United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, June 23, 2024 – 10 a.m.
“Spirituality, However Known”
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
WELCOME, INTRODUCTION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Jackie Davis
UCG STORY CORPS – Jim Harper
PRELUDE – “Inviting Morning Light” – offered by Nan Ryan and Mark Burlingame, handpans
INVOCATION – read by Jackie Davis
We do not have to die to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact we have to be fully alive. When we breathe in and out and hug a beautiful tree, we are in Heaven. When we take one conscious breath, aware of our eyes, our heart, our liver, and our non-toothache, we are transported to Paradise right away. Peace is available. We only have to touch it. – Thich Nhat Hanh
OPENING SONG – “Breathing In, Breathing Out” music by Betsy Rose, lyrics, Thich Nhat Hanh
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “Pebble Meditation” with Mark Burlingame
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “The Ten Directions” Mark Burlingame, handpan and Cindy Martin, flute
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Ellen Ribe
TRANQUILITY SITTING MEDITATION – led by Lama Losang
THE RINGING OF THE BELL
TEACHING – “What the Buddha Taught” – Lama Losang
CLOSING SONG – “And When I Rise” music by Wendy Tuck, lyrics, Wendell Berry
BENEDICTION – Lama Losang
ALLELULIA
POSTLUDE
Many thanks to our guest speaker, David Bole (Lama Losang), Ph.D., A.P. He is director of the Traditional Acupuncture Center, a holistic health care facility offering a multi-dimensional approach to health and healing. Dr. Bole earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed two additional postdoctoral degrees in acupuncture from the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Oxford, England. He has studied acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation and Tai Chi Chuan in the U.S., Europe, China, and Japan. He is currently licensed in Florida as an Acupuncture Physician (A.P.) and has been awarded both a Diplomate in Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.) and a Diplomate in Chinese Herbology (Dipl.C.H.) from the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In addition, he is a fully ordained monk (Gelong) and completed the traditional three year and three-month retreat in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He studied meditation under the direction of the renowned retreat master Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Lama Losang teaches Asian medicine, meditation, Buddhist philosophy, stress management, and Tai Chi Chuan. As a Westerner trained in these ancient arts, he is able to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western philosophical approaches to health and healing. He teaches classes and workshops around the country designed to enhance awareness and health to students of all ages.
Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week:
June 25
Josiah Angelini-Stone
Jesse Kaufman
June 26
Tina Kercheval
Marianne Schmink
June 27
Caroline Hartley
Jess Archer
June 28:
Lisa Ingram
June 29:
Heather Hammond
Shelby Havens
******************ANNOUNCEMENTS******************
Today at UCG
9:45 a.m. Childcare
Puzzler Exchange
10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Lama Losang (Dr. David Bole)
10:15 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Entr’acte
Ask the Leadership
11:30 a.m. Seminar: Sermon Talk Back with Lama Losang
Sunday Seminar – Sermon Talk Back with Lama Losang at 11:30 a.m. in Reimer Hall or via Zoom. Zoom meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624.
Entr’acte is a gathering time at UCG for musicians to play for and with other musicians. Both beginners and advanced players are welcome. Join us after the worship service in the Sanctuary.
Puzzler Exchange – Stop by the Puzzlers’ Table in front of Seminar B. Take home some puzzles this week. They are a great substitute for TV watching, and good for your brain! You can bring puzzles to swap, or not; we have plenty to share.
Where’s My Stuff? – Seminar A improvements have continued! Shelves have been filled with Board and Committee materials. Please come by and affirm that the things that are in your cubby are yours. Also, there is a “mystery table” filled with items and boxes that were unmarked. Please look through these and if you find something that’s yours, label it and relocate it to your designated spot. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity on Tuesday, June 25. Next up: the banner-hanging apparatus will be moved from Seminar C to Seminar A.
Story Corps – Tell YOUR UCG Story! This summer’s UCG activity inspired by NPR’s Story Corp is here and you can be a part of it. We will be recording stories of your seminal experiences in the library after the service. See the sign-up sheet and sample questions at the Story Cycle in the courtyard. Additional storytelling dates are June 30, July 14, and July 21.
Ask the Leadership – Look for the “Ask the Leadership” table in the courtyard. The Moderator and other church leaders will take turns at the table each Sunday to answer questions and provide updates on UCG activities. You’re welcome to stop by, grab a seat, and get an update on church happenings. Handouts with updates will be available at the table.
Pathfinding Listening Session on Wednesday, June 26 from 6-8 p.m. in Reimer Hall. The Pathfinder Subcommittee invites all to join in conversation about exploring the paths ahead of us as a congregation. We hope to share committee progress as well as solicit feedback from attendees. Childcare is available upon request; please email info@ucgainesville.org.
The All-Church Band is planning another performance at the 10 a.m. service on July 7, offering “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Musicians of all skill levels are encouraged to pick up music in the Sanctuary foyer, practice on their own, and join others for a single rehearsal at 9 a.m. on July 7.
Art in the Sanctuary – Please take the time to enjoy the calligraphy art by Joon Thomas hanging in the Sanctuary as we explore “Spirituality However Known” this summer. For more information about their work, see https://worldcalligraphy.com/about/.
Ray Meeks Birthday Offering – This June, Ray will turn 71. He has had quadruple heart bypass surgery. He has degenerative disc disease and uses a walker. And he never stops smiling. The only worry he had when he left Death Row was that people at UCG might forget about him, since his case was no longer quite so notable. So, let him know that we remember him on his birthday, June 28. We’ll be accepting money for him at UCG throughout June. Make a contribution to UCG and designate it for Ray Meeks. You may leave a note for him at the office or send him a card at PO Box 23608, Tampa, FL 33623. Please include his number next to his name, 046346.
Summer of Congregational Renewal – The Congregation-Ministry Review Board and the Renewal Subcommittee have spent the past several months preparing for the sabbatical of Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan. They have put together a series of speakers and events. Schedules are available here.
Next Sunday, June 30
9:30 a.m. Choir
9:45 a.m. Childcare
10:00 a.m. Worship Service: “The Path That Unwinds” – Rev. Sandy Reimer
10:15 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Ask the Leadership
11:15 a.m. Story Corps
11:30 a.m. Seminar: Aware, Care, Share with Elizabeth Clark and Friends
Looking Ahead
Camp UCG summer camp July 22-26. Information and registration at bit.ly/campUCG2024.A Reminder to Gather Water – Wherever you are this summer – in your own backyard or somewhere else, in this or another country – gather a small amount of water to bring to our annual Gathering of Waters service on Sunday, August 11. We will celebrate our summer journeys, however known, and our reunited community. We will combine the gathered waters into one sacred water to use for baptisms and blessing rituals in the coming year.
