We are about to embark on a  healing, creative, re-focusing, and all around fabulous year of Interim Ministry at MVUUF!  Rev. Holly Horn will begin her work with us officially on August 1st.

As we have discussed before, this will be a unique interim year with some obvious and some less obvious goals and issues to grapple with. Our unexpected interim ministry year is an opportunity for us to truly take stock in all of our accomplishments and look deeply at areas that we need to nurture more. Our initial grief is past, but longer term grief work is important, especially as it will surface in unexpected ways. We will certainly be intentional about building awareness and "practicing compassion" (lifting up our new Mission statement) throughout the year .

As a way to get the ball rolling, welcome Rev. Holly, and introduce our leadership areas, there will be a  Leadership In-Gathering Retreat on Saturday, August 12th from 9:30-12:30 PM.

This will be a wonderful way for all of us to "tell our story" in the present moment, which allows for us to be intentional about seeing where we are and formulating what we want to accomplish over the coming Interim Ministry year.

All members serving in leadership positions within the church are strongly encouraged to attend. This Leadership Ingathering is open to the whole congregation and anyone interested in hearing more about our goals for the coming year is invited, especially those who would like to be more involved with leadership in the future. 

Please come prepared to listen to each other and share your "Joys and Concerns" about your leadership or program area(s), as well as a draft of 3 goals of what you would like to accomplish over the coming year. Consider how your goals specifically support our vision and mission. There will be some breakout time to meet in leadership groups and finalize your goals.

In addition to this goal focusing work, we will explore ways to spiritually ground ourselves, both as individual leaders, as well as mission driven groups within the congregation.

Expect to have fun, laugh with each other, and get some spiritual dirt under our nails as we engage in the year to come.  If you are so moved, please feel free to bring a culinary delight for us to munch on during our morning break. I will make sure there is a pot of coffee brewing and bring some OJ for energy!

Welcome to our Interim Ministry year, dear friends! May we embrace it wholeheartedly and be gentle with ourselves.

Warmly, 

Gail Cyan

Board President

COMING THIS FALL IN YRE

Take a moment to check out the curriculum we'll be using in YRE this fall at MVUUF:

 

Preschool & Kindergaten--Celebrating Me and My World

This curriculum encourages children to develop a positive self-image, feel safe and accepted at home and at our Fellowship.  It promotes an inter-connection with nature and peers.  It develops cooperative skills, such as sharing, taking turns, listening and accepting the needs of  others.  It uses well known stories and age-appropriate activities to teach about our UU faith and how to apply it to their lives.  The Preschoolers and Kindergarteners will start in service each week then go to their classroom after "Words For All Ages."

 

First thru Third Grades--Picture Book Bible Tales and World Religions

The goal of these curriculum is to introduce Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism.  We are trying to share stories from different faiths and cultures to provide a foundation for the children to develop an appreciation for diversity in our world.  This is accomplished through well-known stories from those faiths and activities for each lesson.  The They will start in service each week then go to their classroom after "Words For All Ages." On the First Sunday of each month, they will have a Children's Chapel in the Founders' Room after "Words For All Ages."

 

Fourth thru Fifth Grades--Bibleodeon

We are using this curriculum to provide knowledge from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles which are part of our six sources.  It will make the stories from the two Bibles more familiar to the children.  The curriculum is to be experiential, fun and dynamic rather than dogmatic.  They will start in service each week then go to their classroom after "Words For All Ages." On the First Sunday of each month, they will have a Children's Chapel in the Founders' Room after "Words For All Ages."

 

Sixth thru Eighth Grades--D'Oh, God! & The Fifth Dimension

"D'Oh, God!" is based on The Simpson's.  "The Fifth Dimension" uses The Twilight Zone. The goal of this curriculum is to learn how different religions respond to theological and ethical issues.  They are developing an understanding how sometimes our conscience calls us to do what is right even when there might be negative    consequences.  It teaches how our choices and actions affect others.  The group will watch an episode then go through a well planned discussion. They will start in service each week then go to their classroom after "Words For All Ages." On the First Sunday of each month, they will remain in the service. They are encouraged to volunteer during the service the first Sunday (i.e., as ushers, greeters, chalice lighters).

 

High School--TED Talks

A collection of TED Talks have been gathered which are based on the 7 Principals.  The talks are short and inspiring.  It makes the topics relevant to every day life.  They teach the Principals without being authoritative. The high schoolers will only gather twice a month in classroom for the TED Talks.  The other 2-3 Sundays of the month, they will attend service.  This gives them time in the service but time to bond as a group.  They will start in service each week then go to their classroom after "Words For All Ages" for the second and fourth Sundays. On the first, third and fifth Sundays of each month, they will remain in the service. They are encouraged to volunteer during the    service the first Sunday (i.e., as ushers, greeters, chalice lighters).

 

If you have any questions or insights regarding Youth Religious Education, feel free to contact me at: 

[email protected].

 

--Lori McClain, Director of Religious Education

Please join us after service on Sunday, July 30th, as we make posters to be used at this memorial service. We'll have supplies on hand to make the posters, but we need YOUR efforts & creativity!

TOWN HALL REGARDING 

THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

Please make sure you are planning to attend this very informative evening, sponsored by the Montgomery County Drug-Free Coalition and the Montgomery County Sheriff. It will take place at the Fellowship on Wednesday, August 16th, 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary. The magnitude of the opiate problem will be described, ways to address addiction issues & reduce the demand for drugs, and efforts of law enforcement to reduce the supply of opiates in the country are some of the topics that will be discussed. This event is free & open to the public, so make sure to invite your neighbors, family and friends.

 

   

WORKING TO END THE FOOD DESERT

Gem City Market will be hosting its next community meeting on Thursday, August 3rd at the Northwest Recreation Center. The official start time listed is 6:30 PM, but we are encouraging people to arrive around 6:00 PM for some community-building activities and to purchase shares. Please feel free to invite other people you know who might be interested in joining! The    primary focus of this meeting will be to engage community members who haven't been involved yet, provide an overview of what GCM is, and to share future opportunities for capacity building.

CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS!

Wanted:  Bridge players to join the 

MVUUF Round Robin Bridge Group. We have 16 couples that meet once a month, September through June, to play party bridge.  A schedule is provided where four couples meet once month at a host couples home for an evening of bridge.  In June, we all get together for a final game.  A good way to meet new people (most are not MVUUF members).  For more information call Vivienne Himmell,     829-6701 or Jim Hudson, 898-2142.