As the United States prepares to enter its 250th year, we reflect on the ideals, civil rights, and civil liberties at the heart of our nationâs soul â and our call to protect them.
Independence Day - The dream of a new nation that would promote Freedom and Justice for all. What happened? I will reflect on the movie, Independence Day, whether all of the nations coming together at the end to defeat a mutual enemy would even be possible today during the age of Kali Yuga.
Rev., Dr. Om Prakash (John Gilmore) is a retired Unitarian Universalist Minister, writer, Certified Life-Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist and Teacher. He is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Divinity School. He later received his D. Min. at University of Creation Spirituality in Work and Spirituality and did Postdoctoral Work at Sat Yoga Institute in Costa Rica studying spirituality and identity. His focus for the last 20 years has been the practical application of alternative therapies and healing modalities to empower and to remove the negative effects of oppression, suppression, and depression. He was a regular monthly Dharma teacher at Won Buddhist Institute in Abington PA and is presently Co-chair on the CUUPS national board in the position of Right Relations.
The Share-the-Plate program raises money to give to local agencies which are trying to improve life for Chester County residents.
Eleven times a year, UCWC gives approximately half of the collection plate to a congregation-nominated recipient. Funds are given to small, local organizations for whom our gift is very meaningful in the continuance of their efforts.
The 2024-2025 Recipients
Nov 17 â Baby Food Fund
Dec 15 â Melton Center
Jan 19 â Citizen Advocacy of Chester County
Feb 16 â West Chester University Resource Pantry
Mar 16 â Educational Equity Alliance
Apr 20 â Community Youth and Womenâs Alliance
May 18 â Maternal and Child Health Consortium
Jun 15 â West Chester Food Cupboard
Jul 20 â Kennett Area Community Services
Aug 17 â Act in Faith
Sep 21 â Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children
Oct 19 â UCWC Board Selection
Do you have favorite hymns that you love to sing? Join Kathy Beatty and Lisa Bennett as they team up to share hymns that are meaningful to our beloved community. Prior to the service 3x5 cards, pencils, and both hymnals will be available for you to take to your seats. You can take time to locate the name and number of your favorite hymns to write on the cards. These will be collected by the ushers and given to Kathy and Lisa. The cards will be randomly drawn for the Congregation to sing together throughout the service. Lisa and Kathy may be doing a lot of sight-reading for the more obscure hymns. All part of the fun!
3x5 cards will also  be available at the July 13th service as well to get a jumpstart on the song-list."
For those interested in finding out the latest information on what we can do to quell the national epidemic of gun violence in this country, please contact Tom Buglio by email at gun-safety
Well another year has come and gone - it's felt far too fast and as if we just had ingathering last week! As we move into summer mode here at UCWC we wanted to let you know that our RE programs take a break. Children and youth are invited to join their families at our services and enjoy the drawing and fidget toys provided. We will still be offering the nursery for our youngest kiddos from 930-1130 each Sunday.
While we don't have classes, we do invite our families to join us for our Ice Cream Socials each month! These are a great time to get together to cool off and see our friends from UCWC. This year we are planning to meet at The Creamery at the Farmhouse at 119 W Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335, which does have policies around nut allergies (can open separate containers if you specify you have an allergy) and has a sorbet option for our vegan friends. Our ice cream socials will be: