About Us

At Unity of Fairfax, we believe every person carries a divine spiritual light. Our mission is to help awaken that inner truth and wisdom.


We offer a welcoming, safe environment to explore one’s own relationship with God in a community of like-minded individuals.


What Is Unity?

Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer.


Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual's right to choose a spiritual path.

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Vision & Mission
FAQS

Our Beliefs

We all have an innate capacity to know God through direct experience.

  • God

    God is Spirit, the loving source of all that is. God is the one power, all good, everywhere present, all wisdom. God is divine energy, continually creating, expressing, and sustaining all creation. In God, we live and move and have our being. In Unity, some other ways we speak of God are Life, Light, Love, Substance, Principle, Law, and Universal Mind.

  • Jesus

    We believe that Jesus expressed his divine potential and sought to show humankind how to express ours as well. We see Jesus as a master teacher of universal truths and as our Way Shower. In Unity, we use the term Christ to mean the divinity in humankind. Jesus is the great example of the Christ in expression.

  • The Nature of Humankind

    We are each individual, eternal expressions of God. Our essential nature is divine and therefore inherently good. Our purpose is to express our divine potential as realized and demonstrated by Jesus and other master teachers. The more we awaken to our divine nature, the more fully God expresses in and through our lives.

  • The Bible

    Unity founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore studied the Bible as history and allegory, and interpreted it as a metaphysical representation of humankind’s evolutionary journey toward spiritual awakening. In addition, Unity recognizes that the Bible is a complex collection of writings compiled over many centuries. We honor the writings as reflecting the understanding and inspiration of the writers at the time they were written. The Bible continues to be a valuable spiritual resource for us.

  • Teachings
    • Heaven is not a place, but a state of consciousness; we create our own heaven and hell here and now.
    • We all have an innate capacity to know God through direct experience.
    • The “Christ” is that part of God that is in every person. There is a spark of divinity within all people, just as there was in Jesus.
    • Prayer works.
    • We are here to set a positive example and be a role model for others.
    • We are here to make the world a better place.
  • Prayer and Meditation

    Affirmative prayer is the highest form of creative thought. It includes releasing counterproductive, negative thoughts, as well as holding in mind statements of spiritual truth. Through meditation, we experience the presence of God. Prayer and meditation heighten our awareness and thereby transform our lives.

Core Values

At the heart of everything we do are the values that guide us. These Core Values inspire us to live with integrity, love, and a deep sense of oneness.

Spirit Centered

Spirit is at the center of who we are and what we do.

Integrity

Integrity is the practice of maintaining honesty and respectfulness.

Oneness

Oneness is the call to revere Divine Life in all living beings and systems.

Love

Love is a magnet for good and an agent of healing.

Engagement

Engagement means participating with others in conscientious dialogue and collaborative action.

Spirit Centered

Spirit is at the center of who we are and what we do.

Integrity

Integrity is the practice of maintaining honesty and respectfulness.

Oneness

Oneness is the call to revere Divine Life in all living beings and systems.

Love

Love is a magnet for good and an agent of healing.

Engagement

Engagement means participating with others in conscientious dialogue and collaborative action.


The Five Basic Principles of Unity


Your journey in service, inspiration, and recreation

Get Involved

Explore numerous opportunities to engage with Unity of Fairfax and its creative community.

GET INVOLVED

FAQs

  • Are there services and programs for children during the adult services?

    Sunday children’s services are conducted for children of all ages including teens, as well as a nursery.


    Children’s programs begin at 11:00 a.m.

    Youth & Family
  • What are Unity of Fairfax’s Service Times?

    SUNDAYS


    - The Metaphysical Group, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.


    - Sunday Morning Service, 11 a.m. – 12 noon


    - Youth of Unity, 11 a.m. – 12 noon


    WEDNESDAYS


    - Meditation Service, 12:00 noon - 12:30 p.m.

  • The Nature of Humankind

    We are each individual, eternal expressions of God. Our essential nature is divine and therefore inherently good.

  • Does Rev. Russ speak at every service?

    Rev. Russ speaks at Sunday Services except when he is away on leave or Unity business. Rev. Russ will select other Unity Ministers or guest speakers to speak in his stead.

  • How do the collections support the administration?

    Contributions pay for our mortgage and support administration salaries, ministry expenses, outside tithing, and humanitarian local and global outreach services.


    We depend upon the generosity of congregants and friends.


    Unity of Fairfax is a non-profit 501 c (3) tax-exempt, philanthropic organization.

  • How do I become Unity of Fairfax member?

    Anyone who attends and donates regularly to Unity of Fairfax is considered a member of Unity of Fairfax.


    Becoming a voting member requires more. Click below for more information.

    Become A Member
  • What is a Prayer Chaplain?

    Prayer Chaplains are individuals who are trained in the practice of positive prayer.


    Prayer Chaplains are available for prayer at the end of each Sunday service, lead the Wednesday Prayer Service ,and lead the Tuesday Chaplains’ Chapel.

  • Is Unity of Fairfax Christian? And what about Jesus and the Bible?

    Yes, Unity is a Christian denomination.


    However, we acknowledge that we don’t conform to some more conservative interpretations made by other Christian denominations.


    Unity of Fairfax teaches that Jesus was not the great exception, but rather the great example. Unity regards Jesus as an enlightened being, one who attained Christ consciousness, or liberation from a sense of separation from Source or God.


    Unity does not teach the acceptance of Jesus as the only savior and Christianity as the only path to God and eternal salvation.


    The Bible is a reference-point for Rev. Russ’s services and Unity of Fairfax’s classes. We apply a metaphysical interpretation to the Bible, not a literal interpretation. To that end, we seek to find the practical inner meanings of the Bible, as well as other sacred texts that have been handed down through the ages.


    The Bible that is primarily used by Rev. Russ is the New Revised Standard version.


    He also references the Gnostic-inspired edition translated and interpreted from the original Aramaic, rather than the Greek translation used in traditional Christian churches such as the King James version or the Saint Gregory version used by the Catholic church.

  • Are you a church? Do members follow teachings based on scripture?

    Yes.


    Unity of Fairfax is more than a traditional church . We see ourselves as a spiritual center for practice, education and service - a positive path for spiritual living.


    What is called God, we also refer to as Source, Great Spirit, Yahweh, Allah, or leave nameless.


    Many of our teachings have been practiced by spiritual seekers for thousands of years, and point the way to how an individual may cultivate their own unique relationship with God.


    In Unity of Fairfax’s services and classes, we refer to many of the world’s scriptures and sacred texts, as well as the writings of ancient and contemporary mystics.

  • Unity Headquarters General FAQs (unity.org)

    Unity World Headquarters and Unity Worldwide Ministries have useful FAQs that apply to all Unity ministries.

    Learn More
  • Are members expected to proselytize?

    Unity does not proselytize.


    Unity recognizes that there are many paths to God and honors those who choose to worship in other ways.

  • Do I have to be an official member to attend services or other activites?

    Anyone who attends is considered a member of Unity of Fairfax.


    This applies to all classes, pastoral care, volunteering, and outreach programs.


    The exception is for those who wish to vote during community dialogue sessions or to become a member of the Board of Trustees.

  • Can I still practice my individual faith & become a member?

    Absolutely.


    Many within the Unity of Fairfax community maintain their various Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or other faith traditions.


    Mixed-tradition couples and families often find common ground at Unity of Fairfax without compromising previous affiliations.

  • Is there a protocol to follow during services? Is there a dress code?

    There is no protocol to follow, and there is no dress code.


    What is appropriate to each individual is appropriate for Unity.


    We consider our space to be sacred and respect all individuals within that space.

  • Are there any Unity communities outside of Fairfax, Virginia?

    Yes, there are nearly one thousand Unity Centers, churches, study groups, and satellites worldwide.



    Learn More