UC&L Transition Q&A 2026

Reminder: The Unity Reimagined section on unity.org can always be accessed by scrolling down to the blue footer on any webpage and clicking UC&L.

CIRCLE QUESTIONS

Q. Can more than one person from a ministry access the Circle online hub?
A. Yes, but not yet. The portal is designed for shared access across a ministry’s leadership (spiritual, administrative, and governance). Multiple individuals may be invited to participate. At this time, expanded enrollment (e.g., broader Circle access) is planned but not yet fully available.

Q. Who is the “primary steward” of Circle in a ministry?
A. The primary steward is the ministry’s designated point of continuity and accountability (typically the spiritual leader, minister of record, or board president in a board-led model). Each ministry is responsible for discerning and assigning who is best equipped to lead their Circle engagement. This may but does not have to be the minister or board president.

Q. Can there be more than one administrator?
A. Yes. Ministries may assign one or more administrators (e.g., church administrator role) to support operational access, updates, and coordination within the portal. Different-sized ministries will have different numbers of administrators based on their needs and capacity.

Q. What is the leadership circle?
A. The leadership circle includes additional leaders invited to join Circle (board members, staff, and spiritual leaders) as determined by the ministry. This reflects a shared, participatory model rather than a single gatekeeper.

Q. Who is responsible for submissions like the annual renewal?
A. That’s up to you and your ministry. While several people may have access to Circle, each ministry is responsible for aligning internally on roles. In practice, the primary steward is encouraged to coordinate key submissions for consistency and continuity.

Q. What happens when ministry leadership changes?
A. Ministries may update access at any time within the portal and are asked to notify UC&L where needed. Access is role-based and should be adjusted as leadership changes, with all updates also reflected and updated during the annual renewal process.

Q. Is Circle enrollment the same as the Annual Ministry Report this year?
A. Yes, Circle renewals each year will keep the roster of ministries up to date. No Annual Ministry Report (AMR) will be required going forward. If you have not yet completed your Circle enrollment, here is the link: UC&L Circle Portal Enrollment | Unity

Q. Why does the Circle Enrollment Form ask for the ministries' Federal Tax ID?
A. Your Federal Tax ID helps us understand which ministries operate under the UWM group exemption for nonprofits and which have their own independent 501(c)(3) status or other structure. This matters for several reasons: accurate data collection, yes, but also because the IRS has made changes to information required to be shared with subordinates, as well as proposed requirements around purpose statement uniformity. Should we discern that ministries operating under the group exemption need to accommodate these new IRS requirements, knowing which ministries they are would facilitate communication.

CHARTER QUESTIONS

Q. How will UC&L engage differently with partners vs. name-aligned affiliates?
A. Both partners and name-aligned affiliates are held to the same Charter standards and good standing requirements. Partners in good standing participate in governance conversations and processes (page 21 in the Charter). Name-aligned affiliates have limited portal access and do not participate in governance decisions (pages 19 and 22). Their depth of relationship and engagement with UC&L is also different.

• Partners receive UC&L's full developmental support: onboarding, leadership resources, continuing education, ministry growth support, and voice in governance and strategic planning. It's an active, reciprocal relationship.
• Name-Aligned Affiliates maintain a covenant of integrity with UC&L: annual recommitment, Charter accountability, and authorized use of the Unity name—but without governance participation, leadership development resources, or full portal access.

In essence: Partners are in active partnership with UC&L for mutual growth. Affiliates are in alignment with Unity's values and brand, walking their own path with accountability but with less hands-on engagement from UC&L. The choice between these pathways depends on a ministry's desire for active engagement and co-creation versus a lighter-touch affiliation that honors shared identity while allowing for greater autonomy.

Q. How is the Charter modified and what is the process to submit changes?
A. The Charter is designed to be a living document that can evolve over time, so you are welcome to submit suggested changes. At this point, the best way to do that is to send them through the question form on the unity.org website so they can be logged for the next review cycle.
The Charter itself includes a process for feedback and amendments. Any proposed changes go through a structured review process and a 30-day consultation period for Partners via the portal before adoption (see page 43 of the Charter, “Amendments and Change Governance”).

Q. I don't see anything about international in the charter.
A. 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. How will Canadians be included in the nomination pool for the UWH board?
A. Participation in regional groups is guided by where you feel called to engage and where regional boards welcome and affirm your involvement, whether in the U.S. or the emerging Canada Region. For nomination pathways, what matters most is active participation and being in good standing within the portal and the regional community you are connected to. Canadian voices are, and will continue to be, represented within the nomination pool.

Q. The word partner has a very specific legal meaning. Partners share profits, losses and management responsibilities. Partners have joint and several liabilities including personal responsibility for a partnership's debts. Each state has laws that address the formation, operation, dissolution, and liability of partnerships, so it is not a one-size-fits-all model. Are the legal responsibilities of a partnership the expectation of UWH and UC&L with the individual ministries?
A. We did not move from a membership structure to a legal partnership structure. The term Partner is used in a spiritual and relational sense—not a legal partnership formation between UWH and individual ministries. Each ministry remains an independent entity with its own governance and legal standing.

Q. How do ministries need to change their bylaws to align with the new model?
A. Legally, there is no hurry to change your local bylaws. Unity Communities and Leaders (UC&L) will make recommendations for everyone later, offering a new template for bylaws that fully align with the charter. Be aware that Unity Worldwide Ministries (UWM) still exists as a legal entity to preserve the 1970 blanket 501(c)(3) group exemption. That means local bylaws that currently mention UWM are not referencing a defunct organization— just one whose operational functions have moved.

OTHER QUESTIONS

Q. What’s the best way to donate now? Separately to UWH and UC&L or one gift?
A. You are welcome to send your contributions in whatever way best supports your ministry’s intentions. Ministries can choose to send a single combined tithe directly to Unity World Headquarters, or they may continue sending separate contributions to Unity Communities & Leaders and to Unity World Headquarters. There is no required format — simply follow what feels most aligned for your community and its giving practices. Visit unity.org/donate.

Q. Where does the Unity Urban Ministerial School fit into the transition?
A. Education within the Unity movement is delivered through two distinct institutions. The first is the Unity Urban Ministerial School—an independent, accredited seminary with its own 501(c)(3) status and a rich legacy within the Unity tradition. The second is Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute, the original Unity School of Christianity established by our founders. UWSI now operates within the Unity Communities and Leaders department at Unity World Headquarters in Unity Village.
Although each institution functions independently with its own leadership, governance, and strategic direction, they collaborate for the good of the movement in several key areas: credentialing, admissions, licensing, and ordination. This partnership ensures consistent standards for assessing the competency, leadership qualities, and overall readiness of future Unity leaders.

Org Chart

Q. Can we see an organizational chart?
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 Organization Chart

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." 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?
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.