Minister Candidate Visits 2025

There will be several opportunities to meet, connect with, and experience each candidate:

  • Sunday Service: Each candidate will lead our Sunday service at 11:00 am, giving us all a chance to experience their hearts, their service and leadership style. 
  • Congregational Q&A: Following each Sunday service, we will hold a special Q&A session where you can hear directly from the candidate and ask questions. Only zoom participants need register. CLICK HERE to register for the zoom link for Rev. Anne’s Q & A.
  • UCOH Family Potluck: We’ll have a UCOH family potluck in Friendship Hall after each minister’s Q&A. Please bring a favorite side dish or dessert to share. Please help clean up after the potluck if possible, many hands make light work.
  • Childcare will be available during the Q&A: parents, please bring your child a snack.
  • An Online Class: Each candidate will be invited to present a class to those interested in attending. This class will be held via ZOOM only. Register for Rev. Anne’s zoom workshop on Tuesday, May 20th at 7pm HERE.

During each weekend there will also be small group meetings where candidates will meet with staff, key volunteer teams, and the Board. This will allow for deeper conversations about each candidate’s vision, ministry style, and how they might serve our community.

Your Feedback Matters

Your input is vital to this discernment process. After each candidate weekend, we will provide a feedback form for you to share your thoughts and impressions. This feedback will be carefully considered by the Board as we move toward our final selection.
All surveys will close at end-of-day May 27, 2025.

CLICK HERE to access the feedback form for Rev. David Howard.
CLICK HERE to access an important update for Rev. Dr. Rick Belous.
CLICK HERE to access the feedback form for Rev. Anne Hickey.

We encourage all members and regular attendees to participate fully in these important weekends. Your presence and commitment will not only help us in our decision-making but will also help each candidate experience the warmth and spirit of our congregation.

Preparing for the Visits

In the coming weeks, we will share more information about the candidates and the specific weekend schedules. We ask that you mark these dates on your calendar and make every effort to attend the Sunday services and Q&A sessions. (and workshop?)

As we prepare to welcome these candidates, we invite you to hold our congregation and these potential future ministers in your prayers. We trust that Spirit is guiding this process and will help us discern the right leadership for the next chapter of our church’s journey.

If you have any questions about these weekends, please check the website for updated information and watch and listen for Sunday service announcements.

With gratitude for your participation in this important process,

Unity Church of the Hills Board

Coming May 16 – 18, 2025

Rev Anne Hickey was ordained and Licensed as a Unity Minister at Unity Village in June 2019. She has served in Unity ministries in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines since 2004. Anne moved to the USA in 2022 with her husband, and was appointed Senior Minister at Unity of Columbia, Missouri.

While living in Australia, she held a Bachelor of Metaphysical Science. Anne graduated as a Unity Minister through the International Ministry Program attending leadership classes in Hawaii and Unity Village. She undertook an internship at Unity of Hawaii under the direction of Rev. Sky St John. She has served as a board member of the Australasian Association of Unity Leaders (Australia/New Zealand) and was a member of the UWM International Advisory committee.

Anne served as an LUT at Unity of Melbourne, Australia as assistant to the minister, later becoming the Senior Minister of Empower Life Ministries, Melbourne where she trained five LUT’s through her leadership. She was a highly regarded travelling Speaker and teacher of Unity classes in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States.

Anne created a curriculum for the Ambassadors of Unity Program In partnership with Rev Florence Monzon, Senior Minister of Unity Philippines. She taught classes for the Program, which was officially launched in 2022. 17 students completed the first year of the four-year program.

Anne currently supports three LUT’s and 2 ministerial students in training at Unity of Columbia. She enjoys working in the team environment that the church offers. Her vision is to share the Unity philosophy in ways that inspire others to experience the personal transformation she has experienced herself.

Prior to being called to ministry, Anne was a professional violinist beginning her career at the age of 19 in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She later Co-Directed a Music Production Company, supporting International artists (such as Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder) and provided music for events such as the Melbourne Festival, (including a floating stage on the Yarra River).

Anne lives with her husband Joel, a professional violist who was born and raised in New York City. Her daughter lives in California. She enjoys swimming, walking and visiting art galleries, and also likes attending dance performances and music concerts.

Videos of Sunday Talks

Unity of Columbia Sunday Messages
Unity of Columbia YouTube Shorts
UWM, Unity Village Chapel talk
Unity of the Philippines talk

Personal Information, Writings

A Study In Self-Awareness (eBook)
Working With The Law of Least Effort (eBook)
TikTok Shorts #revanneunity

Current Church Website

Unity of Columbia

Visited May 2 – 4, 2025

Rev. Rick Belous has informed the Board that he has accepted the position of Senior Minister at Spiritual Life Center in Sacramento, CA. We have congratulated Rev. Rick and shared our appreciation for all that he brought to us during his weekend visit. We wish him the highest and best at his new church and he has affirmed for us that “your ministerial search is in Divine Order and that the right spiritual leader for UCOH will be with you soon.”

Please join us in affirming our New Minister Prayer:

At this time, we open our hearts to the joy of receiving our new minister. We recognize and claim the presence and power of Spirit within every person and every part of Unity Church of the Hills. Now and in the time ahead, we affirm and welcome the joyful practice of our new minister.

Rev. Dr. Rick Belous has been the Senior Minister at Unity centers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia. He currently serves as an Advisor to Unity Worldwide Ministries. His passion is about Unity’s links to world religions and spiritual paths. Rick is a noted speaker who can bring home complex metaphysical principles and apply them to modern situations that we all face.

At all three of his previous spiritual churches he was able to significantly increase membership, and attract more Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers. This led to many more children and parents in the congregations, and a revitalization of Youth and Family Ministry programs.

He co-chaired the Unity Worldwide Ministries task force that reformed ministerial education. During Covid Rick’s church pioneered a model that was followed by many other Unity churches. They held “parking lot” services, and broadcast the audio into people’s FM car radios. “It was almost like a drive-in movie theater, only because of Covid we didn’t serve popcorn,” he notes.

Rick also has a passion for social justice and neighbor helping neighbor. For example, while he was in Lynchburg, the congregation put in and stocked an outdoor refrigerator which serves the community 24/7.

Prior to his call to ministry, Rick was the chief economist for the United Way movement. He has also served as an Advisor to two U.S. Presidential Commissions. Rick often has been interviewed by, and quoted in, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, NPR, and The Today Show.

Rick was adjunct professor at George Washington University in business and economics, and he has authored and/or co-authored 13 books on a wide range of economic and social topics. He is a graduate of Columbia University, George Washington University, and Unity Institute & Seminary. He has a Ph.D. in economics and an M.A. in theology and religion. He is an ordained minister by Unity Worldwide Ministries.

Rick lives with his two daughters, and Sphinx (their cat).  His late wife, Debbie, made her transition several years ago from cancer. He loves reading, hiking, classical music, and the Grateful Dead.

Videos of Sunday Talks

Unity in the Seven Hills (Nov. 24, 2024 services and earlier) (most recent church) 
Unity of Roanoke Valley (videos meeting search term “Belous”) (former church)

Personal Information, Bios, Writings

Facebook page
Blog
The Still Small Voice of God (short video clip)
Books: Goodreads and Amazon

Most Recent and Former Church Websites

Unity in the Seven Hills (most recent)
Unity of Roanoke Valley (former)

Visited April 25 – 27, 2025

Rev. David Howard is an ordained Unity minister and a licensed minister with Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL). He currently serves at senior minister at CSL Parker, CO, a position he has held since 2023. From 2008 to 2023, David served as spiritual leader and senior minister at Unity ministries in Arlington, TX; Denver, CO; and Dallas, TX.

Before entering the ministry, David enjoyed a 27-year career in the commercial insurance industry in Dallas, TX as an underwriter, broker and executive, David has recorded two albums, Spark and Coming Home, an album of beloved hymns from his days growing up in the Baptist church. He is also author of In This Moment; Prayers from the Well of Awareness, a collection of inspirational prayers and meditations.

He has been an avid student of New Thought since discovering Unity in 1995 at Unity Church of Dallas. David is an accomplished vocalist, impassioned speaker, and inspiring teacher. He lives in Denver, CO with his husband, J, with whom he enjoys hiking, live music, and thoughtful and provocative conversation.

Videos of Sunday Talks

CSL Parker YouTube Videos (full services as originally streamed) (current church)
Unity Spiritual Center Denver: (videos meeting search term “Howard”) (former church) 

Personal Information, Bios, Writings

Personal Website
Facebook page
Blog
In This Moment: Prayers from the Well of Awareness (book)

Current and Former Church Websites

Center for Spiritual Living Parker (current)
Unity Spiritual Center Denver (former)

AnnouncementsMinister Candidate Visits 2025