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OUR FIRST TEN YEARS 1980 – 1990
Chapter 1: People Coming Together
Fall of 1980
Five families, which consisted of: Frances and Amos Clark; Mavis and Dennis Brandt; Rick and Karon Carroll;Virgie Villella; and Mike and Judy Tobiason met in the home of Virgie Villella; later with Frances and Amos Clark, and on other occasions in the home of Mavis and Dennis Brandt.A neighbor had told Frances about Helen Stigler’s Lynnwood class, which they started attending.
It was here that all the above people of like mind met each other.
When Helen later gave up the class, Bob Wasner, then Minister of the Everett Church, took over the class. When he resigned, the class members asked if he would start a church in Lynnwood. He replied, “No, but Gerri Weeks, his assistant could do the job quite well.” They decided to create a new church in Lynnwood, which would be an offspring from the Everett Church. Rev. Bob Wasner gave them his blessings, saying he would help in any way he could.
May 6, 1981
Reverend Robert A. WasnerHarmony Hill Unity Church
3101 Lombard Street
Everett, WA 98201
Dear Reverend Wasner,
Tom Nielsen forwarded to me your request to rent space at Edmonds Community
College for meetings of a possible congregation of the Unity Church which you
wish to have established in the Edmonds area.
The State Attorney General's office informs me that state institutions are
specifically forbidden to establish long-term rental agreements with religious organizations, however it is possible on a short-term or emergency basis to rent such space. Therefore we would be amenable to renting space sufficient for a congregation of approximately 100 in either the student lounge or the student cafeteria for your meetings on Sunday.
t would be necessary for us to charge $100 per meeting and to limit our lease to no more than six months. Our regular custodial crew would clean the area in preparation for your meetings and rearrange furniture to your to your specifications provided that it would not be necessary to move significant amounts of furniture into the area. The areas of the student lounge or cafeteria which we suggest could be opened on Sunday by our security personnel and would have restrooms available. The remainder of the building would remain locked.
I invite you to come to the college so that we can look at those spaces and
investigate further the possibility of renting you space.
Sincerely,
Jennis J. Bapst
Dean of Administrative Services
JJB/w
EdmondsCommunityColIege
20000 68TH AVENUE WEST, LYNNWOOD, WASHINGTON 98036, (206) 771-1500
January 1981: New Members:
On January 17, we happily welcomed into Membership Robbie and Kari Galbraith and Bob and Barbara Smolinsky. This brings our Membership to 46. We are growing! Those interested in becoming Members, speak to the Minister. Our next Membership Sunday will be April 18, and we will be offering before that date a Membership Class to acquaint those wishing membership to the basic beliefs of Unity and the meaning of membership.
They met at the Lynnwood Recreation Center until they could get approval to meet at the Edmonds Community College. According to Mavis Brendt, at was at this place that their small group started to gather in more people. Such as Bob Smolinsky, Ed and Phyllis Figenbaum, and many, many others.
July 11, 1981
Dr. Jennis J. Baptst
Dean of Administrative Services
EDMONDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
20000 68th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Dear Dr. Baptst:
The Steering Committee of Lynnwood Unity - "Church for Today'
met this last week and unanimously decided to accept the facilities
available at EDMONDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE as follows:
1. The Student Union Hall
2. Two adjacent smaller meeting rooms
(a) One to be used for nursery purpose
(b) One to be used for the Children's Sunday School
3. We accept your offer of six (6) month's lease at
$100.00 per Sunday. We ask now that we may initially remit low and
build at the end of the lease term as you suggested.
We will be ready to utilize your facility beginning the first Sunday
of September, 1981.
Also, we would like to have considered in the future the additional
use of space during the work week in the evenings for an adult class?
Would there be any objection if a portable directory sign be placed
adjacent to the parking for each Sunday Morning and if agreed during
class times. At the close of each function this would be removed and
stored.
Thank you for your consideration in these matters. Please call at
your convenience to confirm these arrangements.
Your interest and support in this endeavor is sincerely appreciated.
Sincerely,
Geraldine T. Weeks
Minister
Lynnwood Unity "Church for Today"
GT1..bJk:s
cc: Mrs. V. Villillea
Mr. Michael Tobiason
Mr. Dale Merrell
Mrs. B. K. Stinson
August 7, 1981
Geraldine T. Weeks, Minister
Lynnwood Unity "Church for Today"
P.O. Box 479
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Dear Reverend Weeks:
In order to complete the arrangements for your church’s use of our facilities, we will need a signature for the church on the enclosed Activities Scheduling Request and the agreement to Indemnify form and its attachment. Please return them to me. After they are signed here, a copy will be returned to you.
Please continue to work with Ivan Gorne or Yvonne DeMiero on specific details.
Usage fee checks should be made out to Edmonds Community College and mailed
c/o Yvonne DeMiero at the college address.
At least initially we will be unable to provide you with storage space or a
piano. It is permissible to put a portable directory sign adjacent to the
parking lot each Sunday morning while you are using the facilities.
Space for use in the evenings for a class should be arranged for separately
through Yvonne DeMiero, Room Lynnwood 335, 771-1509, but at least for Fall
quarter such space is severely limited.
Sincerely,
Jennis J. Bapst,
Vice President for
Administrative Services
JJB/w
Attachments
cc: Ivan Gorne
Yvonne DeMiero
EdmondsCommunityColIege
20000 68TH AVENUE WEST, LYNNWOOD, WASH INGTON 98036,
(206) 7711500
September, 1981
September 1981 was the beginning of the Ministry at Edmonds Community College. Our 1st Minister, Rev. Gerri Weeks
Celebration Time
Rick Carroll hugging Gerri Our 1st Board Members: Frances and Amos on right corner
‘Helping’ Letter from David Durksen, Assistant Minister.
Rev. Geri Weekes
Unity Church For Today
POBox 479
Lynnwood, WA 98036
September 3,1981 "A WAY OF LIFE"
Dear Geri,
It was great seeing you stepping out in faith into a new ministry! It was truly
inspiring to see you picking up the pieces of a broken ministry and starting
over again with a beautiful firm vision of God's good for the Lynnwood area. Our
love and prayers are with you as we know yours are with us.
I promised to write regarding church finances and how I felt you could most
effectively manage the finances in order to allow the ministry to grow and
develop in a beautiful and easy way.
I feel the first thing that is necessary is a philosophy of church finances that
is based on sound business practice and the truth of God's unlimited supply.
We have established a cash management philosophy that emphasizes the Truth that we
have the right to minister easily without money being our primary concern or a
limiting factor in our programs and services. This philosophy implies the
establishment of a system that will allow for both the expected and unexpected
expenses of the ministry and still leave the ministry in a viable financial
position.
We discussed the need for the minister's compensation to be an integral part
of the philosophy and I feel in an Outreach ministry such as yours that the minister
should receive fifty percent of the income after the tithe. This way if the income
increases, the good to the minister increases and the good to the church increases.
If you are on a fixed salary, you will be in a position where in months of income
short-fall, the minister is o.k. and the church suffers; or if you have an income
surplus, you will be in a position where the church benefits and the minister suffers.
As the church grows and your expenses and operating costs increase, this formula
needs to be open for revision and change without destroying the initial intent of
the philosophy of good for all concerned.
It is important in your decision making process to decide how income from weddings,
counselings and memorial services are to be handled. Often weddings, counselings
and memorial services held outside of regular church hours go directly to the
minister. This has advantages and disadvantages, and you might wish to consider
all income coming into the general fund and being divided.
If you would like more information or my feelings and attitudes regarding this,
either write me or phone me and I will respond in more detail.
With the minister’s compensation being a part of the good for all philosophy, the
next thing you should do as an individual and have the church do as a corporate
whole, is to establish a cash flow savings account. The balance in this account
should never be less than one month's expenses. As your expenses grow, the balance
in your account should grow. With this account you can easily, joyfully and truely
thrive thanks for the goods and services you use and pay for them when they are due.
All income from Sundays and other activities is then deposited into this account in
order to maintain the balance over one month's expenses. In this, it is a good
idea to treat the minister's compensation as part of the expenses in order that
the balance in the account stays high.
I suggest the use of a savings account so that this money can accrue interest
and the use of a checking account to which money is transferred in order to
cover the necessary expenses. In that way with each transfer to your checking
account you are covering the specific expenses incurred by the checks written.
The next idea that is a key to your growth and your success is the establishment
of a growth fund, and I would recommend that all income over expenses be placed into
a growth fund savings account. I would also recommend that you establish a high
yield account either through a bank or through a money market mutual funds. I can
make other specific suggestions and recommendations if you would like. The purpose
of your growth fund is to finance the growth and development of the ministry in
Lynnwood. As you progress it is a good idea to have a very specific goal and
purpose for the monies accumulated in this account. Your growth fund is not a
savings account for a rainy day. It is not to "make do," or help out at some
future date. It is for some specific purpose.
The things that the growth fund is spent for should all be capital items that
will become assets to the ministry, such as folding chairs or pews, an organ,
typewriters -- things with lasting value. The growth fund should not be used
for hand-outs, for salaries, or things that do not have a lasting value in and
of themselves. The long-term purpose of the growth fund is to allow you to
purchase and build or purchase and remodel your right and perfect church home. With
interest rates and finances being what they are, the only feasible way of doing
this is by having the cash in advance. I know there are many people who would
disagree with this, ana show other ways. However, if you have the cash in the
bank it is easy to leverage that asset to multiply it and allow you to move
forward in an easy and beautiful work.
As you work with the growth and development of your ministry, it is important to
handle the day to day finances as a living example of God's abundance, to make
each transaction of your ministry an affirmation of the Truth and a living example
of the free-flow of good in and through the ministry.
stewardship will become an easy and beautiful habit that will allow you to make
gigantic forward steps in love, joy and harmony.
Geri, if you or your Board have any additional questions or concerns and if I can
be of help to you in any way, please feel free to call me or to write me and
I will do whatever I can.
We send our love and prayers and we see you and your ministry as a dynamic, vital and growing Center of Light, Love and Wisdom.
Yours in Truth,
UNITY CHURCH
David Durksen,
Assistant Minister
February 1982: Desiring Renewal of 6mo. lease
UNITY CHURCH FOR TODAY
6627 200th SW #15
Lynnwood, WA 08036
Dr. Jennis Bapst, Administrative Services
EDMONDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
20000 68th Avenue West
Lynnwood, Washington 98036
Dear Dr. Bapst:
We, the Board and membership of Unity Church For Today, wish
to express our thanks for the availability of the Woodway Student
Lounge for our Sunday Services.
Our Six month tenure there has allowed us to increase both
our membership and our services provided to the surrounding community.
We have established a firm foundation for our organization;
one that we can build and grow from.
We anticipate and expect to become permanent and productive
members of the Lynnwood-Edmonds Community. This will require eventual
ownership of our own facilities. However, the time is not now
right for this.
We would therefore like to request an extension of our present
lease. We feel that this relation has been beneficial not only for
Unity Church for Today, but also Edmonds Community College and the
community as a whole. We would like to emphasize the following
points:
(1) Our annual payment of $5,200.00 comes at a time when
community colleges are being challanged to find additional
sources of revenue.
(2) Our presence at Edmonds Community College is minimal
and unobtrusive, encompassing basically the hours of 9:30 a.m.
until 11:30 a.m., Sunday mornings.
(3) We provide permanent part-time employment for two students
through our nursery and musical projects.
(4) We firmly believe in the principle of separation of
church and state. Our substantial payment of $100.00 per
service percludes any "conflict" in this area.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerley,
UNITY CHURCH FOR TODAY
Geraldine T. Weeks, Minister
GTV~:bks
March, 1982
Gifts and Faith Bonds:
We are well on our way towards the purchase of the church building in Mountlake Terrace on the corner of 56th and 238th.
Special thanks and blessings to those of you who have so generously come forward financially to help make a building of our own a reality for us. Every Sunday we will take time to bring you up to date on our progress. Thank you, Father, for this opportunity of a church home.
March 9, 1982
Geraldine Weeks, Minister
Unity Church for Today
P.O. Box 479
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Dear Reverend Weeks:
Thank you for the copy of the "Search Committee" report given to your
congregation on February 7, 1982.
In view of your attempts to find a permanent meeting place for the Unity
Church for Today, we will continue to regard your situation as an emergency
one and will extend the lease agreement through May 30, 1982, on a month by
month basis contingent upon receiving the monthly reports of your attempts
to find a permanent facility.
However, in no case will we be able to extend the rental of our facilities
beyond May 30, 1982.
Sincerely,
Jenn:Ls J. Bapst
Vice President for
Administrative Services
T TT"\ ,
,JJDI W
cc: R. Batley
D. Bloom
I. Gorne
Y. DeMiero
EdmondsCommunityColIege
20000 68TH AVENUE WEST, LYNNWOOD, WASHINGTON 98036, (206) 7711500
1982 - May
Dear Friends ...
This week we sent our Incorporation papers off to the State capital in Olympia. This means
that we are taking definite steps to becoming a full fledged Unity Church. We have been able to
carry forward the Unity work in this area because Rod McCallum and Unity of Whidbey have
been kind enough to sponsor us as an Outreach work unti1 we were able to function independently.
In June, 1982 the entire Ministerial Conference body will vote us into the Association
of Unity Churches as a fully functioning Unity Church.
Since July, when we held our first Sunday Service, we have had an exciting time because
the growth of this church has been unusually fast and good for which we are very thankful and
we know that it will continue to grow in this good way. There is a certain vitality and dedication
and love within our church that is felt by everyone and also by those newcomers we are
watching join us every Sunday. Thanks to all of us for the good growth of our church here.
Blessings,
Geri, Minister
1982______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 4: With the Blessings of Jesus, We Moved Forward.
Matthew 7:7
ASK and it shall be given
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and the door will be opened to you.
Incorporation Time -
With only 25 members, the Unity Church for Today was incorporated in the State of Washington in 1982, and was recognized by the Assoc. of Unity Churches that same year.
(Washington now has 26 Churches)
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Meet the Original Founders of Unity Church: Charles and Myrtle Fillmore
_________________________________________________________
May 23, 1982
Chapter 2: The Early Beginnings of Unity Church For Today – 1982
Thanks to Everyone who has given so generously of their money, time and efforts into making it possible for us to hold our first 10 – 11 AM Sunday Service on May 23 in our new church. We held our first service in Lynnwood on July 5, 1981, and we already have our own Church building. We have a lot to celebrate and to be thankful for!
The Board of Directors and the small congregation of forty-six people stepped out in faith, in approx. April or May of 1982, and purchased a run-down church on the corner of 56th and 238th in Mountlake Terrace.
The building had been used for refugee housing for several families. Once the building was purchased, major necessary renovation was started and months later, completed. The members did most of the work themselves. One time during roof repair, the heavens opened and the Sunday morning service was Divinely baptized!
Everyone worked very hard as they cut down overgrown trees and cleared out the disheveled upstairs and downstairs of the building.
· Amos Clark spent three days a week for many months as he changed the church building from the inside out.
· He built the kitchen sink area;
· He painted all the rooms;
· he dug ditches;
· he put in the water pipes;
· he put in and took down walls and doors, and enclosed the bathroom windows per the City’s requirements.
· He also put in place the entire load of heavy rocks around the front, creating a very attractive rockery. He was a very busy man.
Anyone know this man?
The indoor steps, which lead upstairs had to be removed because they were too steep and caused people to fall as they descended to the restrooms below.
So Amos and the other men repaired the outdoor rock and cement stairway, which lead down to the bottom level of the church and soon the office and activities were relocated to the first floor of the building.
The two pulpits in the sanctuary were changed to using only one, and the huge baptismal tub that sat between them was also removed. Yeah, Amos…it is coming together!
Frances meanwhile, worked around the church two days of each week. She weeded the rockery and helped with much of the necessary painting.
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
1st Service in New Church: July 23, 1982
UNITY CHURCH FOR TODAY
Minister: Geraldine T. Weeks
5507 238th S.W.
Mountlake Terrace, Washington 98043
775-8965
Pianist: Karen Mitchell
Sunday Service: 10:00 to 11 :00 AM
Nursery and Youth Ed. - 10:00 to 11 :00 AM
December 1982 Church Bulletin:
Geri Weeks resigned November 8th, 1982 as Minister of Unity Church for Today. Geri was one of the guiding hands for our present church and we all are indebted to her for her efforts in helping to make Unity Church for Today a reality. She has accepted a temporary position with the Unity Center in Tacoma, Washington. Our blessings go with her in her new work. _____________
________________________________________________
(Letter from Gerri Weeks in 2000 to Ann Thomas)
Rev Ann Thomas
Unity Church in Lynnwood
16727 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Washington 98057
Dear Ann,
Yes, my first Ministerial placement was working as an Associate to
Rev. Robert Wasner in Everett, WA. I took a study class in Lynnwood in 1981.
As a class and later it became a church and there was much refurbishing that the
Men in the church had to do. I was Minister there for 7 months.
At the beginning of the church, the Unity church in Seattle – and with the help
From Rev. Grover Thornsbury who loaned us the money to pay down on the
Building in Lynnwood, made it possible to buy the church.
I was Minister there for 7 months and by that time the church seemed stable so
That after much prayer work I felt it was necessary to leave that church and the
Church in Tacoma where Bob Wasner had become Minister, I was offered the
Position of Associate and I served there just over a year. My family all lived in
California and I feIt I should be with them for a time.
And after being with them until I felt I should return to the Village to take some
Additional classes and to work in the Prayer Room for 2 & 1/2 years. Then in the
2000 I began the Chaplaincy Program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Kansas City.
The Program lasted for 15 months.
I came to Redmond to be with a long time friend whose husband was near to
Passing and I am still here. My plan now is to work in Hospice.
As I read this over it's more about me than the church you have there. It's been an
Adventure. I seldom even get to the coast here in Oregon but I appreciate your
Kind offer to meet with me. I'm sure your Ministry is thriving and some might
Remember me, and if there are, please say "Hello" for me.
Love and Blessings,
Rev. Geraldine (Geri) Weeks
____________________________________________________
Amos Clark was retired at the time and did a great deal of the work; He built the cabinets and kitchen counters, which doubled for the booths used at the Aurora Village Mall, for the churches fund raising project - Christmas gift-wrapping. To this day we still have some of the bows and rolls of ribbon in storage!
Soon it was time to get ready for the first Gift Wrap Booth at the Aurora Village Mall. Guess who was selected to build the booth? Right…Amos.
By the second year, Amos had the booth counters perfected so that they could be used at the Village for the booth and then in the kitchen area during the year.
Frances had the yearly duty of painting the counters before and after the switching around to keep them looking great. Yes…they are still the counters we are working and eating at every Sunday morning, another five years later. (1987)
__________________________________
Famous Amos, as he became known around the church for his wonderful homemade bread, wasn’t always the sweet, lovable man that we see and love today, according to his wife, Frances.
Amos grew up in Pasadena, California and entered the Marine Corp before World War II. Corporal Clark served on three overseas tours during which he had the job of setting up defense camps because his specialty was mechanics and electrical generating units. Amos knew his job so well, that he had a habit of back talking to the officers who thought they knew more then he did. His feisty manner almost got him demoted and jailed, but after the Army officer, to whom Amos had just talked back to, saw that Corporal Clark got the failing generator to start against all odds, calmed down and forgave him. Amos said he could have left the service six years later as a Lieutenant instead of a Sergeant if he could have kept his mouth shut.
In 1939 Frances owned and operated a beauty shop in Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California. At first it was just a summer job with women from the nearby resorts, but as America became involved with World War II, and the bases around Newport Beach grew, so did her shop. Now she was working with wives and daughters of military officers and enlisted men. She loved her job and continued with the shop for six years.
Amos and Frances got married on November 14, 1943…49 years ago…they pray that Amos’s health will hold out another year, and they will see their Fiftieth Anniversary. They had the pleasure of raising a son, Hugh, who is living in San Diego, California, and a daughter, Pam, who prefers the State of Arizona and works as a Veterinarian, mainly with horses.
_________________________________________________________________
Amos and Frances are both very devoted to their spiritual studies. Including their own prayer and meditation time, they have also shared with other people by working on Prayer Line at the Seattle Unity Church for five years.
After being in and out of the Unity Church of Mountlake Terrace over the years, seeking their spiritual quest, they now consider this church to be their homeport and plan on sticking around forever and ever, thanks to the wonderful leadership and guidance that Ann Thomas has given them; and to the many warm and loving friends they have acquired over all the many years here.
(End of interview of 1997 by Phyllis Franks)
“Look at those beautiful steps and railings beside that rockery,” said Red McLane to Ed Figenbaum.
“What a difference from what it used
To look like.”
Thanks to Amos and Frances Clark for their past and continuous service to Unity Church for Today.
Many of the things mentioned in “Mind Wondering Thoughts” have been done by these two dedicated people. No matter what the task, Amos and Frances are there when needed and the things they do are always done in the spirit of love. We would be much the less without them.
Frances and Amos Clark receiving
The Red Rose of Recognition
_____________________________________________
‘Mind Wondering Thoughts’
Upon arrival at church on Sunday morning…..
Do you ever wonder who mows the lawn, pulls the weeds, trims the ivy, and sweeps the walkway?
Do you ever wonder who sweeps the floors, vacuums the rugs and polishes the pews?
Do you ever wonder who cleans the toilets, takes out the trash and rakes the gravel back onto the parking lot?
Do you ever wonder when all the physical and cosmetic touches that are needed on the building will be done?
Some day all of those services will be provided, but until that time comes….
So you ever wonder if there might not be something that you can do to help out?
To THOSE WHO GIVE IT WILL BE RETURNED TEN-FOLD.
Do YOU ever wonder…?
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Chapter 3: Volunteers Arrive Just as They Are Needed.
Our Thanks also go out to Dale Merrell and Bob Smolinsky for coordinating the work party for repairing the church roof, and to all those who helped with the project.
Blessings and Thanks go out to our Sunday School Staff: Beverly DeWitt, Connie Merrell, Dale Merrell, Karon Carroll, Rick Carroll, Susan White, Mavis Brandt, and Jean Molitor.
May 23 Celebration Sunday: Thanks to: Red McLane and Michael Tobiason for making our escrow possible; our Draftsmen, Robbi Galbraith and Laury Tobiason; Dale Merrell, our Technical Consultant; Jim Dunbar, our Project Superintendent.
1983_________________________________________________________
“Unity Church for Today will be two years old in July of 1983”, writes Dale Merrell, President of the Board of Directors.
“When I think back to the very first service, I remember a warm summer morning at the Lynnwood Recreation Center. There were about ten or twelve people in attendance, and many noisy swimmers next door. At that moment, how little anyone could conceive of where the next 21 months would take us. In some ways, it was like inadvertently stepping into a whirlwind that picked up many people along the way, and deposited them all in a quite different place.
Changes come quickly in this sort of atmosphere, and letting God flow through all of the events is sorely tested. It is my belief that God has entrusted us with something sacred. Not because any of us were capable of manifesting His perfect will, but rather because there was an intense desire in His children to do so, and He gave them an institution wherein they might learn. The astonishing growth of this church is testimony to both the need, and the desire to fill that need, in our community.
There is diversity in Unity, and that has been one of our strengths. It has brought us many different and needed gifts. As we grow and continue to prosper, as we serve in our community, it is my hope that we can remember to pause together, before each crossroads, and allow the Spirit of God to flow through our membership. If we sincerely make this effort, to the best of our ability, then we can rest assured that our lives, our church and our community will be truly blessed by God’s goodness. In His Name, Amen.”
____________________________________
Ron Oliver is Teach of the Month for April. Ron is from Everett and is married to Connie. They have three children, Mike 21 – married, Tim 19, and Amy 16. Ron is retired from the Army after 20 years of service and he has been in Unity for three years. He says “I enjoy working with the children because I believe this is where learning the Truth begins and this is where I want to be. I have learned much more from then than I could ever teach.”
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Volunteers: April 1983:
Minister: Vacant
Interim Minister: Grover Thornsberry
Pianist: Karen Mitchell
Soloists: Rudy Jones and Mildred Bennett
Bookstore: Pat McLane
Board of Directors:
President: Dale Merrell
Vice President: Virgie Villella
Secretary: Frances Clark
Treasurer: Connie Oliver
Director: Bob Smolinsky
Director: B.W. McLane
_______________________________________________________
Reverend Grover Thornsberry, served the church as ‘interim minister’ in April of 1983, before June Miller arrived.
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Grover Thornsberry had been the assistant Pastor of the Unity Church of Truth in Seattle for many years. He served there before Ann and Bob Thomas had even had the desire to become ministers themselves. He was also there in 1982 and 1983 when Bob Franks and Phyllis Lee (Franks) had been attending church before they married in August of 1983.
(Little did we know that we all would end up attending the Unity Church For Today in Lynnwood.)
Grover Thornsberry, Retired Pastor, Unity Church Of Truth In Seattle
By Lee Moriwaki
The Rev. Grover C. Thornsberry, 70, died Feb. 23 at Evergreen Vista Convalescent Center in Kirkland after a long illness. "He was a very kind person, very outgoing. He did a lot for people," said Mrs. Thornsberry.
Rev. Thornsberry's daughter, Deborah Wright of Seattle, said of her father, "He was truly devoted to service. He thought of himself last, and everyone else came first."
“ Rev. Thornsberry was generous with his time and himself. He lived by Christian principles and the golden rule," said Mrs. Thornsberry.
________________________________________________________
Betty Thornsberry served as wife and backup to her husband. After he passed on, she joined our church volunteer staff in 1990 and has worked her way up to be a paid employee and a vital part of the Office, Kitchen, and Bookstore for the last 15 years. (2011)
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Second Minister of Unity Church for Today Arrives.
‘A former “Miss Alaska” has become a minister in Mountlake Terrace. June C. Miller, long time Alaskan and resident of the Northwest since 1978, speaks as the new minister of Unity Church for Today in Mountlake Terrace, Sunday, Aug. 7 at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Her talk is “New Vision – New World.” The Rev. Miller earned her degree in theatre arts from the University of Redlands, Calif., and a master’s degree in psychology from Antioch University. She was ordained a Unity minister in June. Unity Church for Today is located at 5507 238th St SW.’
June served for one year before moving to Georgia, after realizing that she was not cut out to be the head person in a church, doing all the ‘administration work’. She loved being a speaker and counseling with people.
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April 24, 1984
Dear Friends:
There is a time in most of our lives when we’re faced with a choice of taking a step that we know is for our highest spiritual growth or just continuing in the old way. I have come to that place in my life.
These nine months of being with you and being the minister of Unity Church for Today has given me the opportunity to learn many things about myself. I discovered how much I love being with people who are searching and growing. I particularly enjoy teaching and speaking on Sunday morning. I enjoy counseling and just being with you. But I also discovered what drains my energy. I have finally realized that I don’t want to run a church. The administrative part of ministry is necessary, but it is not what I choose to do.
For this reason I am resigning as the minister of Unity Church For Today. As you begin to look for a minister who can provide what this church needs, I will stay and do all I can to provide an easy and gentle transition. I know there is someone who is just right for this church and that person will be drawn here by your love.
My own plans are not definite. I will take the time that I need to discover a new way of ministering and a new way of living so that I, too, can be at peace in the fullness of God’s life.
As I take this new step in my life, looking for more time for prayer and reflection and more time to prepare workshops and seminars and lessons, I ask for your prayers and your support.
I love you and am so grateful for the love you have given me since I’ve been here. That same love will draw the new minister who is just right for Unity Church For Today.
Love and Blessings, June C. Miller, Minister
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1984 Begins With Yet Another New Minister – David Evans
Before she resigned, June encouraged a young minister in the 2nd year ministerial program to consider applying to the Mountlake Terrace Church. He did so, and in the summer of 1984, David Evans, his wife, Judith and their two young children came to serve the church.
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While participating in a concert in Seattle, David met two people that would become very important figures in our future world of music. ‘Stephen Jacob and Tonya Ferris.’ David invited Tonya to sing at the church, which became the beginning of her performances for many Unity churches.
Stephen Jacobs became the ‘Music Director’ for our church and remained as the primary musician for 15 years. He has become one of our occasional guest musicians after resigning and stepping out into the world to play his wondrous music for others.
In the early days, Stephen was not comfortable sight-reading the music, he played mostly by chords, but, oh, how he has grown. What a blessing he has been to our Spiritual Community.
Our Growing is Showing:
On Dec.9th, 1985, we welcomed eighteen new members to Unity Church for Today with the addition of Dorothy Kiest, Carolyn Ward, Catherine Cysewski, Kim Drews, Sue McCulloch; Donna Grauke, Gladys Rhodes, Manfred Drews; Rev. David Evans, Jody Ward, Judy Beebe, Chris Williams, Michael Williams; Dahr Grauke, Al Beebe. (Not shown: Chris Nelson, Dennis McCullock, Mary Jean and Gino Lucchetti.) We surround them with love and blessings. Hope was in the air again.
Bev Templin joins the church on July 29, 1984 along with many unknown others.
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Presenting Our New Board of Directors: Gary Yonge, President; Nancy MacDonald, Vice President; Mike Rhodes, Secretary; Randy DeMots, Treasurer; Connie Merrell, Director; Pat McLane, Director.
Left to right: Virgie Villella, Rev. David Evans, Connie Oliver, Mike Rhodes, who are leaving the Board. Our heartfelt thanks for all their efforts serving on the past Board.
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Our growing Y.O.U.group has begun it’s new year after the summer break. Their enthusiasm is high as they embark on new projects. This year’s sponsors are Rick Carrol and Ron Oliver (not shown). Their first project is a Food Drive for the Holidays. You can bring canned food to Fellowship hall to support their efforts.
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Blessed Are Those Volunteers
Blessings to Randy, Rick, Red, and Geoffery for cutting away the sod, defining the parking lot, laboring with trucks, shovels and rakes, rototillers and plenty of elbow grease to spread the crushed rock in the parking lots.
Blessings to Jody, Ben, Gary, and Al for tearing out the downstairs wall and beginning our remodeling.
Our love and appreciation are given to Al Beebe, Bob Franks, Connie Merrell, Geoff Page, Dennis McCulloch, Michael Thompkins, Doug Purdy, Shawn Terjeson, David Evans, Gary Yonge for being on the ‘Sanding Crew’; to Catherine and Jessica Cysewski, Bev Templin and Dorothy Kiest for devoted selfless ‘Sunday School’ service; to Manfred and Kim Drews for beautiful roses for the sanctuary and Gladys Rhodes for her contribution of flower arrangements for the sconces and candles in the sanctuary; to Betty Gruwell for leading ‘A Course In Miracles’; to Paul Andriesen for the ‘Church Drawings’; to Emily Andriesen for being ‘Chairperson’; to Red McLane and Cec Francis for endless ‘Sanding’; to Ron and Connie Oliver for organizing our ‘Church Picnic’; to Mavis Brandt and Kay Macellari for ‘Volunteer Office Work’; to Karen Munz, Gladys Rhodes, Kathy Purdy, Cec Francis, Amos Clark for ‘Landscaping’; to Donna Grauke for being ‘Chairperson’; to Phyllis Franks, Sue Francis, Karen Munz, Peg Gargenero, Carolyn Ward, Kim Drews, Pat and Julie McLane for providing ‘Food’ for the workers, to Amos and Frances Clark for their unending service to the church; to Tom Outsen for ‘Painting preparation’; to Pat McLane for her ‘Saintly Service’ keeping us all organized; to Gary Bowers and Jerilyn Brusseau for their ‘Generosity’; and to all those whose names have unintentionally been omitted.
Thanks for a Whale of a JOB!
A special Thank You to Jo Haroldson for the portable dishwasher…and all her baked goodies on Sundays!
Thanks to all of you who have been bringing in your extra mugs. Keep them coming. We want to have enough for everyone. No more Styrofoam.
During David's tenure, the outside of the church was painted.
While the outside of the church looked fresh and inviting, the membership, which had been as high as 100, had declined to about 35 members. David preached like a Baptist with a Unity lesson. He was really very good at speaking but was lacking in his appreciation for our elder members, actually asking some of them to leave the church. He lacked also in keeping his commitments as being a minister at weddings. He’d schedule weddings and not show up. That was the beginning of a downward spiral in membership.
· Rev. Evans’ last Sunday will be Feb.1st, 1987. A farewell dinner for David and Judith will be on Jan. 30th at the Meat Market in Lynnwood, located one block north of 196th on Hwy 99. A sign up sheet is at the back of the church.
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ATTENTION CHURCH MEMBERS:
“The congregation has voted to sell the church and move to a permanent leased facility. This is an option now that we have permission to exercise. If we do not increase our monthly giving, we will continually need to cut back already bare operating expenses. We may also be under undo pressure to sell the building.
What Can Be Done??
1. Our congregation’s willingness to increase their tithes and offering.
2. Several families or individuals being willing to make a substantial donation to the church.
3. A family or individual that would be willing to give the church a gift of $2,500.
I know that as each of you realize that your church needs your help, you will be willing to offer your support. I want to thank you in advance for your willingness to give thanks and see this as a great opportunity to experience a miracle, the power of our faith in the midst of this challenge.
I want to thank you for your loving concern for this ministry. If you wish to help in our time of need, but feel that you are not financially able to do so at this time, please know that your presence in church and your prayers will and do make an enormous difference as we move forward in faith to meet this challenge together. Thanks to Rev. Michael Murphy for ideas in writing this letter.” Love, David.
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David Evans left the position of minister of Unity Church For Today in 1987, after realizing that his vision of a church filled with only young adults and children was not going to happen. Something was amiss, and he couldn’t put a finger on it.
STARTING OVER AGAIN:
· June Miller returned to serve as interim minister for a few months.
· Gary Yonge is our new Executive Director.
· Betty Thornsberry starts attending our church and volunteering her time.
· By popular demand, Stephen Jacob, our musical director, is busy designing another special musical service.
· The Women of Unity will be sponsoring a silent auction following the Sunday service of May 15th.
· The Couple’s Group will meet each Friday.
· The women’s League will meet this Wednesday, Oct. 7th at 11:30 AM.
· The Board and the Y.O.U. are presenting a pancake breakfast, Sunday, Oct. 18th.
· New Board Members: Barbara Little, Kim Drews, and Dale Merrell. Congratulations!
· Get set to join thousands of people who will be meditating Dec. 31st, 1987 for World Peace. We will be gathering at the Kingdome for an incredible experience together.
· A Rose goes to Connie Oliver as honored Volunteer of the month. Blessings, Connie!
· Charly Harris is back, starting his new class Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Join Charly and produce a positive result in the world as you speak your ‘Word’.
Greet Your Neighbor – Welcome to relatively new members, Mac and Marge Barnett. Mac has his own accounting business, and Marge is an accountant too! They make their home in Seattle and daughter, Bev Templin is also a member of our church. (And a future accountant!)
They have two beautiful grandchildren, Lorri and Ryan, and two other children of their own. Mac has served on the board at Unity of Seattle and he and Marge have been involved in Unity over a quarter of their marriage of 28 years. Blessings!
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Members and non-members of Unity Church For Today at this time frame: 1987.
· Emily and Paul Andriesen
· Betty Gruwell
· Bev and Gary Yonge
· Dale and Karen Merrell
· Kim Drews and husband.
· Barbara Little
· Rick and Karon Carroll
· Elin Smith
· Stephen Jacob
· Jody and Carolyn Ward
· Bob and Phyllis Franks
· Dennis and Mavis Brendt
· Amos and Frances Clark
· Barbara Deppe
· Chris Nielsen
· Mac and Marge Barnett
· Bev Templin and family
· Aladene Jenkins
· Louise Todd…Nancy Warner…and many more names that escape me now.
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The Beginning of ‘Anything Goes ‘
Stephen Jacob performs at Doe Bay/ Charly Harris, says, “Is the bottle half empty or half full?”
For the next 18 months a variety of guest speakers came to the church. The teachings varied greatly and Mountlake Terrace Unity Church started getting a reputation that anything was permissible. By the end of 1987 most of the Board of Directors voted that they did not want a minister, saying the church could not afford one, so they ran the church and made the decisions as to who would speak
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April-May 1988 News: From the Board:
The board sends our best wishes to Gary Yonge upon receipt of his resignation effective March 20th; and to Karon Carroll, upon her resignation effective May 1st. Our sincere thanks for work not only done well but above and beyond that called for. Congratulations, Karon, on your new job. We love you both, The Board.
In May of 1988 the question was posed: Do we want a minister of any kind or do we want to close the church doors?
In August of 1988, a Forgiveness Ceremony was held by Bob Franks to help erase the negative energy that had been left by David’s actions. In September at a Spiritual Community meeting, Bob Franks and a few others spoke up and asked for a new direction for the church. “Now is the time to find a minister”, they said.
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‘The Tide is Changing, Ann Thomas Arrives’
During this time of unrest, Ann Thomas had been one of our ‘guest speakers’ in July. Somehow she had not received payment for her speaking. She wrote a Thank You note to the Board and reminded them about the agreed upon payment. She also mentioned that two Board members (Kim Drews and Barbara Deppe) had asked her to consider serving the church; we trust not by chance or out of desperation.
In September she was invited to a Board meeting to share her ideas. They offered Ann a three months contract. "You speak three Sunday's a month, we decide who speaks the other
Sunday, you can teach a class, but we will continue to run the church."
Ann was willing to agree to the terms and began October 9, 1988. She was living in Tacoma at the time and commuted to the church on Sundays. During the next three months, there were
uncomfortable Board meetings. At the end of the contract, Ann felt the need to be more
involved and the Board was getting tired and frustrated. The contract was extended; Ann
agreed to spend Wednesday and Thursday at the church.
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1989 - Foreclosure Is In The Air
Upon arriving at the church one Wednesday in May 1989, Ann found a foreclosure notice on the door. It seems the treasurer had not paid the mortgage payments, among several others. Fortunately the bank had acted prematurely and we had a few days to come up with the cash to pay the past rent.
Divine Order prevailed. Two months earlier, Ann had been away guest speaking in
Illinois; where her husband was serving as interim minister.
That Sunday at Mountlake Terrace it was discovered that the church had been burglarized. All the Sound Equipment/Speakers were stolen. Our insurance check to cover the lost items appeared at the same time as the foreclosure notice. We then had the needed money to get ourselves out of trouble at the mortgage company. "God works all things for good"
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$2.364.00 went to pay past mortgage payments and foreclosure fees. We were blessed with the insurance settlement so that we were able to avoid foreclosure. Unfortunately, this still leaves us without a sound system.
We continue to be in arrears in salaries, printing expenses, loans, telephone, piano, and faith bonds.
We extend a special thank-you to the Women of Unity for their generous donation of $300 to help us through the emergency of this time, and to all the people who dug a little deeper to meet the challenge grant. And a note of praise to our wonderful Board for their extra energy and time to help us through this crisis.
Despite all the excitement in May, the great thing that has happened is that we ARE caught up on our mortgage, and we have lots of people stepping forward with ideas to help us prosper. We continue to need that kind of thinking! Thanks.
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From the Board Room:
To Sell or not to Sell, that was one of the questions at our Membership Meeting on June 8. We agreed and a motion was made to sell the church building, only if necessary.
Secondly, it was decided to have a pledge drive. Shortly you will be receiving a pledge request.
Thanks to those who came forward with many ideas and assistance. Blessings, Barbara Little.
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Bookstore Fever Wins Out
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In 1989 Phyllis Franks wasn't feeling as attached to the Church as she would have liked to be; so Bob suggested she get involved. Since books were her passion, she took on the position of Manager/Bookkeeper and Decorator for the church bookstore.
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Bookstore/Lending Library Report
by Phyllis Franks
“Things are really hoppin’ and poppin’ around here! Thanks to all your interest, suggestions, and purchases, we’re moving forward and improving every day. New merchandise, cards, books, cassettes, calendars, and assorted paraphernalia are arriving nearly every day, as our ordering and purchasing process gets into high gear for the Holiday Season and Christmas!
I especially wish to thank my key Assistants: Nancy Warner, Flo Tillemans, and all the rest. Also: Thanks to Ann, Bob, and Jim Esson for all their support, ideas, small donations, and feedback.”
Sales Report: August: We sold 53 cards…27 Books…7 Tapes…and one Mug. September: We sold 31 cards…37 Books…6 Tapes..12 Mugs..3 Calendars.
Deck the Halls:
Saturday, December 9th, we invite all members of our spiritual community to join us in decorating the church for Christmas. Bring your greens to add color and sweet aroma to our church. We’re also having a ‘coming out party’ to move Catherine’s desk out of the dark, damp corner into the light. We hope to paint and wallpaper Ann’s office as well. This is a lot to do in one day, so we need lots of help. At the end of this busy day, we’ll share our potluck and fellowship with each other and enjoy our accomplishments. Come be with us this day.
Bob Franks, Joan Lange, Bev Templin and
Phyllis Franks are among the many who helped clean up the church for the coming Holidays.
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See File: 1990 – 2000 for the next portion of the story
(Note: This history was compiled by Phyllis Franks, with the help from the Church Newsletters, photos, and stories from many Church members. If it looks strange when you read it, it is because the photos tend to move around on their own each time the file is opened. Sorry, but they just keep on moving. I hope you get the idea anyway. A lot of faith, love, and commitment from many people helped to build and sustain this church. Thank you to all of you.)