Kathy Sprattling, Board President
How long have you been at Unity?
I have been at Unity in Chicago since 2002 and I became a member in 2003. My first experience with Unity was in New Orleans and the synchronicity thing was so powerful that I made a beeline for Unity in Chicago when I returned.

How have Unity teachings transformed your life?  What changes have you seen in your life since you became a member.  
There are so many ways that Unity has transformed my life! Unity has been instrumental in my recovery from the grief of my husband's death. I have evolved as an independent and assertive person. I had such a feeling of fear and unknowing by having to be an independent person and single mother. It was a challenge to trust people and to trust myself. I found the courage to leave a bad business situation and a damaging co-dependent friendship. I believe that all of this is due to the Unity principles, prayer, meditation, and a very supportive community. My physical health has improved as well as my mental health. I take many leaps of faith every day and I know that the necessary bridge or path is there thanks to Unity teachings.

What do you do for a living? How about your avocation?
My avocation is creative fiction and non-fiction. I write a column for a local neighborhood paper under my birth name K.D. Hopkins. I am applying for a fellowship with the Illinois Arts Council this year for creative non-fiction. One of my goals is to publish a book of short stories and to write a play about my childhood neighborhood.

What have you done as a volunteer with UIC?
I volunteer with the PRISM team for their cultural diversity activities. I am currently the president of the Unity Board of Trustees. That is very fulfilling work and I really feel like I am giving back. I have done the Wednesday night cafe cooking on several occasions and I make a few sweet potato pies as well for desserts at the cafes. I have done some volunteering for special events in the past as well (i.e. working the door clean up etc.) I hear that there is a dunking tank on order for next year's anniversary event...I have not signed up for that (Just kidding folks!)

Fred Mahaffey
How long have you been at Unity?
I’ve been affiliated with Unity in Chicago for nine years. In that time, I’ve tithed my time and talent to several Galas, numerous dramatic liturgical events, to the Prayer Chaplaincy ministry, platforming, Taize, and Sunday meditations. I have also served on the Board of Directors.
 
How have Unity teachings transformed your life?  What changes have you seen in your life since you became a member?
Unity in Chicago has given me a means of manifesting and expressing a spiritual energy that was long hidden, even suppressed. The concept of “One Power, One Presence” has
increased my respect for both other paths, and the followers of those paths. The same concept empowers me through the certain knowledge that all is good; that I am indeed loved and can, without fear of diminishing it, share that love freely.
 
What do you do for a career/living
I am passionate about my career as an occupational therapist serving people with persistent mental illness. It’s quite different from an earlier career with a company that made air conditioning for yachts!

Brian Fallon
How long have you been attending Unity?
I have been attending UIC since Autumn of 1990, when an old friend invited me to attend. I was raised as a Catholic and attended Catholic schools for 12 years, but ours was not a family that was strict or disciplined about practicing our faith. As a (blessed) result, I have never identified with the ‘recovering Catholic’ syndrome. I was able to take from the experience what worked for me and leave what didn’t.  The Unity message resonated with me immediately, as it does for so many. I was grateful to find a community that was so welcoming and energetic.  I began to meet dear people who have become some of my closest friends. Oddly enough, I think I attended for 6 years before I started really getting involved in the church.

How have you volunteered?
I have volunteered as: an greeter and an usher; worked on several of the Fall Ball/Gala fundraisers (mostly in decorating either the church or the venue and offering services and items for auction); served as a Prayer Chaplain for several years (having done the initial training at Unity in Phoenix); have taught/facilitated/co-facilitated 4T’s (several times), Keys to the Kingdom, and Life Abundantly (co-created with Rev. Ed); served on the Board of Directors (Trustees) with both Rev. Ed (3 yrs.) and Rev. Erica (2 yrs.); have participated in some liturgical readings;  have been a platform assistant since Rev. Ed moved on (having been invited by him to fill that role – I was the sole ‘platformer’ for  a few months before we began to build a team that continues to serve now).  These days, I sometimes work at the welcome table and I continue to serve as a platform assistant.

How has Unity impacted your life?
Unity’s teachings have truly transformed my life in so many ways! I think my understanding of the principles has, quite frankly, changed the way I view my entire life!  Sort of like being able to look at my life experience through the beautiful lens of Unity principles - and we know that how we perceive our world affects our experience of our world.  I can only say that my life is so much richer, more deeply fulfilling and filled with love and joy than I could ever have imagined all those years ago.

What do you do for a living? What are your passions?
I have worked in Cosmetology Education and Publishing for over 20 years. I studied Fine Arts prior to entering the hairdressing field and I continue to enjoy many creative outlets.  The most recent, long-lasting and expensive creative outlet/passion has been knitting and crocheting! I love the creative process combined and the finished results!