What's Up at UCG?
The United Church of Granville
February 11, 2016
The United Church of Granville
     
Coming Up at UCG...
 
You can always access a detailed calendar on the church website.  Click here & bookmark it if you'd like! 

Thursday, Feb. 11
NO Zazen tonight!

Friday, Feb. 12
Chaplain's Table at Denison's Slayter Dining Hall, 12 Noon to 1 PM
Red Cross Community Blood Drive in the UCG Chapel, 2-7 PM
AA in the Annex, 7 PM

Saturday, Feb. 13
Old Fashioned Barn Dance in the Annex, 7-10 PM
 
Sunday, Feb. 14                               
First Sunday of Lent - St. Valentine's Day
Worship, 10 AM
Nursery, 10 AM -12:15 PM
Activities for all Ages, 11:30-12:15
     Refreshments after worship
     Kid's Club in the Annex
     PeaceJam HS Youth in the Annex, 2nd floor
     Middler's "Basics!" Class in the Annex, 1st floor
     The Feminist Class, Choir Room
     Climate Solutions, Chapel

Monday, Feb. 15
NO Spiritual Life Book Group or
Meditation/Contemplation this Monday

Tuesday, Feb. 16               
NO Pastor's River Road Office Hours this Tuesday
PlayCafe in the Annex Gym, 3:30-5 PM
Other Dates to Remember   

Feb 10-20 Rancho Ebenezer Mission Brigade to Nicaragua
Feb. 28 Black History Month Program at Trinity AME Church, Newark, 3:30 PM
March 14-18 Denison Spring Break
March 19-20 Youth PeaceJam Conference, Kalamazoo, MI
March 20 Palm Sunday
March 21-25 GEVSD Spring Break
March 25 Good Friday Service, 7 PM
March 27  Easter
April 8 Youth Trip to Temple Israel, 5:30-8 PM
May 15 Pentecost Sunday 
Good Causes
 
Rancho Ebenezer 2016!

Most of our group has arrived in Nicaragua!  Let's keep these friends in our thoughts & prayers for the next ten days.   You can also visit the Rancho Ebenezer Work Brigade Facebook page   to read about previous trips and look at pictures. 
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TOMORROW!
Community Blood Drive at UCG
Friday, Feb. 12th, 2-7 PM
To schedule an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit
redcrossblood.org, sponsor code:
GranvilleComm.
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Save the Sparta! Initiative 
If you were unable to attend last night's event, you may show your support of the "new Sparta" by making a contribution, small or large, through Project Main Street's PayPal account using the Donate tab at  http://www.spartaonmain.com.

Julie Mulroy shares, "inspite of and because of the urgency of climate action, we cannot afford not to continue addressing critical social justice issues at all levels, including locally, and that a key part of this is to establish "bridging ties" across the divide of socioeconomic and ethnically segregated communities.
The Sparta offers an excellent way for UCG as a congregation to support "bridging ties" on an ongoing basis."
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Overeater's Anonymous
meets every Thursday, 7-8 PM at 2nd Presbyterian Church, 42 E. Church St., Newark.  See Jean Farmer with any questions. 
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Labor Education Film Series, 2015-2016 
 
Series films will be shown at 7 PM on the third Thursday of each month at GMP Local 244 Union Hall, each followed by discussion and refreshments.
Click here
to see the flyer with film details. 

Next Movie: Made in Dagenham 
NEXT THURS, February 18th  
   
Co-sponsored by the Freedom School of Licking County, GMP Local 244, and Licking Knox Central Labor Council.
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Resources!

As part of our Racial Justice Discernment group, Jill Andrews shared with many of us on Tuesday night about recent legislation aimed at modifying Juvenile Life without Parole in Ohio.  Here are some great resources she shared:

The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth's Facts & Infographics about Life without Parole for Children

"In their Own Words" - which tells the stories of eight individuals sentenced as juveniles in the correctional system

And information about a bi-partisan bill in OHIO right now that would give juvenile offenders a chance at parole
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Have you checked out bpfna.org
lately? 

The Baptist Peace Fellowship has really "upped its game" recently, offering a number of on-site and on-line networking opportunities, besides the annual summer camp!  A few UCGers are planning on participating in the upcoming event in Charlotte, NC:

"Do Not Be Afraid: Changing the Narrative in the Midst of Racial Conflict"
March 19, 2016
St. John's Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC
8:30 AM - 5 PM
 Interested?  contact Pastor Dwight...
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Peace & Justice
Discernment Groups!  
Two of the large concerns that face us and our society are Climate Change/Earth Care and Racism/Black Lives Matter. What do we as individuals know and need to know about each? What can individuals do about each concern? Can UCG play a role in responding to these concerns?
If you are interested in being a part of either discernment group, please call or email Pastor Dwight and indicate which group you'd like to join 740-587-0336
  [email protected]

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Do you know of someone who may need some extra care in the congregation?
Contact   Louise Gemmell with details, and she can pass it along to appropriate staff and our Congregational Care group.  Thanks so much!
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Consider joining the Justice & Peace Action Network!
Did you know that the UCC has a Justice and Peace Action Network you can be a part of? 
to join and get news of ways you can speak your mind on issues of peace and justice to those in positions of leadership.
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Progressives for Social Justice in Licking County, Ohio Facebook Group
Feel free to send the church an e-mail if you'd like to join this closed Facebook group, and someone in the group can add you as a member.
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The Food Pantry
February is Canned Soup & Pasta Month for the Food Pantry.  A donation basket is near the piano in the Chapel.  Remember that you may also give financially as well (envelopes are available by the donation basket). 
For more information, see
 
 
A Note about
"What's Up at UCG?"

We hope you find these e-mails informative and useful, but we also know that many of you have full in-boxes already!  If you'd rather not receive these mid-week updates from UCG, you may unsubscribe by following the link at the bottom of this page. We'll be sad to see you go, but we understand!
115 W. Broadway
SW Corner of Broadway & Main
Granville, OH  43023
(740) 587-0336 
 

Electronic Giving
UCG has a system in place which allows you to contribute by automatic deposit.  Click here to find out more or to sign up.  

"If you have a question or would like some assistance setting up e-giving, Louise Gemmell (740-587-0336) or Jerry Griffin (749-403-6399) would be glad to help!"

And remember that you can always listen to past
sermons on our webpage!
Join Our Mailing List
 
What do Valentine's Day, the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association  (OEFFA) Conference, and The National Preach-In on Climate Justice all have in common?  You guessed it--they're all happening this weekend, along with the first Sunday of Lent!

Come join us in Sunday worship as we reflect on what kind of "valentine" we can offer the Earth (yes, we will be doing this in worship this Sunday!).  What changes might we be willing to make (even during these six weeks of Lent?) which would forward the vision of a healthy and just environment for the Earth & all living things?  Is is a new personal discipline?  an act of advocacy?  information-sharing in your circles of friendship?

Shalom!
Dwight
"What better way to 
celebrate Valentine's Day?"
Join us on THIS Saturday
February 13th
for an Old Fashioned Barn Dance!
7 to 10 pm in the Annex
Come single or as a couple...
Join us for an evening of casual social dancing. Instruction will be provided in dances including: Traditional squares, Contra, Country Western, Partner dances, Line dances, The Waltz, The Virginia Reel, The Spanish Waltz and Mixers. Come, enjoy the music, and meet some new people!

All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary...beginners are encouraged to join the fun!

The cost is $5.00 per person at the door. Light refreshments provided. 
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Beginning this Sunday!   

"The Basics!" (A Confirmation/Baptism class)
on Sundays at 11:30 for Middlers (5th-8th graders)
Lent-Pentecost, 2016 (Feb 14-May 15)
What are some progressive Christian understands of the Bible, God, Jesus, "salvation," heaven & hell & other contentious doctrines...  How do we envision "the good life" on Jesus' Way?  We'll be taking field trips to a few other places of worship during this period, incl uding a mosque and a synagogue!  Classes will be led by Pastor Dwight & Amanda Hunt.  Participants will be able to participate in a Pentecost service of baptism or reaffirmation of faith ("confirmation") at the end of our sessions.  Contact Pastor Dwight for details.
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PlayCafé!
Come get the winter wiggles out at UCG's PlayCafé.


o  Riding toys, balls, train tracks, trikes and more.
o  Perfect for preschool and elementary age kids!
o  Free and welcome to all.

Every Tuesday from 3:30-5:00 PM 

Located in the United Church of Granville's Annex (119 West Broadway--the building next to the church; we're the big grey church on the corner of Broadway and Main).  Email [email protected] 
for more info!
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Stay tuned for... "Circles!"

During the month of January, we collected a whole table full of grea t circle ideas!  We're taking these back to a small group which will sort through for "doubles" and we'll soon hold a "Circle Fair"--a chance for you to indicate which Circles you might like to be a part of... 
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This Sunday at UCG, Feb. 14th
1st Sunday of Lent
National Preach-in on Climate Justice &
St. Valentine's Day
Text:  Jer. 12:4
Dwight Davidson preaching, with Adrianne Walker leading worship

After worship:
Nursery care until 12:15
Kid's Club in the Annex
Middler's "Basics!" Class in the Annex
PeaceJam HS Youth in the Annex
Parents' Coffee in the Sanctuary
"Climate Solutions" (see below) in the Chapel
The Feminist Class (see below) in the Choir Room
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Opportunities to grow & connect...
 
- New Info! -
"Climate Solutions & Social Justice," Sundays, 11:30-12:15 
"Guests will be Mike Bauer of Going Green Services, Lesha Farias of Newark Think Tank on Poverty, and Allen Schwartz from Licking County Concerned Citizens for Health & Environment.

Discussion will focus on environmental "lifestyle choices" in the context of the urgent need for action on climate change. The next class will focus on political action."

The Feminist Class
...will be discussing chapters 22 & 23 of Leonard Shlain's, The Alphabet vs. the Goddess this Sunday.  All are welcome! 
    
Monday Book Group & Meditation...
Will NOT be meeting on February 15th, but will resume on February 22nd, reading ch. 4 of Pema Chodron's Practicing Peace in Times of War.  Monday's 3 PM spiritual life book group meets in the Martin library. Join us when you can. Please enter through the "Office" door.  Meditation/Contemplation will follow, from 4:15-4:45.  All are welcome!

Thursday-night Sitting Zen (Zazen)
NO MEETING TONIGHT (Feb. 11th!) 
Join us next week!

Every Thursday night in UCG's chapel. 6:30 PM for first-timers. Bell will ring at 7:00 for a 20 minute sitting. Participants may stay afterwards for 15 minutes or so of sharing if they'd like. Click here for a good, short introduction to sitting from Fr. Ruben Habito's Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas. You may bring your own zafu/zabuton if you have a set--there are a number in the chapel as well. You may sit in a chair if it's more comfortable, too. This is free & open to anyone of any (or no) religious tradition.  Peace.
- Dwight 
   
"Chaplain's Table" this Friday
in Denison University's Slayter Dining Hall
The pastors of our four corner churches in Granville (& Msgr. Enke of St. Edward's) are considered adjunct chaplains at Denison.  Pastor Dwight hosts "Chaplain's Table" every Friday when DU is in session from 12 noon to 1 PM up in Slayter.  Come by and share lunch or just stop to say hello.  All are welcome--"town & gown."

Pastor's River Road Coffee Hours
Most Tuesdays, 1:30-3 PM (check the web before heading out!  If "Pastor's River Road Coffee Hours" is not listed, that means I'm otherwise occupied on that afternoon!)  Come by to chat or to share a cup of coffee.  No program--just conversation!

Growing Old Together (GOT)
"There will be no meeting of the Growing Older Together (GOT) group in February. Our next meeting will be the third Tuesday of March (3/22) at 7:00 p.m. in the UCG Chapel. The program will feature Susan Vivyan, "Changing Roles, Changing Lives" (as our lives change our roles often change as well). Susan is an art therapist by profession, so you may expect that art supplies will be involved. Kitty Leatham will facilitate the meeting." - Judith Thomas 
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Also coming up...

"Exploring Celtic Spirituality"  
held in association with St. Luke's Episcopal Church

During Lent, we're anticipating a cooperative three-part series:  in UCG's Chapel on Wednesday nights, March 2nd, 9th & 16th. 
Dinner at 6 PM, to be followed by a presentation & discussion led by Dr. Jack Bowers of St. Luke's Church.
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"Gifts in the Dark Wood"
~ 2016 Lenten Services ~
 
Ash Wednesday Meal & Service, 6 PM, Feb. 10th
1st Lent, Sunday, Feb. 14th -"The Gift of Struggle"
National Preach-In on Global Warming
2nd Lent, Sunday, Feb. 21st - "The Gift of Uncertainty"
3rd Lent, Sunday, Feb. 28th - "The Gift of Getting Lost"
4th Lent, Sunday, March 6th - "The Gift of Emptiness"
5th Lent, Sunday March 13th - "The Gift of Temptation"
Palm Sunday, March 20th - "The Gift of Misfits"
Good Friday Service, 7 PM, March 25th
Easter Sunday, March 27th - "The Gift of Life"
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BRYAN STEVENSON
 
"American Injustice: Mercy, Humanity and Making a Difference"
at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 15th
in Rosse Hall of Kenyon University 
 
A MacArthur fellow and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Stevenson is a leader of the movement against mass incarceration in the U.S.  President Obama recently invited him to serve on the 21st Century Policing Task Force. His memoir,  Just Mercy,  is the story of a young lawyer fighting on the frontlines of a country in thrall to extreme punishments and careless justice. 
 
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Spiritual Tools from the Ancient Maya Indians
for Transforming Our Lives
With John Kralovec & Nancy O'Donohue
Saturday, February 20, 2016
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuition: $50
United Church of Granville, Granville, Ohio
Please contact John Kralovec to reserve a space in the Workshop ( [email protected]).  For more information on the Workshop, click here for the flyer.  You may also read more at www.pathwaystothedivine.org
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Black History Month Program - Mark your Calendars!
Sunday, February 28, 3:30 PM

Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church in Newark (64 E. Church St. - by the Post Office) will be holding their Black History Month Program on Sunday, Feb. 28th, from 3:30 PM.  In the program:  Bertie Cole as Harriet Tubman, and Rev. Brian Wynn as Bishop Richard Allen and Dwight Davidson as the white minister of St. George's Methodist Church in Philadelphia who refuses to allow (later AME founder) Allen and other African-American congregants to pray at the front of the church!  Sounds like a fun time of learning, reflection and fellowship.
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Pledge for 2016!
 
There's always time to pledge for 2016! Your generous gifts go a long way to keeping our community programs thriving and UCG keeping its peace & justice mission alive!

To make a donation,  simply click here and/or contact Stewardship Chair, Mark Uher regarding your intention.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!
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 Be Informed... 
These links are regularly updated! 
Check out the latest news from: 

Thought for the Day

"A bigot is a person who makes an idol of his commitments"
- Howard Thurman