FOCUSED INTENTIONAL PRAYER
Every Tuesday, 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
The Prayer Chaplains participate in this focused time of prayer. We send prayers to ABQ’s International District for loving interactions, grace, peaceful energy, safety, hope and reduction in crime. We invite everyone to join the chaplains during this time from wherever you are .
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CLASSES RELATED TO PRAYER: Click on the "Education" tab at the top of the webpage for details.
PRAYER CHAPLAINS
We are blessed to have the constant support of Prayer Chaplains. They are
available each Sunday to pray with us one-on-one and to hold the sacred space as
we go through this journey called life. Our Prayer Chaplains are volunteers who
receive extensive training in affirmative prayer and holding a sacred space. All
prayers are kept in strict confidence.
Through their training, Prayer Chaplains:
• Deepen their own spirituality and connection with God
• Hold sacred space and listen from the heart
• Experience personal and spiritual transformation
• Learn how to stand in prayerful support of our spiritual family
• Maintain a daily prayer practice that includes holding sacred space for the
prayers submitted by congregants
• Make Wellness Calls by phone to members of our congregation to pray
with them about challenges, celebrations or whatever they desire.
Prayer is a foundational aspect of our faith tradition and was demonstrated by our co-founder Myrtle Fillmore in how she healed her body and spirit. If you would like to request support from a Prayer Chaplain during the week, please email minister@abqunity.org, or complete a Prayer Request form in the lobby at USC ABQ.
An important word about our Prayer Chaplains: Unlike hospital chaplains, our Prayer Chaplains are not ordained and do not counsel people. Prayer Chaplains are trained to do only three things: hold spiritual space, listen and pray. Prayer Chaplains are not trained to “minister” to the community at large.
Our Prayer Chaplain Team is a service opportunity for congregants who are called to take the next step in their spiritual development and are willing to make a high level of commitment in their growth. Prayer Chaplains make a one-year commitment, some of the responsibilities include: serve 1 or 2 services monthly; special services as needed; complete up to 90 minutes of Wellness Calling per month; attend one, two-hour Prayer Chaplain meeting per month; attend the yearly intensive Prayer Chaplain training once a year. All orientation and training sessions are required for new and returning prayer chaplains.
Serving as a Prayer Chaplain
Unity Spiritual Center is committed to reaching out in prayer, comfort and support to our congregation because doing so supports our mission and vision. As our ministry continues to grow, our Prayer Chaplains are invaluable in helping to meet the pastoral care needs of our congregation. We invite you to prayerfully consider stepping into this powerful area of service for our ministry.
Completing Prayer Chaplain training and serving as a Prayer Chaplain is transformative soul work. It is a unique service that differs from many of our other volunteer opportunities in terms of the level of commitment and responsibilities required.
Many of our Prayer Chaplains report that they stepped in to serve others, but found that being a Prayer Chaplain blessed and benefitted themselves most of all. It is a role that will help you discover your greatness and the greatness of others. It may very well be one of the most rewarding spiritual growth experiences you have on your journey.
Our Prayer Chaplains are: Martyne Backman, Suzie Orchard, Carol Chambers, Roland Reese. Our newest chaplains are Josie Godfrey and Ellen Kajikawa.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A PRAYER CHAPLAIN?
Brochures are available in the Foyer. Prayer Chaplain Orientation is held in the spring yearly. Orientation is required for anyone who intends to train as a new chaplain or renew as a prayer chaplain. If you are interested, but not decided, you will need to attend this orientation in order to take the Prayer Chaplain training if you decide to do so, contact Martyne Backman via the office: office@abqunity.org with any questions.
CONTEMPLATIVE GATHERING
Every Thursday except the 4th Thursday (Healing Prayer Circle is at 7:00 pm on the 4th Thursday). Join in an evening of meditative reflection, contemplation and discussion at 7 pm in the CommUnity Room.
HEALING PRAYER CIRCLE: On 4th Thursdays of each month, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, the Prayer Chaplains lead this gathering to bring the Divine energy of intentional prayer to this healing circle. Many of our chaplains work with Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, and Sound Healing, as well as the tenets of prayer. We invite reflection on the Twelve Powers and which of these may be calling you to healing. See our calendar for details.
WELLNESS CALLS: Are an opportunity for you to receive prayer support on a monthly basis. In the spring, when we have new prayer chaplains joining the team, changes are made to the Wellness Calling Lists as we evenly divide the 120+ people on the lists among the Chaplains. New names are added as members join and take the Unity Basics Class. A third of our list will have a new Prayer Chaplain when the newly installed Chaplains are on board. For Wellness Calls FAQs*, scroll down.
WELLNESS CALLS FAQs:
How do wellness calls work? Prayers may be for gratitude, a challenge in your life, or for others. A Prayer Chaplain will call and pray with you right then on the phone. If you don't answer, they will leave an inspirational message on your voicemail.
When will my Prayer Chaplain call me? Your Prayer Chaplain will call once a month from the church offices. They may call at the same time each month, or at a different time. But it will always be the same Prayer Chaplain calling you.
Can I request that my Prayer Chaplain call at a specific time? Unfortunately, no. Your Prayer Chaplain has several congregants to call each month and they must call from the church offices, so they make all their calls at a time that is convenient for them.
Who will receive monthly wellness calls? Voting members of Unity Spiritual Center receive them. You can find out more about becoming a voting member of USCABQ by emailing office@abqunity.org.
What if I need prayer support before or after my monthly wellness call? email minister@abqunity.org. Your request will be added to our prayer list, which is prayed over daily by our Prayer Chaplain team.
OUTREACH: Prayer Chaplains are available to visit congregants who would like prayer but are home-bound or in the hospital or a care facility. To schedule a visit, please contact the USC office at 505-292-1998.