About Us
Unity of Palmyra is a welcoming and affirming congregation, and is a member of Unity Worldwide Ministries. We teach a message of inclusion and positive spirituality, and participate in the Unity movement’s vision of creating a world that works for all. As stated in our Diversity Statement, “We recognize and honor the Divine within as the one common denominator that we share on our human journey.”
Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity movement, once defined Unity as: “Unity is a link in the great educational movement inaugurated by Jesus Christ; our objective is to discern the truth in Christianity and prove it. The truth that we teach is not new; neither do we claim special revelations or discovery of new religious principles. Our purpose is to help and teach mankind to use and prove the eternal Truth taught by the Master.”
Often defined as “practical Christianity,” Unity embraces many paths to God, and honors the truth that is at the heart of the rich and varied faith traditions in our world. Through our Sunday services, youth education, classes, workshops and events, we learn and demonstrate those truths in our daily lives, endeavoring to become the change we wish to see in the world. “The Unity movement stands for and will tirelessly work for harmony so all people may know the freedom of peaceful expression; so they may know their own inner worth and essential contribution to the whole of life.” – Unity’s Statement of Social Action Position
Our Vision
Centered in Love, we embrace a positive path for spiritual living.
Our Mission
We provide a welcoming community that inspires and encourages all who gather here,
through the teaching, sharing, and practice of universal spiritual principles.
Our Values
Accepting – We honor all paths to God
and celebrate diversity through inclusivity.
Compassionate – We are loving, kind and caring with one another,
our community, and our world.
Transformative – We courageously change and grow,
both individually and collectively.
Positive – We are contagiously optimistic,
choosing to see the good in everything and everyone!
Open-Minded – We are open and receptive to new ways
of thinking, being and doing.
Centered in Love, we embrace a positive path for spiritual living.
Our Mission
We provide a welcoming community that inspires and encourages all who gather here,
through the teaching, sharing, and practice of universal spiritual principles.
Our Values
Accepting – We honor all paths to God
and celebrate diversity through inclusivity.
Compassionate – We are loving, kind and caring with one another,
our community, and our world.
Transformative – We courageously change and grow,
both individually and collectively.
Positive – We are contagiously optimistic,
choosing to see the good in everything and everyone!
Open-Minded – We are open and receptive to new ways
of thinking, being and doing.
History
After meeting at the Best Western Inn in Hershey for a number of years, we set an intention to find a location where we could grow and expand our ministry. In 2000, after applying to the Association of Unity Churches' Field Licensing Program to become an ordained minister and leading us in a blessing of release for our meeting place at the Best Western, our spiritual leader, Julie Vance, found an ad in The Patriot News which read "Church for free." A local builder and developer had bought an existing church building in Palmyra and wanted to donate it to a church group. We were chosen to receive this incredible gift!
Julie was accepted into the Field Licensing program in March 2001 and we joyfully held our first service at our current location, 37 East Main Street in Palmyra, on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001. During the past fifteen years we have been blessed as a congregation to celebrate our church building's 100th Anniversary on July 4, 2002, Reverend Julie's ordination on April 10, 2005, our congregation's 10th Anniversary Celebration in Palmyra, and many joyous occasions in the lives of our Unity family.
In April of 2017, Rev. Julie retired after many happy and successful years as our Senior Minister. In May of that year, we hired Rev. Stephanie Seigh to support us through our transition. In December of 2017, Rev. Stephanie and the Council decided, with the support of the congregation, to make their relationship a more permanent one. Rev. Stephanie has served our community as Senior Minister since then, through Covid, renovations, and much more… we look forward to many more years together, committed to being the change we wish to see in the world.
Julie was accepted into the Field Licensing program in March 2001 and we joyfully held our first service at our current location, 37 East Main Street in Palmyra, on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001. During the past fifteen years we have been blessed as a congregation to celebrate our church building's 100th Anniversary on July 4, 2002, Reverend Julie's ordination on April 10, 2005, our congregation's 10th Anniversary Celebration in Palmyra, and many joyous occasions in the lives of our Unity family.
In April of 2017, Rev. Julie retired after many happy and successful years as our Senior Minister. In May of that year, we hired Rev. Stephanie Seigh to support us through our transition. In December of 2017, Rev. Stephanie and the Council decided, with the support of the congregation, to make their relationship a more permanent one. Rev. Stephanie has served our community as Senior Minister since then, through Covid, renovations, and much more… we look forward to many more years together, committed to being the change we wish to see in the world.
Bylaws
Click here for Bylaws.