We’re thrilled to welcome back Rev. Dr. Rik Stevenson as he leads our service with a powerful message rooted in an Afro-centric hermeneutic of the text. This week’s teaching explores the giants we face – not just the Goliaths of the world, but the hidden giants within that quietly stir up dysfunction in our lives. David’s story reminds us that sometimes the battles we don’t see are the ones that shape us most.
Plus, we’re blessed to have a beautiful musical offering from Kamie Hemmerich, Melvin Smith-Lopez, Ruth Saunders and Phillip Herr-Klepacki. You won’t want to miss it. See you Sunday!
This Sunday, August 3
Food First Sunday
9 a.m. Ministerial Mornings coffee hour with Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Dr. Rik Stevenson
Coffee Church
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m. Art in the Library Reception
11:30 a.m. Board of Parish Ministry meeting
Sunday Seminar – Talkback with Rev. Dr. Rik Stevenson
Ministerial Mornings with Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper will be held at 9 a.m. this Sunday, August 3 in Reimer Hall. Beverages and childcare will be provided.
Food First Sunday – UCG has donated over 1,844 pounds of nonperishable food items (92% of a ton!) this calendar year. Thank you for your support of our long-time partner, Gainesville Community Ministry (GCM). Our contributions to their Food Pantry are especially needed during the summer months when kids are out of school. Your donations make an immediate impact on the lives of those experiencing food insecurity in our community. If you forget to bring your donations or prefer to donate online click here. Learn more here. The next Food First Sunday will be September 7.
Coffee Church will be held in Reimer Hall at 10 a.m. on Sundays as an alternative space to the Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed on the big screen TV and coffee and tea will be available. Join us if you want to eat and drink and be together in a less-crowded room for the service.
Art in the Library Reception – Join us after the service Sunday for the opening of the art exhibit in the library featuring works by UCG members Barbara Beynon and Charlie Williams.
Sunday Seminar – “Sermon Talkback” with Rev. Dr. Rik Stevenson. Got a question or a comment. Let’s talk about it! In person in Reimer Hall at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 3, and on Zoom.
Let’s Connect!
Resilience for Immigrants – Thanks to all for contributing food for Rural Women’s Health Project and Gainesville Immigrant Neighbors Initiative (RWHP/GINI). Last week’s contributions were amazing! We plan to continue the collections, so when you go to the grocery, just pick up an extra bag of rice, beans, formula, diapers, or canned goods. Drop it off in Seminar C whenever the church is open. Someone will deliver the food to RWHP/GINI on Mondays. Also, when we passed the hat after the seminar on July 20, we raised $1800! We are making a difference and helping with RESILIENCE for Immigrants! Gracias!
Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper will hold an open zoom, “Thirsty Thursdays” at 11 a.m. on July 31 for anybody who’d like to check in on a coffee break or between their own zooms. You can come and go. Donna’s goal is to hear from you about who you are and where you are on your spiritual path. We will introduce ourselves to each other and articulate our place for this week on our spiritual journey. How thirsty are you? Or are you sated this week? Here is the Zoom for this Thursday, July 31 at 11 a.m. Meeting ID: 896 0360 6929 Passcode: 1624
UCG member Ted La Combe passed away on Monday, July 21. Join his wife Rachel and their family on Friday, August 1 at 9 a.m. for Ted’s burial at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery. Please wear closed-toed shoes and prepare for a small hike to reach the site.
Back to School Skate – Join Tami Herchel and Shanna Swiers for an all-ages skate at Skate Station Funworks on Wednesday, August 6 from 6 – 8 p.m. Admission cost for one attraction is $6 per person that includes skate rentals (inline skates are an extra charge.) See you on the rink!
YU and MST Summer Gatherings – Plan to join us on Saturday, August 9, for our annual Ichetucknee Springs trip! This outing is for both middle- and high- school youth; please RSVP here if you plan to attend.
Open and Affirming Sunday Social – Come get to know members of UCG in a fun and inclusive environment, hosted by ONA. The next Sunday Social will be on August 10 at 6 p.m. We will be screening the documentary film, “Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines,” in Reimer Hall. We have been granted special permission to screen this film, as it is so timely and relevant. The official description is: “As Florida’s violent legislation dominates headlines, LGBTQ2S+ communities are also on the frontlines of accelerating climate change. ‘Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines’ weaves interviews with 15 LGBTQ2S+ artists, organizers, and educators across Florida (and the new Florida diaspora) into an intersectional climate justice narrative.”
Time and Talent Fair – Come one, come all to the greatest show under the big top – or at least in the UCG courtyard! Each year, we host a Time and Talent Fair to recruit new board and committee members, and YOU are cordially invited. The various boards bring fantastic treats to share along with information about how you can join them in this important work. Please stop by the tables in the courtyard after the service on August 17 to see what options are available for you to share your superpowers, however known.
Sunday, August 17 will be Meet the Teacher for our kids’ programming. We will be having a meeting with parents in the West Wing at 11:30 a.m., followed by tours by our new lead teachers of the classroom. The bounce house will be available for the children as well. We will be doing annual registration forms at this time. See you there!
Reminder to gather water – Wherever you are this summer – in your own backyard or somewhere else, in this or another country – gather a small amount of water to bring to our annual Gathering of Waters service on Sunday, August 24. We will celebrate our summer journeys, however known, and our reunited community. We will combine the gathered waters into one sacred water to use for baptisms and blessing rituals in the coming year.
Women’s and Men’s Lunch Groups
Friday, August 1 at noon – All are welcome
The Women’s Lunch Group will meet in the library this week.
The Men’s Lunch Group will meet on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 836 8128 8738 Passcode: 1965.
For those who cannot meet during the day on weekdays, we have two small groups: Good Men Drinking Beer and Wonderful Women Drinking Wine. These are social groups and non-drinkers are welcome. Click here to register.
Next Sunday, August 10
Note: There will be no Ministerial Morning coffee hour this week. Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper is away.
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Chad McGinnis
Coffee Church
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:30 a.m. Board of Membership meeting
6 p.m. ONA Sunday Social
Sacred Sound Symphony
Small Groups Submissions for Fall 2025
Small Groups Submissions will be accepted August 24 – September 7. If there is a particular topic or place that you would like to explore, a book you want to discuss, or a skill or hobby you’d like to share, please consider offering a small group! Questions? Please reach out to Tami Herchel, Director of Programming and Development.
Let’s Stay Connected!
The August newsletter is coming soon! Meanwhile, here’s our July newsletter!
Submit Your E-vents and Bulletin Announcements – Please email E-vents and bulletin announcements to Dar Mikula to have them included in our newsletter, bulletin, and emails.
Church Office Schedule for July/August 2025
Mondays and Saturdays – Closed
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sundays – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This new website is great! It’s very well organized, interesting and full of useful information that is easy to find. Thanks so much! I will switch from getting mailed bulletins, which I always read thoroughly, and will now rely solely on the website.
As a visitor to UCoG, I must say this website is well constructed and maintained. Most helpful for me, and I am grateful!
By chance met John Schert, who mentioned UCG, Michael Pellett & Kathy Funke. I thot of you, others, who have spoken about UCG over years. Hello! Cite great for the shy stranger (me!) to learn more. I’ll visit soon.
Dear Friends, I was told that I might review and sign up ON-LINE, for fall classes/seminars . (not sure what you call them.) Unfortunately, I cannot find a location for them. I was hoping to do this before Sunday. Can you please give me a link if this is true? Many thanks, Holley Humphrey
Hi Holley, if you are looking for the small groups registration…please follow this link; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdD2NhhkO692eX9i0CxoLU845d6_x89l8zsA7rPASJJOQzLtA/viewform. It is also in our Small Groups page on the website. If you still have trouble finding it, please call us at 352-378-3500. Hope this helps! – Shanna Swiers
Dear UCG friends,
Oh how I miss you, especially at this time of year! Having moved away I am forever connected to a LOVE made manifest in the words and deeds of UCG. Listening to the 2000 recording of Lessons and Carols today connected me to the eternal grace that is UCG. Blessed Be!
I just want to say “thank you” top the Board of Parish Ministry, for organizing such a beautiful service today, on Sunday, 12/29/19. The act of writing down what I wanted to let go of from 2019, helped release me from past guilt, resentment, sadness and loss. Burning it in the fire in our courtyard, was freeing. What a wonderful way to begin the new year. Thank you!
Some of us (particularly retirees) will be getting a stimulus check even though our income has not changed due to the stay at home order, while others have lost their entire income. Does UCG have a distribution plan in place to allow us to donate all or part of our stimulus money to those who won’t be able to make their rent?