A reason to celebrate

On Sunday, November 8, Unity of Ventura had our first service at our new 700 E. Main Street location!

We had moved to the new building because we were out of room at our old church, but guess what? Our new church was completely full, too! Over 120 people showed up to help us "Make a joyful noise."

Led by wonderful guest musician Tina Meeks, we raised the roof with our singing.



Reverend Cathy personally thanked many of the people who helped make the move possible. It was a true team effort, and the love and affection we have for one another in our Unity family was shown through the great efforts of so many.

Even though the church has gone through a great change, we have brought the best parts of the old church with us and have added some great new things, like amazing stained-glass windows, more office and Sunday school space, room for more people and a nice fellowship area.

Of course some of the "best parts" from the past are people - like our amazing and talented Jack at the piano:


And our intrepid sound man, Doug, who is also a talented musician in his own right:


We look forward to making new friendships and strengthening old ones as we enjoy our new church home. Please join us.

We are looking so good!

Our new church building at 700 East Main Street in Ventura is gorgeous, and our offices at 740 E. Main are becoming beautiful, too, thanks to a giant crew of helpers.

On Saturday, October 24, Unity members and friends came and went to the office building all day long, cleaning, spackling and painting. Others, like our beloved Amy Bolland, brought food for the hungry troops.

By the late afternoon, several rooms had been painted shades of seafoam blue and soft gold and others were clean and spackled and ready for next week's crew.

We will be meeting again 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 31 to continue the project. We would love to have you join us. Wear your grubbies and bring your energy and willingness. We will be painting all day long.

Then on Sunday, November 1, we will both celebrate Dia de los Muertos AND move our church. Wear your jeans and old shirts to church, because after the service, fueled by tacos and mariachi music, we will pack up everything in the old (Sperry Ave.) church.

On Monday, November 2, we can also use moving help unpacking boxes at the new church building.

Our first service at our new location will be November 8. Please join us with all of your finest patience and humor as we work the bugs out! We look forward to growing and changing with each and every one of you, and with new friends too.

Great News - we have a new home!

Unity of Ventura will be moving to our new home at 700 E. Main Street in Ventura in the next few weeks. It is a gorgeous building that was built in 1924.


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Our first service in the new building will be on November 8, 2009. Please join us in our new spot!

Blessed with good friends

Unity of Ventura has been so blessed with wonderful speakers lately.



Our friend John Maxwell Taylor stopped by with his lovely wife Emily Hartwell for a Sunday talk and two wonderful workshops on The Power of I Am and the Healing with the Tao.

Please make sure to check out John's website, because he has some great video. A talented actor and speaker, John has a melodic Welsh accent that makes him pleasurable to listen to.

Then, at the end of August, famed speaker and author on spirituality and health Susan Smith Jones came to our church. Smith Jones is a glowing example of vibrant good health, so she obviously practices what she preaches.

She debuted her new book Health Bliss: 50 Revitalizing NatureFoods & Lifestyle Choices to Promote Vibrant Health at Unity of Ventura, and we were proud to have her choose to share her writing with us.

Thanks to our fascinating speakers. Stay tuned for more exciting speakers and events in the upcoming months.

Ventura County Fair Parade

We had a great time at the Ventura County Fair Parade. Carl let us borrow the big red Dingmasters fire engine.


The kids loved riding on the fire truck.


Looks like Noah has a halo in this one!


Tyler waves the flag


Matthew shows his smile


We even had some enthusiastic fans along the route!


We can't wait til next year!

A visit from an old friend

Richard Levy loves to use props in his talks - this one is on Jacob's Ladder. Thanks to Charlie for the use of his ladder.And apologies for the poor photo quality - camera phone from a distance!

As Reverend Cathy rode off into the sunset to celebrate a long-awaited honeymoon with her husband,Charlie, Unity of Ventura got a very special visit from Richard and Maureen Levy.

Richard went to ministerial school with Cathy (a few short years ago) and has led some of the largest Unity congregations in the United States, most recently Seattle Unity Church.

Following his heart and his own unique path, Richard recently left that church and is on to new adventures.

His wife of 37 years, Maureen, has joined him in their own Flexing Heart Ministry. Check out their website - they have one- to three-minute video inspirations being posted weekly.

While they were with us, Richard gave two Sunday lessons and he and Maureen presented two evening workshops.

At the conclusion of each workshop, the Levys gave participants the Oneness Blessing, a simple laying on of hands that can have profound results.

We thank the Levys for taking over for Cathy and for sharing their deep, funny and insightful teachings with us at Unity of Ventura. We are truly blessed to have so many good friends with ministerial talents.

Financial Peace!

About 20 people have been attending our 13-week class on Wednesday evenings, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.

We are all learning sound financial planning principles that will lead us to be debt-free and prosperous.

During week 4, people began cutting up their credit cards! Reverend Cathy bravely showed us how it is done:



Keep your eyes open, because we will have more upcoming classes on prosperity. Something is always happening at Unity of Ventura!

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender - Proverbs 22:7