Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

1. Where is Unity Palo Alto Community Church located?
2. When are Sunday services?
3. Is child care and youth education available?
4. Are tape recordings of Sunday lessons available?
5. What does the library/bookstore provide?
6. Are there weekday services?
7. What about adult classes?
8. How do I get on the mailing list?
9. Is the office open during the week?
10. Is there a Chaplain Prayer line?
11. How do I join the church?
12. How is the church administrated?
13. How is Unity Palo Alto financed?
14. Does Unity Palo Alto provide hospital visitation?
15. What do volunteers do at Unity Palo Alto?
16. Some people have name tags. Can I get one?
17. Who do I contact about facility rentals?
18. Who supports the web site?

Answers:

1. Where is Unity Palo Alto Community Church located?
   Unity Palo Alto is located at 3391 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, California.
   You can contact us at (650) 494-7222 or info@unitypaloalto.org for more information.
   For a local map…
    
2. When are Sunday services?
   Our Sunday Services are held at 8:45 AM and11:00 AM.
   Visitors are always welcome! We always have something special going on!
    
3. Is child care and youth education available?
   Nursery care and youth education classes are provided during both morning services. Our teen program is available at the 11 AM service. A special program for 5^th and 6^th graders is also available at the 11 AM service.  —  For more information…
    
4. Are tape recordings of Sunday lessons available?
   Yes! Recordings of Sunday sermons are available on audio cassette for $5.00 in the Bookstore following each service.
    
5. What does the Bookstore provide?
   Our bookstore carries most of the recommended Unity readings, study books for ongoing classes and study groups, and popular titles on healing and spiritual growth. Books not in the store can be special ordered. For other, hard-to-find books, feel free to browse through our library, next to the Fireside Room.
    
   For any book, of any kind, that you cannot find in our bookstore, remember that we have an Associate relationship with Amazon.com. When you follow one of the links to Amazon from the Unity Palo Alto web site, your purchase will also benefit your church. (Remember us during your gift-giving season!) See our fundraising page or follow this link to Amazon.com
    
6. Are there weekday services?
   There is a guided meditation every Wednesday evening from 7:00 PM until 7:30 PM.
    
7. What about adult classes?
   A full range of classes in spiritual study is offered. Some of these classes may be taken for credit toward becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher. Most classes are open to everyone on a free-will love offering basis.
    
8. How do I get on the mailing list?
   People on our mailing list automatically receive a copy of our bimonthly newsletter in the postal mail. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list, you can contact the office at (650) 494-7222 or info@unitypaloalto.org, and we will add your name.
   
   Is there an alternative to being on the mailing list? If you prefer to read the bimonthly newsletter on your computer, saving postal and printing costs, you can always find a link to the current newsletter in PDF format on this Unity Palo Alto Community Church web site home page in the right sidebar. It is also available in using the sitemap.
    
9. Is the office open during the week?
   Yes, we're at your service! Except on a few holidays, our office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30AM - 5:00PM. We are closed Monday, Friday, and Saturday.
    
10. Is there a Chaplain Prayer Line?
    Yes! This popular number is (650) 849-1111. Hundreds of individuals phone this number at all hours of the day and night to hear the Daily Word read by one of our Chaplains.
     
11. How do I join Unity Palo Alto?
    We encourage you to become a member! You must participate in a new member orientation class following a prerequiste Unity Basics class (or equivalent). These orientation sessions are scheduled twice a year. Check the online calendar or your Sunday bulletin to find out when the next one takes place. Membership is free and is required to vote at our annual meetings.
     
12. How is the church administrated?
    The Senior Minister is the Executive Director of Unity Palo Alto and a voting member of the Board of Trustees. Administrative policies are made by the Board of Trustees in conjunction with the Senior Minister. These are carried out by the ministerial team and the church staff. Board Members are elected by the congregation at the annual meeting, held here in February. More information can be found in the church's bylaws.
     
13. How is Unity Palo Alto financed?
    Unity Palo Alto depends on love offerings received through its members and friends. Annual pledges are an integral part of this financing. Additional income is derived from our bookstore sales and rental of our facility to outside groups. Unity Palo Alto does not receive any financial support from our national or regional groups. Our Church does contribute to local charitable organizations and to the Association of Unity Churches, Silent Unity, and the West Central Unity Region in acknowledgment of the fine spiritual work expressed through these channels. Unity students continue to demonstrate the principle that to give with a prosperity consciousness in appreciation for the spiritual nourishment received is to be open to abundant blessings in every area of life.
     
14. Does Unity Palo Alto provide hospital visitation?
    Yes, the Ministers and chaplains will respond to requests made to our office for prayer visits in hospitals or nursing care facilities by individuals who are receptive to this healing ministry. The Ministerial Team can be contacted at 650-849-1105 or email eric@unitypaloalto.org. The Chaplain Prayer Line number is (650) 849-1111.
     
15. What do volunteers do at Unity Palo Alto?
    We have many opportunities to serve here at Unity Church. Children's Ministry, Ushers/Greeters, Bookstore, Audio, Special Events, Choir and many more. Your unique talents are welcome as is the Light that you are!
     
16. Some people have name tags. Can I get one?
    Yes, it is easy to get a name tag. Simply fill out a request form, available at the back of the church or in the office, and drop it off — your name tag will be available in a couple of weeks.
     
17. Who do I contact about facility rentals?
    For information on renting space for your group or activity, contact Gary Jones at 650-849-1105 or rentals@unitypaloalto.org.
     
18. Who supports the web site?
    The web site was designed and is maintained by a volunteer, Bob Donnelly. For more information… >>
    Errata can be reported to him via email. Changes and additions to the site are coordinated by Unity Palo Alto's office manager, Michael Clemons.