Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheree Taylor-Jones.
Sheree, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I like to say I’m a late bloomer. It took me a while to figure out what is my life’s purpose. In the beginning, I did what was expected of me. My career started in the banking industry and I became a corporate trainer. But my life wasn’t being in integrity with my soul’s desires. I then went on a huge exploration following my passion, which included being an entrepreneur. My love of animals led me to become a certified dog groomer and then an ASPCA shelter director. After five years and becoming disillusioned by humanity’s disposable thinking regarding animals, I went into the wilderness again. After much searching, I went back to corporate training but as a consultant doing soft skills training for companies. I really enjoyed the freedom and wonderful awakenings of students as they learned emotional intelligence skills.
But my soul wanted more joy. One of my dreams was to own my own tea shop. Since my heritage is British, I’ve been steeped in tea tradition my whole life! I was eventually blessed to be able to own and operate King Charles Tea Shop for several years. But it wasn’t until I found myself sobbing at the end of a very hard day that I heard Spirit whisper, “How long will you run from what is your soul’s purpose?” At that moment, I knew it was time to face what I had been running from for so long…spiritual ministry. I quickly went into seminary and after three grueling years, I became an ordained minister. My soul’s purpose is to help people discover who they really are, empowering them to question erroneous beliefs and what is their soul’s purpose.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wished for smooth sailing and I received turbulence so I could realize my strength and endurance. In my first year of seminary, I thought I made a huge mistake. I found myself within an organization that spoke about oneness and inclusion but were working in a paradigm from the 1950s. I questioned what was mine to do? After deep introspection and work, I realized I needed to complete seminary if I wanted a chance to change the organization. I co-wrote a paper on the history of unconscious biases at the organizational level, which four years later was used by other ministers to discuss our current ways of thinking that had been based on our foundational thinking.
Along the way, I discovered that being a spiritual leader of a community requires a level of endurance to holding the knowing that each person is divinely made while experiencing their humanity of erroneous beliefs. All while calling individuals to remember their truth, which is that they are here to be the expression of love, compassion, and oneness. I’ve learned that as much as people may want to be awake, human nature abhors change. Yet, the only way to be awake is to change. So it’s a long road of two steps forward and one step backward as humanity embraces the spiritual truth that there is only one God and everyone one of us is of God. We are all of the same family.
As you know, we’re big fans of Unity Church of the Hills. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a diverse, inclusive spiritual community of Truth seekers who honor all paths to God, and we strive to demonstrate love and acceptance to everyone. We like to say of ourselves: “No labels. No dogma. Just Love!” Our purpose is to be an ever-expanding community of love and acceptance where lives are transformed.
I’m the senior minister and CEO of this organization and have just completed my first year of service. What’s really wonderful is that there are people from all walks of life in this community. We embrace every person as God in skin. We celebrate you: heterosexual, gay, transgender, any race or ethnicity, skinny, fat, young, old, short, or tall. All are welcomed!
We have a 14-acre campus with beautiful grounds, community garden, and a labyrinth. We also have a wonderful metaphysical book store. The music is soulful and inspiring. We are really fortunate to have professional musicians and vocalists as part of our team. We bring in aspects of many faiths as we honor that no matter what path is used to connect to God, they are all sacred.
Any big plans?
We want to be a place where people can take their time to discover just how powerful they truly are. We have created a roadmap of courses to support individuals as they evolve in awakening. With all the changes that have occurred through the epidemic of COVID, we see that people have a tremendous need for spiritual and human connection. We hope to become more integrated as a resource into the Austin community.
Contact Info:
- Email: communications@unityhills.org
- Website: www.unityhills.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unityucoh/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnityChurchOfTheHills
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/unityucoh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxb8OVZs7JEtKIm1tX1STKQ
