As I write this mid-December, we are wrapping up this whirlwind of a year, ever hopeful to catch our breath before the next thing inserts itself into our agenda, but hardly ever has that happened this year. Our 16-year-old HVAC unit, the companion to the unit servicing the West Wing that we replaced this summer,…
DetailsWe started our enlistment campaign back in October with a goal of raising $877,978 from member pledges. This would be a 5.3% increase over the total pledge budget for 2023. As of December 12th, we had received 257 pledges totaling $773,321. You can see that we need another $104,000+ to meet our budgetary goal. Even…
DetailsSmall Group Series: The History and Context of the Current Crisis in Israel/Palestine So what is this Hamas organization we’ve heard so much about? And for that matter, who are these Palestinians, and why are they so angry? And what were the Oslo Accords? And didn’t Bill Clinton get peace in the Middle East at…
DetailsThe Racial Justice Committee invites all to join us on Monday, January 15 at noon at Bo Diddley Plaza, to march with others to recognize Martin Luther King Day. We will meet at the bicycle racks on the SE corner of Bo Diddley Plaza, close to SE 1st Avenue, so we can march together. The…
DetailsThe UCG Sunday Seminar Committee is proud to announce a line-up of January seminars we are certain you will enjoy. Seminars are in-person and on Zoom on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. January 7 – The Real Cost of War – Paul Pritchard will speak about his experience from his published book on Vietnam as…
DetailsOne of the joys of being Moderator at UCG is getting to interact with the different people in our church, including many with whom I would not have spent time if not for this role. In addition to an expanded sense of what we do and who we are as a church, these interactions bring…
DetailsDear UCG, As we begin a new year together — one that is bound to be filled with so much excitement for this congregation — I wanted to take you all the way back to the second Sunday of December for a minute, for something I’m calling “Things I Love About UCG: Lessons and Carols…
DetailsSo many of you have made great connections in small groups this fall-winter session. Please consider leading a small group in the spring-summer session. There is interest in groups dealing with digital security and/or scamming, implications of artificial intelligence, chatting with ChatGPT, unique issues of adopted parents and/or children, ShelbyNext, and book groups. Remember you…
DetailsWell, a big whoopee! We got our first utility bill since the installation of the solar panels, and it was all of $35 for the electric portion! Lisa says this time of year with moderate temperatures it usually runs from $275-300. It will be interesting to see what it is when temperatures are either cold…
DetailsWe began supporting Ray Meeks on Death Row in 1980 when he was 27 years old. We have sent him Christmas and birthday cards as well as financial support every year. His death sentence was commuted to life in prison about five years ago and he is now incarcerated at Madison Correctional Institution. I continue…
DetailsParticipants 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. This spring, two Women’s Retreats will be offered to foster connections, creativity, reflection, and fun. The first one takes place January 19-21 at Camp Weed…
DetailsMany thanks to the more than 200 households that have already participated in our enlistment campaign, “Grace in Action.” It’s not too late to make your financial commitments — of any size — for next year, but the sooner the better! Your responses allow the Board of Business and other congregational leadership to plan for…
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