July 26 - August 1, 2018
The CommUUnicator
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Society of Germantown
Building Beloved Community
THIS WEEK:
Charles Gabriel speaks about a visionary woman, we celebrate Lughnasadh, and we ready ourselves for work to commence on our new elevator. (WhooHoo!)
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In Worship, 10:30am
Hildegard von Bingen, Visionary Woman,
Charles Gabriel
with music provided by Meg Ryan
Hildegard von Bingen was a Benedictine nun and abbess who lived in the area of Bingen, Germany in the late 11th and early to mid-12th century. She experienced visions from early childhood throughout her life and stemming from these visions, she wrote books and painted, and was advisor and moral scourge to bishops, popes and emperors. Her religious philosophy centered on love, justice and the interdependent web of creation and was entirely consistent with modern day Unitarian Universalist beliefs.
Charles Gabriel joined USG in October, 2004 and has held several volunteer positions including Budget & Finance Committee member, Buildings & Grounds committee co-chair, Strategic Planning Council chair and Board of Trustees member. Currently Charles sings in the USG choir and is now retired from church leadership. This is his eighth sermon at USG.
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In Child Spiritual Development
PARENTS, PLEASE NOTE:
This Sunday, the children will go directly to their programs this Sunday at 10:30am rather than start the morning in the Sanctuary.
·
For 6-yr-olds and younger, Summer Arts and Crafts will be in the Committee Room and Dining Room.
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For 7-yr-olds and older, the Feeling the Spirit Through Music program will be in Sullivan 2 and 3, this Sunday featuring
Guitar with Emily Joy Goldberg and Sharon Mafuru.
Details about the programs and schedules can be found on the
Usguu.org
website under the Spiritual Development tab.
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.
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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.
Please see below under CALL TO ACTION the
continued
urgent
need for food for our neighbors.
Drop off nonperishable food items to the designated carts in the Kitchen for delivery to St. Vincent's Food Pantry. Thanks to all who have already responded.
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Opportunities
After the Worship Service
Enjoy refreshments, compliments of the Welcoming Committee.
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 at 7:00pm for...
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...Lughnasadh Celebration
Sunday, July 29, 7pm
Lughnasadh [LU nah sah], the third great celebration of the Celtic year, will be held in the Grove (weather permitting; otherwise, we'll be in the dining room). Traditionally the beginning of harvest season, Lughnasadh was considered more of a men's festival as it was based on a male folk hero, Lugh. Come hear about the original Tara, “Teltown marriages,” and Mary Mother's “fatling”! As always, enjoy chats and snacks afterwards.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
For details, contact Donya at
earth@usguu.org
.
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Sunday, August 5, 10:30am
The Courage of our Convictions Against the Tyranny Of Manners
, Charles Bowser
Charles Bowser will present an idea to do a small everyday thing that could have greater impact. Walk this way and take that step.
Charles is a single parent, union organizer, political activist and political consultant who officially joined the UU faith in 2004 at Harrisburg UU. There he served as a trustee, a regional delegate and a part of the membership committee that was instrumental in their congregation winning the O Eugene Pickett award which annually honors the congregation that has made an outstanding contribution to the growth of Unitarian Universalism.
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Urgent Need for Food Donations
Each month, nonperishable foods donated by members of USG are delivered to St. Vincent De Paul’s Food Cupboard. During summer months, supplies run low.
There is an urgent need for us to increase our donations.
If you’ve never given before or only infrequently, please consider making a habit of dropping off
beans, tuna, peanut butter, cereal, rice
- or any other non-perishable item or a
small bag of nonperishable groceries
- to the carts in USG’s kitchen each Sunday.
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Lincoln Drive Closed This Weekend
Lincoln Drive will be closed from Ridge/Kelly to Wissahickon at least this next weekend (July 27-30) Friday night through Monday morning.
Find out more here
Tip - to get to Germantown and Mt. Airy, don't use the official detour up Ridge. Use Schoolhouse Lane instead to Wissahickon or Wayne.
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USG's Summer Office Hours
In July and August
, our hours will be 9:30am until 1:00pm, M through F.
We urge you to call ahead - 215-844-1157 - if you need entry to the building. You can also contact
communications@usguu.org
.
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Elevator News
The Board of Trustees approved the final contract for the elevator addition at its June meeting. On July 20, the City of Philadelphia approved the building permit allowing our contractor to begin work.
Ground breaking will occur during the week of August 13th.
Interior work including building temporary walls around the back staircase will start the week of
August 6th
. We will have to endure inconveniences and disruptions so we will all have to pull together during this time, but it will be worth it in the end. We will keep you posted as this project progresses.
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An International Progressive Dinner!
Saturday, August 4, 5:00- 5:30pm start time
There are six openings for this Auction Event. The progressive dinner begins in Jenkintown at the Ceglowskis', then moves to Wyncote to Eva Finney and Kurt Ahrens' home, then proceeds to the Gabriels' home in Jenkintown. $45 each person. Children are free and welcome. Rain-date of 8/5. Contact
Kay Weiser
by
Saturday, July 28
at the latest if interested.
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A reading to honor the life and work of Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno
Sunday August 5, 3:00 - 5:00pm
Manayunk Roxborough Art Center
419 Green Lane (rear), Philadelphia, PA 19127
This event will Include reading and comments by Kathy's students and friends. For this memorial celebration, everyone is invited to share memories of the remarkable teacher and special friend of the arts that is Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno. A $5 donation is requested. Refreshments will be served.
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Cynthia Claus announces publication of a new book
Cynthia, a long-time USG member, celebrates the publication of her second book,
Ice Cream & Pretzels and Other Stories: A Memoir,
in which Cynthia remembers her family of origin, whose lives were impacted in unexpected and far-reaching ways by her father’s service in World War II.
Click here
for details.
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Putting Pronouns on Name Tags
The Welcoming (Membership) team in coordination with the Welcoming Congregation (promoting inclusivity of all LGBTQIA identities) Refresher Task Force, will begin to offer and encourage putting people's preferred pronouns on name tags. At the Welcome Table, there is a new
name tag request form
which asks for people's pronouns and we will also have stickers for the most common pronouns starting July 29. For more information, please visit
usguu.org/putting-pronouns-on-nametags/
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USG Member Sarah Frazier will work this summer on behalf of Immigration Justice
Sarah Frazier is going to El Paso, Texas (across the border from Juarez, Mexico)
from July 30 to August 12.
She has been accepted to work with
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
(
http://las-americas.org/
). Sarah will post updates each day on Facebook and also on her Wordpress blog "
Going to the Border"
, (
getgoingtotheborder.wordpress.com/
) so that we can be engaged in this endeavor. She will also do a presentation to report on the work when she returns.
In order to make the financial requirements of this trip more manageable, Sarah has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for travel, food and lodging. Any additional funds she earns will be donated to Las Americas.
If you would like to contribute visit
https://www.gofundme.com/going-to-the-border
.
(Image: Sarah at the 2017 Auction)
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Thank you thank you thank you!
From May's Share The Plate recipient,
Broad Street Ministry:
"We received the incredibly generous gift from the Unitarian Society of Germantown. Thank you so very much for making this happen and for your commitment to serving the poor and marginalized in our community. I would love to offer a tour to the wonderful people at USG or even set up a time for volunteering if that would be of interest—just let me know. I promise that we will put your generosity to work helping our most vulnerable neighbors."
Michael Dahl, Executive Director, Pronouns: He/Him
215-735-4847 x126
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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, the Nicky Brown Scholarship. Please contact Shawn Miller at the email or phone number below for an application. All applications are due by
July 31, 2018.
milshawn52@yahoo.com
, 215-631-9958.
Photo is of Nicky Brown.
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We are excited to announce our new Give+ Text option for making pledge and contribution payments to USG!
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Please
click here
to learn how to use this convenient tool.
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Thank You, Villagers!
Thank you so much to all who participate! 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 August.
- August 5 - Village 2
- August 12 - Village 3
- August 19 - Village 4
- August 26 - Village 5
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UU Multitracial Unity Action Caucus
Sponsors
The Battle Cry of Freedom: Remembering Gettysburg and the Victory Over White Supremacy
Friday, August 3 - Sunday, August 5
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Get Involved! Meet Fellow UUs!
Follow links below to find out more information about the events and groups at USG that occur usually once a month.
Please note that some groups are now on summer hiatus and thus not listed below. Check back in September to see what's new!
20's & 30's SGM Group
- Second Thursday, August 9, 6:30pm, Drop-in Young Adults Small Group Ministry group. For more information, please contact Stephanie Bonner at
slbonner2@gmail.com
or on Facebook where they maintain an active invite-only activities group.
Book Group on Friday Morning
- Will resume its regular Third Friday, 10:30am, discussions
September 21
at Cathedral Village. If interested in joining, please contact
Barbara Dowdall.
The 2017-2018 Book List is posted on
usguu.org> About> Affinity Groups> Book Group
.
In late August, the 2018-2019 List will be posted.
CAMI (Citizens Against Mass Incarceration)
- Fourth Monday, August 27, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact
Nancy Anderson
.
Caregiver Support Group
- Second Friday, August 10, 11:00am - 1:00pm. At USG. Contact
Maura Gallagher
.
EarthSpirit Circle
. First Monday, except for holiday weekends: (September 10). Next meeting August 6, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact Donya Coldwell at
earth@usguu.org
.
ERC (Ending Racism Committee)
- First Sunday, August 5, 12:00 - 1:30pm. At USG. Contact
Barbara Dowdall
.
Humanists - PUSH
-
Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists
, Fourth Sunday, August 26, 12:00pm. At USG. Contact
Paul Teti
.
Nature Walking at Valley Green - Every Monday and Thursday at
9:00am
(please note summer start time), you can meet others - whoever shows up- at Valley Green in Chestnut Hill for a morning walk.
Point Person is
Steve Conrad, who is usually there.
Needle Exchange, a Handwork Group
-
Next meeting will be August 1,
1:30 - 3:00pm, off-site.
(Usually
First Wednesday). Contact
Margaret Thompson
.
Open Small Group Ministry
- Second Sunday, August 12, 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
-
Third Sunday, August 19, 12:00-1:00pm.
UU-101
is an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, held at USG in the Daskam Room, and childcare is provided. Please let the leader, Eric Foster know that you plan to attend by emailing him at
uu101@usguu.org. If unable to email, you can call Eric at 484-347-8998.
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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
Greater Philly UUs - Social Justice & Other Greater Philly UU News
P.U.S.H. Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists
Exploring Elderhood
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Our thoughts and prayers are with...
...Ben Manes and his wife Hope Manes
(in Village 9)
.
Hope’s sister, Tracy M. Hess, of Southampton, PA, died on July 5 in Abington Hospital. Cards and emails will be appreciated.
...Linda and Dennis Brunn
(in Village 10)
.
Linda's mother, Esmé Cahill, died peacefully on July 8 at age 91 in Concord, NH. Cards are welcome.
...Beverly Gross Spencer and husband Tim Spencer
(in Village 9). Beverly had successful heart bypass surgery on July 18 and is now recovering at home. Beverly and Tim appreciate all the care they have received from the congregation. (And special thanks to those who responded to the call for meals.)
...Elaine Wallace
(in Village 7)
,
whose current health problems prevent her from attending USG. Her SGM meets now at her place. Elaine is appreciative of their support and welcomes cards and emails.
...the family and friends of Wesley Smith,
who died on June 22. Although he had not been active for several years, Wesley was a long-time beloved member of our church choir bass section. His family is planning a memorial service for
Friday, August 3
at 3:00 pm in Cathedral Hall at Cathedral Village. Wesley has a daughter, Moon Smith, and a son, Anthony. Cards can be sent to Moon Smith, 512 W. Allen 's Lane, Philadelphia PA.
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Caring Team
Linda Bernstein (chair), Sarah West, Rev. Kent Matthies
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.
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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
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The Unitarian Society of Germantown
| 215-844-1157 | 6511 Lincoln Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19119
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