Youth Department
Junior Sunday School (Ages 3 years & potty-trained - 5th grade)
Rachel Barnes is the Director of the Junior Sunday School, or JSS. The JSS is open Sunday mornings, from 9 am until 10:15 am, and from 10:45 am until 12:15 pm. If you require child care to attend a special event hosted at Unity of Springfield, please notify the office so arrangements can be made prior to the event.
If you have questions for either Jillian, you can contact her at: jss@unityofspringfield.org
The 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.
Uniteens (6th - 8th grades)
Youth of Unity (YOU are high-school students)
Next Generation Unity (NGU - Ages 18-35)
Steve Miller is the Teen Director and oversees the Uniteens, the Youth of Unity (YOU), and the Next Generation of Unity (NGU). Macy grew up in the Youth of Unity program, achieving national recognition for her leadership qualities.
Here is Steve's update to the congregation as it appears in the current issue of our bi-monthly newsletter, WINGS, which can be found in its entirety on the bottom right side of the Home page, .
"With the re-birth of Spring upon us, what a great time to be fostering an understanding about the UNITY Powers of Power and Imagination for our Uniteens and YOU (Youth Of Unity).
Adolescents who are given time and space to explore their passions and talents experience a positive belief about their future. Exploring personal power and encouraging imagination helps them understand they have a sense of purpose. They are more socially competent and physically healthy, volunteer to help others, and have higher grades in school and better attendance.
As truth students we speak of having hope, growing faith, using denial and affirmations, and the power of prayer and meditation. Imagination is a powerful tool to help facilitate personal growth and understanding of those tools, and what better place to nurture that growth than Unity of Springfield."
If you have a question about the Uniteens, YOU or NGU programs, you can contact Steve directly at: teendir@unityofspringfield.org
Music Department
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.
Volunteer Coordinator
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hale
I was looking this morning for quotes about volunteerism and there are so many! Being a volunteer can mean spending a lot of time or just a little. I want you to know that I appreciate whatever you do. Even if it’s a task that takes 10 minutes; I’m so grateful for you!
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~Leo Buscaglia
Come see me at Church. We have some great opportunities for our volunteers and for those thinking about volunteering. Unity of Springfield is a place for people to grow, learn and discover a brighter future, and you are a big part of that! Thank you friends! If no one else has told you yet today, I love you and I bless you!
Blessings in service,
Lisa Landrigan,
Volunteer Coordinator
“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 .