The UCG Sunday Seminar Committee is proud to announce a line-up of seminars we are certain you will enjoy. Seminars are in-person and on Zoom on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624

January 5 – Artificial Intelligence with special guest, Erik Deumans
A short history of artificial intelligence will be followed by some well-known examples where AI is making headlines. We explain a little how AI works and end with some discussion of stories and movies that depict visions of what the future of AI will bring. Will the AI future be great or scary? Most likely the future will have AI do a bit of both and most of what it will do will just be boring work.

January 12 – Congregational Life Seminar
As members of UCG, we seek to connect, be part of a community, and support one another. How do we resolve conflicts and stay in right relationship with one another when problems arise? Come join in some brief activities, meet other members, and learn how covenants can be collaboratively created to foster a loving and productive church community environment.

January 19 – “Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings” with Flo Turcotte 
Flo Turcotte, Literary Manuscripts Archivist at the George A. Smathers Libraries at UF will discuss the life of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and the influence of the Florida landscape on her work, including 1939 Pulitzer winner, The Yearling.

January 26 – Convergence/Future Lab with guest speaker, Rev. Cameron Trimble
Join us for an engaging seminar that reviews the outcomes of the Futures Lab, where we explored visionary possibilities for the future of the United Church of Gainesville (UCG). Together, we’ll reflect on key insights, identify emerging opportunities, and consider how these discoveries can inform UCG’s journey ahead. This session will also provide an overview of the proposed consulting engagement, outlining actionable next steps to deepen UCG’s mission and impact. Come ready to share, learn, and envision a thriving future for our church community.