September 09, 2026
One of the gifts of being part of a spiritual community is the wisdom we receive from those who have walked the path before us. This week, as we observe Unity World Day of Prayer and mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, I am grateful to share this reflection from one of our longtime members and elders.
His story is a beautiful reminder that we may never know the full impact of a prayer, a hug, a moment of welcome, or simply being present when someone needs us. On that extraordinary day, Unity Renaissance became a place of comfort and prayer for someone who had never been there before—and, in the process, became something more for one of our own.
May his story remind us of who we are, and the sacred difference a spiritual community can make.
Unity Renaissance, we’re here for you.
With Love,
Reverend René
Unity Renaissance, We’re Here for You (excerpt by John Kates)
We all have our reasons why we go to Unity Renaissance. We have several who have been attending since it was started. Some have left, but returned, again for many various reasons. But I want to talk about a young lady who attended just once.
We all remember where we were and what we were doing the morning of September 11, 2001. It started out just like most other days. My wife, June, had already left for school. And I showered and shaved after she had left just like I normally do.
As I was getting dressed, Tony Macrini, normally a wise cracking talk show host on WNIS, said a plane had hit one of the Twin Towers in New York. OK, some idiot in a Cessna had got off course and had hit it. But he continued to talk about it and not in his usual irreverent fashion.
I got dressed, went downstairs, and turned the TV on. One can imagine my exclamation and surprise when I saw the fire and the smoke. It most definitely was not a Cessna that hit the tower!
It could not have been more than five minutes later when the second plane crashed into the second tower. And not long after that, the stark, but mesmerizing, horror of the first building imploding, and then the second.
I am a 20 year Naval Veteran. I have been shot at, have had a knife at my throat, and I have seen people get injured and watched one die. As a Naval Causality Calls Officer, I have had to tell wives and parents their sailor had died. But seeing that plane hit the tower and then watching both towers crumble, I felt helpless. So, I did what I thought was the most logical thing to do, I went to work.
When I got to the office on Providence Road, I noticed fewer cars than usual. I went inside and the first thing I saw was a woman at a computer crying uncontrollably.
An inquisitive look toward our office Secretary got a response that Patrice had five family members and friends that either worked in the Twin Towers or near by. She had tried calling, but could not get through.
I went upstairs to my desk, thought about it, said the heck with it and went back downstairs. Patrice was still sobbing. I went up to her, did not try to console her, but asked if she would like for me to take her to my church. I warned her, this was not your typical Methodist, Baptist or charismatic style church.
It’s a good thing I was standing alongside and not behind her. She slid her chair back, nodded yes, grabbed her handbag, and headed for the door, it seemed almost simultaneously.
We got to Unity Renaissance a few moments before Noon. At that time, Unity Renaissance conducted daily prayers at noon and that day was no exception. Patrice and I went into the Sanctuary. Several chairs were grouped in a circle up front. The only person in the Sanctuary was Rev. Elizabeth, already seated in the circle.
I asked Patrice if she wanted to go up. She preferred to sit in the back. I told her I was going to say something to Rev. Elizabeth, but would return and stay with her. I told Elizabeth why we were at UR and we preferred to stay in the back. Rev. Elizabeth went to Patrice. I have no idea what Elizabeth said but it was definitely the right thing. She was visibly more relieved.
Four or five came for the prayer service. It lasted its usual 15 minutes. When it was over, a couple of people stopped by and gave Patrice a hug. I don’t think Elizabeth had said anything to them. It was the typical Unity hug people get that says you are not alone and you are with friends.
Patrice and I did not talk while going back to the office. But it was apparent that she was grateful and more relaxed.
Within 24 hours, she learned four of her family and friends were fine. It would be another 48 hours before she learned all five were OK.
I do not know if Patrice attended any church. I know she never came back to UR. But I do know that, on that fateful day, Unity Renaissance was there for one lady who needed consoling and opened its arms to welcome and care for her.
We at Unity Renaissance know we do not need a terrible tragedy like 9-11 to bring out what we have come to expect and to give. That’s what keeps us coming back to our little Haven on Eden Way. It’s sometimes a surprise to our first time guests that they are not really guests but new found friends.
FOOTNOTE: You may have overlooked the italicized “my” when I invited Patrice to Unity Renaissance. Until 9-11, my usual discussion about Unity Renaissance was characterized as “they do this, they should do that, why doesn’t UR do more of (fill in the blank)?”
That is the first time I really called Unity Renaissance MY church. It was the first time I can honestly say I was proud of My church. It was the first time I invited someone to come to My church.
Since its creation, we have had five ministers. Seven if you count the year we had temporary pastors. Unity Renaissance has evolved and we have evolved with UR.
Like many churches, we got hit by the pandemic, the 2008/9 economic slowdown, and a couple of other burbs along the way. But we have survived.
That’s due to our ministers and staff and, most importantly, our members. It goes without saying,
Unity Renaissance, we’re here for you, just like you have always been here for us.