WHERE WE WORSHIP
Unity Church emphasizes inherent good

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

About 300 people attend weekly services at Unity Church of Hawai'i, Diamond Head, a religious organization that believes "God is active in everything and everywhere." Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Our denomination and affiliation: Nondenominational; part of the Association of Unity Churches headquartered in Lee's Summit, Kansas City, Mo. The association includes more than 1,000 Unity Churches worldwide, including Nigeria, Canada, and parts of Europe and South America.

Unity Church is often confused with other organizations. It has no connections with Unitarianism, the Unification Church or the Universal Life Church.

Where we are: 3608 Diamond Head Circle

Our numbers: About 300 attend weekly services at the church, which is the parent church of four others statewide: in Windward O'ahu and on Maui, the Big Island and Kaua'i.

Our pastor: The Rev. Mari Gabrielson, who was ordained at Unity School of Christianity in Lee's Summit.

What's special about us: Unity members believe that all people are created with sacred worth and they pride themselves on being a church that supports diversity. For example, Unity was a sponsor of "A Season of Peace and Nonviolence" in Hawai'i, a 64-day observance held between the anniversaries of the assassinations of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas K. Gandhi. The activities emphasized bringing peace into daily life. The church also sponsors events like EMC2, a presentation on a "new healing modality called holographic healing", scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Next Saturday, there will be the Wholistic Living Fair, with nutrition information, yoga and shadow card readings.

Our history: Unity held its first church service Oct. 10, 1937, in the old Boston Building on Fort Street, under the guidance of Marie Parker Handly, who came to Honolulu from the Unity School of Christianity. In 1939, the church moved to 240 Lewers Road in Waikiki. Unity then moved in the early 1960s to Diamond Head Circle where the first sanctuary was built shortly thereafter.

What we believe: Unity has no creedal requirements or dogma. Gabrielson said members believe in the law of mind-action — that people create their experiences by what they choose to think and believe. Affirmations, prayer and meditation are also important.

One of the basic teachings of Unity, Gabrielson said, is that "God is love, God is good and God is active in everything and everywhere."

In describing Unity as being Christ-centered, Gabrielson explained: "I am speaking beyond Jesus Christ. I'm speaking about what we see as God's perfect pattern for humankind as the Christ spirit or the Christ nature."

Unity emphasizes the inherent good in people, she said.

Unity's main textbook is the Bible, which isn't interpreted literally. Rather, Bible lessons are related to people's lives and everyday experiences.

The Unity ordination process involves two years of full-time seminary study. After graduating, ordination is conferred by the Association of Unity Churches. The church ordains women and homosexuals, including gay men who are noncelibate.

Unity ministries include a youth group, women's group, hula halau, gospel choir and gardening club, as well as a prayer center, preschool and elder daycare.

What we're excited about: Unity Church of Hawai'i, Diamond Head, will have the grand opening of Unity Bargains and Boutique, its thrift store, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in the church's Aloha Courtyard. Regular store hours will be 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.

There will also be a free silent retreat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the church.

"The whole purpose of the retreat is to reconnect and recharge," Gabrielson said, "because the only time we really, really connect with God is in the silence."

Contact: Call 735-4436, e-mail revmarig@unityhawaii.org or visit www.unityhawaii.org.

If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.