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Join us for worship at 10 AM this Sunday
in person or online (via Zoom).
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From the Pastor
Friends,
Many of you approached me this past Sunday to ask about the protest. Confession: I didn't end up going after somehow managing to miss the Columbus caravan. I intended to go to Newark later that afternoon but fell asleep. I admit to feeling a bit guilty about this.
But when I told some of you this tale last weekend, you graciously responded, "Well, guess you needed the rest!" Those words reminded me just how important rest is in these times. Yes, I was tired...and the truth of the matter is, we're not going to endure this healthily without rest. Some of us will sometimes have the energy to step up, while others need to take a step back. Much like a relay, we need to be able to pass the baton once we've run our leg so that we can recover while someone with 'fresh legs' can sprint. Reminded of this, I felt some of that guilt fade away.
Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, grounds her work in the liberatory power of rest (you should know her work: http://www.triciahersey.com/). While she speaks and writes about 'rest as resistance,' we should understand this not as some cheap trope but as a revolutionary and radical reorientation that challenges white supremacy, capitalism, and oppressive systems. This is not always understood. Similar to those who have taken up the 'joy as resistance' platform, there is a tendency for privileged white people to co-opt these ideas, eschewing their responsibility for civic engagement (note: Hersey is a Black woman and is informed by womanist theology). As many observed last weekend, it was predominantly white people who took to the streets while racialized people rested (did you notice the heralding of 'peaceful protests' and lack of police in riot gear?). This is not a coincidence. People on the margins are worthy and deserving of rest. And we must intermittently rest in order to do the work.
So, I rested. And I continue to pray and discern the who/what/when/where/why/how I am called to be in this time. Rest is a wonderful time to do this work. This upcoming week, I challenge you to spend 5 minutes a day 'being still and knowing.' Just five minutes. Can you do it?
I hope to see many (ALL) of you this Palm Sunday. A reminder that we will decorate eggs in the Annex after worship, so bring hard-boiled eggs if you'd like! And, we have 12 dozen faux eggs to share. Stickers, markers, and dyeing materials will be provided. If you can help set up tables on Sunday toward the end of worship, that would be really helpful, too.
I am proud of you, UCG, for being the beacons of light and justice that you are. Let's continue to uphold one another, pray for one another, and take the next leg when your teammate is tired. We're all going to need it.
-Pastor A
| Would you appreciate a conversation with Pastor Alissia? Or how about a home visit? Do you have a pastoral need or issue to discuss? If so, please contact Pastor Alissia directly at alissia@myucg.org. She would love to spend time with you! | | | | APRIL'S DESIGNATION FOR NOISY OFFERING | |
NOISY OFFERING - THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday our children and youth are collecting coins. We call it "noisy" because we welcome coins in the metal pans. AND, we are happy to accept whatever you have to offer, in whatever form. Let’s make a joyful ruckus! If you have a contribution for something other than today's designated fund, please put it in a clearly labeled envelope OR place it in the plastic box on the back table.
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BOARD MEETING
THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 13, AFTER WORSHIP
AGENDA
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Lenten Contemplative Series
led by Patti Burkett
Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:35
Location: Choir room (behind the baptistry)
“Above all, prayer is a way of life which allows you to find a stillness in the midst of the world where you open your hands to God’s promises and find hope for yourself, your neighbor and your world.” —Henri Nouwen
Join us for this contemplative time. We will start with a brief check-in, followed by an inspirational reading. After the reading there will be a time of silence, and then some time for those present to respond, if they desire. We will close with prayer. These are stand alone sessions, so you do not need to make a commitment to come to all of them. Come when you can, check it out, and see if it’s for you. We will gather at 9:15 and start promptly at 9:20. It will be disruptive to come in late, so if you arrive after 9:20 we ask that you don’t enter the space and try again the next week. Hope to see you there.
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Open doors - Open hearts
Our sanctuary is open as a retreat and meditation space during the day, especially during Lent.
Tom Burkett has set up a scheduling calendar for 11 AM - 1 PM on Monday through Saturday. The volunteer role would be simply to open and close the sanctuary, set out the sign, and answer questions any visitors might have.
If we have a good response and available volunteers, we might add some evening hours. As host, you’re welcome to do online work or such while you’re there. Please contact Tom with any questions. Call or text (740-334-7995) or email (thbrkett@me.com).
Here’s the signup link:
| | | | | Sunday, April 13
Palm Sunday
Palm Procession
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Egg Decorating
| 10:00 am in the Sanctuary (9:45 am in the Chapel)
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11:15 am in the Annex | Gather with us in the Chapel at 9:45 am (before worship) to get your palms and join the procession!
After worship, we will color Easter eggs in the Annex. And, sensitive to the cost of eggs, we’ve purchased 12 dozen “faux” eggs that can be decorated with markers and stickers. So, bring your own, or we’ll have some to share. | | Thursday, April 17
Maundy Thursday
Sneaker Service | 5:30-7:30 pm in the Chapel
*Please enter in through either Rhoades Chapel or the Office door | This night observes Jesus' Last Supper through communion and foot washing.
For us, there will be no formal 'service' per se. Instead, feel free to arrive drop in anytime between 5:30-7:30 pm to have Pastor Alissia clean your sneakers. (Yes, actual shoes – this is not a metaphor.) Chairs will be set up for the event, and please be prepared for a wait, depending on turnout. For those who would like to clean their own sneakers, some materials will be available. Plan on an informal evening.
| | Friday, April 18
Good Friday
Taizé Worship Service
Click Here for GOOD FRIDAY BULLETIN | 7:00-8:00 pm in the Chapel
*Please enter in through either Rhoades Chapel or the Office door | This night is in remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion and death.
For this, we will observe a quiet, contemplative time of worship in the Taizé style. Please prepare your hearts and minds for stillness, as this service will be vastly different than our typical Sunday. I ask that you enter the space quietly to maintain the tenor of the event. Our worship will mainly consist of chanting, readings, and periods of silence. | | Sunday, April 20
Easter Sunday
Worship
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Egg Hunt | 10:00 am in the Sanctuary | In celebration of the resurrection, join us for worship and a good, old-fashioned Easter Egg hunt afterward! Candy donations are being welcomed. Just drop by the church! | | |
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MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION CLASS
Sunday, April 27, after church
What a joy it has been to see so many wonderful faces on Sunday mornings! If you have an interest in learning a bit more about what Church Membership looks like, please join Monda DeWeese on April 27th for a Membership Education Class immediately following church. It will be a time as a small group to delve a bit deeper into taking the next step toward full membership. Questions? - see or call Monda (740) 591-4603.
Mark your calendars May 18th for Membership Sunday when you can turn your interest into action with Pastor Alissia during the morning service.
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Making Milagros with
United Church of Granville
This Lenten season, we are exploring making milagros (Spanish for miracles) that symbolize our desires for our “best life.” In many Latin American cultures, a milagro is presented to God as evidence of a prayer of petition or thanks for something in one’s life. As Pastor Alissia spoke about on Sunday, we are focusing on the “DASH” between our birth and death. What do we want to have happen during that time?
For this experience, the first step is to define that desire for yourself, and then to look for a symbol that you can create (or find) to share on our altar of milagros. Although the examples show body parts, your symbols can be of anything!
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This is a guide to how to make your own Milagro:
Your first choice might be to use skills you already have to create a small symbol (about 2.5-3” tall fits best, but if its larger it can go on the surface of the table). Do you crochet or sew, collect elements from nature, draw or paint? You can use any of these talents. If you want to hang these on the altar, create a way to put some thread to hang them on the strings there
(there is extra thread at the work station in the chapel).
If you want to make a milagro at the work station in the chapel, here are the suggested steps:
1. Sketch your symbol on a piece of backing paper. Use this as a pattern by cutting out or cut out after you glue other papers on top.
2. Select colored papers and cut them from the selection provided.
3. Glue these papers to your sketch (using a glue stick), adding layers of colors and shapes.
4. Punch a hole near the top and add a 6” piece of embroidery floss and tie it off once.
You are now ready to bring your Milagro to the altar!
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Holy Trinity Community Drop-In Center
Needs...
The community drop in is open 5 days a week to offering a safe space for people in Newark and neighboring communities to connect to resources. They serve breakfast and lunch to guests.
Current needs include coffee, sugar and cereal. Donations can be dropped of at the Drop-In, 592 West Main St., Newark or at UCG.
Contact Linda Mossholder (lindamossholder@mac.com) for more information.
| | | What's Up with our Children & Youth | | Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the UCG nursery. | | |
Introducing:
Getting to Know You....Show and Tell with children's church!
The kids in children's church want to get to you know you better! Do you have something you can share? A collection, a talent, a story, something you love to do? It can be interactive, but doesn't have to be. If so, we would LOVE to have you as a guest speaker for children's church. We are looking for one person each month to join us so that we can grow in community together! Please contact Heather Long if you're interested! We can't wait to learn more about you!
The guest speaker is not a replacement for one of the two needed children's church volunteers! We still need two people with background checks (or who are willing to get one) each week with the kiddos, and are looking for a guest speaker as an enhancement.
Heather and the Christian Education Committee
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Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! | | | | |
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! | | | | | |
United Church of Granville
Sunday Service
(10 AM)
In-person in our sanctuary
and online via Zoom
(Pre-service playlist begins at 9:30AM)
Click here on Sunday to join
Zoom Worship Service
Each week's services are also available for later access on the UCG Facebook page and on our website.
Make your Sunday offering donation securely online by clicking here or with the QR code at the bottom of the page. Your donations are deeply appreciated.
This Sunday, Pastor Alissia's message will be “I Love a Parade!”
Thank you to this week's Worship Team:
Worship Leader: Tom Burkett
Tech: Xander Hu Van Reeth
Click here for Sunday's order of worship.
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Changes to Zoom
If you are a part of the UCG Zoomunity, you may notice some changes starting this Sunday (April 13).
When you click on the Zoom link, you should be admitted right away without entering a waiting room. You will automatically be muted and there will be no formal co-host. You are welcome to continue sharing in the chat! After service, the zoom will end instead of allowing extra time.
The UCG Board wants to extend our gratitude to Erin and Dina for co-hosting and being a welcoming presence in our zoomunity for several years! Thanks to Erin and Dina, UCG has a strong zoom community - a zoomunity!
| COVID-19 update: As of May 11, 2023, both the WHO and USA ended their declarations of Covid-19 as a public health emergency. We continue to trust in the love and goodwill of this community to care for self and neighbor with health and safety in mind. As such, we continue to defer to each individual’s conscience regarding the use of masks at UCG and will maintain our ‘mask only’ seating in the Sanctuary. Should you have any questions or concerns about our practice, please contact the church office. | | Granville Signals Upgrade | |
2025 Downtown Signal Improvement Project
Upgrades to signal lights and crosswalks on Broadway from Main Street to Pearl Street will begin this Spring.
More details here: granville.oh.us/village-projects
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Sig,
the friendly face of the project
| STREET EXCAVATING has begun at the intersection of Broadway and Main | | Ways to Connect with others at UCG | | |
Granville Zen Group
Wednesday, UCG Chapel, 7 PM
(20 minute silent meditation) followed by a discussion.
All are welcome. No experience necessary. Come as you are.
If you are interested in learning more about this offering, including meditation guidance,
please contact:
Timothy O'Connor Fraser at tim@dewdropmedia.com
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Spirituality Book Group
The Reading Group is on hiatus until it resumes sometime in 2025.
Meetings have been 2:00pm on Thursdays at the church.
If you are interested, please contact Kathy Fritsch at katherinefritsch@gmail.com
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BASKETBALL IN THE ANNEX GYM!
Open basketball
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 7:00 PM
All are welcome to come join the fun!
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There's a lot going on at
GRANVILLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Click on the link below to check out the many wonderful events,
such as Poetry Open Mic, The Art of Meditation, Irish Music Club, Knitting Club, Button Club and more!
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Granville Fencing Academy
We are pleased to announce a new community resource taking place in Annex Gym starting this April: fencing classes with Coach Hector Florencia of the all-new Granville Fencing Club! Coach Hector will teach classes for youth, teens, and adults Olympic-style sabre fencing, a joyful sport that helps develop fitness, focus, and confidence. Any community members who might like to learn to fence may reach out to 740.209.6111 or info@granvillefencing.com.
granvillefencing.com
| | | | Great Circle Fellowship News and Event | | |
We meet at the United Church of Granville,
115 West Broadway, Granville, OH 43023.
Much thanks to UCG for sharing their space with our fellowship!
Join Us for Fellowship Snacks and Discussion
4:00 pm Food and Fellowship
4:30-5:30 pm Service/Discussion
Every Last Sunday of Each Month. All Are Welcome!
Contact: CeeJay Cook uuceejay@gmail.com
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Use the QR Code or the link
below for online giving:
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Homeless Outreach Needs
The Outreach serves over 120 meals every Saturday. We use 3 compartment carry-out
containers. Donations of containers would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped at the church office. If you have questions contact Linda Mossholder (phone 740-641-4989 or email: lindamossholder@mac.com).
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Donate Stock
Your banker or broker can transfer the stock to the United Church of Granville through our account at the Columbus Foundation. Contact: Steven Moore at 614.251.4000 or SMoore@columbusfoundation.org
| | Click here to sign up for our member-driven Google group, UCG Message Board--a place where we share community news and many more opportunities for learning & action! | | | | |
