2026 Unity Great Lakes Region Conference

Evolving Together Spiritually

September 21–23, 2026

Unity of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, Indiana

Join Unity ministers, licensed teachers, musicians, board members, and lay leaders from across the Great Lakes Region for three days of spiritual deepening, community, and renewal.

Annual Business meeting will be held on the 23rd.

All attendees receive continuing education units (CEUs).

 

FEATURED SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Taking Our Principles Into the World

What does it truly mean to live our spiritual principles—not just in the sanctuary, but in the complexities of everyday life? In a world where it can be easy to become discouraged or pulled into polarization, we are invited to stay rooted in Truth while engaging the world with wisdom, ompassion, and integrity.

Rev. Myra McFadden explores the practical application of spiritual principles in ministry and daily living, especially in the realm of sacred social action. Drawing on ethical reflection and the work of Steven Charleston, this talk offers a grounded and inspiring approach to navigating today’s challenges without losing our spiritual center.

Together, we will consider how to embody our values in meaningful, life- giving ways—bringing light, love, and conscious action into the world we share.

Rev. Myra McFadden

Rev. Myra has served as Senior Minister since 2011, growing UKCN into a vibrant, diverse, and deeply engaged community. A former psychotherapist, she brings both spiritual depth and practical wisdom to her ministry. She is actively involved with Unity Worldwide Ministries and is passionate about mentoring leaders and fostering spiritual growth in others. Her ministry is collaborative, joy-filled, and committed to honoring and empowering all people in knowing their divine nature.

Myra is married to Kansas City jazz musician and tap dancer Lonnie McFadden, and is the proud mother of three adult children and six grandchildren.

LUT LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER

The Spectrum of Presence: Polishing the Prism of Service

Let’s take a moment to look at the 'prism' of our work together. By recognizing the mastery we’ve already built—our Golden Threads—and the new goals we’re reaching for, we are showing up for each other as leaders. This isn't just about personal growth; it’s about aligning our professional strengths. You’re leaving today with a renewed spirit and a better understanding of the incredible range of leadership we have right here in our Great Lakes Region.

Rev. Diane Venzera, CSE, LUT, M.Ed - Director of UWSI Education & Global Youth Strategies
Diane provides leadership and oversight for Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute’s credentialing and continuing education programs. To keep offerings fresh, relevant, and cutting-edge, she keeps abreast of national trends and best practices related to distance and online education. She is also responsible for the continued growth and development of youth and family ministry (YFM) programs. Diane holds a master's degree in education focusing on instruction design and technology. She is also a Licensed Unity Teacher and a Certified Spiritual Educator who has over 30 years of experience working in YFM programs.

OPENING SESSION FEATURED SPEAKER

Holiness and Heart-Led: Cultivating Capacity and Accountability in Serving Open Hearted Ministry 

This experiential workshop explores what it means to lead from a place of genuine openness while remaining anchored in holiness and spiritual accountability. Open-hearted leadership—marked by compassion, vulnerability, and presence—is powerful, but without discernment it can lead to burnout or spiritual drift.

Through reflection, sharing, and discussion, participants will learn to recognize the gifts and vulnerabilities of heart-led service, build habits of accountability that protect both leader and community, and discern when to give, pause, or seek support—strengthening the connection between inner holiness and outward ministry capacity.

Rev. Dr. Martha Creek
Widely known in New Thought, Martha’s trainings approach deep inner work as an adventure with a sense of curiosity and wonder. A master of the art of right questioning, she calls forth the most stubborn and self-defeating patterns to create a new way of being, literally. Ordained in Religious Science and Divine Science, Martha has served as Great Lakes Unity Consultant, and served several years as Unity Worldwide Institute faculty. She has attended Emerson Theological Seminary (Masters and Doctorate), Byron Katie School for The Work, and Hoffman Institute. She is a Healthy Congregations Facilitator and Trainer.

In 2025, Martha was the recipient of the Light of God Expressing Award.

  • Ric Schumacher is an ordained Unity minister, nationally recognized speaker, trainer, and writer whose work has appeared in Unity Magazine, Daily Word, Journey Magazine, and various newspapers and anthologies. He serves as an adjunct professor at Youngstown State University, teaching Religious Studies, American Identity, Cultural Anthropology, and Human Geography. An avocational archaeologist, Ric has participated in digs at Megiddo in Israel through Tel Aviv University, mapped unexcavated Mayan sites with the Maya Research Program in Belize, and conducted vernacular architectural research on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. He has held memberships in the Society of Biblical Literature, the American Academy of Religion, the North American Patristics Society, and the American Anthropological Association, and is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. His board service includes the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Lung Association, the Northeast Ohio Task Force on AIDS, the Kidney Foundation, and Warrior's Journey Home, a national organization providing spiritual healing for veterans and their families. Ric holds a bachelor's degree in religious studies with concentrations in archaeology and Islamic and Judaic studies, master's degrees in English and American Studies, and post-master's work in Working Class Studies. He lives in Akron, Ohio with his wife Heather, two dogs, and a grey cat named Earl, and enjoys video production, photography, and watercolor painting in his free time. Follow his writing at RicSchumacher.Substack.com.

  • Cassidy Meeks is the YFM Coordinator for Unity's Great Lakes Region. She served as full-time YFM Director at Unity Minneapolis for 5½ years, joining in 2019 after more than a decade in Learning and Development at General Mills.

    Cassidy has been active in Unity nearly her whole life — beginning as a child at Unity Truth Center in Butte, Montana, and later as a longtime adult YFM volunteer at Unity Minneapolis before stepping into the Director role. She's skilled in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Convergent Facilitation, and brings creativity, humor, and empathy to her work of identifying gaps and building strategies to close them. She connects people with people, and people with information.

    In her current role, Cassidy partners with YFM leaders across the region and works with the Great Lakes Y.O.U. Officers (Regies) to plan youth retreats where Uniteens and Y.O.U. grow spiritually, build friendships, and are celebrated for their uniqueness. She's also a new mom!

Breakout Sessions

Spirituality, Science* and Its Impact on Healing: Everything Old is New Again

Heraclitus the Greek pre-Socratic philosopher from the city of Ephesus wrote “Those Who Love Wisdom Must Investigate Many Things”. Many things can contribute to healing, and many approaches to healing both ancient and modern exist. In this presentation three interrelated concepts will point to a twenty-first century approach to healing. Spiritual healing is our rich heritage and the foundation upon which we build a deeper understanding of the harmony that exists among medical science, quantum physics and consciousness studies. In the session you will have opportunities to practice techniques to increase creativity, relax and reach a calm state in as little as five minutes, fall asleep faster and increase the effectiveness of your meditation. The presentation is designed to meet the needs of active credentialed leaders, ministers, spiritual leaders, as well as retired ministers seeking to advance their knowledge of healing practices. Ministry board members and other laity will find information to expand their spiritual practice.

Stories from the Field: YFM Across Our Region

What does Youth & Family Ministry actually look like on the ground in 2026? In this breakout, leaders from across the Great Lakes Region share what's working, what's shifting, and what they're learning as they minister to today's children, teens, and families.

Part storytelling, part peer learning—you'll leave with fresh ideas, practical takeaways, and renewed connection to the colleagues doing this work alongside you.

  • As an ordained Unity Minister, Rev. Williams has served some of Unity’s larger churches including Atlanta Unity Church [Associate Minister], Unity Church of Christianity in Columbus, Ohio [Senior Minister], and Unity of Naples Church in Naples, Florida [Senior Minister]. Before Unity of Madison, she served Unity of Cedar Rapids, IA.  She was the Director of Campus Ministry and Acting Chaplain at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, and served as adjunct faculty in the Religious Studies Department. Rev. Williams holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Wesleyan College [summa cum laude], a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School at Yale University and completed course work for the Doctor of Ministry degree from Duke Divinity School at Duke University. Rev. Williams has served on several nonprofit boards and community organizations and served Unity Worldwide Ministries (Association of Unity Churches) as a member of several task teams, including as Chair of the Licensing and Ordination Committee.  Recently, she served as a board member  of the Great Lakes Unity Region.

  • David Roth is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and enthusiastic facilitator who has taken his songs, experience, and expertise to a wide variety of venues in this and other countries full-time for more than three decades. His work has found its way to Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the Kennedy Center, Peter, Paul, & Mary and Kingston Trio CDs, the Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), NASA’s Goddard Space Center (his song “Rocket Science” sailed on the space shuttle Atlantis in 2009), the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again (sequel) songbooks, and 15 CDs on the Wind River and Stockfisch (Germany) labels.  Winner of 5 Positive Music Awards (celebrating the best in empowering original songs) David was also the 2015 Grace Note recipient (Unity Worldwide) for Outstanding Contribution to New Thought Music.

Sacred Listening: A Review Process for Effective Leadership (2CEU/Admin)

A healthy spiritual community grows through reflection, accountability, and compassionate feedback. A 360° review process offers a thoughtfuland holistic way to support ministerial leadership by gathering insights from the Board of Trustees, Licensed Teachers, staff, ministry team leaders, the ministers themselves

More than an evaluation, this process is an opportunity for growth, renewal, and deeper alignment with the spiritual community’s mission and values. Through feedback and guided reflection, the review helps celebrate strengths and identify opportunities for growth and development.

Grounded in respect, transparency, and shared purpose, a 360° review fosters healthier communication, encourages authentic leadership, and supports clergy in serving with greater clarity, balance, and effectiveness.

This process is not appropriate for every context nor every church or center. It works best when a healthy level of trust and respect is already established.

Making Meaningful Music - Songwriting for Everyone with David Roth

Whether you’ve never tried songwriting before, whether you tried it a lot (like me), or anything in between, let’s dabble together in this all-levels "break-in” session.  For me it’s an endless pursuit of putting something beautiful into a thirsty world, and we gather this afternoon to carve out that time to be songwriters together.  Bring something to write with and carry what’s on your mind and in your heart with you.  We’ll go from there.  www.davidrothmusic.com

Musical Guests

Rev. Michael Everett Davis has been serving Unity of Indianapolis as Music Minister since 2010.  He was ordained as an Interfaith / Interspiritual Minister by One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in 2017.  By special dispensation, He has been serving Unity of Indy as Spiritual Leader since 2021 (officially, unofficially since 2019).  He is now in the ministry path at UWSI.  Michael has always had a passion for singing.  He is a singer, songwriter, actor, and mystic. 

David Roth is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and enthusiastic facilitator who has taken his songs, experience, and expertise to a wide variety of venues in this and other countries full-time for more than three decades. His work has found its way to Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the Kennedy Center, Peter, Paul, & Mary and Kingston Trio CDs, the Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), NASA’s Goddard Space Center (his song “Rocket Science” sailed on the space shuttle Atlantis in 2009), the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again (sequel) songbooks, and 15 CDs on the Wind River and Stockfisch (Germany) labels.  Winner of 5 Positive Music Awards (celebrating the best in empowering original songs) David was also the 2015 Grace Note recipient (Unity Worldwide) for Outstanding Contribution to New Thought Music.

REGISTRATION

Standard Registration: $250 Includes all sessions and the Tuesday Banquet.

Retired Ministers & Musicians: $75

New to the region? You may qualify for the New Leader Registration (Ministry Waiver). See the registration form by clicking the button below for details.

REGISTER HERE

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Lodging

We have secured a conference room rate at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown for our event dates. As an all-suite hotel, every room includes a private bedroom and separate living area — giving you plenty of space to relax and recharge.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown 110 West Washington Street | Indianapolis, IN 46204 +1 317-236-1800

Group Rate: $160/night + tax (2-Room Suite, 1 King Bed)
Book by: August 25, 2026 to lock in the discounted rate

What's included with your stay:

  • Free made-to-order breakfast each morning

  • Complimentary evening reception

  • Free WiFi

  • Indoor pool and fitness center

  • On-site restaurant

  • Pet-friendly rooms available

Suites sleep up to 4 and include a microwave, mini refrigerator, and sofa bed in the living area — perfect if you're sharing with a friend or bringing family along.

BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE

Meals

Breakfast is provided free, made to order, for those staying at the hotel.

Full conference registration includes the Tuesday evening banquet.

The following tickets are available for separate purchase:

Monday Dinner - $25 - Registered attendees only

Tuesday LUT Luncheon - $25 - Open to all

Tuesday Banquet (guest) - $60 - For spouses/guests not registered for the full conference

REGISTER HERE

Schedule subject to change without notice and updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed.

All times are listed in Eastern Time Zone, which is the time zone for Indianapolis. 

*Indicates live streaming

Monday, September 21

WELCOME!!

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Registration Open

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.‍ ‍
Early Session (2CEU/DEI)

  • Emerging Social Action - Social Justice, LGBTQ+, Earth Care Moderated by Susan Liddel, LUT

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Welcome Table

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner (additional purchase - for attendees only)

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
*Opening Session

  • Holiness and Heart-Led: Cultivating Capacity and Accountability in Serving Open Hearted Ministry with Rev. Dr. Martha Creek

  • Music with Daivid Roth

Tuesday, September 22

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
*Morning Session (2CEU/Ethics)

  • Opening Prayer & Music with Revs Michael Davis & Ed Trout

  • Honoring Those Who Have Passed with Rev. Peggy Konkel

  • Keynote: Bringing Our Principles Into the World with Rev. Myra McFadden

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.‍ ‍
L.U.T. Luncheon with Rev. Diane Venzera (open to all) (additional purchase - for attendees and guests)

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

  • *Sacred Listening: A Review Process for Effective Leadership with Rev. Debra Williams (2CEU/Admin)

  • Our Health, Science & Spirituality with Rev. Ric Schumacher

  • Stories from the Field: YFM Across Our Region with Cassidy Meeks

  • Music Workshop with David Roth

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Open Time

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Banquet (included in registration for attendees - additional purchase for guests)

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
*Evening Session

  • Heart of the Region with Kathy Harwood Long

  • Music with David Roth

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, September 23

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
*Closing Session (1CEU)

  • Opening Prayer & Music with Musicians

  • Music Ministry for the 21st Century Panel with Revs Michael Davis & Ed Trout

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.‍ ‍
*Annual Business Meeting

  • Unity World Headquarters Presentation with Rev. Shara Moscinska

  • Board Elections with Kathy Harwood Long, Unity Great Lakes Region President

  • Closing Words with Kathy Harwood Long, Unity Great Lakes Region President

  • Music

1:30 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own

SAFE TRAVELS!!

SCHEDULE

Frequently Asked Questions

Logistics

  • Indianapolis International Airport is located approximately 12 miles from the hotel Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown and 13 miles from Unity of Indianapolis.

  • The conference is hosted at Unity of Indianapolis (907 N Delaware St). Our host hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown (110 W Washington St), is roughly a mile away — walkable, or a short drive.

  • There is no shuttle or arranged transportation between the Embassy Suites and Unity of Indianapolis. Attendees will either need a car to drive, use an Uber or Lyft, or complete the Rideshare form. The form is for both those willing to offer rides and those wishing to secure a ride.

    Complete the Rideshare form.

  • Yes! Free overnight parking is available at Unity of Indianapolis, where all conference sessions are held. Note that the Embassy Suites hotel charges for overnight parking, so this is a great money-saving option for those who have a car with them.

Meals

  • The Tuesday evening banquet is included with full conference registration. All other meals are available for separate purchase:

    • Monday Dinner — $25, available to registered attendees only (no guests)

    • Tuesday LUT Luncheon — $25, open to all attendees and guests

    • Tuesday Banquet (guest ticket) — $60, for spouses or guests not registered for the full conference

    If you are staying at the Embassy Suites, a complimentary made-to-order breakfast is included with your hotel stay each morning.

  • Yes! When you register, you may indicate any of the following dietary needs: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Pescatarian, Nut Free, or Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian.

  • LUT stands for Licensed Unity Teacher. The Tuesday LUT Luncheon features Rev. Diane Venzera as speaker and is open to all conference attendees and guests for $25.

Registration

  • Coming Soon

  • At this time, registration is not available at the door. Please register in advance using the link on this page.

  • Cancellations made prior to 30 days of the conference will be refunded at 80% of the registration fee. A 20% processing fee will be retained by the Region.

  • Partial registration is not available. However, if you are unable to attend in person for the full conference, our Virtual Pass ($150) allows you to join livestreamed sessions from wherever you are. Select it when you register.

  • Yes! Several sessions will be livestreamed for virtual attendees, including the Opening Session, Morning Session, select Breakout Sessions, Evening Session, and Closing Session. A Virtual Pass is available for $150 — select it when you register.

Miscellaneous

  • CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS (CEUs)


    The Great Lakes Unity Region has designed and is offering sessions which we believe are CEU worthy and in relevant areas such as inclusivity, ethics, ministry operations, methods of teaching and self-care practices. Ministers and LUTs are required to track and document their potential CEUs and submit them yearly with their annual report. Please maintain copies of all registration confirmations, list of classes provided to you, and conference payment receipts for your records.

  • There is no formal dress code — come as you are! We suggest dressing comfortably for full days of sessions, and consider bringing a light layer as meeting room temperatures can vary.

  • coming soon