For two decades, Bob Uhlar worked in television and radio production.
Then, at 55-years-old, the Chicago-born journalist became a minister.
The two careers may be different but both require good writing skills, says Uhlar, the new minister at Unity of Tampa Church. Both require research.
Uhlar, who earned a bachelors degree in journalism from Drake University and a Masters from Northwestern, worked for broadcast stations across the Midwestern United States.
He and his wife, Carla Golden, came to the Unity faith in the late 1980s. Both became ordained by United Worldwide Ministries in 2002. They led churches in Hollywood and Indianapolis, before arriving in Tampa Bay in December 2017.
I asked Uhlar, 61, about life before and after Unity.
What led you to the Unity faith?
I was raised Catholic. My first wife was Reformed Jewish. But neither denomination was right for me.
Late in 1986, my first marriage fell apart. I was distraught, depressed and suicidal. I met a divorcee, Carla, who helped me process the divorce. We talked about what we believed about God and a spiritual life. The next day Carla shared our conversation with her hair dresser. She suggested we check-out Unity in Chicago in February 1987.
I discovered a church unlike anything I had experienced. Here was a group that taught practical spiritual teachings to help me live a healthy, prosperous and meaningful life. I learned that there was no need to be more spiritual, because we are already spiritual beings having a human experience. We simply awaken to that fact.
How did you go from attending church, to leading church?
My Chicago reverend, Mike Matoin, resembled Ed Asner and was down-to-earth. As I experienced his ministry, I intuitively knew that I would go into ministry someday. My thought process went from, "I could do that," to "I should do that," to "I must do that." I realized there suddenly was nothing else that would satisfy me more. But I was reluctant to give up my career as a journalist.
In January 1991, Chicago's WMAQ All-News 670AM radio laid off 33 percent of its staff, including me. In February 1991, Carla and I started traveling full time to Unity congregations throughout North America to teach seminars on Unity's spiritual principles. We visited 248 congregations. It was a great laboratory for us in learning how to lead a congregation. I still approach my Sunday Lessons as a journalist, researching spiritual principles and publishing my articles on Sunday.
What brought you to Tampa?
Carla and I visited Unity of Tampa in 1993. We were impressed by the former minister, Rev. Ross Goodman. When I learned from Unity Worldwide Ministries in August that Tampa was looking for a new senior minister, I quickly applied. I did Skype interviews with the search team and came in for an weekend interview in November.
What are your goals for the church?
My goal is for Unity of Tampa to be an educational center of positive, practical and progressive Spirituality. In addition to our Sunday services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. we'll offer classes and seminars throughout the week that encourage personal initiative and growth. We will continue our effective prayer ministry. We will continue to accept all, including LGBTQ, like we have since the 1960s. We will be a place where people can belong. And we will look for more opportunities to help others in the Bay Area through community volunteering and partnerships with other non-profits.
What misconceptions do you think people have about the Unity faith?
Unity is overcoming the propaganda of fundamentalist organizations that try to scare people away from us by calling us a cult. Oddly, Unity started in 1889. Fundamentalism was not established until 1910, mostly as a backlash to Unity and other New Thought Christian movements. I frequently steer skeptics to Unity's FAQ webpage, unity.org/faq-page.
What would you tell someone interested in learning more about Unity?
Start on our website. Come on Sunday. Check us out for a few weeks. After three weeks, you'll know whether or not we are the right spiritual center for you.
Unity of Tampa is located at 3302 W Horatio St. For more information, visit unitytampa.org.
Calendar
Brandon Christian Church, 910 Bryan Road, will offer a cyber security class, Hack Proof Your Life, at 10 a.m. Feb. 17. Speaker Don Sherman will discuss how to prevent being hacked to protect your assets and resources. There is no charge for this class and the public is invited to attend. For additional information, call (813) 689-4021.
Grace Lutheran Church, 3714 Linebaugh Ave., Carrollwood, will present the Redhead Express in concert from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11. The country music group is composed of four harmonizing sisters. To reserve a seat for the free event, call (813) 961-8747 ext. 204 and leave a message including name, email address and number of people planning to attend.
New Tampa Women's Prayer Connection will meet for breakfast and prayer from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Feb. 13 at Bob Evans, 16314 N Dale Mabry Hwy. For more information, call (813) 961-2810. The New Tampa Women's Connection will host its February luncheon from 11 a.m. to1 p.m. Feb. 20 at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. Speaker Sara Im will share her story of hope in the midst of adversity. Linda Walker, will share opportunities at Hillsborough House of Hope. Reserve a seat by Feb. 15 by calling (813) 972-0637. Cost is 15 or $10 for first-time guests. All women are welcome to attend the non-denominational lunch. Reservations are requested by Feb. 5. Call (813) 740-0098.