A Welcoming Path on Five Mile Road
Unity of Livonia sits at 28660 Five Mile Road in Livonia, Michigan, part of the Detroit metropolitan area. It belongs to the worldwide Unity movement, which traces its roots to the late nineteenth century and describes itself as a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. The community greets newcomers with the line "Come home to Unity of Livonia" and a clear welcome for anyone who feels traditional religion no longer feeds their soul.
At the heart of the center is a simple Unity truth principle: "There is only One Power and One Presence active in the universe and in my life, God the Good, Omnipotent." The mission is to inspire and empower individual transformation through positive prayer, education, and service, and the core values are spelled out as Inclusive, Loving, Inspiring, Compassionate, and Empowering.
Sunday Morning at 10
Sunday service begins at 10:00 AM and forms the heart of the weekly rhythm. Unity of Livonia describes itself as a loving and inclusive spiritual community that honors the Christ presence in every individual. The service draws on the affirmative, practical tradition of Unity while honoring the universal truths in all religions. A livestream is available on the church's YouTube channel for those who prefer to join from home, and recordings of recent services are kept there as well.
Morning Reflections and Live at Five
Each weekday morning at 10:00 AM, a small group gathers on Zoom for Morning Reflections, a half-hour of shared reading and open conversation. Participants open with a short passage from a study booklet, then take turns sharing thoughts, feelings, ideas, and prayers. Booklets are sold for a couple of dollars in the church bookstore while supplies last, but no booklet is required, and newcomers are welcome any day or every day.
For those who cannot make the 10:00 hour, Live at Five offers a second chance. Most weekdays at around 5:00 PM, the community posts a two-to-three-minute recap on its Facebook channel, so anyone can catch the reading of the day and a brief synopsis of the morning's discussion.
An Affirmative Prayer Ministry
The Unity approach to prayer is affirmative and consciously conversational with God. The movement was founded on the healing of co-founder Myrtle Fillmore, who found relief from tuberculosis through the repeated affirmation "I Am a perfect child of God and therefore did not inherit illness," combined with care of body, mind, and spirit. Unity of Livonia carries that tradition forward through a local Prayer Support Team whose members are trained in affirmative prayer.
The team is available for private prayer on request. Prayer requests submitted by phone or email are held in prayer for thirty days by the local team, then forwarded to Silent Unity, the worldwide Unity prayer ministry, for another thirty days. Silent Unity keeps a light burning twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached directly by phone at 1-816-969-2000, by mail, through the uPray mobile app, or through an online prayer form.
Outreach Across Livonia and Beyond
Community engagement is woven into the life of Unity of Livonia. The center actively supports the Adopt-A-Family Program through Volunteers of America, St. Christine's Christian Services Food Pantry, First Step Domestic Abuse Shelter, Livonia PRIDE, CARES of Farmington Hills, the Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, and a sock and care-bag drive for neighbors without a dedicated roof. A charity auction each year raises additional funds for these and other partners.
Seven twelve-step and recovery meetings meet at Unity of Livonia, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Sexaholics Anonymous, and S-Anon. Community activities round out the calendar with a Community Movie Night, a Classic Movie Matinee, Trunk or Treat, Souper Sunday, Coffee Cookies and Conversations, a Seekers Group, a Men's Breakfast, and Women of Wonder. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Weddings for Every Couple
Unity of Livonia positions its sanctuary and chapel as a welcoming venue for wedding and commitment ceremonies. The ministry emphasizes the spiritual unity of all churches, faiths, and people in Truth and welcomes people of every race, color, religion, social background, lifestyle, and economic level. The senior minister works with couples to tailor ceremonies to their specifications, including non-denominational, interfaith, same-sex, and transgender weddings.
Two main packages are offered. The Sanctuary Wedding package is priced at $950 and includes the minister, up to four hours of building use, a building host or hostess, use of the sanctuary sound system and audio technician, the baby grand piano, and ample free parking. The Chapel Wedding package is $500 and includes the minister, up to two hours of building use, a chapel with seating for twenty-four, and free parking. Discounts are available for church members and for chapel weddings of fewer than ten guests. Several other rooms are available to rent for special events by contacting the church office.
Rev. Cindy Yamamoto and the Volunteer Team
Senior Minister Rev. Cindy Yamamoto has led Unity of Livonia since May 2020. She completed her Master of Divinity and was licensed and ordained through Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institution on June 15, 2020. Before entering ministry full time, she earned a Bachelor of Education and became a certified Life Coach through the Coaches Training Institute, and she has served as a Sunday speaker at ten Unity churches in five states. Rev. Peggy Konkle serves alongside another volunteer as co-leader of the Earth Care team.
The congregation is supported by an extensive volunteer network. Ann Abdoo leads the Lending Library, Linda Curry coordinates the Platform Assistants, Ellen Dull oversees Donations, Pauline Perez directs the Garden Angels, and Kathy McSurely heads Hospitality. A monthly newsletter keeps the community informed, and the church always welcomes new faces into its small groups, classes, and event teams.
Earth Care and a Connected Vision
Unity of Livonia belongs to Unity Earth Care, a ministry operating on the core belief that all creation is connected as one. The local team envisions itself "As Spirit in Action," recognizing oneness with Earth, and its mission is to inspire and empower Love for Earth through Stewardship, Education, Practice, and Prayer. That vision shows up in practical ways, from the Garden Angels who tend the grounds to transparent meeting minutes shared with the wider community.