It has been said that it only takes a spark to get a fire going, and so it is with the now annual Unity in the Community event. In its sixth year, Unity in the Community organizers are hoping to continue to watch the event spread its fire as it moves to a new location.
This year’s event will be held Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., at Union Elementary School, located on U.S. 421 South.
“We began small in the Harrells community. It was the dream of the late Rev. Glenwood Hemmingway, former pastor of Wards Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, to have an event that brought together all people to a day of unity and celebration. This year we are moving from the Harrells location in hopes that more people will come into the community and be a part of the days celebration,” explained Unity chairman Charles Strickland.
The efforts to grow the fire that Hemmingway began, with help from many others who have successfully held Unity in the Community together following his death, have made it necessary for the committee to move in hopes that more communities from all over Sampson County will come take part in the day’s activities.
“We are looking to move forward in hopes that bigger will be better as more people take part in trying to be more united in Christ and more united as citizens of Sampson County. We are striving for more diversity. The more and different people we have participate, the better we will be able to bond together and become a more unified community,” asserted Strickland.
Unity in the Community is an event that brings together churches, businesses, families and governmental officials, for a day of free food, religious fellowship and fun. It was Hemmingway’s belief that the entire community would benefit from networking, regardless of color or cultural differences.
“The Harrells location has been wonderful for us. But now if we are to grow, we have to expand our outreach into other communities so that people understand that what we are doing is not just for the Harrells community but for everyone. We want to send out a message to all the churches in the county to come and be a part of Unity in the Community,” stressed the chairman.
Not only will various churches be participating but there will be other fun activities, such as local talent performances, face painting, bingo and many other events going on all day. And that is not mentioning all the free food.
The Unity in the Community Committee, in the tradition of what Hemmingway began, is designed to strengthen relationships between the diverse communities. It is the committee’s hope and prayer that more people than ever will come, join in and share the multicultural gift and abilities that God has given them into one glorious Christian presentation that will represent a truly united community.
“With the economy being as it has been for the past several years, we feel that this event will allow everyone to come out and take part in something that will take them away from the struggles they have been facing and see that there is a new hope while enjoying a little pleasure that is available,” cited Strickland.
The Unity in the Community Committee is hoping that tomorrow’s event will be the biggest and best ever.
“Unity in the Community will be proof that God is still in control and even if things are still difficult there is still hope and we will uplift God and the entire Sampson County Community,” remarked Strickland.
If anyone would like to know more about Saturday’s Unity in the Community event and make the fire grow stronger and brighter, contact Charles Strickland at 910-590-4925 or Shirley DeVane 910-532-4474, or sdevane@hotmail.com.
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