"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." - Mattie Stepanek

Image provided by Andy Tindor

What is an Act of Unity?

What is an act of Unity? Acts of unity are social, tribal and reinforce our commitments to our families, our nation, organizations and the groups we embrace. Like all opposite acts, they do not cause harm, so joining a violent street gang would NOT be an act of unity

An act of unity might be choosing to attend a family reunion even though you expect it to be stressful, showing up for a grade school program or child’s sporting event, attending a funeral, political rally or union meeting or going to church when you feel angry at church members or God. It might be going to that club meeting any way, even after you’ve been voted out of office. It might mean getting involved in the PTO at school, or joining a service organization. It can be any effort to reconcile people or to arbitrate discordant situations.

Other examples of acts of unity can be found in a community’s past. The small town of Scio, Ohio has a wonderful story of unity that involves the people and the restoration of a pottery. The Scio Pottery, which was a major source of employment at one time, burned down and the company did not have the money to rebuild. The relationship between the pottery owner and his employees was unique and colored with mutual respect. Spontaneously and voluntarily the people of Scio and the surrounding area withdrew their savings, mortgaged their homes, and loaned the owner of the Scio Pottery the money to rebuild the pottery. Then the pottery workers and local people did much of the work to rebuild the pottery themselves. The united group effort returned the pottery to operation and provided employment to the community for many years.