Joni Lorraine
I have been a member of Unity Church of the Hills since 2001. I have served in various capacities within the church, including the usher team, the announcement team, the theatre ministry, the garden team, served for 14 years as a chaplain, including several of those on chaplain leadership, and have chronicled our history as a photographer for many years. I also occasionally deliver the messages both here at UCOH and at Unity Heart of Austin.
After recently earning a Masters in Spiritual Formation, I was hired to serve as the Program Coordinator for Unity Worldwide Ministries brand new Spiritual Direction Certificate Program, where I am entrusted with managing everything from marketing to hiring. I belong to the Austin Area Spiritual Directors Community and am a member of Spiritual Director’s International. Prior to being a God geek, I was a theatre geek. I directed and acted in numerous productions in the Austin area and served for several years on boards and committees within the theatre community, including my own award winning theatre company.
I desire to serve the board and our church by listening deeply, exploring what God wants us to release, and discovering who and what God wants us to be going forward. My experience as a spiritual director grounds me in effective listening, lovingly challenging others, and being curious. As a spiritual director who works with ministers, a spouse of a former staff church member, and a church congregant, I can sit at the intersection of understanding the unique needs of each of these groups. I am joyful, creative, naturally collaborative, and I easily see the forest and the trees. My vision for UCoH is to wholeheartedly remain centered in the movement and calling of God, and let what we create together spring forth from there. Putting God first in all our decisions, and caring for each other as the Christ is at the heart of our success toward leaving a lasting legacy, and I’m excited about this opportunity to serve the congregation as we move forward.