Basic to our Love in Action Teams is the firm belief that service is a noble path and it is an honor to serve. Without volunteers, this spiritual center could not operate effectively. There is no greater gift than the giving of your time. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact the Unity of Bon Air office at (804) 320-5584 to express your interest and we will put you in touch with a team leader. Thank you in advance for sharing your time and talent!
Many Opportunities for Sacred Service
Member Support
New Member Classes
A series of 4 classes called “What is Unity?” are held several times each year for those seeking to learn more about Unity and become members. A Minister or Licensed Unity Teacher conducts the classes. Attendance is required for membership. Membership is welcomed, but not required, to be a part of our congregation. However, to vote in the annual meeting or to serve on the board you must be a member. Those who wish to become members are formally introduced to the congregation at a special Sunday service.
Visitor Friendship Committee
Members of the Friendship Committee agree to intentionally make contact with a recent visitor to Unity of Bon Air, answer questions, acquaint them with the property, and invite them to current activities. The purpose of this committee is to ensure that strangers in our midst are no longer strangers. Volunteers are welcome to join this “friendly” committee at any time.
Elna’s Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer shawls are lovingly created; blessed during the creative process, and again at completion. Shawls are given to provide comfort in challenging times, or as a gifts to share love and beauty. Shawls may be purchased at the Book Store for a love offering. The love offerings go to purchase more yarn to continue this important ministry. Anyone who crochets or knits, or wants to learn, is welcome to join this team. (Elna Roop was a long time member of this community and contributed many shawls to this ministry. It is named in her memory.)
Bon Air Cares
As a loving, spiritual community, the Bon Air Cares team seeks to serve members and their family and church friends in times of short-term needs and health challenges. We feel honored and blessed to serve our members and friends who so graciously and gratefully receive it. And, as the Universe would have it, the giver and the receiver are one, so YOU benefit, too! We accomplish our mission through support for an active volunteer network of people helping people. Our volunteers are committed to make calls and home/hospital visits, providing meals, sending cards of support, providing transportation (such as to church, doctor appointments, pharmacy, and grocery store), and offering comfort through companionship and prayer. (Volunteer support does not include legal, medical, or financial advice or assistance.) Please add your name to this Love In Action team!
Outreach
Christmas Mother — Each Christmas we sponsor several families in need from the Richmond community through the Christmas Mother program. Every year, an abundance of volunteers come forth to buy food, clothing, and toys for each family with money that is generously donated by our members. After the gifts are lovingly wrapped, our Unity of Bon Air “Santas” deliver the gifts to the Christmas Mother distribution center, making for some excited families on Christmas morning. Annually, many volunteers joyfully participate in this event.
Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that all of God’s children deserve a decent and safe place to live. Habitat is a proven model successfully enabling more than 1,000,000 people world wide to move from inadequate shelter into simple, decent homes. Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity has been putting faith into action in our community since 1986. When Unity of Bon Air is involved in a build many skilled and non-skilled volunteers will be needed for the build.
Chesterfield Food Bank and Outreach Center was established in 2010 as a faith-based non-profit with the desire to feed and empower those in need within our community. Unity of Bon Air supports this organization through donations of food and monetary contributions. Those who wish to volunteer at the center may do so by contacting the food bank directly at www.cfboc.org.
Teddy Bear Sunday — Once each year everyone is invited to bring a new teddy bear on Sunday morning. A Chesterfield County police officer is on hand to address our congregation and to accept the bears. The bears are blessed with prayer and given to officers to carry in their vehicles so that they are readily available to comfort children in stressful situations.
Fun & Fellowship
Special Events — Unity of Bon Air often hosts concerts, festivals, parties and other special events that benefit from enthusiastic volunteers. Watch for opportunities to help out!
Next Generation Unity is a group open to anyone over 18 interested in exploring and sharing spiritual discussion, yoga, mindfulness, and more. Contact the UBA office for details on the current status of this young adult group.
Women of Unity meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Each month features an interesting presentation or activity led by a woman in the group — sharing a hobby or passion. Some months feature a pot luck! WOU’s theme is Faith, Fun, and Friendship, and Fundraising.
Men of Unity meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month for friendship, fellowship and planning activities. Monthly meetings are split between spiritual discussion on various topics and organizing fundraising activities for Unity of Bon Air. All men are invited to join this fun, energetic, enthusiastic group of guys!
Unity Seniors is a group focused on the interests of older adults. All who identify as seniors are welcome to join this dynamic and collaborative group. Contact the UBA office for details on the current status of this group.
Garden Team
When you step out of your vehicle at 923 Buford Road you are “standing on holy ground.” The grounds surrounding our building, our promenade, the parking lot, and our peaceful 2-acre Meditation Gardens and labyrinth are lovingly cared for by volunteers. Garden Team members plant, fertilize, water, prune, weed, mulch and cleanup leaves. Our gardens are maintained by volunteers like YOU.
Garden Days are posted on the church calendar and are held both during the week and on Saturdays. Just show up! In addition, some volunteers “Adopt a Garden Spot” to care for an area on their own schedule. Examples include caring for one of the flower beds, parking lot islands, statuary, and the fish pond. Other volunteers water flower pots along the promenade.
Twice a year, we hold a “Sacred Service Saturday” in which we enlist the assistance of the entire community for an all day event where lunch is provided. In the Spring, we usually spread mountains of mulch. In the Fall, we focus on leaf cleanup.
Experience is NOT necessary. Garden Team coordinators will be glad to teach you. Students earning community service hours are encouraged to participate. Children are welcomed to volunteer with a supervising parent or guardian. ALL time shared caring for our grounds enhances our space and is greatly appreciated. Join us for an hour, a day or every month!
Education & Enrichment
Youth & Family Ministries — With an emphasis on spiritual education for our youth, and family activities, our YFM is truly the best of both worlds. We offer a safe and nurturing environment for all ages (tots through teens). Our classes and curriculum are designed to encourage the practice of meditation and prayer, explore spiritual paths, and create a loving and fun environment for our youth to connect with the Greater Good. We promote and encourage family involvement by sponsoring activities, hosting events, and organizing fundraisers. We welcome all passionate and compassionate volunteers interested in assisting with classes and activities, including summer camp activities.
Inspiration Station Book Store — Our book store offers materials used in Unity education classes and personal spiritual growth, as well as inspirational gifts, CDs, and greeting cards.The store is open on Sunday mornings, and is staffed by a volunteer team. The team welcomes suggestions for books and merchandise, as well as new volunteers!
Spiritual Study Groups — Unity of Bon Air holds a ministry-wide book study at least once each year, with groups meeting in small groups to discuss a spiritual book over a period of 4-7 weeks. Hosts volunteer to host online or in their homes and act as facilitators for the study.
Adult Spiritual Education & Enrichment — Classes and workshops take place on a regular basis at Unity of Bon Air benefitting the mind, body and Spirit. Unity of Bon Air also serves as a host for several community spiritual study groups, such as A Course in Miracles, Science of Mind, and meditation practice groups. Check our website calendar, and weekly newsletter to learn all about current offerings.
Hospitality
Sunday Fellowship Coffee — Rotating teams prepare coffee, setup, and clean up, for the fellowship that is offered after each service. Mission statement: Our mission is to provide a welcoming environment for members and guests that encourages fellowship after Sunday morning services. We joyfully provide sacred refreshments for our bodies while we nurture each other through caring and conversation. Thank you God, for this opportunity to serve. Volunteers are always welcome to join this group of volunteers.
Special Events Hospitality — During the course of the year there are several times when a meal or reception is needed for a workshop, meeting or event. This group comes together to set up, provide and serve the fare. Volunteers are often requested.
Assistant to a Guest Speaker — Individuals on this team support special guests by assisting with set up and sale of books and CDs after events, and help with transportation and meals as needed.
Technology
Audio/Visual Team—Sunday services take place both in-person and online, and volunteers are welcome to work with our professional audio and video operators in supporting the online livestream aspect of our Sunday gatherings.
Photography/Media — Help capture the energy of Unity of Bon Air’s big events and special moments. Volunteers are invited to take photographs and video, recording our events, capturing the essence of our shared experiences to be shared in Unity of Bon Air communications. Members of all skill levels are welcome to contribute.
The Sunday Experience
Greeter/Usher
The “Gushers” are the frontline in representing our spiritual community on Sunday mornings. The qualities Unity of Bon Air holds are peace, love, joy, acceptance, and oneness to name a few. As the first “official” contact our guests and congregants have, the Gusher’s mission is to embody and display these qualities through a hearty, sincere, and accepting welcome. Additional tasks include: answering questions, providing directions, assisting in seating, and collecting offerings. Our intention is to show all arriving on Sunday mornings that they have come to a place of joy, happiness and acceptance.
Music
The music at Unity of Bon Air is an integral part of Sunday services. The words and music enhance and support the message of the minister while the spiritual quality inspires each listener to go deeper within and to often fly higher with joy. The talented music teams add to the overall richness of the experience. The Celebration Choir is featured at some Sunday services. Those who desire to share their musical gifts are encouraged to speak with the Music Director.
Readers Theatre
Readers Theatre has been providing laughs, and poignant moments for Sunday mornings at Unity of Bon Air since 2005. Reverend Cheryl Fare serves as the playwright in residence, providing thought-provoking material to enlighten and expand Sunday morning lessons. Readers Theatre is open to new participants at any time. No experience required, only enthusiasm for performing arts.
Flowers/Decorating
The goal of this team is to bring a feeling of welcome, beauty, and peacefulness to our beautiful spiritual center. Flower arrangements for Sunday mornings are provided by church members in honor or memory of a loved one. Volunteers assist with seasonal decorating. If you would like to have flowers for a particular Sunday, please contact the office at
Decorating Team Vision Statement: To acknowledge through the use of beautiful materials, the beauty and power of the change in seasons, special holidays and/or ongoing themes in teachings.
Service Leader
Volunteers participate in Sunday celebrations by opening the service in welcome, reading the Daily Word, introducing guest speakers, and making announcements.
Prayer
Prayer Chaplain Ministry
Unity of Bon Air Prayer Chaplains are available to pray with members of the congregation after Sunday services. They are distinguished by purple neck sashes. Prayer Chaplains also make monthly contacts to members to pray and celebrate life milestones.
Prayer Chaplain Ministry Vision Statement: to lovingly listen, hold spiritual space and pray with the individuals making up the congregation of Unity of Bon Air so as to provide an extension of the overall spiritual and pastoral care capability of our spiritual community.
Those who feel called by Spirit to become a prayer chaplain are invited to attend an info session.
Prayer Team
The Prayer Team is committed to holding our congregation in prayer daily. During their private prayer times every day, the members of this group hold in prayer for 30 days each and every prayer request. The prayer chest and prayer request forms are located at the front of the sanctuary for congregants to leave their prayer requests. These requests are held in confidence. At the end of the month these prayer requests are sent to Silent Unity for another 30 days of prayer. Anyone may serve on the Prayer Team if they would like to serve by praying daily and, when requested, help with communion. All Prayer Chaplains are also prayer team members.
Blessing of the Animals
Blessing of the Animals is a celebration of life. Your beloved pet will receive a personal blessing for a long, healthy, safe, and happy life. Any request for healing prayers/blessing will be honored. Pets of all species or denomination, will be blessed. Several volunteers are needed to help with this annual event.
Our Love in Action Affirmation
We are grateful for the many opportunities to serve Unity of Bon Air and the community of greater Richmond. We faithfully affirm that our acts of service are grounded in Divine wisdom, strength and generosity of heart. In our work together, we are blessed, our community is blessed, and we are grateful. So it is. Amen.
