On June 6, I joyfully celebrate 29 years as an ordained Unity minister – years that have been the most fulfilling and meaningful of my life. Growing up, I never imagined myself in this role, yet there was a greater plan unfolding, and I am profoundly grateful that I said yes.
Serving as a minister is not a path meant for everyone, but for me, it has been a place of deep belonging — even in times of challenge and change. This past Sunday was a beautiful reminder of how much I cherish all of you, the incredible community at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth. Our planned Community Meeting provided a space to connect, share insights into what’s happening behind the scenes, and invite your valuable input. What I am about to share came to the Board’s attention after we had already scheduled this meeting, and in hindsight, I smile – knowing it was divine timing.
During one of the recent heavy rainstorms, we discovered a leak in the kitchen, something that has happened before near a pipe that runs up through the roof. However, when we had a contractor assess the situation, we learned that the issue was more significant than we had initially thought. It turns out that the back roof, replaced 8-10 years ago, was not constructed with the craftsmanship we had hoped for, and now it requires a full replacement.
Here is where I get to share my gratitude for this incredible community. When we presented this challenge to those at the meeting, the outpouring of support was extraordinary. We received a quote for the work, and while our contractor has been incredibly generous with his labor, the shingles themselves account for nearly half the cost of the project.
We need approximately 100 bundles of shingles, each costing $50. Thanks to the generosity of those present at the meeting, we already have 25% of the bundles funded! Now, we invite the entire community to help us cross the finish line. To keep costs down, we are asking for donations via check, cash, or Venmo (Unity Church@Unity-Church-1). If those methods are not possible, we will gladly accept contributions via credit card or PayPal as well. This Sunday, envelopes will be available specifically designated for this project, ensuring that every contribution directly supports this effort.
Thank you for your unwavering kindness, generosity, and commitment to our shared spiritual home. Together, we make it stronger.
Sunday’s message continued our Let It Be Easy series, and I can’t help but smile at how perfectly it aligns with everything I’ve just shared. The topic was Ask for What You Want — and well, that’s exactly what I just did!
Since this letter is already full of important updates, I won’t recap the message here, but if you missed it, I encourage you to watch it here.
Next week we continue with the series; the topic is Keep Your Agreements. Keeping agreements builds trust and reflects personal integrity. The importance of clear communication when circumstances change. Learning to say no when a commitment isn’t aligned with your values.
Looking forward to sharing this with you!
I’m deeply grateful for each of you taking the time to read this. You truly are special!
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
