Vienna Connection

Unity of Fairfax will celebrate its 60th anniversary, known as the “Diamond Jubilee,” during the weekend of Oct. 7-9 at 2854 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. The church will host a gala dinner dance on Friday, Oct. 7, followed by the annual Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 9. All previous ministers have been invited to attend the gala and also to give remarks during Sunday services. Among them are Rev. Donna Johnson who is now serving as president and CEO of Unity Worldwide Ministries in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

The church started in the city of Fairfax in 1956, first meeting at the Fairfax Town Hall, then around the corner at a little white church at 202 E. Main St. As the congregation continued to outgrow its space, it moved to Robert Frost Middle School for two years while designing and building a new church at 2864 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, which opened in 1975. That building served its purpose well, but once again Unity of Fairfax had outgrown its space. After purchasing the adjoining property, a new, larger facility was constructed in 2002. The original church building was then designated the Mildred Park Center in honor of its founding minister, who served this congregation from 1956 – 1970. These two buildings are surrounded by over a dozen unique landscaped areas that serve as an ecological classroom to the larger community and make it easy to see why members lovingly refer to the campus as “our five sacred acres.” Currently, the church is refurbishing the Sanctuary, while outside plans are underway to create a permanent labyrinth for year-round use.

Rev. Russell Heiland, Senior Minister, says, "In the past 60 years, Unity of Fairfax has established solid roots as a not only a church, but a spiritual community. Our mission of being 'a vibrant spiritual community awakening each life to the Christ within,' is now growing to incorporate the consciousness of being a spiritual center for education, practice, and service. We are eager to grow our partnerships with individuals and organizations in Northern Virginia and beyond to create a world that works for everyone. This is truly an exciting time for Unity of Fairfax."

Unity of Fairfax has long been active in the local community through its “Spiritual Social Action” with continued support of the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna, Cornerstone’s Hypothermia Prevention Project, and Our Daily Bread programs. Recently, the church has been engaged with the LGBT rights group People of Faith for Equality in Virginia (POFEV).

Unity of Fairfax is a positive, progressive Christian spiritual community and a local ministry of Unity, a movement founded in 1889 that provides spiritual publishing, education, prayer and events for over three million members worldwide. Unity’s best known publication, Daily Word, a magazine of inspirational messages, is distributed to nearly one million people in more than 100 countries. For more information about Unity of Fairfax, visit www.unityoffairfax.org.