Pat Shipley

Vice President

I have been involved in Unity since I was a teenager when my mother decided to try the Unity Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Since they only had Sunday school for the younger children, the teacher asked if I would assist her with the class. She also happened to be the minister's wife and her reaching out to me was a blessing because it made me feel that I belonged. The first 20 years of my adult life I moved frequently and often there was no Unity Church in the community; however I still fulfilled my need for Unity teachings with Daily Word, many Unity books and keeping a "lifeline" with Silent Unity when facing any challenge.

I moved to Phoenix in 1976 and married my husband Al. We have three children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, most of who live in the Phoenix area. I enjoy being with my family, travelling, hiking and reading. We attended Unity of Phoenix while living in Glendale. I went back to school, taking classes towards a Library Technical degree at Glendale Community College that led to a job in the library at the American Graduate School of International Management, where I enjoyed working with foreign students from all over the world. My final work years were spent in the library at Glendale Community College.

After we retired, Al and I moved to Surprise and began regularly attending Unity of Surprise. We joined Unity of Surprise in the fall of 2004. Although I have enjoyed all my Unity churches, I have never felt so "at home" as I do here with Reverend Billie and my unity family. I have taken classes here and grown in my spiritual awareness. I have volunteered as an usher for over two years, helped co-chair our "Stuffed with Love" outreach program, am currently on the High Watchers team which I especially enjoy because it enables me to serve every day. In return, I am blessed with the constant reminder of the Christ within me. I am honored to serve as Secretary of the Board of Trustees in 2009. The Unity of Surprise community has become an important part of my spiritual life.