Originating in 1889, and also known as Unity Church or Unity Worldwide Ministries, Unity is associated with the New Thought movement.
Unity was founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. The Fillmores began studying spiritual healing because Mrs. Fillmore believed she had been healed of tuberculosis. In their studies, they were influenced by Emma Curtis Hopkins, then a follower of Mary Baker Eddy's Christian Science movement, although Unity is closer to New Thought in its teachings and practices.
Until 1922, Unity was a member organization of the International New Thought Alliance.
Unity developed gradually as the Fillmores sought to share their insights with others through books, magazines, and pamphlets. They formed a service program known as Silent Unity which, through prayer and counseling, assists people by telephone and through the mail, which has been continued through email.
Following World War I, The Fillmores and their backers began construction on Unity Village, which now serves as the headquarters for the denomination and most of its departments, including the affiliated Unity School of Christianity. Now a southeast suburb of Kansas City, Unity Village now covers more than 1,400 acres, and is an incorporated village with its own post office.
Unity's teachings emphasize spiritual healing, prosperity, and practical Christianity. Unlike many other New Thought organizations, Unity stresses its agreement with traditional Christianity, describing itself as a worldwide Christian organization that teaches a positive approach to life, seeking to accept the good in all people and events.
Unity does not reject the practice of medicine, although its position is the illness is unnatural and curable by spiritual means.
Although the Church publishes the Unity Statement of Faith, as written by Charles Fillmore, it does not have a definite creed, and is tolerant of the beliefs of others.
Apart from its Silent Unity program, Unity publishes books, magazines, and pamphlets, and offers classes for those who are interested in learning more of its beliefs and practices, as well as a course of study for prospective Unity ministers. All Unity ministers must successfully complete a course of study, and achieve approval from its Unity School of Christianity.
The Church also sponsors a chapter of Youth of Unity for high school teenagers who meet together to learn Unity principles and practices, including regional and international conferences.
Affiliated schools, associations, and organizations include Unity World Headquarters, Silent Unity, the Unity Society of Practical Christianity, Unity School of Christianity, Unity Institute, the Office of Prayer Research, the Association of Unity Churches, and Unity House.
Unity theology includes a belief in God as the creator of everything. God is good, omnipresent, and omnipotent.
However, Unity views God as spiritual energy that is available to everyone all the time, and not as a person.
Jesus is seen as divine, but only in the sense that all human beings are the children of God, sharing in the potential for divinity. Jesus was a master teacher who expressed divinity and worked to show others how to do the same.
Unity reserves the term "Christ" to refer to the divinity that is in all people. Jesus was the great example of the Christ.
Humans are spiritual beings, created in the image of God. Because the spirit of God lives within everyone, people are inherently good and sacred. Each individual creates his or her own life experiences through their way of thinking.
There is power in affirmative prayer, as this enhances a person's connection to God.
The knowledge of or belief in spiritual principles are not enough; people must live them. Unity holds that it is possible to live up to the teachings of Jesus every day.
The Christian Bible is studied as allegory and a historical record. It is considered a valuable resource, but they believe that it represents the understandings of the human authors and their mileu.
Lessons in Truth: A Course of Twelve Lessons in Practical Christianity, written by H. Emilie Cady in 1896, is considered a significant text in Unity, although not as scripture.
Topics related to Unity Headquarters or any of their departments, associations, or affiliations are the focus of topics in this category. Informational sites are also appropriate, whether complimentary or oppositional toward Unity Church or Unity theology and practices.
Recommended Resources
A publication of Unity, Daily Word offers practical and inspirational teachings, and daily prayer messages to assist people in living healthy, meaningful, and prosperous lives, with each issue containing two months of daily affirmation messages, daily prayer articles, and spiritual poetry, available in print or digital formats, which are described here. Subscriptions may be made through the site, which also includes selected articles and features from the publication.
http://www.dailyword.com/
Created by David Ezell, chair of the music ministry team at Unity Worldwide Ministries, the online music library features sheet music for soloists, choirs, small vocal ensembles, and congregational thinking. Songs are arranged by songwriters, musical styles, performance mediums, subjects, seasonal and special occasions, and accomplishment tracks. Catalogs are also available on Excel spreadsheets, which may also be downloaded, and a Spanish section is also available.
http://www.heartwindmusic.com/
Formed in 1963, the congregation is associated with the New Thought movement. Originally an independent New Thought body, the church affiliated with the international organization headquartered at Unity Village, Missouri. The history of the Cincinnati, Ohio church is told, and its location, program schedules, and a calendar of events are put forth, along with volunteer service opportunities and prayer affirmations and requests.
http://www.ntunity.org/
Highlighting the teachings of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, Truth-Unity offers live classes, online audio and video streaming of messages and lessons from several Unity teachers and founders, serving as a place for studying, practicing, and sharing the Unity message. Its mission, values, vision, and strategies are outlined, and an outline of Unity theology and practice are included. Photographs, a list of available courses, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.truthunity.net/
Unity grew out of the New Thought movement of the late 1800s, owing its origins to Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. Its history, philosophy, and practices are highlighted on the official denominational website. Other topics include an introduction to Unity Village, Unity Village Chapel, Unity Near You, and Unity Worldwide Ministries. Its publications are featured and may be subscribed to or viewed online.
http://www.unity.org/
Unity & Silent Unity in New Zealand
Serving New Zealand, Unity of Auckland is part of a worldwide spiritual organization that grew out of the teachings of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. The beliefs and principles of Unity are featured, along with its Silent Unity prayer and support program, leadership structure, and administrative contacts, as well as a calendar of upcoming programs and events, weekly schedules, and a photo gallery.
http://www.unitynz.org/
Representing the Unity Church bodies in the United Kingdom, U-UK is an LGBTQI-inclusive spiritual body, teaching that no one exists outside the heart of God. Its principles, testimonials, and an overview of what it has to offer are set forth, including its Silent Unity services, monthly prayer services, and affirmative prayers, its Daily Word publication, and a calendar of retreats and other events. An online shopping area is included.
http://www.unityuk.org/
Unity School of Christianity, Australia
USCA is an independent Unity center teaching a pathway to Jesus Christ through Practical Christianity, remaining true to the core principles on which Unity was founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. Headquartered in Ashmore City, in Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, administrative contacts are posted, along with statements of its focus and purpose, ministries, services, and publications.
http://www.unityaus.org.au/
Incorporated as a 501c3 charitable organization, Unity Worldwide Ministries is an association that includes Unity ministries, leaders and congregants, its regions, and central office, the latter of which is engaged in supporting ministers, ministries, credentialed leaders, regions, the Board of Trustees, and ministry teams, many of which are highlighted here, along with a calendar of events, publications, contacts, and an online shopping area offering a variety of Unity products.
https://www.unityworldwideministries.org/
Unity Worldwide Ministries Media
Maintained by Unity Worldwide Ministries, the sub-site features Unity-themed digital content, such as videos photographs, and posters, which may be used by ministries and individuals to share on their social media, PowerPoint presentations, electronic news sites, and websites, although not commercially or for fundraisers. There is no fee to download any item, and its policies are posted on the site. For convenience, resources are sorted into various categories and may be found via search.
https://www.unityworldwide.media/
