A Quarter Century of Touching Lives through Unity Principles
A Tribute to Retiring Unity North Minister Carole O'Connell

by Tricia Molloy

Ask anyone who knows the Rev. Carole O'Connell and they will likely count her as one of the most influential people in their lives. That's because O'Connell, 66, has been sharing the powerful, practical and positive messages of Unity spiritual principles since she became a minister 25 years ago.

Since 1990, O'Connell has been the senior minister of Unity North Atlanta Church, a spiritual community center in East Cobb. Unity North is a member of the Association of Unity Churches, a worldwide New Thought ministry of more than 1,000 churches founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1899. There are at least five Unity churches in metro Atlanta. With more than 600 Sunday attendees, Unity North is one of the ten largest Unity churches in the world.

A warm, humorous and powerful speaker, O'Connell teaches how to co-create with God a life of love, joy, abundance and service. “When we acknowledge our personal relationship with our higher power or the life force that sustains us all, amazing things begin to unfold in our lives,” she says. Motivated by her desire to share this message with as many people as possible, she has founded or sponsored eight Unity churches in the Southeast, including those in Jupiter, Fla., Macon and Gainesville, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn. From 1983 to 1988, O'Connell was the associate minister at Atlanta Unity Church. She served as president of the Southeast Unity Ministers Association and has worked with the International Unity organization in various positions. She also speaks about the power of universal principles at corporate Lunch & Learns and women's groups.

When O'Connell first came to Unity North, she held services for about 75 people at Naylor Hall in Roswell. A year later, she moved the church into a shopping center on Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta and grew the congregation to about 450. In 1998, she led an ambitious campaign to raise money to buy 8.5 acres on Sandy Plains Road and build a church. “There were so many people in the congregation who came together to make this happen. Each time there were challenges, I would remind everyone that this was 'a God job,'” she says. “We moved into this beautiful, sacred place in 2000 and it is a constant reminder of what we can do if we have faith.”

Touching Lives

Astrologer Lorelei Robbins has known O’Connell for 15 years. “In addition to being my minister, Carole has been a mentor, a mother, a sister, a teacher, an uplifter, a motivator, a sounding board, a cheerleader but, most of all, she has been my friend. Carole is one of the most authentic people I know, as she has always been willing to share her own journey from her heart. I cherish the many breakfasts we have shared over the years that extended into brunch and then lunch. Those were the times where we both shared our deepest thoughts and beliefs with each other. I always felt renewed and reborn after my connection with Carole. She has been there for me holding the truth of spiritual principle: that I am safe and everything in my life is happening in Divine order.”

Like many others, Richard Croker had 'the great American novel' sitting on a floppy disk collecting floppy dust for almost a full decade.  Then, 'by coincidence,' he met O'Connell. “Sunday after Sunday, I slowly began to 'get it,'” he says. “I got that there is no such thing as coincidence. I learned that when you buy into that concept, it is impossible not to believe in God.  I got that I am not a 'wretched sinner' in the eyes of God.  'You are worthy,' Carole told me.  She taught me that the best way to get is first to give. She told me that the Universe is filled with abundance and doesn't know how to say 'no.' She encouraged me to stand up in the presence of others and ask for what I wanted most.  So I did.” He remembers saying during 'Sharing and Caring' time at a Sunday service, “I’ve got this book that I'd really like to get published.” “It is done,” she said.

A few weeks later, Croker got a call from a friend who said, “I have a friend who has a friend who is a literary agent.”  A few months later, after some buffing and polishing of the manuscript, the agent called him with the news: HarperCollins made an offer on the book and is interested in a series. “When I told Carole about it, she said, 'Richard, look at how much you've given to this congregation since you've come here.' As she moves onto the next leg of her journey, I lovingly say to her, Carole - look at how much you've given.” Croker is a former producer for Turner Sports, a consultant to the Unity North board of trustees and the author of To Make Men Free; A Novel of the Battle of Antietam.

“I implement Unity principles all the time,” says Sandra Wilkes. “It's always about relationships and I love the challenge and adventure every day brings. Carole taught me that God lives in us and that the attributes of God are also ours.  I learned to allow the good to come to me and, each time I ask and allow it to flow, it is given abundantly in every area of my life.” Since becoming involved in Unity, she and her husband of 35 years, Larry, made dramatic but rewarding career changes. Now, they are both teachers. “To be engaged in the same career, as well as to be on the same spiritual path, has opened a whole new world for us as a couple. We are excited about this renewal in so many phases of our lives. We just moved into a new home and, oh yeah, we have a new puppy, too. Life is good.”

A New Chapter in Her Life

Since her retirement from Unity North at the end of March, O'Connell has taken on the role of minister emerita. She'll be an occasional guest speaker on Sundays, teach classes and workshops and, when requested, perform weddings, christenings and memorial services. Her future plans also include writing a book about Unity spiritual principles, spiritual coaching, conducting seminars and facilitating retreats.

O'Connell's husband, Don Discenza, is the former minister of music at Unity North, a jazz pianist, singer, writer and arranger and a member of the South City Voices quartet. She is the mother of two daughters and a son who is deceased, and has two granddaughters and an 18-month-old grandson, Collin. “When my daughter Michelle was expecting Collin, I set an intention that I would play an important role in his life. I take care of him two days a week and we have a ball.”

O'Connell is also a member of the 'Song of Atlanta,' a 120-women gold-medal winning chapter of Sweet Adelines International, ranked #1 in the region. There are more than 600 choruses throughout the world. “I am in high joy when I sing,” she says. “When we perform a certain song or hit a certain note, it brings me to tears.” Sweet Adelines is a competitive group with high standards. “We're judged on our theatrical makeup, how big our smiles are, and our movements, as well as our singing. I've learned a lot about performance from this group and it has brought me to a new level of excellence.” She's considering joining a quartet.

Looking Ahead for Unity North

Unity North is a leader in the New Thought movement that attracts international speakers and authors like Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson. It is known for its dynamic music program and an innovative children's church. The church's comprehensive website, www.unitynorth.org, now features an online business directory to connect congregants with other congregants and the community.



The new senior minister is the Rev. Nancy Worth, a long-time friend and colleague of O'Connell's and the former minister of Unity Church of Austin in Texas. “Carole and I share much of the same philosophy about life and the messages we teach,” she says. “We can change the world by changing our thoughts and we are one thought away from experiencing the Kingdom of God here and now.” As Worth settles into her new role, she plans to expand Unity North's pastoral programs and family ministry, teach classes for credit and 'raise the bar' for church membership to grow the congregation. Her husband, the Rev. Bill Worth, will be joining her in the fall as associate minister. “Unity North is a church whose time has come,” says O'Connell. “Everything is in place to reach all those who are open to a more joyous life experience. I look forward to supporting Nancy on this journey.”