If ever there was a dream team for Unity of Santa Barbara, it became a reality in 2022 with the arrival of three award-winning leaders, Rev. Temple Hayes, Rev. Cathy Jean Norman, and executive director Forrest Leichtberg.
The three are prepared to bring about transformative growth of the center and fill needs in the Santa Barbara community. Plans for new offerings include: Unity’s workshops, youth programs, festivals, lectures, concerts, banquets, notable speakers and other events to help individuals fulfill their higher purpose through the power of community.
Unity will also make available space to rent on its newly renovated grounds for organizations and individuals to hold their own events, including inspirational, charitable, business, educational, community programming, weddings, celebrations, and memorials.
Upon her arrival at Unity, Rev. Norman gained recognition for her inspirational talks at Sunday services. She is an integral part of the center’s daily operations, having served Unity churches in several cities during her 39 years of ministry.
One of the youngest women to graduate from Unity Ministerial School, she holds two master’s degrees, in theology, and in spiritual psychology. Her television show “Heart, Mind and Soul,” an exploration of metaphysical principles, was among the most popular in the spiritual field.
She is co-author of the book “Sermon on the Molehill: Spiritual Keys to Amazing Health, Wealth and Loving Relationships.”
Rev. Hayes is a gifted speaker and spiritual leader who has impacted lives throughout the world. She brings to Unity a dynamic stage presence with her inspirational Sunday services, while her ongoing participation in the internal workings of the center adds expertise to its daily operations.
Rev. Hayes is an international motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and supports causes to enhance the world, improve people’s lives, and raise consciousness. After serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for three years, she became a Science of Mind minister in 1991 and an ordained Unity minister in 2007.
She led First Unity Spiritual Campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, as CEO and popular spiritual leader. She is the recipient of several awards, including the People of Distinction Humanitarian Award (2016). In 2019 she was twice a featured speaker at Carnegie Hall on suicide prevention and awareness and the #neveralone movement.
She is the author of the books “The Right To Be You,” “How To Speak Unity,” “When Did You Die?” and “Being a Difference Maker.”
Leichtberg is a visionary with years of experience in the nonprofit leadership space, who will now manage internal affairs for Unity. At age 22 he founded the Consciousness Network in Santa Barbara, which became center stage for a number of influential speakers in the global personal development community.
Within months of the Consciousness Network’s inception, former Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider and the Santa Barbara City Council issued a proclamation honoring Leichtberg for his leadership and role in promoting positivity and the productive exchange of knowledge.
His experience with The Consciousness Network, and his work on several boards of directors of other nonprofits, has provided him with a multigenerational following and experience in running a nonprofit, including: daily operations, event production, marketing, finance, grants and fundraising, sponsorships, creating volunteer networks, and helping community members in need.
Founded in 1970, Unity of Santa Barbara is positive spiritual community that honors all spiritual paths. The community center is at 227 E. Arrellaga St. For more, visit unitysb.org, email unity@unitysb.org, or call 805-966-2239.