Council of Trustees

Janice Eastburn, President

Janice moved to South Lake Tahoe and discovered Unity nine wonderful years ago. She believes that all beings have their own unique ways of serving Spirit and the world. In addition to serving as Board Secretary she serves as a Chaplain, and as the Coordinator of "Unity in the Community," a charitable fund to help those in need in South Lake Tahoe. In her professional life she is a social worker, working with children and families in a variety of capacities. She enjoys any activity that allows her to be in nature, but, especially hiking, cycling, and travelling. Janice lives with her loving domestic partner, Heide, and two cats.

"My life overflows with blessings. I am grateful for my family, my friends, my prosperity, my health, and for my spritual family, Unity at the Lake."

"THANK YOU GOD!"

Paige Rice, Vice President

I moved to Lake Tahoe and found Unity at the Lake 9 years ago. I am so delighted to find a “home” at the lake and a welcoming kinship at Unity. Previously, I enjoyed living in Kenya on a wildlife conversancy, Lewa, where I discovered that life should be simple, meaningful and powerful. After that experience I decided to actively live my life. So I moved to Tahoe for fun & adventure and found breathtaking landscapes, expansive wilderness and a community that I treasure.

I was raised in a Methodist family and attended Lutheran schools in New York. I always thought something in my spiritual life was missing and never felt connected until I found Unity at the Lake. Unity to me is like coming home and it feeds my sole. Unity at the Lake helps me growth spiritually, intellectually and has opened my eyes to total acceptance of everyone, including myself.

My professional background is in the corporate arena in Sales and Marketing; however, I wanted to follow my dreams to work with animals. Therefore, I started Tahoe Best Friends a pet care and animal training service. I have a passion for animals and a love of Tahoe – life is good.

I am proud to be a prospective Council Member for Unity at the Lake. I am delighted and honored to join the impressive group of Council Trustees. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. Now it's your turn. Please join us and experience a new spiritual community at Unity at the Lake.

Peter Hussmann, Treasurer - Unity at the Lake

Peter Hussmann, Treasurer

I was born in British Columbia where the Coast Range meets the waters of the Douglas Channel. I have always had a deep affection for the mountains and the ocean so perhaps that is where it began. My family moved to California when I was four years old and began visiting Lake Tahoe on vacations, and it became a central part of our lives.

I come from a family that did not demonstrate any connection to God; I don’t think the name was ever used in our home. My parents had a deep seated mistrust of religion and so I was never exposed to the traditional ways of worship. We moved to Tahoe when I was fifteen and I began to explore the surrounding backcountry. I began to feel the presence of something powerful yet nurturing as well. I became infatuated with the mountains that were now my home.

I met my soul mate Nancy here at Tahoe, both of our sons Eric and Aaron were born here as well. We have left twice but couldn’t stay away. Now we are here to stay as we have come to realize that this is where we are supposed to be.

During Nancy’s brush with death in 1997 we each felt the loving presence and awesome power of God in our own individual experiences. We knew that our lives had changed and we wanted to find a place where we could share our newly realized spirituality. It took us ten years but we feel that we have found what we have been looking for; coming to Unity at the Lake feels like coming home.

The past year has been filled with a lot of challenges and opportunities, and I am so very grateful that I have had the love and support of my Unity family. I feel that my time to give back to our spiritual community has presented itself, and I feel blessed to be able to do so. Namaste.

Sherry Stofko- Secretary Unity at the Lake

Sherry Stofko, Secretary

Hi, my name is Sherry. I was born in south central Pennsylvania, and stayed there through my university years at Penn State. I then began exploring the United States by working eight years as a traveling nurse. During that time I lived in VT, CO, AK, CA, IN, & DE to name a few. I eventually took a 3 month work assignment in Carson City. I fell in love with the vistas, the skiing, the Lake, the people here... and essentially have never left the Tahoe area. I moved to Stateline in 2006. I am so grateful to live, work, and play in one of the most spectacular areas of the country.

I was raised Catholic but realized early on that my beliefs and their teachings did not meld well. I left the church in high school, and was a "once a year at Christmas Catholic" for decades. In 2009, I went through some emotional trials, and began to wonder if church was where I might find hope and support. On Christmas Eve, 2009, my dinner plans fell through. I was alone and felt lonely, so I looked in the Newspaper for any services. I had seen Unity's inviting events listed before, but this night they just jumped out at me. I entered the service, was greeted in such a friendly manner, and felt immediately welcomed. When the song ______(peace chant?)___ was played by One Voice, I teared up, my heart swelled, and I knew I had found "my people."

I am blessed to be able to incorporate Stew & Hilary's beautiful sermons and One Voice's wonderful music into my own spiritual routine. I also use yoga, meditation, and positive thinking to nurture my relationship with God and others. As I mature, I spend a lot of time in self-reflection. I get "ahhh" moments from looking at the diamond flickers in a snowy meadow, or dancing at a Grateful Dead concert, or listening to the rhythm of the ocean waves. I enjoy looking at the world around me with wonder.

I am honored to have been so welcomed into the Unity At The Lake community. It really feels like my spiritual home.

Kathi Olsen, Trustee

Kathi O moved to S. Lake Tahoe a few years ago from the Bay Area and found her spiritual family as a member of Unity of the Lake. Over the years, her faith in Unity provided the divine connection to her ever-increasing service to God. She is dedicated to working together to strengthen one another in the spirit of love and spiritual communion. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the UATL Board of Trustees and feel blessed to be of service.”

Professionally, Kathi works in the promotional products industry. She is avidly married to a happy fly fisherman (and college professor). In the summer, she enjoys the great outdoors, hiking, biking and boating. The winter days are filled with reading, stitchery, and meditation.

“May the light and love of God surround me! Thank you God!”

I moved here from LA in 1997 with my then husband and two young children. I had always wanted to live in an alpine environment and loved South Lake Tahoe from the first time I visited in 1985. I also thought it would be an ideal environment to raise our boys. Soon after moving here, life changed and I ended up becoming a single mom raising my two boys on my own. The beginning was a dark time, but then my friend Cherie invited me to Unity at the Lake. From the first time I walked through the doors, I felt at home. This is what I had been missing! I have a very traditional church background, but feel much more in alignment with the teachings of Unity. The last 10+ years at UATL have truly been a blessing. You all are my extended family. Over the years I have been the bookkeeper, newsletter producer, Board member, treasurer and member of OneVoice.

The main focus of my life here has been raising my boys in the best way I could. They are now 15 and 20 and are doing very well. Five years ago, I met a wonderful man and am now happily re-married. I love being outdoors and enjoy appreciating the beautiful scenery here, whether hiking, skiing or kayaking. For employment I am a commercial real estate appraiser. This has been an interesting career and has allowed me to see a large part of the surrounding area.