Kansas City’s Unity Temple on the Plaza prides itself on living out its nonsectarian motto, “Where diversity is praised, and peace and harmony are the rewards.”
But these days not all is peaceful or harmonious inside the halls at 707 W. 47th St.— where hurt and accusations have so mounted that, this week, they spilled out onto social media.
At the core of the controversy: The Rev. Duke Tufty, a well-known and dynamic figure who for 35 years, since 1991, was Unity Temple’s chief executive officer and senior minister. That is until he retired 18 months ago, on Dec. 31, 2024, with the new title (now part of the controversy) “Minister Emeritus.”
What Tufty claims is that under the leadership of his replacement — The Rev. Anne Tabor, whom he helped recruit and bring from Texas to Kansas City — the board of Unity Temple not only is demanding that he cease using what they say is the unsanctioned title of “minister emeritus of Unity Temple” but he is also banned from officiating at the funerals of congregants who had specifically and previously requested him to do so as their friend and former minister…