Unity Church for Creative Living 2777 Race Track Rd.

		Meredith Payne, President of the Board Mr. Meredith Rudolph Payne joined the UCCL Board of Trustees in March 2008 as Vice Chairman. Meredith has been attending UCCL since March 2007. He is native of Barbados in the West Indies and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. In 2004, Meredith and his family relocated to Jacksonville, FL from Amityville (Long Island), New York. Meredith, his wife Tracey and their two sons make their home in the northwest section of Saint Augustine, Florida. Meredith brings a sense of structure and a focus on process from his background as an Internal Auditor and Business Control Manager in the Banking industry for over 20 years. Meredith also leverages his experience from his involvement in numerous other community boards to help UCCL plan and execute activities. Meredith is Vice Chairman of Brandy Creek Community Development District (CDD) Board of Supervisors; serves on the School Advisory Board at Timberlin Elementary school and is the Co-Chair of the Citi African Heritage Network - Jacksonville, an employee network within Citigroup. Meredith's Message

		Liz Carroll, Vice President Liz Carroll is a Florida native raised in Jacksonville. She returned to live here in 2008 after living in Las Vegas, Nevada and Sebring, Florida where she was a real estate professional. She has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. Liz is described as being dedicated, out going and flexible. She has a passion for service and singing. She also loves to paint, write, read, garden and travel.

		Candis Whitney, Treasurer After 30 years in the boat business, Candis Whitney sold Whitney’s Marine in Orange Park, and embarked on an early retirement. She followed her passions for traveling – cruising under sail and hiking in the mountains. Daughter of founding members Art and Martha Thiesen, she attended UCCL sporadically for years , becoming an active member of the church in 2007, and acting Treasurer in 2008. Candis is mother to 2 beautiful, successful children, and honored grandmother of 2 precious souls.

		Bill Smith, Secretary Bill Smith was born and raised in Rhode Island. He earned an Associate in Engineering’ Degree from Roger Williams College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Western New England College in Massachusetts. He met his wife, Lee, in high school they have two children and five grandchildren. In 2002; he owned and operated a small marina business in Palatka, Florida. He sold his business in 2006 and officially retired. He and his wife Lee joined UCCL in 2005 and Bill served on the Ministerial Search Committee in 2006. His other interests include community action (he's a member of the Board of Trustees for the Clay Action Network), boating, and has a passion for old Corvettes. He's a frustrated author with two unpublished novels and enjoys a good read, as well as, good fellowship. Both Lee and Bill enjoy traveling or simply hanging around our home with their dog, Natalie, overlooking the St John’s River.

		Angie Coleman-Rao, Member Angie Coleman-Rao moved to Jacksonville in 2004 from Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband, Vijay and son, Krishna. She works as the Vice President of Marketing and serves on the Executive Team for Jax Federal Credit Union. Angie also participates in the Marketing Group for the War on Poverty, an Asset-building Coalition in Jacksonville, and is a volunteer income tax preparer for the Real$ense Prosperity Campaign. She has been a member of UCCL for almost 2 years and enjoys being a greeter, singing, and watching Krishna grow with the children’s program. Angie's favorite things include playing at the beach, traveling to India, and making people smile.

		Debbie Van Buren, Member Debbie Van Buren moved to Jacksonville from Texas with her husband, Rick, in April 2007. While living in Texas, Debbie got her Massage Therapy License and her Real Estate License. She delivered Meals-on-Wheels, was a volunteer in public schools, and taught seniors yoga and exercise programs. Prior to that she worked in the health care business for WellMed Medical Management and VITAS Hospice. Presently she takes care of her granddaughter on a part-time basis. Debbie enjoys cooking, gardening, entertaining and traveling. She also enjoys reading and host a weekly book club. She has taken Reiki I & II since moving to Florida. At UCCL Debbie attends ACIM, is an usher, and worked as a Church Angel for 18 months. Debbie sees her contribution to UCCL while on the board to help facilitate a cordial working environment of respect and mutual appreciation and understanding for UCCL in it's entirety: Board Members, Spiritual Leader, and Members of UCCL, and to work with the Board to help UCCL become prosperous in all areas - spiritually, financially, and emotionally.



		Reverends Marleen and John Davis, Ministers Emeritus The Reverend John R. Davis was ordained as a Unity minister in 1978 by the Association of Unity Churches. A year later Rev. John’s wife Marleen also became an ordained Unity minister, and they came to Jacksonville, Florida to be co-ministers of Unity Church of Christianity. In 1983 their passionate vision for ministry motivated them to found Unity Church for Creative Living. They built their new ministry in the beautiful countryside setting of Julington Creek, Florida, just outside of Jacksonville. For eighteen years John’s passion for building a church community that was healthy, prosperous, and joy-filled was realized. Upon Rev. John’s retirement from full-time ministry in 2002, Rev. Marleen continued for an additional three years as the church’s senior minister. Rev. Marleen maintains an active role on International Ministry Teams of the Association of Unity Churches. Presently she serves at the Appeals level of the Ministry/Minister Review Team. Her work on the Standards Ministry Team of the Association provided support to ministers and ministries to affect professional excellence in better serving others in discovering their own inner divinity and living the freeing Truth taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ. Upon retirement in 2005, she furthered her ministerial career as a Transitional Minister Specialist and presently enjoys speaking, teaching and providing pastoral support to individuals and churches. She also gives of her time as a Spiritual Care Volunteers for Community Hospice. Revs. Marleen and John are the parents of three adult children and three grandchildren. Marleen is a perpetual student of life and has very eclectic interests that range from psychology and law to creative writing and clothing construction. John enjoys fishing, cooking, and gardening. These activities help keep John youthful and in touch with nature. He also enjoys being with family and friends, as well as spending time alone. Presently, he is pursuing his interest in writing fictional stories.

		Theresa Harden - Licensed Unity Teacher In “Open Your Mind to Prosperity” by Catherine Ponder is it noted that “True wisdom is knowledge from within. To educate means to draw out from within.” Theresa's formal “drawing out from within” includes an Associate’s degree from Miami Dade Community College; a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida; a Master’s Degree from Florida International University; and a law degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. Her spiritual “drawing out from within” was enhanced when she attended Unity Village in 1985 and began classes at Unity Institute in 1991. She became a Licensed Unity Teacher in 1997. The highlight of her spiritual journey came in 1990 when she attended a retreat in Allentown, PA presented by New York City’s Unity Center of Practical Christianity. The retreat was facilitated by Eric & Olga Butterworth. It has been Theresa's great joy to “draw out from within” truth students as she continues to facilitate Unity courses in the Jacksonville area. Unity’s practical Christianity is a way of life to be observed daily and demonstrated.

Unity Church for Creative Living

*2777 Race Track Road * St. Johns, FL 32259 * (904) 287-1505