On Sunday, April 10 many of us participated in a Congregational Meeting to decide whether to negotiate a contract to lease space at UCG for use by a charter school. This meeting was the culmination of an intense, several-months-long process led by an ad-hoc committee chaired by Beth Hinrichs. This process involved substantial research, meetings…
DetailsRacial Justice Committee invites you to the City of Gainesville’s Journey to Juneteenth “Freedom Fest 22” on Saturday, June 18th from 5pm to 9pm at the Bo Diddley Plaza. Freedom Fest is a family festival that includes musical performances from local and regional artists, food trucks, community organization and business vendors, arts and crafts for children,…
DetailsThis is Ray Meeks’ sixth birthday since being released from death row. Every year we receive contributions for Ray at Christmas and his birthday in June. All financial gifts need to go through UCG and there are envelopes in the foyer, or you can contribute here. Please include your name and address since he likes…
DetailsWhen I got the call from Rebecca a year ago to become Moderator-Elect and subsequently Moderator, I said yes right away. I think she was taken aback because most people would have asked more questions like “What are the Moderator’s duties?”, “What’s the time commitment?” or even “Can I have a few days to think…
DetailsDuring the summer months our grade specific Tribes take a break from our usual school year Sunday morning flow. We offer K-5 play on the large playground and in Room 9, and we also offer PreK and Nursery play on our younger playground and in our nursery rooms. We can be found playing Gaga ball,…
DetailsHurricane season is here, and it just might be a busy season, so it is time to get ready! NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) just released their hurricane report for 2022 and they project about 22 storms with 3-6 becoming major hurricanes, an above average prediction. Organize yourself now! Shop ahead of the…
DetailsAt our Spring Congregational Meeting, we announced the formation of a new task force that will guide our congregation through a process to consider whether the United Church of Gainesville should become a Climate Justice Congregation. A “Climate Justice Congregation” is a designation through our national denomination, the United Church of Christ. It is similar…
DetailsBoard of Business has had a very busy month. Our month began by reviewing a report on the condition of the UCG Campus prepared by HouseMaster. The report revealed many areas in need of repair. Chief among those was the condition of the roofs on the west portion of the campus- the Education Building, the…
DetailsFor the past 13 years, the United Church of Gainesville has provided a backpack full of food every weekend of the academic year for hundreds of children in need. This is an incredible accomplishment. But, what is also incredible is how each person along the way has been impacted by this work. We have a…
DetailsFriends, I have remarked to many of you already that I stumbled over the finish line of the school year last week. The school days were ridiculously short, the house grew steadily messier, the meals more thrown together and the to-do list ever longer. By Friday morning, I was singing Les Mis as we dragged…
DetailsOur UCG three year plan focuses on nurturing spirituality, enhancing connections and increasing accessibility. Recently the question of providing rides for a church member who is blind and with limited access to transportation has come to the attention of our Kairos team. John lives in Millhopper Pines Apartments on NW 43rd St. near NW 16th…
DetailsOur Vinery lead team continues to do some behind the scenes work as we learn a new framework for engaging our various campus neighbor through participation in online “didactics.” Judy has also increased the number of young adult lunches she’s held in recent months. Two questions in particular guide our next steps. First, what is…
Details