Unity of New York: A Spiritual Center for Creative Living - Ministers & Staff

Paul Tenaglia is the founding and senior minister of Unity of New York. A graduate of the Unity School of Christianity’s Ministerial Program at Unity Village, Missouri, Paul was licensed and ordained in 1991. While at Unity Village, he was an assistant supervisor and trainer for the Silent Unity Telephone Prayer Room, the oldest continually operating 24-hour prayer ministry in the country.

After ordination, Paul served as minister of Unity Church of Santa Fe and Unity Church of San Francisco. He came back to New York after Eric Butterworth called him to serve with him as associate minister of the Unity Center at Avery Fisher Hall, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

After three years, Paul was led to found Unity of New York to satisfy the need for a spiritual community in Manhattan. Unity of New York draws members and attendees from the tri-state area and New England. The congregation is made up of many walks of life with well over 60% of those it serves in the performing arts field.

Before dedicating his life to the ministry, Paul was a theatre artist himself. He performed off-Broadway, in national tours, stock, and in many regional theatres in the U.S. and Canada. He also directed and/or choreographed over 100 shows in his career including LOVE LETTERS starring Citizen Kane’s Ruth Warrick; the original Toronto production of the off-Broadway hit SCRAMBLED FEET; GYPSY for Kansas City’s Theatre Under the Stars, and the first non-U.S. professional production of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (Limelight Theatre, Toronto) He also wrote a show that had a four month run in Toronto “I Ought to be on Broadway, But I Don’t Have My Green Card.”

Paul emphasizes that the theatre and the church have the same divine roots; and that it is necessary that church services recapture the joy, mystery, and sense of child-like wonder that theatre still holds. His credo is that each one of us is a Divine Artist/Minister with the power to create a healthy, prosperous and creative life – and helping others to know it as well.

For information on weddings, christenings and special ceremonies – go to www.paultenaglia.com

Carlos W. Anderson is the Associate Minister of Unity of New York. He was also Pastor of Hope Community Church in Amherst, Massachusetts,where he served his role for over 20 years. He retired from his position as Pastor in October of 2008 to pursue more of his interests. Carlos is also Founder and Director of New Genesis Foundation, Inc., Life School Ministries and Carlos Ministry Creations.

Carlos has traveled the United States and much of the world, ministering through music and the spoken word, over the past twenty years. He has been blessed to minister alongside such associates as Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson, Johnnie Coleman, Dr. Larry Dossey, Della Reese, Mary Tumpkin, Alan Cohen, Terry Cole Whitaker, Reverend Ike, Les Brown and many others. Another blessing has been the long lasting friendship of Doctors Bill and Camille Cosby, Kenneth Blanchard, and the late Betty Shabazz.

Carlos is a gifted artist and composer, lending these talents in service to God. He has been invited to sing his original songs in a wide variety of places, including Donald Trump’s Mara Lago estate in West Palm Beach, the Cosby’s estate in Massachusetts, at Johnnie Coleman’s Panorama of Truth in Chicago, and as the one song opening act for a Jefferson Airplane concert on Miami Beach. Carlos’ original music has also been performed by Voices In Unity at Unity of New York’s Sunday Services.

Barbara C. Raven is the Minister of the Chaplain Program and administrative assistant to the founding minister of Unity of New York; she is one of the ministry’s founding members as well.

In 2001 Barbara wrote a poem while on Unity’s Summer Retreat. It was the subject of the lead article in the August 2005 issue of Daily Word. The journey of how the poem became the premiere book of Unity New York Publications is detailed in Badge of Courage. It brings a message of faith, courage and overcoming. If you are interested in ordering a copy, visit our Bookstore.

After her ordination as an Interfaith minister, Barbara trained with the prestigious HealthCare Chaplaincy, Inc. for three years in clinical pastoral education. She served as student chaplain and resident at both Lenox Hill hospital and New York Weill Cornell Medical Center providing pastoral care to patients in a number of medical disciplines – cardiology, oncology, obstetrics and gynecology, general medical/surgical and intensive care. Barbara is also a nationally certified bereavement facilitator, providing grief counseling to individuals as well as leading grief workshops. She does private spiritual counseling and direction with individuals, and loves doing personalized wedding ceremonies. She is dedicated to a life of service through ministry.

A Unity Truth student for nearly 30 years, Barbara is very grateful for Unity teachings and knows they have had a profoundly positive influence in her life.

Music director, actor, singer, model, producer, teacher, personal trainer, saxophonist, trumpet player, banker, maitre d’…after spending many years being a jack of all trades, master of a couple, it finally dawned on Britt that the passionate thread of his life since childhood has been music. It’s what always came naturally to him. Busy earlier in life as an athlete and musician, Britt didn’t really begin his career as a performing artist until after attending college, first at Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, and later at the University of Florida in his home state.

Britt is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. As an actor, he has performed and originated numerous leading roles in musicals and straight plays from Off-Broadway to regional and dinner theatres around the country to national tours. His work has included film, television, commercials, cabarets, jingles and recordings. As a commercial print model, Britt’s likeness sometimes pops up in the most unlikely places. He may be in a bank, airplane, phone bill, newsstand, computer, calendar, drugstore, Wal Mart, on a bus or billboard near you right now.

As founding director of Music Ministry at Unity of New York, Britt’s work has received praise from around the world. He is the director of Spiritus vocal ensemble, in which he is also an original member, as well as the Unity New York choir, Voices In Unity. He has produced, coordinated and directed numerous concerts and events while at Unity of New York. Britt also played a key role in the creation and publishing of the book, Badge of Courage.

“Although my career is what brought me to New York, the moment I arrived many years ago, it was clear that I was home. As music director at my spiritual home, Unity of New York, I am living proof that we really can create what we want in our lives. This music ministry is right in the center of my heart. I am so honored to be the leader of these amazing groups of gifted individuals. My life is truly blessed beyond words. As my favorite mystic, Meister Eckhart, pointed out in the 13th century, ‘if the only prayer we ever said is Thank You, that would suffice.’ So I fervently say, Thank You, God!”

see also: SpiritusNYC.com

Shawn Moninger is a Unity minister and one of Unity of New York's teachers. He is currently the senior minister at Unity of Fairfield in Connecticut and is the founding president of Unity of New York. He began his spiritual journey in earnest ten years ago after a twelve year career as a lighting and sound designer in New York nightclubs.  He’s won four MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) and a Backstage Bistro Award all for outstanding Technical Direction.  (Shawn says that becoming a minister was the only thing left to do after that.)   Three years ago he began performing stand-up comedy for which he was nominated for a MAC Award. 

Shawn’s mission in life and in his ministry is for everyone on planet earth (including himself) to KNOW that he or she is Good.  It is a simple task and a powerful journey.

After graduating from Northeastern University in 1991 with a BA in Business Administration/Marketing, Zoë Lyons moved to New York City to pursue her life long dream to become a successful singer/songwriter. She started coming to Unity in 1997 through the Artist group which was suggested to her by a friend who knew she was looking for spiritual support for her life and career. Zoë became a member of Unity of New York in 2001 and also became a member of Spiritus, the inspirational pop vocal group founded by Unity of New York. In addition to performing and recording, she worked as an executive assistant at a major television network for over 10 years. In January of 2005, Zoë left her position at the network to become the office administrator for Unity of New York. She continues to pursue her singing/songwriting career by recording her original music and performing regularly for special events and in nightclubs. Zoë is also a regularly featured performer at Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort where she appears monthly with her band Gotham. When not singing or administrating, Zoë enjoys spending time with her husband Gary and their dog Spazz.