Spring Small Groups

2019

Welcome to the Small Group Programfor Spring 2019!

UCG's Small Group Program is an unusually diverse and rich set of offerings that strengthens our community

through shared experiences. It continues to thrive only through the thoughtful engagement of both leaders and

participants. We hope that you will find within these pages some offerings that fit your interests and schedule

this Spring. Registering for a small group signals your firm commitment to attend all sessions, thereby honoring

the strong offering of time and energy made by each leader. If you cannot commit to the full duration of a certain group, please refrain from registering and allow someone else to take your place. And if you

have ideas for future groups, or are moved to lead one yourself, by all means let the Small Group Committee

know! Let’s keep growing this program together.

Spiritual Exploration

Morning PrayerIf you long for a time of quiet reflection, in the company of kindred souls, join us for Friday morning prayer. We gather in the Chapel in silence, followed by a reading from scripture and a resonating poem. We break into small groups to share our thoughts and to pray for one another. Following a short blessing and singing “Alleluia” together, we end promptly at 8:45. The leadership is shared by participants who volunteer. Open to anyone. Walk-ins welcome!

Leader: Sandy ReimerDates: Fridays, ongoingTime: 8:00am - 8:45amPlace: UCG Chapel

Live Oak SanghaA Sangha is a community that lives and practices in harmony and awareness. We are guided, supported, and encouraged by the Dharma teachings of the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Our practice is the cultivation of mindfulness, out of which arises understanding, joy, compassion, and transformation. As a Sangha, our practice is made up of many elements such as listening to the bell, walking meditation, smiling, embracing our suffering, mindful breathing, sitting meditation, and singing. If you would like to join us on Wednesday evenings, all that we ask is that you have some familiarity with Thich Nhat Hanh (perhaps have read one of his many books) and be truly interested in mindfulness practice. And if you decide to join us, we hope you will come to find and enjoy safe refuge in this humble and noble Sangha. As space is limited, you will be contacted by the group facilitator prior to attending.

Leader: Mark BurlingameDates: Wednesdays, ongoingTime: 7:00pm - 9:00pmPlace: UCG Sanctuary

Limit: This is an ongoing group which has been meeting for several years with limited space available for new members. The group leader will contact all those interested in participating.

Swamp SanghaSwamp Sangha is an independent mindfulness meditation group that meets weekly in the UCG Chapel. Join us for 30 minutes of meditation followed by a short reading and discussion and/or some mindful movement (qi gong, breathing exercises, or gentle "street clothes" yoga.) On the first Friday of each month, instruction and practice tips are the focus of the meeting. The sangha is free and all are welcome.“I enter a swamp as a sacred place, a sanctum sanctorum… I seemed to have reached a new world, so wild a place…far away from human society. What’s the need of visiting far-off mountains and bogs, if a half-hour’s walk will carry me into such wildness and novelty.” – Henry David Thoreau

Co-Leaders: Nancy Wright, Anne Seraphine, Nancy Lasseter, and Darrell HartmanDates: Fridays, ongoingTime: 12:00pm - 1:00pmPlace: UCG Chapel

Lenten Contemplative PrayerUnplugged is the UCG worship theme for Lent – and Contemplative Prayer offers a quiet hour each week to do just that. The Lenten journey of 40 days (plus Sundays) parallels the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism before he began his active ministry. One might say that Jesus used this time away to unplug and to nurture his soul. Join us to unplug with silence, with scripture and contemporary readings, with reflection and prayer, and with simple practices of awareness as we plug into the grace-filled stirrings of the Spirit. The invitation is here for you.  

Please commit to at least three of the five evenings. If you need child care, please request it when you register.

Leader: Sandy ReimerDate: Wednesdays, March 13, 20 & 27; April 3 & 10Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Place: UCG Sanctuary

Forest Bathing ExperienceAs a small group, we will enter the forest at Morningside Nature Center with a sense of quiet, wonder and a small threshold ceremony. Drawing from the work of M. Amos Clifford, you will be invited to BE in the forest with embodied awareness, quiet and openness to receive wisdom with the forest. Expect a few readings, some mindful walking, sitting in quiet and a sharing circle at the end with hot green tea.

Forest bathing is a gentle, meditative practice of connecting with nature. Simply being present, with all of our senses, in a forest or other wild area, can produce mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. It is a simple, accessible antidote to disconnection that can bring spontaneous awareness and healing.

Testimonial from a past participant: "Kathleen is an intuitive facilitator. She provides a balance of guidance and encouragement while also creating a safe space for the participants to navigate their own experience. I had never been on a "forest bath" before. In fact, I did not even know what that was! But I'm so glad that I went on this mini-journey. In a short space of time, less than 2 hours, I found myself more grounded, more aware, more appreciative and more positive. And happily, the experience has stayed with me. These days it is so necessary to unplug but that can be hard to do. Thank you Kathleen for including me in this unique and powerful experience!”

Leader: Kathleen McKeeDate: Wednesday, March 20Time: 8:30am - 10:30amPlace: Morningside Nature CenterLimit: 4

Personal Growth

Sacred Sound Symphony In the years I have been playing the bowls, I have come to feel their presence as a beautiful choir. Stress is relieved, and the body/system receives a full internal massage. This is an incredible gift to give yourself, preparing you to be the best you can be for the upcoming events of the week. Come as often as you are able. Thank you for your presence.

Leader: Sapphira (Cindy Bergbower)Dates: 2nd Sunday of the month, ongoingTime: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Place: UCG Sanctuary

Five Element AcupunctureHealing Fractured Humans with Five Element Acupuncture… Whether it’s recovering from a stressful day, a bruise or a major life-altering illness, the process of being a human involves challenges to the health of our Body Mind and Spirit. In this Small Group we will explore ways in which Five Element Acupuncture draws upon the cycles of nature to facilitate healing, access resilience and empower people to face life’s challenges.

Leader: Mark LarsenDate: Wednesday, March 6Time: 7:00pm - 8:15pm Place: UCG West WingLimit: 15

Gun Violence Documentary Screening & DiscussionThe Armor of Light documentary film by Abigail Disney explores the intersection between faith and gun violence as it follows the spiritual journeys of an evangelical minister and the mother of a murder victim. Following the film, we will discuss faith issues and our country's gun culture, as well as Florida's Stand Your Ground law

and the current state of gun legislation. Attendance is open to all, and we would especially like to extend this invitation to members of Gainesville east and rural congregations.

Leader: Catherine CakeDate: Sunday, April 7Time: 1:15pmPlace: Headquarters Library Foundation RoomLimit: 20Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support GroupThis support group for caregivers and family of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia will offer information, resources, opportunities for sharing, and a network of support. This is an ongoing support group, open to the public as well.

Leaders: Tom Summers, Fonda Eyler, Dar Mikula, and Leigh Baker Dates: 3rd Tuesdays of the month, ongoingTime: 7:00pm - 8:00pmPlace: UCG Library

Financial Peace UniversityFinancial Peace University (FPU) is a nine-lesson money-management class taught by financial guru, Dave Ramsey. FPU has helped millions of people get out of debt and build wealth. Together, we will learn the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future, saving for kids’ college, and much more. As with everything at UCG, this will be a supportive and inclusive environment. For information about the course, see: https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu or search YouTube for “debt free screams.” In addition to registering via UCG, attendees must also register via https://www.fpu.com/1085653 and purchase the FPU materials used during the course. Please call with questions.

Leader: Jenny JonesDate: Sundays, March 24 and May 26Times: 3:30pm – 5:00pmLocation: UCG Seminar B

Introduction to Yoga for Beginners Always wanted to try yoga but didn't know where to start? This class will be a gentle introduction with some simple principles, postures, breathing exercises and relaxation. I will help you come up with a short personal session you can continue at home. Questions about which yoga is which yoga props and other curiosities? I'll do my best

to answer your questions and help you connect with a practice that meets your needs at this time. Please call me at 541-977-4477 if you have any concerns about whether this class is a good fit for you at this time.

Leader: Deb DippreDate: Tuesdays, March 19, 26, and April 2Time: 10:00am - 11:15amLocation: UCG West WingLimit: 6Find a Life You Love with the Work of Byron KatieWe can spend our lives thinking things (and people) should be different than they are and living out of beliefs that we have not stopped to question for ourselves. By learning to identify our stressful thoughts and meeting them with four questions and turnarounds, we are able to find an understanding that opens space for peaceful and loving experience and wise, decisive action. The Work is a simple and life-changing process of self-inquiry that is accessible to anyone willing to open their mind and heart to answer the questions honestly.

What thought would keep you from experiencing joy and love in this moment - just as it is?"She/he should appreciate me.""I need more money.""The world is messed up."During these three evening sessions you are invited to identify and question the thoughts that lead to stress and suffering in you life, work and relationships. Experience the power of The Work. Find love, freedom and peace where you have experienced fear, anger and sadness.

Leaders: Celia ChapmanDates: Mondays, March 25, April 1 & 8Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pmPlace: UCG ChapelLimit: 10

Community Wealth Building: Key to Resilience and Equity in a Time of TurmoilGainesville has seen a surge of community activism on multiple fronts as our city confronts issues of inequity, housing, energy, low wages, destruction of our tree canopy and respect for our character as a unique place where “Nature and Culture Meet”. Community Wealth Building is a fast-growing Place based economic development movement that strengthens our communities by

building on local talents, capacities and institutions. It promotes local, broad based ownership, inclusive, living wage jobs, encourages institutional buy local strategies, measures well-being and encourages more participatory decision making. Learn the concepts, hear some examples, and discuss ways our community could develop a more robust local economy ecosystem.

Leader: Nancy DerenDates: Sunday, March 3Times: 12:30pm – 2:00pmPlace: UCG West WingLocal Investing: Change Your Relationship with Your Savings and Investments while Building Community Capital and Your FutureFrom the Divest to the Move Your Money campaigns, from turning Fast Money into Slow Money, people want to know what their money is up to, and make it work for a more just, healthy and resilient world as well as security for their own future. Local business development goes hand in hand with community development, but small, start up and established locally owned businesses have a hard time raising the capital they need to get going or to expand. There is a push right now to encourage entrepreneurs and grow our local businesses. They need nurture capital, that “I believe in you money” that, unlike venture capital, is interested in both their individual success and their positive contribution to our community vitality. We will focus on examples of what we could start here to invest in our local place based businesses and start ups—specifically, our entrepreneurs coming out of our kitchen incubator at Working Food. From the macro to the micro, it’s time to call at least some of our money home.

Leader: Nancy DerenDates: Sunday, May 19Times: 1:00pm – 2:30pmPlace: UCG West Wing

For a Green New Deal, and Renewable Future, include Health from the Soil Up: Regenerative Food and Farming Cool the Planet and Restore BiodiversityThe scientific and ethical message is increasingly clear: most fossil fuels must stay in the ground if life on the planet, including human civilization, is to exist. Industrial agriculture, both plant and animal, is a major contributor to climate change: it takes 7-10 fossil fuel calories to produce 1 calorie of food, and industrial methods destroy soil

microbial life, extract soil carbon, guzzle water and are a major cause of chronic disease. ""You are what you eat, eats! ""(Michael Pollan) From Climate Victory Gardens to the farm, we can sequester excess greenhouse gasses, improve water quality, and enjoy more flavorful nutritious food by changing how we garden, farm, ranch and eat, and what we wear.

Leader: Nancy DerenDates: Sunday, April 7Times: 12:30pm – 2:00pmPlace: UCG West WingDIY Natural Pain RemediesWhat do tennis balls, ice and hot water have in common? They can all help relieve discomfort/pain! Learn practical, inexpensive ways to be more comfortable in your body from a nurse/massage therapist. Topics included will be tips for posture, trigger points, and effective breathing techniques for relaxation. Bring journal and pen to take notes and there will be time for questions!Leader: Elizabeth Franco RN, LMTDates: Saturday, March 30 Times: 1:00– 3:00pmPlace: UCG ChapelLimit: 15

NAMI Peer-to-PeerNAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, 8-session recovery education course for adults living with mental health challenges. NAMI P2P provides an educational setting focused on recovery that offers respect, understanding, encouragement and hope. The NAMI P2P program is:

Free and confidential Held once a week for two hours Taught by trained Peer Leaders living in recovery themselves A great resource for information on mental health and

recovery

Topic List Each NAMI Peer-to-Peer class teaches skills that contribute to mental health and wellness.

Class 1: Getting Started: Mental Health and Recovery

Presents a variety of viewpoints on mental health and recovery. Participants create a personal vision statement and practice diaphragmatic breathing. Class 2: The Brain and the Body Explores how the environment and the brain impact mental health. Participants learn about and create SMART goals.

Class 3: Telling My Story Participants share personal stories, explore the benefits and limitations of mental health diagnoses and practice a progressive relaxation technique.

Class 4: Strengthening Relationships: Focuses on relationships and effective communication. Participants practice using “I” statements.

Class 5: Growing Support Networks Explores how to maintain a vibrant social support network. Participants experience a guided visualization activity.

Class 6: Tools for Enhancing Recovery Covers stress management, different types of therapies and medications.

Class 7: My Story, My Strengths Participants reframe personal stories and prepare for conversations with mental health providers. Participants learn and practice a new breathing technique.

Class 8: Moving Forward Participants revisit their personal vision and goals, learn a new problem-solving technique and plan for next steps.

Please include your phone number. A P2P Leader will call to ask you ask a few questions and answer any questions you may have about P2P to be sure it is what you are looking for.

NOTE: P2P registration is open to the whole Gainesville community.

"NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Gainesville is an affiliate of NAMI Florida.

http://www.namigainesville.org/http://www.namigainesville.org/peer-to-peer

Leader: David Stevens and Kimberley SnookDates: Saturdays, March 2 through April 20Times: 10:00am – 12:00pmPlace: UCG West WingLimit: 30

Emotional Eating Support with work of Geneen RothIn this small group, we will explore how we use food to comfort ourselves, and reflect on how we can enhance our self care. We will be using a book by Geneen Roth, "Women, Food and God." Note about the book: “How you eat tells it all. Your relationship with food is an exact mirror of your feelings about love, fear, anger, meaning, transformation, and spirituality.” In Women, Food and God, Geneen Roth explains why it's necessary to understand the underlying reasons behind a food compulsion — whether it's eating too much or too little, constantly thinking about what you will eat or trying not to think about it at all — in order to overcome it. In this insightful book, she not only demystifies weight loss but also offers a roadmap for letting go of negative emotions and living a more fulfilling life. I will share principles and practices from the books, and we will share about our personal experiences as a group. I would like to explore the possibility of creating a long-term support group for emotional eating, using Geneen Roth's book as a guide.

Leader: Kathleen McKeeDates: Mondays, March 18 and 25Times: 6:00pm – 8:00pmPlace: UCG Seminar A

Service GroupsGrace MarketplaceJoin us as we prepare and serve a meal at the Grace Marketplace. Volunteers can help by contributing food or by joining us at Grace for the service of the meal. Sign-up now to express your interest and we will contact you when the dates are finalized. Thank you!

Leader: Dawn BeachyDate: Saturday, March 23 Time: TBAPlace: UCG Kitchen and Grace Marketplace

Family PromiseFour times a year, UCG becomes a home to families in transition. We need lots of volunteers to help with everything from preparing the church to be a cozy home to providing meals for our guests. We need all the help we can get, to share the love of UCG with our friends in need. Sign-up now to express your interest and we will contact you when we’re ready to sign-up specific jobs.

Leader: Lisa IngramDates: The week of April 28 – May 5Times: variousPlace: UCG

Service Through Stitching on SaturdaysIf you can stitch a straight(ish) line, you can help Family Promise. We will gather in Reimer Hall and machine-stitch our wonderful quilt tops, donated by John Frachiseur and Luis Padreira, into beautiful blankets for our Family Promise guests.

--NO QUILTING EXPERIENCE NEEDED. --If you have one, please bring your portable sewing machine. --All materials provided. Please bring scissors, tape measure, pins, etc. if you have them.--If you prefer to hand stitch, that's wonderful too.--You can attend any or all of the sessions.

Leader: Dawn Beachy and Phoebe PapadiDate: Saturdays, March 23, April 27, and May 18Time: 9:00am – 12:00pmPlace: UCG Reimer Hall

Final Friends at UCGUCG will create its own group that would help perform the funeral functions when a member passes upon the request of a Home Funeral. We would want trained volunteers to be ready to help families in their time of need. There is the hope that this training group can provide a continued service that will be offered to our UCG family & friends.

Leader: Eleanor Nurallah BrisenoDate: 4th Tuesdays of the month ongoingTime: 7:00pm - 8:30pmLocation: ChapelSocial Justice Committee – Interfaith Habitat HouseWant to help a deserving family obtain their own home and maybe learn some building skills at the same time? Here's your opportunity. A work day on an interfaith habitat home. No skills or tools are needed. Lunch is provided.

Leader: Irma McLaughlinDates: Saturday, March 9 Times: 8:30am - 2:30pmPlace: OffsiteLimit: 15

Earth Week 2019: April 14-22In Compassion Games: Earth Week 2019, Players and Teams come up with fun, meaningful, and creative ways to "compete" to show compassion for Mother Earth and inspire our community! When signed up, players receive brief ‘Compassion Missions’ to inspire and guide compassionate acts each day from April 14-22. Players report actions online, and team results are displayed on website scoreboards. – from www.compassiongames.org. Last year I played on a Compassion Games team and the experience was both fun and transformative. This year I am organizing a team. Want to join me? Check out the website, send me an email (creativespiritcircle@gmail.com), or come to the information session (April 2) to learn more. You determine your own level of participation, and you can “count” compassionate acts or service projects you already do (environmental or otherwise); online reports can also be anonymous. It’s win-win, folks! Let’s spread compassion in Gainesville!

Leader: Theresa FosterDates: Tuesday, April 2

Times: 6:30pm - 7:30pmPlace: Seminar B

Center for Independent LivingPlease come have a lively, interactive, and inclusive conversation about questions such as: What is disability and accessibility, and why does it matter? How is disability and spiritual growth interrelated? How can UCG be fully accessible for all? How can we promote accessibility in our everyday lives and in our community? We hope this conversation will grow beyond the small group and into actionable steps that promote accessibility throughout UCG and beyond.

Leader: Tony DelisleDate: TBDTime: TBDLocation: UCG Room TBD

Community Weatherization CoalitionBecome an Energy Coach with the Community Weatherization Coalition. For over 10 years, volunteer Energy Coaches with Gainesville Community Weatherization Coalition have helped to carry out hundreds of home energy/water tune-ups that have saved local residents hundreds of thousands of dollars on their monthly utility bills, and conserved millions of kilowatt hours of electricity and gallons of water. UCG members and visitors are invited to attend this seminar to become Community Weatherization Coalition “Energy Coaches” by participating in a CWC training program in March-April 2019. You do not have to have any expert knowledge to participate!

Join UCG Energy Coaches and learn how to put into practice some of the key elements – EDUCATION, EMPATHY AND ACTION – of UCG’s three-year community outreach plan!

Two evening training sessions will be held at UCG March 21 and March 26, 5:30-8:30 pm. The hands-on all-day final training session will take place on a Saturday date TBD, 9:00am-3:00pm. Contact Marianne Schmink for more information

Leader: Marianne SchminkDates: March 21 & 26; Saturday TBDTimes: March 21 & 26; 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Saturday TBD 9:00am-3:00pmPlace: Reimer Hall

Arts, Fellowship & Recreation

Ukulele Club of GainesvilleThe Ukulele Club of Gainesville is an ongoing, year-round group that is open and welcoming, happy to have new members of every skill level at any time of the year. Beginners meet separately to learn the chords and strumming patterns before joining the main group to practice various songs in Seminar B. We enjoy several opportunities to play for the congregation and the wider community during the year, and regularly share information about other ukulele-related local events. Like us on Facebook to see our photos and news!

Leader: Mary Fukuyama and Vic HarrellDates: 1st and 3rd Mondays, ongoingTime: 7:00pm - 8:30pmPlace: UCG Sanctuary

Picnic in the Park Join friends and make new ones while enjoying nature in a different park each month. After picnicking we may go for a short walk or just enjoy visiting with each other. The food and the company are always delightful.

Leaders: Judy MunselleDates: Sundays, March 10, April 7, and May 5Time: 12:30pm Place: Local Parks, TBA

Sunday Afternoon at the HIPPLet’s go to the Hippodrome on Sunday afternoon and watch a film together. After, we’ll have dinner at Liquid Ginger for fellowship and a

chance to talk about the film. Participating in this group requires some flexibility. The title of the film will probably not be confirmed until a week before our scheduled date. The show time will not be confirmed until the Tuesday preceding our Sunday gathering, at the earliest.

Leader: Carol SariskyDate: Sundays, February 24, March 17, April 14Time: TBA, depends upon movie schedulePlace: Hippodrome Theater Cinema, Liquid GingerLimit: 30 participantsCost: Members will pay for their own film tickets and dinners.

Entr'acte PlayersWe know there are musicians in our midst who have never had the opportunity to share their music at UCG, as well as musicians who don’t play for us as often, who are ready to share. Our purpose is to get to know one other and provide mutual support and encouragement. We invite musicians of all ages and skill levels to perform for a small, loving, accepting audience in the sanctuary between services on three designated Sundays. A 35- minute interval between services would allow 5 to 7 performances on each Sunday. All performers would be asked to stay to be an audience for everyone performing that day. An organizational meeting and sign up will be held on the first Sunday. Let’s have some fun making music!

Leader: Ruth SaundersDate: Sunday, (once a month) - TBA Time: 10:15am - 11:10am - between servicesPlace: UCG Sanctuary

~Making Waves~ a dance/movement practiceDo you enjoy moving to music? Dancing however known? Join us for a free-form dance/moving meditation that is inspired by the “5 Rhythms” dance practice developed by Gabrielle Roth, which now has many teachers and participants worldwide. In our hour-long session we will move to a playlist of music that follows the “wave” of these 5 rhythms: Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness. This is a group practice of individual expressions, you can move or be still as you desire with respect for all members of the dance. You can sign up for one, two, or three of the sessions being offered. Please feel free to contact Jasmine with any questions - jasminesamar@gmail.com. Thanks for your consideration!

Leader: Jasmine Angelini-KnollDate: March 10th, March 24th, and April 7thTime: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pmPlace: West Wing Limit: 20

Fifth Avenue Heritage Trail Did you know that Gainesville’s Fifth Avenue-Pleasant Street District was once considered, “The Capitol of Black Florida?” At 10:25 am on Sunday morning of March 3rd, Fletcher Crowe will give a brief history of our historic 5th Avenue. Then join us that afternoon for a guided walking tour of some of the most significant sites along the heritage trail.

Leader: Fletcher CroweDate: March 3rd

Times: 10:25 am introductory seminar, 1 pm-3:30 pm walking tourPlace: Reimer Hall for the seminar, then 1 pm at Sweet Berries restaurant for lunch and preliminary discussion.

Dances of Universal PeaceJoin Hakim & Nurallah for these simple and much beloved dances celebrating sacred chants and songs from many faiths & traditions. Dances are from 3:00 – 5:00pm followed by a potluck till 6:30pm. Live music always! Beginners welcomed. Bring friends!

Leader: Nurallah Eleanor BrisenoDate: 2nd Saturdays of the month, ongoingTime: 3:00pm - 6:30pmPlace: West Wing

Rhythm Wranglers Drum CircleHave you ever wanted to be a wrangler of rhythm? A broker of beat? Come join the Rhythm Wranglers on the first and third Thursdays of

each month 6:30 for an hour-long Drum Circle. We will enjoy a brief meditation and learn a new rhythm pattern each session, with ample time for play, exploration and revisiting rhythms we already know. Our goals? To release our inner drummers and create community. No prior experience needed. Leigh Baker and Nancy Ryan will serve as facilitators, but we will share leadership across the group as time moves on. This is an ongoing group so come when you can. All are welcome.Please bring your own drum and percussion instruments. If you do not have a drum or cannot borrow a drum, contact Leigh at 352-804-6030

Leader: Leigh Baker and Nancy RyanDate: First and third Thursdays of each month, ongoingTime: 6:30pm - 7:30pmPlace: UCG Reimer HallGospel Jamboree Sing-a-longThis will be a singing jam with instruments. Bring your voices and/or other instruments. Art will bring handouts of words to old gospel songs. If you have a favorite, you’d like to be sure we sing, let him know.

Leader: Art and Mary CrummerDate: Sunday, March 17Time: 4:00pmPlace: UCG West Wing

Roller Skating with the ACR HunniesSkating Rinks across the country have been closing due to lack of public interest. It used to be such a wonderful pastime! ACR Hunnies (team of the UCG Roller Skating Angels) invites you to dust off your quads or roller blades and join us for open session at the Skating Palace in Lake City. Their smooth wooden floor is worth the drive! The Hunnies will help teach the basics of skating (no hip checks, we promise!) or expand your skating skills, and talk about how beneficial skating can be to your health. *A few quick facts; skating is 50% less harsh on your joints compared to running. One hour of skating a week burns over 600 calories. * No experience or skates required! Please join us for a night of skating and fun. There will be two skating sessions to choose from or why not go to both!?!

Leader: Vera Dreadful (Shanna Swiers)Date: Friday, March 15 and April 12Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Place: Skating Palace, 357 NW Hall of Fame Dr, Lake CityPrice: $6 for admission, $4 for skate rental plus tax

Picnics and PlaytimeDo you wish you knew more UCG parents? Do you want to help your kids bond with their church family outside of Sunday service? Then Board of Children’s Ministry invites you to join other UCG families at a Gainesville park for an informal picnic and lots of playtime. We will be meeting at noon on the following Saturdays at a different park. Signing up doesn't mean you have to come to all of them though we hope you’ll want to!

Leader: Beth HinrichsDate: Saturdays, March 16, April 27, and May 18Time: 12:00pmPlace: TBA

Poetry and PotluckParticipants will bring printed copies of poems to read to the group, originals or favorites. After potluck food and visiting, we'll relax and enjoy poems read by everyone.

Leader: Art and Mary CrummerDate: Saturday, May 4Time: 6:30pmPlace: The Crummer’s HouseLimit: 20

Sunset at Sweetwater WetlandsAccording to The Farmers' Almanac, Spring this year begins officially at 5:58 p.m. on March 20th. Sunset is at 7:40 p.m. The park closes at sunset and the entry gate closes thirty minutes before that. We can gather at 6:30 as daylight wanes and see the big sky at Sweetwater Wetlands at sunset. Especially if there are scattered clouds, it should be beautiful. In case of total sun-blocking clouds or rain, we will re-schedule. A lovely way to mark the change of seasons and end your mid-week day. $5.00 admission per vehicle.

Leader: Susan CaryDate: Wednesday, March 20Time: 6:30pmPlace: Sweetwater Wetlands ParkPrice: $5.00 admission per vehicle

How to Make Moravian StarsLearn how to fold those lovely 16-pointed Moravian Stars. These can be folded as flat 8-pointed stars - includable in an envelope; flat backed 12-pointed stars - lovely on a gift box; or the 16-pointed beauty to hang as an ornament or decoration. Modest fee for special paper strips (under $5.)

Leader: Peggy DiNegroDate: Thursday, March 7Time: 7:00-8:30pmPlace: Seminar BLimit: 9 participants Price: Less than $5.00

Book Groups

Friday Morning Book GroupThis group selects books once a year from suggestions of members of the group. We meet the first Friday of every month from 10:30am to Noon in the church library.

Leader: Jim ArcherDates: 1st Fridays, ongoingTime: 10:30am - 12:00pmLocation: UCG LibraryLimit: Up to 2 new members

Dinner and a Good Book (full)Mostly Fiction (full)Food for Thought (full)Love a Good Mystery Book Club (full)

While many ongoing book groups are full, we’d love to help you start a new one! If you are interested in participating in a book group,

please sign up and we will match you with other interested folks to create one of your own.

HELP WANTED

Do you have an extra hour or two per month that you can volunteer to the church to keep us strong, engaged and moving forward? The vast majority of the work and ministries of the United Church of

Gainesville relies on thoughtful, supportive, loving volunteers like YOU to make our boards and committees operate.

Each board or committee hopes that volunteers will serve for two or three years. Most gather ONCE per month to do the business of their boards. Each has a ministerial liaison to work with. And each board and committee serve an essential role in the life and work of the church.

On April 7th we will have a “Time and Talent” fair, where each board and committee will seek to sign you up to help! Listed below are the different ones. Consider where YOUR gifts can be called forth on behalf of the whole congregation. We need you!

The Small Groups Committee envisions, plans and coordinates small group offerings of spiritual growth, personal enrichment, trips and retreats, outreach and fellowship opportunities for our family of faith. We gather QUARTERLY to help assemble our small groups brochures.

The Seminar Committee provides opportunities for enrichment and connection by offering seminars that contribute to the spiritual, personal and intellectual growth of our congregation. Currently we gather the first Thursday of the month at 9:30 am.

Compassion in Action (CIA) is benevolent arm of our community outreach. We are a conduit for the congregation to provide goods and services to people in need in our community, near or far. We gather on the second Tuesday night of most months.

Family Promise helps assist and administer our efforts to serve the homeless in our community and provides an opportunity for our church community to serve families in need. Committee members rarely gather, but rather assist with oversight during the weeks we host Family Promise. We also organize our quarterly service opportunities at Grace Marketplace.

The Board of Business (BoB) helps UCG meet its mission by providing stewardship for UCG assets and resources through the supervision of the church’s operational budget, management & oversight of all financial assets, liabilities, facilities and physical resources, planning for short-term and long-term capital needs and facilitation of the fund-raising process. BoB typically meets the second Thursday of each month.

The Board of Children’s Ministry (BCM) helps provide and oversee our spiritually-based programs that connect and support the younger children of UCG and their families. We meet on the second Sunday of most months.

The Board of Congregation-Ministry Review (CMRB) serves as a conduit between the ministers and the congregation. We support the congregation in its concerns and the clergy in their ministry, and work to foster the individual and collective health and well-being of both. We also coordinate and create our three-year visioning plan. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 12 noon. Board members serve by invitation (we try to have a representative of as many different demographics of the church as possible)- but if you are interested in being considered for CMRB, please let one of the ministers know!

The Board of Endowment Management supports UCG’s mission and ministries by promoting gifts and bequests to the church’s Endowment, managing how Endowment funds are invested, and funding valuable initiatives that lie outside of the church’s annual operating budget.

The Open and Affirming Committee (ONA) works to help promote within UCG an inclusive spiritual sanctuary for LGBTQ+ individuals through awareness, positive image and education so that together we recognize we are all celebrated as children of God and, beyond our church, engaging with the larger community to inform, promote, educate and advocate an open and affirming ministry. In brief, we educate, celebrate and advocate equal rights for all. We meet on the second Sunday of the month at 12:30 pm.

The Racial Justice Committee works to educate about white privilege and systemic racism, and to build community partnerships to advocate for racial justice. We currently meet on Tuesday nights OR Thursdays at 11 am, monthly.

The Social Justice Committee (SJC) works to build awareness of issues and takes thoughtful action to promote social justice and peace. The SJC sets it priorities each year to focus on several current social justice issues. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm.

The Board of Membership (BOM) welcomes visitors to our congregation, invites new members to be a part of our church and facilitates the full integration of everyone into our diverse spiritual

community. We meet on the third Sunday of every other month at 12:30pm.

The Board of Parish Ministry (BPM) works to assist and contribute to the creation of worship with the awareness of the spiritual diversity of the congregation, preparing the space and elements, and responding to the synergistic needs of the ministers and the congregation. We meet the first Thursday of the month in at 5:30 pm.

The Kairos Team is a group joined together to address prayer concerns of UCG congregants. The purpose of Kairos is to ensure that congregants receive compassion and care. Ways to serve include sending cards, making visits or phone calls, and offering help to those with chronic or long-term illness or needing end-of-life support. We often only have ONE gathering orientation, but then assist in a variety of ways to individuals and families throughout the year.

Lively Arts Committee helps the ministerial team reach every member of the congregation in each worship service through music, singing, liturgical dance, and the visual arts; provide additional avenues of worship through spiritual service for visual and performing artists; and enhance spiritual expression through provision of a reliable sound system. We meet QUARTERLY!

If you are unable to come on April 7, you can email timetalentucg@gmail.com to sign up for a board or committee.

Thank you for your time!

Do you have a small group idea that you’d like to lead or would like some help with? Let us know! Our next edition of UCG Small Groups will be released in August. Watch the bulletins, weekly emails and monthly newsletters for more

information! Join us!

Thanks to the Small Groups Committeefor all their hard work!

Registration for Small Groupsis now online!

Please go to this link to sign-up

https://bit.ly/2Sf3cfd

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ:

After you complete the online form you will receive an email confirming receipt of your registration.This does not guarantee you have a spot in the group, only that your registration has been received.

During the late week of February 25, you will receive an email confirming which group(s) you are in; the group leader will then contact participants directly. If small group occurs before registration closes, you will be notified in advance.

Please check your calendar to assure that you are available for each session.

If there is a cost associated with a group, your registration is not complete until payment has been submitted.

Members of UCG, official friends, and actively participating visitors have priority.

Registration deadline isSunday, February 24

If you need any additional information,please contact the church office at info@ucgainesville.org