Bio’s for the 4 Candidates for Board of Directors
Beth DeLange
Hello, my name is Beth DeLange; I've been attending Unity of Springfield since the summer of 2017 and became a member in November of 2019.
What I am bringing forth is a positive energy, willingness to serve and see our ministry grow in numbers by having new people visit and feel at "home" and become active in the Unity of Springfield family. In addition I am hoping our current members will continue to grow spiritually.
I bring many diverse job experiences that I believe will enable me to be able to serve our current and future spiritual community.
Having worked in the field of early childhood for 10 years I believe will be asset, especially if we have more families attend with young children. The kids are the future of Unity and I am willing to give ideas for things that we can do to help the children and their families become involved.
In addition I have 7 years of geriatric experience which will help me to assist that group of our community and in my work with geriatrics I often came into contact with individuals who have been previously a part of the homeless population, and that is one area I want to assist with, helping the homeless.
To finish, I am excited to be applying for this position on the board of Unity of Springfield and learning more about the business aspect and different committees and the possibility of being a liaison. Our community is full of wonderful loving and gifted individuals who shine a bright light to the community who already are present and to the Springfield and surrounding areas. If I am not selected, I will continue to put 100% of time and service to this wonderful community. Beth DeLange.
Joseph Babbitt
To the congregation and board of directors,
I went to high school here in Springfield and graduated from Parkview. My Mom Nancy Partin brought me here for the first time back when David was minister. Then moved to Independence, MO. I graduated from William Jewell College, a Baptist college from Liberty MO. While in school, I spent several years teaching Sunday school at Unity Village, and became a member then. After graduation, I spent a couple of decades bouncing from job to job moving around Missouri. I have been working in accounting since graduation. Finally, landing back in Springfield.
I have been coming regularly to Unity of Springfield for 8 or more years and have become very fond of everyone here. Did not really get involved, until the last few years. Up until the virus, I was a greeter and usher. I also enjoy working outside in the spring and fall. Tending bar for Earth Day is also fun. I do office work, so I enjoy working outside when I can.
Why am I applying? To be honest, I really had not considered it until recently when a Unity Facebook friend suggested it. Since, I like volunteering for stuff and I love to control things. I always have ideas on how to run things and quite frequently don’t really voice my opinion on them. Whenever you would announce the meetings I always wanted to attend them, just so I could see what was going on behind the scenes. Now, this would give me an up front and personal point of view.
What can I bring to the table - I am very money oriented. Although, I believe it is the root of all evil. Without it, life is very difficult. I am pretty good at developing scenarios that bring positive cash flow. I am a pretty good steward of the money for the companies that I work for. Now, I also understand our situation as a Not for profit is different than making money for business. But, at the end of the day, without it we will not be able to continue to bring the good things that we do. I also understand that will not be my role here. Evaluating ideas and presenting them efficiently is a pretty good skill. I am a critical thinker. Always looking for ways to make the world a better place. I have a lot of ideas and probably view the world from a different point of view. Not sure if that will be good or bad.
Joseph Babbitt
417-689-2127
E. Pluribus Unum
Karen Craigo
Hello, Unity family!
I’ve been coming to Unity for six years or so, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of you through Sunday services, as well as classes and projects. Now I’m ready to deepen my relationship with our church as a member of our board. It’s my belief that we should all take a turn at fulfilling this important responsibility, and perhaps this is my time. If it’s not, I’ll assuredly find another way to serve, since we are blessed with four willing hearts for the three available seats.
As a member of the board, I would do my best to foster our community as we continue our unsettled period during COVID-19. Maybe it’s a time of special opportunity, since new people are finding us through social media, and we’re all experiencing Unity in a brand-new way. I have a passion for serving the homeless and hungry, and I would love for us to deepen our commitment to those who are suffering among us. I am proud to be part of a body that embraces and loves the LGBTQ+ community, too, as I think we help to fill a spiritual void in Springfield. Let us be a light in this regard!
About me: I’m a freelance writer and editor, as well as Missouri’s fifth Poet Laureate. I am the married mother of two boys. My husband, Mike Czyzniejewski, is a fiction writer and an English professor at MSU, and my sons are Copernicus (“Ernie”), 14, and Keats, 7.
Thanks for your attention, and I wish you and your loved ones well in this time of transition.
—Karen Craigo
Kat Presko
Kat(she/her) is a 46 yr old gay non binary female. She is many things, but first and foremost she is passionate about the teachings and principles of Unity. She has a Master’s degree in Human Services on a Mental Health track and is currently working on Life Coaching certification, with specializations in mental health, PTSD, trauma, and traumatic brain injuries.
She is passionate about the military and believes in the power of Unity teachings so much that she is working towards opening a holistic practice to guide others to holistic healing. Kat recently gave a testimony on how the Unity principles have changed her life. You can view it here.
Kat was raised in a minister's home and has spent many hours volunteering and operating as a church leader. In her early adulthood she was a children's minister and during that time she came out as a gay woman. She knows the pain of dogma, having been forced to resign her position due to her sexuality, and her path led her to Unity - the place she calls home.
Kat currently leads the LGBTQIA group at Unity of Springfield and brings a lot of marketing and technology skills. She has experience in videographer work, and currently is on the media team. Outside of Unity she runs a podcast for LGBTQIA alternative mental health topics and prior to Covid taught nationwide on various topics. In her spare time she enjoys learning and challenging herself through swimming races as well as spending time with her two cats, Red & Samadie, and relaxing outdoors.
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. – Mahatma Ghandi