Greetings

Overjoyed.

Excited.

Eager.

A sense of peace and "right" ness.

Thrilled.

Just a short list of words that describe my feelings as I arrive here in Fort Mill, SC at Unity Presbyterian Church to be the Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry. I have heard over and over how this church has been in prayer for a long time for the finding of a new person to work with youth, and I too have been in prayer for the last two years for the church to which God has called me to serve. For a long time, I have discerned within myself a call to Youth Ministry and to pastoral ministry, and I believe that God has called me to Unity and us to this relationship. In just over a week of being in this place, I know that God is at work! And I am looking forward to seeking, experiencing, and serving God together.

As we look to the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, I am beginning this blog as a way to accomplish a few things:

1. To keep everyone informed of changes or new events coming down the pipeline

2. To open a conversation between myself and you - here you can find out what we are focusing on in youth group and some resources for reinforcing those lessons at home; you are also welcome then to join the conversation with me and the other adult leaders about what is missing, what you are excited about, and what needs clarification.

Each week, I will update this blog and send you an email link. I hope you will check out the blog for updated information and to find out what is going on in the life of our youth group.

Upcoming Important Dates

Sunday, August 30:     Confirmation Parent Meeting

(10:00 AM: Historic Sanctuary)

Sunday, September 13:    Youth Group Parent Meeting

(6:30 PM: Unity Hall)

Sunday, September 20:   Youth Group Kick-Off

5:00-6:00 PM:  Middle School Youth Group, Youth Room

6:00-6:45 PM: Dinner (SNL), Fellowship Hall

6:45 PM: Senior High Youth Group, Youth Room

Please remember to register ahead of time for dinner. (For information on dinners, please see this page.)

Hey, who is this new pastor lady?

For those of you who'd like to know more about me, here is a brief introduction:

My name is Lindsay McCarty, but as of Friday, August 28, I will be Lindsay White. On that day, I will marry {the love of my life, my best friend, my partner in crime} Alex White, and we will move to our Ballantyne apartment next week. We are both from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born and raised, and we are huge Pittsburgh Pirates fans. We also love the Beatles, exploring new cities, and critiquing new films. We will be married on August 28 surrounded by close family, and we will celebrate our reception on November 7 in Pittsburgh with our larger family and friends.

I graduated from Westminster College in 2008 with a BA in Religious Studies. While I was there, I was an intern for Youth Ministry at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, where I focused on middle school youth. Following graduation, I began working in youth ministry at churches throughout the Pittsburgh area. In 2010, I discerned a call to pastoral ministry and began attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. I did my field work at the church plant in Pittsburgh, Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community. I graduated with a Masters in Divinity from PTS in 2013. Since then, I have continued in my call as a youth director at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon.

I have been approved by Providence Presbytery to begin my work, but I still have a couple of steps left in the Ordination process. In October, I will go before Providence Presbytery to preach and be questioned, and, as we say in the PCUSA, if the way be clear, I will then set a date to be ordained and installed as the Associate Pastor here at Unity.

Alex and I are so grateful for the warm welcome we have received so far here at Unity, and we are looking forward to what God has in store for this place and this people at this time. Let us set off on this great adventure together!