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Michelle Guthart Cole

I am an Iowa native spending the first 25 years of my life in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. After receiving my Bachelor's degree in English and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Northern Iowa in 1992, my family and I moved to Cedar Rapids. I returned to my alma mater to get my Masters degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development in 2015. I have dedicated my career to serving the nonprofit sector. I’m passionate about helping people in need by addressing social determinants of health.

I spent the first 25 years of my life “blindly” going along with the religion that I was exposed to as a child. As I got older, I started asking more questions, but not finding the answers to satisfy my increasing curiosity. Shortly after my children were born, I broke my extended family’s tradition by leaving my childhood church. I spent many years reading and searching for spiritual meaning in my life.

I am extremely grateful that in 2018, my dear friend, Carol Turner introduced me to Unity Center of Cedar Rapids. I was overjoyed by the welcoming kindness that everyone showed me. The accepting nature that everyone provided in accepting me as I am and their encouragement in helping me continue to grow in my faith has been a tremendous comfort. I will never forget the “shock” and overwhelming relief that I felt when I attended the new member classes led by the Licensed Unity Leaders.

Specifically, that I wasn’t born of “original sin,” but instead, we all are born as an “original blessing.” This concept was completely different from the “fear-based religious doctrines” that I had grown up with. Right then, I knew I had finally found my spiritual home.

Mary Kopecky

I attended Unity for the first time in October of 2023, and it was a hit and a fit right away. I had known vaguely of Unity from attending a labyrinth walk held at the church many years ago, but I had not yet started to look for a spiritual community. I felt comfortable immediately because the congregation was so welcoming and the principles of Unity so closely mirrored my own beliefs. I loved the music and the time for meditation. I made new friends, pulled weeds, dug bushes, made coffee, helped take apart the ladies' room, and discussed The Four Agreements at the Thursday Book Group. All of these good things under one roof! I knew I had made the right choice. 

In my professional life, I was an elementary school teacher (with one year teaching a middle school gifted and talented program) for 21 years. I left the classroom to become an English Language Arts Content Specialist for Pearson Education. My role involved all aspects of reading assessment preparation for various state departments of education. In both of these careers, I was required to be highly organized and cognizant of time and deadlines. I worked with so many different personalities and became very adept at differentiating instruction as a teacher and adapting to varying business needs as a content specialist. I have good interpersonal skills and a good sense of humor. I left Pearson in 2016 to pursue the launch of my own little business - Willowsprite. I created and sold willow baskets and garden art and taught weaving classes as the Artist in Residence at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. 

After retiring from all income-producing employment in 2022, I needed some time to figure out who I was without work. I found those answers in volunteerism. I currently volunteer at the Catherine McAuley Center as an English language tutor to a young g woman from Somalia. I volunteer regularly in a variety of roles at the Indian Creek Nature Center. I serve as a volunteer at the Linn Community Food Bank and also serve as a member of their board of directors. On Thursdays, I am part of a group called the Connections Club at the Chris and Suzy Dewolf Family Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia. As a Master Gardener, I volunteer at the Lowe Park Greenhouse and at their donation garden, as well as Noelridge greenhouse in the winter. If I am accepted as a trustee at Unity, I would bring the same energy and enthusiasm to the church as I do to my other volunteer roles. I am eager to learn how I can be of service to a place that has already done so very much for me. I want to see Unity continue to grow and prosper by attracting new members and by exploring new avenues to generate additional income that could relieve strain to the budget. 

Jennifer Mordan

My name is Jennifer Mordan. I grew up in southeast Iowa and have lived in the corridor area for nearly 30 years now. In my 30s I returned to college and began work in the social services field. Over the last 12 years I have worked as a direct care provider, Service coordinator, Program Director and now a Case manager with Four Oaks Children and Family Services. I have found my passion in social work and consider myself truly fortunate to be able to provide those services to my clients.

I began attending Unity CR in the spring of 2023 and became a member in November of that year. Since joining this congregation, I have become a member of the welcome team. That role has really helped me get to know everyone and learn names. I am also a member of the choir and have enjoyed working with the musical talents of our congregation. I am currently on the events committee and enjoy planning opportunities for all our members to spend time getting to know one another.

I currently live in Marion with my partner, Steven. We have two grown sons between us, and they keep us pretty busy. I am a member of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale where I sing first soprano. We are a nonprofit adult choir. We perform between 7 and 10 concerts in the Cedar Rapids area each year. We are currently working on Handel’s Messiah which we will perform later this month.

In 2017 I trained in Transcendental Meditation and participate in group meditation and study as my time allows. I am a student of A Course in Miracles and enjoy reading on the topic. I am also an avid Tarot card reader and use it often to further my spiritual growth. At Unity CR I feel that I have found a good place where I can enjoy many of my interests and experience continued spiritual growth.