Leadership

Church Leadership

Unity of Rockford remains passionate about our path to “Higher Consciousness.” Our Sunday services today include a Message, Meditation, Song and Congregational discussion on the message at the end of service.  We have discussion leaders and Podcasts that resonate with our congregation. Our services inspire and empower our congregation to live up to their full potential.  Come join us for a different way to do “church”.  All are welcome to attend!

Spiritual Director:

Jackie DeVries, Spiritual Director. Jackie DeVries, our Spiritual Director here at Unity of Rockford comes to us after retiring from teaching academically talented students for 35 years.  In addition to teaching in the public school system, Jackie taught as an adjunct professor at Rockford University for 20 years, teaching teachers throughout the state of Illinois how to teach gifted and talented children as part of their master’s program.  Jackie has a Master’s degree and PhD in Education and is a local, state and nationally acclaimed teacher/educator.  Jackie received the National Association for Gifted Children’s Community Service Award, the Illinois Association for Gifted Children’s Bonnie Park Leadership Legacy Award and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers Joint Honors Award for coaching Math Counts students.  At Rockford University she was awarded the Adjunct Professor Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award and The Award of Distinction, and at Byron School District the Outstanding Contribution Award and the PTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.  Jackie, an exemplary teacher during her entire career, wanted to continue to help others after retirement. 

Jackie has been a student of Unity for most of her adult life.  She has dedicated herself to helping people by sharing, demonstrating and living the Five Unity Principles.  Jackie has been in a leadership role at Unity of Rockford since 2008, including President of the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2019.  She accepted the Chief Administrator Director position on January 1, 2020, and accepted the new title of Spiritual Director after a unanimous decision by the Unity of Rockford Board of Directors on May 17, 2026.  Jackie spends most of her time creating Sunday services, spearheading events, fundraising, and coordinating outreach programs for our spiritual community.  She has a ministerial license and has given the Sunday morning messages here at Unity of Rockford.  Please take time to enjoy Jackie’s messages which may be found at Unity of Rockford Messages page on this website.  She also performs Celebration of Life services.  Jackie taught young children and adults throughout her teaching career in the educational system and now focuses on mentoring others on their spiritual journey here at Unity of Rockford.  You will see Jackie at the pulpit on Sundays.  She will be the first to welcome you with her warm and inviting smile.  Join us at Unity of Rockford and meet Jackie DeVries and our entire beautiful spiritual family.

Board of Directors: 

Kim McKibben, President. Kim found Unity while attending an event at Unity on the Plaza in Kansas City in 1994. Kim knew after the first service at Unity on the Plaza that she had found her forever spiritual community. She began attending Unity of Rockford in 2008.  In 2014 Kim heard a very clear message from spirit so she changed the course of her life dramatically.  She left her construction sales & marketing career (30+ years) behind and focused on a life of service. Kim joined the board in 2014 and accepted the position of Chief Administrative Director in 2015, she stepped down from this position on January 1, 2020.  Kim will tell you that being of service to the church, her family and friends and the community is what feeds her soul.

Alice Stoneburner, Vice President. Alice tells us that she heard of the Unity Principles through a small group many years ago when she was searching for a new spiritual home during a difficult time in her life. This search eventually led her to Unity.  She began attending and then joined Unity of Rockford.  Alice felt much love and the teaching was exactly what she was looking for.  She considers herself a student of Unity.  Alice feels her prayer practice and meditation daily has become essential in her life.  After Alice’s first husband passed, she met and fell in love with George, another believer in the Unity Principles.  Since his passing she stayed active in our Unity of Rockford Spiritual Center.  Alice is also a member of NAMI Northern Illinois (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and was an editor of their newsletter for 13 1/2″ years.  She continues to attend a NAMI group and is an advocate for persons with mental illness.  During her 50 years as a registered nurse, and now in retirement, she practices loving kindness towards all human beings.

JoAn Todd, Board Member. JoAn discovered Unity soon after moving to Rockford in 1978. She and her husband, George also attended The Unity Church in Tucson, AZ (when they wintered there for many years).  George was a strong believer and follower of Unity and after his passing JoAn became more active at Unity of Rockford. She more fully realizes the importance of the support of this church family, and she is so grateful for the teachings, prayer and meditation.  JoAn looks forward to serving on the church board and interacting with this wonderful church family of Unity of Rockford.

Marge Orchard is a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT), Prayer Chaplain.  Marge has been a member of Unity of Fox Valley for over 19 years and Unity of Rockford for over 13 years. She received her License as a Unity Teacher from the Association of Unity Churches in 2006 and teaches both at Unity of Fox Valley and Unity of Rockford. Marge has been a Prayer Chaplain and the Coordinator of the Prayer Chaplain Ministry since its inception at Unity of Fox Valley in 2000. Presently, she facilitates The Course in Miracles at Unity of Rockford. She has attended The School for The Work with Byron Katie in Los Angeles and facilitates the Work. She has been a Spiritual Companion/Director since 2006 and offers her services to all members of Unity of Fox Valley and Unity of Rockford. Marge enjoys reading, travel, and is currently writing her memoirs.  Ask Marge a question, and she’ll tell you the answer:  Prayer and Meditation.