Tom Di Nanni's Seeker's Diary

STAR TRIBUNE

Faith & Values

Seeker's diary by Tom Di Nanni

Where: Unity North Church, 242 Northdale Boulevard, NW Coon Rapids. Phone:612-754-6489. Unity's Web site is at www.unitynorthchurch.org.

Services: Sunday, 8:45 and 11 a.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Pastor: Carol Kniskern, Spiritual Director.

First Impression: A peaceful and peace-filled gathering of people who obviously cherish their time together.

Unity North Church

Worship service: Except for the sign on the front lawn, you might drive by what appears to be a large, rambling suburban home, never knowing it was a house of worship. The 30 or so present at the 11 a. m. service I attended met in a large, undecorated area more like a living room than a sanctuary. As a talented guitarist played prelude music, people greeted each other with handshakes and hugs as they entered the room.

Unity North Church is affiliated with the Unity School of Chritianity located at Unity Village, Missouri. Founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, the Unity Movement appears to be scripture-based Christian denomination with a different point of view. An informative pamphlet provided in the Welcome Kit for visitors indicates that while evil certainly exists in the world, belief in God's goodness and the Christ present in each of us overwhelms the power of evil.

The concentration on the love of God rather than the need for atonement for sin pervades the worship service, beginning with the opening prayer: "There is one Presence and one Power in the universe and in my life; God, the Good, Omnipotent.

Prayer requests were called for and members of the congregation made special requests for the safe return of their children, for help with a career change and for healing from surgery. This was not, however, the usual, rather perfunctory listing of needs and concerns but an intense focusing of the attention and energy of everyone present on visualizing the outcome of the request. It was nearly impossible for me not to become emotionally and spiritually involved in what was happening among this small group of people, as I felt a palpable surge of energy and love around me.

The congregation's spiritual director, Carol Kniskern, was on vacation the Sunday I attended, but other members of the church filled in with readings and meditation, and the congregation participated fully in song throughout the service. The closing "Prayer of Protection" seemed to summarize the entire worship eperience: "The Light of God surrounds us; The Love of God enfolds us; The Power of God protects us. Wherever we are, God is, and all is well!"

First-time visitors: Visitors were welcomed by greeters, in the bulletin and by the worship leaders. A packet of information about the congregation and the denomination was mase available to visitors who chose to identify themselves.

Programs and services: A nursery is provided during the 11 AM service. A "Healing Service" is offered on the fourth Sunday of the month from 1 to 2:30 PM. Healing also is available after the Wednesday evening "Meditation and Candlelight Discussion." The church's newsletter lists a number of youth activities and members of the church were encouraged to join a visiting program with residents of area nursing homes.

If you go: Take Highway 47 (University Avenue) north of the Twin Cities to Northdale Boulevard in Coon Rapids. Go west on Northdale about a mile. The church is on the left.

– Tom Di Nanni, president of Camelot Communications, is a Twin Cities religion analyst. He is seeking out a worship experience as a first -time visitor. If you know of a community that you'd like him to visit, write him at Camelot Communications, 3820 Park Ave., S., Minneapolis, MN 55407, or FAX him at 612-825-6898, or e-mail him at tdinanni@compuserve.com

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Tom Di Nanni's Seeker's diary was reprinted from the July 3rd edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune by permission of the author.

Unity North Church – Coon Rapids Minnesota
Office - (763) 754-6489