2024 Unity SpiritGroups Annual Leadership Summit
Let’s Grow Together
Who: Program Leaders, Group Leaders, Hosts, Ministers with Unity SpiritGroups in their ministries
When: Friday, June 14-Sunday, June 16
Friday, June 14:
3 p.m. Tour of Unity Village
5 p.m. Dinner together at a local restaurant
7 p.m. Walk the labyrinth at Unity Village
Saturday, June 15:
8:30 a.m. Meet to ride together to Unity of Independence
9 a.m. Annual Leadership Summit begins
12:00 p.m. Lunch together, served at Unity of Independence
5:30 p.m. Wrap up Annual Leadership Summit Program and ride back to Unity Village
Sunday, June 16:
9:00 am Meet to ride together to Unity of Independence
10:00 a.m. Church service
11:00 a.m. Wrap Up church service and ride back to Unity Village
Where: Unity Village, MO and Unity of Independence, MO
What: A fun and fulfilling get together loaded with opportunities to connect (meals, interactive programs, a village tour), commune (walking the labyrinth at the Village, time in a chapel at the village, and a church service), compassion (supporting each other as we learn new things, and offering kindness as we develop our friendships), challenge (setting our intentions for our summit and challenging ourselves to carry them forward to our ministries), and community (completing a community service project together).
Cost: $75.00 for Annual Leadership Summit Program
Other expenses: If you are interested in participating in our fundraising event, we will be selling Unity SpiritGroup blocks with the 5C’s. See attached flyer for more information.
Personal expenses: travel, hotel, meals, novelties
Hotels near Unity Village
Hampton Inn, 1751 NE Douglas Street, Lee's Summit, MO 64086
• Free Parking
• Click here to book at Hampton Inn (Preferred browser: Chrome; booking complications may be experienced if using Apple Safari)
Fairfield Inn, 1301 NE Windsor Drive Lees Summit, Missouri 64086
• $3.00 parking/night
• Click here to book at Fairfield Inn (Preferred browser: Chrome; booking complications may be experienced if using Apple Safari)
Holiday Inn Express: 1201 NW Innovation Parkway, Lee's Summit, MO 64086
• Free Parking
• Click here to book at Holiday Inn Express (Preferred browser: Chrome; booking complications may be experienced if using Apple Safari)
Unity SpiritGroups Leadership Training Program
"Initially, it seemed a bit ridiculous to me to think that by starting a small community, we could somehow change the world, but now, it seems more ridiculous to me to think that somehow the world will change if we don't do something."
~ Episcopal Priest Becca Stevens
What is Unity SpiritGroups?
Unity SpiritGroups isn’t the next best thing. It is one of THE things that, when administered effectively, will enrich, and enhance the ministry experience for your current members and will offer growth opportunities for your future members within the ministry.
UWM is taking Charles’ teachings and experiences into the present and future of mission-centric ministries. Following 50 years of research and practice, Unity SpiritGroups curriculum takes small group ministry to the next several levels. The Unity SpiritGroups Team supports the Unity SpiritGroups Program Leader-in-training through their planning and launch phase, guiding them step-by step, answering every question, helping through every challenge. After they successfully complete and launch their Unity SpiritGroups in their ministries, work or volunteer environments, or wherever they are led to lead, we assist them in their practice with follow-up trainings weekly and monthly, as well as offering advanced trainings, refreshers, and collaboration time with other Unity SpiritGroups Program Leaders. Unity SpiritGroups Certified Program Leaders can serve as the Membership Directors of their ministries, among other things.
The Unity SpiritGroups Leader Certification Program is designed to facilitate the expansion of the concept of small group ministry and provide ministries, Unity and non-Unity alike, with the information, documents, training, support, advice, and planning to launch, lead, and nurture small groups.
Anyone who is interested in creating safe spaces that foster spiritual growth for individuals in group settings, while naturally growing their ministries and organizations can take this training course. You don’t need to be associated with a ministry; you only need the desire to learn how to lead. The program has no credentialing status in Unity churches or Unity Worldwide Ministries.
SpiritGroups is a cohort-based learning community. Each class will build upon the previous one experientially. Classes for Unity SpiritGroups are not available individually.
Tuition is $1,500.00; Needs-based scholarships are available.
PLEASE NOTE: if you have not already enrolled in UWSI, you will need to that before applying for this program.
About small groups, Episcopal Priest Becca Stevens wrote:
“Initially, it seemed a bit ridiculous to me to think that by starting a small community, we could somehow change the world, but now, it seems more ridiculous to me to think that somehow the world will change if we don’t do something.
Now, I can see that one loving gesture is practically divine. We have to do small things and believe a big difference is coming. It’s like the miraculous drops of water that seep through mountain limestone. They gather themselves into springs that flow into creeks that merge into rivers that find their way to oceans. Our work is to envision the drops as oceans. We do our small parts and know a powerful ocean of love and compassion is downstream. Each small gesture can lead to liberation. The bravest thing we can do in this world is not cling to old ideas or fear of judgment, but step out and just do something for love’s sake. . .
There is no secret formula to experiencing the sacred in our lives. It just takes practice and practicality. The deep truth of our lives and the fullness we are striving for don’t happen with someone giving us the code to deep knowledge. Meaning and faith are not secret things. Sometimes what we need most is to remind one another of how the divine is all around us, calling us to see and taste it for ourselves.”
It is true! Small things do make a big difference. Since, the ministries where Unity SpiritGroups are being led with structure and creativity are experiencing spiritual and physical growth.
Click here for FAQ's
For more information about why you might want to introduce Unity SpiritGroups to your ministry, watch this YouTube video presented by
USG and Specialty Certificate Coordinator, Indira Huerta.