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Worship with us in the Sanctuary and on Facebook Live!

Join our livestream of the service by clicking the "Facebook Live" button (below).

Given the seasonal spike in COVID cases and the spread of other infectious diseases like flu and RSV, we encourage the wearing of masks when we are together. Masks are an easy and simple way to minimize worry over sharing germs as we enjoy each other’s company.  

For those of you who would like to maintain social distance in the sanctuary (which has several air filters running), the front side of the sanctuary by the wooden Lydia Breed sculpture is reserved for you. (See diagram here)

In the Spirit

I am all bundled up and waiting for the cold snap that is scheduled to hit us on Saturday. Please take the cold seriously and plan to stay home and safe. I just had a whole bunch of work done on my car and the mechanic (good guys over at Paradise Citgo in Swampscott) had to give me a bit of a talking to about driving in an unsafe vehicle. Further heaping coals on my head, a friend put the fear of God in me (my excuse was that I don’t put many miles on my car and... pandemic) and said, “What if you broke down in a blizzard? What if your brakes went out on a snowy road?” I said, “You know what? Thank you. I always worry about that happening to other people but I need to hear it for myself!” 

So hey, don’t go out there in that cold! Be safe! Get your brake pads and rotors and calipers and transmission checked! Is caliper even a word? I hope so because I just paid for one.

I am going on “recovered sabbatical” on Monday, February 6, and will be back on March 8^th. I will be writing (I am working on a book and UUA General Assembly presentation on clergy resignations as a national phenomenon). Rev. Chris will be here for you, we have lovely guest preachers lined up (Rev. Art McDonald, Rev. Eva Cameron, Rev. Hank Peirce, Rev. Chris Scheller) and the staff is ready. Your board leaders are, as always, available for questions and support.

One thing I would like to ask you to do while I am away: will you stay for coffee after church to visit a bit, and if you’re not at church, would you consider inviting some folks over for tea or pizza? February is such a bleak month, and we have so many people in our community who are new or returning to church life after a long time away, it seems a good time to warm up through being together with no agenda but to be together. We are happy to play social matchmaker if you’d like a list of newcomers to invite; just call or email the office. 

With love, always,

Rev. Vicki 

This Sunday, our Spirit Play class will begin in their classroom at 10am to hear a wonderful science-based origin story of the universe from Carole Martignacco’s book The Everything Seed, and then explore some of the laws of the universe – like gravity, and the transfer of energy – by assembling our own chain reaction contraptions from everyday items like cardboard tubes and marbles. Here is a great PBS video about the activity. Donations of cardboard tubes and newspapers will be gratefully received in the Skylight Room right before worship begins (the newspapers will be used in the upcoming Native Plant Gardening Workshop, which has been moved to Feb 15th, see below). 

Our Neighboring Faith class will meet downstairs in the basement classroom to discuss their recent trip to the Swampscott Church of Spiritualism and plan their next few visits.

Thank you to those of you who clicked on our Ferry Beach retreat room choice questionnaire in last week’s Weekly Update. If you didn't do so last week, please add your name to our list of those interested in the retreat by simply clicking on your preferred lodging choice in the section below⬇. I will be reaching out directly with instructions to those who record interest via the poll for how to reserve your special room requests.

Abundant Blessings,



Rev. Chris Scheller

Minister of Community Life and Learning

For more details about our programs for children and to register, check out our webpage here.

Take a break from the cold & snow to think about attending our Ferry Beach Weekend Retreat happening Friday, April 28–Sunday, April 30!

We especially need a count of who will want to reserve cabin or cottage rooms (as opposed to a dorm room at Rowland or a campsite), since space for those is limited. Please let us know by clicking the appropriate box below. All lodging descriptions can be found HERE.

We do not want finances to prevent anyone from coming. Feel free to reach out to Rev. Chris Scheller and request a campership to help with the costs.

*Read more about upcoming events on our website Calendar Page.

Please register where there is a mechanism to do so — this will ensure you are contacted should there be an important announcement, postponement, or cancellation.

Calling all Cooks in the Kitchen! 

You're invited to be a part of an inaugural team of cooks in the UUCGL Kitchen. The plan is to get together to explore how cooking plant-based meals together lowers the cost, promotes health, serves the planet and...grows community. Click HERE to be contacted about your interest and general availability.

Saturday Craft Group

Saturday, February 4 | 10am-2pm (you may drop in at any time)

All sorts of crafts are welcome! Feel free to bring a packed lunch.

Poetry-Writing Workshop

Sunday, February 5 | 11:30am

Our Art & Spirituality series continues! Award-winning resident poet, Clem Schoenebeck, will lead this workshop. Read more about Clem HERE. 

Kindly register if this is your first workshop or if you're not sure if we have your email information from previous workshops.

Wisdom Circle

Wednesday, February 8 | 12pm

Wisdom Circle meets the second Wednesday of each month. This gathering is geared toward seniors to share the perspectives and life experiences of older age. It is intended to be supportive and informative, a program both of faith development and pastoral ministry. Join us!

Innovation in Addressing Hunger — 

A Discussion about Advances in Food Security

Sunday, February 12 | 12-2pm

You are invited to a panel discussion about new approaches to food insecurity in our area.

Speakers include:

Brendan Crighton — Senator, 3rd Essex District

Jason Etheridge — Executive Director, Lifebridge North Shore

Laura Spathanas — Anchor Food Pantry

Norris Guscott — Public Health Coordinator, Health Division & Food Security Task Force Leader, City of Lynn

Also livestreaming at: facebook.com/uucgl

• Panel discussion

• Time for Q&A

• Reception to follow

• Free

• Open to the public

Restorative Winter Meditations

Sunday, February 12 | 4-5pm

[and every other Sunday through March 26]

Register using the button at right so we can inform you of cancellations (you do not need to commit to every session).

Native Plant Gardening Workshop FULL

Wednesday, February 15th | 7-8:30pm

If you registered for the original date you are automatically still registered unless you have contacted us and said otherwise. Since the event is at capacity, please email Mary at [email protected] if you are registered but cannot attend the workshop or to be put on the waiting list.

Visit www.uucgl.org/adultprograms to read more about these groups and use the contact links below or contact the church with questions or for more information. All are welcome!

Stay Connected with UUCGL

Visit our Staff Directory HERE to contact any of us. We're here for you!

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 or to find out what information we have on file for you.