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!
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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!
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Thought for the Day
"Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks--we will also find our path of authentic service in the world."
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Parker Palmer
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115 W. Broadway
SW Corner of Broadway & Main
Granville, OH 43023
(740) 587-0336
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 Fall Kickoff Sunday!
THIS Sunday, Sept. 11th
10 AM Worship
11:15 Cuppa' Pride Refreshements
11:30-12:15 Activities for all Ages
Believe it or not, summer is nearly over, and we're in full swing at UCG! This Sunday, Kid's Club starts back up after worship, as well as youth and Adult groups, running from 11:30-12:15.
Scroll down for all the details!
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Welcome, Pastor Meghan!
We're excited that, this Sunday, Meghan Link will be officially welcomed to UCG for the 2016-2017 year as our student pastor!
Meghan Link, is from Johnstown, Ohio. Her B.A. is in comparative religious studies from The Ohio State University, and she is currently in the process of getting her M.Div at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Before serving at UCG she worked at Summit on 16th UMC in Columbus, Ohio. Meghan is passionate about inclusivity in the church as the body of Christ, especially around human sexuality. When she isn't at church or at school, she enjoys yoga, antiquing, hiking, and traveling with her partner, Logan.
Meghan is going to be providing some leadership in worship and education this year, with some emphasis on providing ways for us to be more connected on-line! Welcome to UCG!
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Old Fashioned Barn Dance 
The second Saturday
of every month!
Saturday, Sept. 10th
7:00 to 10:00pm
UCG Annex Gym
Join us for a community social
Old Fashioned Barn Dance for fun, friendship, dancing and music. Dances such as: Traditional squares, Contra, Country Western, Partner dances, Line dances, The Waltz, The Virginia Reel, The Spanish Waltz and Mixers will be taught and done during the dance.
Singles and couples of all ages are welcomeand no experience is necessary...beginners are encouragedto join the fun!
The cost is $5.00 per person at the door. Light refreshments provided.
The dance is in the Annex building on the west side of the church.
Parking is on street.
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Fall Kids, Youth & Adult Opportunities from this Weekend...
Kids!
In addition to Children's Church (during worship), from this week, Kid's Club (from 11:30-12:15) will be starting back up! A fun time of games and activities in and around the church gym led by Director of Ministry to Children & Families, Ceciel Shaw, and our awesome Denison University student interns!
Middlers (6th-8th Graders)! From this week, you'll be exploring your connection to NATURE with Amanda Hunt, and her co-teachers, Kim Keethler Ball, Kari Davidson and Beth White (11:30-12:15). Also, mark your calendars & get your swimsuits ready for Sunday, Sept. 18th! You're invited to join up with the High Schoolers for a POOL PARTY at the Jaquish's (noon-4 PM, Evergreen Hills Club on Spruce Drive, just off of Welsh Hills Rd.)!
High Schoolers! "Fun & Games, Food & Drink, Peace & Love, Kevin & Lou. Come plan the plans on September 11th." Yes, Kevin Rainwater and Lou Jaquish will be your main youth leaders for this school year, with help now and then from Cheryl McFarren and with Julie Reiswig once again organizing our trip to BYC! Be thankful for your great youth leaders, and plan to have some fun with the middlers at the POOL PARTY on the 18th (see above)!
Adults! Starting this Sunday, we'll have three groups to choose from during the 11:30-12:15 "hour."
Adult Groups will include the Feminist Class
meeting in the South (Choir) Room, a
"This I Believe" Forum--a group in which participants will share their thinking about topics identified by the members themselves, meeting in the Library (Martin Reading Room), and a group starting a video-based series,
"First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God" (a 12-session study of the historical Jesus by John Dominic Crossan & Marcus Borg). That group will meet near the front of the Sanctuary this week, we'll talk about how we'd like to meet--maybe there's another day or time of week people would prefer? Or a partially on-line format? Come help determine the shape of this group if you're interested!
Also... note that a
Compassionate Communication circle is being formed this fall, too... "If you need to talk about a challenge or problem you are having, come. You will talk about it in a confidential setting and have structured feedback following, which will give you a sense of genuinely being heard and a new perspective." Contact Doris Jane Conway (
[email protected]) if you're interested in participating!
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Fall UCG Women's Retreat!
Hold the dates!
The UCG Women's Retreat will be held on November 11-12 at Pilgrim Hills UCC camp. Our theme this year will be "Gratitude." Information coming soon on housing options and costs. We hope to see you there!
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Notes from the Church Office
Remember that the
"What's Up at UCG?" e-mail is now being put out bi-weekly, rather than weekly! If you'd like your news shared with the congregation, take note & get it in early!
Church & Annex Administrator,
Louise Gemmell is back to her school-year schedule, Monday to Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM.
And let's please keep Louise in our thoughts and prayers as she continues to recover from a broken collarbone!
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UCG Circle & Small Group Meetings COMING UP...
(see the Church Calendar for details)
Re-Imaging the Sacred Mythos of Christianity, Sept.15
in the Reading Room, 7:45 PM
Dinner Circle at Tom & Patti Burkett's, Sept. 17, 6:30 PM
Growing Older Together, Sept. 20 in UCG Chapel, 7 PM
The Breakfast Meeting, Big Apple Cafe, Oct., 7 AM
And... ~ A Special Note about this month's Dinner Circle ~
CHILI COOK-OFF AND APPLE PIES!
The next UCG dinner circle will be at:
Tom & Patti Burkett's Home
1793 River Road
September 17th @ 6:30 p.m.
We have a special opportunity for this dinner. UCG has been challenged to join the Granville Inn Chili Cook-Off with several other churches on 10/15, so we're going to use this dinner as a preliminary qualifying round. We're looking for 4-6 people willing to show off their chili making skills! Guests attending the dinner will get to taste test and vote for their favorite and the winner will be submitted to the Granville event! Do you think your chili can make the cut? Be one of the first to sign up and we'll put it to the challenge! In addition we're looking for 4 people to offer to make an apple pie (or another apple dessert). The rest of the people will be assigned to bring salad or corn bread. Let's have some fun with this!! Following dinner (if it's a nice night) we hope to have a bonfire outside and some lawn games.
RSVP by next Friday (9/9) and let us know if you want to make chili, apple pie (or dessert), salad or cornbread. BYOB
Tom and Patti Burkett
740-334-9158 (P)
740-334-7995 (T)
And...
A note about the Pickleball Circle!
"Pickleball hopes to find a home in the CE Annex as soon as equipment is purchased and court markings are in place. If you are interested in learning and playing this fun, active game, please contact Judy Stansbury at [email protected] or 740-587-0441."
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Coming up on Sunday Mornings...
September 11th: Fall Kickoff Sunday
10 AM Worship Focus: "Growing in Wonder & Love"
"Cuppa' Pride" Refreshments after worship
Children, youth & adult groups and activities begin, 11:30-12:15
September 18th: Just Peace Sunday
10 AM Worship Focus: "Inviting a Larger Vision"
September 25th: Concert Across America Sunday
10 AM Worship Focus: "Jesus' Good Confession (about Violence)"
Lunches on the Square Preparations after worship
Equal Exchange Fair Trade Goods table open after worship
7 PM "Songs of Peace & Justice" with Bill Cohen & Carl Yaffey
as part of the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence
October 1st: World Communion Sunday
10 AM Worship Focus: "The Call to Beloved Community"
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Other Opportunities to grow & connect...
NEW!
Sitting Zen (Zazen)
Tonight is our last sitting in UCG's chapel! 6:30 PM for first-timers. Bell will ring at 7:00 for a 20 minute sitting.
But from Tuesday, September 13th, we will be changing locations and adding a sitting
! Thanks to leadership from Tim O'Connor Fraser and Melinda Miller, and in cooperation with Denison's Office of Religious & Spiritual Life, we're going to be
moving our THURSDAY night 7 PM sitting over to
Denison's Open House, and o
ffering a TUESDAY night sitting at 7 PM (6:30 beginner's option) at the Open House as well. Hopefully, this will provide more opportunity for students, faculty & staff, along with Granville community members, to take advantage of the practice.
Introducing Tim & Melinda!
Some of you may already have met Melinda & Tim on Sundays at UCG, but just in case, I thought you'd appreciate this introduction, which will be used at Denison to promote our bi-weekly sittings!
"Melinda and Tim have been practicing meditation in the Soto Zen tradition for over 15 years; Tim was lay ordained in 2004 by Furyu Nancy Schroeder and Melinda in 2009 by Tokuden Mark Lancaster. They met while living as resident monks at the San Francisco Zen Center, and both took part in several practice periods at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery in the West. As part of their practice during the summer season, Melinda worked as a cook for the guests and Tim as the baker. During the winter months, they practiced intensive meditation and studied Zen texts and teachings. After leaving Zen Center to start a family, they started a sitting group in Saint Helena, CA, eventually moving to Ohio to be closer to Melinda's family. Today, Tim has a successful web development business, Melinda is a homemaker, culinary consultant, and healthy cooking teacher, and their son attends school in Granville and loves to play with water. While they continue to be actively involved with San Francisco Zen Center, they're eager to share this practice with the Granville-area communities."
Click here for a good, short introduction to sitting from Fr. Ruben Habito's Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas. You may sit in a chair if it's more comfortable, too. These sittings are free & open to anyone of any (or no) religious tradition. Peace.
Monday Book Group & Meditation...
Monday's 3 PM spiritual life book group meets in the Martin library and Meditation/Contemplation follows, from 4:15-4:45. We are currently reading a book by Tara Brach and all are welcome! On Monday, Sept. 12th we will be discussing ch. 14 (pg. 257 on), and ch. 15.
No Tuesday Pastor's Granville River Road Coffee Hours next week!
...but I'll be back at River Road on Sept. 20th. Feel free to stop by (1:30-3 PM), grab a beverage and catch up!
"Chaplain's Table" Starts back up Friday, Sept. 9
All are welcome at Denison's Slayter Dining Hall, from Noon to 1 PM for visiting and lunch together. Pastor Dwight, as well as other clergy from Granville, are considered Adjunct Chaplains at DU, and provide this service to students & the community once a week during the school year.
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2016 ANNUAL GATHERING
American Baptist Churches of the Rochester/Genesee Region
Saturday, September 24, 2016
The Baptist Temple
1101 Clover Street, Rochester, NY 14610
Keynote Speaker: Charles Jones, International Ministries
This year, representatives of UCG's Rancho Ebenezer Mission Brigage will be presenting one of the Annual Gathering Workshops--on lessons learned about organizing international mission trips. Remember that
any UCG member or friend is able to attend this Annual Meeting--it's a great opportunity to spend some time with other like-minded church folks.
Contact Pastor Dwight or Moderator, Dave Ball, if you're interested in attending or have questions.
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Coming Up!
"Songs of Peace & Social Justice"
A Concert by Bill Cohen and Carl Yaffey
Jake 'Barefoot' McCoy, opening
The United Church of Granville
Sunday, Sept. 25th, 7 PM
a donation will be collected in lieu of admission
Why September 25th? In 2007, Congress designated September 25 as the
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. And while two out of every three victims are killed with a firearm, the day of "remembrance" is the only thing Congress has done to acknowledge this loss. While we need to be respectful of what this day stands for, we must also demand that Congress mandates a background check for every gun sale, too. This concert will be a way of raising awareness around this issue, in particular.
We're proud to be a part of
Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, one of the many sponsors of this
national drive.
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UCG "Peace Village" this Fall!
Oct. 14th, 9 AM - 3 PM
Hi all! We're gearing up for a day-long Peace Village!
Participating in Peace Village gives
children practical tools helping them to become active peacemakers. It will be held on Oct. 14th from 9AM - 3 PM here at UCG.
* The program will include Mindful Movement, Conflict Resolution Skills and Connecting with Nature.
* All children, ages 6-13, are welcome.
* Adults and teens: We need your talents: do you do teach yoga or chi gong or do bodywork? Have you studied conflict resolution skills? Do you farm or hike? Then you will be a wonderful leader for our children-there are lesson plans for you to follow. Are you a storyteller? An artist? A musician? Then you could lead a short opening at the beginning of the day or during the closing. Through teaching and leading, you may gain a greater understanding of children and our church family and in turn, will be able to more effectively create peace.
NEW!
~ Peace Village Training ~
On
Oct. 9th at 11:15 after church, we'll meet for a brief training. I'll share the day's schedule and details, the goals of Peace Village and we'll play a couple of games to set a fun tone for the upcoming Peace Village day. Looking forward to it!
Another Peace Village note: Help! Please bring your
clean water bottle-size bottles and drop them in the basket in the back of the sanctuary. Thanks!
Looking forward to a day of learning and joy!
- Ceciel
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Interested in becoming an official member of UCG?
Click here to read our "Membership FAQs." We'd love to have you be part of our growing community! If you're interested in officially joining, or have questions, please contact Pastor Dwight or moderator, Dave Ball soon. Welcome!
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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:
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Everyone at UCG is invited to attend the opening celebration of "the Meeting House" of the South Newark Civic Association, Saturday, September 17th at 429 Ohio St., Newark. We'll have a MEAL at noon and REMARKS at 1 PM. Come and see the new place! Please bring a family size side dish to share with others!
BRYAN STEVENSON
