Kent's Trumpet (February)

Dear Friends,

     Since the writing of my last newsletter article long-time member Middie Hammil died on Christmas Eve.  On January 7^th USG members, family and friends memorialized her.  Anybody I talk to about Middie immediately mentions her kindness and caring.  Middie’s body has died, but her love has not.  Now that Middie is no longer with us physically I believe we are all called upon to be a little more kind and caring in her honor.

     I was very proud and grateful for our strong worship throughout the Holiday Season.  With the choir’s “Navidad Nuestra”, two explorations of the theme of Hope, Winter Solstice, Christmas Eve family and candlelight, Christmas day, Kwanzaa, Jazz Funeral, and MLK services we had tangibly moving spirituality with great energy, participation and feedback. 

     We just finished serving as headquarters for MLK Day of Service.  Our team included my co-chair, Kevin Donahue from the WellSprings congregation, Nancy Dearden, Carolyn Scott, the entire staff and dozens of other volunteers.  Everyone worked together with great efficiency and we had lots of laughs.  We estimate that over 450 people volunteered in our 26 projects.  To get a sense of the creativity and impact our programs had on a variety of communities and partner organizations please look at our USG website to see the project list.

     This year through MLK Day of Service we began a new and exciting relationship with the CW Henry School on Carpenter Lane.  I want to share the email from Nikki Paulino, their highly dedicated music teacher who wrote: 

Kent,

Please pass the message along to all of those who made our school so beautiful!!  The responses have been overwhelming; EVERYONE loves everything and could not believe how much was painted in just a few hours!! You have changed the way our students will treat and love our school for decades to come!  We have NEVER had the school painted (unless it was touching up, usually with the wrong color).  It has instantaneously made our school a more friendly and inviting place to be!!!!!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I cannot wait to work with you all again!!!!!

Warmest Regards,

Nikki Paulino

C.W. Henry School

     Henry School is such an important, critical institution in our Mt. Airy neighborhood.  To develop a meaningful relationship with them is a dream- come-true for our congregation.  All of our USG social justice efforts can empower us to have a positive impact on and with the broader community and to build partnerships.  This includes Green Sanctuary, Ending Racism, Rebuilding Philly, Northwest Phildelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network and much more.   Please mark your calendars and plan on attending the March 10 USG Social Justice Planning day with Rob Keithan and Dennis Brunn as leaders.  This will be a critical day for us to review our passions, and build on our successes for future effective USG social justice endeavors.

In Faith,

Kent