Chalice
                              Miami Valley 
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

8690 Yankee St.  Dayton, OH  45458

 

 

    937-436-3628
                                      www.mvuuf.org

 

 

MVUUF's Forum for February, 2019



  visit our website  HERE          visit the UUA's website    HERE

 

__________________________
Service Topics for February, 2019

Sunday, February 3rd - 11:00 AM      
Introduction to the Season of Non-Violence
(a Worship for All Ages )
 with Rev. Kellie and 
Jerry Douglas Leggett, Director of Religious Education

Sunday, February 10th - 11:00 AM      
Trusting Thomas
with Rev. Kellie
   
Sunday, February 17th - 11:00 AM      
Nobody Knows My Name:  
The Lost Ministry of Rev. Eugene Sparrow
with Rev. Kellie
   
Sunday, February 24th - 11:00 AM
     Pastoral Care 
 with Tina Porter, Pastoral Associate at MVUUF

_________
Staff Notes

FROM REV. KELLIE

My Dear Ones,
 
January was an eventful month for MVUUF! Unexpectedly, we had to cancel Sunday services two weeks in a row due to large weekend snowfalls. Then we had a GREAT Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting this past Sunday, where we elected a new group of MVUUF leaders and balanced our budget with a smaller-than-anticipated Endowment withdrawal (reduced from $54,000 to $19,000 through the hard work and generosity of our awesome congregants). We also started 2 new ally groups: Anti-Racism Ally Group and Transgender Ally Group. Finally, we continued our Repair and Healing work with the first of two listening sessions with Dayton Mediation Center.
 
Meanwhile, plans continue for the rest of our program year (through our June 30th semi-annual Congregational Meeting). This weekend, we have our first Worship for All Ages designed and led by our phenomenal new Director of Religious Education, Jerry Leggett (I'm excited!). Bob Lewis's Intro to Unitarian Universalism starts again this Sunday at 9:30 AM (I'll be there for the first session). We have my Valentine Open House Saturday, February 9th from 1-4 PM at my home in Centerville (make sure you bring your sweet tooth!). Our February 10th service, Trusting Thomas, will mark the second anniversary of Rev. Greg Martin's death with a small ritual. By the middle of February, we're hoping to get out electronic invitations to my March 24th Installation Ceremony.
 
We also are welcoming new participants into our Soul Matters Covenant Circles (look for the write-up later in our newsletter). Our youth are starting to fundraise for their 3rd UU United Nations trip (thank you for a wonderful feast last week, our youth fundraisers and allies!). For the Spring, we're planning a member joining session, a new member recognition service, an Easter Earth Day Worship for All Ages, a child dedication service, and a youth-led bridging service (ceremony where we celebrate our high school seniors as they move into adulthood). What a first year together!
 
And yet.
 
There is still great pain, hurt, and disappointment in our midst, in so many of our hearts.
 
In our first Repair and Healing session Thursday evening, January 31st, I was honored to act as a witness to this pain and to the compassion and love that our congregants offered each other. As I have stated before, these sessions are not the start or the end of this healing process. My hope is that through these listening sessions we can create a collective story which will hold all of our truths tenderly. My deep hope for our fellowship is that we can slowly shed light on these hurts, work to understand each other's truths, continue the vulnerable process of rebuilding trust, and learn how to love each other while still holding each other accountable. This will not be fast work. This will not be easy work. This will not be work that instantly adds new members. Yet, I think it is among the most important work we can do as individuals and as a community. I am honored to lead you in this work, to learn with you, and to learn from you. We are in this together.
 
Quite fittingly for our journey, our Soul Matters theme for worship, covenant groups, and religious education is Trust this month. As I have done each month, I share with you a song that holds our theme. I do this because research has shown that music activates different parts of our brain simultaneously-emotion and memory to name just two. Music is a powerful method of delivery, one very different from our conscious mind's intellectual analyses.
 
This month's song is from the Indigo Girls second album, which was originally released in 1989. I didn't discover Love's Recovery until 1991, after a year of crushed dreams and painful depression. This song reminded me that "all these thoughts of fair weather" were "ghosts and mirages" and made me grateful for the friends who stayed with me in the storm. Listening to this song again almost 30 years later, it rings true in ways I never could have imagined before. I offer a few of the song's final lines as my prayer for us:
        
 
Holding you in my heart,
Rev. Kellie
 
What I'm Reading (aka- What I'm listening to in my Air Pods)
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism b y Robin DiAngelo (o ur Congregational Read);
The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism b y Edward E. Baptist;
The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love b y Sonya Renee Taylor


A MINUTE FOR MUSIC
This month I celebrate the 1 year anniversary of my employment as your Director of Music! I first volunteered as an accompanist for the Fellowship almost 30 years ago and served as   Interim Choir Director after Jeanette Eakins' departure in 2015. But I am so happy to now be in what I hope is the permanent job I will retire from MANY years from now.
 
February also renews the painful realization that two years ago, we still had Rev. Greg leading us bravely into the possibilities our future held. Our beloved community has endured through so much sadness, change and struggle. I truly believe that in those broken places where healing has taken place, just like our bones, we are stronger now than before. And I am so grateful to be doing exactly the work I feel I am meant to do; using my talents to lead and inspire my faith family. Thank you for entrusting me with this sacred responsibility.

Sara Davis, 
Director of Music
_________________
Around the Fellowship

REPAIR AND HEALING LISTENING SESSIONS
Thursday, January 31 6:30-9pm and Saturday, Feb 2 1-3:30pm
Rev. Kellie and the Board of Trustees will be holding two Repair and Healing Listening Sessions facilitated by the Dayton Mediation Center Thursday, January 31st from 6:30-9pm and Saturday, February 2nd from 1-3:30 pm. Participation in both sessions is not required. At least one of our facilitators will be a person of color. We also will have a chaplain present during both sessions. Childcare will be provided.
 
As a follow-up to the Board-sponsored workshop on congregational conflict in August 2018, each listening session will give MVUUF members and friends an opportunity to share and listen to each other regarding four issues identified at the workshop. These issues are as follows:

1.   Sex Offender Response Team (SORT) process;
2.   Sanctuary action for undocumented immigrants efforts;
3.   Most recent interim ministry;
4.   Confidentiality and transparency of the Board.
 
Our Repair and Healing Taskforce will provide a report to the congregation and Board on the themes and issues raised in these listening sessions during the early Spring (while maintaining participant confidentiality). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Kellie at: minister@mvuuf.org .

 
COFFEE WITH THE MINISTER
Sunday, February 10th, 12:30 PM, in the Sanctuary at MVUUF
That's right...Coffee with the Minister continues! What's her favorite color? Why did she become a Minister? Come and learn the answer to questions like these, and others, all about the lovely Rev. Kellie C. Kelly on Sunday, February 10th, 12:30 PM. Grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and have a seat in the Sanctuary, and find out more!
 

DID YOU MISS SIGNING UP FOR A SOUL MATTERS COVENANT GROUP?
Well, it's not too late! Our Soul Matters Covenant Groups are accepting new members in March. 

As a reminder, the Soul Matters Covenant Groups meet monthly from October through June. While Soul Matters offers a distinctive small group curriculum tied to the Sunday worship and religious education themes, its central goal is to foster circles of trust and deep listening. These groups allow you to go deep with each theme and with a small group of the fellowship's members and friends.

We have the following sessions this program year:
  3rd Thursday afternoon
  3rd Friday afternoon
  3rd Friday evening
  4th Monday evening

If you would like to join one of these groups, please email Rev. Kellie at  minister@mvuuf.org with your 1st choice and 2nd choice of session. 

In the meantime, Kellie invites us all to enjoy the inspiration of February's small group packet on TRUST, whether we're enrolled in a covenant group or not.

If you have been having any difficulties with access to the info in the packet (i.e., learning differences, technology trouble), please contact our Fellowship Administrator, Jennie Freiberger, at jennief@mvuuf.org or 937-436-3628 so that she can send you another version.
 

SMART CHOICES BIRTHDAY LUNCH
Thursday, February 14th, 11:30 AM, at MCL Cafeteria
Members & Friends of MVUUF (that identify as women) are invited to join this fun-loving group as they celebrate birthdays on Thursday, February 14th, 11:30 AM, at MCL Cafeteria in Kettering. Please RSVP to Allie Petersen at:    allieoop777@yahoo.com


HOW WILL WE BE WITH ONE ANOTHER?
Workshops Offered by Our Right Relations Committee
The Right Relations Committee will offer two workshops for the congregation this winter. We feel they're so important, we're scheduling each one six times, on different days of the week, to make sure as many people as possible can attend. They can be taken in either order. You can attend each one once, twice, even all six times!
 
Workshop A: The Covenant of Right Relations: What We're Striving For
This living document emerged about 10 years ago. What do we really mean by its language of "welcoming environment," "respect and nurture others," and speaking with directness and empathy? How can we strive to live up to our ideals while still allowing ourselves to be imperfect and human together? We'll explore the role, history and content of our Covenant as well as how we can apply its principles at MVUUF today.
 
Tuesday, February 5, 6-7:30 PM, Founders' Room
Wednesday, February 13, 6-7:30 PM, Founders' Room
Saturday, February 16, 9 AM - 12 PM, Sanctuary
Sunday, February 17, 12:30-2 PM, Founders' Room
Monday, March 18, 6-7:30 PM, Founders' Room
 
Workshop B : Living Right Relations: The ABCs of Navigating Conflict
When someone at MVUUF does something that upsets you, can you:
A: slow down and stay curious,
B: choose what you'll take in and what you'll share, and
C: do so with directness, kindness and empathy?
 
This class offers universal life skills with a focus on applying them within our relationships at MVUUF. We'll learn some tools for putting our Covenant of Right Relations to use: the ABCs (Awareness, Boundaries, and Communication) of Navigating Conflict.

Sunday, February 3, 12:30-2 PM, Founders' Room
Saturday, February 16, 9 AM - 12 PM, Sanctuary
Tuesday, February 19, 6-7:30 PM, Founders' Room
Wednesday, February 27, 6-7:30 PM, Founders' Room
Monday, April 15, 6-7:30 PM, Founders' Room
 
Workshop sessions will run for 90 minutes and include a brief lecture, some practical demonstrations and small group activities, and opportunities for questions and discussions. Our focus is not to rehash past conflicts but to build the skills for navigating the normal, natural, gonna-happen rough patches of being in relationship with fellow humans.
 
We're hoping to keep each workshop to around 10 to 15 people, except for the Saturday, February 16 double-session (9 am to noon) where both workshop topics will be covered. Help us out by RSVPing using SignUp Genius
 
If none of these dates are possible for you, reach out to a member of the Right Relations Committee---Alysoun   Taylor-Hall, Ria Megnin, and Laura Vondenheuvel---and we'll strive to work something out. Need more information?  Please contact Ria Megnin at ria@riamegnin.com or 831-236-0361 .
 

MVUUF SAFETY COMMITTEE
The purpose of the MVUUF Safety Committee is to provide recommended policies and procedures to insure the reasonable welfare, safety and security to all staff, members (including children) and visitors while on the premises and participating in the business, activities and services of the Fellowship.
 
This year's newly formed committee has met several times to review existing safety policies, determine resources and any policies or procedures needing revision. The committee recognized the need to developed a gun free, weapon free building policy that has been approved by the Board. Our current and future efforts include engaging our local law enforcement and first responders to advise us, continuing to refine policies and practices, and implementing practices that support our stated purpose.
 
Members are Larry Stone (chair), Adam Megnin (ad hoc training advisor) David Cobb, David Dickey, Diane Colvin, Jim Poltrone, Kathleen Pennington, Sheila Adams and Jerry Leggett(DRE/Child Safety). Rev. Kellie is our  treasured advisor.
 
We believe that safety is a shared responsibility of everyone, and we welcome any concerns or ideas you may have to make the Fellowship even safer. We invite anyone to attend our meetings, especially if this is an area that interests you or if we could benefit from your experience or expertise. Please feel free to reach out to committee chair Larry Stone at stone.larrye@gmail.com.
 

MEN WHO COOK, 2019
Rescheduled for Saturday, February 23rd, 6:30-8:30 PM
Make sure you are planning to attend our 12th annual Men Who Cook fundraising event at MVUUF! This fundraiser, which supports our Operating Fund, always gets rave reviews, so please consider bring a friend or two with you, as well!
 
Men of the Fellowship will be preparing a smorgasbord of dining delights:           appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, breads and desserts in splendid variety, with a little something for everyone-carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diners! Wine will also be served.
 
Sign-up sheets and tickets are available in the Gathering Space after Services;   tickets are $30/each, and children under 12 are just $5.    
 
Additional information will be coming soon in the weekly E-Blasts, so stay tuned. And feel free to contact Jim Poltrone , Head Chef, at jim.poltrone@gmail.com .
 
 
LOOKING FOR USHERS
We hope you will please consider becoming an Usher! It's a commitment of only 1.5 hours each month, and not much training is necessary. You get to greet everyone with an Order of Service and a hymnal as they enter the Sanctuary for a service, we collect and count the Offering, and then collect the hymnals after the Service. It's a great way to get to know our members, and help everyone feel welcomed. If you are interested, please contact Dori Dick , 937-313-4551 , or any of our Ushers---the people welcoming you at the door of the Sanctuary!
 
   
UNSUNG HERO
At its January meeting, the Program Council (PC) was pleased to recognize Larry Stone as an Unsung Hero. Larry served on the recent MVUUF Ministerial Search Committee that brought us Rev. Kellie! Serving on the Search Committee is one of the greatest commitments any member can make to MVUUF; it requires an enormous amount of time and teamwork over many months. Larry now serves as chair of the newly reconstituted Safety Committee, a   position to which he brings extensive professional experience in school safety and nonviolent physical crisis intervention. Larry is an active member of the West Dayton Action Group, participating in voter registration,  preschool promise advocacy, and more. Larry and his spouse, Julie, have been members since 2013.
 
 
A MOMENT FOR FINANCE
During the Finance Committee meeting in January, we discussed ways of helping Members and Friends to better understand the finances at MVUUF. We thought having a visual aid could help with this understanding.
 
Please take a moment to review the pie chart below, as it shows the   projected expenses for our 2018-2019 Fiscal Year budget.


SAVE THE DATE FOR 
REV. KELLIE'S INSTALLATION SERVICE
Sunday, March 24th, 4-6:00 PM, at MVUUF
On Sunday, March 24th, from 4-6:00 PM, our congregation will be marking an important milestone: celebrating the Installation of the Rev. Kellie C. Kelly as our Minister at Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. We made the call for her to join us this past summer (which she accepted!), she joined us this past fall, and now near the end of winter we will mark this very special occasion as our eyes look to the spring.
 
An Installation Service is a time for a Unitarian Universalist congregation to celebrate the joining of our community and the minister; I've heard someone say it's a wedding of sorts. We hope you will recognize parts of the service that relate to Rev. Kellie (and her fabulous self) and parts of the service that relate to our MVUUF community. We'll be sharing a moment in time to slow down, appreciate one another for the gifts we share, and the possibilities ahead for us as we grow         together.
 
More information will be coming soon, as the former members of the Ministerial Search Committee are hard at work with Rev. Kellie planning this event. Out of town guests will be joining us as well to help us celebrate.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me: vondelynn@gmail.com or 937-308-3266. I look forward to sharing more in the near future!
---Laura Vondenhuevel, Former Chair, Ministerial Search Committee  


WOMEN'S GROUP
Sunday Mornings, 9:30 AM, Class Room #5 at MVUUF
This group, open to everyone who identifies as female, meets every Sunday morning, 9:30 AM, in class room #5 at MVUUF. The group discusses issues that affect women, and participants agree to confidentiality. In the event that the group would be cancelled (weather, illness, etc.) notifications can be received through the Yahoo Group MVUUF Women's Group. Please consider joining us!


FRAGRANCE-FREE FELLOWSHIP
Remember, due to allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities of our members & friends, we ask that you please refrain from wearing scent at MVUUF (perfume, aftershave, scented hair products, lotions, etc.).

Thank you for helping us to be a safe as well as welcoming congregation!


FAIR TRADE COFFEE SALES
You can order fair trade coffee after the Sunday Worship Service at MVUUF! Orders are placed on the first Sunday of the month (this month that's February 3rd!), and then your order should be ready to be picked up on the third Sunday of the month (this month that's February 17th!).

There are many varieties and bean grinds to choose from...some are even organic! For more information, feel free to contact Lynn Buffington at abufflg@gmail.com or 937-657-0426.
_____________________
Social Action Opportunities
 
THE CONGREGATIONAL READ CONTINUES!
Saturday, February 2nd, 10:30 AM, in the Sanctuary at MVUUF
Don't forget! Rev. Kellie continues to lead a monthly discussion group for MVUUF friends and members on Beacon Press's new release, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. This month's gathering will take place on Saturday, February 2nd , 10:30 AM, in the Sanctuary at MVUUF; please read chapters 6 and 7 . Because of the continued importance of antiracism work in our denomination and in our country overall, Rev. Kellie encourages everyone to read the book with her and join our monthly discussions. Staff will also be participating as time allows.
 

SECOND FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, February 8th, 7:00 PM, in the Sanctuary at MVUUF
The Anti-Racism Team has another great movie for you this month! Please join us next Friday, February 8th, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary to watch Blindspotting .   Click HERE to view the trailer!

We look forward to seeing you there!
 
 

CALLING OUT THE CALLERS
AN ANTI-RACISM WORKSHOP
Re-scheduled! Saturday, February 16th, 3:00 PM, at MVUUF
Calling Out The Callers has been re-scheduled after being canceled for dangerous travel conditions! The new date is Saturday, February 16th at 3:00 PM, at MVUUF.   SURJ (Showing Up For Racial Justice) Greater Dayton chapter and MVUUF's ART (Anti-Racism Team) are partnering for this!
 
The workshop leader is Bomani Moyenda (at right in a picture from WYSO), who organized people to petition a case against Ronald Ritchie, the man who falsified claims leading to the murder of John Crawford III in the Beavercreek Walmart. Mr. Moyenda will describe that process, with the intent for broad application. We'll address the trend of white people calling the police on African Americans and other people of color for innocuous reasons or "existing while black" and alternatives to calling the police. ALL are welcome.
 
 
ANTI-RACISM ALLY GROUP
First Thursdays of the Month, 7-9:00 PM, at MVUUF
This newly-formed group is a supportive place where white congregants can work on reducing and eliminating their own white fragility and internalized racism without harming our siblings of color. Rev. Kellie is also looking for individuals who are interested in assisting her to lead this ongoing group.
 
Participation in the Congregational Read ( White Fragility ) is not required. Questions, concerns or suggestions? Please email Rev. Kellie at minister@mvuuf.org .
 
Please note that when the group was formed last month meetings were scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of the month; meetings will now take place on the 1st Thursday of the month in order to better accommodate the schedules of those interested. Due to the short notice, we will be skipping February's meeting, and will meet again on Thursday, March 7th, 7-9:00 PM.


ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUNCH
Saturday, February 9th, 10:45 AM, 
120 West Apple Street, Dayton
Please join us in providing our long-standing second Saturday lunch ministry for women and families staying at the St. Vincent de Paul Shelter on Saturday, February 9th.   

Our needs for February include : hearty chili, fixings of   shredded cheese and sour cream, vegetable dishes (any dish made with fresh vegetables such as green beans,   vegetable medley, carrots & celery sticks, - potato salad has been popular), green salads, fresh fruit/fruit salads, 100% orange juice and 1% milk.   We need several donations of most items, with each donation serving 15-20   people. Please bring all items---heated if   applicable---to 120 West Apple Street (the St. Vincent de Paul Gateway Shelter) by 10:45 am.  
 
You can sign up for food donations and/or serving on the clipboard in the Gathering Space, or you can contact Lynn Buffington at 937-657-0426 (call or text) or ABUFFLG@gmail.com. You can also check on what is needed at SignUp Genius.  
 
St. Vincent's is very full these days! In January we broke our very recent record, providing food for 131! That was 71 in the women and women with spouses group at 11:00 AM and 60 in the family group at noon. Thanks to the many who served (in the photo below) and/or provided food. If you would like more information regarding volunteering, please take one of the info flyers near the sign up sheet in the Social Action are in the Gathering Space.
 
____________________
Enlightened by Education
 

NEEDED: CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
We are currently experiencing a shortage of Child Care Providers, and are actively looking to hire more Providers. Do you enjoy working with children, or know someone who does? Are you or someone you know interested in making some additional income? Do you have availability on nights and weekends?
 
So what's does being a Child Care Provider involve? Duties include:
  •  Supervise ALL children left in their care at the Fellowship, providing a safe and nurturing environment
  •  Monitor conditions (e.g., playground, classroom) for safety and cleanliness
  •  Maintain records (i.e., attendance, visitor registration) as requested
  •  Other duties as assigned by the Director of Religious Education
 
And what qualifications are necessary to be a Child Care Provider? Qualifications would include:
  •  Enjoyment of and desire to work with children & youth
  •  Ability to work in a team and independently, and with minimal supervision
  •  Strong interpersonal skills, including responsiveness to the needs and concerns of participants and parents
  •  Ability to manage concurrent multiple priorities (requires analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail)
  •  Ability to provide effective feedback to the Director of Religious Education
  •  Sympathy with the mission, principles, and tenets of the Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
 
To view the full Child Care Provider Job Posting and Application, please visit www.mvuuf.org .


SEASON FOR NON-VIOLENCE
January 30th thru April 4th
At the beginning of this month, we begin honoring the Season for Nonviolence, seen in the art in our Sanctuary, and a reminder in your weekly order of service. The season honors the nonviolent approaches to end injustice used by Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and spans the 64 days between the anniversaries of their deaths: January 30th for Gandhi and April 4th for King.
 
This year as we think about violence, three kinds of violence seem especially prevalent. First, is the rise of violence used against asylum seekers when children are separated from their parents. The second, is the attention to       violence against women, which occurs in the form of sexual assault. While not new, women are feeling greater protection in speaking out, an act that is not free of risk. And the third is the rise of mass shootings in this country, targeting innocent people in shocking and tragic ways.
 
As in years past, our posters are of people who have worked for human rights, social justice, and human dignity in history. This year, we have a new addition to our art: Peace Hero posters from the annual Miami Valley Peacebuilder walks that feature local, national and international peacebuilders. Whose poster would you put up? Maybe it could be a poster of you?
 
On Sunday, February 3rd, we will kick off the season with a Worship for All Ages service led by our Children and Youth Religious Education program and our new Director of Religious Education, Jerry Leggett, former Executive Director of the Dayton International Peace Museum. We will close the season with a worship service led by our member and Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton President Bob Lewis on Sunday, March 24th.
 

TRANSGENDER ALLY GROUP
Monday, February 25th 7-9pm
Our newly-formed Transgender Ally Group will be meeting this month on Monday, February 25th from 7-9:00 PM (4th Monday evening each month). This group is a supportive place where cisgender congregants can work on reducing and eliminating their own internalized transphobia and heterosexism without harming our transgender siblings. We'll be starting a a new UU program to support transgender folks inside and outside of our congregations.
 
Rev. Kellie is looking for individuals who are interested in assisting her to lead this ongoing group. Questions, concerns, or suggestions? Please email Rev. Kellie at  minister@mvuuf.org .
 
 
INTRODUCTION TO UUISM
Sunday Mornings, February 3rd thru March 31st, 9:30 AM, Classroom #7 at MVUUF
The class will meet for eight Sunday morning sessions and address important themes in Unitarian Universalist congregational life, including worship and theology, UU history, covenant and polity, spiritual growth and faith development, social justice and membership. Led by Bob Lewis, an informed lay leader in the congregation, and assisted by our minister, Rev. Kellie Kelly, the course is an opportunity for you learn more about our liberal religious faith in an open exploratory way. There will be lots of time to raise questions, dialogue with others, and explore more deeply. This is not a pushy class pressuring you to join up; we don't do that! We are convinced that the path of Unitarian Universalism is made rich by the individual journeys of all of us who choose thoughtfully to walk together.
 
The class will be held in classroom #7 in the RE wing of the Fellowship. There is no charge for this class. Childcare is available. Starbucks coffee and pastry will be served. You may sign up for the course in the Gathering Space or by contacting Bob Lewis at 937-350-7763 or bobslewis@hotmail.com . Additionally, you can contact Bob if you have any questions about the class.
 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FORUM BOOK CLUB
Rescheduled! Monday, February 18th, 7:00 PM, 
in the Founders' Room at MVUUF
The meeting of our Environmental Learning Forum Book Club, originally scheduled for December 17th, did not take place. The reading that was to have been discussed was The Wizard and the Prophet by Charles C. Mann. The   discussion of this book has now been rescheduled for our next meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 18th. In The Wizard and the Prophet , Mann presents a portrait of two twentieth century scientists, William Vogt and Norman Borlaug, whose differing views have played a role in shaping society's current thinking about our environmental crisis. All MVUUF members and friends who are interested in environmental and conservation   issues are invited to join us.
 

DAYTIME BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, February 20th, 10:30 AM, in the Library
The next meeting of this well-read group is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20th, 10:30 AM in the Library at MVUUF; ALL are welcome to attend! 

The group will be discussing The Trouble With Goats and Sheep: A Novel by Joanna Cannon.
 
Future discussions will cover:
Wednesday, March 20th--- The Overstory by Richard Powers
Wednesday, April 17th--- My Brilliant Friend: Neapolitan Novels, Book One by Elena Ferrante  
____________
Some Sad News
 
REMEMBERING FRANK & PETIE WRIGHT
Frank Wright passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 30th. Frank and his wife "Petie" (Mary Margaret) were long-time members and among the founding members of MVUUF. Frank's obituary.
 
There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony on Saturday, February 16th, 11:00 AM, at Comfort Suites Wright Patterson, 5220 Huberville Ave., 45431, and a casual evening gathering at 6:00 PM, at the same location. Please contact their son at meleswright@gmail.com or 937-660-6633 to RSVP.

______________

One Last Thing... 

 

CHECK OUT THE MVUUF CALENDAR!

You can keep up-to-date with all the happenings at MVUUF by viewing the Fellowship's online calendar right HERE.


 

The calendar is updated throughout the week, so it's ALWAYS the place to check & see what's going on at MVUUF; usually, it's quite A LOT!

 

 

We are a liberal religious community that embraces diversity and respects the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  ALL are welcome here, no matter their race, class background, sex, sexual/affectional orientation, gender expression, or ability.

 

Please visit us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. for our worship service---

we'd love to see you!