Our Staff

I have been affiliated with Unity of Daytona Beach since I was a teenager and have studied metaphysics for decades now. It helped my studies that my mother was the senior minister at Unity of Daytona Beach for over 20 years. I have felt like it was coming home to return to this church to serve this congregation and ministry.

My formal education, certifications and career experiences as an acupuncture physician and public speaker, and my education in Christian Education and membership in Unity churches since 1976 around the South and Northeast, have helped me develop skills that I apply in my position as Prayer Chaplain Coordinator. The Prayer Chaplain Coordinator plans and provides initial, intense training once a year for all chaplains, plus monthly training and on-going support for the Prayer Chaplain Team. Members of the team are assigned a group of church members to contact monthly for individual prayers. They are also available to pray after church services and whenever they are needed for support. We welcome new members who have the desire to selflessly serve others by holding spiritual space, by praying with and for those brought forward for prayer, and by holding in confidence all that is shared.

Suzanne arrived to Port Orange from Louisiana in 1981… just prior to welcoming her fourth son. She was quickly introduced to Unity, joined, and has worked in the Nursery ever since. She has retired from Daytona State College, where she worked full-time in the Student Disability Services department for 24 years and taught ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) part time for eight years. Suzanne is a Notary and has officiated many wedding ceremonies. At present she kitty/puppy/house sits all the while knitting scarves (from donated yarn) for the homeless and crochets donated single use plastic bags into sleeping mats for them. She’s very environmentally conscious… a vegetarian for 38 years and raw food vegan the past 15… enjoying gardening and exercising to round out the quest for a happy, healthy lifestyle.

My formal music education includes studying voice (Stetson University), pipe organ (Marygrove College — now University of Detroit/Mercy), and piano/violin (Capital University). My experience as music director, organist, school music teacher, and music consultant spans decades. I also hold an Ed.D. in Pastoral Community Counseling, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and a B.A. in Human Development. I am a member of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts and the Symphony Guild of Daytona Beach‎ and have participated in numerous recitals and workshops.

Debra is a Daytona native who grew up in a traditional Christian church but found Unity and stayed. Since joining Unity of Daytona years ago as a staff member, she also became a church member and has since called Unity of Daytona Beach home. Debra is always helping out with some project or another and wearing many hats in the church family. Most often she is found managing the coffee angels and kitchen when she’s not busy cleaning.