Remembering Rev. Alan Rowbotham

For nearly a decade, Rev. Alan Rowbotham was my minister, boss and mentor at First Unity Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. He and his wife, Rev. Kathryn, were good friends, too, for nearly 25 years.

During the time I worked for the church, my responsibilities included creating slide shows, web pages, newsletters and other marketing materials, as well as managing more than 300 volunteers.

Today, I unearthed some old files, just to remind me of all the blessings that came from knowing such special human beings. It was Rev. Alan who encouraged me to serve God in a much bigger way, by starting my own ministry to ministries (Friends of Ministry), which serves churches all over the U.S.

It’s my hope and prayer that these images also remind you of the blessings that Rev. Alan and his wife, Rev. Kathryn, brought into your life, and that they lead you to make the most of this day that God has given you.

— Cheryl Harrison, Founder, Friends of Ministry

P.S. Many of these photos, originally used in presentations I created for the church, were taken by the late Michael Cerone, a New York Yankees photographer and member of First Unity who donated his services, as well as film and processing, to the church. Michael was a dear friend to Revs. Alan and Kathryn, to me, and to many others.

Alan and his soon-to-be-wife Kathryn were ordained at Unity Village in 1971
As new Unity ministers, Alan and Kathryn co-founded Unity of Roanoke Valley
Born in England, Rev. Alan became a U.S. citizen on a 4th of July
Rev. Alan joined First Unity Church in St. Petersburg, FL on Valentine's Day 1993
First Unity embraced his beloved wife and fellow Unity minister, Kathryn
Rev. Kathryn often joined Rev. Alan during Sunday services...
Revs. Kathryn & Alan at Easter Sunrise Service, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg
...and in celebrations of milestones, of which there were many. Here, First Unity's board closes on an adjacent property to be used for classrooms and a bookstore
Revs. Alan & Kathryn, with Gary and Molly Crosby, burned the lease on that property
First Unity also paid off and burned the mortgage on its original property
Kathryn with daughters (from left) Celeste, Bonnie, Anne and Patty at her 80th birthday celebration at First Unity Church
Rev. Alan was known as an inspired and gifted speaker
He brought many contemporary luminaries to speak at First Unity and in the community. Here he is with author James Redfield...
...here, blessing Ram Dass, with Ramananda John Welshons
...here, welcoming Wally Amos, of Famous Amos cookies
...here with Michelle O'Donnell, author and healer
...here with James Twyman, author and musician
...who brought his peace quilt, which was wrapped around First Unity's sanctuary on 9/11
Rev. Alan as comforter during post-9/11 candlelight service at First Unity
He taught many classes, including this Lessons in Truth course in progress on 9/11
He honored Lynda Carpenter, long-time friend and church administrator
He loved parties! Here, he announced a winner at First Unity's $10,000 Dance.
He led many groups on retreats, including this group photographed at Unity Village.
He was a good friend to many. Here, he chats with Joyce & Frank LaGattuta, generous members of First Unity, in the church's Rose Garden....
...and shares laughs with old friend Nancy Rubino, left, and with Bonnie Locke
...and celebrates Easter at the St. Petersburg Pier with Rev. Kathryn, church staff member Cheryl Harrison, and Patty Taylor, daughter.
...officiating at church board member Dennis Dinoia's biker wedding
...with musician Fred Johnson, Easter Sunrise Service, Vinoy Park
He blessed hundreds of pets at the church's annual Pet Blessing Ceremony.
He was touched by his congregation's outpouring of love and appreciation for his ministry...
...and treasured time with family (with granddaughter Rosie, visiting from England)...
...here, he is serenading Rev. Kathryn during a Valentine's Day skit
...celebrating a special occasion with Kathryn, love of his life.
He led Unity's first tour to China, taking 61 people with him.
Leading prayer on a bus in Beijing
In Shanghai, left, and at the Great Wall, right
At the Great Wall with future Unity ministers Barbara Williams, left, and Judy James, right, and church staff member Cheryl Harrison, future founder of Friends of Ministry
Easter Sunrise Service at Vinoy Park with Rev. Temple Hayes, who succeeded him as senior minister.
In retirement, he led a tour to India.
Kathryn, mother of 4, grandmother of 17 and great-grandmother of 5, made her transition Aug. 19, 2014.
A former president of the Association of Unity Churches, Rev. Alan was known throughout the Unity movement. "What a man. One of the best Unity ministers we have ever had," said fellow Unity minister and friend Jim Rosemergy (another one of the best).
Recognizing the loving and gentle spirit of their ministries, the Association of Unity Churches awarded Revs. Alan and Kathryn the Myrtle Fillmore Award in the year 2000.
As on Earth, so it is in Heaven. Amen.

13 Comments:

David Swindall
June 10, 2018 at 12:02 am

Rev. Alan was a wise and gentle soul. He nurished me when I was struggling with my faith. His ministry of loving kindness will always be an inspiration to me. I am blessed by his love.

Connie Barrett
June 10, 2018 at 8:48 am

Great job Cheryl. This brought back a lot of memories. We have lost a wonderful sweet soul. We will all miss him.

Inez
June 10, 2018 at 11:45 am

Thanks for the memories Cheryl.

Lynda Schmitt
June 10, 2018 at 12:49 pm

Thanks for all the wonderful photos and memories.

Geri Espy
June 10, 2018 at 4:58 pm

Cheryl, thank you so much for the beautiful and thoughtful memorial you have created for Revs. Alan and Kathryn. The photos renew many memories and remind me of lives beautifully lived. You were a special and devoted friend to both of them. Blessings upon them and you, dear friend.

Catherine Hamel
July 8, 2018 at 3:07 pm

Thank you Cheryl for this great blessing. Reverend Kathryn felt like a dear close friend; loved her sense of humor. Reverend Alan – an earth angel; his eyes always sparkling, a smile sincere & joy-filled, his voice a soft confidence always speaking the right words of guidance. How we each at First Unity were blessed with these two ministry teachers and guides.

Nancy Rubino
August 16, 2018 at 12:54 pm

Thanks for your beautiful work Cheryl. So many of us loved Alan and are full of gratitude for his teachings that changed so many lives for the better. I personally am grateful to you for being such a loyal friend to him especially in his later years
when you were always there for him to assist him in any and many ways. I’m sure Kathryn is smiling down on you with much love. They were precious friends.
Lovingly, Nancy Rubino

Inez
August 16, 2018 at 4:14 pm

Thanks again Cheryl. We loved him. He touched so many with his loving kindness and guidance. He was an extraordinary man that will always be in our hearts.

Richard & Pat Schell-Unity Spiritual Center of Port Richey, Florida
August 18, 2018 at 8:49 am

We did not know Rev. Alan real well, but just his presence and his energy was a gift for all of us.

Sandra Gajewski
August 18, 2018 at 11:12 am

Rev Alan was a magnificent human being who will be forever missed! ?

Elizabeth Nikitin
January 20, 2019 at 8:27 am

I am blessed to have known him from afar – to have had access to his teachings via the internet and his permission to share his words with my church community. I continue to miss his writings – my condolences to his loved ones and church family.

Jonathan Brooks
January 12, 2020 at 12:38 pm

I only met him a few times in my life but he seemed like a genuinely lovely and kind man. I always wanted to have got to know him better but unfortunately he died before I got the chance. Reading these lovely messages confirms what a kind generous person he was.

Sidney Vaught
August 17, 2022 at 8:02 pm

I knew Alan and Kathryn Rowbotham when they were pastors of Unity of the Roanoke Valley in Virginia.

They were the kindest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. No discussion was too difficult for them to talk about. They were the kind of pastors who you could pour your heart out to. They were very special and their ministry unique. It’s too bad pastors today aren’t more like them.

I am a musical artist who performed for over fifty years. Every time I sang at Unity, the Rowbothams were always so appreciative. It was always a pleasure to sing for Unity of the Roanoke Valley.

I miss them both very much and I hope when I go to my next destination, I can see them again.