The deadline for the June newsletter will be Friday, May 29.

Send news items to commuucg@bellsouth.net

The newsletter will be published on June 5.

Hard copies of this newsletter are available in the church foyer on the Visitor Table. 

Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky. 

--Rainer Maria Rilke 

Saturday, May 2 World Labyrinth Day 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 3 Labyrinth Worship 10:55 a.m.

Come share a meditative walk indoors on a five circuit round floor labyrinth or outdoors (weather permitting) on a seven circuit Baltic labyrinth.

In addition, finger labyrinths will be available, as well as the opportunity to just "be" in our space with soft eyes and open hearts. You are invited to bring a journal, scarf, or talisman. Please be aware that we will remove our shoes indoors to protect the labyrinth while walking. 

Sunday, May 3, immediately after the worship service

Candidates for next year's governing boards will be introduced to the congregation. Voting for these candidates will take place at the annual meeting on May 17. See candidates' biographies below..

Sunday, May 3, 7-8 p.m.

Join us for a multi-faith experience using songs, chants and rounds from a variety of spiritual paths with intervals of silence for meditation, reflection and prayer.

We share a potluck supper at 6 p.m. each Wednesday.

  Please bring your own table service.

Once a year we gather to recognize those who have participated in the work of our church. Please join us for food, fun and fellowship! Sign up by May 10 to get a seat at a table at the dinner, which will begin at 6 p.m. Childcare is available.

This is the event where we celebrate the end of the church year and honor those who have given so much of their time, talent and sweat for the well-being of our church, its congregants, and the community. We will be randomly assigning individuals, couples, & families to tables of 8-10 people each.  Table hosts will be contacting you about what you can bring to the dinner.

Be a Table Host

Each table has a host who decorates the table and provides all the decorations, plates and everything else needed to enjoy a meal.  Some bring their own dishes from home and some use paper products, whatever goes with their theme.  In the past there have been Christmas in May tables, Australian Outback and garden party tables.  One host even fabricated a rainbow that arched from one side of the table to the other.

Being a Table Host is an easy way to contribute to the success of this annual gathering.  You can decide on a type of cuisine (e.g., vegetarian, ethnic, or anything that inspires you).  All you need do is contact the 8-10 people assigned to your table, coordinate their contributions to the dinner, and arrange for table decorations.  

Want to know more?  Contact Michelle Lee   or Cindy Williams  

Support WFDD and UUCG by purchasing a Day Sponsorship with the radio station on behalf of the church.

For more information about the sponsorships, visit http://wfdd.org/day-sponsorships or contact Myra Anne at 336-327-2212 or speak with Jeff or Liz Gauger on the Communications Committee.

Name:   Sharin Francis

Position you are running for: Board Secretary

How long have you been a member of UUCG? More than 40 years

How long have you been a Unitarian Universalist? More than 40 years

List of current committees/projects:

Board Secretary

Archival Records Committee, chair

Youth Religious Education Team, member

Social Action Team, supporter/participant various projects

Describe your past church work:

Taught R.E. for many years and served as LRE Committee co-chair a few years ago. Going further back, served on Board, as well as Membership, Communication and Care committees. Co-author of 50-year UUCG history. Former staff secretary.

What motivates you to serve in a leadership position at this time?

This is an exciting time to be a Unitarian Universalist! Changes in our world bring countless challenges and opportunities to respond creatively, guided by our principles and our covenantal faith. UUCG has been an important part of my life for decades and serving on the Board is a way to give back. I hope my experience can provide useful perspective and continuity as our congregation follows its vision. I'm proud to be part of our UU tradition and the very special faith community that is UUCG.

Please add any other personal information you want to include:

My two grown daughters and two grown granddaughters live in North Carolina. I currently work for Measurement Incorporated. I've worked for non-profit organizations including, most recently National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I am a UNCG graduate and I am a volunteer tutor at Reading Connections of Greensboro.

Name:   Susan Hill

Position you are running for: Board Treasurer

How long have you been a member of UUCG? 27 years  

How long have you been a Unitarian Universalist? 27 years

List of current committees/projects

Choir Member, worked on District Assembly, Chalice Circle leader, service leader, counter, worked on Leadership Development Workshop

Describe your past church work:

Two three-year terms as treasurer, board member, chaired various committee, search committee member, Committee on Ministry member.  I served for  5 years on the board of SUUSI; this will be my 27th year at SUUSI.  I have attended several GAs included last year in Providence.  I am a member of UUMN, the musicians network.

What motivates you to serve in a leadership position at this time?

I have been back at UUCG for almost 2 years after a five-year absence (I remained a member during my absence), I am ready to take an active role in the leadership of the church.  I naturally gravitate to the financial side.  While I was in Seattle, I did bookkeeping for two churches using Church Windows and I am now bookkeeper for the local Greek Orthodox Church. I am treasurer for my HOA and bookkeeper for Emerging Ecology.  

Name: Cindy Williams

Position you are running for: Board Trustee

How long have you been a member of UUCG?    21 years

How long have you been a Unitarian Universalist?   22 years

List your current committees/teams/projects: UUCG trustee, labyrinth team, GLBTQ Sub Team, bulletin board queen.

Describe your past church work:

ACT team, Committee on Leadership Development, Religious Education Team, CUUPS, Finance Committee and Fellowship team chair,

What motivates you to serve in a leadership position at this time?

I have had a long term interest in the operation and activities of our church and seek to help during this interesting period of our church.

Please add any other personal information you want to include:

The Buddy System

Do you live alone? Do you connect every day with a family member? Do you have a "Life Alert" system?

Why do we ask these questions? Because stuff happens especially as we age; strokes; heart attacks; TIAs (mini-strokes); vertigo etc.

A friend of mine recently died because he fell at his home, and went undiscovered for four days.

He spent nine days in ICU and they worked unceasingly, trying to hydrate, and medicate his body to normal function, but it was not enough and he died from multiple organ failure caused by dehydration.

Had he heeded advice to have a system; or had friends and family followed up with more urgency on un-returned calls ---he may still be a registered voter!

Could this happen to you?  Your Pastoral Care Team here at UUCG would like to help you prevent it.

By organizing a "Buddy System" we want to help you establish daily contact with someone else, i.e. family or fellow congregant.  If you do not reply to a daily call, we will contact emergency services to come to your rescue.

If you live in a retirement community, the staff takes care of these matters.  If you utilize in-home care;

or get Meals on Wheels, again staff is alert for non-responsiveness.  But there are many of us who maintain our independence and are proud of it---or maybe just stubborn?

So we urge folks who live alone, to contact the church office.  Your request to be part of the "buddy system" will be directed to the Pastoral Care Team, and you will be contacted to discuss and implement,this very important aspect of our commitment to each other's safety and peace of mind.

Joe Gecinger 

On Being Vulnerable

The topic for Adult Religious Education and for the Chalice Circles for the month of April has been "Vulnerability." What does it mean, when is it useful and when might it be inappropriate. It is a rich topic for telling stories!

However, it also occurs to me that much of the work we do in the Healthy Congregations Committee asks people to be vulnerable. When we become aware that someone is unhappy about something, instead of triangulating, we encourage them to speak directly with the person with whom they are unhappy.   Let's face it: that can be a pretty frightening proposition! The person with whom you are speaking might get angry, or might somehow try to hurt you for your temerity in thinking they did something wrong. They might tell you that you, too, have done something that hurt them. We are asking people to accept being vulnerable.

In addition to fear of being hurt, we may fear being seen as inappropriate. In our broader culture, we are often encouraged to suck it up when we have been hurt. Never let them see you sweat. Laugh it off. If you don't show that you're upset, they'll stop. Hurt them back. For some, it may make speaking directly with someone seem aggressively confrontational.

However, it need not be aggressive, or angry, or inappropriate, nor should we have to fear being hurt. Within our Unitarian Universalist community, we must be encouraged to speak our own truths directly to each other without fear of any sort of reprisal. I know this is aspirational: we do not always live up to our best selves.   The best we can do is continue to try, and to call each other back to covenant when we fall. However, by agreeing to be vulnerable, we have a chance to know and understand each other better, and to spiritual growth, both individually and as a community.

How can the Healthy Congregations Committee help you be vulnerable?

Marie Houck, chair

Healthy Congregations Committee

Earthquake Relief 

To assist those in need following the earthquake in Nepal, visit Unitarian Universalist Service Committee 

New Arrivals Institute A Cultural Affair  

Friday, May 15, 5:45 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 North Greene St., Greensboro  

International hors d' oeuvres, music and silent auction

to benefit Greensboro refugees

Admission: $15 or $60 for 5 

For information: 336-937-4701

Dining for Friends 

The Triad Health Project, a local organization that serves people affected by HIV/AIDS, will be having its  annual Dining for Friends event the same night as our Annual Dinner (May 16). Dining for Friends always culminates in the Dessert Finale which is held at the Coliseum. We will be collecting funds for the Triad Health Project at the Annual Dinner (but we'll take your money in person any time before then if you're unable to attend!). Making a contribution will get you a ticket into the Dessert Finale where there will be an incredible community celebration. To learn more about the Triad Health Project, go to Triad Health Project. To learn more about our efforts to collect funds for the Triad Health Project, please talk to Cindy Williams or Karen Madrone.

  

Unitarian Universalist WomenSpirit Institute

Stars Above, Light Below: A Call to Celebrate Magic

The stars are the oldest things, more ancient than the earth herself. In ancient times, the wise ones, the healers, were women. We look to the night sky above and in those lights shining, we the wise women of ancient times. We draw from that wisdom, that light, to illuminate our own paths and the paths of those around us.

WomenSpirit is an inclusive spiritual retreat for all women 18 and older, regardless of affiliation or spiritual path. Explore the feminine divine through spirit-nourishing workshops and ritual, surrounded by amazing views of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. We value the worth and dignity of all women and affirm diversity.

Institute: May 13-16; Gathering May 15-18

Price includes all meals, lodging and programming at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center in Highlands, NC.

 For more information, visit http://uuwomenspirit.org. 

• 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