It’s the Sunday after Easter, and here we are: no brass, no “Hallelujah Chorus”, (no worms), one worship service at 10 a.m. – and wondering, like the disciples, where we go from here. Worship will include a children’s story with Meaghan Bonnaghan; special music offered by Andy Bachmann; and the sermon, “On the Other Side,” by Sandy Reimer. Come join us!
Sunday, April 27
Puzzlers Exchange
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Sandy Reimer, preaching sermon titled
“On the Other Side”
Coffee Church
Youth United/Middle School Together
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar – “The Trans, the Cis, and the Non-binary: Understanding the Gender Spectrum” with Carolina Cordero
2 p.m. OWL Program
5:30 p.m. Noodles and Doodles Pasta Dinner and Art AuctionCoffee Church will be held in Reimer Hall at 10 a.m. as an alternative space to the Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed on the big screen TV and coffee and tea will be available. Join us if you want to eat and drink and be together in a less-crowded room for the service.
“The Trans, the Cis, and the Non-binary: Understanding the Gender Spectrum” will be the topic of this Sunday’s Seminar at 11:30 a.m. in Reimer Hall. Carolina Cordero will explore key gender concepts, including basic definitions, pronouns, and gender dysphoria. The seminar will also touch on topics like legal name changes, hormone replacement (HRT), and surgeries. In person and on Zoom.
Our Annual Noodles and Doodles Fundraiser is this Sunday at 5:30 p.m.! This Art Auction and Pasta Dinner Fundraiser supports our Youth United as they prepare for their summer Work Tour. This year, they are headed to Washington, DC to volunteer at the World Pride Festival, serve at food pantries and soup kitchens, participate in park cleanups, and meet with activists in racial and social justice. The cost to attend Noodles and Doodles is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. This includes a spaghetti dinner, salad, and dessert (gluten-free and vegan options will be available). A silent auction will run throughout the evening for amazing art, and, during dessert, we will have a live art auction on some very special pieces! If you have artwork that you have made or that you would simply like to re-home, we are accepting donations! Please leave it in the office for Tami by Thursday, April 24. If you want to help out on Sunday, there are a myriad of ways to contribute! Please check out the signup here and see what calls to you. We appreciate your support!
Let’s Connect
The deadline for submissions to the May newsletter is TODAY. Please email your news items to Shanna Swiers to have them included.
Welcome Basket for Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper and Warren Goldstein – Following her onsite interview and introduction to the congregation, the Reverend Dr. Donna Schaper was voted in unanimously as UCG’s first Interim Minister! Rev. Schaper will start at UCG on May 1. If you would like to contribute to a “Welcome to Gainesville” basket, please bring a gift card to your favorite local spot in any amount and/or a note of welcome to the office by Sunday, April 27.
Lively Arts invites you to the spring concert of the Gainesville Flute Ensemble on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the UCG Sanctuary. Join us for a varied program of music arranged for the full range of flute voices. The concert is free and open to the public.
The next Food First Sunday will be May 4. In the first four months of 2025, our congregation donated over 942 pounds – almost half a ton – to the food pantry of our community partner, Gainesville Community Ministry. Thank you for your commitment to this important ministry! Donations of nonperishable food items immensely help those experiencing food insecurity in our community. If you forget to bring your donations or prefer to donate online click here. Learn more here.
UCG Directory – The Board of Membership encourages members to wear their name tags and upload a photo of themselves in our ShelbyNext online directory. This helps us put a face to a name and get to know one another. It is also helpful when individuals sign up for boards/committees, small groups, etc. To view your profile, go to https://bit.ly/UCGSNLog.
Work continues on the remodeling of the west side bathrooms. Please continue to use the office bathrooms for now. Exterior access is available from the breezeway between the chapel and courtyard, next to the water fountain. Note also that our west side parking lot may have limited spaces available.
Women’s and Men’s Lunch Groups
Friday, April 25 at noon – All are welcome
The Women’s Lunch Group will meet in Reimer Hall this week.
The Men’s Lunch Group will meet on 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. Click here to register.
Food First
Worship Service – Rev. Talia Raymond
Coffee Church
Youth United/Middle School Together
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m. Common Threaders
11:30 a.m. Board of Parish Ministry meeting
2 p.m. OWL Program
Let’s Stay Connected!
Read our April newsletter!
Deadline for the May newsletter is today!
Submit Your E-vents and Bulletin Announcements – Please email E-vents and bulletin announcements to Shanna Swiers to have them included in our newsletter, bulletin, and emails.
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sundays – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.