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 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

Unity for Humanity social justice group in Raleigh at Unity of the Triangle

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