Compact Conversations 

The United Church of Gainesville – May 3, 2020

If you would like to watch the service as a playlist, please click here and you will be directed to our YouTube page. If you prefer, you may click on the individual links below at your own pace.

Welcome, Readings, and Music

Allan March reading 
“The best thing for being sad,” replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, “is to learn something. That’s the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.”
― T.H. White, The Once and Future King

Orientale, by Cesar Cui played by Jeff Shapiro, clarinet

Connie Caldwell reading
“I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God. Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”
― Martha Graham

Time with Children – Ani, Emi, and Laura Maxwell reading Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Welcome to United Tribes Worship!

Prayers and Special Music –  Rev. Andy Bachmann

“The Water is Wide” offered by Cindy Martin, flute and Tane DeKrey, piano.  Arranged by Z. Neece

Sermon and Alleluia –  Rev. Talia Raymond

Here are the UCG members celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!

Bryan Clark – 04/26
Crissy Hensley – 05/03
Anna Samuelsson – 05/03
Summer Hartley – 05/04
Pat Morse – 05/04
Nancy Day – 05/05
Anne Casella – 05/06
Bruce Jennings – 05/06
Susan Cary – 05/07
Brendon von Zabern – 05/08
Charlie Williams – 05/08
Kai Lemstrom – 05/09

Virtual Spring Congregational Meeting today at 10:30am – We will hear reports on the UCG budget, hear an update from the Transition Search Team, get the latest from the Settled Minister Search Team, hear a report on the 3-Year Plan, listen to an update from our Covid-19 Task Force, and review the minutes from our Winter meeting.  Too, we will thank board and committee members who have made this year of change a success, while welcoming our new and continuing board and committee members to lead us into the coming year. Zoom link here. Instructions and password were sent in emails earlier this week. Please attend!

If you are a regular supporter through our collected offering, please consider making your donation now.  Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2020 is $40,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate. To GIVE, click here to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation via your bank account or credit card: https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/ucg  Thank you for your support.