In December 2020, Rev. Phil Schlaefer retired at the age of 80 after serving as Unity of Bonita's minister for 15 years. The photos in this gallery were taken during the occasion of his last Sunday Service (which coincided with the Burning Bowl) and the Christmas Candle-Lighting. Photos by Liz Bosco and Mary Garfield.
Rev. Phil assumed his residency at our church in 2005 and was the first minister at our present location on Imperial Parkway. During his tenure the congregation grew and the physical property improved with enhanced landscaping and the addition of a dedicated minister's office. But most importantly, Rev. Phil provided us with spiritual education in keeping with the Unity spirit. His messages were simple, powerful, delivered with grace and humor. Rev. Phil's life and service are testament to the teachings of Jesus who asked us to love one another. Jo, Rev. Phil's wife, served as a Licensed Unity Teacher and Prayer Chaplain during this time.