Welcome
Thanks for stopping by UBB’s website! If you’re new to our church, we say “Welcome!” As you can tell from our website, we are a friendly, welcoming, Spirit-centered church community, created by loving and compassionate truth seekers just like you. We are a diverse group of people, and we delight in the richness of the tapestry we weave together.
We hope you’ll come to one of our Sunday services, watch a service live-stream, or attend one of our many classes or special events to see how our church feels to you. You just might find the church home you’ve been looking for! If you’re someone who knows UBB well, we say “Thank you!” for bringing your energy and unique style to our church family. Because of your commitment and presence, UBB is deepening in our Christ Consciousness and expanding in our Prosperity Consciousness.
New to UBB?
If You're New to Unity by the Bay
If you are looking for a loving spiritual community, you’ve come to the right place! The UBB community is made up of people, like yourself, who have been led to Unity by Spirit. We are all on a spiritual journey to become all that we were created to be. In Unity we don’t tell people what to think; rather, we offer tools you can use to create a life of meaning and purpose. This is an exciting time of positive, empowering transformation!
Unity welcomes people of all religious backgrounds and beliefs, all creeds, sexual orientations and social backgrounds. We make no exceptions!
Safe in-person services have resumed in our sanctuary, We also live-stream services and events. Please stop by or join us remotely. You will find a warm welcome awaits you, and we’ll support you in making friends and finding ways to have meaningful connections within the community.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
We understand the uncertainty that often comes with entering a place for the first time, so we offer these words to help smooth the way for your first service at Unity by the Bay.
Dress is casual. Some of us wear comfortable business attire; many prefer jeans or shorts and sandals.
Arriving
You can park in any of our three parking areas. In the first area on the left as you come up the hill, spaces are marked for those who prefer a short walk (without stairs) to our sanctuary.
When you enter the double doors on the lower level, a greeter will welcome you and show you the way to the sanctuary. Ushers will meet you at the double-door entrance.
Meditation starts at 10:15 on Sunday morning, so please enter the sanctuary quietly. The service begins at 10:30.
Our Sunday services are best summed up as “music, meditation, message.” The music varies between our in-house music director (Stefan Scaggiari) and guest performers/soloists and some congregation-wide songs (the lyrics will be projected on screen). The minister’s main message is next, followed by a guided meditation that lasts 3 to 5 minutes.
Near the beginning of the service, we welcome newcomers. If you’re comfortable raising a hand, the ushers will give you a welcome packet. If you prefer to not identify yourself as a newcomer, that’s perfectly fine!
Children
During the pandemic, our children have been meeting online via Zoom on Saturday evenings. When in-person gatherings start again, your children are welcome to participate in our Youth and Family Program on Sunday mornings. A greeter will guide you to the classrooms on our upper level, where they will be signed in for the morning activities.
At the conclusion of the service, the children come into the sanctuary for a brief dialogue about what they learned that day. Please sign them out after the service.
Alternatively, your children are welcome to stay with you during the service.
Social Time
When public health guidelines allow more indoor interactions, we will resume our social time after the morning service. We will invite you to join us for coffee and light refreshments in the social area next to the sanctuary. Here you'll have a chance to meet others, ask questions, and pick up materials about upcoming events and ongoing activities within our spiritual community.
What Unity Is
What is Unity?
Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to spirituality based on the teachings of Jesus and other enlightened teachers coupled with the power of prayer. We honor the universal truths in all religions and respect each individual's right to choose their own spiritual path.
Unity emphasizes the practical, everyday application of spiritual principles toward living more abundant and meaningful lives. Unity affirms the power of prayer and meditation in fostering a stronger connection with the Divine.
We offer opportunities for friendship and fellowship as we support each other in our personal and spiritual growth. Unity is committed to helping you find your way to your experience of the God of your understanding. Spiritual seekers often say that finding Unity is like coming home!
Rev. Sarah Phillips
Our Spiritual Leader
Reverend Sarah’s passion for ministry started in 1999 when she became a spiritual life coach. She found Unity in 2006 and became a licensed Unity teacher in 2016. Becoming a Unity minister was a natural evolution of her journey. She was ordained in 2020. She has served as the spiritual leader for the Unity congregations in Frederick, Maryland, and Fredericksburg, Virginia. She holds the office of treasurer on the Board of Trustees of Unity’s Eastern Region.
Her personal practice includes meditation, Tantra, Qi Gong, working out at the gym, and ensuring balance between connecting with others and alone time. Her passion for being a purposeful creator flows in all areas of her life. She creates art, safe space, and, most importantly, her own life experience. Her mission in life and in ministry is to help others create the life they want to live.