Love Will Always Win
On Monday, June 13th, almost 1000 people gathered at City Hall for a candlelight vigil to honor those who were killed in the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando and to show love and support for the LGBTQ+ …
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What Brings You Joy?
There is a fabulous verse in the book of Philippians that says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!” The apostle Paul seems to be encouraging his friends in the Philippian congregation to reconnect to gratitude and …
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Flower Power
On Sunday, May 1, our Board of Parish Ministry invites us to worship services centered in the theme, The Wisdom of Flowers. The structure of the service is Unitarian Universalist in its origins and often called a “Flower Communion,” because …
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness month
Part of our responsibility and opportunity as a spiritual community is to nurture health and wholeness for our congregation and our community. All of us are individuals who live with considerable challenges of all kinds. And as well, the resiliency …
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Holy Week Carpets
When I lived in Honduras, the streets of the town would be decorated for Semana Santa, Holy Week. The long street up to the cathedral door was impossibly pocked with holes and rocks, and in the rainy season, normally sloshed …
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Helping God Think
In the fall we completed an All-Church Survey that helped to discern three priorities the congregation has for the direction of our life together over the next three years. Those priorities named by UCG respondents to the Survey had to …
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Thank You!
Over the last few months I’ve been acutely awake to and aware of a phenomenon that is ever-present in my life–the goodness and dedication of volunteers. Here at UCG, Andy, Vince, and I have the privilege of working as resource …
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Worthy Resolutions
Truth be told, I make quite a few resolutions throughout the year. The many changes I intend cannot wait until the last day of December–so all year I need to offer myself “helpful” advice and make renewed commitments to change …
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Re-gifted
A fond memory I have of my young adulthood was when I got my first job. For the first time I could give my family and friends a Christmas gift I’d paid for with my own money. It felt empowering …
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Pressed Down, Shaken Together, and Running Over
Recently our church moderator, Nancy asked the gathered congregation to reflect upon some favorite moments at United Church of Gainesville that come to us with the arrival of the fall season. Lots of favorites came to mind: First Sunday back …
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