UNITY of IRVING
11
February
Neighborly Relations
Service starts at 11:00am
18
February
Family Relations
Service starts at 11:00am
25
February
Labor Relations
Service starts at 11:00am
“It started with love, light, and prayers and was divinely guided to the present” In 1971 thirty people met in the home of Alice and Bill Fruman to organize and plan what was to become Unity of Irving. Rev. Marie Paben Juneau led the group to rent the space above Christies Furniture Store, which was located at 1615 W Irving Blvd. Unity of Irving was dedicated September 5, 1971 and a certificate of incorporation was filed with the state of Texas May 5, 1972. Unity of Irving’s first property was purchased in 1977 at 2625 W. Shady Grove. Following this, Rev. Marie felt that the church was standing on its own two feet and decided to move on. Rev. Nita Buckley took over the role of minister and the church continued to grow. In 1983, a builder expressed interest in the property on Shady Grove and offered in exchange the property he owned at 210 Virginia and the building framework. Having outgrown the space on Shady Grove, Unity of Irving accepted the offer and church members completed the finish out of the property. Rev. Bill King became minister in 1984. During Bill’s time the church’s name was changed to New Horizons Community Church and plans were made to build a new building. Rev. Orville and Peggy Grove became ministers shortly after and it was decided that we would add on to the existing structure instead of building a new building. They oversaw the structural changes to the building and changed our name to Unity of Irving. In 1992, Rev. Tom Shumacher became our minister after some time as a guest speaker. At that time attendance on Sundays had dwindled to the teens on an average Sunday. Through Rev. Tom’s leadership the church was able to grow once again. He served the church until July 2002. Rev. Sharon Almond became minister in June 2002 after her graduation from Unity School of Christianity. She was with the church until March 2006 when she left to move closer to her ailing mother. In the interim, Unity of Irving enjoyed guest speakers for over a year. In August 2007, Reverends Frank and Margaret Pounders came to speak and by October of the same year they agreed to come out of retirement and lead the church. About Unity God is absolute good, everywhere present. Many paths lead to the one, loving God. Our essence is of God, and therefore human beings are inherently good. This God essence, called the Christ, was fully expressed in Jesus. We create our experiences by the activity of our thoughts. Everything in our lives has its beginning in thought. Prayer and meditation are important ways to heighten out connection with God. Knowing and understanding of these principles is not enough- we must also live the truth that we know. As a member of the Association of Unity Churches International, this community is a part of the worldwide Unity movement. We are also affiliated with Unity School of Christianity, publisher of the Daily Word devotional magazine. Our primary teacher is Jesus, whose message is love- love of God, love of others, and love of ourselves. We are committed to encourage and inspire spiritual and personal growth through practical, relevant Christianity and loving service. Unity’s prayer ministry, Silent Unity, is available for 24/7 prayer support. To learn more about Unity visit unity.org.
Our church is lead by the Reverends Frank and Margaret Pounders. Reverend Frank Pounders grew up in Bristow, OK. He worked his way through high school and college as a Radio DJ. He worked for were KSEO in Durant, OK and KSYL in LA amongst others. He graduated with a BA from Louisiana College. Frank served in the Air Force for 28 years of active and reserve duty. After retiring from the Air Force, he was employed by LTV corp as a new business proposals manager. Rev. Frank has served on many boards and committees with Unity worldwide including; budget and finance ministry team, group services ministry, chair of outreach ministry team, standards ministry, and board of trustees. He was also a regional representative of the South Central Unity Churches Association (SCUCA) for 7 years. Reverend Margaret Pounders grew up in Irving, TX and has a BA in Business Administration from SMU. After graduation she studied journalism under Alex Burton in Dallas. Rev. Margaret is the author of 2 books, dozens of spiritual articles, and recorded meditations. Frank and Margaret met through a mutual friend and were married June 25, 1955. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. They live in Dallas with their dog Puff. Both Frank and Margaret were active members of a church prior to Unity and always felt that there was something different out there for them. They discovered Unity after hearing Donald Curtis on the radio and visited Unity of Dallas. They became Licensed Unity Teachers and were members of the Unity on Greenville. In 1978 when the minister left, Frank and Margaret stepped up as co-ministers and were later ordained. They served Unity on Greenville until their retirement in July 2005. They enjoyed their temporary retirement until 2007 when they were contacted by Unity of Irving to come and guest speak. They have been with us ever since! Board of trustees Our Board of trustees meet monthly Jimmie Terry - President Deneice Chavez - Vice President Susan Juvenal - Treasurer Sue Zimmerman - Secretary Frank Pounders - Member Margaret Pounders - Member Prayer Chaplains Cynthia Robertson - Coordinator Jimmie Terry Liz Laningham Ruth Sams Sue Zimmerman Wanda Zamorano Unity of Irving’s Chaplain program was started in 2003 with the installation of 7 chaplains. The chaplain program provides extended prayer support for those in need of prayer. Chaplains are available to support you when needed during hospital visits, home visits during illness, at times of grieving and other challenges you may face. They are also like to celebrate with you in times of joy and thanksgiving. Chaplains are available weekly after service and by phone 469-569-9914. All prayer support is confidential. Silent Unity provides 24/7 prayer support at 800-669-7729.
“It started with love, light, and prayers and was divinely guided to the present” In 1971 thirty people met in the home of Alice and Bill Fruman to organize and plan what was to become Unity of Irving. Rev. Marie Paben Juneau led the group to rent the space above Christies Furniture Store, which was located at 1615 W Irving Blvd. Unity of Irving was dedicated September 5, 1971 and a certificate of incorporation was filed with the state of Texas May 5, 1972. Unity of Irving’s first property was purchased in 1977 at 2625 W. Shady Grove. Following this, Rev. Marie felt that the church was standing on its own two feet and decided to move on. Rev. Nita Buckley took over the role of minister and the church continued to grow. In 1983, a builder expressed interest in the property on Shady Grove and offered in exchange the property he owned at 210 Virginia and the building framework. Having outgrown the space on Shady Grove, Unity of Irving accepted the offer and church members completed the finish out of the property. Rev. Bill King became minister in 1984. During Bill’s time the church’s name was changed to New Horizons Community Church and plans were made to build a new building. Rev. Orville and Peggy Grove became ministers shortly after and it was decided that we would add on to the existing structure instead of building a new building. They oversaw the structural changes to the building and changed our name to Unity of Irving. In 1992, Rev. Tom Shumacher became our minister after some time as a guest speaker. At that time attendance on Sundays had dwindled to the teens on an average Sunday. Through Rev. Tom’s leadership the church was able to grow once again. He served the church until July 2002. Rev. Sharon Almond became minister in June 2002 after her graduation from Unity School of Christianity. She was with the church until March 2006 when she left to move closer to her ailing mother. In the interim, Unity of Irving enjoyed guest speakers for over a year. In August 2007, Reverends Frank and Margaret Pounders came to speak and by October of the same year they agreed to come out of retirement and lead the church. About Unity God is absolute good, everywhere present. Many paths lead to the one, loving God. Our essence is of God, and therefore human beings are inherently good. This God essence, called the Christ, was fully expressed in Jesus. We create our experiences by the activity of our thoughts. Everything in our lives has its beginning in thought. Prayer and meditation are important ways to heighten out connection with God. Knowing and understanding of these principles is not enough- we must also live the truth that we know. As a member of the Association of Unity Churches International, this community is a part of the worldwide Unity movement. We are also affiliated with Unity School of Christianity, publisher of the Daily Word devotional magazine. Our primary teacher is Jesus, whose message is love- love of God, love of others, and love of ourselves. We are committed to encourage and inspire spiritual and personal growth through practical, relevant Christianity and loving service. Unity’s prayer ministry, Silent Unity, is available for 24/7 prayer support. To learn more about Unity visit unity.org.