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Unity pastor finds peace on his own
By SUZANNE HAYES © St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 1998 "I am sad and happy at the same time," said Chores, who admits he has been disgruntled for several years. Now Unity Church is seeking a new pastor, and Chores, along with his wife, Ann, is at Peace of Unity: A Center for Spiritual Growth and Love. For the past few weeks, Spartan Manor has been home for the new Peace of Unity congregation. Last week there were 120 worshipers. On Sunday they will settle into a permanent site at the Lakes of Regency Civic Center on Morehead Drive, one block west of Little Road, off Embassy Boulevard. The Sunday worship service is at 10 a.m. After the break with Unity, Chores' followers, including many former Unity members, asked him to have a healing service. They scheduled an angel walk. "By word of mouth, we had 80-plus people attend the mid-August service at Spartan Manor. I didn't expect all that," Chores said. He describes the walk as people lining up in two rows across from one another, sort of like an archway. They close their eyes, and people grasp their hands and wish them well as they move from one person to the next. He says by the time they get to the end of the line, they have a release and are getting rid of the things that bother them. Chores, who has hypertension, tells his doctor that the time to come check his blood pressure is during the angel walk. Peace of Unity is affiliated with The Association of Unity Churches but will operate without a board of directors. Unity Church in Clearwater has provided support for Peace of Unity, sending hymnals, a pulpit and also financial help. "Peace of Unity is run by the people, not by a minister or a board," Chores said. "We do have a love offering. We are still a non-denominational, Christian church, and we are still interested in the individual. It doesn't matter what denomination people are. This is a mixed congregation: Jewish, Catholic, they all come." In addition to the worship service, children's church school also is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. Bible study class meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The pastor holds a half-hour informal prayer session at his home at noon each Thursday. Those who can't attend the session can still take part. Chores says, "Pray at noon, wherever you are." For information on Peace of Unity, call (727) 934-2999.
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ORT RICHEY -- A "Divine nudge" is how Pastor Jerry Chores describes his departure from Unity Church of Port Richey. After eight years of service, Chores and the church have gone their separate ways.
