March 15 - 21, 2018
The CommUUnicator
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Society of Germantown
Building Beloved Community

THIS WEEK: We celebrate being together in community with an Inter-gen Sunday, a Vernal Equinox gathering, and preparation to support the youth in their March for Our Lives.
In Worship, 10:30am
Less Me, More We
Director of Spiritual Development Jason Bender, Intern Minister Connie Simon & Music Director Mark Daugherty with members of USG's Youth Group
Join us as we highlight the benefits we all receive when we focus less on ourselves and more on being in community with others. This special inter-generational service features music, spoken word and even a few surprises.
In Child Spiritual Development
This Sunday morning, children and youth will be in the sanctuary with their families for the special Intergen Service.

Our High School program changes weekly. The High School Group meets this Sunday, March 18 from 6:00 - 8:00pm

For a detailed schedule of Youth Group Activities for the program year, click here and locate the Youth Group column.

Please click here for details of the Child and Youth Spiritual Development programs.

Childcare for children 4-5 years old and younger is offered this Sunday and most Sundays from 9:00am - 12:00pm in the Committee Room.
Opportunities
Before the Worship Service
Meditate in the Meditation Room
Meditation, reading, dharma and sharing are offered in Sullivan 3 on the First and Second Sundays of the month between 9:15 and 10:20am. All are welcome to join in quietly. On the other Sundays the space is open for those who choose to come and sit. For information on meditation, click here.


Drop off nonperishable food items to the designated carts in the Kitchen for delivery to St. Vincent's Food Pantry.
Coffee Hour
Opportunities
After the Worship Service
Greet members of Village 2 who will be the Fellowship Hour Hosts.

Attend the Anti-Gun Violence Postcard Writing in the Assembly Room. All materials supplied!

Go to the Sullivan Hallway where Joanne Davis will take a photo of your family for the USG online directory.

At 12:00pm, attend the informative UU-101 in the Daskam Room.

At 12:00pm, attend the monthly meeting of UUs for Justice & Peace in Israel & Palestine ( UUJPIP) in Sullivan 3.

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.
Then return Sunday evening at 7:00pm for...
The Spring Equinox Celebration
This Sunday, March 18
Starts at 7:00pm in USG's Grove, then moves inside
We celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring with music, ritual, story and meditation. All are welcome. Bring eggs (deviled or chocolate), jelly beans, or flowers. Contact Donya Coldwell at earth@usguu.org
Sunday, March 25, 10:30am
Passover: Parting The Waters
Intern Minister Connie Simon with Music Director Mark Daugherty & the USG Choir
Thirsty to the point of delusion. Hungry beyond pain. Moses and the Israelites have been fleeing Pharaoh’s troops, fighting amongst themselves and running out of hope. Now they have to cross this body of water! Even when the odds seems quite impossible they take the first step – again – in the journey to secure freedom. How are you doing on your journey to freedom?
ERC Movie of the Month:
I Am Not Your Negro
Wednesday, March 21, 7:00pm
Edna Jones Assembly Room at USG
Click here for more information.
March for Our Lives
Philadelphia Rally
Saturday, March 24
Meet at 9:30am 5th & Market
March begins at 10:00am
Rally at Lombard Circle until 2:00pm
March to end the epidemic of mass shootings and gun violence in our schools, on our streets, killing our youth.

USG will not be taking a bus to the D.C. rally, but click here for information on what we WILL be doing here in Philadelphia (and for a link to go to D.C. on another bus).
Book Launch for Marietta Tanner’s new novel:
Saturday, March 24, 2:00 - 4:30pm
Edna Jones Assembly Room at USG
Ms. Tanner will read selections from her new book , which is based on her memories about four African American women driving from NYC to Mexico in 1954, the year the Supreme Court decision, Brown vs. the Board of Education, was passed. She will present artifacts and literature which illustrate the racism which is pervasive in the book and which show White Supremacy's origins in ancient Greece and its perpetuation in the United States.
Black UU History Presentation
Sunday, March 25, 12:00 - 2:00pm
USG's Sanctuary
The history of Black UUs is a rich one and very important in understanding where our faith movement is now. All are welcome to this presentation by Intern Minister Connie Simon. ( pictured here ).
USG's Annual Seder
Saturday, April 7, 6:00 - 9:00pm
An event for all ages, our Seder will celebrate the beginning of Passover and the liberation of Israelites/Jews from the slavery of ancient Egypt.
Our Seder will consist of:
  1. Meal- traditional Jewish food as well as American food (after ritual)
  2. Reading from the Haggadah
  3. Music, etc
Please click here for information and to register by April 1. All are welcome! Hope to see you at this special evening.
The Stewardship Campaign All-Church Free Luncheon
Sunday, April 15
Fill in your pledge form that will come in your mailbox this week and then celebrate your stewardship with us over lunch! Bon Appetit!
Christine Ginsburg (chair), Rick Rodes, Eric Foster, Tammi Talda, Kate Connolly, Eileen Whelan and Gerry Whelan
The 2018-19 Stewardship Committee
LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
COME DRESSED AS A SUPERHERO
to the
USG SERVICE AUCTION
Saturday, April 21, 2018

  • Enjoy appetizers & libations at 5:00pm.
  • Sign up for fun poster auction events.
  • Live auction starts at 6:15 pm.
  • Don’t miss the silent auction items.
  • Admission is $10 per person.
  • First time attendees are FREE.
  • Child care available.
WE PUT THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 5
The All-Church Dinner
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, June 2
for an All Church Retreat
at Diamond Ridge Conference Center in Jamison. It is 45 minutes from USG and has excellent facilities for all ages: pool, pond for boating and fishing, street hockey, basketball and tennis courts, fields, mini golf, a beautiful indoor space for workshops such as yoga or meditation, and more. Details to come, but please save the date.

Rebuilding Together Philly Block Build -
WE NEED YOU!
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
April 6, 7, 8
Team USG volunteers for their 8th time on the weekend of Friday through Sunday, April 6 - 7 - 8, working from 8:30am till 4:00pm all three days. You can volunteer one, two, or all three days. Join us for rewarding work and pleasant camaraderie! Interested? Please RSVP to Linda Bernstein at momberner506@gmail.com .

Learn more here.
A Letter from USG's Board President,
Susan Smith
Please click here and take the time to read Susan's beautifully written letter about being here for each other.
A Gift of Ordination
Ordaining a Minister confers authority onto a spiritual leader to change the world and brings joy and deep satisfaction to a congregation. This year USG has the honor to ordain  two  Ministers. On Saturday, May 19th USG will ordain  McKinley Sims  at our congregation. On Sunday, June 10th we will co-ordain  Connie Simon  with our sister congregation, the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. Connie’s ordination will take place at the First Unitarian Church.

We invite you to financially support one or both ordinations . Please click here for more information.

Blessings and Love to you,
Kent
Job Posting:
Director of Spiritual Development at USG
You may have heard that we will be searching for a new DSD. Though Jason Bender is irreplaceable, we hope our next DSD will be equally so. If you or someone you know has a passion for guiding the hearts and minds of children, youth and adults, please check this post out .
Stewardship of Our Community,
Your Community
The Campaign has begun and pledge materials have been mailed, so please watch for them in your mailbox . Members and friends can pledge via mail, online at   usguu.org/page/pledge-form , or by putting the form in the box at the table in the dining room following Sunday services.

The All-Church Stewardship Luncheon is rescheduled for Sunday, April 15.
Assistance needed to research electronic lock and entry systems
The B&G committee and the Security Task Force are looking for someone to assist them in researching electronic lock and accessible entry systems to improve the security and ease of access to our church building. If you would be interested in working on this project or would like more information, please contact Gloria at usgadmin@usguu.org . Knowledge of these systems would be great, but not required.
One new email address for USG Communications!
For any communications questions or blurbs ( for weekly SPIRIT, CommUUnicator, Sunday Announcements, slide shows, etc.) we now have ONE email address that will reach both Gloria and Carolyn: communications@usguu.org .

For business issues to Gloria, please send to usgadmin@usguu.org .
We are excited to announce our new Give+ Text option for making pledge and contribution payments to USG!
To give via text, please do the following:
1.Send text to this 10-digit Give+ Text number: 215-607-6191
2.In the message field, put the amount and the fund you wish to donate to, either pledge or stp, example : 25 pledge ($25 would be donated to pledge payment) or 30 stp ($30 would be donated to Share The Plate).
3.Press send.
4.You will receive a registration link, click the link and enter your contact and payment information.
5.Tap “Process.”
6.After registration is complete, you will receive a verification text as well as a receipt via email.

For future giving, simply send a text with the amount and fund you wish to give, and it will process automatically.
Have YOU sent in YOUR FAMILY's photo yet?
This Sunday, let photographer Joanne Davis snap a photo of you and for family for our online directory. Joanne will be in the Sullivan Hallway following the worship service.
Thank You, Villagers!
Thank you so much to all who participate in the Village Fellowship Hours! If you are willing to coordinate Fellowship Hour for your Village, please let Treva Burger, trevawb@gmail.com know. Below is the schedule for Fellowship Hour Hosting in March.
  • March 18 - Village 2 (see Betsy Gabriel)
  • March 25 - Village 3
A Greater Philly Cluster (GPC) Workshop on
"Path to Membership"
Saturday, April 24, 2018
9:00am - 12:00pm
UU Church of Delaware
Announcing...
...A Greater Philly Cluster (GPC) Choral Workshop to help plan the mass choir repertoire for a GPC music concert next church year.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA
12:30 – 5:00 PM
(12:30 – 1:30 Brown bag lunch; 1:30 – 5:00 workshop)
All ministers, music ministry teams, directors, choir members, and any member/friend (who’d like to sing in the mass choir) from the 14 GPC congregations are invited to the workshop. The goal of this workshop is to determine the repertoire for the mass choir in addition to forming a steering committee to help launch the first concert. Click here and here to learn more and to register.
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday afternoon, April 29
Philadelphia Interfaith Walk for Peace & Reconciliation
Information at InterfaithPeaceWalk.org
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 contact links.


20's & 30's SGM Group - Second Thursday, March 8, 6:30pm, Drop-in Young Adults Small Group Ministry group. For more information, please contact Stephanie Bonner at slbonner2@gmail.com or Carly Danielsen on Facebook where they maintain an active invite-only activities group. 

Book Group on Friday Morning - Third Friday, March 16, 10:30am, at Cathedral Village. If interested in joining the discussion, please contact Barbara Dowdall. The 2017-2018 Book List is posted on usguu.org> About> Affinity Groups> Book Group .

CAMI (Citizens Against Mass Incarceration) - Fourth Monday, March 26, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact Nancy Anderson .

Caregiver Support Group - Second Friday, April 13, 11:00am - 1:00pm. At USG. Contact Maura Gallagher .

Choir Rehearsal - (Almost) Every Thursday evening, 7:30 - 9:30pm. At USG. Newcomers welcome. Contact Linda Smith or Andrea Parry .

Dialogue - Every Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:30pm. This group uses dialogue as a means for self-exploration. At USG. Contact Jason Bender, dsd@usguu.org. Also check out meetup.com/Dialogues-on-Consciousness

ERC (Ending Racism Committee) - First Sunday, April 1, 12:00 - 2:00pm. At USG. Contact Barbara Dowdall .

Exploring Elderhood - Second Friday gatherings, April 13, 2:00pm. At USG. Contact Gerry Whelan , ASD Chair.

Finding Our Roots - Earth Honoring Traditions . First Monday, except for holiday weekends: (September 10). At USG. Goodbye, Hello! We say a reluctant Goodbye to consummately dedicated outgoing EARTH chair Dennis Strain and Hello to gracious new chair Donya Coldwell. Contact Donya at earth@usguu.org .

NEW: Flute Circle for All Ages - Every other Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:00pm, until April 11. Next circle March 28. At USG. Please bring your instrument, although some will be available. Contact Jason Bender.

Humanists - PUSH - Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists , Fourth Sunday, March 25, 12:00pm. At USG. Contact Paul Teti .

Men's Group - Third Tuesday, March 20, 7:30pm. At USG. Contact Mark Tuveson .

Mindfulness Meditation with Rev. Kent - Every Thursday, Resumes on March 15 at NEW MEETING TIME 6:30 - 7:15pm . At USG. Contact Rev. Kent Matthies .

Nature Walking at Valley Green - Every Monday and Thursday at 10:00am, you can meet others - whoever shows up- at Valley Green in Chestnut Hill for a morning walk. Contact Tim Beckham, who is usually there.

Needle Exchange, a Handwork Group - First Wednesday, April 4, 1:30 - 3:00pm, off-site. Contact Gale Gibbons .

Open Small Group Ministry - Second Sunday, April 8, 12:00pm, Daskam Room at USG. This group is available to people who want to try out Small Group Ministry or attend occasionally. For more information, contact Mark B, mark.bangela@gmail.com , or just show up.

UU-101 - Please note changes in day and time : Third Sunday , March 18, 12:00 - 1:20pm . UU-101 is an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, held at USG in the Daskam Room, and childcare is provided. To RSVP or get more information, click here or email uu101@usguu.org . Starting in May and June, we welcome new leaders Charles Gabriel and Eric Foster, and we warmly thank outgoing leaders Andi Bernstein and Gale Gibbons.

UUJPIP - UUs for Justice & Peace in Israel & Palestine.  Third Sunday, March 18, 12:00 - 1:30pm. At USG. Contact Walt Ceglowski .
facebook
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
 
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE:
UU Greater Philly Social Justice is changing its name to
"Greater Philly UUs" as this FB will now include other items as well as Social Justice

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

Exploring Elderhood
caring square
Our thoughts and prayers are with...
...John Duey , whose father, Rev. Charles John Duey , died on March 7. Cards and emails are welcome.

...Jovana Ramos, whose father Paulino Ramos passed away suddenly of a heart attack on January 3, while visiting his mother in his childhood hometown of Mao in the Dominican Republic.

We celebrate and bid farewell to...
...Shannon Strain and Dennis Strain , two beloved members of the USG community. Shannon and Dennis are moving to a retirement community in Central Pennsylvania. They want to thank their USG friends for twelve enriching years. In their words, “this congregation is very special and deserves to be cherished." Godspeed to you both. You will be missed.

Our Caring Team
Linda Bernstein (chair), 
Bonnie McDairmant, Sarah West,
Rev. Kent Matthies & Intern Minister Connie Simon

If you are aware of any joys or concerns that should be part of our caring system, please let us know. You can email caring@usguu.org
If you call a caring team member and do not speak directly, leave a voice mail and your call will be returned ASAP.
Rev. Kent Matthies, Minister - kmatthies@usguu.org
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- usgadmin@usguu.org
Carolyn Scott, Asst. Administrator- communications@usguu.org
Carolyn Cotton, Rental Coordinator - rental@usguu.org
Mike Rogers, Sunday Morning and Special Events Sexton - sexton@usguu.org  
Tuesday's SPIRIT (not every Tuesday in the Summer) - Friday by 3:00pm
Thursday's Weekly eCommUUnicator - Wednesday by noon
Sunday's Announcements - Thursday by noon

The Unitarian Society of Germantown | 215-844-1157 | 6511 Lincoln Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19119