Dear friends, It’s July 1, and I confess, I keep looking over my shoulder. It feels like the month of June this year contained so many ups and downs, contained multitudes, and it feels just the tiniest bit of a miracle that we made it out alive. We celebrated so many wonderful moments: graduating seniors…
DetailsThe Vinery is a program which invites participating congregations to consider their relationships with their university neighbors. How are we inviting, serving, and working alongside the faculty, students and staff at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College? This month, our lead team will be welcoming the lead team from our partner church, Holy…
DetailsPreviously, Henry “Buz” Bireline attended the Lutheran and Methodist Churches. He came to Gainesville to go to school, where he met and married Claudia Hardy. Jobs drew them out of town, but he says “the Gainesville vortex” pulled them back. Buz came to UCG seeking friendship and fellowship, and a church that accepts his trans nephew. He…
DetailsBy the time you read this, the roofing project over the Education Wing and Reimer Hall will be well underway and we will no longer have to deal with one leak after another! And of course, the project does not just include a new roof; a big laurel oak had to be removed that was…
DetailsThe Community Weatherization Coalition in Gainesville is a great organization that helps needy families to lower their energy bills. During the heat of summer, we can understand how quickly cooling bills jump into the unaffordable zone. So why not consider volunteering with CWC, as several UCG members do? Their next Energy Coach training will occur…
DetailsAlertGNV Emergency Notification System Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for our Emergency Alert Program. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. You will receive…
DetailsIt’s that time of year when people are planning trips and family gatherings and going to springs and beaches to cool off. For those of us who aren’t traveling, there’s the continuing conversations about heat, humidity and hurricanes. Even though some boards and committees aren’t meeting, things are still happening at UCG. I can’t believe…
DetailsWe have been hard at work getting ready to reroof the education wing and Reimer Hall. Andy had a crew of folks to dismantle the playground in order for the tree guys to have access to the big Laurel Oak we had to take down behind the church before we could reroof. Many thanks to…
DetailsCongratulations to our 2022 Graduates! Ella Denny graduated from the Gainesville High School Cambridge Program. She will attend Florida State University to pursue a major in Digital Media Production. Nikolai Gutierrez-Hernandez graduated from Buchholz High School. He will attend Western Colorado University, majoring in Recreation and Outdoor Education. Maya Johnson graduated from Gainesville High school…
DetailsOn 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…
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