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This Sunday, March 15, 2020
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This Sunday's Programs are canceled at USG.
This includes the Children's Programs, the Worship Services, and All USG Social Justice & Fellowship Events.
The USG buildings are closed until further notice to all non-essential groups.
Recovery groups will still meet.
"A Chalice for Our Times"
compliments of Andre Stormont and MET
Look for other announcements in your email.
We plan to begin live-streaming of Sunday worship, children's programs and others on March 22.
Stay tuned and stay safe!
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Spiritual Resources you can access from your home:
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Canceled until further notice:
All Sunday BREATHE programs, other Mindfulness and Meditation groups, including Meditation for the Mid-Week, and Social Justice groups.
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Upcoming Events
All Events listed below are as scheduled until further notice.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
If you plan to attend the General Assembly of UUs in Providence, RI, be aware that the Early Bird Registration (at a $100 savings for an adult) ends on Sunday, March 15.
The General Assembly and Conference Services Staff and GA Planning Committee are monitoring local and national news, as well as hotel and conference service industry organizations, for updates, protocols and advice about the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. Please be advised that General Assembly will take place as scheduled in Providence, Rhode Island from June 24 – June 28, 2020. In the months ahead, we will keep you informed on relevant changes to this very fluid situation. Go to uua.org/ga for details.
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Immigration Justice Workshop
CANCELED for Sunday, March 15We plan to hold this workshop in the future.
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Book Discussion continues as “The Transcendental Club.”
Thursday, April 2, 7:00-9:00pm at USG
The group discussing the book CONFLAGRATION by John A. Buehrens will meet again next month, allowing participants the opportunity to finish reading the book. All are welcome even if you missed the first session! Contact Susan Bockius at archives@usguu.org for more info.The Sullivan Library is also available for further research, including collections on Transcendentalism, Buddhism and meditation.
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We’re off to see the……
USG Service Auction
April 25, 2020
5:00pm
Appetizers at 5:00pm.
Live auction starts at 6:15pm.
Sign-up for fun poster events.
Win on silent auction items.
Delicious desserts at the end of the evening.
Childcare available. Register your child!
Credit card payments available.
Don’t miss this fun filled fundraising event.
Access a Donation Form here
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HAVE A FAVORITE RESTAURANT? RETAIL SHOP? VISITED A PHILLY THEATER or FUN MUSEUM?
Help the auction committee by asking the manager of your favorite or fun new establishment to donate a gift certificate
to USG’s fabulous auction! Any questions, please contact
Andre Stormont or Deb Kish-Silver at serviceauction@usguu.org. |
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Last of the 2019 Auction Event Openings
To sign up and pay for either of the following, click here or contact Carolyn or Celeste in the office. To see event details, click here.
• Unleash Your Inner Artist, 3/22, 12:30-3:30 pm, $20. Please contact Jenn Leiby to ask if this still on.
• Notary Service, $10/adult. If in need of a notary before the end of May, please contact Sarah West.
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In case you missed these other Spiritual Development events in this week's SPIRIT, here's a reminder. Please note that most activities will be suspended while we deal with the COVID-19 health needs. Please check our website or with the contact person.
Rev. Kent offers a Small Group Ministry to People New to USG. Interested? Email sgm@usguu.org
Exploring Elderhood: Flow into Spring with Qi Gong
Friday, March 13, 2:00-4:30pm. Offered remotely by Zoom. Contact asd@usguu.org
NEW: Death Café, facilitated by hospice chaplain Maggie Beaumont. 1st Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm and 3rd Thursdays, 2pm-4pm. Next: TBA, depending on decisions re COVID-19.
CANCELED: Everyday Spiritual Practices
Second Saturday, March 14, 10:30am-12pm.
Canceled until further notice: Breathe Mindfulness program
Sunday evenings, 5:00 - 6:30pm. To see the Breathe schedule and leader bios, click here and then scroll down.
Canceled until further notice:
Meditations for the Mid-Week
Led by Deborah Cooper. Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30pm
Throughout the year, you are welcome to join any Small Group Ministry group with openings. Please visit the Small Group Ministry page on the website for more information.
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Local Organizing Committee for POWER
CANCELED: Sunday, March 15, 9:30 - 10:20am at USG
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UUPLAN Annual Membership Meeting
Fri & Sat, April 24 & 25, Main Line UU Church in Devon.
Don't miss this opportunity to meet UU justice advocates from all over PA.
Click here for info. |
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STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2020-2021PLEDGE CAMPAIGN is here! Our goals are ambitious! Time to share thoughts and affirm daily acts of kindness, courage, and conviction working and worshiping together in beloved community. We share our Time, Talent, and Treasure all year long, but each Spring we focus on Treasure. It takes a lot of love and a lot of money to hold USG together. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to share convictions and Treasure.
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Access USGers’ contact information and your own
up-to-date financial information. Make payments, too. Very handy.
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From the Central East Region of the UUA:
Due to the threat that COVID-19 poses to susceptible members of our UU families and communities, we will be canceling, postponing or re-imagining all regional UU events for March and April ...
The CDC has already recommended that people at “high risk” avoid large gatherings, and we want our interconnected community to prioritize the safety of the most vulnerable among us in times such as these.
If you were planning to attend an event in the Central East Region in March or April, it will not be held in person. Specific details for each event will be posted online. Click here for details.
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Get Connected! Meet Fellow UUs!
Below are various groups that offer opportunities to connect with others here at USG. However, none of these groups will be meeting until the situation with the COVID-19 is more resolved. We encourage you to stay in touch with your networks in whatever safe ways work for you.
Small Group Ministry Groups - These monthly groups offer an opportunity to share thoughts with others on the spiritual theme of the month and to become more acquainted with other people. Click here to see what groups are currently open and to learn more. Among the SGMs offered are ones for Young Adults (a drop-in group), Women, and Parents.
20's & 30's Small Group Ministry - Second Wednesday, Drop-in Young Adults Small Group Ministry group. Contact Johanna at youngadults@usguu.org or on Facebook where they maintain an active invite-only activities group.
BLUU Box - Usually First Sunday, 12:00-1:00pm. Each BLUU (Black Lives of UU) Box contains a prayer to center us in joy, affirm us and ground us in spiritually challenging times; a reflection on contemporary issues informed by a Black UU faith perspective; information about prominent Black UUs who have shaped and informed our living faith tradition; and a brief guided meditation. Please join us. Contact endingracism@usguu.org.
Book Group on Friday Morning - Third Friday, 10:30am at Cathedral Village. If interested in joining, please contact Barbara Dowdall at bookgroup@usguu.org. The 2019-2020 Book List is posted on usguu.org> About> Affinity Groups> Book Group.
CAMI (Citizens Against Mass Incarceration) - Now meets every Wednesday. 2:30 - 3:00 PM, but call 215-848-4623 ahead of time to be sure. Off-site at Janes Memorial Church, 47 East Haines St. Contact Margaret Robertson at cami@usguu.org. (CAMI now supports the Germantown Participatory Defense HUB from 3:00-5:00pm on Wednesdays; anyone interested in helping must have training.)
LOC for POWER - Local Organizing Committee for Interfaith Social Justice group POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Renew) -Third Sundays, 9:30 - 10:15am. At USG. Contact Dennis Brunn, power@usguu.org.
EarthSpirit Circle - First Monday (except after holiday weekends) at 7:00pm. Contact earth@usguu.org.
Everyday Spiritual Practices - Second Saturdays,10:30am-12:00noon. USG's Daskam Room.
Exploring Elderhood Gathering - Next: March 13 by ZOOM 2:00-4:30pm. (Usually Second Friday.) Contact Gerry Whelan at asd@usguu.org.
USG Handcrafters, a Handwork Group- Usually First Wednesday, 1:00 - 3:00pm. At a member's home. Contact Margaret Thompson at handcrafters@usguu.org.
Humanists - PUSH - Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists, Fourth Sunday, 12:00pm. At USG. Contact Paul Teti at push@usguu.org.
Nature Walking at Valley Green - Monday and Thursday, December through March start time: 10:00am. Meet others at Valley Green Inn in Chestnut Hill for a morning walk. Contact Steve Conrad, walks@usguu.org. (April through November, start time will be 9:00am.)
Racism Book Study Group - Usually second Monday, 7:30- 9pm. Contact Treva Burger at bookstudy.usguu.org.
UU-101 - Usually Third Sunday, 12:00 - 1:15pm. UU-101 is an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, held at USG, and childcare is provided. Please RSVP to Charles Gabriel or Eric Foster at uu101@usguu.org.
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Follow @uugermantown on Instagram!
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We mourn the sudden passing of ...
... Evan Towle, a longtime friend of USG, who died in his home on Friday, February 21. He was a dear friend to many in our church community, a loving father to his dog Esther and many ailing cats over the years, and an inspiring being to all who were lucky enough to know him. He cared deeply about his community and was accomplished in many endeavors, including pursuing UU ministry with a Masters in Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School, working as a patient support advocate at Penn Wissahickon Hospice, beekeeping, bagpiping, singing with the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus and the Mendelssohn Club, playing the guitar, and working as a librarian at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Temple University. His music and generous spirit remain with us in our grieving. A further obituary may be found here: https://mccaffertyfuneralhomes.com/obitua…/evan-baird-towle/ A memorial service will be held in the summer (please note this correction from the earlier email). We will post updates as received.
Our thoughts and prayers are with...
... beloved USG member Marion Watlington, who is now receiving hospice care. Marion is happy to receive brief visits and cards. Marion is one of our oldest (age 96) and longest-term members. She and her husband Joseph (who died in 1991) joined USG in February 1961. Marion is at Sunrise at Haverford, Room #216, 217 West Montgomery Ave., Haverford, PA. 19041 (Front desk, 610-896-9777).
...Tara Webb Duey and her family as they mourn the loss of Tara’s father, William David Webb. Mr. Webb died at the age of 93 on February 26, at his home in Rydal Park. (For more information on his long and interesting life, here is a link to his obituary.)
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USG's Caring Team
Linda Bernstein (chair), Sarah West, Andi Bernstein, Rev. Kent Matthies
If you are aware of any joys or concerns that should be part of our caring system, please let us know. You can email caring@usguu.org. If you call a caring team member and do not speak directly, leave a voice mail and your call will be returned ASAP.
USG's Committee On Ministry (COM)
The Committee on Ministry (COM) is responsible for helping to facilitate communications and resolve conflicts within USG, and for handling issues under USG’s Safe Congregation Policy and Covenant of Right Relations. To find out more, including how to contact the COM members, please click here.
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Submissions to The USG CommUUnicator
Announcements should be limited to 400 characters, including spaces. Please send the blurb (or your questions) by noon on Wednesday to communications@usguu.org.
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Contact Us
Staff
Rev. Kent Matthies, Minister - kmatthies@usguu.org
Ryan Hurd, Director of Spiritual Development - dsd@usguu.org
Mark Daugherty, Music Director - musicdirector@usguu.org
Celeste Lamb, Church Administrator- usgadmin@usguu.org
Carolyn Scott, Asst. Administrator- communications@usguu.org
Carolyn Cotton, Rental Coordinator - rental@usguu.org
Mike Rogers, Sunday Morning and Special Events Sexton - sexton@usguu.org
Board of Trustees 2019-20
Jenn Leiby, President, president@usguu.org
Jess Slivak, Vice President
Sam Stormont, Secretary
Nancy Anderson
Zachary Bosco
John Davis
Maggie Beaumont
Andrea Barsevick
Debbie Ward
Contact information for our Board members is available to all USG Members. Go to usguu.org and log in, then click on Members tab> Leadership Directory.
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