Congratulations on taking the leap to engage a Developmental Minister! Unlike the normal search process for a new minister that takes place during the 1-2 year period while an interim is with a congregation ending with a congregation's voting to call a final candidate, your board accepted the recommendation made by the UUA's Transitions Director and hired me. From a practical point of view, what that means is that, along with doing all the things a "normal" minister would, I will also be paying particular attention to right relations, membership, stewardship, and identity.

As I mentioned in the newsletter last month, the place many of you will experience my ministry is during the Sunday service. So, fair warning! You are going to experience some changes. Right away you will likely notice that the "share the plate" collections are different. Starting in August, every 1st -4th Sunday, half of all the undesignated funds in the collection plate will go to community organizations that do good works in line with the seven principles.   The social action team will decide what organizations receive UUCG's generosity. Whenever a 5th Sunday occurs and on Christmas Eve, all the undesignated funds placed in the collection plates will go into "the minister's discretionary fund".   The MDF is for members or friends who may be experiencing a need for emergency financial assistance. The minister can, at her discretion, confidentially administer small gifts from this fund when necessary. The change in how the share the plate practice has been is occurring because I simply don't think it appropriate to ask friends or visitors to contribute to those congregational responsibilities that a yearly budget ought to cover. For those obligations, there will continue to be the opportunity for anyone who wishes to do so, to write a check or place cash in an envelope so labeled, to pay their pledge, or to contribute above their pledge to the GIFT program fund, or make a gift to the search fund. My experience and the experience of many other UU congregations has been that generously sharing the plate, begets generosity!   I promise there will be more to go around to every fund. There are many fine organizations that we will support, and we will feel good about doing so!

Rev. Ann Marie

 While there have been several specific updates in the newsletter and e-bulletins, I thought you might like to know what happens on a typical summer Sunday.

Each Sunday, after beginning in the service, children aged preschool thru fifth grade are invited to follow the chalice light from the Sanctuary and join together in rooms 4-5. They are welcomed by two adult teachers from the teaching team, and are asked to gather around our "altar" (which features all things from the natural world, as is celebrated by the "Keepers of the Earth" curriculum).

We have some opening rituals. We say (with hand motions, and as the LED chalice-for safety--is switched on) "We are Unitarian Universalists. This is the church of the open mind. This is the church of the helping hands. This is the church of the loving heart." Then we pass a basket of sharing stones, trying as best we can to be silent to reflect on how we're feeling and if we have any joys or concerns. Once everyone has a stone, we take turns putting our stone on the "altar," sharing our joy/concern if the person is comfortable-but anyone can pass. We also ask if anyone has anything from nature that they would like to add to the "altar," and invite them to share why it is important to them. We try to affirm the value of listening to one another, sharing with one another, and respecting one another's silence.

Following this time of ritual, teachers invite the children to reflect on the lessons that have come before, as posted on the "Keepers of the Earth" board. Then, children are introduced to the new lesson by looking at a map of North America marked with Native American tribes, and asked about how they think the geography/Earth might play a role in their stories. They are presented with an illustration from the chosen story and invited to give their interpretations. And then they are read a story from Native American lore while being given a creative outlet, followed with some discussion and then an appropriate activity. The discussions vary from silly to profound, but each Sunday children leave (at the very least) with a great story and a feeling of community.

Many thanks to this summer's "Keepers of the Earth" teaching team: Cindy Williams, Fred Lehman, Jeni Gagne, Marty Ward, Michelle Giorgi, and Sharin Francis.

If you would like to become a member of UUCG's RE Teaching Team, or if you have any questions, please contact: Cindy Dillard, UUCG DRE at: uucgre@att.net.

August Adult RE

In August we will continue sharing programming from this year's General Assembly. Included are the Ware Lecture, Standing Your Sacred Ground featuring Eboo Patel; Service of the Living Tradition; and the John Murray Distinguished Lecture: The Promise of Universalism led by the Rev Michel Tino.  Rev. Tino served UUCG several years ago as Intern Minister.  Sundays from 9:30-10:30

Adult Religious Education Fall Programs

We have a wide range of Adult Religious Education opportunities this Fall at UUCG.  There will be Sunday morning programming from 9:30-10:30, Thursday nights, and some Sunday afternoons.

Compassionate Communication will lead first Sunday each month.  They will begin our fall session on September 15.

Ken Knight will facilitate a study and exploration of The How of Happiness: A Practical Guide to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky for 5 Sundays starting September 22.

Sharin Francis will lead discussion on Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel three weeks with breaks for first Sundays.  We will also show this year's Ware lecture featuring Dr. Patel.

Thursday nights our Developmental Minister, the Rev. Ann Marie Alderman, will lead classes.  Rev Alderman will share specifics about topics and dates later.

On six Sunday afternoons Vance Archer and others will facilitate the New UU Tapestry of Faith Program on behalf of the Membership Team.  The New UU program provides important tools to help congregations welcome, orient, and integrate newcomers into their faith communities.  The program addresses the needs of newcomers who want to know more about who we are and what we believe. It provides opportunities for members of your congregation to share with newcomers what it means to them to be a Unitarian Universalist.  It gives newcomers a chance to examine their own personal stories in the light of our Unitarian Universalist tradition and heritage.  It provides a chance for newcomers to the congregation and long-timers to connect.

More details to follow in our weekly announcements and the September Newsletter.

Submitted by Steve Pearsall

Every time we encounter other people we make choices about how to respond to them.  The Healthy Congregation Committee teaches Nonviolent Communication (Compassionate Communication).  We use the Jackal and the Giraffe puppets to illustrate choices we make in our interactions with one another.  YOU can decide the verdict!  

CONFLICT IMPROVs begin Sunday, Sept. 15th at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.   Watch us act out a Back-to-School scenario, responding as Jackals or Giraffes, based on Compassionate Communication principles.  These scenes (some hilarious, some dramatic) should provide plenty of fodder for discussion afterwards, as we decide which solutions work best!  Childcare will be provided.  To participate as an actor, please contact Sue Beck.

Mark your calendars: A new Improv will be presented the first Sunday of each month thereafter at 9:30 a.m. Childcare will be provided.

• 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