Our Ministers
Rev.
Richard Maraj
Senior Minister; Minister of Spiritual Education
Rev. Maraj joined Unity of Phoenix in April 2005 as Minister of Education, and has served as Acting Senior Minister since Rev. Rogers’ departure in April. Since his arrival here, Rev. Maraj’s contagious love and enthusiasm, dynamic lessons and powerful Sunday morning messages have continually inspired, energized, touched and transformed us. He is truly a blessing to our spiritual community!
Prior to joining Unity of Phoenix, Rev. Maraj served as Associate Minister in Raleigh, North Carolina for two years, and as Senior Minister at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, Missouri for five years. He has also been a wildly popular guest speaker at more than 50 Unity churches throughout Canada and the United States.
Prior to his ordination in 1998, Rev. Maraj was a professional speaker who addressed such groups as Xerox, The Royal Bank of Canada, Speedy Muffler King and The Cooperators Insurance. A long-time member of the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International, Richard was a finalist in Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speakers in Dallas in 1990. He has worked with a number of community service organizations and has been recognized for his service with several awards, including the Peter Street Inspiration Award and a Canada’s Literacy Volunteer Award.
The eighth of 10 children, Richard was born on the island of Trinidad and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He has a degree in Political Science from McMaster University and has a passion for learning. Richard enjoys a variety of activities, including live theatre, NBA basketball, being on the water, traveling, juggling and has even tried skydiving twice! His greatest joy, however, comes from just being with and enjoying the company of his wonderful family and friends.
Rev. Maraj feels blessed and excited about continuing to work with the incredible ministry team and serving the spiritual> community at Unity of Phoenix.
“I am absolutely excited and honored, not just at being named Senior Minister, but also because of the sheer strength of this spiritual community, staff and Board,” Rev. Maraj said. “I’m looking forward to beginning to rebuild the momentum of this congregation, and I am really jazzed about working together with everyone as a team to do so.
“I absolutely believe in the idea of ‘Building Unity Together,’” he said. “Our church vision and future will be led and created, not just by me, but by all of us. It will truly be a team effort.
“Our greatest strength has always come from our Unity, from the power of coming together as a spiritual family into collective Christ consciousness and, together, seeking the flow and wisdom of the universe. The prospect of coming together in love, strength and commitment to do the very special work of this spiritual commun-ity is a very exciting one. I look forward to traveling with all of you on this very special journey!”
“The board is poised to take some giant steps in consciousness with the appointment of Rev. Richard Maraj as the new Senior Minister,” said Board President Georgia McGraw.
“In working with him over the past few months we have come to recognize Rev. Maraj's style as making a difference by empowering others to see and live their greatness. We invite the congregation to take a deep breath and get ready for some ‘soul-expansion’ as we move forward to create and live the new vision for our ministry.”
Rev. Alice Anderson
Minister of Pastoral Care
The energetic Rev. Alice Anderson also joined Unity of Phoenix in April 2005. An ordained Unity minister, her ministry’s mission is to speak, nurture and teach God-centered living to people of all ages.
After graduation from seminary school in 2003, Alice worked as Resident Chaplain for Truman Medical Center, providing spiritual care for patients, residents and staff.
In her pastoral care work at Unity of Phoenix, she holds the vision of healing and wholeness so that others may find their truths. For three years, Rev. Alice led a Friday night contemporary service called “Fabulous Fridays” and taught classes at Unity of Overland Park in Kansas. As a presenter of spiritual truth talks, workshops, retreats and celebration services, she opens a space for healing and transformation.
Alice has many special gifts to draw from her compassionate and understanding heart. With her musical talents, passion for life, and innovative approaches to worship, she opens the hearts of those she serves.
Rev.
Shannon Olesen
Minister of Youth and Family Ministries
Rev. Shannon Olesen first joined Unity of Phoenix last April as the Minister
of Worship, but recently began serving our ministry as the Youth & Family
Minister, bringing her loving spirit to the work of our families, teens and
many children.
Working with families is where Rev. Shannon’s heart has always been. She began her career in social services, serving 10 years in the field of social work, and holds a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
She attended ministerial school at Unity School of Christianity and was ordained in 2004. She served as the Youth & Family Minister Director at Unity Church of Overland Park, Kansas, for two years prior to coming to Phoenix.
Rev. Shannon loves to create meaningful spiritual experiences for people of all ages. Shannon brings joy and enthusiasm to her work in all areas of ministry. Shannon has dedicated her life to the transformation of consciousness of this entire planet.