Videos from Our Volunteers
A Volunteer - November 1, 2015
November Volunteers of the Month
More Messages Associated With "Why I Volunteer"...
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August 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
James Bourque
Our Volunteer of the Month for August began attending UCOH in 2015 and has been a member for two years. He serves as an Usher Team Lead at our 9:25 a.m. Service and on the Ambassador Team. He has served as Usher and Greeter for most of the Vision Core and Conscious Conversations, as well as serving as a waiter for the Ladies’ High Tea.
This is what he has to say about volunteering and about UCOH: “I did not plan on volunteering at Unity. It was kind of laid in front of me by Donna and Bob Withrow and I just said yes. Now, it is a part of my life. What I thought I would never have time for, now I can’t think of what else I would be doing. I find it a joy to greet and meet people and it’s a joy to share doing whatever it is that needs to be done. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
“It is a blessing to be here at Unity and play a part in Sunday Service, even though mine seems like such a little thing. To witness so many people play a small part in making this grand event happen on Sunday is amazing. I encourage everyone who has never thought of being a volunteer to jump in. It truly is a blessing awaiting your discovery.”
Thank you James Bourque for your contributions to your UCOH family. You are a delightful presence here at UCOH. We are blessed by your service and we love and appreciate you!
July 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Jennifer Albaugh
Our July Volunteer of the Month began attending UCOH in 2013 and has been a member for 3 years. She currently serves on the Youth & Family Ministry, Special Events and Outreach teams. She considered herself blessed to be on the Minister Magnet Team, and her family has carpooled with the sweetest Ms. Kate Seeley to Church Services.
This is what she has to say about volunteering and about UCOH: “It’s all about the connection and being of service in some way. When I give care and attention to others in any capacity, I feel Love.”
“The people here are some of the most authentic and caring individuals I have ever met. They really do seek Love first and ground themselves in the bigness of it all before laying out particular agendas. I remember last year, my son was quite nervous about playing the piano in front of the congregation for the Christmas Service. I’ll never forget Tammy Lorraine telling him, “Being nervous is a good thing, it just means you care.” She was able to ease the fear without trying to get rid of his experience. There is always a higher way of seeing, and so many here have helped me tap into this superpower. I appreciate everyone so much.”
Thank you, Jennifer Albaugh, for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. You are Love and Light. We are blessed by your service, and we love and appreciate you!
June 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Brian Kurtz
Our volunteer for the month began attending UCOH in 2015 and has been a member for 2 years. He jumped directly into serving on the Youth and Family Ministry and Special Events teams, and continues to serve on these teams. He is serving for his second year as Prayer Chaplain, and serves on the Ladies High Tea Waiter and Hands on Unity Teams. He has a wonderful way of seeing where help is needed and jumping right in to help!
This is what he has to say about volunteering and about UCOH: “I love the variety of ways to serve here at UCOH. Just being me is welcomed here, and just being me serves. I get to be who I am and do what I love. That makes the difference I’m meant to make at UCOH. Come and be YOU here!”
I live to love and serve by supporting people in coming to know their own Divinity. Helping people connect to their own Divine Nature, and how to connect to that in others, so we can grow together. I can cry tears of sadness or joy here, I can hug people here, and love this place so much that I feel safe inviting others to come over and check this place out for themselves.”
Thank you Brian Kurtz for your generous contributions to UCOH. You are Love and Light. We are blessed by your service and we love and appreciate you!
May 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Sheree Ross
Our May Volunteer of the Month began attending UCOH in 2010 and has been a member for 7 years. She has served on the Board Nominating, Landscape, Technical, Visualization, Music Ministry, and Rainbow Ministry teams; as well as serving as Celebration’s CD Art Director and Coordinator. She currently serves on the Minister Magnet, Music, Ambassador, and Pew Fairy Teams. She serves as Production Stage Manager for the Extravaganza and Music Fundraiser events.
This is what she has to say about volunteering and about UCOH: “When I first came through the arch and entered the doors of Unity Church of the Hills, I knew I was some place very special. The energy, the smiles, the hugs, all of it came from people I did not know at the time, and yet felt like I had known all my life. The community that is UCOH is very loving, and thus very powerful. The love and sense of community I felt was especially compelling to me as I had not been to church for almost 20 years. A Course in Miracles class got me in the door, but I wouldn’t have even come to that if the website hadn’t been so welcoming to the LGBTQ community. Once here, the music and the message encouraged me to keep coming. But the reason I stayed was the connection I felt to the people.
“UCOH has a strong volunteer culture. People here want to enrich and support others as well as grow spiritually and become better human beings. I was very inspired by that and began looking for a place where I might fit. It has never been in my nature to commit myself for things long-term, but for reasons beyond my understanding, I asked Spirit where I might be of some use, and in that Sunday’s bulletin there was a opening for a new Pew Fairy. I knew that would be right up my alley. It turns out that this is one of the most sacred and meditative times I spend at the church, not only giving service by making sure that the pews are ready for Sunday Service, but also getting the opportunity to spend time in the energy of it all. Soon after that, I mustered up the nerve to sing with the Fun Singers, and that’s where I started to really become a part of this community. This would later lead to my singing with Inspiration and dedicating a lot of my volunteer service to the Music Ministry.
“Volunteering is the best way I have found to become a part of something greater than myself. And there is something very unique about the members of UCOH that people can feel the minute they walk through our doors. It is a place of loving transformation. My experience with volunteering here over the last seven years is that I have been a part of this community that has transformed me on a spiritual level as well as on a personal one. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve with all of our amazing volunteers here at UCOH. Also, the staff of UCOH rocks! I so appreciate all you do.”
Thank you, Sheree Ross, for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. You are Love and Light. We are blessed by your service, and we love and appreciate you!
April 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Rick Busby, LUT
Our April Volunteer of the Month began attending UCOH in October 2001 and has been an official member for over 15 years. He has served on the Board Nominating, Music Ministry, & Theater Ministry Teams. Currently serving as a Licensed Unity Teacher, he also lends his energy and talent to our Announcement, Audio-Visual Media, Holiday Extravaganza, and Communications Teams. He is responsible for creating the Coffeehouse Concert series as an extension of his work with the Austin Songwriters Group and Songwriter’s Ministry.
Asked about volunteering at UCOH, he offered the following: “When I first came to UCOH, I had never joined a church of my own volition, much less volunteered. I was astonished that I said ‘yes’ to joining UCOH so quickly and even more surprised when I began volunteering shortly after first attending. I never questioned either decision.
Volunteering at UCOH afforded me spiritual and creative opportunities that I otherwise would have never experienced, nor anticipated. My life is richer for having said ‘yes’ to volunteering my time, talents and treasure.
“I have felt at home at UCOH from the first moment I stepped inside. While our spiritual leaders set the tone of love and acceptance that UCOH embodies, it is the actual members of the community that make it a spiritual home for so many of us from diverse backgrounds. UCOH is, in my experience, a truly special community, which has helped me grow my own capacity for love and acceptance well beyond what I could (or would) have done on my own. It is a blessing, privilege and honor to be a member of the UCOH community, which is the primary reason why I am willing to give as much as I am able in volunteer service to support UCOH’s vision and mission.”
Thank you, Rick Busby for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. You are Love and Light. We are blessed by your service, and we love and appreciate you!
March 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Linda Holmes
Our March 2017 Volunteer of the Month became a member of UCOH in 2006. She has served on the Events Team and with different UCOH women’s groups. She sings in Inspiration Choir, and received her Licensed Unity Teacher Certification in 2010. She has taught Quest on Sunday mornings for seven years, teaches Spiritual Education and Enlightenment classes, and serves on our Minister Magnet Team.
When asked about being recognized as a Volunteer of the Month, she shared the following: “I am humbled by such an honor. There are so many folks that do so much. Yes, I accept this honor, for you see: I am loved. I am appreciated. In addition, I make a difference by being given the opportunity to be part of UCOH, a Church that transforms lives.”
“I am keenly aware, that in all that I do, the wonderful folks of the Church give more to me than I have ever given to them—the gift of belonging, the gift of being accepted just where I am, and the gift of supporting me in my spiritual growth.”
Thank you, Linda Holmes, for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. You are an amazing gift. We are blessed by your service. We love and appreciate you!
February 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Tim Wright
Our February Volunteer of the Month discovered Unity Church of the Hills in August of 2007, the same year Reverend Steve and Mary arrived. He became a member three months later. He has been a Prayer Chaplain for eight years, and serves on the Announcement Team. He was on the Prayer Chaplain Leadership team for four years, was active in the Men’s Renewals in 2006-2009, served on the Board Nominating Committee twice, and was on the Daily Prayer Service team for around five years.
When asked about volunteering and his love for his Spiritual Home, Tim had the following to say, “There is so much to do and so little effort to doing it. The reward of investing time and energy generate a tangible feeling of oneness with others of our congregation and community.
“I amplify what I’ve heard so many say about first entering Unity Church of the Hills: ‘I could feel the love…’. I came to hear Joe Vitale as guest speaker presenting his new book, Zero Limits (the ho’o pono pono prayer). The energy/love brought me back the following Sunday. I don’t recall anything about the lesson, the music, or the Service. I do remember it all felt good enough to bring me back the following Sunday. Repeat that “no-memory-but-brought-me-back” occurrence for the next 18 weeks. It had been more than 40 years since I’d attended church (Episcopal) that many Sundays in a row!”
Thank you, Tim, for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. You are Love and Light. We are blessed by your service, and we love and appreciate you!
January 2017 Volunteer of the Month:
Lara Zuehlke
Our January Volunteer for the Month discovered Unity Church of the Hills in 2010 and became a member in 2013. She has served with the Rainbow Ministries’ Pride Interfaith Worship Planning, Usher Team and Abundance Teams (a group formed by a Board member). She also served on the Board of Trustee Nomination Team, and filled an interim role on the Board before being nominated to return in November 2016. She is currently volunteering as a UCOH Board of Trustee, on the Announcement Team, and working to support the Ministerial Search Team through its marketing and communications efforts.
Lara had this to say about her spiritual community and what it means to be of service:
“When I first attended UCOH, I came from Unity Church of Dallas, where I had been actively involved as a member for four years. Each Sunday, I just came into UCOH and sat down without much interaction. It was a time of challenge and transition for me personally, and I was okay being a wallflower. But over time, people began engaging me and seeing me. In many ways, UCOH found me. I was invited into opportunities to more fully express my gifts and talents through volunteering. Volunteering and serving UCOH has deepened my connection and my sense of abundance in that I am completing the circle. I am circulating the good that I have received from so many here.
Thank you, Lara Zuehlke, for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. Your enthusiasm and generous nature widens the circle. We are blessed by your service, and we love and appreciate you!
December 2016 Volunteers of the Month: Julie and Andrew McLindon
Our December Volunteers of the Month have been members of Unity Church of the Hills for seven years. Within the walls of UCOH, they have served with our Youth & Family Ministry, Prayer Chaplains, Events and Outreach Teams. He has served on the Board of Trustees and as a Server at the Ladies’ High Tea. She currently serves as a Prayer Chaplain, is on the Chaplain Leadership Team and dedicates her love and time to the 11:00 a.m. Daily Prayer Service.
When asked about UCOH and their experiences volunteering, they had the following to say: “UCOH holds a very important place in our lives. It is special to our entire family—for everyday life and learning, as well as for special occasions like weddings, christenings and holidays. We’ve also had some wonderful opportunities for fun and travel with the friends that we’ve made here. Volunteering is one way that we can be involved and supportive. It’s also a great way to get to know the Church and the people there.”
Beyond the walls of UCOH, these two beautiful souls demonstrate love in action on a consistent basis. While their most recent efforts extended to our brothers and sisters of Baton Rouge affected by flooding, their passion and caring shows up through the work of the McLindon Family Foundation, which has donated over 200 adaptive bikes to children with special needs in 27 states. You can learn more about this amazing organization at facebook.com/McLindonFamilyFoundation.
Thank you Andrew & Julie McLindon for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. Your love is felt deeply in our community and beyond! We are blessed by your service and we love and appreciate you!
November 2016 Volunteer of the Month: Denise Teague
Our November Volunteer of the Month discovered UCOH in October of 1995 and is a Founding Member. She has been a member for 11 years and has served on the Youth & Family Ministry, Ambassador, InReach, Announcements, Meditation, and Pastoral Care Teams. She now serves as a Prayer Chaplain, assisting on the Prayer Chaplain Leadership Team, and assists with Pastoral Care. She was one of the first Prayer Chaplains and helped to establish the Prayer Chaplain Program in the beginning!
When asked about volunteering at Unity Church of the Hills, this is what she had to say: “I feel deeply enriched by serving, because it teaches me how to give unconditionally. I am blessed to be around people who see life from a spiritual perspective. UCOH has been a spiritual home for me for many years. I am blessed by the people, and the love that always streams in and through me when I am here.”
Thank you Denise Teague for your generous contributions to UCOH over the years. Your enthusiasm and generous nature are felt deeply in our community. We are blessed by your service and we love and appreciate you!
