Unity Spiritual Center of Denton is Closing
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Message from Rev. Ellen Davis
So much has gone on during the past 2 years because of our inability to meet as a congregation. Not only have a number of congregants moved but social issues have become divisive. Donations have gone down because of our inability to meet due to Covid and then came the ice storm which caused damage to the church building. The repairs took over 6 months and it was not possible to meet during this time.
Sometime during the repairs one of the AC units quit working as well as the electricity to part of Fellowship Hall. The roof needs to be replaced which has a $5000 deductible. Mabel and Allen Calhoun are moving to Memphis within a few months. Allen is board chair and I knew that finding board members would not be easy.
I woke up in the middle of a Sunday night at the end of August and wondered if it would be best to sell the building. The very next morning I received a text from an Aubrey church who wanted to know if we were open to selling the building (see below):
Hello! I apologize knowing this is an odd question, However, my wife and I pastor a congregation here in Aubrey and we are desperately looking for a facility to gather. Would your church ever be open to the idea of selling your building? Again, I know this is quite an odd inquisition, I simply wanted to put the thought out there if the conversation within your group does in fact ever arise.
This church is a young growing church with a lot of youth. Allen Calhoun, Board Chair, and I met with the minister and his wife to explore the option of selling. We engaged a realtor who is Stacey Sasser's sister to explore the possibilities of selling the building.
I wrestled with the decision to sell. Decisions would have to be made by the active membership of the congregation about what to do with the church after the sale of the property.
In the end we decided it would be best to sell and called a congregational meeting in September to vote on the sale. The congregation voted to sell. I decided that this would be a good time to retire from church ministry which is a huge change for me as I consider leaving this church which I started in 1986. I have spent countless time and energy in working in the church but I feel it is time for me to leave.
We called a congregational meeting a week ago (October 10th) to determine whether the church would dissolve after the sale of the church building or continue on and the decision was made to close down the church.
I have enjoyed my time with each of you. I know I will miss being with each of you on Zoom, Facebook live and in person. This church has meant so much to me and I know that for some of you there will be a void in your life when this church is dissolved. I would encourage you to maintain your friendships and relationships with those at this church. You can have study groups or meet socially at restaurants, etc. You could have zoom class meetings and connect on social media. There are also other Unity churches in the metroplex that you can join.
My personal plans at this point are to rest for at least 2 months before considering my next phase of life. I do not plan at this time to apply for work at any Unity church. I hope to see more of my children and grandchildren. I have always had a side business selling things on Ebay and I will probably continue to do that. I want to catch up on putting together scrapbooks of the many many photos I have. I may write some too and have considered doing podcasts and doing a weekly blog. It is all up in the air for me right now.
My wish for each of you is that you maintain an active spiritual life of meditation and prayer. If you do this you will always be guided to make good decisions. Most importantly you will know that you are never alone.
Blessings and love to each of you!
Ellen
So much has gone on during the past 2 years because of our inability to meet as a congregation. Not only have a number of congregants moved but social issues have become divisive. Donations have gone down because of our inability to meet due to Covid and then came the ice storm which caused damage to the church building. The repairs took over 6 months and it was not possible to meet during this time.
Sometime during the repairs one of the AC units quit working as well as the electricity to part of Fellowship Hall. The roof needs to be replaced which has a $5000 deductible. Mabel and Allen Calhoun are moving to Memphis within a few months. Allen is board chair and I knew that finding board members would not be easy.
I woke up in the middle of a Sunday night at the end of August and wondered if it would be best to sell the building. The very next morning I received a text from an Aubrey church who wanted to know if we were open to selling the building (see below):
Hello! I apologize knowing this is an odd question, However, my wife and I pastor a congregation here in Aubrey and we are desperately looking for a facility to gather. Would your church ever be open to the idea of selling your building? Again, I know this is quite an odd inquisition, I simply wanted to put the thought out there if the conversation within your group does in fact ever arise.
This church is a young growing church with a lot of youth. Allen Calhoun, Board Chair, and I met with the minister and his wife to explore the option of selling. We engaged a realtor who is Stacey Sasser's sister to explore the possibilities of selling the building.
I wrestled with the decision to sell. Decisions would have to be made by the active membership of the congregation about what to do with the church after the sale of the property.
In the end we decided it would be best to sell and called a congregational meeting in September to vote on the sale. The congregation voted to sell. I decided that this would be a good time to retire from church ministry which is a huge change for me as I consider leaving this church which I started in 1986. I have spent countless time and energy in working in the church but I feel it is time for me to leave.
We called a congregational meeting a week ago (October 10th) to determine whether the church would dissolve after the sale of the church building or continue on and the decision was made to close down the church.
I have enjoyed my time with each of you. I know I will miss being with each of you on Zoom, Facebook live and in person. This church has meant so much to me and I know that for some of you there will be a void in your life when this church is dissolved. I would encourage you to maintain your friendships and relationships with those at this church. You can have study groups or meet socially at restaurants, etc. You could have zoom class meetings and connect on social media. There are also other Unity churches in the metroplex that you can join.
My personal plans at this point are to rest for at least 2 months before considering my next phase of life. I do not plan at this time to apply for work at any Unity church. I hope to see more of my children and grandchildren. I have always had a side business selling things on Ebay and I will probably continue to do that. I want to catch up on putting together scrapbooks of the many many photos I have. I may write some too and have considered doing podcasts and doing a weekly blog. It is all up in the air for me right now.
My wish for each of you is that you maintain an active spiritual life of meditation and prayer. If you do this you will always be guided to make good decisions. Most importantly you will know that you are never alone.
Blessings and love to each of you!
Ellen
Timeline for the Church
Donations to the Church
Your donations to the church will be tax deductible until the dissolution is complete. We will send an email out to let you know the date of the dissolution which is after the sale of the church.
After the dissolution you will be receiving the end of year donation letters which you can use on your taxes.
We are still needing donations to pay bills until the closing.
- The closing of the sale of the property is projected to be between October 27th-November 10th
- The dissolution of the church will take place after the sale. This may take up to a month after the sale.
- Ellen Davis will be employed until the dissolution is complete
- Ellen Davis's last Sunday service will be on October 31st
Donations to the Church
Your donations to the church will be tax deductible until the dissolution is complete. We will send an email out to let you know the date of the dissolution which is after the sale of the church.
After the dissolution you will be receiving the end of year donation letters which you can use on your taxes.
We are still needing donations to pay bills until the closing.
Sunday Services at 11:00 AM Central Standard Time. If you wish you can check in with others at 10:45 AM and stay on through the service.
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Ellen Davis is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Sunday Service Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81804373586 Meeting ID: 818 0437 3586 One tap mobile +13462487799,,81804373586# US (Houston) +12532158782,,81804373586# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 818 0437 3586 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbQ6fJwrfc |
Sunday, October 24th Rev. Ellen Davis Guided by Spirit 11:00 AM Central Time |
Our spiritual center still has bills to pay so every financial gift given is deeply appreciated.
Click one of the links below or a check can be sent to:
Unity Spiritual Center of Denton
6071 New Hope Rd.,
Krugerville, TX 76227
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