Men’s Group

• Men’s Relationship Issues Group – 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 6:00 PM | Friendship Hall
• Men’s Group – 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 7:00 PM | Friendship Hall
• Led by Troy Carstensen, Bob Olson, and Dan Ofstedal

Bob Olson has been attending Unity Christ Church since 2007 and practicing the Unity movement since 2000. He is semi-retired and enjoying part time employment as an educational assistant with the special needs department at St. Francis High School. His interests are varied and generally revolve around gardening, music, woodworking, mechanical and antique restoration, camping, herbal wisdom, and self help books.Bob truly enjoys the many vistas that Unity Christ and their Men’s Group help him to see. Shared insight, wisdom, and love are the key forces that continually draw him to fellowship at the Men’s Group meetings.

Dan Ofstedal   enjoys thinking, talking, and writing about spirituality.  But most of all enjoys living his spirituality. Our circle of men is powerful, and helps him to live with Spirit.  Come, and be transformed.”

Troy Carstensen has been attending Unity Christ Church since 2005, attending the men’s group since 2006 and has been co-leading the men’s group since spring 2011.  He enjoys fitness, comparative studies, songwriting, and being outdoors as much as possible.

Men’s Relationship Group

The Men’s Relationship Issues Group is held at Unity Christ Church on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights from 6 – 7 p.m. prior to the regular men’s group. All men are welcome. The group usually has six to eight participants and focuses on topics about relationships that those present want to discuss. Commitment, communication, connection, and creating harmonious relationships with partners, parents, children, co-workers, bosses, relatives and friends are frequent topics. All discussion is confidential, and Unity principles are frequently applied.

 

The Unity Men’s Group
“I had some other plans for this Tuesday evening — but I knew that Men’s Group was the place I had to be tonight. So, I cancelled my plans and here I am. I need your help and support.” This is a common occurrence at the Unity Men’s Group. And the 15 – 30 men who are present extend their love and support to any man who attends.

The group welcomes all men, ages 18 – 90 — and meets on the second and fourth Tuesday evening in Friendship Hall at Unity Christ Church. The Relationship Issues group meets from 6 – 7 p.m., and the regular group meets from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The group was started about four years ago by Mike Obsatz and Blaine McCutchen. Both Mike and Blaine believe it is important for men to have a a safe place to share who they are, their spiritual journeys, and their hopes and dreams. Mike Obsatz is the current facilitator of the group. Several other group members have also facilitated the group at times.

 

Men’s Group usually includes an opening prayer, brief check-in from all men, topic of the week led by Mike Obsatz or another man in the group, small group discussion, singing, and Prayer for Protection. Topics discussed have been prosperity, gratitude, love, service, prayer, letting go, trust, meditation, spiritual sexuality, and many others. Some of the men sport Unity Men’s Group T-shirts which read “Unity Men Man-ifest Peace.”

The Men’s Group holds a Men’s Retreat at the church in the fall. This year’s retreat is September 28th. The theme is “Healing and Wholeness” and features delicious and healthy catered food, music, massage, energy healing work, eight workshops, drumming, prayer, meditation, and fellowship. Sign-up is available in the Garden Court.

In the group, the younger men learn from older men. Older men learn from younger men. Men realize that they are not alone in their personal challenges. Two beloved men’s group participants have made their transitions since the men’s group started. They are sorely missed, and mentioned often by men who attend. Men come when they can, receive the supportive nourishment they ask for, and provide love, support, and listening for each other. Unity men enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas about their own spiritual journeys, and can give each other a helping hand when asked.

Many Unity men provide some type of service to the church and larger community. Several teach our youth. Others help with maintenance of the church. Others provide help in their communities. Service is a very important component of the Unity Men’s Group. Each men decides for himself how he is going to serve.

In a culture that discourages men from being whole, vulnerable, spiritual, and connected, the Unity Men’s Group offers men an opportunity to share and become part of a caring, loving circle of men. Confidentially is important, as well as respect for differences, and a rule to “not judge.”

“This group is the best support group I have ever attended,” said one man. “I have gotten to know these guys so much better. When I see them on Sunday, I really feel connected,” reports another.

We are blessed to have the space, time, and energy of a wonderful group of “Real Men” at Unity.