Reawakening

It’s easy – and natural – for any of us to get caught up in our preferences and concerns, our worries and attachments. 

In this New Year at Unity, we'll be looking at whatever hinders our usefulness and joy and locating a new focal point for 2026 – a talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with music from Sallie Spirit and Doug.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

"To Sleep: Perchance To Dream"

Though December is a busy, even frantic, month in many of our lives, nature’s cycles urge us to slow down, rest in our warm homes, and turn our focus inward.  It may be a month of holiday shopping, but it's also a season when a somnolent natural world entices us to dream.  How can we renew our spirits through the power of dreams in the darkest time of year?  What dreams can we conjure up for the new year ahead?  And what dream-like trances can our discernment penetrate with Spirit’s help?  A talk by songwriter & speaker Doug Benecke, with music – dreamy and otherwise – from Sallie Spirit & Doug.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

"Saying Yes to Life"

This week at Unity, the affirming ‘yes’ of revering life in each moment, the bitter and the sweet, the profound and the absurd --- saying yes to all that lives and loves within us, all that thrives outside of us.  This day, this moment, saying 'yes' to being of service to others.  A talk by speaker and songwriter Doug Benecke and affirmed by his dear music and life companion Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Connectivity

In a world linked together by instant messaging – and enticing us with instant gratification – reflections on the value of  enduring connections with friends, community, and Spirit.  Thoughts from songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke, connected in sweet harmonies with Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Prayer-ified Air

Thoughts on the purpose and practice of prayer --- in Unity and in our lives.  An exploration by speaker and songwriter Doug Benecke with music by Sallie Spirit along with Doug.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Turning Points

All of us live a life in which we make choices, sort through alternatives.  Most decisions we make are – naturally – minor.  But, sometimes we find ourselves at a crossroads and it is then that we may be truly tested. This Sunday at Unity, please join songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke and his chosen musical companion, Sallie Spirit, as we look at turning points.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Living In Kindness

Living in kindness – and choosing love – is available, always, to those who seek the Spirit.  This Father’s Day at Unity, choosing love over fear and living in the spirit of loving kindness. Reflections from songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with ongoing musical kindness from Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Got Mystery?

Know-it-all or know-nothing --- most of us focus on what we know and likely feel insecure about what we don’t.  Are you comfortable with what you don’t understand?  Can you open your mind to something greater than yourself which may be beyond comprehension? Can you find a way to just let the mystery be?  Meditations on the unknowable as we venture further into the unknown with each passing day. A talk by musician, songwriter, speaker Doug Benecke with additional musical contributions, as ever, by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

"Fly Away"

When the women went to the tomb, it was empty; the stone had been rolled away. An angel there said to them, 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.'
 

The mystery at the heart of this story touches us at the deepest level – the question of an ongoing existence, beyond the bounds of our earthly bodies. On Easter at Unity, exploring the mystery of the phase beyond this life and a remembrance of those who have taken that next step. A talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with music by Sallie Spirit and Doug.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Freedom’s Highway

Many picture freedom as an expression of an individual’s self-sufficiency --- like a cowboy on his horse.  But the spiritual path points to an alternate approach; one where liberty resides in community and is tied to an obligation to love my neighbor as myself.  Thoughts on true freedom and the journey we all are on by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke, in musical collaboration with Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.