WEEKLY UPDATE |December 6-12, 2020
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December 6 | 10:00am
Second Sunday in Advent "Faith"
The Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein
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The Second Sunday in Advent: Faith
Light-Bringer: Iris Goodman
Coffee Hour Spotlight Speaker: Nelson Darling
Our Advent reflection invites us to ponder, "What if faith isn't really what matters, but faithfulness?" Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein preaches.
Our service will be followed by our Sunday Fellowship Hour. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us!
Join Zoom Worship:
Meeting ID: 810 6381 6583
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Meeting ID: 810 6381 6583
Find your local number:
Our offertory donation link can be found on the church website here.
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Did you miss last week's
Faith Development Segment
for Our Church Children
"Frederick" with Rev. Vicki
Did you miss it, or want to watch it again? The wonderful story of "Frederick" by Leo Lionni invites all ages to reflect on the value of spiritual work, and the "supplies" of creative imagination that can help us all get through the long winter months. https://youtu.be/xldl4vLHd5E
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Sharing Our Joys and Sorrows
Would you like to share your joys, sorrows, and prayer requests with the congregation?
Use this form to let us know! ~Rev. Vicki
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UUCGL Community Connections |
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Pop the Trunk!
Saturday, Dec. 5 Food Drive
for My Brother's Table and
Anchor Food Pantry
9-11am at the Church
Help feed our local neighbors and spread holiday cheer with us at church by dropping off your items for delivery to Anchor Food Pantry and My Brother’s Table.
Church members and Rev. Vicki will be on hand for your contactless donation. Please use the lists below as your shopping guide.
Donations can be dropped off between 9 and 11am, rain or shine. We look forward to seeing you!
My Brother’s Table Wish List
- $20 gift cards to local stores along the bus line (Walmart, CVS, Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Dollar Tree),
- Small individual containers of shelf stable juice or milk
- Individually wrapped Cheese Sticks
- Shelf stable fruit cups (not applesauce, please)
- Individually portioned cookies or snacks
- Shelf stable pudding cups
- Bars of soap
- Travel sized toiletries
- Tampons and/or Sanitary pads
- Toothbrushes, razors and deodorant
- Men’s gloves
Anchor Food Pantry Wish List
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Canned veggies (corn, mixed, carrots)
- Peanut butter
- Pasta sauce
- Progresso soups
- Cereal
- Rice
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeff Gunther at [email protected]
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Our Traditional Annual Mitten Tree
Can you help those in need?
We can’t each decorate our Annual Mitten Tree this year as we always enjoy doing, but we are still collecting those warm mittens, gloves, hats and scarves you love bringing to our December Mitten Tree Sunday. This year those items can be dropped off in the Mitten Tree bin in front of our church. The bin will be there this coming Saturday for our “Pop the Trunk” food drive, and Monday through Friday, December 7-11, from 9 to 4, weather permitting. These items will go to a local organization, and those details will be announced in our Weekly Update. These gifts of warmth are greatly appreciated! Thank you for your generosity!
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Stoking the Fire of Commitment:
How You Can Help UUCGL Promote Racial Justice with ECCO
Come join a virtual meeting on Tuesday, December 8th at 7PM to hear about our church's efforts to support the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO)--a longtime partner of ours--in the fight for social justice locally. ECCO has launched their Beloved Economy initiative and we have committed to supporting the hiring of a full-time community organizer through a $75k grant. Dr. Alexandra Pineros-Shields, the Executive Director of ECCO, and Rev. Bernadette Hickman-Maynard, ECCO Racial Justice Organizer (and Minister at Bethel AME Church in Lynn) will describe the Beloved Economy initiative and we'll discuss ways for people to become involved with this important work.
Click on the link below on Tuesday, December 8th at 7PM to join the meeting. The virtual doors will open at 6:45pm for those who want to make sure they can successfully join the meeting:
Join Zoom meeting:
Meeting ID: 898 8677 5526
Passcode: 567510
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of us. Thanks.
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Reopening Guidelines Update |
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Change in Church Use
Request Procedure
While we are not holding regular services or meetings at the church, we have had some requests for one-time events. At the October board meeting the board of trustees agreed that, since the Reopening Task Force is no longer active, the governance committee will now review any requests and grant approval for use of the church building and grounds.
If you wish to use the church property for an event, please email the details (date, presenters' contact information and a full description of the event) to [email protected].
At a minimum, events need to comply with current state and local guidelines (masks, number of participants, socially distanced) and all organizers need to submit to Elizabeth Muller a list of contact information for all attendees the day after the event.
If you have further questions feel free to contact me, Eileen Cummings: [email protected]
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How to Be An Anti-Racist
Book Conversation via Zoom
Wednesdays 7-8:15pm
December 16 and 30
"There is no neutrality in the racism struggle." ~Ibram X. Kendi
The discussion group of Ibram X. Kendi's book, "How To Be An Anti-Racist," continues on December 16 and 30, and it is not too late to join in if you are reading this timely and enlightening book!
Click here to register with Anne Principe, co-facilitator of this group. Those registered will be sent a new Zoom link, as well as a recap of the previous meeting and themed reflections points for the upcoming focus chapters.
Please let the church know if you need help obtaining a copy of this important book.
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The Green Sanctuary Ministry Team Says: Go Take a Hike!
The Green Sanctuary Ministry Team invites you and your family to go take a hike and share photos of your adventure with the congregation. Send photos to [email protected] and they'll be posted in the Weekly Update.
“Forest Bathing” – or Shinrin-yoku in Japanese - is the new trend in reducing stress ... READ MORE
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Mindfulness-Based Meditation Practice Group
with Anne Principe via Zoom
Mornings 7:30-7:50am
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While we are apart, we can breathe together . . .
All are welcome to be a part of a small group ministry to practice mindfulness meditation. Now more than ever, our connections with each other are vital to our sense of calm and hope.
Each morning’s meditation will offer
- introduction of core concept
- silent meditation of 10-15 minutes seated comfortably in your own space
Click here for sign up, more information, and to find out what you’ll need in preparation for the practice.
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Enjoy each other's company in one or all of our Zoom gatherings! We hope that this will be easy for you to do and offer some simple instructions here:
For helpful hints, click here.
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Next issue:
Week of December 13
The deadline for the Week of December 13, is Wednesday, December 9, 9am. Please send your notices to Angie Kern ([email protected]).
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How to Support Your Church |
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Pledge Payments
There are three easy options of paying:
1. Send your check to the church (101 Forest Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907).
2. Set up a bill-pay system with your bank and have the check sent to the above address.
3. Donate online. To donate online, please go to our website (uucgl.org) and click “Donate” in the upper right-hand corner. After you fill in the information page, click “Submit.” You will then be offered options to pay through your PayPal account, if you have one, or through your credit card.
Thank you for your support!
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Stay Connected with UUCGL
Staff continue to work from home and can be reached at the email addresses listed below. The church has a number of ways to help you. The Board, its committees, and church staff are still working on behalf of the congregation - that means YOU! Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if we can help. Thank you and be well!
The Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein
Eileen Cummings, UUCGL President
Elizabeth Muller, Business Administrator
Angie Kern, Administrative Assistant
Kenneth Griffith, Director of Music
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Grants Committee and the Grants Coordinator |
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We would like to remind all our parishioners that we are here for you should you need help with rent or utility bills during this difficult time. We can provide aid through our Spinney Mudge Emergency Funds. We also provide scholarships to college students. Please call Chris Hansen, our Grants Coordinator at 781-595-8836, ext. 23 and leave a message with your name and telephone number and she will get back to you or email her at [email protected].
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Pastoral Care Ministry Team |
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During this pandemic each of us is challenged not only by a barrage of information but also by creatively adapting to new ways of "life, as
usual." Feeling lonely? Need groceries? Got coping ideas to share? Is there a change in your contact info? Call our Pastoral Care Ministry Team, we would love to help you, 781-595-8836 ext 16.
Claire Wilson, Pastoral Care Coordinator
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Contact Information Reminder |
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Does the Office Know Your Current
Contact Information?
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Please keep your name, address, phone number, and e-mail current in the church office. E-mail Elizabeth Muller with your correct information.
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Not sure what information we have on file for you?
Call Elizabeth at:
781-595-8836, ext. 10
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Dialogue Group
2nd & 4th Sunday
of each month via Zoom
5pm
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"Dialogue" is a way of practicing deep listening that enables us to share personal experiences and thoughts in a way that collectively builds a more expansive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
During the church closure, this group is currently meeting via Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 5pm. You can connect to the Zoom meeting here. Dialogue and the discursive meditation are part of the method of Cafh, a path of spiritual unfolding. Click for more information about the discursive meditation, and Cafh here.
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Community Drum Circle
Stay tuned
date tbd
2nd & 4th Sundays
1:30pm
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During the church closure, this group is not meeting at this time. Stay tuned for updates. This informal group builds community through drumming. From time to time master drummers, experienced in a variety of drumming styles, visit to offer their leadership. This group meets in the Sanctuary. Registration is not required.
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Sunday Zoom Schedule
Worship & Children's Ministry: 10am
Fellowship Hour: 11am
(781) 595-8836
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