Message from the Executive Director August 2022

Look for the opportunities!

I am devoting this issue as an invitation to our readers to look for opportunities. When Rev. Ruth Mosely, founder of Unity Urban Ministerial School, was asked by Rev. Stan Hampson,

“What can we (Unity) do for your people?”, she immediately responded, “Educate them. We need our own school.” Rev. Ruth’s answer came without a moment’s hesitation. Like Rev. Johnnie Colemon before her, she recognized what Unity was grossly missing—inclusivity.

Rev. Ruth was prepared to meet the opportunity as soon as it presented itself. Unity Urban Ministerial School came about because this brave, courageous, and bold woman was ready and willing to answer the call. Years ago, as I was searching for guidance during a challenging time in my life, I came across the following quote: “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have one and not be prepared.” These words of the late social reform activist Whitney Young, Jr., immediately propelled me into a higher state of consciousness. I began to take responsibility for my situation. The first thing I did was to print the quote in large letters and tape them to my work cubicle as a constant reminder. Instead of looking at the problems, I began to look for opportunities. I worked on my attitude. I stopped ruminating about things beyond my control, smiled more, and focused on things I could control—like choosing to see my situation differently. As I set my intentions to be prepared for the good that I expected, opportunities began to come my way. As we say in Unity, “Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind.”

Rev. Ruth recognized early on the gross underrepresentation in Unity leadership of people from the urban community. She did not waste time on the problem. Instead, she focused on what she could do to change things for the better. Long before Rev. Hampson asked her the question, Rev. Ruth prepared by seeking guidance from institutions of higher learning in the Detroit area. With the help of her son, Rev. Bill Mosley, and others, she developed a proposal to Unity to set up a school in Detroit. The founding of Unity Urban Ministerial School was not without its challenges, but Rev. Ruth stood firm in her faith and commitment to increase the diversity, equity, and inclusion in Unity. She built Unity Urban Ministerial School on a firm foundation with Isaiah 61:1 as its mission. The recent accreditation by Accrediting Commission International, Inc., is proof of the solidness of the House that Ruth Built. Let’s keep up the momentum.

We welcome your ideas and engagement. If you are alumni, the UUMS Alumni Association needs you. If you are a supporter/stakeholder/donor, we thank you and pray for your continued prosperity and contributions. If you are a student, we appreciate your commitment and faith in us to help you achieve your goals. If you are a member of the board, staff, or faculty, we graciously accept your commitment of time, talents, and treasures for our continued growth and unfoldment.

If you have a special gift, talent, or idea that you want to share, please let us know.  Whatever your role in UUMS—student, alumni, faculty, staff, board, volunteer, supporter—know that you are part of a phenomenal family.

We know there is always room for improvement. So, if you see something, say something or do something! UUMS needs you!

Unity’s fifth principle is “Live the truth you know; walk your talk; make a difference.” If that is your intention, be prepared! There are unlimited opportunities waiting for you to leave things better than when you found them.

Remember, it is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have one and not be prepared!

Note: If you want to learn more about Rev. Ruth’s story, go to Unity.org and enter her name or Unity Urban Ministerial School in the search bar. Videos of Rev. Ruth can also be found at uums.org.