Thursday, September 8th
Continuous Prayer and Meditation at Unity of Whidbey
12 Noon to 7 pm
Special Prayer and Music Service at Unity of Whidbey
7 – 8 pm
To learn more about the Unity World Day of Prayer
Click here
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Friday, April 2, 2010
UNITY OF WHIDBEY: The Little Church That Could
It is hard to remember exactly when “this little church” began. A few people remember meeting in the back of a barber shop, near the ferry terminal in Clinton about 30 years ago. “Whidbey” is an Island, anchored to Washington State’s mainland at its North end, and separated from the mainland at the South end, by a 30-minute ferry ride. Clinton is the southern-most community of the Island and the destination of ferries departing Mukilteo for the daily shuttle of passengers and cars too and from Whidbey Island.
The earliest recorded membership goes back to February, 1980. Several people joined that year, leading me to believe there were probably initial meetings in the weeks and months before making a formal application to Unity Headquarters for affiliation status. Development of Unity of Whidbey Bylaws and Washington State NFP Incorporation would have followed shortly thereafter. Sunday meetings were moved a few times as interested people joined the Unity family and it grew. It was much too soon, however, for Unity to think about owning a place that could be called “home”.
Essentially, Unity of Whidbey had its beginning, as a “homeless church”, 30 years ago.
At some point, in the mid ‘80’s, Unity moved to Bayview Hall, located in the nearby suburb of the city of Langley; a lovely town, populated by artists, writers, families and a sizeable retirement population. Though the demographics of its population have probably not changed, Langley still grows with the continued arrival of people newly retired.
*****
Bayview Hall was built in 1927. Its white, all wooden-structure was in character with farm houses and neighboring homes that were generously separated by pastures, lawns and gardens along State Route 525, that runs the length of Whidbey Island. When first constructed, Bayview Hall was a rural center-piece for local theatrical productions, movies, Saturday night dances and “town-hall” meetings. Civic and private functions also played a role in establishing “Bayview Hall” as the highway landmark it soon became. And over the years, Whidbey Islander’s have found many, many uses for its existence. It was showing its age long before Unity of Whidbey negotiated a rental agreement to occupy it for Sunday services.
Bayview Hall wasn’t exactly “theirs”, but for the Unity of Whidbey congregation, it was a place they could call home. Someone always “set-up” for the Sunday service, but it couldn’t be done until Sunday morning because of the Saturday night dance that always “packed ‘em in”. Setting-up was an early morning ritual for the many “homeless” years that followed. But I never once heard anyone complain about the inconvenience of it all.
*****
When it was time to consider having “their own” church, Unity of Whidbey members and friends began looking at forested grounds, open suburban spaces, zoning challenges, etc. It wasn’t an intense search. “The right location at the right time” would meet their needs. Besides, not all of the congregation was convinced a new church was needed. There seemed no truly compelling reason to “own” something the congregation “could rent”. Not everyone believed their church needed “debt” in those days.
In a matter of a few short years, however, a 7.5 acre parcel came to the attention of Karl Harris, one of the early members of Unity of Whidbey. Karl and a few other Church-leaders, visited the site. They found that water and power were readily available, the property itself was beautifully wooded and zoning allowed a Church to be built on the property. Once the site had proven it would “perk” (to dispose of septic waste), an offer to purchase was discussed in a Unity of Whidbey General Meeting, after which an evaluation of the appraisal price was made. This led to an offer by the Board of trustees to purchase the site. In very short order, Unity of Whidbey made one giant leap for its congregation. Soon, payments were being regularly made and ownership was no longer a dream….except for one very large “balloon payment” to be made at the end of an established contract period.
*****
Unity of Whidbey had become accustomed to their Bayview home as well as the inconvenience of setting up after Saturday-night dances and meetings of various sorts. There was also the “taking down”, which followed each service. And, familiar as our Bayview home was, people were becoming aware of its weary look, of an oft-used building, now heading into its 50th year of continuous use.
But it was home. Anyone who could not feel its colorful history, the many dances, parties, weddings and plays these walls had held, would fail to see the love and fun so many lives experienced there. And of course there was Unity; continually open for service at 10 a.m., every Sunday, going on 14 years. We had become another tradition within these walls. Then, quietly, almost without perception, change was setting in.
The contract-purchase of our Crawford Road property was coming due. A balloon payment of more than $30,000.00 was also about to come due and a grim reality was setting in. We would soon be leveraging our investment to afford a re-finance….or something. Uncertainty was being felt about just what to do. As I re-call, someone on the Board of Trustees placed a call to the Bank to see what alternatives Unity of Whidbey faced if we were ever to have a place we could call “our own”. In this period of time we frequently counseled each other to “keep the faith”. Unity, of all places, understood the power of faith and the miracles it worked for the True Believers: those whose names were on the bottom line of the note our bank held. We were beginning to experience a conflicting set of spiritual thoughts that challenged our devotion to the idea that “Abundance is ours”…. Finally, a ranking Board Member, whose name was affixed to our note, called the bank. Our Loan Officer left the phone to pull Unity’s paperwork.
When she returned with our application and payment history in hand, a shuffling of pages could be heard as she worked her way forward to answer the basic questions…. “how much, how soon and what might a refinance amount to?”
A totally unexpected conversation ensued; “Sir, I’m showing a zero balance on this note and a brief long-hand note that the balance “has been paid in full.” Apparently, someone who wishes to remain anonymous has paid-off your balloon payment with the stipulation they remain anonymous.” In that moment, I’m sure you could have heard a pin drop in that conversation.
This stunning news swept through the congregation, the following Sunday, with great speculation about who could possibly have made such a full and gracious gift to Unity of Whidbey. Unheard of..!... How is gratitude shown to an anonymous donor?
Thankfulness verbalized from our pulpit spoke for the members of Unity of Whidbey. The way to truly express our gratitude would have to wait until construction was underway, and our true commitment to a new Unity home was at work. It happened in late Summer, 2009.
*****
Karl Harris had worked tirelessly and faithfully with Taproot Architects, LLC, owner, Mathew Swett. Concurrently, he worked with Island County Planning Department, to understand the perils and pitfalls of achieving an approved building plan for Mathew’s concept of a “sustainable” Church structure to occupy our 7.5 acres of forested land.
The driveway entrance, from Crawford Rd., rises on a curved 25-degree grade, to a flat, cleared-plateau of approximately 2.5 acres. Mathew walked this ground one afternoon, to pin-point where the Spiritual Center of this spectacular piece of ground is located. From there, he designed a structure to bear the weight of a “living roof” of sod, supported by post-and-beam construction. Anyone could admire a truly “green” structure, architecturally free of conventional enclosure-planning. Mathew’s design accommodates naturally occurring heat, ambient seasonal temperatures and achieves comfort-zone balancing with minimal use of propane heating, through windowed-access to seasonal, ambient-air.
*****
Matthew was acquainted with an Island resident, Frank Mestemacher, who teaches a Construction-trades Course at Seattle Central Community College. Mathew introduced Frank to Karl Harris and, together, they sized up what the Unity project would require in terms of hands-on carpentry and structural building. Frank saw an opportunity for real-time construction experience and real-life problem solving for his students. The agreement was for students to supply free labor. In return, students would be reimbursed their ferry expense and the Unity congregation would supply lunches and cold drinks.
It was a remarkably wonderful experience for Unity of Whidbey and the students. Crew numbers ranged from 22 to as few as eight. Everyone worked hard. They were eager to learn, courteous and energetic. Frank was fair, demanding and considerate of individual student-levels of comprehension and understanding.
All that Unity stands for and treasures was represented in working relationships between students, Unity members, Frank, Karl and Mathew Swett.
About 70% through our project, a sub-contractor, Temple Carpenters, was hired to do the finish work. Paul Rempa, owner and Project Manager, did much to hasten the day we could begin holding services in our own facility. By November, we were fairly sure our first service at 5671 Crawford Road, could be held on Sunday, December 6. Paul’s help was key to coordinating other sub-contractors, assuring all building codes were adhered too and scheduled inspections were carried out without incident. Paul’s skill as a finish carpenter, concrete finisher, mechanical wizard and his brilliant interpersonal skills, guaranteed Unity of Whidbey’s “home-construction project” would succeed.
*****
Presently, the kitchen needs to be finished, a separate two-story Administration Building needs to be built and landscaping needs to be addressed. Recently, on Membership Sunday, eleven people became new members of Unity of Whidbey, and I am proud to report that Paul and Shelly Rempa were among them.
We can’t yet report this is a “done” project. Unity volunteers have worked side by side to paint, provide some pertinent skills, clean, scrub, haul building supplies and keep the project clear of debris….just the way Paul likes it. Our building fund needs replenishing, and an eight-foot diameter tile-set Mandela has been designed for installation soon in our Unity Hall foyer floor. Paul was careful to align the spiritual center-point of Unity Hall with the center of a circular skylight directly above the Mandela. This beautiful, exciting work will be the largest in Washington State.
Much of the grouting between the tiled Mandela pieces has come to Unity of Whidbey from pulverized concrete of the Berlin Wall. What higher purpose could that recycled concrete wall have than to assure us this Mandela of peace will stay together?
Pastor Jim Schrotel, (Unity Chapel of Light, Santa Maria, California) has called Unity of Whidbey “The Little Church That Could”. We thank Pastor Jim for the identity he’s given us. Our Sunday-badges now picture a cartoon of “The Little Train…” along with the congregant’s name.
The Little Church That Could….is just pulling into the station…….so to speak.
The earliest recorded membership goes back to February, 1980. Several people joined that year, leading me to believe there were probably initial meetings in the weeks and months before making a formal application to Unity Headquarters for affiliation status. Development of Unity of Whidbey Bylaws and Washington State NFP Incorporation would have followed shortly thereafter. Sunday meetings were moved a few times as interested people joined the Unity family and it grew. It was much too soon, however, for Unity to think about owning a place that could be called “home”.
Essentially, Unity of Whidbey had its beginning, as a “homeless church”, 30 years ago.
At some point, in the mid ‘80’s, Unity moved to Bayview Hall, located in the nearby suburb of the city of Langley; a lovely town, populated by artists, writers, families and a sizeable retirement population. Though the demographics of its population have probably not changed, Langley still grows with the continued arrival of people newly retired.
*****
Bayview Hall was built in 1927. Its white, all wooden-structure was in character with farm houses and neighboring homes that were generously separated by pastures, lawns and gardens along State Route 525, that runs the length of Whidbey Island. When first constructed, Bayview Hall was a rural center-piece for local theatrical productions, movies, Saturday night dances and “town-hall” meetings. Civic and private functions also played a role in establishing “Bayview Hall” as the highway landmark it soon became. And over the years, Whidbey Islander’s have found many, many uses for its existence. It was showing its age long before Unity of Whidbey negotiated a rental agreement to occupy it for Sunday services.
Bayview Hall wasn’t exactly “theirs”, but for the Unity of Whidbey congregation, it was a place they could call home. Someone always “set-up” for the Sunday service, but it couldn’t be done until Sunday morning because of the Saturday night dance that always “packed ‘em in”. Setting-up was an early morning ritual for the many “homeless” years that followed. But I never once heard anyone complain about the inconvenience of it all.
*****
When it was time to consider having “their own” church, Unity of Whidbey members and friends began looking at forested grounds, open suburban spaces, zoning challenges, etc. It wasn’t an intense search. “The right location at the right time” would meet their needs. Besides, not all of the congregation was convinced a new church was needed. There seemed no truly compelling reason to “own” something the congregation “could rent”. Not everyone believed their church needed “debt” in those days.
In a matter of a few short years, however, a 7.5 acre parcel came to the attention of Karl Harris, one of the early members of Unity of Whidbey. Karl and a few other Church-leaders, visited the site. They found that water and power were readily available, the property itself was beautifully wooded and zoning allowed a Church to be built on the property. Once the site had proven it would “perk” (to dispose of septic waste), an offer to purchase was discussed in a Unity of Whidbey General Meeting, after which an evaluation of the appraisal price was made. This led to an offer by the Board of trustees to purchase the site. In very short order, Unity of Whidbey made one giant leap for its congregation. Soon, payments were being regularly made and ownership was no longer a dream….except for one very large “balloon payment” to be made at the end of an established contract period.
*****
Unity of Whidbey had become accustomed to their Bayview home as well as the inconvenience of setting up after Saturday-night dances and meetings of various sorts. There was also the “taking down”, which followed each service. And, familiar as our Bayview home was, people were becoming aware of its weary look, of an oft-used building, now heading into its 50th year of continuous use.
But it was home. Anyone who could not feel its colorful history, the many dances, parties, weddings and plays these walls had held, would fail to see the love and fun so many lives experienced there. And of course there was Unity; continually open for service at 10 a.m., every Sunday, going on 14 years. We had become another tradition within these walls. Then, quietly, almost without perception, change was setting in.
The contract-purchase of our Crawford Road property was coming due. A balloon payment of more than $30,000.00 was also about to come due and a grim reality was setting in. We would soon be leveraging our investment to afford a re-finance….or something. Uncertainty was being felt about just what to do. As I re-call, someone on the Board of Trustees placed a call to the Bank to see what alternatives Unity of Whidbey faced if we were ever to have a place we could call “our own”. In this period of time we frequently counseled each other to “keep the faith”. Unity, of all places, understood the power of faith and the miracles it worked for the True Believers: those whose names were on the bottom line of the note our bank held. We were beginning to experience a conflicting set of spiritual thoughts that challenged our devotion to the idea that “Abundance is ours”…. Finally, a ranking Board Member, whose name was affixed to our note, called the bank. Our Loan Officer left the phone to pull Unity’s paperwork.
When she returned with our application and payment history in hand, a shuffling of pages could be heard as she worked her way forward to answer the basic questions…. “how much, how soon and what might a refinance amount to?”
A totally unexpected conversation ensued; “Sir, I’m showing a zero balance on this note and a brief long-hand note that the balance “has been paid in full.” Apparently, someone who wishes to remain anonymous has paid-off your balloon payment with the stipulation they remain anonymous.” In that moment, I’m sure you could have heard a pin drop in that conversation.
This stunning news swept through the congregation, the following Sunday, with great speculation about who could possibly have made such a full and gracious gift to Unity of Whidbey. Unheard of..!... How is gratitude shown to an anonymous donor?
Thankfulness verbalized from our pulpit spoke for the members of Unity of Whidbey. The way to truly express our gratitude would have to wait until construction was underway, and our true commitment to a new Unity home was at work. It happened in late Summer, 2009.
*****
Karl Harris had worked tirelessly and faithfully with Taproot Architects, LLC, owner, Mathew Swett. Concurrently, he worked with Island County Planning Department, to understand the perils and pitfalls of achieving an approved building plan for Mathew’s concept of a “sustainable” Church structure to occupy our 7.5 acres of forested land.
The driveway entrance, from Crawford Rd., rises on a curved 25-degree grade, to a flat, cleared-plateau of approximately 2.5 acres. Mathew walked this ground one afternoon, to pin-point where the Spiritual Center of this spectacular piece of ground is located. From there, he designed a structure to bear the weight of a “living roof” of sod, supported by post-and-beam construction. Anyone could admire a truly “green” structure, architecturally free of conventional enclosure-planning. Mathew’s design accommodates naturally occurring heat, ambient seasonal temperatures and achieves comfort-zone balancing with minimal use of propane heating, through windowed-access to seasonal, ambient-air.
*****
Matthew was acquainted with an Island resident, Frank Mestemacher, who teaches a Construction-trades Course at Seattle Central Community College. Mathew introduced Frank to Karl Harris and, together, they sized up what the Unity project would require in terms of hands-on carpentry and structural building. Frank saw an opportunity for real-time construction experience and real-life problem solving for his students. The agreement was for students to supply free labor. In return, students would be reimbursed their ferry expense and the Unity congregation would supply lunches and cold drinks.
It was a remarkably wonderful experience for Unity of Whidbey and the students. Crew numbers ranged from 22 to as few as eight. Everyone worked hard. They were eager to learn, courteous and energetic. Frank was fair, demanding and considerate of individual student-levels of comprehension and understanding.
All that Unity stands for and treasures was represented in working relationships between students, Unity members, Frank, Karl and Mathew Swett.
About 70% through our project, a sub-contractor, Temple Carpenters, was hired to do the finish work. Paul Rempa, owner and Project Manager, did much to hasten the day we could begin holding services in our own facility. By November, we were fairly sure our first service at 5671 Crawford Road, could be held on Sunday, December 6. Paul’s help was key to coordinating other sub-contractors, assuring all building codes were adhered too and scheduled inspections were carried out without incident. Paul’s skill as a finish carpenter, concrete finisher, mechanical wizard and his brilliant interpersonal skills, guaranteed Unity of Whidbey’s “home-construction project” would succeed.
*****
Presently, the kitchen needs to be finished, a separate two-story Administration Building needs to be built and landscaping needs to be addressed. Recently, on Membership Sunday, eleven people became new members of Unity of Whidbey, and I am proud to report that Paul and Shelly Rempa were among them.
We can’t yet report this is a “done” project. Unity volunteers have worked side by side to paint, provide some pertinent skills, clean, scrub, haul building supplies and keep the project clear of debris….just the way Paul likes it. Our building fund needs replenishing, and an eight-foot diameter tile-set Mandela has been designed for installation soon in our Unity Hall foyer floor. Paul was careful to align the spiritual center-point of Unity Hall with the center of a circular skylight directly above the Mandela. This beautiful, exciting work will be the largest in Washington State.
Much of the grouting between the tiled Mandela pieces has come to Unity of Whidbey from pulverized concrete of the Berlin Wall. What higher purpose could that recycled concrete wall have than to assure us this Mandela of peace will stay together?
Pastor Jim Schrotel, (Unity Chapel of Light, Santa Maria, California) has called Unity of Whidbey “The Little Church That Could”. We thank Pastor Jim for the identity he’s given us. Our Sunday-badges now picture a cartoon of “The Little Train…” along with the congregant’s name.
The Little Church That Could….is just pulling into the station…….so to speak.
By Gerry Simpson, Board of Trustees-President (acting)
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