Our Prayer Chaplains Are Here to Pray With You
Meet our 2025 Prayer Chaplain team! Pictured left to right: Bottom Row: Donna Foote, Kathy Ginter, Peggy Ryel, Shannon Hoff-Smith, Kimberly Buehner, Smokie Stuver. Second row: Jan Bayne, Pam McCue, Ellen Severson, Vivian Baith. Top row: Susan Armstrong, Shannon Sabol, Karen Kazsmer, Joanne Gerhart, Deb Larsen, our Prayer Ministries Director Terri Buehner. Not pictured: Laurie Grimes, Cheri Polk, and Margie Samosky. Photo by Bonnie Chase.
What Is a Prayer Chaplain?
Our prayer chaplains are committed to the sacred service of prayer.
Our prayer chaplains lead prayer during Sunday services. Our chaplains also take time after Sunday Services to hold space and pray with individuals.
The role of our prayer chaplains is, quite simply, to pray. Chaplains are not counselors or advice-givers.
The core of our prayer chaplains' commitment is to:
- Hold spiritual space
- Lovingly listen
- Pray from the heart
- Hold in confidence what is shared
It's a role that helps participants discover their connection with the Divine in everyone.
Many of our prayer chaplains report that they stepped in to serve others but found that being a prayer chaplain blessed and benefited them most of all. By giving their time and maintaining a spiritual connection with the community, they got back more than they gave.
How Do We Pray?
Prayer is one of Unity's Five Principles. It is a way of connecting with God and our Divine nature.
Unity practices affirmative prayer. Affirmative prayer is the practice of seeing the highest and best in any given situation, regardless of its outer circumstances. In Unity, we see the divinity of each individual and understand that God is in all things.
How Do Our Prayer Chaplains Serve Our Community?
Our chaplains are available every Sunday after each Service for one-on-one prayer time for all who desire it.
Our lead chaplains provide congregational prayer during each Sunday service. They hold sacred space in the sanctuary during the Service and carry the prayer box to the stage for a blessing during the offertory. In addition, they serve our Youth and Family Ministry by praying with the educational facilitators who teach the children on Sundays.
Who Can Be a Prayer Chaplain?
If you hear the call to become a prayer chaplain, we encourage you to contact us. We offer training once a year.
Prayer chaplains have many opportunities to serve throughout the year, including after Sunday services, for special services, and during World Day of Prayer.
How May We Pray With You?
Do you have a prayer request? You can pray with a Prayer Chaplain after Sunday Service. You can call the office at 440-835-0400 and ask that a Prayer Chaplain call you. Or you can use our online prayer request form.
There are also several ways to contact Silent Unity, the 24/7 prayer ministry. Click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review the frequently asked questions about praying with a Prayer Chaplain below.
