March 22 - 28, 2018
The CommUUnicator
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Society of Germantown
Building Beloved Community

THIS WEEKEND: We march to say that we value our youth and others' lives more than guns, we celebrate Passover, and we learn about Jim Crow racism and Black UU History.
March for Our Lives
Intergen Sign-Making Party!
Friday, March 23, 7:00pm at USG
Many children, youth, families and concerned citizens will march on Philly and DC on Saturday, March 24. USG will be hosting an intergen sign making party the Friday night before the march. Come join us in the spirit of solidarity as we prepare for this historic event. Supplies will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own.  

March for Our Lives
Philadelphia Rally
Saturday, March 24
A USG Coalition will meet at Suburban Station at 9:00am
Organizers call for meeting
at 9:30am at 5th & Market
March begins at 10:00am
Main Rally at Lombard Circle until 2:00pm


March to end the epidemic of mass shootings and gun violence in our schools, on our streets, killing our youth.

OTHER OPTIONS:
Cathedral Villagers plan a Rally at 11:00am at Ridge Ave & Cathedral Rd.
Click here to learn more.
Click here for a link to go to a bus going to D.C.
Book Launch for Marietta Tanner’s new novel:
Saturday, March 24, 2:00 - 4:30pm
Edna Jones Assembly Room at USG
Ms. Tanner will read selections from her new book , which is based on her memories about four African American women driving from NYC to Mexico in 1954, the year the Supreme Court decision, Brown vs. the Board of Education, was passed. She will present artifacts and literature which illustrate the racism which is pervasive in the book and which show White Supremacy's origins in ancient Greece and its perpetuation in the United States.
In Worship, 10:30am
Passover: Parting the Waters
Intern Minister Connie Simon
with Music Director Mark Daugherty and The USG Choir
Thirsty to the point of delusion, hungry beyond pain, Moses and the Israelites have fled Pharaoh’s troops, fought amongst themselves and run out of hope. Now they have to cross the Red Sea. Even when the odds seems quite impossible they take the first step – again – in the journey to secure freedom. How are you doing on your journey to freedom?

(The alert reader may have noticed that the image has changed for this sermon. So has the speaker. We persevere AND we adjust, and there's always a back story ;>).)
We Share The Plate This Sunday, March 25
with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
The collection this Sunday will be given to RTP, with whom USG has worked for the past seven years to help homeowners rebuild, making entire blocks happier, healthier places to live. Your donations buy necessary supplies from A (allen wrench) to Z (zigzag folding rule) and everything in between!
In Child Spiritual Development
This Sunday morning, children and youth will be in the sanctuary with their families for the special Intergen Service.

Our High School program changes weekly. The High School OWL Group meets this Sunday, March 25 from 10:30am - 12:30pm in the Bristol Room.

For a detailed schedule of Youth Group Activities for the program year, click here and locate the Youth Group column.

Please click here for details of the Child and Youth Spiritual Development programs.

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.
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.


Drop off nonperishable food items to the designated carts in the Kitchen for delivery to St. Vincent's Food Pantry.
Coffee Hour
Opportunities
After the Worship Service
Greet members of Village 3 who will be the Fellowship Hour Hosts.

See Linda Bernstein to volunteer for the USG Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Team .

Go to the Sullivan Hallway where Joanne Davis really WILL be there this time to take a photo of your family for the USG online directory.

At 12:00pm, attend the PUSH (Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists) meeting 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.
Then stay to hear....
Black UU History Presentation
Sunday, March 25, 12:00 - 2:00pm
USG's Sanctuary
The history of Black UUs is a rich one and very important in understanding where our faith movement is now. All are welcome to this presentation by Intern Minister Connie Simon. ( pictured here ).
Sunday, April 1, 10:30am
Easter Sunday:
Beginning Again with Grace
Rev. Kent Matthies
with Music Director Mark Daugherty & the USG Choir
Whether you believe the resurrection was real or a myth, come celebrate Easter with us! Even when you think all is lost in despair, hope can and does rise again.
USG's Annual Seder
Saturday, April 7, 5:00 - 8:00pm
(Please note corrected times.)
An event for all ages, our Seder will celebrate the beginning of Passover and the liberation of Israelites/Jews from the slavery of ancient Egypt.
Our Seder will consist of:
  1. Meal- traditional Jewish food as well as American food (after ritual)
  2. Reading from the Haggadah
  3. Music, etc
Please click here for information and to register by April 1 . All are welcome! Hope to see you at this special evening.
The USG Team Works for Justice
at Rebuilding Together Philly
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - April 6, 7 & 8
8:30am - 4:00pm
One volunteer who is not able to help this year remarked, “ I will miss sharing the camaraderie and the feeling of truly meaningful and practical service that this project brings."  JOIN US! 
The Stewardship Campaign
All-Church Free Luncheon
Sunday, April 15
Fill in your pledge form that will come in your mailbox this week and then celebrate your stewardship with us over lunch! Bon Appetit!
Christine Ginsburg (chair), Rick Rodes, Eric Foster, Tammi Talda, Kate Connolly, Eileen Whelan and Gerry Whelan
The 2018-19 Stewardship Committee
DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS: APRIL 2
USG Service Auction
Saturday, April 21,2018
Enjoy appetizers at 5:00pm.
Sign up for poster auction events.
Live auction starts at 6:15pm.
Bid on silent auction items.
Desserts at end of evening.
WE PUT THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 5
The All-Church Dinner
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, June 2
for an All Church Retreat
at Diamond Ridge Conference Center in Jamison. It is 45 minutes from USG and has excellent facilities for all ages: pool, pond for boating and fishing, street hockey, basketball and tennis courts, fields, mini golf, a beautiful indoor space for workshops such as yoga or meditation, and more. Details to come, but please save the date.

Rebuilding Together Philly Block Build -
WE NEED YOU!
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
April 6, 7, 8
Team USG volunteers for their 8th time on the weekend of Friday through Sunday, April 6 - 7 - 8, working from 8:30am till 4:00pm all three days. You can volunteer one, two, or all three days. Join us for rewarding work and pleasant camaraderie! Interested? Please RSVP to Linda Bernstein at momberner506@gmail.com .
Learn more here.
A Gift of Ordination
Ordaining a Minister confers authority onto a spiritual leader to change the world and brings joy and deep satisfaction to a congregation. This year USG has the honor to ordain  two  Ministers. On Saturday, May 19th USG will ordain  McKinley Sims  at our congregation. On Sunday, June 10th we will co-ordain  Connie Simon  with our sister congregation, the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. Connie’s ordination will take place at the First Unitarian Church.

We invite you to financially support one or both ordinations . Please click here for more information.

Blessings and Love to you,
Kent
UUPLAN Welcomes A New Director
Richard Williams , a retired architect and former independent elected Luzerne County Councilman, was selected as the new Director of UU PA Legislative Advocacy Network (UUPLAN ) beginning in January, 2018. Please click here for more information.
Stewardship of Our Community,
Your Community
The Campaign has begun and pledge materials have been mailed, so please watch for them in your mailbox . Members and friends can pledge via mail, online at   usguu.org/page/pledge-form , or by putting the form in the box at the table in the dining room following Sunday services.

The All-Church Stewardship Luncheon is rescheduled for Sunday, April 15.
Assistance needed to research electronic lock and entry systems
The B&G committee and the Security Task Force are looking for someone to assist them in researching electronic lock and accessible entry systems to improve the security and ease of access to our church building. If you would be interested in working on this project or would like more information, please contact Gloria at usgadmin@usguu.org . Knowledge of these systems would be great, but not required.
One new email address for USG Communications!
For any communications questions or blurbs ( for weekly SPIRIT, CommUUnicator, Sunday Announcements, slide shows, etc.) we now have ONE email address that will reach both Gloria and Carolyn: communications@usguu.org .

For business issues to Gloria, please send to usgadmin@usguu.org .
We are excited to announce our new Give+ Text option for making pledge and contribution payments to USG!
To give via text, please do the following:
1.Send text to this 10-digit Give+ Text number: 215-607-6191
2.In the message field, put the amount and the fund you wish to donate to, either pledge or stp, example : 25 pledge ($25 would be donated to pledge payment) or 30 stp ($30 would be donated to Share The Plate).
3.Press send.
4.You will receive a registration link, click the link and enter your contact and payment information.
5.Tap “Process.”
6.After registration is complete, you will receive a verification text as well as a receipt via email.

For future giving, simply send a text with the amount and fund you wish to give, and it will process automatically.
Have YOU sent in YOUR FAMILY's photo yet?
This Sunday, let photographer Joanne Davis snap a photo of you and for family for our online directory. Joanne will be in the Sullivan Hallway (honest!) following the worship service.
Thank You, Villagers!
Thank you so much to all who participate in the Village Fellowship Hours! 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 April.
  • April 1 - Welcoming Team?
  • April 8 - Village 4
  • April 15 - Village 5
  • April 22
  • April 29
Invitation to All Philly UUs
Join others at the UU Church of the Restoration
for a Social Justice Potluck & Brainstorming Session
Wednesday, March 28, 6:30pm
Announcing...
...A Greater Philly Cluster (GPC) Choral Workshop to help plan the mass choir repertoire for a GPC music concert next church year.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA
12:30 – 5:00 PM
(12:30 – 1:30 Brown bag lunch; 1:30 – 5:00 workshop)
All ministers, music ministry teams, directors, choir members, and any member/friend (who’d like to sing in the mass choir) from the 14 GPC congregations are invited to the workshop. The goal of this workshop is to determine the repertoire for the mass choir in addition to forming a steering committee to help launch the first concert. Click here and here to learn more and to register.
The Country We Want to Be: A Faith-Based Reflection on Immigrants and Refugees in the 21st Century
A Lecture by Donald M. Kerwin
Executive Director of the Center for Migration Studies, New York City
Friday, April 13
7:00 - 8:30pm
Main Room of the SugarLoaf Chateau of Chestnut Hill College
A Greater Philly Cluster (GPC) Workshop on
"Path to Membership"
Saturday, April 24, 2018
9:00am - 12:00pm
UU Church of Delaware
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday afternoon, April 29
Philadelphia Interfaith Walk for Peace & Reconciliation
Information at InterfaithPeaceWalk.org
Get Involved! Meet Fellow UUs!  
Follow links below to join and find out more information about the events and groups at USG that occur usually once a month. Questions? Click on the contact links.


20's & 30's SGM Group - Second Thursday, April 12, 6:30pm, Drop-in Young Adults Small Group Ministry group. For more information, please contact Stephanie Bonner at slbonner2@gmail.com or Carly Danielsen on Facebook where they maintain an active invite-only activities group. 

Book Group on Friday Morning - Third Friday, April 20, 10:30am, at Cathedral Village. If interested in joining the discussion, please contact Barbara Dowdall. The 2017-2018 Book List is posted on usguu.org> About> Affinity Groups> Book Group .

CAMI (Citizens Against Mass Incarceration) - Fourth Monday, March 26, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact Nancy Anderson .

Caregiver Support Group - Second Friday, April 13, 11:00am - 1:00pm. At USG. Contact Maura Gallagher .

Choir Rehearsal - (Almost) Every Thursday evening, 7:30 - 9:30pm. At USG. Newcomers welcome. Contact Linda Smith or Andrea Parry .

Dialogue - Every Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:30pm. This group uses dialogue as a means for self-exploration. At USG. Contact Jason Bender, dsd@usguu.org. Also check out meetup.com/Dialogues-on-Consciousness

ERC (Ending Racism Committee) - First Sunday, April 1, 12:00 - 2:00pm. At USG. Contact Barbara Dowdall .

Exploring Elderhood - Second Friday gatherings, April 13, 2:00pm. At USG. Contact Gerry Whelan , ASD Chair.

Finding Our Roots - Earth Honoring Traditions . First Monday, except for holiday weekends: (September 10). At USG. Welcome to new chair Donya Coldwell! Contact Donya at earth@usguu.org .

NEW: Flute Circle for All Ages - Every other Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:00pm, until April 11. Next circle March 28. At USG. Please bring your instrument, although some will be available. Contact Jason Bender.

Humanists - PUSH - Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists , Fourth Sunday, March 25, 12:00pm. At USG. Contact Paul Teti .

Men's Group - Third Tuesday, April 17, 7:30pm. At USG. Contact Mark Tuveson .

Mindfulness Meditation with Rev. Kent - Every Thursday, NEW MEETING TIME 6:30 - 7:15pm . At USG. Contact Rev. Kent Matthies .

Nature Walking at Valley Green - Every Monday and Thursday at 10:00am, you can meet others - whoever shows up- at Valley Green in Chestnut Hill for a morning walk. Contact Tim Beckham, who is usually there.

Needle Exchange, a Handwork Group - First Wednesday, April 4, 1:30 - 3:00pm, off-site. Contact Gale Gibbons .

Open Small Group Ministry - Second Sunday, April 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 - Please note changes in day and time : Third Sunday , April 15, 12:00 - 1:20pm . UU-101 is an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, held at USG in the Daskam Room, and childcare is provided. To RSVP or get more information, click here or email uu101@usguu.org . Starting in May and June, we welcome new leaders Charles Gabriel and Eric Foster, and we warmly thank outgoing leaders Andi Bernstein and Gale Gibbons.

UUJPIP - UUs for Justice & Peace in Israel & Palestine.  Third Sunday, April 15, 12:00 - 1:30pm. At USG. Contact Walt Ceglowski .
facebook
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
 
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE:
UU Greater Philly Social Justice is changing its name to
"Greater Philly UUs" as this FB will now include other items as well as Social Justice

P.U.S.H. Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists

Exploring Elderhood
caring square
We are thrilled to announce that...
...Debbie and David Ward happily welcome grandson Theo Ward Dunsmore , born on March 17 at 8 lbs-9 oz. Daughter Molly , who grew up in USG, Lee Dunsmore, and baby Theo are all doing well.

Our Caring Team
Linda Bernstein (chair), 
Bonnie McDairmant, Sarah West,
Rev. Kent Matthies & Intern Minister Connie Simon

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.
Rev. Kent Matthies, Minister - kmatthies@usguu.org
Constance Simon, Intern Minister - internminister@usguu.org
Jason Bender, Director of Spiritual Development - dsd@usguu.org
Mark Daugherty, Music Director - musicdirector@usguu.org
Gloria Guldager, Church Administrator- usgadmin@usguu.org
Carolyn Scott, Asst. Administrator- communications@usguu.org
Carolyn Cotton, Rental Coordinator - rental@usguu.org
Mike Rogers, Sunday Morning and Special Events Sexton - sexton@usguu.org  
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

The Unitarian Society of Germantown | 215-844-1157 | 6511 Lincoln Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19119