WEEKLY UPDATE | November 24-30, 2019
Sundays at UUCGL
Worship Service November 24
Making Room at the Table | 10am
 Kenneth Griffith II, Director of Music
Mark LaPointe, Acting Interim Director
of Community Life and Learning
The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to be grateful and to be generous. We are called to make room at our spiritual table for family and friend, stranger and foe - to be radical in our hospitality. Led by Kenneth Griffith and Mark LaPointe, this special service uses song and story, prayer and reflection to engage us all in a deeper examination of hospitality and inclusion.
 
We embody hospitality on this Sunday by gathering non-perishable food items that will go to those in need. Please bring non-perishable, non-expired food which we will deliver to a local food pantry.
 
NOTE: This is a multigenerational worship service and children will stay in the sanctuary for the entire time.
Thanksgiving Food Offering this Sunday
At the worship service this Sunday, November 24 , we will receive our annual Thanksgiving Food Offering, which will be delivered to a local food pantry. Please fill a bag with non-perishable items such as canned soup, chili, stew, meat, fruit, veggies, beans, tuna, etc. You may also include cereals, pasta, rice, juice, flour, salt and pepper. If you are able to help with delivery to a local food pantry in Lynn, please contact Mark E. LaPointe, Director of Community Life and Learning at mlapointe@uucgl.org .
Pie Sunday Fellowship Hour this Sunday
The Faith Development Ministry Team will be hosting Fellowship Hour this Sunday, November 24 and we invite you to join in our “Pie Sunday”! Test your Thanksgiving recipes and bring your favorite pie (or dessert) to share. Join us for good conversation, fellowship ... and pies!
Sunday Morning Childcare . . .
The childcare room is open and offers a safe, play oriented environment for children 4 and under. The church will do its best to schedule childcare workers each Sunday. 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 know someone who might enjoy a paid position watching young children during church, please have them contact the Director of Community Life and Learning at mlapointe@uucgl.org .
 
Mark E. LaPointe, Director of Community Life and Learning
This Week at UUCGL
Join Master Baker for a Pie Crust Making Workshop
Friday, November 22 from 7-9pm
 Just in time for Thanksgiving, join master baker Gwen McKinney in the UUCGL kitchen for this hands-on pie crust making workshop. Gwen will send you home with a ready-to-roll pie crust and a foolproof recipe guaranteed to impress the holiday crowds. Enrollment limited to 15 participants, $5 donation suggested to cover the cost of ingredients. To register, see signup sheet by UUCGL kitchen or go to:
Sanctuary Update
Sanctuary Committee Meeting Wednesday, December 4
The next meeting of the UUCGL Sanctuary Committee will be held on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Room . At this meeting we will discuss the newest developments regarding our sanctuary effort, including the approval of our sanctuary covenant and the plans being drawn up for the space for a future guest.
 
If you cannot join us for this meeting, future meetings will be announced in the Weekly Update. For questions, please email past president Scott Nowka at snowka@gmail.com .
'Tis the Season of Giving
Although we strive to be generous throughout the year, the winter holidays tend to put a spotlight on some of the more personal needs that exist in our greater community. We respond to this each year by taking on some opportunities to give in ways that are meaningful. We do this important work with community partners like Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC), My Brother's Table, the Lynn Community Health Center, and Leading through Empowering Opportunities (LEO, inc.) and St. Stephen's Food Pantry. You can learn about each opportunity and the recipients of your gifts below.
 
Your gifts do good work and are most gratefully received!
Mitten Tree - December 1
Our Annual Mitten Tree will be decorated the first Sunday in December! Please bring in mittens, gloves, hats, or scarves to adorn our Christmas Tree during the worship service. These items will go to the Lynn Community Health Center, Pediatrics Services to warm the hands, heads, and necks of adults and children who are in need of some warmth this winter. You can find out more about the Center here . These gifts of warmth are greatly appreciated! Thank you for your generosity!
The Giving Tree
This year our Giving Tree gifts will go to Leading through Empowering Opportunities (LEO, inc.) . Please take an ornament from the tree and purchase the suggested gift. All gifts should be returned by December 16 . Please affix the gift tag securely to your gift; it will be the only identifier to ensure it gets to the correct child. You can place your gift under the tree in the church foyer. You can find out more about LEO here . Thank you for your generosity.
Travel Toiletries for HAWC due December 1
 Please remember to bring your donations of hotel/travel sized toiletries for HAWC by Sunday, December 1 . Your toiletry contributions can be placed on the table in the room to the left of the foyer as you enter the front door. For many years, the UUW has been preparing gift bags every Christmas to donate to "Healing Abuse Working for Change", which was founded 35 years ago. HAWC serves individuals affected by domestic abuse. They are most grateful for our church's generosity!
Centerpiece Making for MBT Holiday Party
MBT centerpiece
Join the UU Women on Saturday, December 14, at 9:30am in the Parish Hall to create festive tabletop decorations for the holiday dinner party at My Brother's Table on Saturday, December 21. We will be cutting greens, so bring pruning shears if you have them. Please bring decorative greens from your yard if you are able!
Christmas Pageant Poinsettias - December 15
poinsettia
Order your poinsettias now in memory or honor of friends and loved ones. The cost of each 6" plant is $12.50. Forms and envelopes can be found on the usher's table and the Welcome Table in the church foyer; complete the form (please print clearly) and return it to the church office, with payment, by Monday, December 9 . (You may also place your order envelope in the Sunday offertory plate (please do not place your pledge in this envelope).

Please bring your plant(s) home after the December 15 Children's Pageant to enjoy in your own home or to give as gifts.
Reminders
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 .
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 is also helpful in scheduling all events and meetings at the church.
November 50/50 Sunday Offertory to Benefit REAL
Reading and Educational Assistance for Learning
 The REAL Program is a non-profit which works to address literacy issues in Lynn by providing books, homework assistance, healthy snacks and dinners, enrichment opportunities, college campus visits and just plain healthy fun to children in a safe, caring environment (plus English language tutoring for their parents!) It is located in and primarily works with students from the Brickett School in Lynn. The Program’s activities are made possible through a service-learning model designed to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for retired teachers and professionals and quality service-learning opportunities for high school and college students. Through the collaborative efforts of many individuals, The REAL Program is making a difference in the lives of children. Financial support will be used for current program as well as help meet REAL's goal of a pre-school for neighborhood children. Please make checks payable to The REAL Program, Inc. Social concerns funding will be matching donations up to $1,000. Thank you for your generosity.
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

(781) 595-8836
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