Newsletter Contest!!

Look for the hidden word LOVE in the August newsletter and be the first to email Shari with its location when you find it.

Email ShariRB@aol.com, and win a fabulous prize!!

Our Mission Statement

As a welcoming congregation, we work and worship together to become people of open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands.

We honor the transformative power of love in our individual lives and broader communities.

August 2026

August 2

"What Do We Do With People Who Deserve Hell?"

Clint Tawes

Universalists believe that no one is beyond the reach of love—but what do we do with those who commit acts of profound cruelty? In this sermon, we’ll wrestle with one of the hardest questions our faith can ask: If justice isn’t found in eternal punishment, where is it found?

August 9

"Soul Matters; Building Belonging"

Mo MacArthur

An exploration on loneliness and how we can let ourselves find belonging.

August 16

"Ingathering/Baby Welcome"

Teresa Winn and Shari Barr

Annual Ingathering service, including Baby Welcome and New Member joining ceremony.

And, we will have a Potluck

following Ingathering Service on Aug 16!

August 23

"Holy Disobedience: LGBTQIA+ Allies & Activists in the United Methodist Church"

Dr. Nancy Malcom

After decades of struggle over LGBTQ inclusion, the United Methodist Church voted in 2019 for a “Traditional Plan” that penalized pastors who perform same-sex weddings and offered a path for LGBTQ-affirming congregations to leave the UMC. Instead of leaving, Malcom and other progressives chose the path of holy disobedience, which led to the UMC's 2024 vote that opened the doors for LGBTQ ordination and same-sex weddings. She will share findings from her research interviews with straight allies who stayed to promote change in their churches.

August 30

"Connecting with Water"

Beth Butterfield

In this service, we will consider water and its essential role in life. We'll connect with the bodies of water here in this land, with water in our own bodies, and with water as a conduit for spirit and emotion. We'll include elements for your head, heart, and hands, and we'll conclude with a reflection on water as connecting us across all the stages of life and honoring generations.

WE ARE NOW LIVESTREAMING OUR SERVICE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

You will be able to access our service online here at: https://www.facebook.com/UUStatesboro/

NOTE: If a box pops up requesting that you log into Facebook and you do not want to log in, you can click the X in the top right corner of the box. You will then be able to access the live stream without logging into Facebook.

CLICK LINK ABOVE TO ACCESS VIDEOS OF PAST SERVICES.

Also, this link is available on the UUFS website on both the HOME page and

THIS MONTH'S SERVICES page.

August 16, 2026 - INGATHERING

This intergenerational service will include several of our beloved ceremonies such as the Water Communion,

also sometimes called Water Ceremony,

We invite you all to gather on Sunday, August 16 for our service and to bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to you. During the appointed time in the service, you can pour your water together with others in attendance into a large bowl. As the water is added, you can share why this water is special to you. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. We will have those in attendance bless the water and it will be purified to be used as the fellowship”s “holy water” when needed for special events during the year.

Condolences to John Martin and Mary Angelo

on the recent death of his mother Sarah Jean Martin.

Visitation is on

Friday, August 7 from 5-7PM at Thomlinson Funeral Home in Swainsboro.

Families with Children and Youth

We look forward to growing and renewing our relationships with our children and youth! In the spirit of creating a welcoming and a safe space for all, please complete the following TWO items:

1) Help share some important information with your RE teachers by completing the Google form found HERE:

(Ask Abby for a paper copy if needed)

2) Complete and return a media consent form located on the rear wall of the sanctuary.

PASTORAL CARE

To leave a message for one of our

Pastoral Care Associates,

please call

(912) 208-9917, Ext 1 or 2

Shari Barr (Ext 1)

Pastoral Care Associate

sharirb@aol.com

Michael Williams (Ext 1)

Pastoral Care Associate

mwilliams1220@gmail.com

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