautauqua