In early December, Commissioner Chuck Chestnut hosted an appreciation dinner for many of the leaders of the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project. He spoke of the inception meeting, where Jackie Davis and then commissioner Hutchinson shared the powerful experience both …
Continue readingAs I write this, it looks like our budget for 2022 is going to end the year with income and expenditures balanced. A sincere “Thank You” to all who have helped us get to this point with your pledges and …
Continue readingThe Building and Grounds Subcommittee, known as the Re-Mod Squad, hosted a Seminar on November 20th titled “Taking Care of Your Church Home”. They presented an update on the context, status and plan for addressing the substantial needs for …
Continue readingOn New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, 7:30 – 10:00 PM, people of all faiths are invited to participate in the Global Peace Dance sponsored by Dances of Universal Peace at the United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue. …
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Eat Local Grow Hope Global, our food security project, runs till May 2023. In October of 2019, UCG kicked off our first ever partnership with local farms to raise funds and awareness for a women’s gardening project in Guatemala. This …
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We had tremendous Collection for the Gainesville Area AIDS Project’s “To Replenish Everyday Essentials (TREE)” program In October the Compassion in Action Committee partnered with UCG’s Open and Affirming Committee’s PRIDE Sunday celebration as well as the Friendship Group to …
Continue readingThis month marks the end of UCG’s first year of participation in the Vinery, a program designed to connect congregations across the country who are seeking to re-imagine their engagement with their university neighbors. A vinery is a greenhouse for …
Continue readingStepping into the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama is an immediate, visceral experience. On the giant wall before you run the visually jarring imagery of waves, cresting and crashing first at your feet, then gradually, overwhelming your whole body. The …
Continue readingI laughed aloud on Sunday when Andy, in a sermon illustration on losing his voice while leading work trips, mused, “If a youth minister can’t call everyone for pizza, is he even a youth minister at all?” Two days later, …
Continue readingWe are winding down our church year, and BoB wants to take a moment to express our appreciation for the way in which you have supported UCG financially during 2022. UCG is fortunate to have so many who care about …
Continue readingSummary: The Compensation Task Force (CTF) is recommending changes in the UCG By-laws that would create a Board of Human Resources to handle all clergy and staff compensation and to advise the clergy on human resource issues. The task force …
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The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year and sometimes that surprises me. During my childhood, I had a variety of emotions leading up to and including Christmas. There was the excitement of decorating the tree, …
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