Ministerial Team
In 2013, our Board of Trustees decided to break from the past by bringing shared leadership to Unity. The board hired a 3-person Ministerial Team with a diverse blend of skills, insight and personality. Each team member has been part of our local community and served in Unity for multiple decades. Each has a demonstrated commitment to the Unity way of life. In order to expand leadership opportunities, the Ministerial Team meets weekly with a larger Shared Leadership Team of staff and volunteer leaders who help manage and plan the ongoing functions of our spiritual community.
Rev. Sherry Lady has been a member of Unity of the Valley since 1986. After retiring from a 30 year career in Education, she attended Unity School for Religious Studies where she received her ordination. Sherry was the Senior Minister at Unity of Ashland for 7 years. At Unity of the Valley she has served as Associate Minister as well as directing our Youth and Family Ministry, coordinating Adult Education, and being Unity’s drama director. As Co-Senior Minister, she supports the leaders of these same ministry areas or––in the case of Adult Education––leads it herself. Along with church activities, she finds enrichment through family activities, writing, the theater, and being with friends.
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Rev. Inge Tarantola was born and raised in Germany. After a career in accounting, Inge discovered her passion for ministry and in 1988 Unity of the Valley became her church home. She served on the board of Trustees and as Director of the Prayer Ministry and Taize Healing Prayer Ministry. In 2000, she pioneered a brand new Unity church in Roseburg, became Unity of the Valley’s Associate Minister in 2012, and in 2013 joined our newly formed Ministerial Team as Co-Senior Minister. Healing prayer and meditation have been part of her daily spiritual practice for many years. Inge also finds joy and spiritual renewal in the great outdoors and in her garden. |
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Jon West (ordained through another religious organization) coordinates our Sunday services in consultation with Revs. Inge and Sherry. Jon also teaches classes, provides spiritual counseling, serves on the Budget Committee, assists with promotion and outreach, and works closely with our Administrator on day-to-day matters. As our former Music Director, Jon still enjoys composing inspirational music and playing along with our Unity Band. |
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