James Stacey

It's appropriate that James was raised in Independence, MO - the spirit of independence shines through in who he is and all he does. Growing up, James lived a "divided life" - half with his "country" friends in Independence and half with his "city" friends at a private school in Kansas City. Although raised in the Baptist faith, James attended Unity Church in Houston, TX where he went to pursue a degree in architecture at Rice University. Why the switch? "Architecturally, The Unity Church was a huge red pyramid and I was intrigued." After deciding that architecture "...wasn't for me - "I had the interest, but not the aptitude!" James pursued a combined MA and PhD at the University of Arizona in environmental psychology. Eventually, he became homesick and returned to Kansas City, where James stayed with Unity Church, and began working in Unity's administration. "I found Unity to be less conformist. I was interested in the diverse classes they offered - astrology, Eastern thought, all kinds of things. And I was impressed how they supported one another no matter their beliefs. They honored the pioneer spirit in each other, and embraced variation."

James then experienced a "series of awakenings" when "...ideas became clear. It was like a light and I could see everything differently. This was where I belonged. Yet there I was, working comfortably in Unity, teaching, handling midweek sessions, but avoiding the ministry because it was an unknown path. Finally, I went into the ministry despite these fears, trusting that it would be for greater good, trusting God, Spirit and my inner guidance to follow that path."

James was ordained in 2002, and left Kansas City, as he was called to lead a church in Syracuse where he met Patsy, LuAnn and Sandy. Slowly, they realized that they shared a vision for evolution. "In our discussions, one idea began to transform all others: that a Center might be evolved where the unity of spiritual principles and ideas and how they express culturally in everything we do might be examined and celebrated. At The Spring, we explore and rejoice in the connections between all we do and the Spiritual force that brought us all into existence. It is a holistic unity that we celebrate at The Spring. In a communal way, we grow together in our understanding. What excites me personally is that The Spring brings people together to give their gifts to the world. It really places the onus upon all of us to give...and to receive each other with grace."