Sunday Seminar  – UCG in Transition: Presentation by UCC Congregational Coach – Join congregational coach Laura Stephens-Reed and the Transition Team for a discussion of issues facing UCG during this time of transition. Laura’s specialty is in helping clergy and congregations navigate transitions with faithfulness and curiosity. She will help us examine the questions we face, including those already identified and some we might not have thought to ask! There will be time for extended discussion and snacks will be provided. Join us in person or via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624

Patticakes Potluck Summer Pool Party! – Patticakes is a group for UCG member and visitor families with small children, from infants through 1st grade, as well as their siblings. Join us Sunday, June 25 1-5 p.m. at the home of Donn and Melvin Smith-Lopez at 3994 NW 14th St., Gainesville. Pack your swimsuits, towels and sunscreen. We have lots of pool toys for water play. Please bring a finger food appetizer, an easily shareable dish, or a beverage. We will have water and juice boxes for the kids.

The Ice Cream Social is Back! We will be serving ice cream with a toppings bar, plus fresh watermelon after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, July 2 in Reimer Hall. We need volunteers to bring a topping and to help with set up or clean up. Please sign up here.

The All-Church Band is playing at the 10 a.m. service on July 2, offering the Fred Rogers classic, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Musicians of any and all skill levels are encouraged to pick up music in the foyer on Sunday, practice on their own, and join others for a single rehearsal at 9 a.m. on July 2.

The Re-Mod Squad needs your help! We are working to mediate drainage issues in the courtyard and buy ourselves some time until long-term solutions can be implemented. Committee member Glenn Mans has been doing lots of hard physical labor in the courtyard with some help from a couple of volunteers, but more work is needed! We will primarily be leveling high areas of the courtyard, sifting excavated dirt to remove root mass, cutting out roots from old tree stumps, and hauling and spreading sieved dirt to help stabilize parking lot areas. Maximum work periods from 9:15 a.m. to noon as weather and stamina permit. Two volunteers per workday work well! If this sounds like work you can do, we’d love to have your help. Many thanks to those who have already volunteered! We still need assistance on July 7 and July 10. If you can help with this, please text Glenn Mans at 352-870-1303.

Birthday Collection for Ray Meeks – Ray Meeks is turning 70 this month and every year we receive contributions for Ray at Christmas and for his birthday in June. All financial contributions must go through UCG. There are envelopes in the foyer, or you can give here. Please include your name and address since Ray likes to write thank-you notes. The address to write to Ray is Douglas Raymond Meeks #046346, P.O. Box 23608, Tampa, FL  33623. Thanks for your continued care and prayers for Ray over the years.

C.A.M.P. UCG for children entering Rising K-6th Grade will be July 24-28, 2023! Our theme is “All God’s Critters: Flying Animals Edition.” There will be special guests, a water slide day, yummy snacks, spiritual exploration, and a visit from some flying animals! Rates: $30 per child (8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.), $50 family cap for children in the same household. Aftercare Rate: 12-5 p.m. $100 for the week, $20 per day. Email taliar@ucgainesville.org with any questions, or to volunteer with: crafts, STEM lessons, snacks, outdoor games, or if you have a connection to a community group that can teach our children about critters, however known. Monetary donations or gift cards to grocery/big box stores are also welcome. Visit https://bit.ly/campucg23 to register.

The Small Groups Committee wants to remind UCGers that there are ongoing small groups open to new participants during the summer. You can find a list of offerings here.

Thanks to the congregation for voting to become a Creation Justice Church at the last congregational meeting! The newest activity from the Creation Care & Climate Justice Task Force is a postcard campaign organized by the United Church of Christ. Climate Hope Cards were provided for free from UCC, and we are collecting names of people who support its purpose, which you can read about at https://www.ucc.org/climatehopecards/  (In brief, they implore President Biden and the EPA to fight pollution with strong standards.) The cards will be available at Sunday services in June, and they can be returned in person to Jim Harper or by dropping them at the UCG office. We plan to have more than 200 postcards signed by the end of June.

Next Sunday, July 2

Food First Sunday

Gathering Water – Wherever you are this summer – in your own yard, at the beach, in another state or country – remember to gather a small amount of water to bring to our annual “Gathering of Waters” service on August 13. This service is our ritual of re-gathering as a church community at the end of the summer.