The Comm UUnicator  

U n i t a r i a n   S o c i e t y   o f  
G e r m a n t o w n
W e e k l y  N e w s l e t t e r
Spiritual Theme 
for July: Devotion
Week of  July 20 - 26,  2017
In This Issue

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USG Events Calendar  Curious what's happening at USG this week? Need to find out when and where your committee or group is meeting?
Click here to view USG's calendar.
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Unitarian Society of Germantown

 

Building the Beloved Community in the Spirit of Life through Compassion, Respect and Empowerment.

 

Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This Saturday
caring square
Our Caring Community celebrates the life of beloved member Kathy Sheeder Bonanno this Saturday, July 22, at 1:00pm with a memorial service and a reception to follow.

We expect quite a large turn-out and ask USG members to car-pool and to park on the surrounding streets, especially on Wayne Ave. This will insure that members of the wider community who are in attendance will have an easier time.
This Sunday
In Worship
Sunday, July 23, 10:30am

People, Get Ready
Davy Preston Knittle
 
Our lives continuously pivot at the meeting point of our ongoing experience of selfhood and the regular transformation of the contexts, small and large, in which that selfhood develops. Unitarian Universalism is a "living tradition," designed to celebrate our lives as periods of constant change, and to help the relationship between self and world take shape. How can our commitment to change help us through periods of uncertainty and spur us toward active and deliberate participation at many scales? 

Davy Knittle grew up in the Unitarian Society of Germantown and joined the church formally in 2005. His quotidian life is made up of being a doctoral student in English at the University of Pennsylvania, and of living in West Philadelphia with his partner, Brooke, and Saleem, their cat.
In Sunday School
10:30 - 11:30am

Child Spiritual Development (CSD) Summer Program for PreK- 6th Grades.

This summer we offer a scaled-back, fun-focused program called Music, Movement and Art. Our Summer Program will run through August 27. All children will be dropped off directly at their class at 10:30am. This Sunday, July 23...
  • PreK - 1st Grade will report to the Committee Room for Art fun with teacher Jennifer Bright and an assistant.
  • Grades 2 - 6 will report to Sullivan 2 & 3 to do craftwork with teachers Betsy Gabriel, Susan Bockius, and Berne Graham.
7th grade and up are encouraged to join their parents in the service. 

Childcare  for infants to 3- and 4-year-olds is offered from  9:00am - 12:00pm this Sunday, also in the Committee Room, with Jennifer Bright and an assistant.
In Sunday Morning Meditation
9:15 - 10:20am
On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays, the Meditation Room, Sullivan 3, is open for individual quiet meditation.  If you have questions, please contact Sharon Mafuru at  smallaxetz@gmail.com . You can also click here for information. Sponsored by Adult Spiritual Development. 

On the first and second Sundays, a Guided Meditation is offered.
In Sunday Morning Fellowship & Call to Action
This Sunday following the service, you will also have opportunities to...
     
SignUp is the reminder tool USG uses to organize volunteers for our upcoming activities.  Click Here to go to our group page to sign up online.
Events
Lughnasadh Celebration
Sunday, July 30, 7:00-8:30pm
Image credit: Jaine Rose, Beeswax and Broomsticks

[LU nah sah] was the first harvest festival for the ancient Celts. Berries were on the vines but the grain fields needed attention before they could be harvested. It was a time for taking stock and redirecting energies. The Earth Honoring Traditions Group will celebrate Lughnasadh on Sunday, July 30 at 7:00pm in the Grove. All are welcome to join the celebration. Bring berries, oat cakes, or any beverage you care to share.
 
Contact Dennis Strain, dennis.strain09@gmail.com; 215-247-3823 for more information or to rsvp so they know how many people to expect.
Call to Action
Can YOU Help PIHN Families?
If you think you are hot and stressed, imagine what it would be like to be homeless and have to use a LOT of public transportation. If you can help our partner, the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network, they would be grateful. PIHN is in need of these things in the next month:
  • Dinners July 30-August 3. Due to summer schedules we do not need dinner hosts, just the dinners to be prepared and dropped off.
  • ACME gift cards to purchase staple items during first weeks of August.
  • The house that the families will be staying at does not have air conditioners so we are in need of 4 air conditioners and/or fans.
  • Lastly, we have an alumni family who is in between houses and is scheduled to have surgery on her ACL and she needs to be on bedrest for 4 weeks after surgery to recover. She has a 16 year old with her as well. We are wondering if someone could house her for 4 wks starting August 14th. 
If you can help or have questions, please contact PIHN Director of Family Services Keyonnee Thalia: 
keyonnee@philashelter.org or  215-247-4663 x139 or 215-450-0171.
Action Alert! from UUPLAN

Dear UUPLAN Members and Friends at USG, 

As UUs we have an important mechanism, UUPLAN, in place to help us be focused and effective advocates for economic justice. The action alert below just arrived in my mailbox today. It describes another really hateful attack on people in need in our state. It punishes the poor and adds hurdles and delays for those in need of food stamps. The people promoting this are the same ones who did away with General Assistance which pushed over 40,000 Pennsylvanians into homelessness and deep distress. 

UUPLAN asks us to take a minute or two to call our PA state representatives and urge them to vote against SB 6 when it comes over to the House. If you are unsure of your state rep, just go to legis.state.pa.us/ to find your legislator and phone numbers. 

Thank you for acting for justice today!  
Dennis Brunn
USG Liaison to UUPLAN
215-242-2099

ERCreadingsSome Summer Reading Suggestions

The Ending Racism Committee and White Privilege group are encouraging the reading of any or all of the following books for summer reading. The clickable links will take you to Amazon so that you can read a description. If you purchase from Amazon.com, please do so through SmileAmazon.com, which will benefit USG.
 

The books will be available for sale at cost at the Ending Racism table starting July 9 or you can find them wherever books are sold or at the public library.

New Small Group Ministry (SGM) for  Black, Indigenous and other Peoples of Color (BIPOC)

A new Small Group Ministry for Black, Indigenous and other Peoples of Color starts on Monday, August 7th. The meeting will be held on the first Monday of each month at USG from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The group is open to anyone who identifies as a person of color. Please contact Parvathy Menon, parvathyvmenon@gmail.com

UPDATE:Summer Hours for USG Staff and Office

painting by William Merritt Chase

With summer in full swing, staff's office hours will be affected.
Please CALL AHEAD 215-844-1157 if you need access to the church, as staff hours and office hours will fluctuate.

Jason Bender will be away from Sunday, July 9 until Sunday, August 6.


May Blessings Be throughout YOUR Summer.

Interested in joining USG?
 
The next New Member Signing is on this Sunday, July 23. We welcome two friends who will join USG. If YOU are interested in joining, there are New Member Signings the fourth Sunday of July, October, January, and April. Please visit the Membership page in the Home menu on our website, usguu.org or contact Treva Burger at trevawb@gmail.com
for more information.
Nicky Brown
Nicky Brown Scholarship Opportunity
If you are a pledging/paying member of USG or have been a contributing friend for two (2) years or more, your college-bound son/daughter can apply for a small stipend. Please contact Shawn Miller at the email or phone number below for an application.  All applications are due by July 31, 2017. milshawn52@yahoo.com, 215 631-9958.

Our Wider Community

Greater Philly UU Cluster NEWS
The Greater Philly UU Cluster (GPC) ( greaterphillyuu.org/) is comprised of 14 nearby UU congregations and is actively connecting these congregations to share our message, grow our faith and strengthen congregations. 
 
Next GPC Meeting, Saturday,  July 29, 2017, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (9:00 meet and greet),  Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill (401 N. Kings Highway N, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034).  We'll be discussing the Vision for 2017-2018, ad campaign and a couple other items. All are welcome!

Save the Date! Our next GPC training will be on social justice-democracy and will take place on October 7, 2017 at Germantown. Chair and co-founder of Fair Districts PA, Carol Kuniholm, will present on gerrymandering. More details to come, so stay tuned!

Click here to see the calendar of events.

Treva Burger (trevawb@gmail.com) is USG's cluster rep, but all are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings.
SAVE THE DATE! 
UU Community Weekend - open to all GPC congregations! 
September 2-4, 2017, Camp Canadensis (in the Poconos)
This weekend getaway is a unique opportunity to play, exercise, and relax together with old and new friends from across the Greater Philly UU Cluster. It is a time of real vacation without having to cook, set the table, make the coffee, wash the dishes or hover over the kids. 



- For more info, to register, and to watch the "invitation" video (scroll to the bottom), visit: mluc.org/community/communityweekend.   
MainLineUnitarianChurch 
hit the required minimum!!! Woo hoo! We're up to over 115 people from multiple congregations. Plenty of space still available, so register today!

 

Join A Group 

Get Involved! Meet Fellow UUs! 
 
Follow links below to join and find out more information about the events and groups at USG that occur usually once a month. Questions? Click on the links for contact information.

Young Adults
20's & 30's SGM Group  - Second Thursday, August 10, 6:30pm, Drop-in Young Adults Small Group Ministry group. For more information, p lease contact Stephanie Bonner at slbonner2@gmail.com or Carly Danielsen on Facebook where they maintain an active invite-only activities group.  

Bookgroup

Book Group on Friday Morning   - On summer vacation. The group will resume in September on the Third Friday, September 15, 10:30am.   Off-site. If interested in joining the discussion, please contact Barbara Dowdall The 2016-17 Book List is posted on usguu.org> About> Affinity Groups> Book Group. After mid-August the 2017-2018 List will appear there.

CAMI (Citizens Against Mass Incarceration) - Fourth Monday, July 24, 7:00pm. At USG.


Ending Racism
Ending Racism Meeting  - First Sunday, August 6, 12:00 - 2:00pm. At USG. 



Exploring Elderhood-   Second Friday, August 11 , 2:00 -4:30pm. At USG.


  
Finding Our Roots   - Earth Honoring Traditions. First Monday, except for holiday weekend in September: August 7, September 11, October 2, November 6, and December 4, 2017, 7:00pm. At USG.


Humanists - PUSH -  Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists,
Fourth Sunday, July 23, 12:00pm. At USG.



Meditation & Dialogue - every Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:30pm. 45 minute meditation, followed by 45 minute thoughtful dialogue. At USG. (M&D is now on summer hiatus until August 15.)
                                                          
Men's Retreat 

Men's Group  - Third Tuesday, July 18, 7:30pm. At USG.





Needle Exchange 
  Needle Exchange, a Handwork Group - Second Monday, August 14, 7:00pm.  Off-site.




An  Open Small Group Ministry   is available to people who want to try out Small Group Ministry or attend occasionally. They meet the second Sunday of each month following worship (12:00-1:30pm) usually in the Daskam Room. For more information, contact Mark B,  mark.bangela@gmail.com , or just show up.  Next date is August 13. At USG.



UU101

UU-101 - Second Sunday, August 13, 9:00 - 10:20am.  UU-101 is an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, held at USG in the Daskam Room, and childcare is provided. Attendees receive a free copy of  The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide . The class will be held only if the leaders receive RSVPs by the Friday before the class. To RSVP or get more information,  contact group leaders Gale Gibbons (215-438-1723) or Andi Bernstein (215-327-7122), or email  uu101@usguu.org.


UUJPIP - Third Sunday, August 20, 12:00 - 1:30pm. At USG. UUs for Justice & Peace in Israel & Palestine.  

Join A USG Facebook Group!    
You can join a USG Facebook group as well as meet in person! 
To find out about special events, post photos, and stay in touch, here are some of USG's groups and their Facebook links:

ASD (Adult Spiritual Development) facebook
 
CSD (Child Spiritual Development)
 
YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) A Closed Group great to know about and if desired, ask to join.
 
YA - Young Adults
 
UU Greater Philly Social Justice

P.U.S.H. Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists

Exploring Elderhood
Our Caring Community   
We hold in our hearts...

...the family of Berdine Whedon who died July 12  after a brief battle with cancer. Berdine was a lively, independent spirit with a smile that radiated joy for living. She served the congregation in many ways including as board president, member of the choir, and as leader of many ASD classes and Earth Honoring Traditions ceremonies.  Our hearts go out to Berdine's son and daughter in law, Skye Smith and Rosara Torrisi, who are imminently expecting the birth of their first child.  We will communicate information about a memorial service as soon as details are known.  Cards may be sent to:
Skye and Rosara
15 Gaynor Avenue
Manhasset NY 11030-1901

...the family of Kathy Bonanno, who died on Thursday, June 15. Cards may be sent to her husband David Bonanno and son Luis Bonanno at the Bonanno home. Cards to her sister Suzanne Sheeder, Suzanne's husband Joe Borrelli, and their daughter Caitlin Borrelli may be sent to
Suzanne Sheeder and Joe Borrelli and Caitlin
436 Old Farm Road
Wyncote, PA  19095 

...Nancy Dearden,  who has had a good response to recent treatment and thanks all her USG friends for their help with rides and meals and messages of support. Nancy has another request for those interested in helping further. A friend is organizing a mulching party on the morning of Saturday July 21. The mulch will be in the driveway ready to be spread. If you can come, it would be helpful to bring a wheelbarrow, gloves, fork, etc. Nancy will provide cold drinks. The beds will also need weeding before mulching day. Nancy will be grateful for fellow weeders on Friday, July 21 from 8:30 - 11:00am. No need to rsvp to these events. Just come if you are able. The Deardens live at 7904 Pine Rd, Wyndmoor, PA.

We celebrate with...

...third-generation USG member Cynthia Claus on the Amazon release of her first book, An Orchid Sari: The Personal Diary of an American Mom in 1960s India. This story of Cynthia's trip to India with her Indian husband and their toddler son to present themselves for the first time to the Indian relatives is told through diary entries and saved letters home to family and friends. 

If you purchase from Amazon.com, please do so through AmazonSmile which will benefit USG.


If you are aware of any joys or concerns that should be part of our caring system, please let us know. You can email  
If you call Linda Bernstein or Bonnie McDairmant and do not speak to one of them directly, leave a voice mail and your call will be returned ASAP.

Please note that Rev. Kent Matthies will NOT be part of the Caring Team during his six-month sabbatical....'cause we care about him, too.

Contact Us

Rev. Kent Matthies, Minister - on Sabbatical until mid-August, 2017
Constance Simon, Intern Minister - internminister@usguu.org
Jason Bender, Director of Spiritual Development - dsd@usguu.org
Mark Daugherty, Music Director - musicdirector@usguu.org
Gloria Guldager, Church Administrator- admin@usguu.org 
Carolyn Scott, Asst. Administrator-  asstadmin@usguu.org 
Carolyn Cotton, Rental Coordinator - rental@usguu.org 
Mike Rogers, Sunday Morning and Special Events Sexton - sexton@usguu.org 
 
6511 Lincoln Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119-3625
Telephone: 215-844-1157 ~ Website: www.usguu.org

Please call or email beforehand to set up any visits.
We would love to see you, but we want to be here!

Church Office Hours
Mon, Fri : 9:30am - 2:30pm
Tues, Wed, Thu: 9:30am - 3:30pm

Office Hours for Constance Simon
Tues 10:00-2:00; Thurs 6:00-9:00; Fri 1:00-4:00; Sun 8:30-3:00
Office Hours for Jason Bender
Tues - Fri, 10:00 - 4:00
Deadlines for USG Publications
Tuesday's SPIRIT (not every Tuesday this Summer) - Friday by 3pm
Thursday's Weekly eCommUUnicator - Wednesday by noon
Sunday's Announcements - Thursday by noon