Reverend Richard Levy and Reverend Karen Lindvig
Seattle Unity Ministry Team
 

Reverend Richard Levy and wife Maureen

As a couple, their spiritual path began in earnest in 1972 when, as Richard called to confirm his nonstop flight from New York to Miami, not knowing why, he changed his reservations to a flight that left from an airport that was further from his residence and had a stopover on its way. Upon his arrival home, he found out that the flight that he was supposed to be on had crashed in the Everglades, killing everyone on board. He knew he had been saved by the grace of God, and that his life had a divine purpose. From that point on, his and Maureen’s lives became a spiritual quest.

Richard and Maureen’s spiritual quest has taken them on many adventures over their lifetime, including living in spiritual communities, studying Edgar Cayce, Paramahansa Yogananda, A Course in Miracles, Science of Mind, Unity Truth and Principles, Vipassana meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and most recently a trip to India to the Oneness University. Since returning from India, he and Maureen have integrated giving the Oneness Blessing (Deeksha) into the Wednesday evening and Sunday morning services.

Richard became a Unity minister in 1981 and has served in many ministries in Washington, California, and Hawaii. He served at Seattle Unity as an associate minister in the late 80’s and then returned as the senior minister in 2003. He also has an alternative ministry called Flexing Heart Ministry in which he travels and has a steady following who receive his bimonthly CDs.

Richard knows that his primary goal as a minister and teacher is to bring into clear focus the Truth as taught through Unity Principles and other great universal teachings. He is well grounded in Metaphysical Bible interpretation, but his teachings also reflect his varied studies and lifelong experiences. His passion-filled, dynamic teaching style gives people the opportunity to own the truth for themselves, making it a part of their daily lives. His path is to spiritual enlightenment and his uncanny gift is his ability to bring one along with him on his journey.

Maureen has been at Richard’s side through all of his ministries and has worked with him in the past as time allowed. Her primary work for over twenty years was as a midwife and in women’s health care. Where as Richard’s work has been very public, hers for the most part, was very private and intimate as she welcomed new life into this world. She has now joined Richard in a full capacity at Seattle Unity.

Together they have raised a family and are the proud parents of two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren, who are the loves of their lives. Richard and Maureen continue to deepen their spiritual practices on a daily basis.

Reverand Karen Lindvig was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where her father worked as a Chicago cop. Her teenage years were spent as a Bleacher Bum at Wrigley Field. As she developed her own spirit, she found herself heading off to travel around Africa with a group of people whom she only knew through an ad she had answered inviting others to join them on the trip.

After her travels she returned home and became an avid student of yoga and astrology. In 1980 Karen served as a staff member at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas. She taught classes, led satsangs, and along with other staff, managed the day to day operation of the ashram. Upon leaving the ashram, she traveled around the US and discovered Unity. It was the perfect blend of the Eastern teachings that she had grown to love and the Western teachings in which she had been raised.

Karen entered ministerial school in 1982 where she met her husband, Stephen Towles. She was ordained in 1984 and served her first ministry in Olathe, Kansas. From 1985 until 1990 she and Steve served Unity Ministry of Reno as senior co ministers until they were called to Seattle Unity.

Karen and Steve moved to Seattle in 1990 when their daughter, Caroline was only 6 weeks old and their son, Jordan was 2 years old. Karen has served Seattle Unity as a senior and associate minister for the past 16 years.

She is loved and admired for the prayer consciousness she holds and for her ability to make one feel absolutely loved and blessed. She brings a wealth of Unity experience to her deep and thoughtful messages. Karen's service has been far reaching including prayer ministry, mentoring individuals for ministry, the chaplain program and Earth Care Ministry. Her messages are powerful, operating on a variety of different levels. She combines wisdom and insights into the human condition with a profound mystic's understanding of expanding spiritual awareness.

Karen Lindvig and Stephen Towles have two children, two step-daughters, and two granddaughters. Karen remains an avid Cubs fan, astrologer and lover of yoga.

Unity Village has drawn many of Seattle Unity's finest to take further steps in leadership and deepen their spiritual journey's. To name a few, Bruce Milne, Robbie Fahnestock, Christina Lee, Meghan Smithhave, Barbara Thorp, Johnnie Woods and Alice have moved from Seattle Unity into the ministry or become trained Unity teachers.