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.…
DetailsHello, Dear Ones! By the time this newsletter hits your inbox, we will have celebrated another Christmas and welcomed the arrival of a new year, one in which we as a congregation will spend learning and growing alongside one another as we work to create the church we will become. In my short time thus…
DetailsHappy New Year, Youth Families! We hope you had a joyful and restorative Holiday break. 🙂 We look forward to kicking off 2025 with Vision Boards, self-care practices, adventuring, service, and game nights! Our annual Mystery Trip for YU will take place January 17 – 19; please check your weekly emails for the RSVP details!…
DetailsThrough the Looking Glass: Finding Light at the End of the Rabbit Hole Participants have described past Women’s Retreats as one of their favorite UCG activities; a warm, welcoming place for newcomers; and a time to make new friendships and deepen current ones. The retreat is open to all in the wider UCG community who…
DetailsEVERYTHING MUST GO! Calling musicians, sound techies, engineers and rockers. Please come to the sound room (off the Sanctuary foyer) after the service on Sunday, January 12. We still need to clear out a LOT of stuff from the sound room. The closet is overflowing, the floor is covered in cables and electronic detritus, and no…
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Dear friends, On Sunday, December 1 I had the honor of meeting with members of the Board of Parish Ministry and Campus Keepers to help with the “hanging of the greens” after the worship service. A task I had many times helped Sam Harris and Erick Smith take down the decorations from Reimer Hall, but…
DetailsThe Pathfinder Implementation Committee (“PIC”) was formed with the charge to carry out the Pathfinder recommendations approved by Council. The PIC is divided into four teams focused on different tasks. The Church Consultant Team was charged with receiving proposals for church consultants to assist the congregation and potentially an interim minister with multiple issues,…
DetailsThe Seminar Committee is regrouping/reorganizing and going strong! We will be offering many exciting seminars with great guest speakers this spring on diverse topics including A.I., weather changes as the climate changes, toxic masculinity, spirituality diversity at UCG, etc. In addition, we are adding a virtual suggestion box! If there is a seminar you’d like…
DetailsGreetings in the new year. I hope that each of you were blessed with gifts of the spirit and more during your holiday season. As I write this article, I can only report to you on the church’s finances through the end of November 2024. Summary financial reports appear at the end of this article.…
DetailsAttend the 2025 National Faith + Climate Forum at United Church of Gainesville We are thrilled to announce that UCG is a proud host of the upcoming National Faith + Climate Forum 2025 on March 27. This pivotal event is a call to all who are passionate about intertwining faith with actionable climate stewardship. This…
DetailsSave the date! Saturday, January 25, 2025 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch provided To our United Church of Gainesville visionaries, way makers and beloved members (i.e., all of you!): UCG, in collaboration with Convergence Congregational Consulting, requests your attendance at the upcoming Futures Lab on Saturday, January 25. This fun, imaginative space offers a…
DetailsHello UCG family! I hope your holiday season was joyous and your 2025 is off to a wonderful start. Many of us have probably made some form of a New Year’s resolution – maybe a commitment to start (or stop) something, to recommit to a set aside hobby, or maybe you prefer to pick a…
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