Unity Minneapolis

Each year in December, we join together for this touching and uplifting service of remembering that offers us the comfort of holding loved ones close in our hearts, as we light candles, hear touching music, and embrace special memories.

Facilitated by: Rev. Pat Williamson and Kevin Hudalla, ministerial intern

Music: Lori Dokken & Rachel Holder

Theme:  The Spirit of Christmas, 2nd Sunday of Advent
Lesson: Peace – In the Eye of the Storm
Speaker:  Rev. Toni Fish
Meditation: Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Rachel Holder and the Unity Band

Theme:  The Spirit of Christmas, 1st Sunday of Advent
Lesson:  Hope – The Foundation of My Faith
Speaker:  Lisa Herklotz, Ministerial Intern
Meditation: Kevin T. Hudalla, Ministerial Intern
Music: Patty Peterson and the Unity Band

“THREE” (Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken) unites with special guest, Eden Bodnar, to bring you a compilation of music and spoken word expressing the 12 Powers that Unity cofounder Charles Fillmore wrote about: Faith, Strength, Wisdom, Love, Power, Imagination, Understanding, Will, Order, Zeal, Release, and Life.  We are grateful for these 12 creative energies and spiritual attributes that enrich our lives and bring us closer to oneness with all of humanity and all living things around us.

Theme:  Thanksliving Service with Holy Communion
Speakers:  Lisa Herklot, Ministerial Intern
Meditation:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Spiritual Communion:  Lisa Herklotz
Music:  Lori Dokken and Judi Vinar

Theme: God of Love
Lesson: Fire and Wine
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Rachel Holder, Jordan Hedlund, Liz Draper, and Darryl Boudreaux

Lori Dokken and James A. (Jamie) Rocco have been each other’s fans for 15 years.  On Friday, October 30, 2020, at 5 pm, they are joining forces for the first time for a virtual, live-streamed concert from Unity Minneapolis.

Over the past four decades, Lori Dokken has performed at every major venue in the Twin Cities from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway.   She is a vocalist, pianist, producer, and arranger who is continually being encouraged to write down her many “behind the scenes” stories about playing in piano bars, working on cruise ships, doing singing-telegrams dressed as Wonder Woman and writing letters with Bea Arthur to the editor of The Los Angeles Times. Lori has been the Music Director at Unity Minneapolis for the past 11 years.

James A. Rocco sang back-up to Frank Sinatra at the ripe age of 12 and has not stopped singing since.  He has appeared on Broadway and in major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Théâtre du Châtelet, and others with the Duke Ellington Band, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and many others.  From 2005-2017, he was the Producing Artistic Director of the Ordway.

Theme:  God of Love
Lesson:  Sacred Service
Speaker:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Toni Fish
Music: Judi Vinar and the Unity Band

Theme:  God of Love
Lesson:  Longing for the Beloved
Speaker: Rev. Toni Fish
Meditation: Kevin Hudalla
Music: Rachel Holder & the Unity Band

Theme:  God of Love
Lesson:  All Creation Praises God
Speaker: Lisa Herklotz, Ministerial Intern
Meditation: Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Joyann Parker and Unity Band

Theme:  God of Love
Lesson:  Toward the One
Speaker:  Mirabai Starr, Author
Meditation: Lisa Herklotz, Ministerial Intern
Platform:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Judi Vinar and Unity Choir

Theme: A Change is Gonna Come – Music Series
Lesson: 2000 to now – Systemic Racism and Income Inequality – “One” … “We Shall Overcome”
Speaker: Rev. Toni Fish
Meditation:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: THREE w/Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder, Lori Dokken – Dave Berget – Daryl Boudreaux and Special Guest – Jearlyn Steele

Theme: A Change is Gonna Come – Music Series
Lesson: The 1980s and 1990s – HIV/AIDS, World Hunger and Poverty – “We Are the World”
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation:  Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Erin Schwab & the Unity Band

7:00 PM Prayer Service

Rev. Jeanette

Rev. Toni 

Rev Pat.

Guests: Dane Stauffer, Eden Bodnar

Music: THREE (Lori, Judi and Rachel)

The World Day of Prayer is a chance to unite, even virtually, our hearts and minds in the power of prayer. We are grateful for the opportunity to embrace the affirmation “Standing in Truth, I move from fear to faith”.

Theme:  The Heart of Healing
Lesson:   The Recovery Breath
Speaker:  Special Guest, Rev. Paulette Pipe
Meditation:  Rev. Paulette Pipe
Platform:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Music:  Rachel Holder and the Unity Band

Theme: Keys to the Kingdom  
Lesson:  Let it Go, Let it Go, Let it Go! And Be Grateful!
Speaker:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation:  Rev. Jim Ernstsen
Music: Anna Christy and the Unity Band

We look at the spiritual law of circulation, the power of letting go and how gratitude is a game changer.

Theme: Keys to the Kingdom
Lesson:  You Don’t Know If You Don’t Know
Speaker:  Rev. Toni Fish
Meditation:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Judi Vinar and Unity Band

You may not even know that your limiting beliefs have held you back.  Join us as we look at seven spiritual truths of abundance.

Watch on Youtube

Make sure and invite friends to join us this Friday for one of 3 concerts over the course of the next “3” months, THREE will be giving livestreamed concerts from Unity Minneapolis during their @5 on Friday concert series.

These concerts will have an added component to them – they all will be recorded live and some of the audio material will be selected to be mixed and mastered and released as a digital album in the fall.

You will be a part of this endeavor as you experience their experience of making a live recording over the course of the Summer!

06-19-2020 5:00 PM CDT

Everyone says, 'What can we do?'.  Well...let's start by raising funds for our friends in North Minneapolis, whether it be for rebuilding a structure, a community food bank, or another vitally important immediate need.  Every journey begins with the first step...let's take it.  

Performers include: Patty Peterson, Debbie Duncan, Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder, Dane Stauffer, Erin Schwab, Katie Gearty, Jacy Smith, and Anna Christy along with Lori Dokken.

Friday, June 5th was our “@ 5 on Friday” Virtual Concert with Patty Peterson and Lori Dokken.  

Let’s join together and turn to music as that balm of expression which has the power to release our feelings, speak our words, and help us begin to breathe again.  This musical event will not only benefit the Twin Cities’ and Unity communities by reaching out to our many friends and family at this time of social distancing and sheltering in place – your online donations during the event will also benefit the artists, as well as the many ministries of Unity Minneapolis.

Join us for our second “Virtual Concert” live streamed from Unity Minneapolis on Friday, May 15th at 5:00 PM CST.  This musical event will not only benefit the Twin Cities’ and Unity communities by reaching out to our many friends and family at this time of social distancing and sheltering in place – your online donations during the event will also benefit the artists, as well as the many ministries of Unity Minneapolis.  On hand to deliver the musical festivities will be Joyann Parker and Lori Dokken.

Joyann Parker has been called “the best Twin Cities female singer you’ve never heard.” (Jon Bream/StarTribune). Joyann is a classically trained pianist but after her ears came into contact with the soul sounds of the Stax label and later also added blues, she decided to invest in a career as a soul singer.  Bill Wilson of Reflections in Blue says – “Joyann Parker is the real deal … a powerful vocalist, an accomplished musician on both guitar and piano, and the writer of songs that hold up over time.  This is blues and deep southern soul of the highest order.  Joyann Parker is a 21st century blues woman.”

Joyann has become a frequent guest artist for Unity Minneapolis’ Sunday morning services and it is there that congregants have become fans of her earthy, authentic and often gospel-tinged stylings. She and Lori have struck up a musical partnership over the past year and together they serve up staples of the contemporary music catalog with a new drive to dig deeper into the style, genre and lyric of whatever selection they are performing.

Lori Dokken – Over the past four decades, Lori has performed at every major venue in the Twin Cities from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway. A sought-after accompanist, she is also a successful concert producer, educator, vocal coach, arranger, and vocalist. Currently the Music Director at Unity Minneapolis, she has also been the MD for everything from ensembles at McNally Smith College of Music to acts at the Bryant Lake Bowl and recently was the Music Director for Disenchanted during its successful run at The Illusion Theater in November 2014. She has produced headline shows for cruise ships as well as local cabaret acts and has opened for legends like Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett. Lori has sung backups for Kenny Loggins and shared the stage with Beatrice Arthur. Her diverse production credits include sold out shows at The Hopkin’s Center for the Arts, The Dakota Jazz Club, The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and many local concert venues. She partnered with The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to produce “Painting Joni” – a concert featuring the music of Joni Mitchell for which she was also the Musical Director, Arranger and one of the featured performers. She was the Entertainment Producer for five years for an HIV/AIDS fund raiser called “Healing of the Hearts” which netted over $500,000 in proceeds for The Aliveness Project and also founded and produced a charity golf tournament for ten years that raised close to $250,000 for One Heartland.

Unity Minneapolis Presents @5:00 on Friday a Virtual Concert.  

“THREE” is the brand-new brainchild trio of local Twin Cities’ musicians – Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken. These three artists have not only been friends for many years but have also been colleagues in a diverse array of musical groups and productions. “Three” brings together a triad of diverse voices that are skilled in multiple styles and genres and the end product is an incredible performance that unites them into a singular sound – rich in color, character, confidence and the sonic seasoning of experience. Three represents so many things … past, present and future … beginning, middle and end … body, mind and soul … Judi, Rachel and Lori.

Lori Dokken – Over the past four decades, Lori has performed at every major venue in the Twin Cities from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway. A sought-after accompanist, she is also a successful concert producer, educator, vocal coach, arranger, and vocalist. Currently the Music Director at Unity Minneapolis, she has also been the MD for everything from ensembles at McNally Smith College of Music to acts at the Bryant Lake Bowl and recently was the Music Director for Disenchanted during its successful run at The Illusion Theatre in November 2014. She has produced headline shows for cruise ships as well as local cabaret acts and has opened for legends like Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett. Lori has sung backups for Kenny Loggins and shared the stage with Beatrice Arthur. Her diverse production credits include sold out shows at The Hopkin’s Center for the Arts, The Dakota Jazz Club, The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and many local concert venues. She partnered with The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to produce “Painting Joni” – a concert featuring the music of Joni Mitchell for which she was also the Musical Director, Arranger and one of the featured performers. She was the Entertainment Producer for five years for an HIV/AIDS fund raiser called “Healing of the Hearts” which netted over $500,000 in proceeds for The Aliveness Project and also founded and produced a charity golf tournament for ten years that raised close to $250,000 for One Heartland.

Judi Vinar – Judi Vinar has been singing since the age of four and began her professional career in 1983. Her initial focus was in the areas of folk, country, musical theatre and opera and early on in her career she branched out to explore jazz, pop, r and b, rock, gospel … and now she pretty much covers any style or genre.
In 1987, Judi moved to the Twin Cities and has developed long term musical relationships with many of the Twin Cities finest: Lori Dokken, “The Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra”, “St. Croix Jazz Orchestra”, “JazzMN Big Band”, “The Girls”, and her own “Judi, Cliff ‘n’ Daves”.
In 1997, Judi began working with singer extraordinaire Bobby McFerrin, and joined his a cappella group “Voicestra” in 2001. Currently, she is touring with Mr. McFerrin in his five-piece a cappella group “Gimme5”.

Rachel Holder – Rachel Holder is a musician living in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her versatile vocals have been heard performing alongside some the most familiar names in the Twin Cities music scene. She is a regular presence at venues such as The Dakota Jazz Club, Hell’s Kitchen, and Crooners Lounge and Supper Club as well as being featured in a variety of concerts at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The History Theatre and the Chanhassen Fireside Theater.
Rachel started teaching at McNally Smith College of Music in 2007 and was a faculty member of the voice department until 2017. She currently teaches at Macalester College, Concordia University, and Saint Paul Conservatory of Music.

Jesus steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, not wavering and no turning back! Who is this man called Jesus? And what does Jesus’s journey mean in our life? Come and celebrate the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Theme: Palm Sunday
Lesson: Who is This?
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Joyann Parker, Debbie Scheriff, and the Unity Band

Theme: Cosmic Connections
Lesson: Love Is Stronger than Death
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Judi Vinar

Theme: Cosmic Connections
Lesson: Bridges That Last
Speaker: Rev. Toni Fish
Meditation: Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Joyann Parker withLori Dokken and the Unity Band

Theme: Cosmic Connections
Lesson: Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Toni Fish
Music: Rachel Holder

Theme: Cosmic Connections
Lesson: Inextricably Connected
Speaker: Ester Nicholson
Meditation: Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Michael Monroe

Theme: Cosmic Connections
Lesson: Just Like Me
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Lisa Herklotz, Ministerial Student
Music: Unity Minneapolis Choir

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: How to Handle Setbacks
Speaker: Jim  Ernstsen
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Board Installation:  Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Debbie Duncan

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: Yes, But How?
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Patty Peterson

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: Cure for Loneliness
Speaker: Rev. Ray Nelson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Unity Choir

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: Cancel, Cancel Old Resentments
Speaker:  Kevin Hudalla, Psy.D. (Ministerial Student)
Meditation: Andrea Kaiserman
Music: Rachel Holder

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: Develop the Art of Selfishness
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Robin Nelson
Music: Unity Quartet

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: Have a Prosperity Consciousness
Speaker: Rev. Toni Fish
Meditation: Rev. Toni Fish 
Music: Jen Burleigh-Bentz

Theme: Practical Keys to a New Way of Living
Lesson: Have a Vision
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Jim Ernstsen
Music: Anna Christy

The White Stone Ceremony is a “ritual” type service based on a scripture from Revelation 2:17: “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

The stone symbolically represents freedom. This was the custom in ancient days during slavery in the Holy Land, and a prisoner was given a white stone when he was freed from slavery as a token of his freedom. His new name was on his stone in his new life.

During the White Stone meditation, each person holds a white stone in his or her hand, allowing Spirit within to reveal a new name that is to be worked with during the year.

You will be invited to ask for guidance on a word or words that  represent your highest intention or a name that you may hear for your new spiritual identity. That name is then written upon the white stone. You keep the white stone as a reminder of your intention for the new year.

Theme: White Stone Service
Lesson: What Is in a Name?
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Pat Williamson
Music: Rachel Holder

1 2 3 4 - can I have a little more?
5 6 7 8 9 10 - I love you.
A B C D - can I bring my friend to tea?
E F G H I J - I love you.

Bom. Bom. Bom.  Bom-bom-bom.
Sail the ship.  Bom-bom-bom
Chop the tree.  Bom-bom-bom
Skip the rope. Bom-bom-bom

Look at me!

All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
Black, white, green, red – Feel your love and let it spread.
Pink, brown, yellow, orange, and blue - I love you.

All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now – all together now

Bom. Bom. Bom.  Bom-bom-bom.
Sail the ship. Bom-bom-bom
Chop the tree. Bom-bom bom
Skip the rope. Bom-bom-bom
Look at me!

All together now - all together now    Tempo accelerates with each verse
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now
All together now - all together now

ALL TOGETHER NOW!

Theme: Burning Bowl Service
Lesson: Creating a Vacuum
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Members of the Unity Quartet: Mary Burns-Klinger, Sheryl Lange and Gregg Peterson with pianist Sharon Payne

It’s time to let go! Let go of all those concerns from your past year. Burn them up. Release them. Attend our Burning Bowl service and enter the new year without the baggage of the old one.

“The Seven Gifts of the Christ Child,” 

Speakers: Rev. Pat Williamson, Rev. Jeanette Byington, Jim Ernstsen and Lisa Herklotz

Music: The choir, along with Judi Vinar, Lori Dokken and our music team.

We share the seven gifts of the Christ Child that are also in each and every one of us.

We honor the gift, light the candle and affirm the gift for ourselves.  Expect wonderful music such as “O Holy Night,” “The First Noel” and other Christmas favorites. Finally, we conclude with “Silent Night.”

Theme: Advent Joy
Lesson: You Are Part of A Bigger Picture
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Jim Ernstsen
Music: Unity Minneapolis Choir

Theme: Advent Love
Lesson: What Can I Be For?
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson  
Meditation: Kevin Hudalla, Psy.D. (ministerial student)  
Music: Rachel Holder

Theme: Advent Peace
Lesson: Get the Facts
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Rev. Jeanette Byington
Music: Unity Minneapolis Choir

Theme: Advent Hope
Lesson: Beware of Spiritual Bypass
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson
Meditation: Lisa Herklotz
Music: Patty Peterson

Theme: Gratitude Sunday
Lesson: All Together Now
Speaker: Rev. Pat Williamson & Cassidy Meeks
Meditation: Y.O.U.
Music: Lori Dokken & Judi Vinar