Friends Are Flowers in the Garden of Life

This is a monthly interview by Jennifer Parker with members and friends of Unity of Madison.

Barry Roberts is a familiar face in Unity since he often delivers the Sunday message and leads classes. Interviewing him gave a deeper look into what motivates his service to Unity.

What would you like to share with the community about your life?
“Going back to my childhood, I’ve always had interest in religion and spiritual development. I grew up in a progressive Lutheran church in Milwaukee. I always had a connection to the spiritual, yet some things didn’t quite make sense. It was a traditional message and some things I couldn’t figure out.”

After high school, Barry left the Lutheran church and eventually came across Unity. “I felt aligned with the Unity principles and approach from the beginning.” Barry committed to Unity and began performing spiritual activities such as guest speaking and classes in 1981.
“I took a lot of classes down in Unity Village. I enjoyed it and went for a week in August for a number of years” during the late 90s and early 2000s.” In 2004 he was ordained as an Inter-faith minister and awarded a Bachelor of Science in Theology by Saint James College Seminary. Barry became a Licensed Unity Teacher in 2012. He has been a regular guest speaker, class instructor, prayer chaplain, and workshop facilitator during his years at Unity of Madison. “I never wanted to be a senior minister but to do ministry work by speaking and teaching.” He wasn’t interested in the administrative work of a minister. Barry said it took three trips to Unity Village, a practicum, writing, speaking, teaching, and exams.

Barry’s paid career was in adult education. He worked in a consultant firm, and then did adult education outreach in the U.W. Business School, first by working with entrepreneurs and small businesses for seventeen years, and then executive education for corporations who wanted leadership training for five years. He retired from the Business school in 2019 and teaches part-time for the UW College of Engineering now. Barry has always been in teacher mode, and that’s why he decided that was his calling with Unity. Barry began a ministry program through Worldwide Unity a year and a half ago and will receive a spiritual director certification when he completes it. Rev. Richard Bunch and his partner Vicky were involved in starting the program. Completion will enable him to work with people individually and in small groups. Barry said the men’s breakfast focuses on spiritual principles and he wants to expand that when he graduates in June.

“I’m looking at it as another way to do ministry work that isn’t tied to brick and mortar. I’m not sure where I’ll go with it. I’m always learning.” There are classes two nights a week, a hundred pages of reading, and writing assignments. “It’s great and I love spiritual development. I’m looking forward to supporting the community in whatever ways I can.”

Barry enjoys golf, hiking, dogs, music, and exploring spiritual development practices. “I have a 17-year-old geriatric dog with health issues that ties me down and keeps me close to home.” He also has a 30-year-old daughter who lives in Madison.

What brought you to Unity?
“In 1979, I was working in a gas station and Rev. Duane Hardy had a 15-minute radio spot.” Barry listened to it for a few months and when he stopped working at the station, he went to Unity.

What are your favorite activities at Unity?
Classes, Sunday services. “I like figuring out what the community needs. I call licensed teachers a teaching minister. I enjoy the spiritual work and whatever will help people grow.” Barry also trims and tends to the labyrinth. He likes leading meditations out there and introducing new things.

Is there anything you’d like to see Unity do that would make your experience even better?
“I think we’re doing a great job. Whatever we can do better to serve people spiritually. Staying in touch and supporting people is what I like to do. I tell people that they can’t make Sunday service everything. It’s nice to have a variety of spiritual options so people can connect in different ways.”