Unity on the River began in May 1994 as a prayer and study group.  Shipley Allinson was called to become a minister, and she had a vision of bringing Unity to her community. From the first small study group in Shipley’s home, the group increased for three more years before deciding to hold services once a month in the basement of a bank. 

Shipley and her team worked ceaselessly to build a community of Unity members. Within a few years Unity on the River made its home in a beautiful center in Amesbury. 

Rev. Allinson retired as full-time minister after 18 years of service.

Jackie Woodside is a USA TODAY and four-time Amazon bestselling author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, expert guest on television and radio, and professional coach. She is the founder of the Curriculum for Conscious Living and the Conscious Living Summit, and trains coaches around the world to deliver this life changing work. Jackie is a certified professional coach and licensed psychotherapist with 30 years’ experience in both fields.  She has authored three best-selling books and 25 training curriculums. 

Lesley Ann Smith has been unlocking the joy code and igniting the power of the heart to heal everything! Lesley is an extraordinary singing ventriloquist with a hilarious company of characters, each with a unique personality and message for our times. When not performing, Lesley works as a psychic spiritual healer with a global client base. Lesley is a founding member of Unity on the River, has served on the Board and as interim Music Director. Just imagine what happens when great music, meets comedy, meets inspiration!    

Martine is a Science of Mind Licensed Practitioner, Unity Prayer Chaplain, as well as a Reiki Healer. She has performed in Europe as a professional singer and was co-host of an educational television show. Martine has used New Thought principles in her daily life to be reborn by the renewing of her mind. She has shared her lovely voice, meditations, and moving prayers for years at Unity Brookline and Unity in The City. And since June of 2019, many have been blessed to hear Martine share her wisdom on a monthly basis! Martine is now in her third year studying to be a Science of Mind Minister at the Holmes Institute. Her passion is sharing New Thought-Ancient Wisdom Spiritual Principles with others! "For God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear, But Of Power And Of Love And Of Power And Of A Sound Mind" 2 Timothy 1:7

​

For over 25 years Stephanie has been happily associated with Unity on the River as a congregant, volunteer, teacher, and occasional stand-up comic. With a rich lifelong interest in all things spiritual she delivers a powerful message. Stephanie practices as a transpersonal psychotherapist and provides workshops and retreats designed to explore and navigate the inner landscapes.

Rev. Denise DeSimone an interfaith minister and Denise is one of the original members of UOTR. Having survived Stage IV throat cancer in 2005, a journey which led her to author a book "From Stage IV to Center Stage". Denise’s work has inspired many people to turn challenges into opportunities of transformation. 

​