Since my last newsletter article in June, the current financial picture for the church budget has improved. Through the first half of the year our revenue is at 53.3% of budget, despite plate giving only being at 34% of budget and parking income at only 30% of budget. Rental and interest income are well above…
DetailsHappy August, UCG. CMRB Co-chairs here, writing to introduce you to this year’s team. You can expect more on our vision, what we’re up to, and how you can be part of the important work CRMB does in future months, but for now here’s who we are and how you can reach us. Meet your…
DetailsRJC has some exciting events coming up in September! On September 17, you’ll be saying, “It’s not like this every Sunday” at the RJC sponsored church service. Following announcements and prayers, for the remainder of the service local actors Stan Richardson, Shamrock McShane, and Pamela Marshall Koons will be performing the play “An Evening with…
DetailsThe Alachua Branch NAACP in partnership with the Creation Care and Climate Justice Committee (and with the support of the UCG Justice League) will be holding a climate summit September 30, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at UCG. The summit will focus on local impacts of climate change and how our community can address them.…
DetailsThe Racial Justice Committee (RJC), Open and Affirming Committee (ONA), and Creation Care and Climate Justice Task Force (C3J) are combining forces . . . we are THE JUSTICE LEAGUE! There is a lot of intersectionality in our work, so it just makes sense to join forces in some instances. According to Wikipedia, “superheroes usually…
DetailsMany thanks to Rev. Ellen Ribe and some of our UCGers at The Village for coordinating lunch for residents and the ministers on Tuesday, July 11 at noon. We hope this will be the first of regular gatherings! If you are a resident at The Village and we somehow missed you, or you live in…
DetailsI was delighted to spend the last few days of June in Clemson, SC with Lucy Stein, a young adult member of our Vinery Team, as we met with both our partner church at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Alexis Carter Thomas, the Vinery Program director. (We were sad not to be joined by Judy…
DetailsWe are now several months into this season of staff transition at UCG, prompted by Andy Bachmann’s retirement at the end of April. The Church Council approved the establishment of three temporary, part-time positions to help redistribute the work as we transition — for the moment, at least — from a three-person clergy team to…
DetailsHello LGBTQ+ and Allied Families, Equality Florida is excited to offer you their newest webinar, “Back to School Safety Planning for LGBTQ+ Families,” that promises to prepare you as your LGBTQ+ child starts the 2023-2024 school year in Florida. Please join them on Wednesday, July 19, 6:00-7:30 p.m. They will discuss important updates to ensure your child has the…
DetailsAn incredible group of 27 youths and 10 adults traveled to Guyan Valley in Wyoming County, West Virginia. We worked with The Appalachia Service Project, which has been in relationship with the people of Appalachia in 5 states since 1969. Their guiding principle is to make homes warmer, safer, and drier for families. They also…
DetailsI don’t think the ink had even dried yet on the last newsletter before we had another air conditioning unit bite the dust. This is one of the two units that service the West Wing, a much-needed unit. After great angst about spending a big chunk of the small funds that remain available, we felt…
DetailsEach year, following the Spring Congregational Meeting and the installation of new officers and some Board Chairs, we hold a Leadership Summit for our congregational leaders as a combination of on-boarding and visioning. This year, we’ll be aided in our efforts by the Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed, a congregational coach with expertise in leading through transition…
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