Sunday Morning Groups
**No registration is necessary for Sunday morning groups. Participants should contact the leader listed for the Zoom link if they choose to attend remotely.**
LABYRINTH 101
Now that Unity’s labyrinth will open soon, how will I use it? On Sunday, October 3 at 4:15, join Kathryn McGregor for Labyrinth 101 outside in the new courtyard to learn what a labyrinth is, a brief history of how Christians have used labyrinths in spiritual formation, and how you can use the labyrinth for prayer, meditation, and gaining insight into your spiritual journey with Christ. All participants will have an opportunity to walk the labyrinth during this introduction. No registration is needed. Questions? Contact KMcGregor@UnityFortMill.org
ADD SOME HEART-LEARNING TO YOUR WALKING
Want to add some spiritual depth to your walking? Then join us on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall as Steve Simon demonstrates and explains how to memorize Scripture while we walk, a spiritual practice he calls “heart-learning.” A great way to turn ordinary walks into holy walks! (Steve is a retired PCUSA minister. He and his wife Carol recently joined our congregation.) No registration is necessary.
AS A CHILD (HYBRID)
This group engages in lively discussions as we explore the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Adults of all ages are welcomed to join in as we read and study God’s words together. This year, we will study the books of 2nd Samuel and the gospel of John.
Facilitator: Jim Boyd – jim.boyd@comporium.net
Meets: Sundays, Beginning Sept 12, M312, 9:45 AM
UNITY (HYBRID)
Join the Unity Sunday school class for a conversation about one of the lectionary scripture texts for the day. We delve into the exegetical and theological meaning of scripture and how God is speaking to each of us today through the Word. This class of adults of all ages is open to anyone interested in learning more about scripture in community with others.
Facilitators: Maggie Bost, James Bunge, Joe and Connie Flory, Ed Martin, and Bob Mobley.
Contact: jflory@radford.edu
Meets: Sundays, Beginning Sept 12, FH, 9:45 AM
WHY CHRISTIAN? CLASS
This class reads books together and uses small group studies to discuss how our faith connects with cultural issues of the day. Participants covenant to be respectful of others’ views, to listen, and to share how they see God speaking to the church today. This class of all ages is open to anyone willing to read and discuss how faith connects us to our everyday life.
Facilitator: Thomas Monroe – monroe.thomasj@gmail.com
Meets: Sundays, Beginning Oct 10, Hospitality Room M201, 9:45 AM
Fall Small Groups
CENTERING PRAYER/LABYRINTH WALK
Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This group will explore a variety of types of Centering Prayer, beginning inside for some prayer time and concluding in our new courtyard to walk Unity’s labyrinth.
Facilitator: Susan Mobley – swnurse@gmail.com
Meets: Tuesdays, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Historic Sanctuary, 1:30 – 2:15 PM
FALLING UPWARD
Study: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard
Father Richard Rohr in his book entitled “Falling Upward” offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound mysteries of life. Our fallings can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Come, join a group that will explore the two halves of life. Rohr will lead us to see how our failures, our suffering often provide a bridge from the first half of life to the spiritual joys that can be ours in the second half.
Leader: Joan DeBruyn – joannadebruyn@gmail.com
Meets: Thursdays, Beginning Sept 30, FH Parlor, 1:30 PM
MEN’S SMALL GROUP
Study: The Walk by Adam Hamilton
This group of men in their 20s and 30s (older are also welcome) will meet every other Wednesday night on Zoom for fellowship, study, and prayer. Using Adam Hamilton’s book, “The Walk,” participants will discuss five essential practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Facilitator: Thomas Monroe and Danny Ryan
Contact: Thomas Monroe – monroe.thomasj@gmail.com
Meets: Wednesdays, Sept 8, 22, Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 17, Zoom, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
MESSY MOTHERHOOD
Study: Sabbath in the Suburbs By MaryAnn McKibben Dana
This small group is for moms looking for a place to explore ways to infuse faith development and prayer in their family life to help young children grow in faith. Limited to 12 participants, we will read Sabbath in the Suburbs and discuss how to practice Sabbath in the midst of a busy life.
Leader: Kathryn McGregor – kmcgregor@unityfortmill.org
Meets: Tuesdays, Sept 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, Zoom, 7:30 PM
MONDAY MUSINGS WITH MATT
Have you ever had a question Sunday afternoon about the morning’s sermon? Felt like you wanted to dig a little deeper into the scripture? Maybe even thought the preacher missed the main point altogether? The best sermons should be the beginning of a conversation about the gospel, so Dr. Rich wants to give you a chance to “talk back” each week. Come just once or every week with your questions, your thoughts, and a cup of coffee for conversation about and study of Sunday’s sermon and scripture texts.
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Matt Rich – mrich@unityfortmill.org
Meets: Mondays, Sept 20–May 23, Sanctuary, Sept, Historic Sanctuary, October -May, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
LADIES DEVOTIONAL TIME
Do your head and heart feel like a “Full House” sometimes? Need to get away for 30-minutes to listen to a heartfelt devotional that reveals God’s promises? If you answered yes, then this is the meeting for you! Come join a group of ladies to listen to Candace Bure’s “100 Days of Joy and Strength.” The group will meet on Zoom for 6 weeks and will share a 30 minute devotional and prayer time.
Facilitator: Erin Pratt
Meets: Thursdays, Sept 16-Oct 21, 7:00 – 7:30 PM
YEAR-LONG STUDIES
DISCIPLE 1 (HYBRID)
Disciple is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders. The study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. Disciple draws upon the work of scholars, the personal Bible reading and study of the participant, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible. The first study in the program is Disciple: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study, a 34-week overview of the entire Bible.
Facilitator: Beverly Tysinger – cyclistmom@comporium.net
Meets: Wednesdays, Beginning Sept 1- May, M312, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
UNITY BOOK CLUB
The Unity Book Club meets once a month to discuss a book chosen by the group. We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books. A list of books for the upcoming months is available. All are welcome.
Facilitator: Karen Bonds – keybull_98@yahoo.com
Meets: 2nd Thursday, Sept 16, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9, FH, 10:00 AM
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY (HYBRID)
Study: Ephesians, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, Hebrews
The Wednesday Morning Bible Study group engages in lively discussions as we explore each book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Everyone is welcomed to join in as we read and study God’s words for us. Anyone who is not ready for in-person study may join by Zoom.
Facilitator: Susan Palmer – bobpalmer@comporium.net
Meets: Wednesdays, Oct 6 – May 25, Historic Sanctuary, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
For more information, click here.
To register for any of the year-long or small groups, log into Unity’s website: https://secure.accessacs.com/access/mydashboard/sgavailablegroups.aspx or contact Kathryn McGregor at KMcGregor@UnityFortMill.org or 803-547-5543.