Weekly Happenings
High Street Happenings
Week of Sunday, April 19th, 2026
This Sunday
April 19th, 2026
11:00 AM Worship
“Help Us Save the Planet”
Beth Collins
Beth is a Georgia Master Naturalist and a long time member of our congregation. She will provide some simple ways to help keep our environment healthier for humans and other living things.
ON JOYS AND CONCERNS
It has been said that Joys and Concerns is the “third rail” of worship in UU congregations. It is a treasured component of our worship services, giving us the opportunity to “share what is alive for us” at that particular moment on that particular day. Through Joys and Concerns we are able to share both the good and the bad, the helpful and the hurtful, those moments when everything is sunny and bright and those moments which darken our souls.
Joys and Concerns is also the most unpredictable element of our common worship. On any given Sunday, the number of those wishing to share can be as few as one or two or as many as a dozen. In addition, we often have a tendency to share all the details relating to what we are celebrating or what is of utmost concern for us. This can become problematic as our congregation grows and more and more of us feel a need to share.
In the 30+ years that I have been at High Street, I have noticed that Joys and Concerns (or Passages and Milestones) is a recurring topic in Worship Team meetings. There have been numerous suggestions about how we could “manage” this important element a bit more efficiently, finding ways to deal with both its unpredictability while, at the same time, being sensitive to our members, friends, supporters, and (yes, even newcomers) who feel led to share what is in their hearts or on their minds.
One of the most recent attempts to meet this need has been to have a moment in our service where those who have a joy or a concern to silently come forward during the offertory and place a colored jewel in a vase of water at the front of the sanctuary. This has become a cherished practice, particularly because it gives our children a way to “share” in a meaningful way for them. In addition, it offers those of us whose hearts are a bit tender or troubled to share what is too difficult to put into words. It has been a welcome addition to our service.
Please be assured that we are not contemplating any drastic measures to change how we “do” Joys and Concerns at High Street Church. We on the Worship Team are simply aware that while it is an important element of our common worship its unpredictability at times makes it difficult to plan the inspiring, informational, and transformative worship services for which our congregation has been known.
With all that in mind, let me share some suggestions for you to consider with regard to sharing Joys and Concerns.
- Determine ahead of time what you wish to share and how to share it. Does it need to be spoken or will silently placing a jewel in the vessel of water suffice to express what you are feeling? What is essential or necessary to share so that those in attendance will be aware of what is real for us? What details can be left unsaid?
- Plan to move forward as soon as the Joys and Concerns portion of the service begins. Even if there are several others on the way up to share, it is always possible to take a seat on the front row or stand silently to the side while they share.
- If you are aware that what you will be sharing might be difficult for you, ask a friend or family member to accompany you to the microphone for support. Having someone standing with you can be both comforting and encouraging.
- Please remember to let us know who you are. Not everyone may know who you are. It helps to put a name to a face.
- Speak clearly into the microphone. You should be able to hear your amplified voice as you share. If you speak too softly, you may not be heard. In addition, it is not necessary to touch or adjust the microphone. Our microphones are omnidirectional and should be able to pick up your voice if you speak clearly. Also, it is not necessary to stand on your tiptoes or stoop in order to be heard. Position yourself 6-12 inches from the microphone for best results.
- Please do not use Joys and Concerns to make announcements. We have a specific time during the service for announcements to be shared. If you have an announcement to make, please make either myself (as Worship Team Leader) or the Worship Associate know ahead of time so that it can be included at the beginning of the service.
As a community of care and concern, we place high value on offering our members, friends, supporters, and newcomers the opportunity to share what is happening in our lives together. Being aware of what we are experiencing and sharing that with others is an important element in the development of the Beloved Community which we all seek.
E Arlen Goff
Worship Team Lead
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| Regional friends – You’re cordially invited to join us at our General Assembly Hub in Birmingham for GA this year, June 19-21! We will feature all of the online events for GA, plus opportunities to: – Celebrating Juneteenth with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – Showings of our documentaries from the Bending the Arc Project (link to Bendingthearcproject.com) – Meditation time, CUUPS Litha celebration, & Community Singing – Focus groups on UUs in Red States and how we can better combine our efforts – Discussion between our two churches in partnership to model a new way of church collaboration – Community Time with Smores and Open Mic In the spirit of Southern hospitality, we also have limited home hospitality available, a block of rooms at a local hotel reserved, and can provide rides to/from the airport. If you would like more information or have questions, please contact us at ga@uucbham.org We look forward to seeing you at General Assembly’s Birmingham/Tuscaloosa Hub! Warmly, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa GA Welcome Team |
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace (GA-Macon): 2nd Annual Believer’s Build (April 11) and April bed delivery (April 25) to help build/deliver beds for children in need.
- Rebuilding Macon: Seeking volunteers to assist with home repairs for neighbors in need.
- Tubman African American Museum: Seeking docents and docent aids (ages 16+) to lead tours.
- Make-A-Wish Georgia: Seeking volunteer wish granters in the Macon area to help grant wishes for children.
- United Way of Central Georgia: Read United program (tutor 1-4 hours/week through late April).
Newsletter Articles
“Weekend Reflections”
One more quick note before you go…
Remember to drink your water,
take your medicine,
take time for rest,
and build the beloved community.
With Love From,
Your Staff and Community at High Street UU
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Happenings is a weekly publication of High Street Unitarian Universalist Church, proudly serving Macon, Georgia.
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