Join us for worship at 10 AM this Sunday.
or online (via Zoom)
It so nice to be meeting in our AIR CONDITIONED sanctuary this summer!
We thank our anonymous donor for their incredible generosity!
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Friends,
Taking up on cues from our study of the book 'Originals,' I want to begin by "leading with weakness":
This has been an exhausting week. I admit that I have struggled with focus, felt overwhelmed at times, and generally have just been 'off my game.' I thank those of you who have weathered this with me, whether you realized it or not. It's good to be in a place where I can be human.
Now for the good stuff:
I'll be meeting with our youth on Sunday after worship to support them in dreaming up their futures. I've had a couple of truly exciting conversations this week that I think could prove visionary. And, I've begun thinking about our fall kickoff and events/opportunities as we head into this next liturgical cycle. As always, much to do - yet much to be excited for.
I know that every Sunday isn't perfect. I know that our tech issues have magnified. I know that Covid is a pain. AND, I know that this community is where I want to be through it all.
Thank you for being the church, UCG.
-Alissia
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Join us for "Service Sunday! |
Wildfires. Deadly floods. Violence. Christian Nationalism. The Supreme Court. Inflation.
The list goes on and on.
On Sunday, August 7th, we continue to honor the work of justice endemic to UCG by gathering for a different kind of worship - the kind that invites us to pray with our feet and love our neighbor through action. This will not be our typical Sunday Service, but a 'Service Sunday' - where we put our faith, values, and beliefs into practice.
Join us as we gather in the sanctuary for a brief opening, followed by opportunities for various justice-themed activities and conversations. For those on Zoom, resources for home-based action will be shared and the camera will keep rolling - so please, join in the conversation and action, and we'll be sure to say hello along the way!
Have an idea or resource for an activity and/or action? Is there something that you're passionate about that you'd like to address? Email Pastor Alissia at alissia@myucg.org with suggestions!
Hope you'll join us for a time of meaningful engagement.
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Church Administrator Vacation! |
Louise will be on vacation the week of August 1-5 and will return to the office on Tuesday, August 9th. Please note there will be no What's Up E-newsletter on August 5th. |
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Friends,
During our Board meeting on Sunday, in light of our community being recently impacted by Covid, we discussed ways in which we might continue to keep one another as safe as possible. For this reason, we are slightly modifying our Covid practices. This means:
- We strongly encourage the wearing of masks, as well as social distancing, during worship. We will continue to maintain our 'Mask Only' section and invite you to make use of this space.
- Coffee hour will be hosted in the Chapel. We ask that no food or drink be carried outside of the Chapel unless it is outdoors. This reduces the risk of exposure for those concerned about eating and drinking around others.
As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our Moderator, Jeff Burkett, or Pastor Alissia at the church office.
In advance, we thank you for your cooperation and your love of neighbor!
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What's Up with our Children & Youth |
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Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the UCG nursery. |
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Hi Middle and High Schoolers! |
What do you want our UCG youth group to do this year?
Join Pastor Alissia on Sunday after church~11:30~for lunch. We'll have Chinese food and can't wait to hear your ideas. If you can, bring something sweet to share. If you want something specific for lunch from Dragon Village, please email Amelie: ameliejshuler@icloud.com. All are welcome, even last minute joiners!
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Just a reminder that we are in 'summer mode' at UCG. We'll have nursery care for babies and children up to age 4. We ask that children older than 4 remain in the sanctuary at the start of church. Children's Church, a low key playtime, starts after the pastor's Chat for elementary school age children. We have two 2021 Granville grads, Ainsley & Caitlin, helping out and thanks to church members who are volunteering, we should have both nursery care and Children's Church available every Sunday this summer.
If we don't have either, Rev. Alissia and/or I will let you know. We will also have that information in the bulletin. Children are always welcome in the sanctuary with you in the pews or at the back at the small table near the rocking chairs. Also--we have little bags of toys and crayons hanging at the back of the sanctuary--feel free to bring those to your pew for your children to play with.
Happy summer, friends.
-Ceciel
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Opportunities to connect with others |
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UCG Fall kickoff: Saturday, 9/10, with details to follow! |
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United Church of Granville
Sunday Service
(10 AM)
In-person in our sanctuary
and online via Zoom
(Pre-service playlist begins at 9:30AM)
COVID-19 County Check
In Licking County, the COVID-19 community alert level has changed to: MEDIUM.
You can always find current community levels by county on our website.
Make your Sunday offering donation securely online by clicking here or with the QR code below in Office News. Your donations are deeply appreciated.
This Sunday, Alissia's message will be "From Riches to Rags."
Thank you to this week's Worship Team:
Worship Leader: Andy McCall
Tech: Claudia Esslinger
Zoom: Erin Newman
Click here for the Sunday order of worship.
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Spirituality Book Group
We are on hiatus for the summer!
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Granville Zen group
Now meeting Tuesdays at 7 PM
in the UCG Chapel (and by Zoom)
Daily sitting practice, over Zoom, M-F at 7:15 AM (30 minutes)
Tuesday, in person and Zoom, 7 PM (20 minute sit)
Following the sitting each Tuesday, we'll study a series of short essays and talks given by various Zen teachers on the theme of Taking and Creating Refuge.
Distancing is encouraged--masking is optional.
Meeting ID: 724 605 3991
Password: zen
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THIS SUNDAY!
Drum Circle at UCG
Last Sunday of the Month, 7-9PM
Jul 31, Aug 28, Sept 25,
Oct 30, Nov 27
Led by Dayle Bradford Huffman
of Land of Legend Movement and Rhythm
ALL ARE WELCOME!
No drumming experience needed!
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!
We continue to have significant issues with the Sunday morning zoom broadcast that we are working diligently to clear up. New sound equipment is on it's way to improve the sound quality in our worship service. Please bear with us!
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DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HYMN?
We'd like to know your favorite songs to sing in worship.
Please share feedback at the link below
or send a note to the office: info@myucg.org.
Thank you!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE WORSHIP TEAM?
Technical help needed - We would like to train a few more folks on the ins and outs of making and operating the Zoom worship connection on Sunday morning. Our dedicated crew of tech hosts is a bit smaller than would be wished. Noting that Tom will be out of town for much of August and September, he would like to familiarize a few people who can act as backstops for last-minute technical challenges on Sunday mornings, and some tech operators as well. If you can participate in a zoom call at home, you have many of the needed skills already. Please consider becoming part of the team. The more we have, the easier the work load will be. Tom will provide training and information after church on Sunday (the first Sunday after the harm reduction class finishes), as well as one-on-one coaching to follow up. Questions? Call, email, text, or buttonhole Tom. (thburkett@me.com)
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The Worship Committee seeks your feedback to help us create optimally meaningful services. If, as you reflect on worship, you find you have comments you'd like to share with the committee, please use this form to do so.
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This is an open book study, register to join any time!
Next week we are reading and discussing Chapter 4!
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Led by Pastor Alissia, join us for this eight-week dive into the #1 New York Times Bestseller, "Originals". During this time of social, political, and economic upheaval, fresh ideas and approaches to our world's challenges are sorely needed!
From Grant's website:
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"'Originals' is about how to champion new ideas and fight groupthink. Using surprising studies and stories spanning business, politics, sports, and entertainment, Grant explores how to recognize a good idea, speak up without getting silenced, build a coalition of allies, choose the right time to act, and manage fear and doubt; how parents and teachers can nurture originality in children; and how leaders can build cultures that welcome dissent." |
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Register (below) to participate in this important cultural discussion! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
You only need to register once!
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Sinless Sex: A Challenge to Religions
AWAB is pleased to offer again a 6-week course based on Dr. William R. Stayton's book, Sinless Sex: A Challenge to Religions. Have you ever had a discussion of sex and religion and felt pulled apart internally? Have you ever wondered if you could ...
Read more
docs.google.com
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Kroger Giving benefits Youth Program
Are you enrolled?
The Kroger Community Rewards Program allows the United Church of Granville to earn funds to benefit our Youth program when you shop with your Kroger Plus Card. You can go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com to register your Kroger Plus Card to support United Church of Granville (NPO Number is 83408), and whenever you shop using your Kroger Plus Card, our youth group receives a donation from Kroger for a small percentage of your food purchases. Thank you for supporting the UCG youth!
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Office News!
This QR Code takes you
to our online giving page!
UCG is glad to offer safe and secure online giving through Vanco Online Giving as a convenient way to make a financial gift to support the work of UCG – and now, in addition to electronic funds transfer, we can accept credit card payments! Please be aware that Vanco subtracts a 2.75% fee from your gift unless you opt at checkout to include the fee in your gift transaction. The least expensive option for the church continues to be ACH transactions direct from a specified bank account.
If you already use Vanco for online giving, be sure to log-in before starting your transactions.
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Church Summer office hours:
Closed Monday
9 AM to Noon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
9 AM to 3 PM, Thursday
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Click here to sign up for our member-driven Google group, UCG Message Board--a place where we share community news and many more opportunities for learning & action!
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UCG Staff:
Rev. Alissia J. Thompson, Pastor
Louise Gemmell, Church & Annex Administrator
Mathew McFarren, Property & Grounds Coordinator
Jackie Dawson, Accompanist
Church office hours:
9AM to 3PM: Monday - Friday
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Check out the latest news from these partner organizations:
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