Worship Services,  Join us for Service each Sunday

April 3^rd                  Nelson Stover "Climate Change - A Religious Problem"

Why have many people been so reluctant to seriously confront global issues like Climate Change? Now is the time to look, in depth, at the values and assumptions that allow current patterns of behavior to persist even when the 21st Century requires new kinds of responses. In this context, the wisdom, insights and passions of a Liberal Religious Community like UUCG become especially critical to empowering the process of healing the Planet and the communities in which we live.

April 10^th               Danny Glen "Mystic Poetry"

These mystic poets see beauty everywhere. They see sacredness all around. They don't see us humans as separate from each other, but as members of the great human family. 

April 17^th               Rev. Scott McNeil "The River Running O'er"

As life flows past, we feel the all too common urge to hold tightly to what we know instead of what is changing around us. However, there is another way: releasing ourselves to the river running o'er.

April 24^th               Beth Walden "Creating Space for New Growth"  FLOWER COMMUNION SUNDAY

Before we can have hope for new life, birth, or creation, we must first create space to welcome it. This Sunday let's explore the many ways we can create space to spark growth in our lives. 

Expressions - exploring the arts and spirituality

From the Board President - Jim Kalinowski

The Board approved the addition of Mike Stoller to the Interim Minister Task Force. The Board previously approved Barbara Hands, Sue Cole, Nora Bird, and Elaine Stover as members of that group. We wish them well in this work that they undertake for all of us.

As part of the fiduciary work of the Board, a schedule of fees for use of the Building was approved. In general, the fees will be applied to groups not affiliated with the Church. The details of which groups will be subject to the fee schedule will be resolved at a future meeting of the Board.

The Board also voted to begin the designation of 50% of the cash plate donations to the Ministerial Discretionary Fund on the second and third Sunday of each month. This will permit the Lay Pastoral Care Associates to address some of the needs in our own community. The cash plate donations on the first Sunday will be shared with the TJ district and the UUA to help pay our dues.

The Board set the date for the Congregational meeting as May 22, 2011. While the agenda for the meeting has not been set, the budget will be on the agenda as required by our ByLaws. There will be difficult choices facing us as the ACT campaign did not reach its goals for congregational participation and pledged gifts. I must admit I find myself somewhat dismayed at the large percentage of our members who have chosen to not pledge to support the Church. I would ask that you revisit your commitment to the concept of liberal religion and its place in the world. For us to do the work of community, we need everyone to participate to the extent that they can. You know what you can afford to do and you know what your level of commitment is.

News from the Director of Faith Development

April 3 - Teacher's Meeting 

April 9  - Work Day 
Families are asked to arrive at the church at 10am to help with planting on our church grounds.  This work day will also include lunch and worship.  Contact Laura Graham or Ken Williams for more information.

April 21 - Rock Climbing (6:30-8:30pm)

This is an opportunity for our bridged youth (18-22) to gather in fellowship and be called back to their bodies.  Spaces are limited so contact Beth Walden to reserve your spot. 

April 24 - Flower Communion Sunday (11:00am)

We will have only one service on this Sunday and no Religious Education classes.  Children will be joining us in worship

Cabaret Auction

General Assembly 2011
June 22-26, Charlotte, North Carolina
 
General Assembly is the annual meeting of Unitarian Universalists from all over the continent.  Thousands of UUs all in one place celebrating our faith.
 
For more info:
http://www.uua.org/ga/index.shtml
 

Social Action Committee Movie Night

Last month Food and Water Watch teamed up with the UUCG to learn about and discuss issues surrounding factory hog farms. In fact, the event was such a hit that we are going to bring another event about the food industry to you this month!

The Social Action Committee of UUCG, Food and Water Watch, and the ForeverGreen Club at Guilford College invite you to come to UUCG on Thursday, March 24th at 7:00 pm to learn more about what you can do as an everyday citizen to make a difference in the health of your community and environment! We will be showing the film "Fresh" and discussing how you can help the Food & Water Watch bring safer food and water to your community!  The movie will be screened in the large RE room at UUCG.

Music, Music, MUSIC!

Sunday, May 1st, 4pm    

"Missa Gaia - Earth Mass"

Presented by the UUCG choir and local jazz musicians

Stay tuned for more information on this concert offered in love to the larger community

Blood Drive

On Monday, May 23, UUCG will sponsor another blood drive.  Beginning in mid April, the sign-up sheet for those planning to donate blood will be available on Sunday mornings.

 Chellie Mason and Dottie Borei, co-coordinators, will need a lot of assistance for this event.  If you can help set up the sanctuary, greet donors, telephone to remind  people of their appointment, provide funds for the canteen, or help in the  cleanup-we need you! 

Please contact Chellie chelliemason@msn.com or  Dottie drvborei@gmail.com to let one of them know how you can support this very important activity.  Everyone can play a role in building a successful blood drive-those who donate or those who provide assistance.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Religious Education - Spirit Play

Wondering and Promise in Spirit Play                                                                               

Unitarian Universalists believe that every person can find value in their own experience and their own conscience.  We encourage "a free and responsible search for truth and meaning" not just among adults, but children too. Our children are living spiritual lives of joy and grief. Though they may use different words, they are wondering about purpose, meaning and the spirit of awe and mystery some people call God. They, too, are developing their faith as Unitarian Universalists.

At UUCG, the pre-kindergarten through second grade children are involved in a program called "Spirit Play".

Spirit Play is a faith development method based on Maria Montessori's education method. A prepared environment and a focused intent are important to its success. The classroom becomes sacred space each week through extensive preparation. Each week the intention in Spirit Play is less about "learning and knowing" and more about "experiencing and wondering". 

The Spirit Play teachers, both the Storyteller and the Doorkeeper, are trained to fill specific roles. They help frame our children's continuing adventures of Spirit through both emotional/psychological safety and age-appropriate challenge. This includes being careful not to "over adult" the room and to encourage focus and involvement among the children. The Storyteller fills his/her role by acting as the anchor of the "circle time", assisting the children in centering on the rituals and story. The Doorkeeper acts as a protector of the sacred space and as assistant to the children once the circle is opened for "work time".

Each Sunday morning the children leave the sanctuary carrying the chalice flame to their own chalice. Then they recite the seven "Rainbow Promises". Each promise starts with a word that has the same first letter as the color used to represent it. For example, the first promise is Red -- Respect all beings. The promises are used to help everyone make good choices while sharing and working and playing. One of the things the children do together is practice listening. They ring a chime and "listen into the silence" as the note fades away. Since listening means staying quiet, this can be difficult! But they are engaged and interested in how to make it work for everyone.

This church year 2010-11 we have offered stories which illustrate a quality embodied in one or more of the Rainbow Promises. At the end of a story, we wonder aloud, "I wonder what your favorite part of this story was?" "I wonder which Promise this story shows?" And we keep wondering, asking questions and reflecting. As Unitarian Universalists, we intend to continue in our ongoing commitment to wondering and to all the promises represented by the rainbow colors.

~)<

Michelle Lee, Spirit Play Lead

Thank you to Cindy Williams, Chris Voorhees, Elena Ramirez, Erica Palmer and Katja Brown for being storytellers and doorkeepers during UUCG Spirit Play's fifth year.

Special thanks to the parents and many others who support Spirit Play.

Congregational Fitness

Social Action Committee

SAC is looking for someone to coordinate the peanut butter project to ensure that we are delivering 50 pounds to Urban Ministry's Food Bank each month. This will require minimal time. The coordinator will periodically send articles to the newsletter and Order of Service.  When the peanut butter basket is full, this person will see that it is delivered to the Food Bank and receive a receipt.  Contact Sara Bourquin ( 632-1616 or sbourquin@triad.rr.com ) or any SAC member. Help feed the hungry!

Thanks for your support!

Spring Workday

Living the Healthy Congregation

My House Is on Fire and I Have to Go!

On February 19th, I was waiting at a coffee shop to meet a member of our church to discuss my annual commitment pledge.  My phone rang.  The caller I.D. said it was Derek, my husband. What he shared changed our lives forever. I grabbed my things and as I ran out the door, the person I was to meet was approaching. I shouted, "My house is on fire and I have to go!" 

By the time I arrived home, Derek, the kids and one dog were safe. But the entire house, with all of our belongings and most of our beloved pets, was just gone.  As we faced the incredible loss, the framework of support was taking shape.  Word of the fire quickly spread through the congregation by internet and phone. Within an hour, church members began arriving on site with food, clothing and compassion. Thanks to their efforts, we left the ruins of our home that afternoon with a safe place to stay, food to eat, clean clothes to wear and shoulders to cry on.

In the days following the fire, we were overwhelmed with people asking what they could do to help.  News organizations wanted to tell the story, donations of all kinds were coming in. We were still in shock and had no idea how to handle things.  Our congregation saw our need and stepped up. Many throughout the community offered donations of clothes, money, furniture, and household items. Some people offered to collect and organize the generous gifts, while others offered storage facilities. One member set up a Facebook page to centralize the support and donation process while others organized news interviews. One member made sure Bo, our one remaining pet, had a temporary home and couch to sleep on.  Another member setup a page online to make providing meals easier. Many, many people offered up their thoughts and prayers.

Some gave us time and talent, others gave us treasure, but all gave us hope.

The experience has proven a testament to what great things can be achieved when our congregation uses its skills, resources and energy to bring about positive change. As a result of the support and encouragement we've received, we've been able to take the time to care for ourselves and move toward healing.

Thank you.

Breeze Dunham

Editor's Note:  This section will contain a monthly article from the Congregational Cultural Task Force highlighting examples of "good health" they observe in our congregation. 

Congregational Cultural Task Force

Eight members of the Congregational Culture Task Force met at 9:00 am on Sunday, February 6.

Lonnie Houck gave a brief summary of the Board Retreat.

Updates of Task Force preliminary plans were shared:

Covenant Groups - First groups will begin as "Evensong" with small sessions to begin in May and continue during the summer to introduce the concept, with more permanent groups to form in the fall.  A proposal for training of leaders will be in the UUCG Newsletter.

Reading and discussion of Congregational Fitness by Denise Goodman will be scheduled for church lay leaders. Marie Houck will be facilitating sessions with date and time to be announced.

Electronic Communications - A one-hour session on the use of communications electronics and the Internet to ensure church safety will be offered to any church member or friend in March.  Steve Pearsall will facilitate with date and time to be announced.

Resources for large-group sessions on effective communications, both speaking and listening, are being identified by a sub-group of the Task Force.  Specific subjects, formats, and schedules will be announced during the next few months.

The next meeting of the Congregational Culture Task Force will be on Sunday, February 27, at 9:00 am.

Members the Task Force are Sue Beck, Sue Cole, Larry Graham, Lonnie Houck, Marie Houck, Ken Knight, Michelle Lee,  Chellie Mason, Steve Pearsall, Ken Williams, Laura Graham, chairperson.  Church members are strongly encouraged to share their ideas about our UUCG congregational culture with members of the Task Force.

Urban Ministry Food Drive

Another opportunity to help feed the hungry in Greensboro will occur on  Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Food Lion Store at 4652 West Market Street. The church will need 8 volunteers for 2 hour shifts to collect nonperishable groceries from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Greensboro Urban Ministry. Please  contact Becky Floyd at 336-852-3592 or rfloyd2@triad.rr.com to volunteer.  

Last Month's Board Activities

1.Accepted the resignation of Janet Eley, effective June 30, 2011; her commitment to the Lay Pastoral Care Associates (LPCA), with their expected increase in activity, will be her top priority with the UUCG congregation.
2.Approved the Covenant of Farewell signed by President Jim Kalinowski and the Reverend Alex Richardson on March 13, 2011.
3.Will seek up to 5 delegates to the General Assembly of the UUA in Charlotte in June; more information will be published in newsletter and Announcements; Vance Archer will be contact person.
4.Voted to accept a new building use fee schedule devised by Julie Hamilton
5.Approved the LPCA as custodian of the Minister's Discretionary Fund until the arrival of the Interim Minister; Julie will have the audit function.
6.Voted to expand the distribution of "cash in plate" to every Sunday: 50% of the cash in plate on 1st Sunday to the UUA and District dues and 50% on 2nd and 3rd Sundays to the Minister's Discretionary Fund. The 4th and 5th Sundays will continue to be directed by the Social Action Committee for distribution to worthy community organizations.
7.Approved the nomination of Mike Stoller to the Interim Ministerial Selection Task Force; board members will voluntarily meet with the task force as they begin their work; Sara will post the date and take volunteer names.
8.Voted to move the July meeting to the 4th Wednesday each year to avoid conflict with SUUSI and encourage SUUSI participation.

Birthdays this month 

Attendance and Collection

UUCG Covenant 

• Promote a search for personal meaning, respecting individual truth in a community process of quest
• Speak and act with caring, courtesy and love thereby maintaining emotional, physical, and spiritual safety for all
• Support UUCG and denominational efforts with our resources
• Combat injustice while promoting equality
• Nurture our children on their spiritual journeys
• Hold ourselves to this covenant, especially during times of conflict and disagreement

UUCG OFFICERS 

TRUSTEES

Karen Madrone (2011)                                                                                           kmadrone@juno.com
Ken Williams (2011)                                                                                                 williams@ncat.edu

Michelle Lee (2011)                                                                                          nc.dogwood@yahoo.com
Carolyn Crumpacker (2012)                                                                                      msjazzzz@aol.com
Janet Eley (2012)                                                                                                 eleyjanet@yahoo.com
Steve Andrews (2013)                                                                                              sand3420@aol.com  
Charlotte Hamlin (2013)                                                                                        chamlin1@triad.rr.com
Thomas Clayton                                                                                                          tnt@riseup.net

UUCG STAFF

Congregational Contacts