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This Sunday, March 29, 2020
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In Worship, 10:00-10:45am ONLINE
The Abundance of this Place
Rev. Rebecca Froom
Our building will be closed, but we will be coming to you live streamed again this Sunday. We apologize to those of you who were unable to find us last Sunday. The easiest and best way to find us is to follow this link.
From Massachusetts, Rev. Rebecca Froom (above) will livestream her sermon, The Abundance of this Place: In a world where the realities of climate change are becoming increasingly and viscerally evident, it is easy to fall into despair. In a world changed by the Covid-19 Pandemic, it is easy to become overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. Drawing from the work of Joanna Macy and Wendell Berry, this service helps us cultivate the spiritual resiliency to respond to these large, global crises. When we ground ourselves in gratitude, we find the courage to honor our pain at all that is being lost, and from there we can see with new eyes how to care for the earth and one another.
Rev. Rebecca Froom is the Minister at United First Parish Church in Quincy, MA. She grew up in Philadelphia and USG is her “home church.” Further info here.
Anyone with an internet connection can watch the live streaming video right from this link. If you do not see it at 10:00am, hit your "refresh" button (often a curled arrow, as seen below) in or near the browser bar at the top of the page.
(If you have problems, call 215-844-1157)
...then a brief intermission before... |
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LIVE via ZOOM
In Children's Spiritual Development
11:00- 11:45am
CSD Live will be offered on Zoom again this Sunday from 11am - 11:45am. Meg Ryan and the CSD crew will be leading a fun program on creativity, optimized for all ages. If you are not receiving the weekly CSD Newsletter, email dsd@usguu.org for the Zoom invite link.
Coming of Age will meet via Zoom this Sunday from 12pm - 1pm. Treva Burger will send out the Zoom link to all youth via email.
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How to Use ZOOM for tele-conferencing
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USG Elders Don't Just Rock --- They Zoom
Friday, March 27, 2:00pmPlease join the USG elders and others as we assemble virtually. Using Zoom on your laptop, tablet or smartphone, you can see, hear and talk to the friends that you are missing and have fun! Everyone on the Exploring Elderhood email list will get an email invitation with instructions. If you want to join and are not on the list, send your name and email to asd@usg.org with Subject “Join Elders."
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Click on the link above to join Deborah Cooper, M.Ed., L.P.C. via easy-to-use ZOOM video-conferencing for an hour of meditation, reflection and sharing. Deborah has just returned from a retreat in England and is eager to be with everyone and share the teachings and inspiration that she has gained.
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BREATHE Mindfulness programs
Sunday evening at 5:00- 6:30pm via ZOOM
For Sundays March 29 and April 5, 5:00pm
Body Image, guided by Dana Barron
Click here to see more information.
Sunday evening BREATHE sessions will continue --- virtually. Please send your email address to mindfulness@usguu.org to be put into the BREATHE database so you can receive information on how to access the sessions on-line. Please remember that in order to keep the sessions going, the teachers need your support. There are no set fees, but we suggest a teacher donation (dana) of $10- $20. For more info, go to bit.ly/usgmeditates.
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Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 7:00-9:00pm
Book Discussion continues as “The Transcendental Club”
The group discussing the book CONFLAGRATION by John A. Buehrens will meet again (perhaps virtually). All are welcome even if you missed the first session! Contact Susan Bockius at archives@usguu.org for more info.
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Postponed or Canceled Events
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CANCELED FOR NOW: Death Café, facilitated by hospice chaplain Maggie Beaumont
CANCELED FOR NOW: Everyday Spiritual Practices
POSTPONED: The 2020 Service Auction
This fun-filled, large gathering (which is also a major fund-raiser for the church) must be postponed, as we consistently practice "social distancing" with loving care. We will keep you updated with any news on re-scheduling or re-formatting.
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The Spirit in Action During COVID-19
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Fill 'er up!
Bring Nonperishable Food for St. Vincent's Food Pantry
Thursday, April 2, between 8:00-11:00am
to USG's Courtyard off Lincoln Drive
The indomitable Lynne Kalish and Rudy Sprinkle will be there with an open trunk to receive your items, wipe them down with disinfecting wipes, and then take them to the Food Pantry.
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Help PIHN Families During COVID-19
If you wish to donate to the homeless families with the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (PIHN) any food, supermarket gift cards, or personal items, please bring them to PIHN's Northwest Office at 7047 Germantown Ave. All visits to the office to drop off donations must be scheduled by appointment for Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. Please schedule by calling (215) 247-4663 ext. 8. You may also make an online donation. Please click here.
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USG Building Closed During COVID-19
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~The USG church buildings are closed for all non-essential activity. Only Recovery groups may meet.
~The modified church office hours are 9:30am-12:00noon.
~Church Office Email for both Carolyn Scott & Celeste Lamb: communications@usguu.org. To reach only Celeste Lamb, Church Administrator: usgadmin@usguu.org.
~The Covid-19 symptoms are the following: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, self-quarantine and contact your doctor.
~Please let us know if you have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, have the symptoms and are self-quarantining, or are self-quarantining because of possible exposure. Email the Caring Committee: Caring@usguu.org or Kent: kmatthies@usguu.org
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Resources During Covid-19 Crisis
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Caring System VolunteersDuring this prolonged period of social distancing, our caring system is ready to keep you connected with calls, emails, or cards and also to help with errands for those of us who must be extra careful about exposure to Covid-19. We have a list of 18 volunteers who would love to be of service. So if a need arises, please contact our church staff (Rev Kent; Ryan Hurd, Our Director of Spiritual Development; Celeste or Carolyn, our office staff; or our Caring team (Linda Bernstein, Sarah West, or Andi Bernstein). We will pair you up with one of our volunteers. We want to make sure no one feels alone at this difficult time.
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Spiritual Resources you can access from your home:
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Some Companies are HiringIf you, or someone you know, is facing a financial emergency and looking for a new way to make ends meet, check out this link from the Philadelphia Inquirer with companies that are looking for workers due to a surge in demand from the Covid-19 crisis.
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Stewardship Campaign:
Online Pledges are the best way to go
The Annual Campaign, which launched at the beginning of the month, is continuing. Obviously, with Covid-19, the situation on several fronts has changed greatly. In spite of the uncertainty, we have come together to maintain as well as possible all elements of our Beloved Community. Sometimes in times of uncertainty, a good thing to do is continue with normal routines.
Please consider making your pledge for 2020-21 today.
Be well.
-- The Stewardship Committee
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Access USGers’ contact information and your own
up-to-date financial information. Make payments, too. Very handy.
Go to usg.breezechms.com
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UUPLAN Annual Membership Meeting via ZOOM The Annual Meeting planned to take place at the Main Line Unitarian Church on Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25 will convert to a ZOOM video conference meeting. Exact details will be emailed and posted on UUPLAN.org as soon as they are known. There may be three sessions, each lasting about two hours: April 24 evening, April 25 morning, April 25 early afternoon. Click here for info.
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UU General Assembly in Providence, RI
Still scheduled for June 24 - 28
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. 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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From the Central East Region of the UUA:
Due to the threat that COVID-19 poses to members of our UU families and communities, we will be canceling, postponing or re-imagining all regional UU events for March and April ...
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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Connect with Others --- Remotely
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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; see next entry), Women, and Parents. Contact sgm@usguu.org.
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 - 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 -.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) - Contact Margaret Robertson at cami@usguu.org. (CAMI now supports the Germantown Participatory Defense HUB; 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) -VIA ZOOM. Contact Dennis Brunn, power@usguu.org.
EarthSpirit Circle - Contact earth@usguu.org.
Everyday Spiritual Practices - Contact asd@usguu.org .
Exploring Elderhood Gathering - Next: Friday, March 27 by ZOOM 2:00-4:30pm. Contact Gerry Whelan at asd@usguu.org.
USG Handcrafters, a Handwork Group- Contact Margaret Thompson at handcrafters@usguu.org.
Humanists - PUSH - Philadelphia Unitarian Society of Humanists - Contact Paul Teti at push@usguu.org.
Nature Walking at Valley Green - Monday and Thursday, December through March start time: 10:00am. STILL ON. 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 - Contact Treva Burger at bookstudy.usguu.org.
UU-101 - an Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. Contact Charles Gabriel or Eric Foster at uu101@usguu.org.
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Follow @uugermantown on Instagram!
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Our loving thoughts and prayers are with...
... Shobhi Kanal, who dislocated her brand-new hip replacement and is now recovering from a very painful experience. Cards and emails are welcome.
... Marion Watlington, who is receiving hospice services. Since Marion cannot receive visitors due to Covid-19 precautions, it would be nice for her to receive cards. Her address is Sunrise of Haverford, 219 Montgomery Ave., Haverford PA 19041
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: 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.
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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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