Annual Retreat

Board Training

Unity Links

Present at the Meeting: Beth & Charlie Curtis, Karen Diehl, Cheryl Finch, Mary Ann Finch, Lora Beth Gilbreath, Janet Herron, David & Margaret Hiller, Bil Holton, Leah & James King, Erin & Ed Kosak, Allison Mann, Chad O’Shea, Catherine Padgett, Terrence Padgett, Rene & Marie Pare’, Herb & Lissa Pierson, Lisa Thorpe, Doug Werth.

The meeting opened with Marie Pare’ reading The Daily Word on Inner Peace.

No minutes were available from the last meeting.

Allison Mann, Treasurer, presented the financial report. It was approved as presented. The $358 tithe will be divided among The Association of Unity Churches, Silent Unity, and Unity.

Last year’s retreat was not successful financially. There were only 40 paying participants. There were also 40 people attending on scholarship. There was discussion of changes that could be made in the coming year to raise the level of participation. Some possibilities included:

• having a big-name keynote speaker
• do not have it in August when the weather is still too warm
• churches support the event with partial scholarships
• do not schedule it the week either before or after Labor Day
• do not schedule it the first week of school

To help reduce the financial loss of the retreat, it was decided to raise the commuter rate to $125 for the week or $50 per day. Ministers and spouses will now pay $100 each to attend.

Terrence Padgett gave a report on his research on possible keynote presenters. Bishop John Spong is not available for 2007, but could be booked for 2008. Michael Beckwith had been contacted but had not yet responded. Steve Bhaerman (Swami Beyondanonda) was suggested, as was Mike Dooley (King Tut). The group decided that Michael Beckwith was their first choice and that we were willing to pay a maximum of $10,000 plus expenses.

The next Kanuga Retreat will be held September 10 – 14, 2007. The name for the retreat will be "What the Bleep Is the Secret"; the theme will be applying the law of attraction.

*Note: The group thought that rehearsal for the Talent Show should be during daily free times.

Other Important Decisions about Kanuga:

The name of the conference will be: Unmasking Spirit. 

It will be held October 29th – November 1st at Simpsonwood, a United Methodist Retreat Center Conference Center near Atlanta. The cost will be $589 for a single room; $462 for a double; $250 commuter; $150 per day. Three meals each day included. 

The keynotes will be given by Jim Rosemergy and Mitchell Gipson. The schedule includes:

The following leaders were assigned to help prepare for the conference:

This year’s Board Training will be held at Unity of Atlanta (Rev. John Strickland), July 20th and 21st.

• May 7 – 9, 2007 Unity Knoxville
• February 4 – 6, 2008 Unity in Greensboro
• May 5 – 7, 2008 Unity of Greenville, S.C.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Padgett