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UU News
Monthly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro
An Intentional Liberal Religious Community July, 2013
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Greetings!,
| Welcome to the June edition of our church Newsletter!
On June 16, we said goodbye to our Interim Minister, Eric Posa after two years of service. As editor I wish to thank Rev. Posa for his service here and his careful leadership of our congregation during our transition.
While we await the arrival of our Developmental Minister, Rev. Ann Marie Alderman in August, our spiritual community will be providing our own pastoral leadership in July.
Our Sunday Services will be led by members of our congregation and our various ministries will continue unabated.
If you have any submissions for the newsletter or questions for the editor, please send them to commuucg@bellsouth.net.
Sincerely,
Vance Archer
Newsletter Editor
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Liberal Religious Community
|  ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS CHURCH
Distinctions of power, privilege, and estate, which apply outside these doors, do not apply within them. Women, men, and children; persons of any color, culture, age, ability, economic status, or affectional orientation; skeptics and those pursuing common or unorthodox religious paths...
All Are Welcome Here!
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Sunday Worship Services
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July 7 "The"God in Our Pockets" Steve Pearsall
Unitarianism and The United States Founding Fathers share the same
roots in the Enlightenment. On the Sunday following Independence Day we
will look at how European philosophers shaped both our faith and our country
July 14 "Seeing the Face of God in the Natural World" Nelson Stover
July 21 "Toucing the Hand of God in Community" Nelson Stover
July 28 "Feeling the Breath of God in the Depth of Self" Nelson Stover
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Experiencing the Devine Through Three Portals - July Sermon Series
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Experiencing the Divine
Through Three Portals
A Sermon Series at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro
In July, 2013
Three Sunday morning worship services will focus on profound religious experience
within a global, 21st Century world-view. The sermons are designed to make sense to
people of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Each service
July 14 - 11:00 am
Seeing the Face of God in the Natural World
Through telescopes and microscopes, humans around the planet live selfconsciously within a huge and interconnected world. Each experience provides an occasion for seeing the face
of God.
July 21 - 11:00 am
Touching the Hand of God in Community
Within the context of an ever-emerging cosmos, the human community plays a unique role in celebrating and shaping the future. Understanding the significance of this opportunity empowers individuals and communities.
July 28 - 11:00 am
Feeling the Breath of God in the Depth of Self
In the calm silence or wild chaos, individuals may come to know their deep connection with all that is. Active participation in these moments provides life-sustaining sustenance and fosters vitalizing commitment.
F. Nelson Stover - Ecumenical Guide
Nelson graduated from Purdue University with a BSc in Computer Science and minors in English and Philosophy. He received his B. Div. from Chicago Theological Seminary; his thesis focused on the
church's role in social change. Through the decades that followed, Nelson pursued endeavors that addressed contemporary social issues, integrated technological and sociological practices and enabled people of all perspectives to deeply reflect on their personal lives. In 2012, Nelson and his wife, Elaine, received the Greensboro Public Library's Thomas Berry Award for their work in giving practical form to Thomas' writings. After his seminary graduation, Nelson was ordained by the United Church of Christ and assigned to their social ministry. Having participated in religious studies programs conducted by the Ecumenical Institute between 1964 and 1970, Nelson and Elaine joined the staff of its sister organization, the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). Nelson conducted a wide range of human development training programs for individuals at all levels of society. He also leads training programs focused on integrating science and religion in the common context of the emerging natural world.
Contextual Background
During the past eight years, Nelson has given periodic sermons at UUCG. These have focused on themes that provide a contextual background for the sermons in the Through Three Portals series.
Downloadable documents based on the outlines of these sermons are available on the greenschemes website at: www.greenschemesnc.com/Publications.html. The pictures, diagrams and drawings in Nelson's study provide him with a constant reminder of the universe in which he lives and the principles which guide his actions. During the month of July, much of this artwork will adorn the back wall of the UUCG sanctuary.
People attending the July worship services are invited to enter into dialogues with each of these pieces and let them inform their own journeys.
A guided reflection, prepared by Elaine Stover, will be included in each Sunday's Order of Service. These reflection tools will aid worshipers to deepen their experience and incorporate the morning's insights into their personal lives.
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Sunday Morning Schedule
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9:30-10:30
| Adult and Children's RE
| All are welcome. There are offerings for all ages, (Nursery services provided)
| 10:30-10:55
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Social
Gathering
| Informal Social Gathering prior to Worship. (Nursery Services Provided)
| 10:55-12:15
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Adult and Youth Worship
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Both adults and children start our service together. On most Sundays the children adjourn to their own Sunday Worship which also ends at 12:15. On Services labeled as "Worship for All Ages", the service will be shared by both children and adults.
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It varies
| Typically Rev. Posa meets visitors who wish to know more about our movement. There are often a variety of ministry team and special interest meetings to attend if you wish to participate.
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Expressions On Vacation - But the Pot Luck Continues.
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 Expressions Services and the Wednesday Pot Luck Dinners are on vacation until Fall. However the Potluck is continuing as a core of our membrs have chosen to keep the dinner alive a well ass some ater dinner activities such as game playing and Adult RE programs.
Please bring your own table service for the pot luck dinner, It helps our church stay green
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From Rev. Alderman
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Greetings! It is with great joy and anticipation that I look forward to beginning our journey together! Already in earnest communication with many UUCG leaders, I will be officially on board as your developmental minister August 1. Being in this time together of development means we have a number of specific growth points to work on. Those include stewardship, membership, right relations, and identity. Most of you will experience me during Sunday services as we launch our ministry, so let me share some of the values that guide me in regards to crafting Unitarian Universalist worship. First of all, I am guided by a specific, yet generous definition. Worship literally means lifting up that which has worth. We won't likely all agree on what has worth, but perhaps we can agree that most of us, and especially visitors come to a Sunday Service expecting some kind of touchstone for how to live lives of goodness, purpose and principle.. Another guide for me is to think of worship as akin to a family hosting an openhouse in their neighborhood. In that model, one would want the house clean, the good linens out, the dogs on their best behavior or off boarding with a friend, the children's needs taken care of, everything in place to be welcoming of guests and to have anticipated what their needs for a pleasant time might be. This would not be an appropriate time for a family meeting, or loud barking! It would be a time and a space for sharing the very best of what our family wants to show and share with the neighborhood. My vision is that together we honor all the traditional elements of worship at UUCG that will continue to make it the place that current and past members and friends want to be in, and that we will experiment with adding those elements that potential uu's come seeking extending a welcome that is both sincere and joyous, and from which new relationship will emerge.
In freeing faith,
Rev. Ann Marie
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From Cindy Dillard, RE Coordinator
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This past year, UUCG's Religious Education program tried a new model, offering a class Sundays at 9:30 am for children aged pre-school thru 5th Grade that happened concurrently with 9:30 am Adult RE. September through May, children explored one of the UUA's online Tapestry of Faith curricula, "Wonderful Welcome," while adults (including the children's older family members) investigated Adult RE topics. One of the "Wonderful Welcome" sessions asked the children to consider "The Gift of Invitation." Some of you might remember it as the Sunday you entered UUCG and were welcomed with the aroma of freshly baked M&M cookies! It was a day that celebrated the energies of our young ones, while also enhancing the physical space that is our spiritual home.
Just last Saturday, many folks gathered for a workday to care for UUCG's physical being, completing many tasks that we might not even know needed to be done. I know that many thanks need to be extended, yet I was not present and don't wish to omit acknowledging anyone's efforts-so I will just send out a great big thanks specifically to Jim Roeder for coordinating everything, and another great big thanks to all those who donated their time and abilities to helping make UUCG a more safe and inviting place to be.
Caring for our church's physical presence is certainly not the most important of our ministries, but it is significant in how we extend our "gift of invitation." And in the interest of caring for our church building, I'd like to share two items: firedoors and shared spaces. RE:Firedoors-the fire marshall recently did the annual inspection of our building, and the main concern was that we don't close doors. I know-we aspire to be welcoming and doors should always be open...but in the interest of protecting our building, when we leave, ALL doors should be shut. Should a fire break out, its progress would be greatly impeded if all doors were shut. So, if you are the last one to leave a room, please shut the door-just as you would shut off a light. And if you are the last one to leave the building, please make sure that all of the doors are closed. RE:Shared Spaces-we share our spaces with many folks. Please extend respect to everyone in our community by returning any furniture/materials/toys etc. that you use to the place where you found them. If you have a meeting accompanied with food, please change the trash bag when you leave (extra trash bags are always in the bottom of each trash can). And if you make a mess on the floor, please sweep/vacuum it up. In the "olden days" (I can use that term, now that I am turning 50, right?), such gestures used to be common courtesy... Let's return to the "olden days," and do what we can to help keep UUCG an environment that easily extends "the gift of invitation."
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From the Congregational President - Charlotte Hamilton
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As we begin the new 2013-2014 church year and anticipate the August arrival of Rev. Ann Marie Alderman as our Developmental Minister, I've been listening to the cheerful voices around me on Sundays and reflecting on the amazing transformation that has happened at UUCG over the past two years. Visitors, regular attendees and old friends returning repeatedly tell me that they feel a sense of warmth, engagement, and energy at UUCG which is reflected in the recent new membership signings. I hope you will welcome and engage the new members that Vance Archer profiles elsewhere: Christina Barrow, Emily Bracken, Jonathan Carlyle, Barry Collum, Elizabeth and Jeff Gauger, Jennifer Jacobs, Tim Leisman, and David Williams. Looking back on the past two years, I believe UUCG has become what Rev. Susan Neinaber, our Alban Institute consultant in 2010, calls a "resilient congregation," one that has experienced growth and deepened its ministry and relationships through the collective process of facing and working through problems. In her research on resilient congregations, she found they made an intentional decision to become healthy and focused their collective energies on that goal. Similarly, with the leadership of Rev. Eric Posa, our fine staff staff, the Board, lay leaders and dedicated congregants, UUCG has gone through an open and inclusive process to restructure our governance and decision-making, to learn to communicate with one another with sensitivity and compassion, and to envision a bright future through strategic planning process with significant congregational involvement. I want to thank Rev. Posa, outgoing Board members Steve Andrews and Stephanie Blake, Secretary Ken Williams, and all who served on ministry teams, committees and work groups to advance this transformation. Rev. Neinaber's research, however, cautions even resilient congregations that full recovery from substantive conflict may take as much as five years and that change is difficult, even when desired. She urges leaders to remain steady and help the congregation build trust and strengthen its sense of hope, to communicate well and respond with empathy to those with concerns, and, most importantly, to place the best interests of the entire congregation above personal preferences. She reports that resilient congregations are flexible, support their leaders and are willing to try new things and be creative. Starting the new church year and welcoming Rev. Alderman, I will try to model the qualities of resilient congregations and urge others to do likewise. Together, we can make that bright vision of UUCG in five years come true: a Place to Grow and Thrive, Serving the Extended Community, where Diversity Feeds the Spirit. Much work remains to be done in the new church year...and we will all be challenged by changes, even ones that we like...but we know we are resilient and can work as a caring community. I hope you will find an area of ministry and service to fulfill our transformation. Charlotte Hamlin Congregational President |
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Adult RE Offerings in July - By Steve Pearsall
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 Sundays in July
9:30 to 10:30
Marty Bergman Haiti trip - UUSC
Denominational affairs General Assembly recap including the Ware Lecture Wednesday night movies with Tom Clayton 7-9 Possible Fall topics include Compassionate Communication, Eboo Patel and The Richest Man in Babylon. New UU classes by membership committee on Sunday afternoons. Watch for details in the August newsletter. Submitted by Steve Pearsall |
Haiti Just Recovery Program, July 28, 8:30 am Sanctuary |
Interested in learning more about UU College of Social Justice's work in Haiti? Marty Bergman will give a talk and slide show about her trip to Haiti in March 2013 and the UUCSJ's work with the Papaye Peasant Movement building sustainable eco-villages for displaced earthquake victims. Marty joined a group of 15 UUs from all over the United States in Port-au-Prince and traveled to the central plateau for a week of assisting with building home foundations, painting and cleaning a new administration building and cleaning up the MPP compound in preparation for their 40th Anniversary Congress held the third week of March. The UU group met with Chavanne Jean-Baptiste, MPP founder and director, to learn about the history and future plans of MPP and UUSJC's contribution to their work. A display of photos from her visit will be in the sanctuary the month of July.
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Team, Committee Meetings and ways to help out
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Some of the Teams and Committees that make our UUCG mission real have regular meetings. Others meet irregularly or virtually and accomplish their missions without regular meetings. The list below contains the meeting time and location of those teams and committees that meet regularly. Feel free to attend any of these meetings as they are all open. We invite your participation in our church's governance and mission. Coordinating Council MeetingsThe Coordinating Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This monthly meeting is where the complex church meeting and mission schedule is worked out by our various Team and Committee Chairs. The Council is chaired Karen Madrone, VP and will be co-chaired by Rev. Ann Marie Alderman when she joins us in August. This is an open meeting. Board of Trustees MeetingsThe Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This monthly meeting is where Governance Decisions are made for our Church. This is an open meeting. Communications TeamThe Communications team publishes the monthly newsletter, and maintains the web site. We also administer our Facebook and Twitter Sites. We don't have regular meetings but there are several jobs that you could help with. If you would like to explore joining the Communications Team, please contact Vance Archer. Fellowship Team MeetingsThe Fellowship Team meeting is on the first Wednesday of the month. We meet during the potluck -- look for the table with the small flag. Everyone is invited to join this team that is always on the lookout to create opportunities for people to connect and have fun.
Healthy Congregation Committee Meetings
Healthy Congregation Committee meets irregularly in the Library.
Interested members are invited to attend. Look here for notice of our meetings when we retur in the fall If you are interested please contact Sue Bec.
Membership TeamThe Membership Team makes visitors welcome in our church and works to expand our membershp. Our team runs the visitor's table on Sunday Mornings, contacts all the visitors who come to our church and organizes meetings and classes for new members. Our team doesn't have regular meetings, but If you are interested in working with us, please contact Vance Archer
Music Team MeetingsThe Music Team meets after Church on the Sunday before the Coordinating Council. This is typically the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the Month. Meetings are typically held in the Library. Policy & Procedures Committee Social Action Team Meetings Regular meetings of the Social Action Team are scheduled on the second Sunday of each month following the service. Opportunities for volunteering with SAC include hands-on, nitty-gritty tasks and work toward policy change to benefit Greensboro's residents.
Worship Team Meetings
Our Worship Team meets once monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month after the Potluck and Expressions. Contact Barbara Hands if you are interested in helping this team.
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Regular Events
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Feeding the Hungry at Urban Ministries, First Monday of each month
On the first Monday of each month a group of volunteers from our church shop for and cook a meal for the homeless at Urban Ministries.
We are in the process of building a new team to carry out this important project. If you would like to be part of the action, contact Ken Knight at oldpeacenik@gmail.com or at 288-0103.
Men's Night Out, Monday, Second Monday each month
Join us at our next Men's Night Out beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Mi Pueblo,3911 Tinsley Drive in High Point for dinner and fellowship.
Ladies' Night Out, Last Monday each month
Our group of ladies meets the last Monday of each month. We will meet at the Saigon Restaurant at the corner of Merritt Drive and High Point Road at 6:30 on July 29 for delicious Vietnamese cuisine, stories, and laughter. Newcomers are always welcome. We have a room set up for us. Please contact Mary Davis (586-0188) or Janet Plummer (294-6364) before 5 pm on July 29 if you wish to attend. Thanks!
Men's Night Out 2, Last Monday each month
A second Men's Night Out is held the last Monday of each month. We will meet at Applebee's on Battleground Ave. Sunday Evening Meditation Group
The Sunday evening meditation group has changed to an open format. All are welcome to attend any session or all sessions! We meet from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Please note that we will lock the door at 7:10 p.m. to minimize our distractions. Contact Joan Skokan or Jim Roeder with any questions.
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New members join the UUCG
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July has seen a number of new members join our church. We hope to include biographies of our new members in August so that we can all get to know them better but here is the list for now:
Liz and Jeff Gauger, Nicholas Clinard, Barry Collum, Christina Barrow, Jonathan Carlyle, Emily Bracken, Jennifer Jacobs, Timothy Leisman and David Williams.
Our church would like to offer a welcome to our community and we look forward to working with you in the missions of our church.
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Lawnmowing Help Needed
|  Our Church still needs help to keep our lawn in shape, If you can help in mowing the Church Lawn, please pick a date and sign up in the Church Hallway The church has a Self Propelled Mower so you don't have to bring your own. |
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Want to help on Sunday? Volunteer to be a Coffee Hose some Sunday
|  To some Unitarian Universalists, the drinking of Coffee is a sacrament But its presence on Sunday Morning doesn't happen by accident, but rather by voluntary contribution of time and energy by members and friends
Being coffee server includes arriving around 9:30 and brewing coffee for our 10:30 social hour, staying on top of the coffee service as it is used before and after the service, and then, most importantly, staying long enough to clean the kitchen and foyer so that we can keep our ant problem under control,
There is a sign up sheet for this important community service in the back hall near the kitchen
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Thanks for help on the Church Workday
|  We would like to thank all of those who helped with the church work day on June 22nd. We accomplished quite a bit, and had some fun along the way. Thanks to: Carla Taylor, Jonathan Carlyle, Michelle Lee, Marty Stover, Tim Leisman, Christina Barrow, Cindy Williams, Michelle Puzio, Michael Puzio, David Williams, Bill Haney, Joan Skokan, Chris Voorhees, Rod Swonguer, Kenny Poplin, Breeze Dunham, Derek Dunham, Sarah Bourquin, Logan Hamilton, Ryan Hamilton, Nora Bird, . and anyone that didn't sign the sign-in sheet Jim Roeder, Chair Building & Grounds Team |
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Peanut Butter Update
|  Thanks to everyone at the Unitarian Universalist Church who contributed to the 76 pounds of peanut butter and nonperishable food collected last month for the Greensboro Food Bank.
You are greatly appreciated.
Becky Floyd
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Many Hands opportunities in July
|  Occasional food provider
- We also need people who are willing to be contacted to supply a food item, as appropriate, for memorial services, fundraising receptions, shut-ins, blood drives, etc. If interested, please contact Sue Sherwood, volunteer coordinator at 632-0312 sue@tssherwood.us
Join the Church Visitor's Greeting Team - Join the Membership Team by agreeing to serve at the Visitor's Table on some Sunday Mornings. Greet visitors and help them to understand our Church Community and Unitarian Universalism. See Vance Archer for more details, or talk to Zoli on Sunday morning,.
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Birthdays this month |
Robert Voorhees, Jason Adams, Elaine Stover, Heather Rushforth, Carl Cook, E. J. Deering, Laura Graham, Ken Knight, David Kundtz, Jackie Horner, Barry Collum, David Tipton, Pete Summers, Julie Potts, Dan Alexander, Johnathan Callihan, Iman Sherbine, Zoe Schroeder, Brandon Williams |
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Attendance and Collection | |
Sunday Worship Counts -
Adults Collection
May 26 93 $1,900.00 June 2 127 $3,068.25
June 9 124 $1,588.00 June 16 128 $1,758.00 Expressions Counts
Attended Offering
May 15 65 $19.00
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UUCG Covenant
| We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, do covenant to:
- 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
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UUCG OFFICERS
| Charlotte Hamlin, President chamlin1939@gmail.com
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TRUSTEES
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Michelle Lee (2015) nc.dogwood@yahoo.com
Ken Knight (2014) oldpeacenik@gmail.com
Myra Anne Geese Dean (2014) myraannegesse@yahoo.com
Sue Beck (2016) sbeck1@triad.rr.com
Suzanne Deering (2015) zanned@earthlink.net
Katja Brown (2016) sabrown@ieee.org
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UUCG STAFF
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Reverend Ann Marie Alderman, Developmental MinisterRev. Ann Marie Alderman will begin serving as our pastor on August 1, 2013. She may be contacted in her pastoral role at that time. Members and Friends seeking pastoral support can contact the Lay Pastoral Care Committee which can be contacted through the church office.  Julie Hamilton, Congregational AdministratorOffice Hours: Please call church office for appointments
Office Phone: 856-0330, Cell: 687-4101, Fax: 856-0384 E-mail: uucgadmin@bellsouth.net  Mark Freundt, Director of MusicOffice Hours: Please call church office for appointments Office Phone: 856-0330, Cell: 908-1103 E-mail: uucgdirmu@bellsouth.net Cindy Dillard, RE Coordinator Office Hours: Please call church office for appointments Office Phone: 856-0330 Cell (614)975-0126 E-mail: uucgre@att.net
Walter McCorey, SextonTuesday, Thursday & Friday (times vary based on needs). |
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Congregational Contacts
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Accountability Committee Zoli Rabb
Archive Committee Sharin Francis
Building and Grounds Team Jim Roeder
Care Team Suzanne Andrews Committee on Leadership Development Harold Gunn, Ann Dickinson Committee on Endowment Ken Williams Communications Team Vance Archer Newsletter Vance Archer (Editor)
Website Mariella Perez-Simons, Vance Archer Facebook Lindsey Cinard Twitter Dakota Spooner Coordinating Council Karen Madrone Denominational Affairs Team Steve Pearsall
Fellowship Team Cindy Williams & Karen Madrone
Finance Committee Open
Cabaret Auction Lauren Houck & Katie Klod
Governance Task Force Sharin Francis
Healthy Congregations Committee Sue Beck
Labyrinth Task Force Steve Pearsall & Ken Williams
Lay Pastoral Care Associates Janet Eley & Liz Harrell
Lifespan Religious Education (RE) Open
Membership Team Vance Archer
Music Team Sue Sherwood & Marilyn Clayton
Policies and Procedures Committee Michelle Lee
Social Action Team Sara Borquin, Sue Cole, Becky Floyd
GLBTQ Karen Madrone
Volunteer Coordinator Sue Sherwood
Worship Team Barbara Hands
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