By Rev. Brenda Peters, USCR President & CEO
Conference Highlights
I would like to first thank those who were able to come to the 2026 USCR Conference at Unity Village. It was the first time for me to plan an event like this and while I know there are things we can change—I’ve heard from some of you—there are things you cherished and want to keep.
The responses we received from the post-conference survey shed some light on potential changes, such as more activities during the morning, possibly a workshop. There was also a suggestion for a ceremony for the participants or hearing from each participant who they are and what is most important in their ministry, all of which we will be taking into consideration.
What stood out to me was to have a committee plan the next conference (to be held tentatively in 2028). If anyone is interested in joining the committee, please reach out to me at president@unitysouthcentral.org.
Annual Meeting Voting Results
We held our Annual Membership Meeting in person at the conference this year, as well as online. Voting results included approving our two nominating committee members, Rev. Myra McFadden and Rev. Eileen Stulak. And Rev. Gary Canier was voted onto the board, along with the approval of appointments from earlier in the year. The new board was established made up of the following members and roles:
(From left) Revs. Cesarrato, Peters, Clark, Renae, Woods, and Canier
Rev. Brenda Peters—President
Rev. Gary Canier—Vice President, DEIJB Rep
Rev. Kirti Cesaratto—Nominating Committee Liaison & Regional Rep Liaison
Rev. Nina Clark—Treasurer
Rev. Sharon Renee—Secretary, LUT Representative
Rev. Leslie Woods—YFM Representative
Our thanks goes to outgoing board member Rev. Tomás De León, who served two terms as our treasurer. We are grateful for his six years of service to our region!
We are all very excited for the new year ahead and have already made plans to help support the region.
Accomplishments 2025 to Present
Part of our annual meeting presentation always includes a look back at the work done in support of the region. Here’s the recap in case you couldn’t make it to the meeting:
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40 support calls counting towards CEUs (29 recorded sessions)—Business Mastermind, DEIJB Conversations, and YFM/YOU Support
Offered Steady in the Storm six-month series to support ministers and spiritual leaders led by Rev. Ahriana Platten
Created a repository of all support call videos in one place on the website to browse for CEU credits
Expanded our outreach program to prayer support for centers
Reinvigorated social media posting and engagement (2,000 Facebook followers!)
Created opportunity to add your Unity spiritual center events to the USCR website calendar (Add your event!)
Emergency Relief to HUG
YFM/YOU: Legacy Rally, Uniteen retreat, support calls, support for sub-regional rallies in the spring
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Offered Steady in the Storm Part 2 (six-month) program
Held the USCR biennial conference at Unity Village
Increased financial aid support for ministry support and scholarships
Growing support in the areas of newsletter & CEUs and Ministers’ Support Call
Regional Affinity Group on Circle (please join!)
Funding to Unity Urban Ministerial School (UUMS) and Johnnie Colemon Cottage
Starting sign-ups for the new Guest Speaker Directory (see below)
YFM/YOU: Legacy Rally had 43 YOUs attend, hired Uniteen Retreat Coordinator Jessica Quin, Unitreat in November, YFM trainings, reduced Rally cost to support attendance
Connecting & Supporting Our Region
New Support Call
One new way we’re supporting the region is the new Ministers’ Support Call we have started. It happens the first Thursday of each month and gives a chance for the ministers in our region to connect and find solutions to any issue they may have or share celebrations of what has worked well. You can join by registering at www.unitysouthcentral.org/minister-support.
New Guest Speaker Directory
Are you a Unity credentialed leader available to speak at Unity communities in the South Central Region? Whether you offer messages in person, online, or through recorded talks, we’d love to include you in our Guest Speaker Directory (coming soon!). This directory helps member ministries connect with credentialed Unity speakers while giving you additional opportunities to serve. Register for the directory at www.unitysouthcentral.org/speaker-support or write Executive Administrator Elaine Schweizer at info@unitysouthcentral.org with any questions.
Workshops
Another way we are going to support the region is by doing workshops on topics which will help your ministry thrive. If you have a specific topic you’d like to have addressed, please email me at president@unitysouthcentral.org.
Stay Connected
We have many other ideas to help you and your ministries, so make sure you keep in touch with us through Facebook (Unity South Central), the Circle portal, our newsletter (thanks for reading!) or the website at www.unitysouthcentral.org/.
Your Support Means Everything
Lastly I would like to thank you all for your continued support to our region and allowing us to serve you. Don’t forget you can also continue to support the region through your tithes by going to www.unitysouthcentral.org/donate. As Charles Fillmore said, “God is the source of a mighty stream of substance, and you are a tributary of that stream. Blessing the substance increases its flow.”
Peace,
Rev. Brenda Peters
Board President & CEO
Unity South Central Region
→ Read more from the USCR Conference by Rev. Sharon Renae
→ Learn more about signing up for the Guest Speaker Directory
