Dee Richardson, Administrator
Dee knows that she is living her “purpose.” As Administrative Assistant to the Senior Minister at Unity Church of Overland Park, KS, and Licensed Unity Teacher (since 1996), serving in Branson, MO, Dee's experiences prepared her well for her current position as Administrator of Unity of Springfield.
Dee enjoys doing a Sunday lesson now and then, teaching Unity classes, and using her skills in organization to effectively manage the day-to-day affairs of the church. Her hobby is stamping to create greeting cards, which she gifts to the church to send to congregants. Dee recently began tap-dancing classes after a 50-year hiatus.
Dee has four grown children, three in Springfield, and one in Chicago. All six of her grandchildren are here in Springfield. Her dog, Hazel, a Sheltie/Poodle mix, occasionally accompanies her to work.
For Musings from Our Administrator click HERE.
Lisa Landrigan, Volunteer Administrator
“If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day!" “ —Alex Noble
If you have a gift or talent you would like to share with our church, please contact Lisa at volunteer@unityofspringfield.org.
Jessica Quin, Youth Director
I have been a part of Unity my whole life. I grew up with Unity church as my home and am so blessed to have it as my foundation in life, continuing by taking classes to become a Licensed Unity Teacher. I grew through each part of the Youth Department starting with the little kids Sunday School, moving up through the Uniteen and Y.O.U. programs, then joined the N.G.U. group once I graduated. After Graduation I became a sponsor for the Uniteen and Y.O.U. programs and am blessed to now be the Teen Director for Unity of Springfield. Excited for this leadership opportunity and to help these kids learn to grow into and love the Unity Truths as much as I have.
Alice Merrifield, Nursery (Infants to Toddlers not yet potty trained)
The Nursery is staffed by Alice Merrifield, and is open whenever church services are held on Sunday mornings, from 9 am to 10:15 and from 10:45 am until 12:15 pm, and occasionally for some special events (when a request for such service is made in advance to the office).
Alice has been working as the Nursery Supervisor at Unity of Springfield since 1982 . She truly loves working with children this age, and they love her in return. As she watches their individual uniqueness express, the joy Alice experiences helping children learn and grow is readily apparent.
Alice was born in Mexico and raised in West Texas, and she is fluent in both English and Spanish. Alice has been married to her husband, John, since 1981. In her free time she enjoys simple pleasures, and loves to pamper herself.
Rachel Barnes, Youth Department (Ages 3-Years to 5th Grade)
I have been a part of the Unity movement from my early infancy and have deeply enjoyed the lessons I have learned along the way. Once upon a time I was on the path to becoming a Liscenced Unity Teacher and completed all coursework on the path. I do have hopes of returning to this path soon! I've spent the best years of my youth serving as a leader of "Youth of Unity." It was in my youth that I found my passion for speaking Unity principles to others. It's been a driving force as I completed my University work and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies.
Upon graduation we expanded our family with the arrival of my daughter, Myrtle Jane in 2013. I am so blessed to serve as the Director of the Junior Sunday School Program here at Unity of Springfield. I know that I am exactly where I need to be and I could not be more grateful to share Truth principles with the youth of our community.
John Russ, Music Director
John Russ was born in Washington, DC, and grew up near Andrews Air Force Base. His family moved to Springfield in 1974, and he attended Kickapoo High School and SMSU before moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music in 1985. He lived in Boston until returning to Springfield in 2001, and has been working at American National Insurance since 2002, currently as a Quality Assurance auditor.
He found Unity in 2014, after discussing his spiritual ideas with a friend. He finds the five principles empowering. He is involved with the band, and has helped out with many other activities. Unity has helped him grow as a spiritual being, and he is interested in expanding his involvement by working with others to come up with creative solutions to business problems.
