UUCGL Weekly Update

WEEKLY UPDATE | May 14, 2025

There's a lot going on! Be sure to scroll down to the Featured UUCGL Programming & Events section so you don't miss anything!

SUNDAY SERVICE

May 18, 2025 | 10am

“Nothing But Green”

Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein, Worship Leader

We recognize our graduating seniors and share our Flower Communion, a beautiful ritual celebrating community and solidarity. Bring a flower to contribute to the congregational bouquet. Scott Nowka & Martha Curry will speak on how we can engage with ECCO’s affordable housing initiative.

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!

NOTE: May 25th Service in Salem

We will worship together with the First Church in Salem on May 25! Their service starts at 10:30 AM, 316 Essex Street in Salem. Please come and fellowship with our neighbors as we form stronger bonds to create a stronger UU movement on the North Shore.

A Message from Rev. Vicki

In the Spirit

It is a painful disconnect to be enjoying the beautiful weather and flowers while so many in the Commonwealth are terrified. To update you, federal agents are flooding into Massachusetts from as far away as Arizona and California to round up, detain and deport immigrants.

This is not about safety. The vast majority of those being targeted in their homes, workplaces, children’s schools and courthouses have no criminal record or if they have an infraction, it is minor. When they appear for their hearing and the judge releases them, ICE is there to pull them into a van...READ MORE

A Message from Rev. Chris

This Sunday morning children and youth will start in the Sanctuary to join the rest of the congregation in celebrating our high school graduates (read below for updates from them)! Children and youth will then transition out of the sanctuary for a faith development lesson that will take them outside to plant some delicious veggies in one of our raised bed gardens right here at UUCGL! Please plan to dress for gardening and bring trowels and gardening gloves for participants, if you have them. We will have some on hand as well. Both of our OWL classes, our Youth Group, and our Sunday Evening Meditation Group will be meeting this Sunday, as well.

Abundant Blessings,

Chris

Our Graduating Seniors

Jackson Gatlin

Jackson will be attending Middlebury College to study linguistics in neuroscience in the fall. Jackson says his time at UUCGL has been incredibly meaningful to him, especially reflecting on the Sundays he spent here as a child. Being part of this community taught him to appreciate diverse perspectives through stories from around the world. In addition, he says, "I’ve made some of my closest friends here and have gained valuable life lessons from group classes."

Alex Shilo

Alex is graduating from Swampscott High School, and is excited to be attending Salem State University, starting in fall 2025. Alex has volunteered his time assisting in Sunday School and has been part of the UUCGL Youth Group and OWL. He greatly enjoys being part of his church community, and values all the support they have given him over the years.

Path to Membership

Are you interested in formally joining the church? Please plan to attend the Path To Membership: Foundations of Unitarian Universalism session after church this Sunday. Child-care provided. We will meet in the Fellowship Room from 11:15ish-12:30. Please RSVP to Rev. Vicki, thank you.

Community Connections

Tomorrow, May 15th, from 3-5:30pm join ECCO for a Housing Justice Sign Making Party at 112 Exchange St #3 in Lynn to help make signs for the Rent Control rally happening on May 20th. They will have food and will be giving away some gorgeous ECCO shirts. Kids are welcome to join!

One of our congregation's talented young actors, Declan (who superbly played the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in our holiday pageant a few months ago), has been cast as Beetlejuice in the upcoming Garfield Middle School production of Beetlejuice Jr. The Musical, The Musical, The Musical. Shows are on Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 (both 7pm) at Susan B. Anthony Middle School in Revere.

Are they bumps on a coral skeleton or sand dunes in the Sahara? The answer just might surprise you! UUCGL's Stephen Young (Professor, Department of Geography) and Paul Kelly (Professor, Department of Biology) from Salem State University use satellite and electron microscope imagery to challenge our perceptions of scale in an outdoor exhibition that will be on display at Salem's Old Town Hall (32 Derby Square) through July. Explore the images and guess which are macro-scale and which are micro-scale!

Fair Trade Clearance Sale

Our Fair Trade table, which sells organic Equal Exchange products during coffee hour on Sundays, is closing shop. All remaining inventory is on sale after the service on Sunday... get it while it lasts!

Join the History Team!

Did you know our church can trace its roots to the very first church established in Lynn in 1629? The History Ministry Team is looking for both new members and short-term project-specific volunteers to assist in preserving, organizing, and making available pertinent materials relating to our church. If this interests you or you'd like to find out more, please contact any of the team members listed here.

Featured UUCGL Programming & Events

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

Path to Membership: Foundations of Unitarian Universalism

Sunday, May 18 | 11:15am | Fellowship Room

For those who are interested in formally joining the church, this orientation introduces you to the history and heritage of Unitarian Universalism. Please RSVP to Rev. Vicki. Childcare provided.

Community Conversations

Sundays, May 18 & June 1 | 11:15am | Skylight Room

The board invites you to continue the important conversations about UUCGL’s future! A board member will be available on both dates after church to discuss the recently shared Transition Plan.

Meal Making for My Brother's Table

Tuesday, May 20 | 1pm | Parish Hall

Everyone is welcome to help make meals for My Brother's Table on May 20th. Join us to help those in need — many hands make light work!

On Tyranny: From Knowledge to Action

Tuesdays: May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10

7:30-8:45pm | on Zoom

Do you want to move from concern to action and get more involved in doing the work of protecting our democracy and local community from the threats of our current administration? Join us Tuesday evenings online for our “On Tyranny” series. This series is for those who want to be trained and equipped for effective action. Copies of On Tyranny are available to check out in the Fellowship Room (Library).

Co-leaders: Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein and Rev. Chris Scheller

Massachusetts Monarchs: A Summer Resident's Remarkable Story

Wednesday, May 28 | 7pm

Journey into the world of our iconic summer resident, the Monarch butterfly! Join us for a free presentation by Dr. Colleen Hitchcock as she unravels the fascinating natural history of these winged wonders and learn how to enhance a Monarch habitat in your own backyard.

This event is hosted jointly by UUCGL and Swampscott Conservancy. Please RSVP via email so you can be notified in the event of cancellation.

RSVP HERE

End-of-Year Church BBQ Picnic

Sunday, June 1 | Parish Hall & Outdoors

Our annual end-of-year church BBQ picnic is just around the corner! All are invited to join us after worship on June 1st. The Faith Development Ministry Team will be hosting this event and providing hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs (with all the fixings and condiments), drinks, salad, and chips. If you’d like to bring something, dessert offerings will be most welcome! This event will take place rain or shine, with seating in the Parish Hall, though all will be welcome to take their food outdoors, weather permitting. Hope to see you there!

North Shore Pride Parade and Festival 🏳️‍🌈

June 28 | Salem

Save the date to march with us in the Pride Parade! Our church has been marching in support of LGBTQ people for years, and we will be marching again this year with other communities of faith. We will also be hosting a booth with games and prizes at the festival.

If you intend to join us at the event, please add your name to this very quick registration list to help us coordinate. Don’t forget to add your t-shirt size if you don’t already have a “Side with Love” UUCGL shirt! You will receive an email before the parade date with instructions and contact info.

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

SPECIAL NOTES FOR MAY & JUNE:

Plant-Based Cooking Group will be on summer hiatus after 5/15
History Ministry Team will not meet this Sunday, as previously planned
Drum Circle will meet on 5/18 instead of their regular Sunday
Dialogue Group will meet next on 5/27 (no meeting 5/13)
Beginner Tai Chi Classes will be extended until 6/24 (extra fee applies)

Thursday Evenings

7:45pm, at UUCGL (Sanctuary)

2nd Sunday of the month*

11:30am (Fellowship Room)

2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month*

5-6pm (on Zoom)

2nd Sunday of the month*

1:30-3:30pm (Sanctuary)

Select Sundays (see calendar)

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

Tuesdays, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10

7:30-8:45pm (on Zoom)

Select Thursdays (see calendar)

5-7pm (Kitchen & Parish Hall)

Tuesday Mornings

10-11am (Parish Hall)

1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month

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

Most 1st & 3rd Sundays

5:15-6pm (Sanctuary)

Tuesday Mornings

9-10am (Parish Hall)

Tuesday Mornings

11-12pm (Parish Hall)

Sundays

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

2nd Tuesday of the month

12-1:30pm (Skylight Room)

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!

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!

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!