Mary loves everything that Unity stands for and has derived immense satisfaction from participation in varied activities, not always for the book content, but also for the interaction with the Unity community and the many friendships formed. But, the gift that takes precedence as her most gratifying experience at UCC is having been able to see her children grow up in Unity. Both Brendan, 21, and Heather, 23, were very active in the youth ministry. Brendan, a junior at Stetson University, served as a Southeast Y.O.U. regional representative. A proud PIKE, he is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, a fraternity dedicated to develop men of integrity, intellect and high moral character. Heather attends St. Petersburg College, where she interns in digital media and looks forward to a study abroad program in Japan. She is also lead cashier at Ulta Beauty.
When first introduced to UCC in 1989, Mary, who had moved to Palm Harbor from the Chicago area, immediately felt she had found her church home. She and J.B., a long time volunteer with the tech team who had already been spiritually enriched by positive Unity experiences, were married at UCC by the Rev. Dell deChant in 1992. Mary’s mother, a snowbird who comes here during Chicago’s brutal winter months, attends services at UCC, and, in turn, Mary also appreciates a climate change, spending a summer month in Illinois.
Mary’s entrepreneurial talent is reflected in her successful eBay store, iproducts101, featuring women’s clothing, which she started with her good friend and partner Kim about 14 years ago. She also works part time in the “soft lines” division of Target. In her limited leisure time, she enjoys photographing nature. Every day she walks and every day she sees hawks. They follow her! Although her husband has snakes, Mary is partial to her cat named Stripes, a 14- year- old brown tiger.
At Peace Cottage, following WINGS on Tuesdays, Mary and fellow Unity member Karyn Russo conduct a popular tapping class, which Barb Kozel and Ralph Webbe introduced last year. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) basically combines psychology and acupuncture, sans needles. Inspired by Garland Landrith, Ph.D, psychologist, Health and Addiction Adviser and Spiritual Life Coach, the class follows his techniques to enhance energies of the mind by stimulating/tapping specific acupuncture points in the body. Dr. Landrith, who combines acupuncture with positive affirmations, prayers and songs only at Unity churches, is highly regarded for his unique approach to tapping in seminars he teaches and consultations with clients all over the world.