UUCG June NEWSLETTER

June 2022

Embracing a free and responsible search for truth and meaning while demonstrating our strong belief in the interdependent web of all existence.

Dear ones!

I write this newsletter article in the wake of yet another mass shooting. My heart breaks because our nation has done nothing to stop the consistent gun violence we witness in America. Despite protests, marches, and more, nothing is done by those controlled by gun lobbyists and others. I think the only way out of this horrific situation is through voting – and it will take more than one election to make a difference. But we must start with this election in November. And yes, I’m getting political here – but that’s the way our system works. We have to vote and work to get others who really value lives to vote. Our association has one of the vehicles for organizing called “UU the Vote.” Visit this link to find out seven ways you can help.

https://www.uuthevote.org/7-ways/

Greg and I have a busy month ahead. In addition to spending more time with our families, Greg is accompanying me to Portland where I will be attending ministerial days (June 20 – 22) and both of us will attend General Assembly (June 22 - 26, 2022). General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. See https://www.uua.org/ga for more information and the schedule of events.

If you would like information to register to attend online, go to this link.

https://uua.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/PublicSignIn.aspx?&SessionID=ej4fa3fapfa6fa3ff0&Lang=*

If you would like to serve as one of our delegates, let me know. Delegates register and agree to attend business meetings and represent the congregation by voting.
You can also take a peek at what’s going on – even without registering. Available for Public Viewing: General Sessions, Service of the Living Tradition, Synergy Bridging Worship and Sunday Morning Worship will be streamed live on UUA.org and YouTube. I would especially encourage you to tune in for some or all of the Sunday morning worship service. These events will also be recorded for later viewing.

The Sunday Morning Worship is the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience will stream on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 12:30 Eastern. This means you can attend the service in your own congregation at 10:30 and also attend the UUA service at 12:30 online!

Please check out the remainder of this newsletter for other important events planned for you this summer.

Peace, Love and Courage,

Jane

The UUCG choir will return to performing in August.

June 5

“LGBTQ Pride - Is it a Protest or a Celebration? “

Guest speaker, Jo Moseley

Denise Anderson, Worship Leader

We will discuss the first Pride March and what led to it.

For information about our IN-PERSON SERVICE please see our Covid guidelines above OR at uuacg.org.

If you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: uuma.zoom.us/j/479-325-3254

June 12

“The Power of Pride”

Clint Tawes, Worship Leader

June is a month of celebration for the LGBTQ community and its allies, but Pride is more than just festivities and parades. Join us as we explore the meaning of Pride, its historical relevance, and its significance today and in the future.

For information about our IN-PERSON SERVICE please see our Covid guidelines above OR at uuacg.org.

If you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: uuma.zoom.us/j/479-325-3254

June 19

“A Better Glynn”

Jason Vaughn, Guest speaker

Sharon Ehle, Worship Leader

Jason is a member of the team supporting "A Better Glynn." He is a native to Glynn County, a teacher, a coach, and a Christian who is passionate about making our community better.

For information about our IN-PERSON SERVICE please see our Covid guidelines above OR at uuacg.org.

If you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: uuma.zoom.us/j/479-325-3254

June 26

“Wisdom of Not Knowing.”

Beth Sutton, Worship Leader

Continuing the Cultivating Wisdom series.

For information about our IN-PERSON SERVICE please see our Covid guidelines above OR at uuacg.org.

If you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: uuma.zoom.us/j/479-325-3254

COVID Guidance for Our Building

as of 3.24.22

As we look to the UUA and the CDC, we see that both are encouraging flexibility in what we require of folks related to protection. Now that we are no longer at a critical level in Glynn County, we feel that folks can make their own decisions about whether to wear a mask. You need to do what is comfortable for you. We also encourage you to watch the community levels for COVID which can be found at this link.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html

If we return to the High (red) level, then the guidance is to put them back on. But we are no longer going to try to monitor and share this as a board. We believe our folks can watch this and make this determination for themselves. We also believe that since all our folks are vaccinated, we can feel safer here than most places.

One advisor said to think of the mask as your rain poncho or umbrella. Have it handy. And if you are in an area where you feel uncomfortable because of the crowding or the increases in COVID numbers, etc., put your mask on – just as you put up your umbrella if it starts to rain.

We will also continue to provide Zoom services for those who may feel sick, or who are traveling, or for whatever reason. We do hope that many of you will join us in our wonderful sanctuary, though. Oh, how wonderful it is to be able to sing and make a joyful noise together again!

Our condolences to the Sutton family on the passing of Starling's brother Don who lived in Hampton, GA.

I am loving our Dining 4 Dollars activities and hope you are enjoying them, too. So appreciate the generous donors who are providing meals and events that help us raise funds, gather and enjoy each other's company. Thank you! Right now it looks like Dining 4 Dollars will raise over $3000. Our UUCG community is strong with so many active people willing to pitch in and make things work.

Much appreciation to our 2022 Nominating Committee members who agreed to serve this year: Denise Anderson, Diane Knight and Kent Goering. Let them know if you have ideas for strengthening our leadership!

And our program and social justice teams are simply awesome. Be sure to tap into some of the activities you will see announced in our newsletters and during the services. We are looking for a few good people -- Feel free to email me with your ideas at echstevenson@gmail.com:

HELP WANTED

Bookkeeper (paid position for 2-3 hours/month) -- must have strong bookkeeping skills and experience with Quickbooks Online and be able to work independently.

Technology/AV Team member (volunteer) -- must be interested in learning our UUCG Worship service technology (actually, pretty sophisticated) and in supporting our hybrid worship services.

Strategic Planning Team member (volunteer) -- looking for people interested in planning how we all as a congregation find some simple ways to talk about our future and our hopes -- and then the specifics of how we get there.

In beloved community,

Beth--

Beth Stevenson

UUCG Board of Trustees President

echstevenson@gmail.com

ADULT RE

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Book Discussion Group

(The special Adult RE Zoom Room information is below.)

Join an intellectually challenging and fun conversation with

a group of ardent readers.

The Confidence Men by Margarlit Fox

The book group is taking a month off from heavy stuff. We will read and discuss The Confidence Men by Margalit Fox (Random House, June 2021).

From Amazon: "A gripping nonfiction thriller, The Confidence Men is the story of one of the only known con games played for a good cause—and of a profound but unlikely friendship. Had it not been for “the Great War,” Jones, the Oxford-educated son of a British lord, and Hill, a mechanic on an Australian sheep ranch, would never have met. But in pain, loneliness, hunger, and isolation, they formed a powerful emotional and intellectual alliance that saved both of their lives. Imprisoned in a remote Turkish POW camp during World War I, having survived a two-month forced march and a terrifying shootout in the desert, these two British officers, Harry Jones and Cedric Hill, join forces to bamboozle their iron-fisted captors."

DISCUSSION GROUP LEADER: Dorin Schumacher 912-266-6558 or drdorin@earthlink.net

The ZOOM ROOM for ADULT RE!

This is the ZOOM ROOM set-up specifically for the ADULT RE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP.

Join THIS ZOOM ROOM at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83199891898?pwd=RXRUNk92L1Z2ZHBCek9XTkt0RTFEdz09

Meeting ID: 831 9989 1898

Passcode: 950120 (Passcode must be used.)

PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL at FERNANDINA BEACH

Hello everyone,

On Saturday, June 11th Fernandina Beach is hosting a pride parade and festival! UUCG has signed up with Side With Love advocacy group and the festival to host a booth. We will give out pamphlets and information about UU, as well as fake tattoos that are pride themed! We have a link where you can sign up to volunteer through Side With Love. https://secure.everyaction.com/OI9_3V95tEKIXB9E_ov_4w2

If you would like more information about the event, please check out their website at https://www.fernandinabeachpride.com. They also have a Facebook page.

You can also email me at usakousagi@gmail.com

Thank you for your support,

Jo Moseley

Turtle Nesting Season!

Turtle nesting season has begun, so heighten your protective behaviors! Visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island and witnessing the loving care given to recovering turtles gives me hope. If you are a fellow turtle lover, and coincidentally a sock lover too like me, purchase your next pair of essential turtle socks from: https://consciousstep.com/. This company contributes to Oceana and many other important organizations. You can find all kinds of really great socks and other clothing items.

Their Mission:

"Conscious Step is committed to lasting social and environmental change. Every step we take in our production process supports farms and factories with fair wages, safe facilities,

and sustainable materials."