What is Unity?
A Positive path for spiritual living
New to Unity?
Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. We are a positive, practical, and progressive approach to Christianity. If you have been searching for a love-focused community that embraces all people and honors all spiritual paths, Unity welcomes you. We promote a way of living a spiritual life that empowers us to express our Highest Self through the abundance, love, joy, and peace that we all desire.
Unity has established centers of study and worship throughout the world where people discover and practice the Unity way of life. We support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs through affirmative prayer, spiritual education, community connection, and social service. We teach Unity principles to empower a path of spiritual growth.
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that God is all there is, and we are the essence of God. Therefore, we believe all people are inherently good. We believe we are cocreators with God. We are a ministry centric church that values all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, and sexual orientation. Our sincere desire is to create spiritual awareness that is nondiscriminatory and supports diversity.
What Does Unity Teach?
Unity teaches that all people are individual, eternal expressions of God, and that their essential nature is divine and therefore inherently good, but what does this mean in practice? Simply put, we are a positive path for spiritual living. We acknowledge that God is all there is and in doing so we acknowledge and affirm the God within all.
History of Unity
Unity was founded on prayer and healing. In the 1880s, a couple named Charles and Myrtle Fillmore of Kansas City began to explore methods of spiritual healing with remarkable results. Myrtle Fillmore, who had been given very little time to live, healed herself of tuberculosis through prayer and meditation and lived many more decades. Her husband Charles Fillmore watched in amazement. He then set out to learn how it worked. He wrote as he learned, publishing a magazine first called Modern Thought and later changed to Unity. A monthly booklet of inspirational readings, Daily Word, was first published in 1924 and is now mailed to three-million homes in 10 languages.
Through their publications, the Fillmores encouraged prayer circles and spiritual study, and they began to receive letters from people asking for special prayers. The Silent Unity prayer ministry now operates 24 hours a day, receiving two-million letters and phone calls from all over the world. Silent Unity is based at the Unity Village campus near Kansas City, along with the Unity Institute, which offers classes and retreats year-round and trains new Unity ministers.
Myrtle & Charles Fillmore,
Founders of Unity
Our Principles
There is only one Presence and one Power active as the Universe and in my life. God the Good.
Our essence is of God; therefore we are inherently good. This God essence was fully expressed in Jesus, the Christ.
We are co-creators with God, creating reality through thoughts held in Mind.
Through prayer and meditation, we align our heart-mind with God. Denials and affirmations are tools we use.
Through thoughts, words, and actions, we live the Truth we know.
Our vision
Centered in Spirit, we enjoy a world of Oneness, Love, and Abundance.
Our mission
We are a thriving, vibrant, Spiritual community empowering personal transformation by living the Truth of the Divine within.
At Unity, You Are Valued
At Unity of Toledo you will find a community of people committed to being love in action in the world. We value each person’s spiritual journey knowing that the universe is conspiring for our greatest good always in all ways. Whether you have a strong spiritual foundation, are just at the beginning of your spiritual journey, or are not sure if you believe in God at all, Unity offers spiritual insights and guidance for all people from all walks of life. There is a strong vibration of love to meet you so come as you are and know you are valued here at Unity of Toledo, where love is an everyday experience.
Our Values
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We are an inclusive, equitable culture of oneness.
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We inspire and awaken people to the Divine within.
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We seek continuous improvement in all that we do.
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We create meaningful products and services that have extraordinary impact.
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We are a community of collaboration, growth, and accountability.
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We serve.
Become a Member
Membership at Unity of Toledo allows you to grow in spirit
As you pursue your spiritual path, we encourage you to explore what it means to be committed to living universal truths. Membership at Unity of Toledo offers you the opportunity to grow in Spirit. Membership at Unity is not required, but it is encouraged as a way for an individual to receive a deeper connection to a spiritual community and an empowered way to commit to spiritual growth. Active Members understand the value of attending services regularly, participating in events, investing their time in service to our spiritual community, and attending classes. Members also understand the powerful spiritual practice of tithing and the way it shifts one into receiving and giving by contributing their gifts where they are spiritually nourished at Unity of Toledo.
Considering Membership?
Becoming a member empowers your commitment to living a life of love, abundance, and meaning. It affirms your commitment to personal spiritual practice, growth, ownership of your individual beliefs, and a willingness to make a difference. It also confirms to you and your spiritual community that you are committed to one another. Additionally, only members can vote on important church matters.
Classes required for membership at Unity of Toledo are offered two times per year. Membership classes culminate with a sacred blessing from our spiritual community on Membership Sunday. If you have been attending Unity of Toledo and would like to become a member, please contact Natalie Vorst, Spiritual Leader at 419-537-1001 and do the following:
Read the Unity Identity Statement
Read one core Unity Book:
(click on the book pic for link to buy) ———>
The Five Principles, Ellen Debenport
The Story of Unity, James Dillet Freeman
Unity: A Quest for Truth, Eric Butterworth
Lessons in Truth, H. Emilie Cady
How to Pray Without Talking to God, Linda Martella-Whitsett
Discover Your Divinity, Linda Martella-Whitsett
Or take a core Unity Class on any of the above or:
Prosperity Plus III
Lessons In Truth
Any S.E.E. Class
Attend a New Member Class
What is Divine Oneness?
In all of us, there is a divine consciousness or “source” energy, an essence that shines brightly within and is Divine. No matter who you are, what you have done, or what you believe, you have Source within you. This Source is everything seen and unseen and makes us all One.
Understanding Oneness, our hive mind, allows you to understand how your thoughts and actions impact the whole. What you think about, you bring about.
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Through positive, affirming thoughts and actions, you raise a positive vibration. This vibration echoes out through you and stimulates the collective consciousness. You are a co-creator with God impacting positive change for everyone.
Unity Truth principles empower you and your relationship with God. It offers a spiritual path of positivity strengthening your power of understanding and your relationship with the collective. Join us and experience a life of abundance through Unity.
Meet the People of Unity
Natalie Vorst
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Rev. Natalie Vorst is a dynamic leader who was called to serve in ministry as our Spiritual Leader. She comes to us from Girl Scouts as their Program and Partnership Manager where she designed the education and service experience for girls in the Northwest Ohio Council. Natalie has a long career of working for nonprofits leading and training Outreach Teams that serve people in poverty, addiction, and domestic violence. In tandem with her work in social services Natalie has served as a Youth Leadership Minister, Retreat Coordinator for Prison Ministry, and co-founded ToDAY Production a Christian based theater group for teens.
Natalie was ordained August 18, 2024 through Unity Worldwide Ministries. She became a licensed minister in March 2023 and completed her field ministry program in June of 2024. She continues to be a strong, powerful and magnetic high consciousness leader. She has a way of speaking with authenticity about the spiritual journey and how to live as a spiritual practice.
Natalie says that going to Unity was like coming home to a place of love where her spiritual journey was nourished and supported. It was like hearing the mother tongue of her soul. Here she was able to truly embrace a positive path for her deepest spiritual living. It is her joy to serve this community. Natalie’s vision for Unity is to grow and expand through an engaging message of love in action.
Reverend
Breanne Tucker
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Breanne has been a member of Unity of Orlando for 11 years before moving to Toledo when she joined us in January 2023. She has been a vital volunteer serving as usher, welcome ambassador, and assisting with marketing. She has also shared her insights and beautiful stories as a guest speaker here at Unity of Toledo. Breanne had this to say about her Unity experience. The first Unity service she attended in 2013 touched such a deep and vulnerable part of her, she almost left in tears. For the first time she felt spiritually, she was home.
Breanne earned her Bachelor of Social Work and master’s in criminal justice research at the University of Central Florida. Her husband, two wonderful sons, and adorable dog, Ginger, keep her days and nights full of chaos, fun, laughter, and love.
President of the Board
Patricia Newman
Treasurer
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Patricia (Trish) Newman has been involved in the Unity movement for over 50 years. Currently she expresses her love and connection with people through serving her beloved community as a prayer chaplin.
Trish has previously served on the boards of Unity Of Toledo and Unity of Torrance CA. She devotes much of her time to the underserved community and currently servers on a nonprofit board for the Englewood area of Toledo.
Currently, Trish works as a register nurse in the state Michigan. She holds a master in nursing science. Prior to nursing Trish had a professional career as an accountant manager and analyst. She holds a bachelors degree in finance/accounting.
Trish’s vision, for Unity Of Toledo is its continuing growth and expression of the unity principles throughout the diverse population of Toledo.
Larry Thompson
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Larry has been a part of Unity of Toledo since 2011 and in his time, he has served as board president and so many numerous ways of volunteering to support this community. Larry has served as the chair of our nuts and bolts committee, he is on our finance committee and was integral in helping Unity find the right investment company after we sold the church. Larry is has a deep spiritual connection and also lives the Unity Principles. He has guided this community using these principles and offers loving support most generously and genuinely. Larry has a wide range of skills and experience to move Unity of Toledo forward in growth.
Larry is retired from Ford and lives in Michigan with his lovely wife Marcia. He enjoys spending time with family and tries to keep up with his grandsons Howard and Walter.
Vice President of the Board
Tankeeya Butts
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Tankeeya has been a part of the Unity community for the past two years. During that time, she has served as an usher, reader and MC. She decided to become a member last year. She currently works for Harbor as a Senior Prevention Educator and aspires to become a lawyer. For fun she loves making people laugh through our local improv group.
As a member of the Board, I will be bringing my 15 years of nonprofit experience which includes fundraising, program management and growing grassroots organizations into full blown shrubs! I hope to help Unity of Toledo continue to thrive and grow spiritually and in love.
Tankeeya is leading our Thrive Hive here at Unity of Toledo. This is a new group dedicated to focusing on ways to grow Unity of Toledo. Just like a hive of bees working together to create a strong community, Tankeeya sees each of us raising the growth vibration here at Unity of Toledo. She knows together we create the buzz that invites others to join our loving community.
Secretary
JoAnn Coulson
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JoAnn found Unity from a walk in the park! She met Judy Hanes and the two of them began talking about mindfulness. JoAnn wished there was a community that talked about New Thought and Judy said, “I know just the place!” The next Sunday JoAnn joined us and found the loving community she was seeking. Last year she became a member and continues to learn and expand her spiritual experience.
She is a Certified Residential Appraiser in the State of Ohio and Michigan, and I am a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Ohio. She opened an appraisal/real estate office in downtown Toledo, OH, C & A Appraisers, Inc. and Coulson & Associates Real Estate Inc. She volunteers at the Symphony Peristyle Art Museum and is also an associate volunteer at Lourdes College. Ambassadors to the Arts is the non-profit I started to sponsor local artists and musicians. JoAnn would like to be on the board to support the growth of Unity of Toledo. She wants to spread our message and invite others to a deeper spiritual experience.
Assistant Treasurer
Frequently Asked Questions
From unity.org
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We encourage you to explore and apply Unity teachings based on your own spiritual understanding. We believe this spiritual understanding is enhanced through reflective prayer and meditation. The five basic ideas that make up the Unity belief system are:
God is the source and creator of all. There is no other enduring power. God is good and present everywhere.
We are spiritual beings, created in God’s image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good.
We create our life experiences through our way of thinking.
There is power in affirmative prayer, which we believe increases our connection to God.
Knowledge of these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.
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Some aspects of the Unity movement are denominational, and some are not. For example, there are more than 900 Unity churches and study groups affiliated with Unity’s sister organization, Unity Worldwide Ministries. This is a denominational aspect of Unity. In addition, the Unity Institute and Seminary at Unity Village trains approximately 60 students every two years to be Unity ministers. This is also denominational. However, the majority of the work done by Unity involves prayer, publishing and education services to people of all faiths. These nondenominational aspects include the prayer ministry, Silent Unity, Daily Word (Unity’s nondenominational inspirational monthly magazine), retreats and spiritual enrichment and education classes (SEE) that are open to everyone and teach Unity principles in nondenominational settings.
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Yes, Unity teaches that the spirit of God lived in Jesus, just as it lives in every person. Every person has the potential to express the perfection of Christ as Jesus did, by being more Christlike in everyday life.
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The Bible is Unity’s basic textbook. Scripture comes alive when it is understood as a clear and helpful guide for today’s experiences.
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Yes, symbolically. Whereas baptism by water represents the cleansing of the consciousness, spiritual baptism signifies the inflow of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a mental and spiritual process that takes place within the individual as he or she aligns with the spirit of God. Spiritual communion takes place through prayer and meditation in the silence. The word of Truth is symbolized by the bread or body of Jesus Christ. The conscious realization of God-life is symbolized by the wine or blood of Jesus Christ. Unity practices communion by appropriating, or partaking, of the spiritual energy represented by these elements.
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Sin is our separation from God, the Good, in consciousness. Salvation is now—not something that occurs after death. It happens whenever we turn our thoughts from fear, anxiety, worry and doubt to thoughts of love, harmony, joy and peace. The “fall” takes place in consciousness whenever we fall into negative habits of thinking. Heaven and hell are states of consciousness, not geographical locations. We make our own heaven or hell here and now by our thoughts, words and deeds.
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No, there is no connection, although there is sometimes confusion because of the similarity of the names. Each is a distinct organization with its own set of beliefs and practices.
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No. Unity and Christian Science, as well as many other New Thought groups, had their beginnings in the latter part of the 19th century. The application of principles, the methods of teaching, and the organization of the two movements are quite different.
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Unity is a vehicle for instruction, inspiration, and prayer support for spiritual seekers, regardless of their religious affiliation. Unity freely shares its teachings with all churches.
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