What is Unity?

"There is only One Presence and One Power in the Universe, God the Good - expressing as Infinite God beyond us (arms spread wide), Intimate God beside us (Namaste position: hands in front), Inner God being us (hands over heart)...Divine LOVE in Action (hands clasped together)."  Unity of Monterey Bay's Current Statement of Faith

“Unity is part of the mystical, New Thought movement, which began in the late 19th century; we share a Christian heritage – with Jesus as our Master Teacher – but we focus on the teachings OF Jesus – rather than the religion that has grown up ABOUT him. As our name, UNITY, suggests – we are inclusive –  meaning we honor other religious and spiritual traditions and Master Teachers, believing ultimately that all paths, grounded in love, lead to God.”  Rev. Vicky Elder

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Our Vision: Just imagine a world powerfully transformed by advancing the global movement of spiritual awakening and transformation through Unity.

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Winter 2021 Affirmation:  Living in Spirit-- I Am Guided By Spirit...

Our Senior Minister

Vicky Elder

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Rev Vicky Elder has served as our Minister since 1998, first as co-ministers with her late husband, Rory, and since his passing in 2007, as the Senior Minister. Her passions include social justice and creating a space for all people to explore their spiritual nature, become biblically and spiritually informed, and discover their own Path to the Sacred. Vicky also serves as the Regional Representative for the West Central Region of Unity Churches, as well as the Chair of the Unity Worldwide Ministries (UWM) Standards Committee, as a member of the Regional Advisory Council, and as a member of the Ethics Review System Team.

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In addition to ministry, Vicky's passion is her family. Her sons, Travis & Kyle, grew up in Monterey and continue to make it their home. Her daughter, Brianna, lives in Cincinnati, OH with her husband, Salvador, and their sons (Vicky's beloved grandsons), Mateo and Joaquin. And her rescue pup, Tohbi, lives with her in Castroville.

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Prior to ministry, Vicky worked as a Program Manager for the CA Attorney General's Crime & Violence Prevention Center and as a counselor at the Unity Life Enrichment Center in Sacramento, CA. She has a BA (Political Science) and an MA (Public Policy) from San Francisco State University, an MA in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of San Francisco, as well as her Divinity Training at Unity's Ministerial Program in Lee's Summit, MO.

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Our Associate Minister

Michelle Jelinch, MA Mdiv

Rev. Michelle Jelinch graduated from Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained at Unity Village in June 2019. Michelle has been a member of Unity of Monterey Bay since 1996 and joyfully served as a Prayer Chaplain and on the Leadership Council for many years. She now serves as Associate Minister and works very closely with Rev. Vicky. Some of Michelle’s passions include Bible interpretation, Jesus’ teachings, inclusive and intergenerational ministry, prayer/meditation, nature, and helping others to come to know God as Love.

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Prior to ministry, Michelle received a Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and worked as an ESL instructor at Hartnell, Gavilan, and Monterey Peninsula Colleges. She has also worked as a family law paralegal and a medical transcriptionist. Michelle received her BA in Language Studies from UC Santa Cruz. While an undergraduate, she lived in Mexico for two years, where she studied at the Universidad de Guadalajara and taught ESL. She is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about Mexican history and culture. A few years ago, Michelle created a Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos celebration at UMB which has become part of our annual liturgical calendar.

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In August 2019 Michelle celebrated 24 years of sobriety and she is excited and knowledgeable about how the teachings of Unity can complement a 12-step recovery program. Michelle’s greatest joy in life is raising her son, Alexander, who has special needs. She lives in Monterey with her son, their dog, and two cats.

Leadership Council

(Board of Trustees)

Martha Price: Co-President (PowerPoint/Website Liaison)

Robin Falkenberg: Co-President (Platform Liaison, Chaplain, Veterans' Outreach)

Sue Rojcewicz: Secretary (Chaplain Coordinator/Liaison, Music Team, COPA) 

Colleen Adams: Treasurer (Usher/Banquet Liaison, Platform, COPA)

Larry Sanks: Trustee (Building Liaison, Chaplain, Sound Team, COPA)

Kay Payan: Trustee (Sacred Grounds Store Manager)

John Dundon: Trustee

MaryAnn Boylan: President Emerita (COPA Liaison)

James Bogan: Trustee Emeritus

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CHURCH STAFF

Vicky Elder: Senior Minister

Michelle Jelinch: Associate Minister

Denise Hedlind: Music Director

Dori Bogan: Administrative Team

What's Happening

Sundays at 10:00 AM

Sunday Services

Now that Monterey County has entered the orange tier, we are able to have in person services following the CDC Guidelines. Beginning Easter Sunday, we are opening our doors to inviting those who feel comfortable to join us in person! You will need to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and refrain from singing.

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We will still be live-streaming our Sunday Service on our Unity Monterey Facebook page at 10 AM Sunday morning. (Note: If you sign in after 10 but before the service ends, you cannot start at the beginning, but can watch from where you enter. After the service ends (by 11:15 at the latest) you can find and watch the service from the beginning. If you are not on Facebook, you can watch the service on our Unity of Monterey YouTube channel after it gets posted by Sunday afternoon.

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In order to stay connected, remember that prayer requests can me made at our website.

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Needless to say, your on-line, mail-in, or auto-bank-giving is greatly appreciated in these challenging times, and always. We continue to affirm that prosperity is a state of mind and abundance in joyous generosity. Now especially, we transform all appearance of fear or lack into faith-filled peace of mind by shifting our attention to thoughts of gratitude for the abundance of God's Good in our lives.

Spirit of Recovery on Unity Online Radio with Rev. Michelle Jelinch

Tuesdays at 2 PM

Spirit of Recovery explores the ways that Unity teachings and 12-step recovery intertwine -and work together - to support our spiritual growth on our recovery journey. Each week Rev. Michelle and her co-host, Rev. Dan Beckett, share their experience, strength, and hope in a fun, casual format. You can listen live, and/or access all past archivesd shows at the link; or you can find Spirit of Recovery on Spotifu, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Tune In.

Spiritual Discussion Circle

Wednesdays  7-8:15 PM

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April 28: Our Spiritual Discussion Circle will continue this week with a discussion of The Way of the Heart, based on Sunday's Part 2  lesson.  

All are welcome. Offered on a love-offering basis.

2021

Calendar

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• Sundays - Virtual  and In-Person church services on Facebook at Unity Monterey page.

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• Mondays at 7:00: Prayer Vigil (via Zoom) lead by Rev Molly Steele

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• Wednesdays: 7:00-8:15: Classes via Zoom 

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• Sept. 10-12 - Women's Retreat

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• Friday, Sept. 17 - Unity Banquet at the Black Horse Bayonet

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Expand Your Spiritual Toolbox

If you’re looking for tools to support your spiritual journey, we have collected some of the most practical ways to nurture your divine spirit—whether you’re looking for an affirmation, a meditation, or simply silence.

2020

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Weddings and Ceremonies

Contact Vicky Elder

We are looking for a Youth Church Aide to support Nicole - there is a modest monthly stipend available... If you know of someone who loves working with children, please encourage them to speak to Nicole, or Michelle, or Vicky. (Our policy is to have two adults present with the children at all times.) In the meantime, if you are willing to volunteer in times of need - please also let Michelle and/or Nicole know. 

We are also needing to create a Sound Team - now that Kyle is soon off to boot camp. If you would be willing to serve one or two Sundays a month - and learn the set-up and management of the Sound Board - please speak with Vicky or Robin or Larry. 

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Prayer Request: