Finding Your Circle | By Rev. Tami Johns

Finding Your Circle

By Rev. Tami Johns

I have written before about the importance of community at Unity of the Triangle, which you can read here. Consider this a part two, a deeper look at what it means to find a place where you truly belong.

My recent personal experience

Recently, I attended a conference at Unity Village sponsored by People of African Descent New Thought. It was a powerful experience for me. I heard from some of the most profound leaders in the New Thought movement. In the more than 400 people attending, I was thrilled to see so many people of African descent gathered in one place, and united by a shared commitment to spiritual growth and New Thought. The conference ignited something in me to delve deeper into why is not more diversity in Unity and how we can make a meaningful change.

Facing a crucial conversation

One of my long-standing goals has been to introduce New Thought to a broader and more diverse population, one that more closely reflects our surrounding community. So, this brings me to a difficult but important conversation. Although Unity’s teachings are inclusive and welcoming, the racial and cultural diversity of its congregations does not yet fully reflect the communities we live in and serve. Unity of the Triangle shares in this challenge.

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, our Raleigh community is 51% white, 26% Black, 12% Latino, and 5% Asian. Yet our congregation remains predominantly white.

So how can Unity become a place where people of every background feel seen, valued, and truly at home? This can be a challenge today as we face a rise in racial tension in our country, in our communities, in our own backyard, and yes even at Unity.

Diversity at Unity World Headquarters

Despite a painful history of race at Unity Village, under CEO Jim Blake, Unity World Headquarters has made diversity and equity a priority. It has moved beyond acknowledgment into a concerted, long-term program of inclusion for the Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQIA+ communities, and people with various physical disabilities.

Blake has committed to three things:

Improve the diversity at Unity World Headquarters.
Create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.
Create lasting change that will improve the lived experience for marginalized and oppressed populations in the Unity sphere of influence.

Diversity at Unity of the Triangle

Being welcoming requires more than a motto or a sign that says, “You are welcome.” It means including new voices, embracing different cultures, and creating space for people to see themselves reflected in the life of the community. We have made progress by through the years, having a diverse Board and a diverse staff. There is still more work to be done. We must continue asking ourselves: How do we reach deeper into our diverse community and share the New Thought message and Unity principles. Once people arrive, how do we continue to create a culture where they can genuinely say,
“These are my people?” What steps can we take? I would love to hear from you.

Who Are Your “People”?

A group of people with whom you share a meaningful connection, people with whom you have something important in common and with whom you want to grow, learn, and spend time. The world places many expectations on us, and sometimes those expectations can pull us away from our authentic selves. A spiritually grounded circle can help bring us back to who we truly are.

My Own Circle

I often talk about the different circles of people in my own life. I have close friends who walk beside me through successes, challenges, and life stories. I have my sister-cousins with whom I share a family history; I have Unity Women of Color, where I can be my authentically Black self; and the women of Sisterhood Saturday, where we explore spirituality and womanhood together. Each of these groups of people gives me a sense of connection and belonging.

The Circles At Unity of the Triangle

Surrounding yourself with people who share a desire to grow can strengthen your own spiritual journey. If you are looking for that, Unity of the Triangle is a great place to start. Here, you can find spiritual community groups, meaningful connections, and a warm, loving environment where you can belong.

So, I invite you to ask yourself: What circles in your life help you grow spiritually? Do you have a place where you can be your authentic self? Are you still searching for that community?

Interested in learning more about Unity as spiritual path?

From UnityTriangle.org’s About Us page:

At the center of the Unity new thought movement, you’ll find a dedication to love without judgment and an emphasis on personal spiritual practice. Because of this core understanding, there is a place here for everyone, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. While Unity is sometimes referred to as “practical Christianity,” it is rooted in the wisdom of many traditions applied through a Christian lens. Unity was founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in the 1800s as a movement rather than a religion. As the community has grown, the beliefs surrounding it have continued to develop. Each Unity Church is unique in how it delivers on Unity’s five core beliefs.

by Shelly Leslie

Blog, Community Engagement

Interfaith Relationships: Building Bridges Through Faith | Rev. Tami Johns

Interfaith Relationships: Finding Unity Across Faith Traditions

by Rev. Tami Johns

I recently partnered with Meyrem Teke of the Divan Center in Cary, NC, for a friendship gathering between Unity of the Triangle and members of the Muslim community. Members from the Divan Center worshipped and fellowshipped with us, and what I witnessed was truly beautiful.

Our Unity community was welcoming and helped create a sacred space where all could worship the Divine together. Afterward, we shared snacks and a special dessert provided by the Muslim community called Noah’s pudding. Famously known as Aşure in Turkish, it is widely believed to be one of the oldest desserts in the world. According to legend, when Noah’s Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey, dwindling food supplies led the passengers to combine their remaining grains, beans, and fruits into one pot, creating this iconic and nourishing porridge.

How Interfaith Friendship Reflects Unity’s Spiritual Values

In modern Turkish and Middle Eastern cultures, making Noah’s pudding is an act of community. Families traditionally prepare the dish in large batches and distribute small bowls to neighbors, friends, and those in need. It serves as a powerful symbol of abundance, unity, gratitude, and friendship, key spiritual values we hold dear at Unity of the Triangle. In our fellowship hall, I saw that unity and relationships being formed. Tables were filled with both our visitors and Unity members, sitting together and engaging in meaningful conversation. That experience moved me deeply and prompted me to reflect on why interfaith connection means so much to me.

Many Paths to the Divine

My religious foundation is Christianity, and I was raised in the Baptist church. My family attended service regularly, and my childhood and early young adult years were shaped by Sunday school, Bible study, and youth meetings. I learned a great deal about the Bible, especially through studying with my uncle, who was a Baptist minister. Even so, from an early age, I had questions. As I studied history and geography in
school and learned about other cultures, I began to wonder: could there truly be only one path to God?

In early adulthood, I was introduced to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. While it is still a Christian denomination, I found it to be more welcoming to women in ministry. I was drawn there because of my own calling to ministry. I served there for a few years, but as destiny would have it, that was not ultimately where I was meant to remain. Over the years, I began exploring other religions and faith traditions. I eventually came to believe that there are many paths to the Divine. We may call the Divine by different names, and we may worship in different ways, but I believe we are often reaching toward the same sacred truth. That is why seeing the people of Unity of the Triangle and the Divan Center come
together without judgment was such a meaningful experience. It reminded me that this is exactly the kind of connection our world needs more of: inclusive spirituality.

Coming Together Through Inclusive Spirituality

We recently celebrated America’s 250th anniversary, and in today’s climate, where immigration remains a key issue and cultural differences are too often misunderstood or undervalued, it is important to recognize and appreciate what we all bring to this country. Diverse people built this nation, and diverse people continue to enrich it.

Let us continue having interfaith dialogue that builds relationships with people who are different from us, because we are all part of the same Divine. As Community Engagement Director, I will continue seeking ways to bring us together in a spiritual community around friendship, understanding, and love. -Rev Tami.

by Shelly Leslie

Community Engagement, Groups

Why Spiritual Community Matters

By Rev. Tami Johns

As the Community Engagement Director, I am deeply inspired to be a part of such a community as Unity of the Triangle. So, I reflected on why it works here. The people, yes. The service, yes. The groups, yes. All those matter. And what I see is that we are building a connection and a place for people to thrive spiritually – together.

Community Is Connection

While we can pray alone, meditate alone, read alone, reflect alone, and watch service online alone, something sacred happens when people come together because we were never meant to walk this path alone.

A spiritual community gives us a place to remember who we are. Life can be loud sometimes. The responsibilities, disappointments, worries, and divisions of the world can cause us to forget the truth of our being. We can start to believe we are only our problems, our mistakes, or our fears. In spiritual community, we are gently reminded that we are more than what we are carrying. We are reminded that there is a Divine presence within us, and that same presence lives within others, too. Sometimes we need another person’s faith, wisdom, or compassion to help us reconnect with our own.

Unity of the Triangle Is A Place to Belong

Spiritual community also gives us a place to feel like we belong—a place to feel welcomed, seen, and valued while still being fully ourselves. At Unity of the Triangle, people bring different stories, backgrounds, questions, and experiences, and we know those differences do not have to divide us. They can deepen us. They can teach us how to listen more carefully, love more honestly, and expand our understanding of ourselves, one another, and God, or whatever name you call the Divine.

How Do We Live Our Faith?

Spiritual community also calls us into action. Faith is not only something we believe; it is something we live. When we gather, we are invited to practice compassion, service, forgiveness, generosity, and love in real ways. Community helps move spirituality from an idea into a way of being. It challenges us to care beyond ourselves and to become part of healing the world around us. A community rooted in love asks, “What is mine to do?” and then moves into action. That is why we have programs like outreach and Unity for Humanity.

In A World Divided, Choose Unity

Another important reason spiritual community still matters is that it gives us hope. When the world feels divided, community reminds us that unity is still possible. That is why our theme for 2026 is “In a world divided, choose Unity.” When people are tired, community reminds us that strength can be shared. When one person’s light feels dim, another person’s light can help them find their way back.

The Sacred Space of Unity

Spiritual community matters because people still need places where love is practiced, not just delivered in a message on Sunday morning. People still need places where they can ask questions, grow, serve, heal, laugh, cry, and be reminded of the Divine within themselves. There are many opportunities to build community here. You can attend a spiritual dialogue to explore the Sunday message, join a group that fits your interests, pray with a chaplain in your time of need, serve in our outreach programs, or volunteer your time, because spiritual community is not just about gathering in a building or attending a service. It is about creating sacred space together.

I welcome you to Unity of the Triangle, where we are many people, with many stories, but one shared light, where we are a place of love, service, and personal transformation, and where spiritual community still matters.

by Shelly Leslie

Community Engagement, Groups, Volunteer

A New Vision for Community Engagement at Unity | Rev. Tami Johns

By Rev. Tami Johns

Called to Community: Expanding Engagement at Unity of the Triangle

When God calls you for a purpose, it is hard to say no. Well, you can try. Believe me, I have tried. But when I finally stopped running from my call to ministry, my life began to unfold in ways I could not possibly have imagined. Today, I serve as the Community Engagement Director at Unity of the Triangle, and I truly believe I have been called to be here, in this place, at this time. Community Engagement is not just a title or department. It is a living expression of who we are
becoming together.

What Is Community Engagement?

At Unity of the Triangle, Community Engagement includes small groups, outreach, member engagement, and volunteer opportunities. It is about helping people feel connected, seen, welcomed, and invited into deeper participation in our spiritual community.

What Spiritual Groups Are Available at Unity of the Triangle?

We currently have 14 active groups, seven of which are either new or have been revived within the last year. These groups provide welcoming and safe spaces where people can engage in meaningful dialogue, build relationships, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Through regular gatherings, these groups reach almost 100 people each month. The people who participate in our groups represent a beautiful range of ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, backgrounds, and life experiences.

Whether you are looking for a women’s group to reflect and share (Sisterhood Saturday), a men’s space for honest dialogue, a group for veterans to share their experiences, hiking companions, or a place to discuss Unity principles, there is a place for you here. And if you haven’t found the right group yet, but you have an idea you feel passionate about, I would love to hear from you

What’s New: A Spiritual Direction Group

This June, we are launching a new Spiritual Direction Group. This group will offer a place to rest, be heard, and discover the sacred within your own story. It will be a gentle, contemplative space where people can come together to explore spirituality with openness and curiosity. Whether you come with deep faith, unanswered questions, uncertainty, or simple curiosity, you are welcome just as you are. No experience with meditation or spiritual direction is required.

Unity for Humanity

This year, we also launched Unity for Humanity, a new social justice group created to engage our community in meaningful dialogue, compassionate action, and consciousness-raising around issues that affect our shared humanity. Rooted in Unity principles, Unity for Humanity invites thoughtful exploration of social justice
issues through education, discussion, and community-centered action. We began with immigration as our kickoff topic and hosted a panel of experts to help guide the
conversation. We have also selected a community partner working in the immigration space. This partner will offer training and introduce ways we can contribute our time, energy, and resources. More information will be coming soon. We also heard from those who participated in our survey. Based on your responses, we are exploring future topics such as racial justice, health care access and mental health, media disinformation, and the environment.

Community Outreach at Unity of the Triangle

As always, we remain committed to serving beyond our walls through outreach. We call it Unity in the Community and in 2026, we will continue offering meaningful ways to serve, including opportunities with Oak City Cares, Habitat for Humanity workdays, backpack drives, and the Angel Tree project. We are also looking for additional organizations to partner with as we expand our outreach efforts.

How to Get Involved As a Unity Volunteer

I also have the joy of supporting our volunteer efforts alongside Barbara Holloman. There are many ways to get involved in this beautiful community. You can serve as a greeter on Sundays or during special services, help with the fellowship team, assist with the youth programs, or become part of our new ambassador program.
I encourage you to think about where your gifts, time, and presence might help us serve and grow.

Stay Connected

There is always something happening in Community Engagement, and the best way to stay informed is by subscribing to the Unity Newsletter, and coming back to this website regularly! You can also connect with us socially on YouTube, facebook, and instagram.

I look forward to continuing to serve you and this community as we discover new and exciting ways to expand Community Engagement together.

With gratitude,
Rev. Tami

by Shelly Leslie