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The Secret Santa program at Grace United Methodist Church is now underway.  Over the last 30 years, Union County has unselfishly given children in our community the opportunity to experience the true meaning of the holiday.  The program, sponsored by the Upper Room and Young Adult Sunday School Classes at Grace United Methodist Church, has a goal of serving 320 children (ages 10 and under) this year.

 

We are asking citizens of our community to sponsor at least one child.  Parents have submitted a list of 3 gifts for each child and sponsors are asked to purchase at least one of the gifts from the list but may purchase all three.  In addition, we are asking that sponsors include an item in each package that relays the message of God’s love.

 

We know the pandemic has hit many families hard.  If you are able, we hope you will find a way to help us make sure all of the precious children in Union County will be blessed. 

 

Our sponsorship drive will run through December 11, with the last day to return gifts on December 12.  If you would like to sponsor a child, please email us at graceumc_secretsanta@hotmail.com or leave a message at 864-426-2776.  We truly appreciate the community’s generosity over the years of delivering packages to deserving children at Christmas!

 

Upper Room and Young Adult Sunday School Classes

Grace United Methodist Church

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Carlisle Christian Fellowship Church (across from the post office in Carlisle) will be serving dinner on Thanksgiving Day-this will be a drive-thru event and will be held from 11-2 on November 26-Pastor Edwards and the church family welcomes all

 

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On Saturday, December 5th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. the Union County Museum located at 127 West Main Street, will host Dr. Dan O'Shields signing copies of his new book "Murder Among Friends". Please drop by and purchase one for yourself and one for a Christmas gift!

The museum has an extensive gift shop, also.

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Christmas at PC to Continue Virtually this Year

Three months ago, it looked like the pandemic would end 21 consecutive years of Christmas at PC, the Presbyterian College Department of Music's annual Christmas program. Because of concerns about safety, the Christmas tradition was on the verge of being canceled.

 

Then, the PC music professors found a way to continue the tradition. The music department decided to record the program this year instead of hosting it live on campus.

 

"Home for Christmas" will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 and on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3:00. The performances will air on Facebook.

 

"From a very pragmatic standpoint, more people are going to be able to participate," said music professor Dr. Christian Elser.

 

"What’s more, as the performance will be visible still after the livestream event, it’s something that folks can enjoy watching again, share with friends, or view at a time that is more convenient."

 

"Home for Christmas" will last a little more than an hour instead of an hour and a half, the length of Christmas at PC programs in the past.

 

This year's program will include Christmas classics like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!", "O, Holy Night," and a special rendition of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." The final number of the pre-recorded program will be a compilation of PC alumni singing "O Come, All Ye Faithful" as part of a virtual choir.

 

The rest of the program will be recorded in mid-November, before students return home for Thanksgiving. During the recording, and during all rehearsals leading up to it,  students will follow the safety precautions that students have been following since they returned to campus in August.

 

"The arts are more necessary now than ever," Elser said. "We are living under a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a polarized political environment along with all of our usual daily struggles.

 

"Producing something thoughtful, uplifting and beautiful, even under these unique circumstances is why we are moving forward with a Christmas program this fall."

 

Students have been practicing social distancing while performing in the chapel, Edmunds Hall, and on the loggia of Belk Auditorium. While Christmas at PC typically takes place in Belk Auditorium the performances will be recorded in Edmunds Hall. 

 

The PC Department of Music is taking extra precautions in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Each of the performers will come into Edmunds Hall one at a time to be recorded. Spaces will be disinfected between each performance.

 

This year, PC President Bob Staton and physics professor Dr. Chad Rodekohr will read scripture during the program.

 

"Music encompasses the intellectual and spiritual in equal portions," Elser said. 'It helps create empathy, joy, and most importantly, hope. It speaks to our common humanity in a truly unique way."

 

To watch the 21st annual Christmas at PC, "At Home for Christmas," please visit PC's Department of Music Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PCDeptOfMusic. Even those without Facebook can watch the program.

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