World AIDS Day is held on December first each year. We remember all of those persons around the world who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and people who are living with HIV; a time to give thanks for the progress that has been made and to reflect on what still needs to be done. It…
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It will come as no surprise to you to know that a good chunk of the miracles that happen in the Bible (and in life, really…) happen over food. Moses smacks a stone and water comes gushing out. The starving Israelites wake up one morning to find honey crisps waiting for them. They affectionately call…
DetailsA couple of Sundays ago, on Reformation Sunday, our Minister Emeritus, the Rev. Larry Reimer, challenged the congregation with the important quotation from the lips of the great reformer, Martin Luther. After he was condemned for the declarations of conscience that became known as the 95 Theses, Luther wrote, “Here I stand, I can do…
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By nature I am not all that competitive. In those fun-filled online personality quizzes, I learn that my particular type is motivated intrinsically and that beating someone else is not necessarily an impetus to me to aim higher or to achieve greater and greater things. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer a Gator win to…
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The search process for our next UCG Associate Minister has begun. As per our UCG policies and procedures, the nominations for Search Committee members were contributed by the congregation, vetted for every possible representation, diversity, and availability by Council Exec, and by vote of the Church Council, a slate of nine persons were selected to…
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I do this weird thing with wine and bread every once in a while. My wife Tracy busts me almost every time I do it, but still, I do it anyway. Often, gathered around our dinner table, I’ll take a little corner of my bread and tilt my glass in such a way as to…
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We are preparing for Gathering of Waters and it is a joyful time of reunion after a summer apart for many UCG’ers. As we gather this Sunday, may we hold in heart and in prayers those suffering because of the power of water unleashed in storms. Connie Larkman’s article from the national UCC website reminds…
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To: The United Church of Christ In Florida Re: Recent Events July 8, 2016 Dear Church, Grace and peace to you in a time that, for many, is trending toward despair. There is so much violence, and it happens with such frequency as to make new words of hope and comfort hard to come by.…
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From the UCC Still Speaking Daily Devotional, June 28, 2016 “When you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the Lord, they shall no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It shall not come to mind, or be remembered, or missed; nor shall another one be made.”…
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Last Sunday UCG and the greater community gathered to create flyers of support and love for Orlando. It was part of a project by artist Oliver Bendorf. Thanks to Kristen Angeline-Stone for organizing. Enjoy these beautiful flyers and visit Oliver’s website for downloadable PDFs https://oliverbendorf.org/orlando-flyers/
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On Monday, June 13th, almost 1000 people gathered at City Hall for a candlelight vigil to honor those who were killed in the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando and to show love and support for the LGBTQ+ community here and everywhere. Many UCG members gathered to love and grieve together. Two of our ministers,…
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It says something about our church when, last weekend, as our children and youth took control of our 9:15 and 11:15 am services the youth speakers gave a powerful testimony to the love, acceptance and care that has been modeled for them by our family of faith. If you weren’t there, it was a pretty…
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