Unity Reimagined: Frequently Asked Questions

• Every person within the movement—ministers, LUT’s, congregants, the central office staff—will be able to focus on the larger vision to help and serve more people. The efforts of local ministries, the central office, and the international Unity movement will be woven together, rather than carrying out individual plans. Ministries will retain their independence, and participation and support will be optional.
• The central office and ministries will share intentional, focused marketing and messaging, including market research about the spiritual landscape, standard language, graphics, materials, etc.
• Congregants in local ministries will be made aware of what is available to them from Unity Village (i.e. spiritual tools online, products, magazines, books, shirts, etc.) These will cover the spectrum of metaphysical Christianity to spiritual but not religious expressions of our teachings.
• Each year strategic goals and intentions will be set for the whole movement rather than trying to carry out the Unity mission in ways devised by 600 different ministries acting alone.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Q. UWH lacks experience supporting spiritual communities/ministries. What is the UWH board and leadership’s commitment to supporting the Unity communities? If resources become tight, could UC&L be released?

A. Keep in mind that ordained ministers work throughout UWH, including seven field ministers currently on the UWH board, three ministers on the executive team (including the CEO), and more in Silent Unity and other departments. Unity communities are close to the hearts of the UWH board and leadership. If resources become tight, the new model will provide a vehicle for all of us in the movement to come together to discern solutions.

Q. A petition for a special meeting or a leadership/policy review must be signed by 40 percent of active partners. This is a very high percentage just to bring something to the table.

A. Remember that our communication and collaboration will be online with the entire platform based on an updated database of ministries and leaders. These two factors will make it much easier and faster to reach people with a single post or message. If an idea were genuinely popular, it could easily reach 40 percent faster than at any time in our history. This number was chosen to differentiate between real interest vs. a small but vocal faction.

Q. Where is the financial accountability? How are leaders held financially accountable?

A. UWH leaders are already held financially accountable by the board, a yearly independent certified audit, and generally accepted accounting practices. Like all the departments at UWH, UC&L will have a departmental budget that rolls up into the overall UWH budget. You won’t see detailed financial reports about revenues and expenses strictly for ministries because UC&L will be part of a larger organization. We will instead measure our progress and success together by the work product delivered in each year’s strategic plan. This way our focus and attention is on the work itself and not driven exclusively by money.

Q. The Independent Review Circle is composed of officers on the UWH Board, UWH’s CEO, UC&L’s executive director, and regional representatives. I question whether this is truly independent.

A. Those groups make up a large and diverse group of Unity leaders and ministers including those outside the structure of UWH. This level of diversity should meet the threshold of independence necessary for the majority if not all issues. If it turns out not to work, it can always be modified in the future.

Q. How will a truly independent accountability system be established and implemented?

A. In the latest version of the charter (October 2025), accountability matches or in some cases exceeds the level of accountability in place today with UWM.

Q. Usually, transparent organizations, including nearly all governments, when they change core documents, both highlight and explain the changes made by the latest version to the prior version. Has UWM/UWH done this and I missed it? If not, you need to do that ASAP including meaningful explanations of why each change was made.

A. See the revised charter with changes marked in English or Spanish. The changes were made based on feedback from the field.

Q. Where did the charter document originate?

A. The beginnings of the charter were based on elements of the current UWM bylaws as well as some existing UWM policies and procedures. From there it was expanded into the document it is today. The team that constructed the initial version included UWM staff and board members, UWH staff and board members, and some field and Unity leaders and ministers.

Q. What other organizations use charters? For-profit? Non-profit?

A. Charters are commonly used in nonprofits, for-profits, cities, corporations, and a variety of other organizations around the world. This particular charter, as one would imagine, was created and customized to fit the Unity movement.

Q. What are charters’ proven success?

A. Charters in and of themselves are simply documents with no quantifiable measuring data as to their success or failure. The success of any foundational document is in the quality of its contents to suit a given situation and how well it is carried out by the people and operations in the organization for which it was intended.

Q. What are the similarities to Unity?

A. One can research and find any number of organizations based on charters throughout history. Many will share commonality with the Unity movement while others will be completely different. Again, documents don’t determine the ultimate success or failure of an organization beyond the logical, legal policy protections that are prudent, obvious, and necessary. Assuming those are in place, the rest is about the people and operations that follow.

Q. Who recommended this system for Unity and what is their experience in Unity and/or Unity ministries?

A. The new model for the Unity movement is intentionally designed around the proven dynamics of grassroots movements that have experienced extraordinary growth and vitality across the country. It was recommended and reviewed by a team of Unity leaders, in the field and otherwise, who have decades of experience in our movement. Grassroots movements thrive because they are fueled by local expression, authentic community connection, and the empowerment of individuals to express shared principles in creative, relevant, and personal ways.

By embracing a grassroots approach, the Unity movement moves from a centralized structure to one that celebrates decentralized participation and innovation. This model invites every Unity community, leader, and individual to become a co-creator of the movement’s evolution—fostering inclusivity, responsiveness, and renewed energy at the local level.

Grassroots movements have enjoyed great success and growth because they:

For Unity, this transformation represents a return to our spiritual roots—where inspiration arises from individual awakening and collective action. By cultivating a grassroots framework, we create fertile ground for a vibrant, expanding movement that reflects the diversity, creativity, and spiritual aliveness of the people it serves.

BOARD

Q. How many will be on the board from UWM and UWH?

A. To begin, no less than two board members will come over from UWM to join the 12-member UWH board, which already includes seven field ministers. Going forward, board members will be nominated through the regions and will no longer be identified as UWM or UWH representatives. One organization, one board.

Q. Under the charter, who determines the board members and hires staff?

A. UC&L will be a department of UWH, and as with any department, the associates will be hired by those serving in leadership roles, in this case the executive director of Unity Communities and Leaders working with the People Support (HR) team at UWH. UWM currently hires staff in the same way, with executives and leaders within choosing whom to hire. For the board, anyone in the field can recommend nominees to their regions, then the regions will forward names to the UWH board’s nominating committee. Ultimately the board will elect new members from those nominees who were recommended by the field.

Q. Please explain in more detail how the UWH board is to be selected in the future. Currently, they seem to serve for indefinite periods and then be replaced by a nominee from a group. Are the regions only going to submit nominees to this group and how will the group determine which nominee to put forward? Or are all board members going to be subject to re-nomination each year? Are specific board seats allocated to each region? I have not read the October version of the proposed charter, so maybe these are already answered.

A. UWH board members serve three-year terms and may be reelected twice for a total of nine years. As seats come open, nominees are sought and vetted through a board subcommittee called the Leadership Recruitment and Development Committee (LRDC). That will not change. But in the new model, nominees will first be recommended to the LRDC by the regions, which should broaden the field from which nominees are chosen. Exactly how the regions will put forward nominees will be up to them to discern. Specific seats will not be allocated to each region. The LRDC will choose which nominees to recommend, and the UWH board will elect nominees to serve.

Keep in mind the UWH board will continue to have responsibilities beyond the churches. Some of its members will need to have expertise in finance, property development, and the many other aspects of UWH operations, services, and ministries that require specialized knowledge in addition to church leadership and ministry.

BRANDING

Q. Under The Partners Circle Pathway in the charter, Stage 3, page 14, will a ministry be required to start participating in the branding program to be approved by the UC&L leadership team and thus remain in good standing as a Unity ministry under this proposal?

A. No.

Q. Will branding/logo change?

A. No. See the Marketing/Branding section of these FAQs below.

Q. Unity leaders represent corporations, spiritual communities, often with long and complex histories. I have represented Unity-Clearwater, Inc. (incorporated in 1958) for 45 years and my people here are asking, "What about our winged globe?" and "Aren't there other spiritual communities, both in and out of the Fillmore-based Unity movement, with the word unity in their titles? Isn't the word unity a common term, that, like community cannot be copyrighted?" I must have answers for the people of this spiritual community.

A. You may use the winged globe or any other branding you like. The logos, fonts, colors, and language suggested in the branding guidelines will be optional, just as they are now.
The name Unity is, in fact, trademarked in the religious space and jointly owned by UWH and UWM, and it will remain so with the unified organization. For instance, we will not challenge the huge tech company called Unity because it is in a different arena (not religious). Some churches not affiliated with our movement do include Unity in their names, and when we are made aware of their use, depending on specifics, we notify them of their trademark infringement. This has been a regular and ongoing compliance practice for years at both UWM and UWH.

(NEW) FINDING INFO

Q. On the unity.org website, would it be possible to put a link in the top headline that takes us directly to UC&L so that we can follow recorded Town Hall meetings and see any updates?

A. The Unity Reimagined section of the website was designed to be private, rather than share our internal acquisition process with hundreds of thousands of website users. But there are three ways to track the updates:

BYLAWS

(NEW) Q. I believe that all member churches will eventually need to update our bylaws to be in accord with the new situation. How do we learn more about that? Who is the primary point of contact to advise on this?

(NEW) A. Church bylaws will need a few changes in language, but nothing major is foreseen. For example, any reference to Unity Worldwide Ministries will need to be changed to Unity World Headquarters or Unity Communities and Leaders, depending on the context. A reference to membership would need to become partnership. There is no hurry to accomplish this. The UC&L staff will be able to offer more specific guidance after they are settled.

The language below is also recommended to align with the charter (page 77), but please seek counsel on your state laws.

(NEW) For independent churches (own 501c):

“Our ministry affirms alignment with the Unity Charter as a guiding vision and spiritual covenant. While we honor our legal independence as a 501(c)(3) religious corporation, we joyfully commit to walk in resonance with the Charter’s values and commitments.”

(NEW) For churches under UWM’s umbrella 501c:

“Our ministry affirms alignment with the Unity Charter as a guiding vision and spiritual covenant. While we operate as a ministry under Unity Worldwide Ministries’ umbrella 501(c)(3), we joyfully commit to walk in resonance with the Charter’s values and commitments.”

(NEW) Org Chart

(NEW) Q. Can we see an organizational chart?

(NEW) A. Here is the most recent chart for the Unity Community and Leaders (UC&L) department. Not shown are the other UWH departments like Silent Unity, Publishing, Outreach, Finance, People Support, Hospitality, and Facilities.

UC&L ORG Chart

SpiritGroups

(NEW) Q. I heard that UWSI has a “financial sustainability” motive. Of course it makes sense to make sure that what is charged for classes and conferences offered by UWSI covers the cost of offering them. But what about SpiritGroups? Are they part of the new model? Because they are considered part of a church's ministry, it can't be demonstrated how much money small groups bring in for that church or whether their members eventually tithe to headquarters.

Unity small groups are effective generators of spiritual growth, are transformational on many levels, and effectively grow churches. I would like to hear that Unity small groups will have an increased focus in the national organization rather than less focus (because of the perception they don’t bring in money). The increased focus would show up as at least 50 percent of a full-time employee's responsibilities.

(NEW) A. Thank you for your question and for your commitment to the power of small groups in Unity. The term “financial sustainability” simply means ensuring programs are structured to thrive long‑term—it does not mean reducing support for ministries that don’t produce direct revenue. Small groups remain an important part of our mission-centric future.

The original SpiritGroups program no longer met our needs, so once the licensing contract ended, we evolved it into our new Small Group Ministry Training. This program draws from the original SpiritGroups and Fresh Expressions, is grassroots-friendly, and is offered twice a year as a certificate training. 

Unity Small Groups continue to be one of our most effective tools for deepening community, fostering spiritual transformation, developing leaders, and strengthening ministries. They remain a valued and supported part of the unified organization.

Growing the Movement

(NEW) Q. On page 11 of the charter it is written: "As UC&L is a dynamic department within UWH, it is charged with nurturing the vitality, integrity, and global evolution of the Unity movement." About this last part—"global evolution"—my understanding is that UC&L does not control the Unity movement. Who actually does? And does this statement make UC&L fully responsible of the global evolution of the Unity movement? If so, is UC&L to report to anyone or any entity about this evolution? My other question is about international components. I don't see anything about international in the charter.

(NEW) A. UC&L is a department within Unity World Headquarters much like Silent Unity, publishing, or outreach. Now that we have come together as one Unity, we will all be nurturing our global evolution—not only from headquarters but in ministries around the globe. This is done by virtue of our grassroots structure, which calls for input from ministries (U.S.-based and international), our regions, and teams, all of whom make up the movement.

To help facilitate this collective evolution, the UC&L leadership team will create an annual strategic plan each year with input from the field and global regions on initiatives considered most important. It will be reviewed by the Unity World Headquarters board for input and consideration and ultimately adopted. Throughout the year reports will be provided to the field on progress and measurables associated with the plan.

While the charter does not establish a separate international governing body, it explicitly recognizes Unity as a global movement and affirms participation from ministries, leaders, and communities outside the United States. International partners participate through the same charter-aligned structures—regions, Partner Circles, and collaborative processes—while remaining subject to their own national and local legal, financial, and regulatory requirements. This is consistent with how Unity communities within the United States operate, as each state-based ministry is likewise responsible for complying with its own jurisdiction’s legal and financial obligations. In short, UC&L serves as a connector, steward, and facilitator—helping Unity evolve globally through shared vision, mutual accountability, and collective discernment, rather than centralized control.

Q. If there is conflicting language between the charter and the UWH bylaws, which document has precedence?

A. The UWH bylaws cover the whole organization; the charter is for just one department. So the bylaws will take precedence. That said, every effort will be made to adjust both documents so they do not conflict.

Q. Changing the entire set of bylaws by which we are governed to a charter is the act of amending our current bylaws, especially since that change is what is stated in the opening paragraphs of the proposed charter. I also found out that Georgia, the state in which UWM holds its current non-profit status, requires bylaws, not charters, as the governing documents, though some states allow for a governing charter. Does the change to the charter mean that UWM is losing its non-profit status in Georgia? If so, in what state will it hold a non-profit status, and does that state allow for a charter to be the governing document?

A. UWH’s non-profit status is held in the state of Missouri. Since UWM and all assets will be acquired by UWH, it will then fall under this same jurisdiction and the governing bylaws of UWH. The charter was created to establish the governing processes and procedures between the new department at UWH (Unity Communities and Leaders) and the ministers and ministries in the field. It gives us an opportunity to set intentions for how we will work together as one movement, which is useful for all concerned. Given that UC&L is a department, the state will have no opinion on the charter itself. Under U.S. law, courts have left internal decisions regarding governance of internal processes and procedures to the discretion of the non-profit organizations, particularly when the documents are part of the established and recognized governance framework.

Q. Will Unity Communities and Leaders (UC&L) be subject to the Unity School/UWH bylaws, and where is this stated in the proposed charter?

A. On page 11, the charter describes UC&L as a fully integrated department of Unity World Headquarters. That puts it under the UWH bylaws. Think of it like Silent Unity or publishing or outreach—a department within the larger organization.

Q. If UC&L is governed by UWH bylaws, should this change also require the procedure for bylaws amendment (meaning change) in our current AUC/UWM bylaws? In other words, should the UWH bylaws be sent to the entire membership 30 days ahead of the vote as part of the change that is proposed, and should the vote on bylaws be taken at the membership meeting as a separate vote from that of the charter?

A. The decision has been made to leave the UWH bylaws as they stand and defer to the UC&L charter for all governance matters related to the field ministers and ministries.

CHARTER TERMS

Q. The term “Central Office” is used several times in the charter. I am unclear what this refers to.

A. Unity Communities and Leaders will be a department or business unit within UWH, much like Silent Unity. The executive director for UC&L, along with any staff working to support ministers and ministries, will be considered part of that central office. Recent feedback has suggested this be termed “Home Office” in the charter, so that change has been made throughout the revised version.

Q. Can you tell me if RLDCs (pp29-30)—Regional Leadership and Development Councils—are referring to Regional Boards?

A. RLDCs (Regional Leadership and Development Councils) are already established entities within UWM, and the charter honors their existing framework. Within the charter, RLDCs appear as part of the governance ecosystem that links local ministries to the wider Unity body. They are envisioned as bridges of coherence—discerning leadership, supporting alignment, and ensuring local voices connect into the whole.

Q. Please explain what structures are in play to support “board-led” communities?

A. They will be included like any other ministry/leader and have access to all the same resources, communities, and level of input and collaboration. The team currently involved in this function at UWM will be a key part of designing the further details of how this will be supported as we move forward.

Q. Question about wording in the charter is the use of divine love. I thought the Divine is not love or hate but pure essence from which everything is created.

A. It is not unusual in Unity to invoke the various attributes of the Divine—divine love, divine wisdom, divine light, etc. Here’s an example from Myrtle Fillmore’s Healing Letters: “God is love; we make divine love into loving… God is wisdom; we claim oneness with divine wisdom and it expresses through us as wise thoughts and decisions and actions…”

Q. Is there somewhere I can see the differences between membership and partnership? And is partnership something that an Alternative Ministry can utilize since we are not permitted to use membership in our ministries?

A. Partnership is designed to be flexible and inclusive, so it can indeed be utilized by Alternative Ministries. Indeed, it provides a pathway for belonging and engagement without requiring the formal structures of membership, making it especially supportive for ministries like yours. In addition, the October 2025 revised version of the charter includes a slight modification to explicitly address Alternative Ministries, ensuring they are clearly included and supported within the partnership model.

Q. This charter is soooo confusing! Can it be simplified?

A. Yes. In early October you can expect the release of an “executive summary”-type document to help in your discernment processes.

Q. Referring to the charter of Unity Communities and Leaders, page 31, Regional Accountability Input, bullet point 2: What is the definition of a “binding consultation” (that a Regional Council can have with the UWH Board?)

A. The first bullet says RLDCs may respond to perceived leadership misalignment. If a matter is escalated, “binding consultation” means the UWH board is obligated or bound to meet with the RLDC.

EFFECT ON FIELD

Q. How will the field benefit from this action, please?

A. In the section of these FAQs called The New Model, scroll to the second question, What are the advantages for ministers and ministries?

Q. My board wants to know what fees are required, ministry and minister, under charter?

A. There are no fees, but as with any ministry or non-profit movement, love offerings are always welcome and usually necessary to maintain proper and adequate resources and services. UWH, like UWM, is a nonprofit that thrives on donations. Ideally, any offerings that have historically been given to support both UWM and UWH will be combined for donation to the one organization going forward.

Q. Isn’t this a franchise model?

A. No. This question has been asked and answered in The New Model section. There you will find a table illustrating the significant differences between the new model and a franchise.

Q. Wouldn’t it be prudent to try out this charter with a pilot program first?

A. This would generally be a great idea. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a practical way to pilot the coming together of two distinct organizations, combining their functions, and coming under a new model. To pilot only portions of it would not render meaningful results.

Q. If this proposed restructuring goes forward, what will happen for the ministries and leaders that choose not to participate? Will they be allowed to continue to use their signage? Will they be allowed to teach the Unity teachings?

A. In the October 2025 release of the charter, a provision has been added to clearly define a Unity name-only affiliate. This will allow those who don’t wish to participate in the Partners Circle to still use branding and the trademarked Unity name. These ministries will be held to the same good standing requirements as defined in the charter governing all Unity ministers and ministries for clarity and consistency’s sake.

Q. Pages 16-17—Partner Circle Responsibilities—Will the required financial participation be in the nature of fees paid to the Partner Circle (General Fund)? Or will it include special purpose donations to Friends of the Archives, etc.?

A. Participation in the Partners Circle does not require any fees. It is free. The charter explicitly calls for sacred reciprocity, which means to honor the law of giving and receiving as you see fit. Support of the Partners Circle and the Unity Communities and Leaders Department remains a donation-based honor system, just as it has been with UWM.

Q. Page 21—Definition of Good Standing—Bullet Point 7—Does this provision require that all CEU’s be earned via the Partners Circle Portal? In the past, we have been able to keep up with our CEU’s at regional events.

A. That process will remain although the tracking mechanism may change as the systems and platforms change.

Q. How will retired ministers, who are not in pulpits, be recognized and integrated into this new structure?

A. They will be considered one of the categories among Partners and have a dedicated Affinity Circle designation (the Wisdom Circle) in the online portal. This will offer them the ability to be in community digitally with one another and participate in the larger circle. See pages 15 and 18 in the revised charter. Retired ministers will be relied upon for their spiritual wisdom and mentorship and invited to participate in events and projects.

Q. I don’t know if there’s been any discussion of how older, retired, former senior ministers might best be invited to contribute to the movement going forward. Where can we “elders” who are past their days of robust physical presence best serve the Unity movement as it moves forward??

A. This will be further defined once the Partners Circle is in place online. (See the Q&A above.) An affinity circle for retired ministers, to be called the Wisdom Circle, will be established in the portal. There, the community of retired ministers can come together to support the movement in many ways—for instance, as mentors contributing to the ongoing conversations in the Partners Circle Portal. Eventually, it could become a forum for offering their gifts to the rest of the circle.

Q. You mention retired ministers in a Wisdom Council but no mention of retired LUTs. Are we invited?

A. Of course. See Retired Credentialed Leaders on page 15 of the revised charter. One of the benefits of using the new community portal is that a dedicated community circle can be established just for retired LUT’s, if so desired, for shared community and voices.

INTERNATIONAL

Q. The charter barely addresses international, and this is an area that has historically not been well supported. How will international be supported following an acquisition?

A. We agree this is an area that needs more attention. Following acquisition, Unity is committed to strengthening international support through intentional investment, clearer structures of connection, and a bridge strategy that ensures global communities are included, resourced, and empowered.

TECHNOLOGY

Q. Some of our smaller communities lack technological knowledge and may be intimidated by the portal. How will you address this?

A. For the most part, if users can handle Facebook or navigate a website, they should be fine with the portal. There also will be many ongoing opportunities for education on portal use, not only in the beginning but at most in-person assemblies, plus loads of online and video-based tutorials to help those who may need it.

Q. Have (or will) efforts be made to ensure that access from outside the USA is easy? I know that in my primary ministry, Unity Halton Peel (Canada), technology is an issue for our members. If the portal platform does not function easily, that is a concern.

A. Prior to finalizing any portal solutions, proper testing will be conducted in every country where we have ministries to ensure the ability to access and utilize the portal since it will be such a key element of our collaboration and participation.

UWH STRUCTURE

Q. What does it mean to be a department of UWH? In a business model, I expect it to mean there is a department head of UC&L who reports to UWH and is essentially hierarchical. Is this what is happening here?

A. UWH has a number of departments, such as Silent Unity, Publishing and Marketing, Outreach, Facilities, Accounting, and People Support (HR). The head of each department reports either to CEO Jim Blake or COO Guy Swanson. Together those leaders make up the executive team. UC&L will be such a department with an executive director who reports to the CEO. It’s much the same as UWM is now, where the staff overseeing different areas like member services or education reports to CEO Roxanne Graves.

Q. For those not familiar, could you describe the existing structure of UWH?

A. The UWH board is the organization’s governing body, responsible for keeping it true to its mission, legally compliant, and financially sound. Board members exercise fiduciary duties, oversee the chief executive officer, approve budgets and policies, and help secure resources. They provide oversight and accountability, while staff handle day-to-day operations. The chief executive officer (CEO Jim Blake) reports to the UWH Board. Jim oversees the chief operating officer (COO Guy Swanson), and together they each lead departments such as Silent Unity, Publishing and Marketing, Outreach, People Support, Accounting, and Facilities. The leaders and executives of those departments supervise staff to accomplish all the various tasks. It’s very much the way UWM is structured today.

Q. We have yet to receive an organization chart. This will help us identify the chain of command. Will one be forthcoming?

A. In the October Town Hall, an organization chart will be presented with the detail that is available to us at so far.

VOTE/VOICE

Q. Without a vote, those of us in the field have only the illusion of collaboration. Members have no power.

A. Let’s look at current circumstances as an example. In the process of considering this acquisition, credentialed leaders have been gathering regularly online for discussion in Town Halls and have submitted questions online. They have offered feedback that is being incorporated into the revised charter and influencing future plans. That is the definition of collaboration. Their voices have been heard and heeded. Going forward, they will have constant, ongoing communication through their regions and in a new online community platform where everyone can comment and participate. Or they can be heard the old-fashioned way—with calls, emails, or letters to UWH—just as they are now.

This is the primary difference from the membership model. Credentialed leaders will not be coming together only once a year to make a handful of decisions on predetermined issues that are presented to them. They will have input day in and day out.

However, given that this seems to be a concern with a few people in the field, a provision for an annual virtual vote was added to the October 2025 version of the charter.

Q. I would love to see one Unity, as it's long overdue, but I don't like knowing my voting rights/privileges would be removed. That creates a strong concern and feeling of autocracy. Is there any way you can consider this possibility? With your current proposal, what would the field be able to do effectively, once voting rights are gone, that protects the field membership?

A. The revised charter does have a voting provision for issues that might arise. As for what you can do, look in the charter at the section called Petition for Policy or Leadership Review on page 29 for an explanation of how issues can be brought to the table by petition for formal review of a policy, decision, or leadership matter.

Q. Page 74—Appendix H—Making decisions, Step 5—States that a simple majority will prevail unless a higher threshold is required. For the purpose of the November 5 vote, what percentage will be required for approval?

A. The current understanding is that the November 5 vote needs a minimum of two-thirds of the voting quorum to pass.

Q. The charter states that it will supersede existing UWM Governing Documents. The UWM Bylaws, Article XV, require a 2/3 vote for amendment.

A. The two-thirds vote applies to the November 5 vote, which will be carried out at the UWM business meeting. The charter’s provisions will not go into effect until and unless there is a positive vote on November 5 and all acquisition agreements are signed and finalized, probably at the end of the year.

Q. Overall, this makes sense to me. It will be "Unity" as Charles envisioned. Duplication of work and paying two CEOs has never made fiscal sense to me. However, the concern I continue to hear from my community and other credentialed leaders is the question of leadership accountability, and if we will continue to have a voice in choosing of board members, be able to vote on important matters, etc. Ultimately, the concern from my community is that in voting for the merger, we will lose some of the democratic safeguards/rights which we currently have. Can you help clarify this for me?

A. The latest version of the charter released in early October should clarify this for you. Check the Governance section that begins on page 28 and you will find that the shared concerns outlined in your question above have been addressed based on the feedback received.

NOVEMBER 5 VOTE

Q. In reviewing the resolution released this week, we noticed it primarily addresses the acquisition and some of the necessary legal steps. However, it does not seem to provide details about structure and governance within the new organization, particularly regarding the ministerial education program. At last week’s Great Lakes Regional Convention, Rev. Jim Blake mentioned an organizational chart had been created. Is that chart available to delegates?

A. The resolution describes how the two organizations would come together legally. That is its only purpose. Details about structure and governance for ministries are in the charter with elaboration in these FAQs. Education is not being addressed at this point, and no changes are anticipated in the near future. An org structure will be presented at the October Town Hall.

Q. What will we vote on November 5?

A. The vote will be on the resolution that describes how UWH and UWM would come together legally.

Q. Are we voting on an acquisition?

A. Yes, that is the legal term for bringing our two organizations together.

Q. Are we voting on the charter?

A. No. The charter describes what to expect going forward if the vote is approved. It is considered a dynamic document that will continue to evolve in response to the needs of the field in coming years.

YOUTH

Q. What is happening with youth in the charter?

A. Youth are explicitly included in the charter, whereas they are not currently mentioned in the UWM bylaws. We are working closely with Youth and Family Ministry leaders to shape how this inclusion translates into real support—through clearer structures, stronger connections across regions, and expanded access to resources, training, and collaboration. Their voices are guiding this process, and the October 2025 revised charter ensures Youth and Family Ministries are fully woven into the movement’s future.

Q. Will youth in Unity still retain their autonomy? Will the youth in Unity still be predominantly youth-led? More importantly, will it remain a safe third space for our youth to grow with their peers at their own pace? In the new charter, some of the wording [sounds] as if the goal would be to dissolve the youth groups into the larger congregation. Is this the intent?

A. There has never been an intent to dissolve the youth groups. The answers to your questions are yes, autonomy; yes, youth-led; and yes, a safe space for growth. We invite you to revisit the youth section in the October 2025 version of the charter, which was reworked based on feedback from the field.

CREDENTIALING

Q. How will credentialing be handled? Will teams of ministers still decide on admissions, licensing, and ordination?

A. These details have not yet been defined. Credentialing will continue as it is in the current UWM model and, as in everything we do, we will be open to evolving programs and activities as needed.

Q. Will UUMS, International, and UWSI education programs be approved paths to ordination?

A. Current paths to ordination will continue as they are for the foreseeable future.

Q. Will current credentialing still be valid?

A. Yes.

CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS

(four questions)

Q. What will happen to new students entering the credentialing programs in 2025 and 2026?
Q. There has been a complete reworking of our education program over the last year or so, and it continues today. Our students deserve stability. I am concerned that the ongoing educational work will be lost.
Q. Will this so-called seminary expert consider the students who are already in the process of being ordained? How will this impact the instructors? There has been a great deal of work in redesigning our education system to make sure our ministers are well-equipped when they are in the field. Will staff have any input in this migration?
Q. Has anyone considered that the repercussions of committing to UWSI educational stability only through 2026 will cause a disruption in enrollment, which will create a disruption in ministers being ordained, which will create a lack of ordained Unity ministers to fill the gap created by the wave of Baby Boomer ministers retiring? Who is going to lead these ministries?

A. The UWSI programs and curriculum will transfer over intact and operate much the same way they do today. UWSI educational offerings will continue uninterrupted, and any future changes or modifications would occur at a much later date as we evaluate, create, and implement any changes together. Change would happen incrementally, without interruption to those already on the education path.

FIELD REPRESENTATION

Q. Acquisition implies ownership. Will there be any democratic process in this new organization?

A. Though the new model is not a membership organization, it will have an operating charter and companion document for field partners, both of which will provide for consistent and regular field input. The methods for input into decision-making will be different—but they might be even better. We won’t have to wait a year for everyone to vote on every question at an annual business meeting. Instead, there will be constant, ongoing communication through the regions and in a new online community platform where everyone can comment and participate. Even now, most ministers do not hesitate to call or email UWH if they have an issue or a suggestion. Your voices are being heard and will continue to be! This is one of the core values of expressing as one movement.

Q. How will alternative ministries and those credentialed leaders who are not in pulpits—like hospital chaplains, prison ministers, or music ministers—be recognized and integrated into the new movement structure? How will the regions connect with us?

A. One of the advantages to leaving behind the membership model is that all Unity leaders who choose to participate will have equal standing and equal opportunities to be recognized. The new community platform will provide not only a myriad of communications channels but also the ability to create affinity groups based on specialty. These specialized groups and communities will be able to engage with each other and will also be connected to the whole via this same platform.

Q. Are conversations with the field strictly about talking to ministers? No connections with lay leadership?

A. In addition to the lay leaders who currently serve on the UWH and UWM boards, the best way for lay leaders to be involved is through their regions or by getting connected to us through their minister.

Q. UWH has made a point in the last few years of trying to connect with the Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQIA+ communities. How will the diversity of our movement be recognized under the new model?

A. The UWH board has a permanent committee dedicated to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and embracing differences. This committee helps ensure and guide annual strategic objectives in this area for the UWH organization. In addition, UWH has a DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) strategist on staff. The coupling of these two will provide continued prioritization and focus on DEIB across the movement.

Q. I’d like the Reimagined Team and the field to consider the best practices currently in place and how they will continue representation. For example, the Regional Advisory Council or teams that help us evolve our vision and the work—Social Action, Earthcare, Interfaith, Music.

A. In the coming months, UWM will continue to work with all the teams individually to discuss and determine what will be the best fit moving forward. It may look a little different in the context of a new model, but the spirit of the great work these groups do will be maintained in some form.

Q. Suggestion: All public representations of Unity—including but not limited to mission statements, purpose statements, values position statements, et al.—would require approval of 2/3 ministries at an annual convention. Partners could propose position statements to be issued by Unity.

A. Thank you for the suggestion. The invitation for us all during this “Reimagining era” is to begin to shift our thinking away from what is to what could be. Envision a Unity movement that is fast, flexible, and quick to respond—to internal issues as well as world issues. Reimagining Unity gives us an opportunity to disentangle ourselves from the cumbersome and sometimes politicized processes of today and make a quantum leap to a process that is far more agile. A committee on the UWH board is currently working on a new, more streamlined process for social action that would include diverse voices and diverse lived experiences. It will address how Unity can be more visible as it relates to social issues. It could also provide resources to ministers and ministries so they can speak or hold a position on issues if they choose. Once the committee has some details regarding how this might work, it will be shared with the field for input.

Q. Suggestion: More interactive sessions to create the new model, more opportunities for deep listening and dialogue from diverse perspectives.

A. This is already happening today. These deeper dive sessions are happening in recurring regional meetings around the country. The steering team is meeting regularly with the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and the regions individually to create these types of deep listening and dialogue sessions. Please begin to think of your region as the place for expanded dialogue and input. Regions will continue to play a significant role in the new model and are the vehicle of choice at present for the kind of interaction you describe.

NOVEMBER VOTE

Q. If the members choose not to vote in favor of this acquisition, what are the other options on the table? What is the alternative to acquisition?

A. If the acquisition is not approved, UWH and UWM will remain two separate organizations focused on their core offerings. However, UWH has committed to working more closely with ministries, providing many of the advantages listed in the New Model section above, regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Q. Is this happening regardless of the November vote?

A. The vote will determine whether we continue as two separate organizations or become one. If the vote fails, most of the new organizational structure will not be put into effect, but UWH’s plans to grow its support for ministries will continue regardless. Such plans were already under discussion before the acquisition idea was developed.

Q. I heard UWH using the word when the vote is positive in November instead of if the vote is positive. Sounds complete already.

A. The Steering Team has already done a massive amount of work to facilitate a smooth transition and decided to practice our teachings by affirming when we become one Unity. But the vote will determine whether and to what extent these changes are implemented.

Q. If the vote isn't in the affirmative in November, is UWH willing to commit to still provide more resources for field ministries, and will the boards continue to work towards an acquisition?

A. If the vote doesn’t pass, UWH will still continue on the path to provide resources for field ministries, but the boards will suspend work on becoming one organization.

Q. There doesn’t seem like there is any way to postpone and change the date of this vote. Is that correct?
A. At this time both boards (UWM/UWH) are committed to proceed with the vote. It will be November 5, 2025, as part of UWM’s Annual Business Meeting online from 1 to 5 p.m. CT.

• Your 403(b) or 401(a) “church” funds are held in your individual account with an outside custodian (Empower). Those assets belong to you, not UWM, and are protected if UWM becomes insolvent.
• The UWM board of directors, while not a direct fiduciary, bears oversight, compliance and ethical responsibilities to ensure retirement benefits are handled lawfully and communicated transparently. If UWM were to become insolvent, the board would work diligently with Empower to ensure the outcome of preservation and ongoing support. 

• First, most UWM employees will be given the choice as to whether they want to be a part of the UWH organization from the onset. If they do not, they will be provided with a fair and compassionate severance package to support a smooth and respectful transition.
• Several UWM positions will transfer over if UWH does not have individuals with the expertise and focus currently in place at UWM.
• For others, some UWM employees may be in jobs that duplicate processes already being done at UWH, and some are working in areas that will be significantly changed in the new model. Of those, UWH will look to offer other opportunities within UWH. In those rare cases where there is no other viable path to continue for the employee or the organization, those associates will be provided with a fair and compassionate severance package to support a smooth and respectful transition.