WEEKLY UPDATE | February 16-22, 2020
Sundays at UUCGL
Worship Service February 16, 2020 | 10am
"Science Fiction & Social Justice"
The Rev. Alix Klingenberg
How speculative fiction, personal narrative, and science fiction can help us not just imagine the future, but create it.

Our Guest Minister, The Rev. Alix Klingenberg, is an entrepreneurial UU minister, writer and spiritual director. She writes a blog called Highly Sensitive Extrovert and uses creativity and archetypes to connect to community and the divine. A graduate of Oberlin College and Meadville Lombard Theological School, Alix has served in various capacities in the Chicago, San Diego, and now the Boston areas. Some of Alix's passions include photography, tabletop games, tarot, and the Enneagram.
February 16, Sunday Morning RE Program
In recognition of the President's Day long weekend as well as Winter Break for local schools, there will be NO formal RE program on Sunday, February 16.

There will be childcare for those 5 and under.
Sunday Morning Childcare . . .
We are happy to introduce Britney Pratt as our new childcare provider. Britney is a sophomore at Salem State University where she is majoring in Early Childhood Education. If you see her this Sunday, please say hello!

The childcare room is open and offers a safe, play oriented environment for children 4 and under. If no one is able to staff the room on a given Sunday, parents are welcome to supervise their children in the room during worship. If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Community Life and Learning at mlapointe@uucgl.org .
 
Mark E. LaPointe, Director of Community Life and Learning
Meet the UUCGL Pledge Team
at Fellowship Hour February 23
It is pledge season and you might be wondering about many things. Where does the UUCGL budget money come from? Where does it go? Why should I pledge? When should I pledge? Where will Tom Brady be playing quarterback next year?

Members of the UUCGL Pledge Team (Michael Celona, Cliff Charney, Ruth Griffin, Gloria Kozlosky, and Steve Young) will be available at Fellowship Hour Sunday February 23 and we will do our best to answer these and any other questions you might have. Hope to see you there.
Sunday Morning Special Collections
UUCGL is a generous congregation! Every month, from September through June, a charitable organization is chosen to share our Sunday offerings. These donations affect the lives of many in our local communities and also in distant ones in times of natural disasters. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and to the Social Justice Ministry Team for their matching grants. To date this fiscal year we have given to the following organizations:
 
Direct Relief - Hurricane Dorian - $219.50
UU Service Committee - Hurricane Dorian - $1,019.38
REAL Program - $1,095.00
My Brother’s Table - $2,447.50
A Message from Rev. Vicki
Dear Church!

At the mid-point of her sabbatical, Rev. Vicki wants you to know that the church is with her, always in her heart, and she sends a huge Valentine to all!
This Week at UUCGL
Sanctuary Task Force Meeting Wednesday,
February 19 at 7 p.m.
The next meeting of the UUCGL Sanctuary Task Force will be held on Wednesday, February 19 at 7pm in the Fellowship Room. At this meeting we will discuss the newest developments regarding our sanctuary effort, including the preliminary approval of the plans for our sanctuary space by the Swampscott Building Commissioner and preparing the fundraising plans for renovating this space.
Faith Development Programming
OWL for Preschool-2nd Grade
Thursdays 4-5:30pm - beginning February 27
Our Whole Lives for the little ones is coming to UUCGL as a special program. OWL is an age-appropriate sexuality and health program that focuses on healthy development, factual information, and UU values. At this level, the focus is on things such as safety, autonomy, and identity.
 
This session of OWL will meet on five Thursdays from 4-5:30pm beginning on February 27 with a mandatory parent orientation on the 23rd (time to be announced). All children of this age, with a connection to a Unitarian Universalist congregation are welcomed to participate. This means children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, and so on from UUCGL families and other area UU churches.
 
Please note there is a $25 fee for the program. Financial assistance is available. Contact Mark for more information.
Parenting With Purpose Begins March 6 at 5:00pm
Announcing a new monthly program for those parenting and their families. Parenting with Purpose (PWP) will create a safe space for those engaged in parenting to discuss a variety of topics related to parenting in a way that best espouses our unique Unitarian Universalist values and our commitment to helping one another raise healthy and happy children. Whether centered on a collective reading or hearing directly from those who work with children, the program aspires to remind those parenting that they do not walk alone.
 
Meetings will begin with an all ages potluck at 5pm followed by separate, structured programs for young children and for those parenting at 6pm. The first meeting of this new programming will be March 6 in the Parish Hall. For more information, please contact DCLL Mark LaPointe at mlapointe@uucgl.org .
Save the Date!
Ferry Beach - May 1-3, 2020
Warmer weather and beautiful surroundings are calling us! Our annual retreat to Ferry Beach is this May!

The registration process will be here before you know it, so save the date! It’s an opportunity to gather with people of all ages within the congregation in a relaxing and joyful setting. Stay tuned for more details!
UUCGL Updates
General Assembly June 24-28, 2020
Our GA Delegates
Y our Board of Trustees is pleased to announce this year’s delegates to General Assembly. General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Rooted, Inspired, & Ready! is the theme for General Assembly in June 2020.
 
This year our congregation will be represented by Nicki Buscemi, Scott Nowka and Linda Jones. GA will be held June 24-28 in Providence RI this year. Any member can attend, but only delegates have a vote. GA is a fun and informative chance to connect with other UUs and has lots of opportunities for fun and learning. If anyone is interested or has questions, please talk to or email ( mcseknitter@gmail.com ) Eileen Cummings
Reminders
Climate Change & Faith Wednesday Speaker Series
Our Speaker Series continues on Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00pm

Please join us for the second in our 3-part series exploring how our faith calls us to respond to the climate emergency.

Salem State University Professor Marcos Luna will present a talk entitled "Climate change is a social justice issue: What it means for the North Shore." Learn how climate change is not just an environmental catastrophe, it is an ethical and political crisis that falls hardest on those who are least responsible and most vulnerable. Moving toward a just and sustainable future requires that we recognize these disparities and that we bend our efforts at mitigation and adaptation to work in solidarity with the needs and concerns of those communities that have the most to lose.

There will be an exhibit on "Mapping Climate Change on the North Shore" in the Skylight Room for viewing during the talk. Please also mark your calendars for the next talk in the series on April 1 on climate change impacts on flora and fauna. This series is sponsored by the Green Sanctuaries Ministry Team and the Swampscott Conservancy.

Save these dates::

February 26 | 7pm
Dr. Marcos Luna

April 1 | 7pm
Prof. Richard B. Primack
Sabbatical Guide Available
Rev. Vicki started her six month sabbatical after her November 10 worship service. A Sabbatical Guide is available that contains information about this period of time and who will be covering in her absence. Copies of the Sabbatical Guide are available on the Welcome Table in the church foyer and also in the church office, or you may download a copy here .
February 50/50 Sunday Offertory to Benefit
UU Urban Ministry
 Based at the First Church Roxbury (UU), UUUM is governed by a board of directors (members of the community and delegates representing Greater Boston UU churches). Programs center on education, housing, support services, and community development. These programs include after school and Saturday programs for children and youth, summer camp, teen employment, and English tutoring for non-native English speakers. Renewal House: provides emergency shelter and services for those fleeing abuse. UU Urban Ministry programs are supported by fifty UU churches. Annually, one hundred fifty volunteers from area colleges and universities as well as members of area UU Churches assist in Urban Ministry programs. Social concerns funding will match up to $1,000; please make checks payable to UU Urban Ministry. Thank you for your support!
Are you scheduling a meeting or event at the church?
Reminder to all church volunteers and staff:
If you are planning a meeting or event, please contact Elizabeth Muller for date and room availability at 781-595-8836 ext. 10 or click here to email. This will not only reserve your date and room, but it is also helpful in scheduling all events and meetings at the church.
Does the Office Know Your Current
Contact Information?
Please keep your name, address, phone number, and e-mail current in the church office. E-mail Elizabeth Muller with your correct information.
Not sure what information we have on file for you?

Call Elizabeth at:
781-595-8836, ext. 10
Recurring Gatherings
Visit Us
Sunday Schedule
Worship & Children's Ministry: 10am
Fellowship Hour: 11:15am

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