This Sunday we will enjoy our Annual “Church on the Prairie” Service on the grounds of the Alachua County Conservation Trust. The single service, beginning at 10 a.m., features The Hogtown Pickers, a youth skit, communion, and activities for children. …
Continue reading
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, …
Continue reading
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 …
Continue reading
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 …
Continue reading
My friend David Hackett stopped by the office today, to briefly ponder the modern day dilemma of chronic screen-time. And on his way out, he directed me to a youtube video I had to check out. Ironic, no? And yet, …
Continue reading
Sabbath doesn’t always bring rest. And Easter doesn’t always remind me of resurrection. Sometimes, the message of Easter is simply, “endure.” Not the most hope-filled word, I know. But sometimes, it is all we can do. It was hard not …
Continue reading
Like many of you, I’ve been heartbroken this week. It is hard to imagine Easter arriving by Sunday, but I was also reminded that heartbreak is our natural companion during Holy Week. Any words I could offer feel inadequate, but …
Continue reading
In the fall we completed an All-Church Survey that helped to discern three priorities the congregation has for the direction of our life together over the next three years. Those priorities named by UCG respondents to the Survey had to …
Continue reading
This past Sunday I preached about the greatest birthday gift I ever gave myself. It was when I turned 40 years old, and I knew I wanted to do something epic. So I asked all of my friends the whole …
Continue reading
Over the past many months, artists from around the world have been transforming our city walls into giant works of art here in Gainesville, Florida. 352walls has transformed many of our downtown buildings into eye-catching, mind blowing and head scratching …
Continue reading
Recently our church moderator, Nancy asked the gathered congregation to reflect upon some favorite moments at United Church of Gainesville that come to us with the arrival of the fall season. Lots of favorites came to mind: First Sunday back …
Continue reading
Watch as we zoom right into the year 2015. 50 years after our very first year as a congregation we find ourselves at a crossroads. As a congregation we’ve experienced birth, growth, change and evolution. In honor of all this …
Continue reading