WEEKLY UPDATE |Jan. 30-Feb. 5 , 2022
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January Soul Series
We begin 2022 with a worship series that asks:
What is the soul? How and why do we connect with ours, and connect our own soul with that of the world?
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January 30, 2022 | 10:00am
"Anima Mundi, The World Soul"
Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein
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Worship with us on Zoom at 10:00am!
In this last service in our Soul Series, we reflect on the "ensouled" world, and the legacy of Western dualism and monotheistic religions that argued that only human beings have a soul. Many spiritual traditions believe otherwise.
You can view past services and sermon segments on our YouTube channel here, or our website at uucgl.org.
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Meeting ID: 834 2254 6934
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,83422546934# US (New York) +13126266799,,83422546934# US (Chicago)
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"And Evermore Soul"
January 23, 2022
Did you miss the January 23rd Sermon on Zoom or want to watch it again?
To view the January 23 Sermon, visit our website archive page here or our YouTube channel here.
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A Message from Rev. Vicki |
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"In The Spirit"
"Bombogenesis" is probably my favorite meteorological term. I'm not sure quite what it means without looking it up, and even when I read the definition I'm still not clear what's going on, or more specifically, why it has such a dramatic name with BOMB in it. I secretly think that meteorologists are today's fire and brimstone preachers, always putting the fear of the mighty works of the Lord of sky and sea in us through thrillingly dire weather predictions.
Still and all, I do respect the primal fear that news of a blizzard brings and am the opposite of storm-chasers and people who like to brave the elements to see how hale and hearty they are in the face of Mother Nature's force. I have already gotten in touch with the neighbor kid about shoveling me out so I can get to a funeral home on Sunday to conduct a funeral (not for anyone in our congregation; a referral from another UU minister). I have gone out to get milk and vegetables and citrus fruit, as I find that bright, happy fruits and vegetables are good for the soul as well as the body, and I always feel very well cared-for when I have them on hand.
So many in our local community suffer from food insecurity and there are many ways for us to support them. These links may also be useful for you if you are experiencing food insecurity, in which case I hope you will also call the church and let me know so we can connect directly.
Please visit the Social Justice Ministry Team's page here to read about how to contribute food to our partners St. Stephen's Food Pantry and My Brother's Table. Sending a check (or donating online) is very helpful, as is volunteering to unload the truck from the Greater Boston Food Bank at St. Stephen's and helping guests get their bags filled. There are also community refrigerators in Lynn that you can fill with fresh produce and Anchor Food Pantry in Swampscott that also makes it very easy to volunteer.
One of the big questions is when we will return to the church for worship. If the infection rates keep going down, I am hoping that we can come back as early as February 6. Let's hope for good news.
Stay safe, stay warm, stay in touch,
Rev. Vicki
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January Faith Development Update
This Sunday our faith development program will meet outdoors at an off-site location to enjoy the snow and go sledding together! We will meet later in the day to allow folks a little extra time to shovel in the morning. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested in joining this Sunday so that I can add you to our group communication list and notify you of any updates!
May your spirit continue to burn bright during these cold days and nights,
Chris Scheller
Director of Community Life and Learning
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Pop CUUlture Chat
February 1 | 7:00-8:00pm - Zoom
We hope that this might become a potluck when we get back to normal life!!
In this informal chat for pop culture fans we'll be talking about "Don't Look Up," the Kevin McKay film currently streaming on Netflix.
February 1, 2022
Meeting ID: 819 4874 9238
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,81948749238# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,81948749238# US (Chicago)
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Native Plant Winter Sowing Workshop
February 2 | 7:00-8:00 pm
Parish Hall*
UUCGL is excited to host and co-sponsor this free, hands-on workshop on native plant winter sowing, led by the Swampscott Conservancy. You'll leave the workshop with knowledge of native plants, winter sowing and cold stratification, seeds, pots, and instructions on how to grow plants at home. Every attendee will be able to keep two native plants for their own garden in thanks for preparing native plants for the Swampscott Conservancy’s Spring Native Plant Sale. For more information about the Swampscott Conservancy, see their website here.
Pre-registration and masks required. Please register through this link in advance. There will be a limit of 12 total participants for the indoor workshop.
*In the event of inclement weather, please reserve the “snow date” of Saturday, February 5th, from 1pm - 2pm. We will notify all registered participants via the email address given during the registration process of any change.
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Mindful Movement
Wednesdays | 2:30-3:30pm
UUCGL Parish Hall
February 2 & 16,
March 2 & 16, April 6 & 20
We are excited to offer this movement class accessible to all ages and all bodies. These classes will help you find your physical, emotional, and spiritual center through slow and relaxed Tai Ji Quan, strengthening, balancing, stretching, posture, and breath work.
If a class needs to be held virtually due to inclement weather, we will send out a Zoom meeting invitation to all registered participants. The Zoom meeting will begin at 3:30pm rather than the 2:30pm in-person meeting time.
Instructor: Ron Missick
Ron has over 10 years of experience in teaching mindful movement, body mechanics, and fitness for life.
Pre-registration required. Masks mandatory.
First class complimentary. $10 suggested donation.
Register here. Email Chris Scheller here for any questions.
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Restorative Winter Meditations
Sundays | 3-4pm via Zoom
continues February 6,
March 6 & 20, April 3
You are invited to take a little time out of your week for restorative silence and reconnection. These 50 minute sessions begin with a short lesson on a theme from the world’s religions and the science of mindfulness. This is followed by guided and silent meditation and a loving-kindness practice. No prior experience is required.
Instructor: Chris Scheller
Chris brings over 15 years of experience teaching meditation and a background in mindfulness psychology and world religions.
Pre-register by emailing Chris Scheller here.
Join us for our next meditation February 6. No RSVP or registration required, but of course it's always nice to know if you'll be coming. Contact Chris Scheller with any questions and to express interest!
Meeting ID: 815 6041 7146
Passcode: 860190
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,81560417146# US (New York)
Dial by your location: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York), +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC), +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago),
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UUCGL Covid Protocol Reminder |
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While at the Church
Please, community members, remember that masks and social distancing are required at all times while in the church building, even for a few people. No one wants to be the one to ask someone to wear a mask or to refuse an embrace, so let's not put each other in that position.
We all want to be close, we all wish we could dispense with masks but at this time, we are committed to mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. Smiles are there under the masks, and embraces are implied! Stay safe, stay well.
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UUCGL and the Local Community |
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St. Stephen's Food Pantry
can use our help!
St. Stephen's food pantry is in need of money and food. For food donations, it is best if they have many of the same types of items (i.e., one for each bag). If people want to coordinate the purchasing and donating of certain items (peanut butter, eggs, etc.), let me know. If people want to donate money to the pantry, they can make the check out to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (put PANTRY in the memo) and mail to:
St. Stephen's Food Pantry, C/O St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
74 South Common Street, Lynn, MA 01902
We have a growing UUCGL team volunteering at the pantry on Fridays; please contact the church if you can join us.
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Can You Help My Brother's Table
Brown Bag Meal Program?
MBT’s response to the pandemic was to assemble a network of volunteers who work from their homes. These off-site volunteers assemble lunch and dinner bags to provide to-go meals while MBT is not open for in-house dining. If you are interested in working with other church members to assemble lunch or dinner bags OR if you are interested in supporting this work with a monetary donation or a food donation, we would like to hear from you. For more information about MBT please contact Deb Boggs, Clare Campbell, or Michael Celona. To find out more about our efforts for local food pantries and our Social Justice Ministry Team activities, please go to our website page at https://www.uucgl.org/socialjustice.
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UUCGL Reopening Guidelines |
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Guidelines from UUCGL's
Reopening Task Force
Our highest priority is the health and wellbeing of our congregation and community. We strongly encourage members of our congregation to take advantage of free Covid vaccinations and testing to better protect the most vulnerable among us. In addition, we offer guidelines to give UUCGL’s congregation an active role in stopping the spread of the virus while still allowing us to gather in person when possible. The Reopening Task Force meets regularly to re-evaluate community health data and UUA and CDC recommendations. Click here for UUCGL guidelines.
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UUCGL Pledge Payments
There are three easy options of paying:
- Send or deliver your check to the church (101 Forest Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907).
- Set up a bill-pay system with your bank and have the check sent to the above address.
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Donate online. To donate online, click here for our website and click “Donate” in the upper right-hand corner. After you fill in the information page, click “Submit.” You will then be offered options to pay through your PayPal account, if you have one, or through your credit card.
Thank you for your support!
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Stay Connected with UUCGL
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if we can help. Click below to email one of us. Stay well, stay connected!
The Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein, Chris Scheller, DCLL, Clare Campbell, UUCGL President, Elizabeth Muller, Business Administrator, Angie Kern, Administrative Assistant, Kenneth Griffith, Director of Music, Chris Hansen, Grants Coordinator
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Contact Information Reminder |
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Does the Office Know Your Current
Contact Information?
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Please keep your name, address, phone number, and e-mail current in the church office. E-mail Elizabeth Muller with your correct information.
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Not sure what information we have on file for you?
Call Elizabeth at:
781-595-8836, ext. 10
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The next issue: January 30, 2022
Deadline: Wednesday, January 26, 10am
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Recurring UUCGL Programming |
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Meditation
Group
Mornings
7:30-7:50am Zoom
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All are welcome to be a part of a small group ministry to practice mindfulness meditation. Now more than ever, our connections with each other are vital to our sense of calm and hope. Click here for sign up, more information.
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Dialogue
Group
2nd & 4th Sunday each month 5pm
Zoom
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"Dialogue" is a way of practicing deep listening that enables us to share personal experiences and thoughts in a way that collectively builds a more expansive understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Dialogue and the discursive meditation are part of the method of Cafh, a path of spiritual unfolding. Click for more information about the discursive meditation, and Cafh here. You can connect to the Zoom meeting here.
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Wisdom
Circle
2nd Wednesday each month
12-1:30pm
at UUCGL
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A monthly gathering geared toward seniors to share the perspectives and life experiences of older age. All are welcome, even if you have not participated before. More information can and be found on our website in our Lifelong Learning page. For meeting information contact Gloria Kozlosky or Ruth Griffin.
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Sunday Zoom Schedule
Fellowship Hour: 11am
(781) 595-8836
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