June 5 - 11, 2018
The CommUUnicator
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Society of Germantown
Building Beloved Community
THIS WEEK:
Tom Ott will be in the pulpit Sunday so we anticipate another thoughtful, well-crafted homily. Join us in the air-conditioned Sanctuary!
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In Worship, 10:30am
Church & Faith: Where and How to Be,
Tom Ott
Church can be both a noun and a verb. When the former, it is usually considered a specific place. I believe that is too limiting; and given that belief, perhaps the meaning of faith can be found, even when, for this UU anyway, there are many times both historically and today that faith in its religious sense seems all but impossible, except maybe when helping a little girl catch her first fish.
Tom Ott is a two time Board member and four-year president of USG and recently received a Congregation Award for his service to USG. He has offered three previous meditations and considers Unitarian Universalism as the only platform from which he can explore faith in its spiritual sense.
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In Child Spiritual Development
Children will start their Sunday morning with their families in the Sanctuary. At 10:45am, they will be sung out to their Summer CSD programs:
- For 6-yr-olds and younger, Summer Arts and Crafts will be in the Committee Room and Dining Room.
- 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.
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Opportunities
After the Worship Service
Enjoy refreshments, compliments of Village 11.
Attend the
Open Small Group Ministry at 12:00pm in the Daskam Room.
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.
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Sunday, July 15, 10:30am
The Four Agreements for a Better Life
,
Andrea Durham
The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz, is a world-wide bestseller, translated into 40 languages. The Four Agreements are:
- Be impeccable with your word,
- Don’t take anything personally,
- Don’t make assumptions, and
- Always do your best.
These are some lessons
learned at a three-day workshop to explore the book’s teachings with the author and his sons Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. and Don Jose Ruiz.
Andrea Durham is an attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has worked as an Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 1994. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Durham loves travel, diverse cultures and community organization. Active with several community endeavors, she is a member of the Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia and serves as the chief organizer of the annual Diwali celebration.
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Guided Sanctuary and Black History Tour:
The Church of the Advocate
Saturday, July 21, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This Ending Racism Committee-sponsored field trip will include discussion of church architecture, social history, and the African American History Murals. Topics may also include African American Church History, Church Art, Social Justice, Philadelphia Religious History, Church and Community, Religious History, Religion and Radicalism, Race Relations.
Suggested docent-led tour donation is $5 per person. The main entrance is at 2121 Gratz St. There will be a second segment of the visit by car to key Black history sites in North Philadelphia in the afternoon.
Link to Church of the Advocate mural history;
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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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Educators' Book Group:
Every summer, the Caucus of Working Educators and the Teacher Action Group–Philly organize book groups focused on social justice for educators, students, families, and community members in Philadelphia. The Ending Racism Committee at USG will sponsor three evening meetings (5:30 - 7:30pm) held in the Edna Jones Room at USG dedicated to the book,
So You Want To Talk About Race
by Ijeoma Oluo. Please
click here
to
register.
Please direct any questions to Clarice Brazas -
claricebrazas@gmail.com
Remaining sessions: Monday, July 9; Tuesday, July 24
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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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USG Member Sarah Frazier will work this summer on behalf of Immigration Justice
Despite a recent injury (see the Caring Notes below), Sarah Frazier is still planning to go 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/
). She will send us updates on her work while she is there and report to the entire congregation when she returns. We wish Sarah the very best, both for her recovery and for her justice endeavors.
(Image: Sarah at the 2017 Auction)
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Thank You to the UUA Chalice Lighters!
We are happy to report that USG received a check for $40,000 from the UUA Chalice Lighters Program. You can get on the band wagon! if you have not made a pledge to the
Close the Gap
fund for the elevator, now is the time! Please contact
Bill Dowdall
.
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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 July.
- July 8 - Village 11
- July 15 - Village 12
- July 22 - Village 1
- July 29 - Welcoming Committee & New Members
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Interested in joining USG?
The next New Member Signing will be on July 29
(Please note corrected dates.)
Please take a
UU-101
class, offered
July 15
at 12:00noon (usually the THIRD Sunday of each month and a
New Member Orientation
offered
July 15
at 9:00am (usually the third Sundays of October, January, April and July). There are New Member Signings usually on the fourth Sunday of January, April, July and October. 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.
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Greater Philly UU Cluster Summer Events
GPC Meeting -
July 14, 9:30 - 11:30 am (9:00 meet and greet), UUC in Cherry Hill, 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
We'll discuss the Cluster's vision for 2018-2019, an advertising idea, UU Community Weekend in September, and more.
Please register by June 30!
A Labor Day weekend getaway filled with fun, relaxation and loving community. Join members and families of Philadelphia area UU churches for this fun fest at Camp Canadensis in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. MLUC has a minimum that they are trying to reach by June 30, so please register before then if possible. Thanks! For more info, visit:
http://www.mluc.org/community/community-weekend. See attached flyer.
Highlights: a group sing-along, annual talent show, and a book discussion with Rev. Neal of the UUA Common Read,
Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry
.
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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, July 12, 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, July 23, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact
Nancy Anderson
.
Caregiver Support Group
- Second Friday, July 13, 11:00am - 1:00pm. At USG. Contact
Maura Gallagher
.
EarthSpirit Circle
. First Monday, except for holiday weekends: (September 10). Next meeting TBA, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact Donya Coldwell at
earth@usguu.org
.
ERC (Ending Racism Committee)
- First Sunday.
Next meeting July 15
, 12:15 - 2:00pm. At USG. Contact
Barbara Dowdall
.
Humanists - PUSH
-
Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists
, Fourth Sunday, July 22, 12:00pm. At USG. Contact
Paul Teti
.
Nature Walking at Valley Green - Every Monday and Thursday at
9:00am
(please note new summer start time), you can meet others - whoever shows up- at Valley Green in Chestnut Hill for a morning walk.
NEW Point Person is
Steve Conrad, who is usually there.
Needle Exchange, a Handwork Group
-
Next meeting will be July 11
,
1:30 - 3:00pm, off-site.
(Usually
First Wednesday). Contact
Margaret Thompson
.
Open Small Group Ministry
- Second Sunday, July 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
-
Third Sunday, July 15, 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 leaders, Eric Foster and Charles Gabriel, know that you plan to attend by emailing them at
uu101@usguu.org. If unable to email, you can call Charles at 215-801-2711.
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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...
...Sarah Frazier
, who suffered a concussion in a car accident. She feels lucky no one was more seriously injured. She is able to manage at home, with brain rest and limited screen time, and she expects to be able to attend church services.
Cards and emails are welcome.
...the family and friends of Wesley Smith
. It is with sadness that we announce the death of Wesley 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. He had continued his love of music in the chorus at Cathedral Village, his home for the past eight years. 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.
...Sarah Sterner
,
daughter of Betsy and Charles Gabriel
, who is having breast cancer surgery today, July 5. Thoughts and prayers for her would be much appreciated.
...Beverly Gross Spencer
and Tim Spencer
as Beverly awaits the date for heart bypass surgery. Beverly appreciates our holding her in our thoughts and prayers, and welcomes emails and cards.
..the family, friends and wide communities to whom Wendi Winters
gave so generously. Wendi was a UU who was one of the five people killed by gun violence. at the Capital Gazette office in Annapolis, MD on June 28.
Wendi attended more than 50 youth cons, beginning in 2003 with her own children and staying on out of her dedication to Unitarian Universalist youth.
Thank you to USG's Caring Community from...
...Louise Lisi,
who would like to thank everyone who expressed condolences, sent cards, or came to the memorial service for her husband Rev. Bertram Froom. Louise knows her adjustment in the months ahead will be challenging but she feels our caring will be with her.
...Mea Schiff,
who thanks all who bought her meals, or offered to do so. Having meals brought over was more helpful than she had expected. Not only did they meet her nutrition needs, but they expressed a sense of caring that she greatly appreciated.
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Our warm congratulations go to...
...Rosita Johnson,
who on April 28 was awarded an honor by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, t
he
Order of the Companions of OR Tambo
in bronze, which
recognizes "eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to SA. It is therefore an order of peace‚ co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support. The order in bronze will be bestowed on Rosita Johnson: For her contribution to the well-being of young South African exiles by enabling them to pursue their education‚ and for raising awareness‚ in the US‚ of the plight of South Africans under apartheid." Please
click here
for details, and
click here
for Business Day's complete list of award recipients, including Rosita.
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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