What’s Happening

As we continue to live creatively and faithfully into this post-“ice age” season for our church and world, we are planning a variety of opportunities for us to celebrate Christmas together. We want to share our plans with you so that you might find the best opportunity to join us as we bear witness to the light that still shines!

Everyone (especially guests and visitors) is welcome, but please sign up for the service(s) that you plan to attend:

Thursday, December 23 (yes, Christmas Eve, Eve)

Sign up for December 23 Services here.

Continuing the tradition we began last year of gathering on the 23rd for 30-minute services on the lawn as a witness for us and our community. If it rains these services will be held inside the 2010 sanctuary …

● 4:00 PM – Live on the Lawn Children and Family service

● 6:00 PM – Live on the Lawn Candlelight Service

Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Sign up for December 24 Services here.

Continuing both recent and long-standing traditions, we will offer video, live-stream, and indoor services in the 2010 Sanctuary ….

● 11:00 AM – Live Premiered Video Service – Children’s Choir and Pageant on YouTube, Facebook, and the Church Website

● 2:00 PM – Christmas Eve Service with communion and candlelight in the Sanctuary

● 4:00 PM – Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary, with service leadership by several of Unity’s Youth

● 6:00 PM – Christmas Eve Service with communion and candlelight in the Sanctuary, with significant choral and music arrangements

Sunday, December 26 (First Sunday of Christmas)

Beginning a new tradition (for the Sunday after Christmas only) …

● 10:00 AM – A single, interactive, intergenerational casual dress service with casual dress in the Sanctuary

We hope that these services will not only be wonderful times for our church family but also be opportunities to truly share the light and love of Christ with our community. Watch for more information in the coming weeks and please contact Dr. Rich if you have any questions.

Families with children: Unity is having a Birthday Party for Jesus on Saturday, December 11th, from 10:00-11:30 am at Unity Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall.

Join us for crafts, games, and activities that remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Birthday Presents will be donated to the Fort Mill Care Center. Diapers and pull-ups of all sizes, baby food, and formula are most needed at this time.

Click here to RSVP by Wednesday, December 8^th

THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING is one of the four PC(USA) Special Offerings collected each year.  The offering is divided equally between the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and support for Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.  The Assistance Program provides critical financial support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges support education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This offering will be received in worship on Sunday, December 12, but you can give at any time. Click here for more information on how to give.

We are so happy that the Regathering Team approved the plan for Unity to participate in the Angel Tree this year. As in the past, we are helping families who are clients of the Fort Mill Care Center, our two RAIN (Regional Aids Interfaith Network) team partners, and Family Promise families. Please return your gifts/gift cards by NOON on Sunday, December 12, so they can be distributed to the families. We have three ways for you to participate this year:

1. Angel Tree Gifts: The Angel Tree in the narthex has angels with gift suggestions for children and Walmart gift cards/personal care items for adults. Angels with gift cards for RAIN team partners will also be on the Angel Tree.
2. Gift Cards for Family Promise: You may donate a Walmart Gift Card ($25 is preferred, but we will accept any denomination) for our Family Promise families. These unwrapped Walmart Gift Cards may be dropped off in a sealed envelope with your name and “Angel Tree” on the envelope in the Church Office, in the Church mailbox (in front of the Historic Sanctuary), or in the Gift Card box on the Angel Tree sign up table.
3. Monetary Donations: You may donate online using the “Give Now” button on the Unity Website and choosing the “Angel Tree” Fund.

If you have any questions, please contact Joyce White (murrayw@comporium.net or 548-4135). Merry Christmas, and thank you for supporting families in our community during this joyous holiday season.

Walking/Hiking is recommended by doctors as the very best exercise to improve both physical and mental health. Beginning on September 1, 2021, and running until November 30, 2021, Unity is conducting a Walking/Hiking Challenge as part of our Unity 140 Year Historic Sanctuary Celebration. During the challenge, each person is to set a goal considering where they are now, and what will be a challenge for them. If you complete the challenge, you will be recognized and receive a small 2 1/2 inch Cross and Unity Bookmark made from the Heart Pine flooring from the Historic Sanctuary. You can do your walking anywhere, but we encourage you to do some of your walks on the beautiful Unity campus. We will be providing maps of the routes at Unity. The routes will include a Unity Mile, 1/2 Mile, 1/3 Mile, 0.1 Mile, and 0.05 Mile distance.

All of the walks can be done individually, but walking with a group is a great opportunity to socialize and get to know others! In addition, on the spiritual side, we are asking folks to include a short devotional, such as reading Dr. Matt Rich’s daily devotional. We are asking the many groups in the church to consider doing a weekly group walk. There will be a special recognition given to any Unity group whose members miles add up to the 1400 Miles – Traveling with Paul: First Missionary Journey Challenge.

Join the Walking/Hiking Challenge and make a difference in your Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Life!

Click here to track your progress: EXCEL version       PDF version

Would you like to honor a family member, friend, or a special group of people?  Placing fresh flowers in the sanctuary to the glory of God is a perfect way to remember and celebrate a special person/s or occasion in your life.  You may order flowers from a local florist or provide your own arrangement with flowers from your yard or another place of business that sells fresh-cut flowers.  Your name along with the name or occasion being honored will be printed in the church bulletin.

Dates for 2022 have now been added to a sign-up genius on the church’s website for reserving a Sunday to place flowers in the sanctuary.  You may click here and complete the steps for selecting your choice of Sunday(s).  All instructions are included.  If you have questions, please contact Debbie Butler (dsbutler@UnityFortMill.org or 803-547-5543).

Early sign-up is recommended to ensure the Sunday of your choice.

“We are all flowers in God’s Garden.”

-Karen Sweeney-Ryall

Throughout the year we host a variety of events for our children and attend camps during the Summer. We strive to not only teach them about Jesus and the true meaning of the various holidays, but also to provide inter-generational Faith formation opportunities so our children and their families can continue to grow in Faith together.

Click here to view all upcoming events hosted by our Children’s Ministry Team for children ages 4 years old through 5th grade.

Questions? Contact Kathryn McGregor at KMcGregor@UnityFortMill.org.

Click here to view all upcoming events for our Middle School and High School Youth.

Click here to view our daily devotions.

We are excited to continue with Sunday morning in-person indoor worship in the sanctuary. However, we recognize the need for continued vigilance and love to ensure as a community that we minimize the risk of both spreading and contracting COVID-19. As disciples of Jesus, we seek above all else to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbors as ourselves, so following guidance from global health experts, we have prepared to worship together.

Click here for full information on Worship in the Sanctuary (as of 07.01.2021).