Greetings
potential members of Unity of
Kanawha Valley!
We are excited that you are
interested in becoming a
member of
UKV. And we want your
membership with us to be a
rewarding and meaning
experience!
One of the five Unity
Principles is that "knowledge
of spiritual principles is not
enough, we must live them."
To this end, I wanted to share
with you some ideas on how to
make the most of becoming a
member of
UKV.
1. We ask that you attend
UKV Sunday services
on a regular basis
2. We ask that we
participate in one of our
educational offerings
3. We ask that you
participate in one of our
service projects
4. We ask that you make a
regular financial
contribution to
UKV
These forms of contribution,
whether of Time, Talent, or
Treasure for the abundance of
what and who we are at
UKV.
Our New Member Welcome
Ceremonies occur in April and
October of each year. If you
are interested in becoming a
member, I hope you will
consider walking the walk with
us now, as a way of
preparation for your full
membership!Rev Sky
UKV Educational
Offerings are listed on
our webpage:
UKV This
Week
UKV Service Projects
are either in-house, by
helping to greet or read the
Daily Word, or offering some
sort of creative expression on
Sunday (like a song or a
poem), or that you get
involved in one of our
outreach projects: the
Sojourners Service project or
OpenStage4Kids.
Membership at UKV
Membership at Unity is a hard to define thing. Unity was not intended, by its
founders to be a separate denomination within Christianity, but rather as a
movement that was interdenominational and interfaith, seeking the truth of Love
in this world wherever it may be found. Over the years Unity has evolved into
something like a denomination, and as buildings, churches, and Unity Centers
were established it seemed like a good idea to have a way to determine who would
be able to vote in matters pertaining to the good of the local fellowship.
Members of UKV are entitled to vote at congregational meetings, which usually
occur on an annual basis in June.
Many Members of Unity Churches have "dual citizenship," meaning that members
may retain membership in their original denomination or faith background. Unity
has no creedal statements, nor is there a profession of faith.
Unity respects that each individual is in there own unique journey of
spiritual growth and unfolding. Our approach is summed up in the 5 Basic Ideas
of Unity:
We encourage people to explore and apply Unity
teachings based on their own spiritual understanding.
We believe this
spiritual understanding is enhanced through reflective prayer and
meditation.
The five basic ideas that make up the Unity belief system
are:
1. God is good and everywhere present.
2. The spirit of God lives within each person,
therefore, all people are inherently good.
3. We create our life experiences through our way
of thinking.
4. There is power in affirmative prayer, which we
believe increases our connection to God.
5. Knowledge of
these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.
Members of Unity of Kanawha Valley are those who have a personal sake in the
life, mission, and future of our local gathering. Members contribute Time,
Talent, Tithes, and Prayer, for the good of the community.
If you would like to be more involved in the life of our community at UKV,
please become part of our Talent Bank,
click here.
To read more about Tithing and Prosperity,
click
here.
To read more about Unity, Silent Unity, and Prayer,
click here.
If you are interested in talking with the Pastoral Leader about Unity ideas
or Membership,
click here.
Unity of Kanwha
Valley Active
Membership List
click here
The
By-Laws of Unity
of Kanwaha Valley
define our
membership in
these terms:
From UKV ByLaws
v04-30-2006
ARTICLE III
Membership
SECTION
3.01 ‑
QUALIFICATIONS
A member of
Unity of
Kanawha Valley
shall endeavor
to live in
accord with
the Jesus
Christ
principles of
Love and Truth
as taught by
Unity. He/she
shall further
the work of
this Ministry
through
his/her active
participation,
love, and
support. A
Member must be
18 years of
age or older
and a Junior
Member is
under 18 years
of age. (See
Section 3.04)
An Inactive
Member is a
former member
who has moved
and is no
longer able to
attend
services,
classes,
membership
meetings or
other
activities, or
members no
longer active
within Unity
of Kanawha
Valley who
have not
supported
Unity of
Kanawha Valley
either
financially or
by attendance
at services,
classes or
other
activities for
a period of
one year.
SECTION
3.02 ‑
ELECTION OF
MEMBERS
Anyone
desiring
membership in
Unity of
Kanawha Valley
shall file an
Application
for
Membership
Card with
the Ministry
office. The
application
shall be
presented to
the Board of
Directors at
its next
regular
meeting. Upon
a majority
affirmative
vote of the
Directors
present and
voting, the
applicant
shall become
an active
member and
shall be
notified
accordingly
by the Board
secretary.
All Staff
ministers and
licensed Unity
teachers are
considered
members of
this ministry.
SECTION
3.03 ‑ TERMS
OF MEMBERSHIP
Change of
status within
any category
becomes
effective only
after a letter
has been sent
from the
Minister(s)
and Board of
Trustees to
the individual
involved
confirming the
change of
status.
A.
Tenure: A
member shall
retain
membership as
long as
his/her ideas
and conduct
are in accord
with the
qualifications
in Section
3.01, or until
it is
voluntarily
severed.
B.
Inactive
Member:
An Active
Member shall
become
inactive:
(1) Upon
moving over
100 miles from
the Center.
(2) Upon
absence from
the
congregation
for one year
providing the
Center has
attempted to
notify the
member of the
change in
membership
status.
C.
Removal: Removal
from the
membership
roll of any
member whose
qualifications
are in
question,
requires at
least a
two-third
affirmative
vote of the
Board of
Trustees,
including
agreement by
the Minister(s).
Prior to
action
concerning
removal, the
member must be
given an
opportunity
for a hearing
before the
board.
D.
Change of
Status: A
Member may
request a
change in
their status
at any time.
An Inactive
Member may be
reinstated as
an Active
Member with
full
membership
privileges at
any time upon
application to
and acceptance
by the
Minister(s)
and Board of
Trustees,
provided said
member is
demonstrating
support of
Unity of
Kanawha Valley
financially
or by
attendance at
services,
classes and
other
activities.
E.
Junior
Members:
Members under
the age of 18
years are
considered
Junior
Members. Upon
reaching the
age of
eighteen
years, a
Junior Member
shall
automatically
assume Active
Member status
if he/she is
supportive of
and active
with Unity of
Kanawha
Valley.
SECTION
3.04 ‑ POWERS
OF ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Only Active
Members (not
Junior Members
or Inactive
Members) shall
have the power
to do the
following:
A.
Vote at any
membership
meeting, at
which the
member is
present,
called in
accordance
with Section
3.05.
B.
Elect members
to the Board
of Trustees as
specified in
Section 4.04.
C.
Ratify the
Bylaws of this
Ministry or
any amendments
thereto as
specified in
Section 8.01.
D.
Vote on any
question of
lease, sale,
pledge, or
proposed
financing of
real property
owned and used
for the
operation of
this Ministry
which exceeds
Five Thousand
Dollars
($5,000) in
value. A
seventy five
percent (75%)
affirmative
vote of those
present and
voting is
required for
approval.
Refer to
Section 4.03 C
(7).
E.
Elect a
member, and
his/her
alternate, to
serve on the
Nominating
Committee as
specified in
Section 4.04
B.
F.
Call a special
membership
meeting when
the affairs of
this Ministry
warrant such
action. Refer
to Section
3.05 B.
G.
Vote to
override any
action of the
Board of
Trustees
providing that
it is
communicated
to the
membership in
writing ten
(10) days
prior to the
subsequent
meeting of the
membership. A
seventy‑five
percent (75%)
vote of those
present and
voting have
the authority
for
determination.
The vote may
cancel an
action of the
Board of
Trustees
and/or take
another
action. Refer
to Section
3.05 B (3).
H.
Vote for the
removal of any
Trustee from
his/her office
in accordance
with Section
4.05 A.
I.
Vote on
any matters
officially
brought to the
attention of
the
Membership.
J.
Offer
suggestions to
the Minister(s)
or Board of
Trustees as
may seem
advisable for
the good of
this Ministry.
K.
Any ten (10)
active members
may request
liaison
assistance by
notifying the
Executive
Director of
the
Association of
Unity Churches
in writing
with copies to
the Board of
Trustees and
Minister(s).
SECTION
3.05 ‑
MEETINGS AND
QUORUM
A.
Annual
Membership
Meeting.
The annual
membership
meeting of
Unity of
Kanawha
Valley shall
be held at its
official
headquarters
or its place
of worship, in
the second
quarter
(April-June)
on a date and
time of day
designated by
the Minister(s)
and Board of
Trustees.
B.
Special
Membership
Meetings.
Any time the
affairs of
this Ministry
warrant, a
special
meeting may be
called by:
(1) The
Minister(s)
(2) A
majority of
the Trustees
of the Board
(3)
Submitting a
petition
having been
signed by ten
percent (10%)
of the active
membership; a
written
request must
be submitted
to the Board
who must
within a
reasonable
length of
time, not to
exceed 30
days, call the
meeting on
behalf of the
requesting
party.
The purpose(s)
for the
special
meeting shall
be stated both
in the written
request and
the written
notice to the
Membership.
Business
conducted at
the special
meeting shall
be limited to
the pre‑stated
purpose(s).
C.
Written
notice.
Written notice
stating the
date, time and
place shall be
mailed to all
active members
at least ten
(10) days
before any
membership
meeting.
D.
Quorum.
The lesser of
fifty (50)
Members or
Twenty‑five
percent (25%)
of the
Membership
shall
constitute a
quorum for the
transaction of
business at
any
membership
meeting.
E.
Participation.
Participation
in the
business
affairs of any
membership
meeting shall
be
restricted to
active members
in
attendance.
Participation
of other
persons in
discussion of
business must
be approved by
a two‑thirds
(2/3) majority
vote of the
active members
in attendance.
F.
Voting.
Unless
otherwise
noted herein,
the vote of a
majority of
the active
members
present and
voting or by
absentee
ballot shall
be necessary
for approval
or disapproval
of the action
being voted
upon. Refer
to Section
3.04 D and G,
and Section
8.01. Active
Members unable
to be present
in a
membership
meeting may
vote by
absentee
ballot upon
application to
the center
office in
advance of the
meeting date.
Absentee
ballots must
be clearly
marked as such
and returned
prior to the
meeting. No
proxy votes
are permitted.
G.
Prayer. In
any membership
meeting, the
chair, the
Minister(s),
an Association
of Unity
Churches
Liaison
Representative
or any member
may request
that action on
an item of
business be
suspended
while the
membership
enters into a
time of prayer
on the issue.
Upon such
request the
chair shall
provide a
period of
prayer and
silence.
