Welcome to the Licensed Unity Teacher's information page.
We have Licensed Teachers in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Utah. There are almost 100 licensed teachers in the NW Region, though many of them (about 40) are inactive.

Be sure to check this page monthly for new information (yes, I'm going to be updating regularly now ... Janet)

Are you taking Session C classes and in the Association's Leadership Development Program? (If you are, you will have been in contact with Shirley Kennedy, the licensed teacher coordinator.)

Yes? Please let Janet know that you are a licensed teacher candidate, using the email box on the left.

You will receive the Region’s quarterly newsletter by US mail and Janet's irregularly-issued e-mail updates and urgent messages.

In her second year as licensed teacher representative, Janet has been a licensed Unity teacher since 1983. Janet says, “This first year as licensed teacher rep has been a year of learning. I look forward to making more connections with the wonderful licensed teachers in our region over the next year.”

At her church home -- Unity Church of Olympia, in Olympia, Washington -- she teaches classes, leads the Pastoral Care Team, and serves as backup for the minister. Also, she performs weddings and memorial services. For over 10 years, she has been a certified senior mediator, mediating a variety of disputes, including workplace and family mediations. Janet finds that she uses mediation tools and skills in all facets of her life.

Janet has been active in the Northwest Region since 2002, when she joined the Earth Care Team. In 2005, she presented a 3-hour workshop at Regional Conference called Healthy Decision-making. She has conducted shorter versions of the workshop for the Northwest Region’s Board and for Unity Church of Olympia’s council. She has over 20 years experience ensuring that leaders use an inclusive decision-making process for projects.

I have attended Unity of Salem in Salem, Oregon since 1979 and became a Licensed Unity Teacher in 1986. After retiring in 1996 as an elementary school teacher in Primary classrooms and Resource rooms, I started serving and currently serve as Minister's Associate. I wear many "hats" at Unity of Salem, some of which are: co-facilitate retreats, Volunteer coordinator, Chaplain Trainer, Bookstore manager, give Sunday talks, coordinate special events, etc. I show up--allowing Spirit to be Spirit in me!

I enjoy reading, being at the beach, swimming, traveling, rubber stamping, and scrap booking. As I apply and practice Unity principles, my life as been and continues to be transformed. I'm very honored to serve as the Licensed Unity Teacher Alternate and am looking forward to assisting Janet Rhodes.

The licensed teacher representatives from the Regions of the USA and of Canada have been "meeting" via conference call every other month. We share information and support one another in our efforts to support licensed teachers throughout North America.

The licensed teacher ministry team is an active team of the Association of Unity Churches. The team’s purpose is “to insure that the Unity movement has talented, trained, qualified Licensed Unity Teachers to serve in ministry.”
The team’s goals are to:

• Involve the regions more effectively
• Create a foundation for setting world-wide vision
• Enhance our relationship with Unity Institute
• Effective communication

Some current projects are:

• Reviewing and revising the LUT handbook
• Reviewing/revising the Code of Ethics
• Discussing LUT-SEE classes and format
• Discussing enhancing of professional image, skills, abilities
• Discussing possible LUT name change
• Suggestion for LUTs to be utilized in ministry (connect with minister training)

At our meeting during May conference, Vicki Vanderhorst, Canadian licensed teacher representative, presented information on what the Association’s Licensed Teacher Ministry Team (Team) has been working on this year.
Later, she provided some updates.

a.    Unified Code of Ethics - The co-chairs of the Licensed Teacher Ministry team have prepared a draft and will be working with the Association’s Standards Team on it.
b.    The Team recommended that a course in ministry ethics be given in school. The Association Board approved the recommendation. The course will be developed by the Association’s Education Department.
c.    The Team wanted to make sure that the results of psychological testing of licensed teacher candidates are reviewed with each student. They learned that the current contract provides an avenue for students to obtain the results and feedback from their testing.
d.    Modify the requirement of the Field Licensing Program that the church sponsor the candidate @ $2100/month.
e.    A recommendation that a Church Planting/Management Intensive be offered for Licensed Teachers currently serving or entering Spiritual Leadership positions was well received by the Association Board. The only suggested change was to open the Intensive to all leadership levels, and not just licensed teachers.

In addition, Vicki noted the following:

a.    The Association is updating the LUT Handbook; send suggestions to Shirley Kennedy (ltc@unity.org)
b.    The Team is still considering a change to the LUT name. Send ideas to Shirley
c.    There is some discussion on changing SEE so that 250 credits are complete before Session C courses are taken.
d.    The Team is considering the idea of having an entrance exam to enter Leadership section (Session C) at Unity Institute.

The Team had recommended that the Field Licensing Team modify the income requirements for applicants. They would like the Field Licensing Team to take into consideration the differences in cost of living experienced in different geographical areas. The Licensed Teacher Ministry Team withdrew the recommendation. Instead, the Team will contact the Leadership, Recruitment and Development Team directly and begin conversations on this issue.