09/06/2026
SUNDAY SERVICE TOMORROW
Celebrate Schooner Festival Sunday
This Sunday there is no service in our church; instead we will meet in front of the church (on the Allee parking area) and Carol Bousquet will “shepard” us to The Schooner Festival “Parade of Sails.” We will depart promptly at 9:45. We will gather on The Boulevard in the area where the food truck is typically located, close to the viewing stand. Some of us may prefer to bypass the walk and instead meet us there. Dress for the weather, wear your hat, bring a chair and water if you wish. This is an informal gathering. We watch the fun together for an hour. It has been good fun communing while watching the parade. We hope to see you!
_____
Church “In-gathering” Sunday, September 13
Sunday, September 13 is our traditional Ingathering, where we look forward to being together again after summer activities. Our theme for September is Beginnings, and we'll be marking our new church year in two ways.
First, we'll be holding our traditional Water Ceremony. If you have gathered water from a trip or from a moment that meant something special to you, please bring a small amount to add to our common bowl. We mingle this water to symbolize our reconnection as a community. If you haven't saved some water, no worries - we will have pitchers of water that you can pour from while you describe what it means to you.
Second, we will be holding a Blessing of the Backpacks to mark the beginning of the school year. If you are a student or a teacher, or if you are beginning a new venture of another sort, please bring your backpack, briefcase, or tote bag to church with you, and we'll bless them and your new beginning.
Looking forward to being together with you!
Reverend Janet
_____
Entryway Gallery - New Show
"Show Gratitude"
Karen Watson is currently showing her artwork in the Entryway Gallery. Her show is 'SHOW GRATITUDE', an invitation to take time from our fast paced and busy world to slow down to see, to connect, and to find gratitude for the goodness and beauty that does exist in our lives, no matter how small or transient.
Karen is a lifelong visual artist, writer and poet finding meaning and inspiration by the beauty, power, and mystery of nature, including human nature in all of its cycles of life.
SHOW GRATITUDE embraces Karen’s beautifully framed haiku paired with archival pigment prints on art paper.
_____
“Side With Love” T-Shirts for Sale!
(Please order soon.)
This is your last chance to order the brand-new GUUC “Side With Love” T-shirt! Please be sure to order yours this week. Future orders, perhaps in the new year, will be fewer in quantity and therefore – more expensive.
Wearing these bright yellow shirts at standouts and other events will create a beautiful community presence and send a clear message that we “Side With Love.” Together, we can stand in solidarity with Unitarian Universalists nationwide who share this message.
Ordering Details
· Cost: T-shirts are $20 each. (Future orders will be more expensive.)
· Sizes: Men’s sizes range from Small to 5XL; Women’s sizes range from Small to 3XL.
· Fit guidance: Women’s sizes are slightly more fitted through the shoulder and waist; Men’s sizes are looser and slightly larger at the shoulder and waist. Please order your usual T-shirt size.
· Sales policy: Sales are final and not returnable.
· Payment: Checks should be made out to GUUC and annotated “T-shirt" in the check memo line. Cash is also accepted.
Marylou Bassani or Chris Swanson will take orders at coffee hour and by email. If you would like to order but can’t make it to church, contact Marylou at [email protected]. Please bring or mail payment to GUUC, 10 Church St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
_____
Next Book Group - Oct 20
The Gloucester UU next book group meeting will be at 3pm on Tuesday, October 20. Please note that book club meetings will now be held on the third Tuesday of every other month (i.e., even-numbered months). Please note that the December meeting will not occur on Dec 20 but on a TBD date.
The book chosen is "BEASTS OF THE SEA" by Iida Turpeinen
_____
SIDING WITH LOVE Podcasts
"Siding With Love" is Gloucester Unitarian Universalist’s podcast, co-hosted by the Rev. Janet Parsons and Carol Bousquet. We explore a range of ideas based on the theme of the month while centering on the principles of the Unitarian Universalist faith.
Listen to Rev. Janet and co-host Carol Bousquet explore how we “flourish” together and we discuss “What We Are Reading.” Enjoy listening. Please share with others. Be sure to leave a comment.
-- Past episodes:
Episode 6 - Flourishing Together
Episode 5 – Awakening Curiosity
Episode 4 – Possibilities
Episode 3 – Gratitude
Episode 2 – Compassion
Episode 1 – Belonging
*All can be found on our YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/.../podcasts
Thank you for listening! - Rev. Janet and Carol Bousquet
____
Past sermons are available on the church website. Visit Sermons | Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church (gloucesteruu.org)
_____
Donating or Fulfilling Pledges Online
If you would like to make a pledge payment or donation, go to the church website: www.gloucesteruu.org. Find the GIVE button on the top right of the page. This will take you to our Donate page, with easy instructions.
