The Unity Audio – Sound Ministry Team provided quality sound support for the Unity congregation, to create an environment where performers and speakers could convey a message of spirit with confidence and comfort.
The Unity Audio – Sound Ministry Team treats the performers and speakers as family, to help put them at ease, and provides them with a professional sound system to support their music.
The Unity Audio – Sound Ministry Team currently consists of 4 Soundboard Operators: Kevin Krumvieda, Carl Swanson, Sally Miller and me (Tom Zimmerman). Greg McGaffic has also assisted with the sound system, when needed.
The Audio – Sound Ministry Team is in need of 1 additional individual.
The normal Sunday Service rotation is being met with 4 Soundboard Operators.
To provide a less demanding schedule, and allow time for training, we would welcome another person. Some familiarity with sound equipment would be beneficial.
Thank you for trusting us with this rewarding duty of providing quality sound to our congregation!
Unity Audio Team
The Building Maintenance Team continues to be dedicated to the upkeep of our Sacred Space. Here are some of the maintenance items we worked on in the year 2025:
The Building Maintenance Log (If You See Something, Say Something) continues to work well. We invite congregants to continue making entries in the log. The Log is located on the welcome table in the foyer.
We want to thank Brian Zumhof, Marty Whitters, Lisa Klostermann, Tom Bootsmiller, Don Oliver and Paula Land for their help on some of our maintenance needs. Much appreciated.
Our intention is to continue to maintain our Sacred Space.
2025 team accomplishments:
Volunteer or other engagement opportunities:
Plans for 2026:
Mission Statement: We serve our community with joy and love
EFCC staff: Barb Buchanan, Jean Kirby, Cindy Thompson, Valerie Stillwell, Michelle Cole, Margaret Lockhart
Many helping hands assisted in picking up, loading, and unloading groceries.
Kudos to Kevin Krumvieda for his diligence and commitment to the EFCC. He has loaded and unloaded thousands of pounds of groceries. Also included is: Barbara Krumvieda, Greg McGaffic, Brian Zumhof, Danny Boyle and Paula Land. I apologize for anyone I may have missed. A huge thank you to these folks!
Groceries were purchased from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Aldi, and specials from Hy Vee, Kwik Star, and Menards. We acknowledge our UCR community who support us in various ways. We have individuals who bring in toilet paper, toothbrushes, loaves of bread, and many other items for the pantry. We were also blessed by receiving bagels, fresh apples, bags of potatoes, and handmade winter hats for our clients. We also have congregants who share their abundance with monetary gifts.
Our signage has brought in new clients, and those who have donated graciously to the EFCC. We acknowledge the Brimmer Foundation and a UCR member who have given most generously on a consistent basis.
The EFCC team created a Sunday service on October 5th and engaged the congregation to fill grocery carts for the month of October. Donations of food and menstrual pads are always appreciated. The EFCC saw 1864 clients in 2025.
My heartfelt gratitude extends to everyone involved to make the EFCC flourish and thrive to serve our community. Thank you.
Team Members: Bonnie Bootsmiller, Tracey Supplee, Brian Mell, Jennifer Mordan, Lisa Klostermann, Brandi Van Doren, Brianna Riedel, Rachel Pennel, and Terra Bracy
The Events Team planned and produced the following events:
2025 team accomplishments:
Volunteer or other engagement opportunities
Plans for 2026
2025 team accomplishments:
Volunteer or other engagement opportunities:
Plans for 2026:
In 2025 Unity’s Dept. of the Interior continued to provide décor enhancement throughout the Unity Center CR physical building.
Throughout the year, volunteers provided colorful and visual variety in many spaces throughout the center; including the sanctuary, bookstore, lobby, Library, and community room. Individual volunteers utilized their inspiration, energy, creativity ,and generosity to make our space warm and welcoming to all.
It is important that as a community we bring in new ideas and supplies, and let go, or release that which no longer serves us. This idea manifested as volunteers decluttered, repurposed, and rehomed items as needed to keep our space organized and the energy flowing in the Community closet and the garage.
Tablescapes in the community room were updated periodically throughout the year; additional floral decorations, placemats, wreaths and vases were purchased or donated by Unity family members.
The Candle closet (in the prayer room) was cleaned out and organized. (An excess of red and green wax candles were donated to the Salvation Army). Bins were provided and labeled, making it much easier to actually locate and utilize the candles needed for various celebrations and rituals.
I want to mention that I (Anne L.) had a knee replacement surgery in August; I took several months off post-surgery for rest, rehab, and self-care. New team member Terra Bracy stepped up and took the lead, providing energy, enthusiasm, and creativity for decorating the center for the remainder of 2025.
Many volunteers stepped up especially for decorating for the Christmas holidays. We had several nativity scenes, 4 medium to large Christmas trees decorated throughout the building, etc. Many of these same volunteers also help with the take down of the Christmas decorations, which is a huge task.
NOTE: I have created a binder of decorating ideas that is in Lisa’s office on the shelf. I try to update it with photos of decor that we have done in the past at Unity center. I also have a google folder of past decor pics I can share with anyone interested.
I have tried to make the Community closet decor bins easily identifiable and accessible to anyone who is decorating the Center. Most bins are clear and their contents can be seen.
The larger Christmas trees and greenery are stored in the garage. They are back in the left hand (south) corner.
I hope to hang all of the seasonal wreaths on hooks throughout the center ASAP to make them accessible and keep them looking lovely.
The children of YFM also contribute help and decorations throughout the year. Below is a list of volunteers who have contributed to the Dept. of Interior in some way. There may be additional individuals who I have not included: please add their names and or contact me. The list is constantly changing.
It is a good feeling to be a part of the Unity family, and to be surrounded by people who contribute in so many different ways.
I am SO GRATEFUL for my team, team liaison, and my Unity center family who show love and appreciation for our efforts.
Anne Lullie, Team leader
Members: Ruth Geary, Michelle Cole, Alene Brant, Suzanne Barnes, Jeanne Bjornson, Lynda Black Smith, Barb & Kevin Krumvieda, Terra Bracy, Angela Dooley, Kirsten March, Rachel Pennel, Ashley and Zoey Schrage, Nina Swanson, Mary & Alan Thoms, Cindy Thompson, Jan Griffith.
Livestream Team Members: Lisa Klostermann, Greg McGaffic, Tom BootsMiller, Ruth Geary, and Sally Miller. Each Sunday, we have 3/4 volunteer slots - Google Slides, Cameras, OBS Livestream Software, and back-end sound. We always welcome more help. Come and visit us in the chapel during service!
YouTube Stats
Views, watch time, and subscribers are up! We have had a consistent, quality livestream this year! Big thanks to the sound team for their collaborative efforts!!
|
Views |
Watch Time (hours) |
Subscribers |
|
|
2025 |
4.9K 15% more than 2024 |
1.1K 22% more than 2024 |
270 |
|
2024 |
4,399 |
951.50 hours down 17% |
251 |
|
2023 |
5,069 - up 52%! |
1.1 K - Up 23% |
218 - up 50% from 2022 |
|
2022 |
3,323 up 8% from 2021 |
928.4 - up 7% |
165 - up 33 from 2021 |
|
2021 |
3162 views |
893.8 |
134 - up 31from 2020 |
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! youtube.com/@UnityofCR
2025 has been a learning year. Learning to let go and trust that all is well as we faithfully lift our spirits through song, to make connections and grow love through our ministry.
I am so grateful for our Music team - Ben Fashimpaur on bass and vocals, Trey Dooley on guitar and tenor sax, Don Oliver and Tom Zimmerman on percussion and drum kit, Angela Dooley's angelic voice and playing so many fun instruments.
We continue to have wonderful soloists, bringing their individuality to create diverse options to keep our services fresh and fun. Along with our soloists, we have a beautiful choir which performs on a seasonal basis, bringing their warm sound and spirit to the congregation.
Thank you to the sound team and the IT team, the office squad, and everyone in the congregation who makes a joyful noise each Sunday! -Nina Swanson
The Outreach Team continued to provide a lunch for the residents of Willis Dady Homeless Shelter on the last Sunday of each month. Lunches consist of a meat and cheese sandwich and chips. A variety of congregants assist in making the sandwiches. Janice Tappmeyer is the only regular team participant as well as buying the sandwich makings and chips. Volunteer opportunity is assisting in making sandwiches. Janice plans to continue providing this service for Willis Dady residents during the coming year. The Outreach Ministry will pursue other activities related to social justice during the coming year.
The Spiritual Care Team makes phone calls, texts, emails, or personal visits to home, hospital, or care center for congregants who request prayer or spiritual support. Prayer requests may be made in person, by phone, or by digital request. They are not made by notes placed in the prayer box as these are not read by the team. Being a member of this team requires specific training in Unity’s affirmative prayer method.
In 2025 Thinking of You cards for 6-8 members were available for congregants to sign quarterly and for special holidays. These were appreciated by those unable to attend regular services.
The Prayer Room Partners pray with people in the prayer room before or after Sunday services. They pray over the Prayer Box requests during the Sunday service along with the congregation. Prayer box requests are never read by the Prayer Team but are held in prayer 30 days at Unity CR and then sent to Silent Unity for additional 30 days of prayer in the Silent Unity Chapel.
Prayer Team members provide special prayer services and community prayer circles as requested.
Current Prayer Partner volunteers are Barb Buchanan, Audrey and Verne Eggleston, Polly Gould, Jan Griffith, Susan Liddell, and Paula Land.
Serving on any of the prayer teams requires specific prayer training. New members are welcome. Plans for 2026 are to offer prayer classes and increase the number of members on this team.
The Prayer Tree is no longer being used as other means of obtaining requests and praying to grant these requests are now more readily available.
Members: Pat Coon, Barbara Krumvieda, Leslie Wright, Mary Kopecky, Valerie Stillwell, Kirsten Griffith, Amanda Green, Susan Liddell, LUL.
This team is a multi-faceted, multi-talented team. The Hospitality Ministry Team provides the kitchen supplies. Coffee makers Pat, Barb, Leslie, and Mary serve coffee and snacks before and after services to welcome and greet everyone. Valerie and Kirsten are the booksellers to help you find and check out books for sale. Pat helps Jan with displays and Jan oversees ordering and displaying books.
The UCR Lending Library continues to be a resource for our community. In 2025 we were excited to welcome you to our new space in the Fireplace Room. Older UCR congregants will remember this was once our only Bookstore area on Sunday mornings! Cozy up here by the fire and read a good book and browse for ones to borrow. The library area is maintained by Susan Liddell.
Sacred Grounds and Books is an area of welcoming for many groups. The cozy atmosphere welcomes morning coffee hour, discussions and speaker events, Spirit Space book study groups and Zooms with authors. CommUnity Creates members Amanda, Kirsten, Jan, and Pat create cards and bookmarks for sale in the bookstore to add to UCRs revenue. Small groups T.R.U.E. Tuesday and Unity Ukes also meet here making it a multi-use area.
A bi-annual inventory is planned this year.
As Team Lead:
Members of the Welcome Team were at the UCR doors every Sunday in 2025, greeting congregants and guests and collecting the offertories. We also served as needed at funerals and other events at UCR.
Our team of cheerfulness included:
Jennifer Mordan (Board Liaison), Rachel Pennel (and family), Babs Haggin-Roy, IOtis McGowan, Brian Mell, Terra Bracy, LeAnn Hassman, Pat Coon, Allan Thoms, Jeanne Bjornson, Karen Kurt, Paul Lundy, Sue Jorgenson, Tracey Supplee, Polly Gould, Frank Neidermeyer, Kirsten Griffith, Cindy Thompson, and Laura Meade.
Special thanks to Otis, Brian, Jennifer, and Allan, who often stepped in to usher at the last minute, and to Frank, who was our mentor and ready assistant. Susan Liddell, Paula Land, and Michele Cole were always ready to step in as needed, too.
If you're interested in joining the team, see Laura Meade. We'd love to add people to the rotation. It's a minimal commitment, especially since you'll be at UCR anyway!
Team: Arlene Brant, Laura Meade, Tracey Supplee, Barbara Krumvieda, Suzanne Barnes, Nina Swanson, Brian Mahon, Ashley Schrage, Brianna Schrage, Anne Lullie, Sally Miller, Rachel Pennel, Brandi VanDoren, LeAnn Hassman, Paul Lundy, Paula Land
The Youth and Family Ministry Program at UCR is staffed by committed volunteers who continue to hold space for growth. We have seen growth at times during the year and have added several new children. Currently, we offer programming for infants, toddlers, and young children through teens. The nursery remains open but we rarely have any children. We are able to staff with 1 adult to 4 children of this age if we have them.
In the youth ed class for children 5-12, we studied Unity’s 5 Principles. We incorporated the shortened version for children in the youth classroom. We were able to purchase a curriculum called “Seeds of Spirit” which has been a huge hit with both the children and teachers. I am in communication with the author of this curriculum and we are hoping to purchase another one in the near future. We have averaged 2-3 to 7-8 children.
I attended a zoom workshop with Diane Venzera who is the UWM Youth Director in the Spring with some very useful information obtained which I brought back to the team. I also attended a zoom summit in November with Diane and again there was very useful information.
We had 4 team meetings this year with the next one to be scheduled in the first quarter of 2026. The meetings are well attended with good participation.
I also have a Leadership team consisting of myself, Laura Meade, Arlene Brandt, Suzanne Barnes, and a parent. We met 3 times this year prior to our team meetings. Our MOR, Glenda and Paula Land joined us for the Summer meeting with very useful input. We come up with ideas for curriculum and classroom structure.