Join us, United Church of Gainesville, in person or online this Sunday for a service of wonderful music and other blessings. We’ll give thanks for all the progress we have made on the Enlistment Campaign, learn a new song led by Laurie Alsobrook and her “Rounders,” and enjoy dulcimers, handpan, and trumpet. Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan will preach on one of her favorite verses in the Bible, Micah 6:8. You will want to be with us!
Church Office Holiday Hours Thanksgiving Week 2024
Monday, November 25 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 26 – 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday November 27-29 – closed
This Sunday, November 24
9:15 a.m. Youth Choir
9:45 a.m. Childcare
Puzzler Exchange
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Friendship Group
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar
Lessons and Carols Rehearsal
6 p.m. Special Service with Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Youth (6th-12th grades) are invited to participate in this year’s Lessons and Carols services as part of the Youth Choir. We’ll be singing a simple yet beautiful piece and would love your voice! Rehearsals are scheduled for November 24 and December 1 at 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. For a headstart on learning the music, go to http://tinyurl.com/UCGChoir and look under UCG Lessons and Carols 2024 folder, then the Lesson 5 (Youth Choir) folder.
Friendship group will meet Sunday, November 24 at 10 a.m. in the west wing. We will be practicing the chimes for playing in the Prelude on December 15. We’ll do some other singing as well and our usual catching up. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Meet the Interim Minister Search Committee – Members of the search committee want to chat with you and get your feedback! Meet us at a table in the courtyard for informal conversation. If you don’t have time to chat this Sunday morning, feel free to answer our 2-question survey online.
Sunday Seminar in Reimer Hall and on Zoom – Theology of Lessons and Carols – The language of Christmas carols is always a source for conversation and questions: What is a Noel? What is the difference between a Gaudete and a Gloria? Rev. Talia Raymond will lead a discussion about some of our 2024 Lessons and Carols texts. Join us to learn some history, some context, and get a sneak peek at some of our musical pieces for this year’s beloved service.
It’s All-Church Band Christmas Band Time Again – If you do now or ever have played a band instrument, you are invited to join the UCG All Church Band for our annual Christmas Sing-Along Medley on December 15. It’s middle school level difficulty, and it’s always fun. Gather at 9:15 a.m. for a few run throughs, and we play for the opening of the service. Music will be available in the foyer beginning November 24. Take a part, sign your name so we know who is playing, reintroduce yourself to your instrument if necessary, and join in the joy. Larry Reimer can’t wait to share this with you again this year.
The Celebration of Life Service for Tom Ambrosio will be held at Cypress and Grove in the private party room on Sunday, November 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. Please help spread the word to all of his friends in the music and theater and creative writing communities.
Board of Congregation Ministry Review invites you to a special service in the Sanctuary, Sunday, November 24, at 6 p.m., reflecting on our shared ministry with Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan as its close draws near. Special music, prayers, and time to share space together, in thanksgiving and grief for what has been and what yet will be. All are welcome.
Soul Food Enlistment Update: We are a little more than 3/4 of the way there! As of Tuesday, November 19, we have received 209 pledges totaling $664,913, about 78 percent to our goal of $850,000. Thanks to everyone who has pledged! We are about $185,000 short of our goal for this year’s campaign, but we are closing the gap. It is critical that all UCG families / pledging units submit a pledge card so that Board of Business can plan for next year’s budget. Even if your pantry is bare this year and you can’t commit monetary support at this time, we would like you to submit a pledge card by Thanksgiving so we know where we stand for next year. To pledge, you can visit the web portal at https://bit.ly/UCGpledge2025, turn in a physical pledge card, or email Catherine Cake at catherinec@ucgainesville.org.
Let’s Connect
Compassion in Action’s annual Rawlings Elementary Christmas Gift Market has moved up to November 21 due to the new 12-month school schedule that Rawlings is following. This year, because of the earlier deadline, we have fewer gifts than we did last year. There is still time to make a cash donation here by November 21. The donations will be given to Rawlings Elementary. Thank you for your support of this popular annual project.
United Church of Gainesville’s 33rd Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will be held on December 8. This service combines the readings of the Christmas story with beautiful carols and music that enrich the meaning of the Advent season. If you’d like to join, contact our Director of Music Ministries, Phillip Herr-Klepacki, with any questions at phillip.klepacki@gmail.com.
A few of our small groups have availability or don’t require registration. Click here to see the offerings and register. Please contact the church office with any questions.
Women’s and Men’s Lunch Groups
Friday, November 22 at noon – All are welcome
The Women’s Lunch Group will meet in Reimer Hall.
The Men’s Lunch Group will meet in person in the West Wing and via Zoom. Meeting ID: 836 8128 8738 Passcode: 1965.
For those who cannot meet during the day on weekdays, we have two small groups: Good Men Drinking Beer and Wonderful Women Drinking Wine. These are social groups and non-drinkers are welcome.
Next Sunday, December 1
Food First Sunday
9:15 a.m. Youth Choir
9:45 a.m. Childcare
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m. Lively Arts Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m. Hanging of the Greens
Sunday Seminar – Interim Minister Search Committee
Lessons and Carols Rehearsal
2 p.m. OWL Program
Food First Sunday is Sunday, December 1. Please place your donations in the cart provided. Thank you for your generous commitment to stocking the Food Pantry at Gainesville Community Ministries with monthly donations.
Youth (6th-12th grades) are invited to participate in this year’s Lessons and Carols services as part of the Youth Choir. We’ll be singing a simple yet beautiful piece and would love your voice! Rehearsals are scheduled for November 24 and December 1 at 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. For a headstart on learning the music, go to http://tinyurl.com/UCGChoir and look under UCG Lessons and Carols 2024 folder, then the Lesson 5 (Youth Choir) folder.
Sunday Seminar: Interim Minister Search Committee – Join members of the Interim Minister Search Committee to learn about the role of an interim minister, what work we’ve done so far, and what to expect as our process of finding and hiring a minister continues. We’ll answer questions we’ve received up to this point as well as any that come up during the seminar. There will also be an opportunity for you to provide input on what skills and qualities you’re looking for in an interim minister.
Looking Ahead
Mark Your Calendar for this Year’s Children’s Advent Craft Fair – Come join the Board of Children, Youth, and Families for our annual craft-making fair. We will have stations for children to make holiday crafts to give as gifts as well as a cookie decorating table. Activities are geared towards children from kindergarten to 5th grade, but younger siblings and all ages are welcome. This year’s theme is holiday-focused activities that spark interest in our youth and foster intergenerational relationships within our church community. The craft fair will take place on Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Reimer Hall. Cost is $10 per family as a suggested donation to cover our supply costs, look in future communications to sign up. Calling all Crafters: if you are interested in sharing a favorite holiday craft, please email Kathryn Rabb by November 20.
Help Serve a Thanksgiving Lunch at Girls Place – Since 2018 some of our members have helped Girls Place serve a Thanksgiving meal for the girls and staff. After a two-year pause, we safely returned in 2022 and have been invited back since. The meal is served between 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Please arrive at 10:30 a.m. for a guided tour of their facility. You are welcome to stay and eat with the girls once everyone is served. Please note: Girls Place is not requiring masks but they are always welcome. If you do wear a mask, please bring your own or let Shanna at the UCG office know to bring you one. Click here to sign up! If you would like more information about Girls Place, visit their website here. Thank you!
Christmas Mini-Grants – The Compassion in Action Committee is soliciting requests for Christmas Mini-Grants in support of people or causes in need of financial assistance during the holiday season. These small grants of $50 to $150 go to local individuals, families, and non-profit organizations known by our congregation members. Forms are available in the church office, or you can apply online. The deadline for requests is Friday, November 29.
A note about Advent Contemplative Prayer from Sandy Reimer
It hardly seems possible that we are already thinking about Advent. Yet here it comes, not that far away!
“Advent,” says author Frederick Buechner, “is like the hush of a theater just before the curtain rises.” And that’s what I invite you to… the hush of a theater just before the curtain rises. During December’s busy-ness, this hour of quiet each week offers time to experience that spiritual hush, moments that bring respite for your soul. In the beauty of our candlelit Sanctuary, we will reflect on three components of the Advent journey through silence, readings and quiet reflection. Toward the end of the hour, we will gather in small groups to share and to listen and to hold one another in prayer.
Participants are asked to commit to at least two of the three sessions.
Dates: Tuesdays; December 3, 10, and 17
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.
Place: United Church of Gainesville Sanctuary
If you registered through the adult small groups process, you are already signed up.
If you would like to register now, you can e-mail Shanna at the church office – or you can e-mail Sandy directly.
The registration deadline for this group is Wednesday, November 27.
Mark Your Calendars for Flamy Grant in Concert at UCG
Award-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant, a shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina will have a concert at United Church of Gainesville December 3 at 8 p.m., tickets are $20 and available online at bit.ly/FlamyGrant. Her music has over 1.2 million streams on digital platforms. A powerhouse vocalist and intrepid songwriter who blends country, folk, gospel, and roots music, Flamy delivers a theatrical, therapeutic, and wholly original storytelling experience, all shared through the evocative art of drag.
Save the Date for Taylor Swift’s Birthday Dance Party – December 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Calling all Swifties ages 13-17! Mark your calendar for a birthday par-TAY with a dance party through the eras, cupcakes, mocktails, bracelet-making and more to celebrate Taylor Swift’s 35th birthday. Polish up real nice and make the whole place shimmer with our Eras-themed photo booth! Tickets are $13 each or 2 for $22.
Submit Your E-vents and Bulletin Announcements – Please email E-vents and bulletin announcements to Ligia Ortega, our Director of Communications to have them included in our newsletter, bulletin, and emails. Due to Christmas office closures, the deadline for submissions for the December newsletter is Friday, December 13.