Embracing a free and responsible search for truth and meaning while demonstrating our strong belief in the interdependent web of all existence.
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Regarding COVID 19
Due to the increased cases of the Covid Delta variant in our area, we have moved back to "online only" services until our situation improves. We know that this continues to be frustrating for all of us, especially since our congregation has been so careful and probably all followed the guidelines, including getting vaccinated when eligible. Yet, we really need to model what we hope all in this community will do. I encourage you to share our decision with folks in other churches and encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated. If you know health care workers, please tell them what we are doing to support them. Be safe and well!
Thank you for your understanding, as we try to protect one another.
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COMING OUT
Thirty-two years ago, on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, the first National Coming Out Day was observed as a reminder that one of the most basic tools for the LGBTQ+ Community is the power of coming out. One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in 10. And getting to know folks can make a powerful difference in other ways, as well.
Several years ago, I invited J’abriel Walthour to come speak to our congregation and share her story as a transgender woman living in rural southeast Georgia. After she shared, many in the congregation wanted to help her on her journey to fulfill her dream of having the surgery that she had been desiring. With gifts from others and her own efforts working more than one job, she shared with me recently that she has reached her goal. Here is an excerpt from her message accompanied by a picture she sent to me.
I just wanted to share this brief update with you, and everyone who supported me at the UU congregations in Statesboro and Brunswick. I am now scheduled to move forward with my surgery on October 15th (which is one day before my actual birthday). God truly has a sense of humor. 😊
And I’m so grateful to all of you for supporting me through this last effort to reach my goal and continue on to whatever God has “next” for me. I will be in California October 10-30 for preparation, surgery, and recovery. So (whenever it may cross your mind) please send up a prayer of “swift and total” recovery. I thank each of you.
With Love and Humility,
Ms. Ja’Briel
Although Ja’Briel did not mention it, this is occurring not only during her birthday month, but also National Coming Out Month. That adds to the serendipity and the joy.
In honor of National Coming Out Month, I’ll be sharing a message on October 17 entitled, “Romance and Love In a More Welcoming World.” Check out our other good services and activities in this newsletter.
Peace, love and courage!
Jane
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October 3
“Responsibilities and Rewards: A Stewardship Message”
Rev Jane Page, Worship Leader
Rev. Jane will continue her “We R UUs” theme with a message entitled "Responsibilities and Rewards: A Stewardship Sermon." This message will ”kick-off” our 2022 annual stewardship campaign. Come explore how we might use our time, talents, and treasures in this unusual time for our congregation and our planet.
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October 10
“UU The Vote For LGBTQ Equity”
Judith Longfield, Worship Leader
Part of our Welcoming Renewal program.
October 17
“Romance and Love in a More Welcoming World”
Rev. Jane Page, Worship Leader
Rev. Jane will celebrate National Coming Out Month with a message on romance and love in a more "welcoming world." Part of our Welcoming Renewal program.
October 24
“Cultivating Wisdom”
Beth Sutton, Worship Leader
The Wisdom of the Independent Web.
October 31 - Joint service with our UUFS (Statesboro) friends
"Return of the Living Dead: Lessons from Scary Movies"
Rev. Jane Page, Worship Leader
It’s Halloween! Time for scary movies! Why do we read horror books and watch horror movies? Is there something positive we can gain from this? Come explore our love of fear with Rev Jane on Halloween.
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This month it felt like I kept hearing about people in our beloved community who were struggling with life a bit -- and I continue to feel lucky to have found UUCG as my UU home. Thank you to everyone who makes this community the caring place it is. I shared with someone recently how much this community feels like a good place to be during our COVID times. This community, Zoom services and coffee hour and my sisterhood group, has been important as I personally weather through.
Our board got updates on the Stewardship Drive led by Barbara Sprouse, Lollie Bohannon and Roy Lucas... and the many circle leaders who will be making calls. I have been a part of church stewardship drives for many years -- but one story stands out for me. We were asked what kind of member of the beloved community we aspired to be through a tale of 3 men laying bricks. When asked what they were doing -- the first man said he was building a building, the second said he was designing a great cathedral, and the third said he was laying the foundation for a place that could make a difference in the world. Of course, each man spoke the truth as he felt it -- and all the work was good. I have been each of those bricklayers and I have done all kinds of pledging. I have pledged to pay the light bill and pledged to support the community and pay the ministers salary -- but I aspire to pledge in a way that lays the foundation for something larger than me. I pledge in the spirit of radical generosity and because I want to make sure our community can support me, create a safe and caring place for others -- and reach out to make a difference in coastal Georgia.
Pledging is not about specific dollar amounts or how much money you have, but about giving what you can until it feels good. With our 25th anniversary coming up next year -- I am going to make a goal for myself to raise my pledge by 25% -- because UUCG has already given me so much, because UUCG has amazing potential to do the same for others and because I want to lay the foundation for the next 25 years. Join me in setting a goal to reach for.
Although we have been forced to resume our on-line Zoom services, we hope and pray that we will be able to return to in-person services shortly!
In beloved community,
Beth
Beth Stevenson, President
Board of Trustees
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Thank you to the many folks who helped with the
church cleanup.
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Denise Anderson
Corinne Bachman
David Bailey
Lollie Bohannon
John Cowlishaw
Elaine Deaver
Sharon Ehle
John Freiling
Mary Chri Gray
Kent Goering
Lisa Kent
Diane Knight
Erin Lee
Peggy Lee
Ann Leonard
Judith Longfield
Jerry Luke
Kim Merck
Brian Merck
Jane Page
Sally Revoile
Carolyn Slagle
Barbara Sprouse
John Stevenson
Carol Wallace
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With sincere gratitude from a grateful congregation! |
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October 3rd at 4:00 PM at UUCG
In honor of our Stewardship Campaign, the Religious Education Group will be setting up a MASK DECORATING WORKSHOP complete with free disposable masks, paints, stickers and other supplies to create a fun activity to discuss the importance of masking up as we return to Church activities!
October 17th at 10:30 AM at UUCG
The RE group will meet on the playground for a meditation session! We will talk about the importance of mindfulness while also discussing all the ways our senses come alive when take just a few minutes for calm! Of course we will also play and eat some snacks as well!
October 31st at 10:30 AM at UUCG
Halloween is here! We will once again meet on the playground to show off costumes, have some Halloween candy snacks and talk about the history of such a fun holiday! It's more than just ghosts and sweets!
David Bailey, Children's RE Coordinator
(912) 507-4429
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“GO PURPLE” on October 21
On the third Thursday of October, we observe Spirit Day, a day in support of youth in the LGBTQ+ community as we take a stand against bullying. Members of this community often find themselves targets of bullying because of their identity. To show your own solidarity in this largest anti-bullying campaign in the world, you may pin on a purple ribbon or wear purple clothing. The day was established in 2010 as a part of National Bullying Prevention Month held during the entire month of October to raise awareness of bullying and its many serious consequences.
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Sunday, October 17 at 9:15 a.m.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Book Discussion Group
Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale
by Adam Minter
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Discussion...
"The Alchemy of Air: A Jewish Genius," a Doomed Tycoon, and the Scientific Discovery That Fed the World but Fueled the Rise of Hitler by Thomas Hager (Random House, 2008)
At the beginning of the 20th century, the world desperately needed to find a way to greatly increase agricultural productivity. Mass starvation was about to become real. The problem was solved by two Germans, a Jewish chemist and an industrial tycoon. They invented a process for extracting nitrogen compounds from the air for use in making fertilizer and making explosives. Their invention fed the world, but also fueled the rise of Hitler. This fascinating, well-written book is the story of these two men and their influence on world history.
Also discussing...
The reading is "The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War" by Craig Whitlock and The Washington Post (Simon & Schuster, 2021).
IMPORTANT
There is a SPECIAL ZOOM ROOM set-up for the ADULT RE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP.
Meeting ID: 93962934425
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If you wish to become a member of UUCG, please contact our membership team leader, Carolyn Wallace at carolynswallace@yahoo.com. Depending on the interest, we may have a new member joining ceremony in October.
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This section is a work in process, just like Social Justice!
SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM CO-LEADERS
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In September, Greg Brock toured The Well, a FaithWorks homeless ministry on Gloucester Street near UUCG. The Well is open during daytime hours to provide services such as food, showers, and laundry for its homeless guests; they also provide a path to help them find jobs and independent living. Due to COVID guests are currently rotated indoors for these services but are able to hang out with shade in the back yard as well. Masks and social distancing are required by guests and staff indoors, but this is difficult in practice. Due to greater need than resources, there are bottlenecks with services. Guests do not spend the night indoors at The Well except during severe weather. In severe storms and cold spells The Well remains open 24/7. The Well welcomes individual volunteers as well as teams from local churches that can provide services on weekdays or weekends.
IMPORTANT: See this article for Mayoral Candidates’ views on the location of The Well.
Greg has shared these responses:
Here is the view of The Well on potentially moving The Well "closer to I-95" by some of our mayoral candidates.
1. "Yes, it would make things very difficult for our guests. The candidates who think moving The Well will solve the presence of people experiencing homelessness in our community are mistaken. This is an overly simplistic "solution" to a complex situation. I am inviting them, at least those with contact information available, to visit and volunteer to get a better understanding. We have no plans on moving, but we are very willing to talk about how we can partner with the city to make improvements. Pushing them out to I-95 is, in my opinion, literal marginalization.
Thank you for your concern. Please help us get the word out that this very much have the opposite impact than the candidates imagine. Instead of moving those in need away, it will just cause many of them to stay on the streets and in the parks at all hours of the day."
Tab Miller
Director of Operations and Volunteer Ministry
FaithWorks
2. "It would present a transportation challenge especially in light of the fact that most of the resources needed by our patrons are in the city. (Salvation Army, food stamps, DDS, DFACS, SSA, etc.)"
Blessings,
Nancy Peed, Manager
The Well
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CLICK ON BULLETIN BOARD
to see upcoming events and opportunities
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CLICK ON THE SIGN to see how you can help! |
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Just click on the image to
view (or print) a copy of any of these directories.
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Martha Stewart provides this wisdom about your dishwasher!
Inside your dishwasher, electric heating elements are activated and create intensely heated air during the heated drying cycle. The hot air and the steam it creates must escape the dishwasher, so small air fans pump the hot air out of the dishwasher through exhaust vents.
This heated drying cycle adds about 30 minutes to your overall washing cycle, but it can ultimately take years off your machine's life. The routine usage of these electric heating elements and the overuse of air pumps can cut short the machine’s lifespan. The air-dry cycle (if you have one) however, uses pumps to push room-temperature air through the machine to encourage even drying.
If you don’t like either of those options, you can cut out the dry cycles entirely by opening the dishwasher’s door immediately after the final rinse cycle and allowing the dishes to dry on their own. This is a great option if you wash dishes at night and leave the door open while you sleep. In the morning, you wake to dry dishes and a lower energy bill. Bonus: washing your dishes at night will reduce heat build-up in your kitchen that can come during the hot period of the day.
HAPPY FALL!
Sharon Ehle
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The Virtual Choir has returned. Upcoming anthems may include, in some order, "For the Beauty of the Earth," "To My Old Brown Earth," “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round,” “Thanks We Sing to Thee,” and “Abide With Me.”
And if that excites you,
call John Cowlishaw at 248-891-4498 for more information.
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NEW GROUPS FORMING
As many of you know, a UUCG Sisterhood women's discussion group formed several years ago, and we have found our monthly gatherings increasingly important to our well-being, with bonds growing stronger year by year. A couple of years ago a second group was formed. It met one time in person, and then had to resort to Zoom meetings (as the first group did also.) We recently held a joint in-person meeting to share our Sisterhood experiences and found it very rewarding. Some of us know other people who would like to be part of a Sisterhood group, and so we are initiating the organization of two more groups, one that will usually meet in person, and one that will meet on Zoom only. The Zoom-only group may decide to meet outside working hours.
If you are interested in joining an in-person Sisterhood group that meets mid-morning on a weekday, please contact Diane Knight (912-577-8168 or rlmiller@netbox.com). There will be an option for people to Zoom in occasionally if they are away.
If you think you might want to join a Zoom-only Sisterhood group, please contact Beth Stevenson (404-824-5562 or echstevenson@gmail.com).
We hope to get both groups up and running soon!
Diane Knight
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Rev. Jane Page, Minister
C: 912.682.3566
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Interested in joining UUCG? Or do you have questions?
Contact...
Rev. Jane Page
OR
Carolyn Wallace
Membership Team Leader
C: 478.279.2769
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Rev. Bill Phillips, Pastor Emeritus
Phone: 912.635.3512 (home) or 912.434.4140 (cell)
John Cowlishaw, Music Director
248.891.4498
Elaine Deaver
Newsletter Editor/Part-time Administrator
912.230.2675
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President: Beth Stevenson
Vice President: Judith Longfield
Treasurer: Ted Davis
Secretary: Peggy Lee
Trustee: Lollie Bohannon
Trustee: Kim Merck
Trustee: Heather Turner
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Our location is 1710 Gloucester Street - Brunswick, Georgia
PLEASE SEND MAIL TO: UUCG, P.O. Box 1056, Brunswick, GA 31521
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