A Note about "What's Up
at UCG?"
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115 W. Broadway SW Corner of Broadway & Main Granville, OH 43023 (740) 587-0336
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NEW Peace & Justice Discernment Groups!
Kicking off TONIGHT Wednesday, Aug. 26th
Two large concerns face us and our society: 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?
An important UCG tradition is to spend time in discernment about a pressing problem. Two discernment groups, one for each concern, will begin discussion tonight, August 26th, 7-8:30 pm, in the UCG Chapel
. It is expected that each group will engage regularly over a period of time and that each group may call the congregation to participate in some expression of social action.
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,
dwight@myucg.org).
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Thursday-night Sitting Zen (Zazen)
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
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Church Building & Ground Spruce-Up Day!
THIS Saturday, August 29, 9 AM - 2 PM
J
oin in for all or part of the day! We're going to do some fall cleaning and there will be jobs of all sorts, inside & out... If you're willing to wash windows, bring some window cleaner and something to wipe with! With many hands at work, we can get a lot done in one day! If you have a strong, filtered vacuum, please bring it along, too.
Some work we'll be doing:
In & around the Annex...
Window cleaning
Weeding flower beds
Cleaning the sign out in the lawn
In & around the Main Building...
Removing pew cushions in choir loft
Removing extra pews in sanctuary
Removing items from the dungeon
Cleaning pews and floor under them
Vacuuming carpeting with high-filter vacuum cleaners
Cleaning exterior & interior doors
Weeding behind the building & the flower beds _________________________________________________
Louise Gemmell's Summer Office Hours
Just a reminder that through Labor Day, the church office will be closed Mondays, open 9-Noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, and open 9-3 on Thursdays.
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This Sunday, August 30th
14th Sunday after
Pentecost
Worship, 10 AM, with a question to ponder: "Given who I am, and where I'm at just now--what is first & foremost required of me?"
Our service will include the reception of Pat Wanat and Beck & Stephanie Snyder into membership at UCG. Welcome! Refreshments to follow.
Activities after worship --
Open Board Meeting after worship. Just a reminder that UCG Board meetings are always open, meaning that anyone in the church may attend! Nursery Care until 12:15
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Church Spruce-Up Day!
Saturday, August 29, 9 AM - 2 PM
J
oin in for all or part of the day! We're going to do some fall cleaning and there will be jobs of all sorts, inside & out... If you're willing to wash windows, bring some window cleaner and something to wipe with! With many hands at work, we can get a lot done in one day! If you have a strong, filtered vacuum, please bring it along, too.
Some work we'll be doing:
In & around the Annex...
Window cleaning
Weeding flower beds
Removing hooks in entryway and Spark rooms
Cleaning the sign out in the lawn
In & around the Main Building...
Removing pew cushions in choir loft
Removing extra pews in sanctuary
Removing items from the dungeon
Cleaning pews and floor under them
Vacuuming carpeting with high-filter vacuum cleaners
Cleaning exterior & interior doors
Weeding behind the building & the flower beds
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Put in a book order?
Beginning in mid September, Dwight will be facilitating a small group discussion of Rev. Dr. Keith Ward's
What the Bible Really Teaches: A Challenge to Fundamentalists on Sunday mornings from 11:30-12:15. A six week reading & discussion group. If you're interested, put in an order at a bookstore of your choice (there are UK and US editions: either is okay). Anglican priest, Keith Ward was formerly Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford and dean of Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
Jack Shuler has also offered to lead a reading & discussion group (probably on Wednesday nights) focusing on his latest book,
The Thirteenth Turn: A History of the Noose (Public Affairs, 2014). From The Boston Globe: "Richly researched and beautifully written, this is an essential history of our country, as seen through one homely, terrifying object." For those who may not know, Jack teaches American literature and Black Studies at Denison University. A great opportunity! Contact
Jack or
Dwight if you're interested, as Jack has access to books he can sell at cost. Watch for more details!
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New Name, Same Breakfast
Starting NEXT WEEK, the gathering formerly known as "Men's Breakfast" (at the Sparta Restaurant in Newark on first Wednesdays of the month from 6:30-7:30 AM) is going to be called "The Breakfast Meeting." We figured this was more inclusive...and as one person said, "we can tell our bosses we had a 'Breakfast Meeting' to attend." All are welcome to join us for good food, good humor & conversation--next opportunity: NEXT WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2nd!
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Labor Sunday, Sept. 6
Each year, we join with "Economic Justice" UCC churches around the country in celebrating good work on Labor Day weekend. All of the good effort of every single human being--at home, at a business, at school--
all of it is sacred and of value.
FALL Christian Education Kick-off Sunday, Sept. 13th
A new season! Beginning Sept. 13th, there will be a new slate of enrichment activities planned for folks of all ages from 11:30-12:15 on Sunday mornings. Once again, this year, we'll be reserving the fourth Sunday of the month for working together in making sack lunches for the Lunches on the Square Program.
A special note from the Feminist class:
"The Feminist Class will have their first meeting of the fall on Kick-off Sunday, Sept. 13th in our newly envisioned classroom (in process!!). We will be catching up, doing some group building, and getting ready for an exciting study of the Divine Feminine
from the past cultures of the North and South American continents..
" - Barbara Klatt
Also coming up...
Peace Sunday, Sept. 20th
All Ages Worship/Green Justice Sunday, Sept. 27th
World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4th
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Contra Dance! Friday, Sept. 25 in the Annex Gym
UCG will host a contra dance on Friday September 25 in the annex. Jan Philips is calling, to the music of the Three Rivers String Band (which includes Jennifer Kinsley on hammered dulcimer). This event is family friendly, and all dances will be taught. Admission is $8 per person, $4 per student, with a family maximum of $20. Break out your dancing shoes or come in sock feet or barefoot (no black soled shoes on the annex floor). If you're not familiar with contra dancing, google it for lots of great videos, or ask
Tom Burkett.
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Jason & DeMarco Concert
First Congregational UCC, Mt. Vernon, OH
Sept. 27, 6:30 PM
Popular Christian and pop singers Jason and deMarco in concert in Mount Vernon! Sunday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 200 North Main St. No ticket needed, no entry charge, just love offering. The duo are married fathers of twin sons and leaders in the LGBTQ Christian movement. They are also committed activists for homeless and foster youth and created the non-profit S.A.F.E. (Safe, Affirming, Family Environment) with a drop-in center for homeless youth. Learn more about their work, their music & the concert in Mount Vernon by clicking
here!
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United Church of Granville Fall Women's Retreat
Friday 4 PM - Saturday 4 PM, Nov. 13-14
A retreat about Hope and Transformation
Fellowship Hill Cabins,
Brinkhaven, OH (1 hour drive)
Consider setting aside 24 hours (day option also available) for an opportunity to rest,regroup, refresh, renew and maybe even reset as we consider the theme: "I will make all things new"
There will be three sessions to develop our theme, as well as time for walks on the trails, knitting, relaxing, conversations by the fire, shared meals and deepening friendships.
Leaders: Patti Burkett, spiritual director and Rev. Dr. Susan Foster, UCC pastor. Patti received her certificate in Spiritual Direction after completing the Wellstreams program in 2004. Sue has been a UCC pastor, retreat leader and chaplain in CT for almost 30 years. She recently completed her Doctor of Ministry degree at Hartford Seminary. Her thesis focused on radical hospitality and ways to reach out to those who may not feel
included in Sunday morning worship.
Cost: Overnight accommodations (shared rooms with shared bathrooms) with three meals ($75), Sat. only, with breakfast and lunch ($25), Sat. only, with lunch ($20). Some financial assistance may be available if the cost would keep you from coming.
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Be Informed...
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Thought for the Day
"When God is going to do something wonderful, He or She always starts with a hardship; when God is going to do something amazing, He or She starts with an impossibility."
-
Anne Lamott, from
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
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