WEEKLY UPDATE | April 9, 2025

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SUNDAY SERVICE

April 13, 2025 | 10am

"Levels of Liberation"

Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein, Worship Leader


Jesus never meant to start a religion. He meant to start a movement. On Palm Sunday, we go back to the non-violent protest that accompanied his ride into Jerusalem and think about how his own Jewish identity informed Jesus’ passionate crusade for spiritual liberation. 

Order of Service
Offering Online
Joys & Sorrows
Facebook Live* 

Worship with us on Facebook Live on Sunday

(*depending on whether we have a videographer)

Join our livestream of the service by clicking the button at left

Sunday Sign Up

Each Sunday we rely on volunteers to help the service and Fellowship Hour run smoothly. Can you help? Use the button at left to sign up for any future Sunday... and THANK YOU!

A Message from Rev. Vicki

In the Spirit

We had a wonderful discussion last Sunday during our “Foundations of Unitarian Universalism” session, which is part of our Path To Membership series. I like to start these sessions by quoting Professor Diana Eck, who said that all religions are a stream of argument, and by explaining that both Unitarianism and Universalism began as heretical Protestant arguments. 


Margot, our newest member, commented later during our historical survey that this heretical instinct to question, challenge and stand at the margins of the orthodox and the traditional is very much a living legacy for today’s UUs. And she is right. Having been a Unitarian Universalist all of my life, it is always a delight to see this faith tradition through the eyes of a newcomer. We are reverent heretics, asking why, and how, and “how does that make sense” and “why would people cling to or perpetuate beliefs that are so obviously harmful.” We are perpetual seekers after new truth and understanding... READ MORE

Are you going to Ferry Beach? Would you like to help me create a worship ritual for Sunday morning or adorn the cafeteria? I would appreciate your talents and participation. Let me know. VW

A Message from Rev. Chris

This Friday evening, Eileen Cummings and I will accompany members of our Youth Group to Boston, where we will join with over 100 other youth from multiple churches around the greater Boston area, of various denominations, for an overnight service-learning program with Cityreach, to learn firsthand about homelessness from people who have experienced it, and to offer hospitality, food and clothing to those experiencing homelessness right now in Boston. Thanks to all who donated clothing, we have sorted and filled my entire car with all the clothing we are taking with us!


This Sunday morning, Suzanne Chapman and Ruby Michaud will lead our faith development program. Children and youth will begin in the Skylight Room. Suzanne has been busy collecting hats, faux flowers, Easter craft templates, and spring wreaths to get us all ready for Easter. The children (of appropriate age) will get to use low-heat glue guns to put together their own Easter “bonnets”, or work on other craft projects. During Fellowship Hour, adults will be invited to join at the crafting table in Parish Hall, under Suzanne’s direction. Adults - bring your own baseball cap or other hat to decorate if you’d like to be sure to work on your own Easter “bonnet”. There will be plenty of hats for the kids, and plenty of wreaths and other items to decorate for all during Fellowship Hour... READ MORE



Pledge Season 2025

Have You Pledged Yet? It only takes a minute!

Your financial support is essential for keeping our physical space in prime shape and putting our Vision of Ministry into action. Please pledge as soon as you can so we can prepare next year’s budget. Thank you! You may make your 2025-26 pledge by:

  • bringing to church or mailing back the pledge card you'll receive in the mail
  • visiting uucgl.org/pledge
  • emailing mypledge@uucgl.org
  • contacting UUCGL’s Business Administrator, Elizabeth Muller, at emuller@uucgl.org or 781-595-8836, ext. 10
I'll Pledge Now!

Volunteers Needed

Sunday Morning Videographers Still Needed!

We're looking for one or two more volunteers to run our livestream camera during Sunday Services of your choosing. No experience necessary! Please let Rev. Vicki or Rev. Chris know if you can help.

Featured UUCGL Programming & Events

To see more dates and gatherings, check out our website Calendar Page

Easter Egg Hunt

April 20 | 11am


Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place right after Easter worship and is open to the wider community, so bring your friends to church!


If you have an Easter basket at home, please bring it. All children will gather in the Fellowship Room after Easter worship for instructions, and the little ones will start outside first. Older youth are invited to participate as well as help out the younger ones if they choose. There will be plenty of eggs!

REGISTRATION CLOSES APRIL 11

Annual Ferry Beach All-Church All-Ages Retreat Weekend

April 25-27 | Ferry Beach, Saco, ME



Registration closes on April 11th to join us for our wonderful annual Ferry Beach Retreat! All are welcome! Unwind, find inspiration, and strengthen the bonds of community together at Ferry Beach this spring, with healthy & delicious food, and good coffee! There's something for everyone, including a sand volleyball court, two playgrounds, a fire pit, an outdoor chapel, and of course, the beach!


New this year is an opportunity to purchase dinner as an “add on” from their Dining Hall on Friday night from 6-7pm. If you are looking to reserve a private cottage for the weekend, you are encouraged to register ASAP as those spaces are limited. Most of our group will use the Rowland Dorm Building, which is more economical. Camperships are again available this year as we do not want money to be an obstacle to participating. Please reach out to Rev. Chris if that is something that would be helpful to you or if you have any questions.

REGISTER HERE

Sound Healing

Sunday, May 4th | 1:30-4pm | Sanctuary


This was a very popular offering last month so we brought it back to UUCGL. Feel free to invite friends! 


Sound Healing, also known as Vibrational Healing, is a form of non-invasive alternative healing similar to yoga and acupuncture. Endorsed by such disparate figures as the Buddha, Einstein, and Medical Oncologist Mitchell Gaynor M.D., Sound Healing is a deeply effective way to release stress from the body/mind, thus restoring the immune system. 


Join us for this 90-minute voyage into the bliss, wellness, and healing that can come from profound relaxation via deeply therapeutic sound and tone. The session will be facilitated by sound therapist Joe Hayes. The fee for this event is $25, with a sliding scale. Pay online or with cash or check made out to UUCGL at the door, but do register either way to save your spot. 


Plan to sit in one of the chairs, or bring a yoga mat and blanket and stretch out on the floor of the sanctuary. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a blanket/pillow if you'd like for your own comfort and warmth. Recommended for all ages 12 and older.


"This was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my recent life. If you get the chance to attend Joe's sound healing event, RUN, don't walk!"

–Ana Forrest, international yoga celebrity and author; founder of Forrest Yoga. 

REGISTER HERE

Recurring Group Meetings and Programs

Use the links below or contact the church for more information. All are welcome!

Room Map

Website Calendar Page

Adult Programs Page

Choir

Thursday Evenings

7:45pm, at UUCGL (Sanctuary)

Church History Ministry Team


2nd Sunday of the month

11:30am (Fellowship Room)

Dialogue Group

Click here for meeting link!

2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month

5-6pm (on Zoom)

Drumagic Drum Circle

2nd Sunday of the month

1:30-3:30pm (Sanctuary)

Dungeons and Dragons

Sundays, every other week

12:30-2:30pm (Skylight Room)

Indoor Walking

Mon, Wed, Thu, & Fri

9-9:40am (Church Halls)

Plant-Based Cooking Group

Join Group HERE!

Select Thursdays (see calendar)

5-7pm (Kitchen & Parish Hall)

Qigong Classes

Join Anytime

Tuesday Mornings

10-11am (Parish Hall)

Saturday Craft Circle

1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month

10am-2pm, at UUCGL (Skylight Room)

Sunday Evening Meditations

Most 1st & 3rd Sundays

5:15-6pm (Sanctuary)

Tai Chi Classes (Beginner)

Join Anytime

Tuesday Mornings

9-10am (Parish Hall)

Tai Chi Classes (Intermediate)

Tuesday Mornings

11-12pm (Parish Hall)

Tai Chi Classes (Advanced)

Sundays

3:30-5:30pm (Parish Hall)

Wisdom Circle

2nd Tuesday of the month

12-1:30pm (Skylight Room)

Youth Group

Select 1st and/or 3rd Sundays

Are you following UUCGL on Facebook? Check out our Facebook page and hit the "follow" button to see what’s going on at UUCGL and around our area!

UUCGL Resources

Items for the Weekly Update

Send your info to Mary Kiene-Gualtieri (mkgualtieri@uucgl.org).

Stay Connected with UUCGL

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

UUCGL Board of Trustees 2024-2025

Follow this link to meet the board.

Our Website

Looking for information or seeking support from the church and don't know where to start? Head over to the Members Page of our website. Here you can find connections to almost everything going on at UUCGL. Check it out!

Name Buttons

If you are new to the congregation and would like a name badge, or if you need yours replaced, simply email Misha at mishalina5@gmail.com and she would be happy to make one for you!

Member Portal

Members of UUCGL may contact the office or any member of the staff to obtain the password to our member portal, as we change it periodically.

Financial Matters

Pledge Payments and Donations

HERE are three easy ways to make a donation to the church. Please indicate whether your payment is toward your pledge or for another purpose. Thank you for your support!

Visit Us

Sunday Schedule

Worship & Children's Ministry: 10am

Fellowship Hour: 11am



101 Forest Avenue, Swampscott

(781) 595-8836

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