Worship Services at Unity Church

During the church year (the Sunday after Labor Day through the third Sunday in May) worship services are held at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 4:30 p.m., except where noted. The entrance to the Sanctuary is at 733 Portland Avenue and parking is available in the church's lot on the corner of Portland Avenue and St. Albans Street. Map and Directions

From the Sunday before Memorial Day through the Sunday before Labor Day there is just one service each week at 10:00 a.m.
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Each Sunday, through the work of the Generosity Ministry Team, seventy percent of the offering is placed in the hands of the chosen community non-profit recipient. The remaining thirty percent goes to support of the Community Outreach Ministry at Unity Church. Offering recipients for each Sunday are listed below the Sunday service description. If you would like to nominate a non-profit to receive the Sunday offering, please fill out the online nomination form.

December Sunday Worship
9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m., except where noted.

December 2: Miracles Abound: Science and Wonder
In these days when scientific fact is up for debate by politicians, let us take a moment to remember how scientific inquiry is grounded in the magic of wonder and discovery. Join Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Kevin Harris as they celebrate the essential role of curiosity and uncover the miracles that abound all around us in the natural world. 
Offering recipient: TU Dance School

December 9: Letting Wonder Have Its Way
We tend to think of spiritual practice as a conscious, focused discipline. But for those of us who need to cultivate humility surrendering to wonder can help us to grow beyond our need to control and judge the world. Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Maima Fant will offer a service urging us to let wonder guide us as we lean into the winter holy days.
Offering recipient: Face It Foundation

December 16: Cultivating a Practice of Wonder
Wonder is at the core of an open and curious heart. How do we stay open and grounded, especially in the season where we are told over and over again that all we have to do is purchase happiness and it will be ours. Join Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Lia Rivamonte as they work to cultivate a practice of wonder. 
Offering recipient: Indigenous Roots

December 23: Holy Families
Services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. only
Don’t miss our Christmas Family Sunday service! The service will begin with a carol sing-a-long. Our infamous carol shout will be held during the 11:00 a.m. service. The ministers will preside, old stories will be told, and good cheer will be shared by all.
Offering recipient: Open Hands Midway
On Family Sundays, children experience the entire worship together with their families in the Sanctuary. A children’s message and activity books related to the stories and sermon help children to engage in the experience of worship. Regular religious education programming does not take place on Family Sundays; however, the nursery is open for children under three years of age.

December 30: The Stories We Tell, the Stories We Forget
One service only at 10:00 a.m.
A well-told story can change the world. But what happens to the stories which get forgotten? Hallman Ministerial Intern Kathryn Jay and worship associate Bob Lies will celebrate a famous family who escaped Bethlehem to safety, and wonder how the story changes when we remember the other families left behind to weep for their children.
Offering recipient: Minneapolis Crisis Nursery

December Holiday Services

​Blue Holidays Service 
Wednesday, December 19 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Ames Chapel
Join us for this contemplative service for all who are lonely, grieving, and hurting during the holidays. Come and be with others in the community as we take gentle care of our tender hearts together. Childcare will be provided. 

Winter Solstice Celebration 
Friday, December 21 • 7:00 p.m. • Parish Hall
Come join us for a contemplative, family-friendly, Celtic-inspired ritual to mark the turning of the year as the darkness gives way to the growing light. This participatory ritual will include chanting, meditation, candle-lighting, singing, and cauldron jumping. Kids — bring animal masks and hand percussion (rattles, shakers, bells)! 

CHRISTMAS EVE

• Find A Stillness • 10:00 a.m. • Ames Chapel
  In the full rush of Christmas Eve morning we will gather in the quiet of Ames Chapel. There will be extended periods of silence to provide time for relief and contemplation. The service will include an invitation to join in communion.
• ​Christmas Pageant • 4:00 and 5:30 p.m
  Sanctuary
  Our ministers narrate the story of the nativity as Unity’s youth act out the story in the Sanctuary. All children and youth in grades K-12 are warmly invited to participate Especially needed: heavenly hosts (grades K-2), acolytes (grades 7-12), and shepherds (grades 1-2, 7-12). CLICK HERE for details and registration. 
• Christmas by Candlelight: Family Lessons and Carols • 7:00 p.m. • Sanctuary
  This service is a collaboration between Above Every Name Ministries and Unity Church. This is a service for the entire family, with carols and stories that children and adults will enjoy. Nursery care available for infants and toddlers. 
• Christmas by Candlelight: Lessons and Carols • 10:00 p.m. • Sanctuary
  Join worship leaders KP Hong and Janne and Rob Eller-Isaacs as we retell the Christmas story and celebrate the promise of peace within.

Family and Story Sundays

Family Sundays 2018-19
Family Sundays take place five times each church year:

• Sunday, September 9: Merging of Waters
• Sunday, November 18: Thanksgiving
• Sunday, December 23: Carol Sing/Shout
• Sunday, April 21: Easter
• Sunday, May 19: Flower Communion

On Family Sundays, children experience the entire worship together with their families in the Sanctuary. A children’s message and activity books related to the stories and sermon help children to engage in the experience of worship. Regular religious education programming does not take place on Family Sundays; however, the nursery is open for children under three years of age.

Story Sundays 2018-19
Story Sundays happen frequently throughout the church year, with children in grades 1-8 beginning in worship with the congregation in the Sanctuary. After the opening hymn, prayers, and children’s message, Workshop Rotation children (grades 1-5) proceed with their Journey Guides to their classrooms for religious education programming while junior high youth (grades 6-8) remain in the sanctuary for the entire worship service.

• Sunday, October 28
• Sunday, January 20
• Sunday, February 24
• Sunday, March 24