Carol’s Corner

I have been so impacted by the beautiful and personal stories many of you have shared with me as to why you chose the wording on your specific Brick. Even if you haven’t had a chance to purchase your Brick yet, I’m sure you have a story to tell. Your story is important, powerful, and timeless…

If it is appropriate for you, I ask that you consider sharing your story by posting it on our website so that others may be blessed as well. If you wish, you don’t even need to sign your name. All you have to do is let it flow! Click here to share your story

Thank you and Blessings… Carol

 Meditation Garden and Wall of Faith update, June 1, 2011

Michaelangelo once wrote, “I carved the marble until I set the Angels free…”

We are so blessed! Our Meditation Garden, once just a vision, has now come to life! The “carving” of our Garden began with Carol D’Alessandro, who held the vision of the Unity Bricks. The Unity Bricks needed to find the right “home” on Campus . Sharon Jebens and Mary Gerkin, who long held the hope of a garden area, recommended the blighted open area to the left of the garage. The combined artistic talents of Carrie Jadus, Ami Bowen, and Marc Remmen, joined to allow the vision to become a reality. And as they say, the rest is history!

Our Unity Community is rich in talent and good ‘ole “roll up your sleeves and get to work” effort. Many of the Unity Bricks have been cemented onto the walls by our own masterful bricklayer (who wishes to remain anonymous). Dean Collins graciously donated his time and energy to build the magnificent Pergola. Jimmy Smith has given limitless hours and energy to preparing the land. The Earth Angels showed us how to “create dirt” and grow vegetables. A 763 pound SeaMist Green stone trucked in from Western North Carolina, has given us a natural seating area. Three Pottery Fountains have given us the soft sounds of flowing water, and Chuck, Program Director of the PTEC Agriculture Program at the Pinellas County Jail, has helped immeasurably in guiding us to choose many of the beautiful plants.

We still have more visions to bring to life in the Garden; a brick-paved pathway and floor in the Pergola, a natural, vine-laden hedge to cover the top of the walls, installation of gutters to direct rainwater to the rain barrels, an irrigation system, bench seating, and outdoor low voltage lighting.

And did I mention the two new 15 ft. Crepe Myrtle trees!!!!!! You’ll soon be able to bid on the right to have a tree named after you! More details to follow…

Enjoy the beauty, excitement…and tranquility of your new Meditation Garden!

 

Your Stories

"I have been meaning to write a note ever since I first saw my brick, "In The Silence," on our new Meditation Wall. I spend much time "in the silence" so that was appropriate for my brick. What a thrill, and what a perfect placement that was chosen! I was so proud to show it to my daughter and son-in-law from California when they visited on Easter Sunday!"  MaryJane D

My sister and I, raised as "Air Force brats" were always called "the troops" by our father but our mother chose to call us "the girls". So lucky we were finding First Unity, a place where three diverse individuals could worship each in our way. Maw as we called her much to her dismay spent most of her religious life ascribing to the Baptist theology but for the last several years of her life attended First Unity and sat in her "reserved" seat. So appropriate that her brick tells Maw that we miss her and we are still "The Girls". Trudy R

"The bricks in the Meditation Garden have given me the opportunity to express and honor the two greatest loves of my life. The first brick was in memory of my beloved brother, and second brick celebrates finding the love of my life at First Unity Church. We visit the Garden each time we attend Church to check on our brick, Meant To Be." - Sarah W

"My son, MICHAEL passed away 5 years ago on January 25th. I did not have a funeral or memorial service at that time. Michael did not have a headstone to honor that he had lived. I ordered a 'brick' for Michael to be a part of the wall. In December, my friend Penny reminded me I needed to have a service to honor Michael and celebrate his life. It was something that was always in the back of my mind and after Penny brought it up it became a priority. The process flowed and I went to Carol to 'borrow' the brick for Michael to have at the memorial service. It was already on the wall (part of God's plan) so I ordered another one to have for the service. The service was amazing and touched a lot of lives (especially mine and my grandsons) My oldest grandson, Christopher spoke at the service and said, Thank you all for coming and I am so happy my grandmother did this. Hospice did a Lifetime Legacy of photos of Michael and I had the memorial videoed. Now I have a wonderful memory that will live in my heart. Thank You God." Virgina M

"Someone who loves me had a brick made for me and it is placed on the Wall of Faith already. Everytime I look at it, it makes me smile and feel happy that someone cared enough to do this for me." - Sharon L

"The Rose of Sharon appears on my bricks. Christened Rosa, I gravitated toward roses. I knew why when I met Sharon. She, a gardener and a florist, arranged flowers with a flair for beauty. After many years, our love for each other grew like a beautiful flower. Now I am still Rosa.Together, we are the Rose of Sharon." - Rosa

"Wonderful opportunity to put my thoughts and words to something permanent! I'm thrilled we are going to have a Meditation Garden and that a part of me will be in it." - Lisa

I had prayed for a long time that God would send us a bricklayer to put up our bricks on the Wall of Faith.
God sent the answer in a magical, wonderful man who was the only man to sign up for my Spirit Expressing Group!  Imagine my heartfelt thanks when he told me his life long love of bricks, rocks, and stone... he is a very private man and I won't use his name on this post but if you stop by sometime during the week and see a special man with a twinkle in his eye and a smile from ear to ear, introduce yourself to him... your life will be better for it... thank you God.

Carol D'Alessandro had a vision for what is now the 'Wall of Faith - Brick by Brick' fundraising project.
Through her tireless efforts that vision has become reality. The campaign is off to a fantastic start and the Wall of Faith Meditation Garden has broken ground. Join your fellow First Unity supporters... order your brick today and be part of the Wall of Faith. I want to learn more

Carol can be reached at 727-455-6553 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it