January 25 - 31, 2018
The CommUUnicator
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Society of Germantown
Building Beloved Community
THIS WEEK:
We commit to People of Color this Sunday to put into practice the promise of our faith that "all people should be treated fairly," and we enjoy
Paddington
this Friday at the Winter Family Movie Night.
|
|
In Worship, 10:30am
The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith
Intern Minister Connie Simon and Rev. Kent Matthies, with DSD Jason Bender, Music Director Mark Daugherty & the USG Choir
|
This service is offered by the UUA to enable congregations to listen deeply to the stories that have not been heard and to lament what our UU tradition has lost by being unable – or unwilling – to center People of Color. It’s a celebration of our commitment to live into a new chapter of our faith’s story.
USG's Anti-Racism Task Force offers this background to The Promise & The Practice Faith campaign:
This campaign is an opportunity to address our denomination’s centuries-long history of systemic racism; of discouraging engagement and often closing the door on people of color in the Unitarian, Universalist and Unitarian Universalist faiths. Steps have been taken in recent decades to examine our history; to be more welcoming and inclusive; to live out our principles. It has not been enough. (
Click here to continue reading
.)
|
|
|
The Collection for Promise & Practice This Sunday...
...will go to support Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). The money raised in each congregation will be matched by a generous donor,
provided each member contributes $10, or an equivalent amount is raised.
|
|
|
In Child Spiritual Development
|
This Sunday morning,
children and youth
will be in the sanctuary until 10:45, when they will be "sung out" to their classes.
Our High School program
changes weekly. The High School Group will meet this coming Sunday,
January 28
, from 6:00 - 8:00pm. 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
On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays, Sullivan 3 is open to anyone who would like to quietly meditate.
If you have questions, please contact Sharon Mafuru at
smallaxetz@gmail.com
.You can also click here for information.
Drop off nonperishable food items to the designated carts in the Kitchen for delivery to St. Vincent's Food Pantry.
Drop off coats in the barrel near the name boards for the
Winter Coat Drive.
|
|
Opportunities
After the Worship Service
.Greet members of the
Earth Honoring Traditions group, who are hosting Fellowship Hour.
At 12:00pm, attend the
PUSH (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.
|
|
Family Winter Movie Night:
Paddington
THIS Friday, January 26, 6:30 - 8:30pm
|
We will share a cup of hot cocoa and fellowship in the Dining Room until 7:00pm. Showtime is 7:00pm. Popcorn will be provided; families are encouraged to bring snacks and munchies to share.
|
|
|
Imbolc Celebration
Tuesday, January 30, 7:00pm, USG Dining Room
Please note the change of date to Tuesday, in honor of Tuesday's full moon.
The Earth Honoring Traditions group celebrates the end of
the darkest days and the beginning of spring. It is a time for nurturing the flame that will bring change and fulfillment to our lives. Bring a beverage or snack to share. All who celebrate the return of spring – and of hope to the heart - are invited to attend. Contact Dennis Strain (
dennis.strain09@gmail.com
) for more information.
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE:
Daring Democracy
Saturday, February 24, 1:00 - 4:00pm, USG
Whether you read the book ahead of time, plan to attend this
community assembly
(open to all) to educate and mobilize people for a statewide campaign supporting legislation to attack gerrymandered electoral districts and to get money out of both the electoral process and out of year round lobbying in Harrisburg. The book's co-author, Adam Eichen, is the main speaker and will be followed by others from the March on Harrisburg movement.
Books will soon be on sale during Fellowship Hour.
|
|
|
Black UU History Presentation
Originally scheduled for January 14, this presentation by Intern Minister Connie Simon had to be canceled due to weather, flight delays, and injuries. Once it is rescheduled, we will let you know.
|
|
|
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 (
not pledgeS
) ($25 would be donated to pledge payment) or 30 stp ($30 would be donated to MLK Day of Service).
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.
|
|
|
What a great
MLK Day of Service, 2018!
Monday, January 15, really WAS soul- and heart-warming! We hope that was true of whatever project and space YOU were in. It was a blessing to share the making of good works with both friends and beautiful strangers. And it was moving to hear these words, read by Connie Simon, delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his last sermon:
Every now and then I guess we all think realistically about that day when we will be victimized with what is life's final common denominator--that something we call death.
We all think about it, and every now and then, I think about my own death and I think about my own funeral. And I don't think about it in a morbid sense. And every now and then I ask myself, what it is that I would want said and I leave the word to you this morning.
If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell him not to talk too long. Every now and then, I wonder what I want him to say.
Tell him not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize--that isn't important. Tell not to mention that have 300 or 400 other awards--that's not important. Tell him not to mention where I went to school.
I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.
Click here
to read the rest of "His Own Eulogy." It is worth taking the time.
|
|
|
Thank You, MLK Day Team!
These folks put in countless hours of planning, phoning, data entering, driving, e-mailing, and head-scratching. Without their work, our MLK Day of Service would be an entirely different (smaller, unorganized) event.
This year's team was comprised of
Connie Simon
, the chair;
Ann Clarey
, co-ordinator of the data entries;
Kay Weiser
, co-ordinator of most off-site projects;
Melissa Guerriero
, co-ordinator of on-site projects;
Dennis Brunn
, co-ordinator of school projects;
Carolyn Scott
, chief procurement officer; and
Judi Morrow
, publicist. USG thanks them
and
all the project leaders
and
all the 500 volunteers who turned out! Many hands = joy in the work. Thank you!
|
|
|
We warmly congratulate the incomparable Nancy Dearden
We are SO in agreement with the special Letter of Commendation given to Nancy Dearden on MLK Day 2018 by State Senator Art Haywood and Global Citizen* President Todd Bernstein. The letter thanked Nancy for her wonderful leadership and work for many years (including this one) on behalf of the MLK Day of Service.
*Global Citizen is the central organizing agency for all MLK Day activities in Philadelphia.
|
|
|
THANK YOU to our MLK Sponsors!
From big-box stores to small family-owned businesses, these sponsors often have supported USG's MLK Day year after year. Please support them --- and say "Thanks!"
Major contributors:
Acme, Walmart, PRA Health Sciences, LeBus Bakery (2,00 slices of bread)
Other substantial donors:
Solebury Orchards (1,000 apples), High Point Cafe, Univest, Weavers Way Co-op;
In addition we want to thank:
Top of the Hill Market, Kilian's Hardware, Staples, Stanley's True Value Hardware, A&N House of Produce, A&E Paper (1,000 white lunch bags), Taste of Philly soft pretzels, Night Kitchen bakery, Bakler Street Bread, and South Street Philly Bagel.
|
|
|
Volunteer Needed:
Auction Database Manager
If you're looking for a way to support one of USG's top fundraisers, have mid-level computer skills and don't want to attend lots of meetings, the Auction Committee needs you! We need a Database Manager to enter auction items into our computer database, sync that with the church database and provide night-of-Auction set-up, direction and support for the computer team. Training and assistance provided for this very important volunteer job! Interested? Please contact Auction Co-Chairs Linda Smith or Sam Stormont at
lasmith220@comcast.net
or
samuel.stormont@gmail.com
.
|
|
|
Have YOU sent in YOUR photo yet?
Or is this what people will see when they click on your name in our directory?
We can create a pictorial online church directory, so please send a photo of your family, whether it is a single unit or a multiple one, to
admin@usguu.org
.
|
|
|
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 January & February.
·
January 28 - Village 10
·
February 4 - Village 11
·
February 11 - New Members
·
February 18 - Village 12
·
February 25 - Village 1
|
|
|
Would you like to join USG in February?
USG welcomes New Members during a Signing Ceremony held four times a year. The next one will be February 11 during the worship service. If you would like to join, please attend a
New Member Orientation on February 4 and UU-101 on February 11.
If you are interested in information about the Path to Membership, please visit the Membership page in the Home menu on our website,
usguu.org
or contact Treva Burger at
trevawb@gmail.com
.
|
|
|
A Plea to Help Mexican Deportees from USG Member Cynthia Claus
Cynthia now lives in San Miguel, Mexico, and reports that deportees from the U.S. are arriving in San Miguel "with nothing: no ID, no jobs, no clothes, no housing, little experience in Mexico, and little knowledge of the Spanish language. At this time there are 400 deportees in just the town of San Miguel with more arriving."
Cynthia's church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende (UUFSMA), has just been awarded the annual Chalice Lighters' Call from the UUA's Southern Region. UUFSMA has two months to raise funds for an interfaith NGO being established to provide assistance to these deportees. The membership of UUFSMA is donating an initial $5,000 and many hands and hours of volunteer work for this initiative.
You are urged to contribute to this effort through one of the following electronic options:
|
|
|
Greater Philly UU CLUSTER News
The Greater Philly UU Cluster (GPC) (
greaterphillyuu.org/
) is comprised of 14 nearby UU congregations and is actively connecting these congregations to share our message, grow our faith and strengthen congregations.
Here are some opportunities to get involved:
*
Jubilee Anti-Racism Training, March 2 -4, Mainline UC
|
|
|
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, February 8, 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.
CAMI (Citizens Against Mass Incarceration)
- Fourth Monday, February 26, 7:00pm. At USG. Contact
Nancy Anderson
.
Caregiver Support Group
- Second Friday, February 9, 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
.
ERC (Ending Racism Committee)
- First Sunday, February 4, 12:00 - 2:00pm. At USG.
Exploring Elderhood
- Second Friday gatherings, February 9, 2:00pm. At USG. Contact
Gerry Whelan
, ASD Chair.
Finding Our Roots - Earth Honoring Traditions
. First Monday, except for holiday weekends: (September 10). Next meeting February 5, 7:30pm. At USG. Contact
Dennis Strain
.
NEW: Flute Circle for All Ages - Every other Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:00pm, from
January 31 - April 11. At USG. Please bring your instrument, although some will be available. Contact
Jason Bender.
Humanists - PUSH
-
Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists
, Fourth Sunday, January 28, 12:00pm. At USG. Contact
Paul Teti
.
Men's Group
- Third Tuesday, February 20, 7:30pm. At USG. Contact
Mark Tuveson
.
Mindfulness Meditation with Rev. Kent
- Every Thursday, 5:30 - 6:15pm. 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, February 7, 1:30 - 3:00pm, off-site. Contact
Gale Gibbons
.
Open Small Group Ministry
- Second Sunday, February 11, 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
- Second Sunday, February 11, 9:00 - 10:20am.
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
.
UUJPIP
-
UUs for Justice & Peace in Israel & Palestine.
Third Sunday, February 18, 12:00 - 1:30pm.
At USG. Contact
Walt Ceglowski
.
|
|
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
UU Greater Philly Social Justice
P.U.S.H. Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists
Exploring Elderhood
|
|
Our thoughts and prayers are with...
....
Rev. Kent Matthies and his family.
Kent left this week’s ministers' conference and took an emergency flight to be with his parents in Oak Park, Illinois. Kent’s father Rich, whom many of us have gotten to know, is being transferred to a memory care unit near their home. At the same time, Kent’s mother, Mary Ellen, has suffered two fractured vertebrae. We send our most healing and loving thoughts their way. Cards to Mary Ellen Matthies may be sent to
7030 Springside Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60516
.
...Richard Bernat and Maura Gallagher
as Richard recovers at home from knee replacement surgery.
...Kris Alutius,
who was in an ugly car accident the weekend of January 13-14. Luckily,
Kris suffered only some bumps and bruises but his car was totaled. Emails and well wishes would be appreciated but even more appreciated would be to let Kris know if you are thinking of trading in your SUV or truck. He is in the market.
...Connie Simon
, who is still recovering from a painful car accident that happened on January 13.
...Berne Graham,
who has been receiving rehab services at Wesley Enhanced Living (formerly Stapeley Hall). Berne expects to return home tomorrow, Friday, Jan 26. She appreciates all the contacts and visits she has received from the USG community.
...Mark Bangela,
whose mother had a stroke recently. Mark and his siblings are rotating time spent with her, but Mark's permanent residence remains here in Philly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our warm congratulations and best wishes go to...
...
Linda Maldonado
, her son Adam Bromberg and his wife Raha, who had a baby the week of January 15, a boy who weighed in at 8+lbs. and whose name is Ender. All are 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.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
