Chalice                    Miami Valley 
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

8690 Yankee St.  Dayton, OH  45458

 

 

    937-436-3628  www.mvuuf.org 

 

MVUUF's Forum for May, 2018

  visit our website  HERE          visit the UUA's website    HERE

 
Service Topics for May, 2018

Sunday, May 6th     11:00 AM 
Religious Education Sunday
Phillip Green, Director of Religious Education
We will be taking time at this service to thank all those 
who have volunteered their time to  the Religious Education (RE) program here at MVUUF. Please join us in publicly
acknowledging the services our RE volunteers offer. 
Without these volunteers, there would be
no functioning religious education program.
 
Sunday, May 13th     11:00 AM
The Promise & The Practice
MVUUF's Anti-Racism Team 
The service today will be uniquely prophetic: it will call us to listen, humbly and perhaps with some discomfort,  to the lived reality 
of black Unitarian Universalists and commit to creating the beloved community of our future. We invite all to witness and participate in this moment of transparency and vision.

Sunday, May 20th     11:00 AM
Endless Love
The Rev. Dr. Holly Horn
The sermon this morning will offer meditations on 
mystical traditions  in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
 

Sunday, May 27th     11:00 AM
A Transcendental Etude
The Rev. Dr. Holly Horn
Today's sermon will explore the relationship between 
19th century  Transcendentalist Unitarians Margaret Fuller 
and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
May News

IN THE INTERIM
Dear MVUUF members and friends,
 
The end of our ministry together is approaching, and the time has come for us to begin saying our goodbyes. Sunday, June 10th, will be my last Sunday service and soon after that Benjamin and I will be leaving for Ministry Days and the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly (GA) in Kansas City, MO. After GA, I will be on vacation until July 31st, when my contract ends.
 
Plans for the summer are proceeding apace! Joe Law, Chair of the Worship Committee, and the many talented members of a newly formed Worship Committee have terrific plans for Sunday services underway. Director of   Religious Education Phillip Green and the YRE Committee are developing an exciting program for the children and youth. You will be hearing more about this on Sunday, May 6th. And Director of Music Sara Davis is looking for musicians in the congregation to enhance summer worship services with instrumental offerings.
 
If you have thought about meeting with me to discuss spiritual or personal or Fellowship issues, do consider making an appointment sometime within the next six weeks. My office hours are on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and other times are possible. I am best reached by email at [email protected] .
 
 
Yours in the faith,
 
Holly



A MINUTE FOR MUSIC
I  want to extend my gratitude and thanks to Adrienne Clark, Dell Hitchcock and everyone who came out for our first Chalice Night "Coffee House" on Friday, April 13th. Besides just being a lot of fun, I learned that several of our friends (Jim Patton and Ian Hogan) are great guitar players and that we attract interested visitors when there is music in the offing. There is certainly a purpose for music-making outside of the worship hour on Sunday!
 
Often when we've had discussions about our visions for the Fellowship's future, people state they want a "vibrant" or "engaging" music program. What specifically does that mean to you? I have a lot of ideas! But I believe my primary purpose as your Director of Music is to be a facilitator; to help bring to fruition whatever it is you as a community dream of having. Like the movie Field of Dreams - if you can imagine it, I can help you do it. Give it some thought and dream big!
 
You can always talk with me or email. But I am also planning to host a conversation after service on: Sunday, May 20th at 12:15 PM to gather your ideas about what you see for our music program here at MVUUF.
---Sara Davis, MVUUF Director of Music
 

 
FROM OUR  DIRECTOR  OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, PHILLIP GREEN
During the May 6th Sunday services, we will be taking time to thank all those who have generously  volunteered their time to the Religious Education (RE) program here at MVUUF. Please join us in publicly acknowledging the services our RE volunteers offer. Without these volunteers, there would be no functioning religious education program.
--Phillip Green, MVUUF Director of Religious Education
 


NEWS FROM THE MSC
CONFIDENCE AND HOPE ABOUND IN ROUND TWO OF SEARCH
Do you find that soup is often better on the second day? Or that the second day of school or work is just a little easier that the first? And as Orson Welles famously said, "we will sell no wine before its time." Some things improve with time and a little patience.
 
The Ministerial Search Committee is deep into the second round of search and we've been busy! This round is compacted, which means in a matter of weeks (not months) ministers submit their Ministerial Records and packets, search committees review and ponder (and ponder), conduct phone interviews, check references and hopefully select a pre-candidate to meet in person.
 
We're feeling well-seasoned and up to the challenge! So much that we learned in round one is helping us sail through round two smoothly with confidence and hope. The pool of ministers is smaller this time, but we have the same high standards. We have less time but more experience. We are that much better at interviewing ministers and uncovering what we really need to know.
 
As a result, we're delighted to announce that we've done more phone interviews and found someone we want to learn more about in person. Yes! We have a pre-candidate who will be visiting with the MSC on an upcoming weekend! As usual, we can't tell you the who, what, where or when of the visit. We ask you to keep in mind that we'll have a very special visitor very soon, so we still need to put our best congregational foot forward. We hope you'll help by continuing to make sure our building and grounds are "company ready," because we're still all in this together!
--Eileen Simon, MSC member



EMILY UPHAM AWARD NOMINATIONS
Do you know a member of our community who "exemplifies commitment and service for world peace and social justice"? If you do, we encourage you to nominate them for the Emily Upham award! "Emily Upham was a member of MVUUF who throughout her life supported her vision for world peace and justice through her professional and, especially, her volunteer efforts." We are currently accepting nominations for our 2018 award recipient. We will continue to accept nominations through Sunday, May 20th. The award will be presented Sunday, June 10th at the Congregational Meeting.
 
Please give nominations to Rachel Feltner either in person or via email at  [email protected] .
 


PROGRAM COUNCIL'S UNSUNG HEROES THIS MONTH
The  Program Council is happy to honor Rene Hick for our monthly Unsung Hero recognition. Rene is Chair of the YRE Committee, an important position that is always busy, but has been recently especially demanding with the search, hiring and transition to our new Director of Religious Education, Phillip Green.  We've also benefited from Rene's storytelling in Words for All Ages and her presence in the YRE prep room.  Those who volunteer with her are especially appreciative of her well organized and cheerful approach.  
 
Rene also serves on the Membership Committee and participates in the Sunday morning Covenant Group.  A Program Council member said that Rene believes that being in community means giving back to community.  MVUUF is grateful for how well Rene lives by those words!


 
MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY RESCHEDULED!
A Joining Session will be held on Saturday, May 5th, 10:00 AM until noon in the Founders' Room. Attendance at this session is required if you wish to become a member now, but coming to the session is not a commitment. You will learn about UUism, how MVUUF is governed, and the joys & responsibilities of membership, and more. If you do decide to become a member, you will sign the Red Book on Sunday, May 20th during worship.
 
This is a great time to become a Voting Member! Trade in your friend name tag for a permanent wooden one that shows you are committed to this Fellowship and its future. Sign up at the greeter's table on Sunday, April 29th or email Diane Colvin , at [email protected] to let her know you plan to be there. Child care will be provided for your little ones during the session.
 

 
AESTHETICALLY SPEAKING
The Aesthetics Committee is charged with maintaining and improving the beauty and functionality of the Fellowship's indoor spaces.  For example, the committee arranges and supports art exhibits, maintains spaces,   including storage, arranges or provides holiday decor, attends to needs that we observe or that are brought to our attention, and provides flowers for the altar and indoor spaces.  The Gallery Group coordinates the art hanging in the sanctuary.  
 
If you decorate for an event, the Aesthetics Committee would like to remind you to remove all of your decorations, unless you have already arranged to leave them up. This includes items left on the altar and wall spaces (hung with painter's tape, only). Donations of furnishings or decor are accepted at the discretion of our Operations Rep., David Dickey.  
 
If you have suggestions for artists who would enjoy having a space to display their hung art for 2 months, or if you have questions, you may direct them to Phil Wise, Aesthetics Committee Chair, or David Dickey, Operations Rep. If you would like to help with flowers, please speak with Iris Carter.  See page 32-33 of the MVUUF Policy Manual (click HERE for the manual) for more information.



DIAPERS FOR DAYTON
On Sunday, May 13th, and Sunday, May 27th, the West Dayton Action Group will hold a Diaper Drive to benefit the Wesley Community Center's Baby Ready Program . We are asking MVUUF members and friends to purchase packages of diapers and/or baby wipes and drop them off at our collection bin which will be located in the Gathering Space. The smallest sizes (newborn and size 1) are in greatest demand. We will deliver the diapers & wipes to the Wesley Community Center where they will be distributed to the new mothers in the Baby Ready  Program.
 
This diaper drive supplements our annual Baby Shower and will help to relieve some of the financial stress faced by these families with new babies. So start looking for sales and discounts and get ready to "drop your diapers" in the Gathering Space beginning May 13th!
--Steve Steel for the West Dayton Action Group
 
 
 
WE ARE A FRAGRANCE-FREE FELLOWSHIP
Remember...due to allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities, we ask you to please refrain from wearing scent when at the Fellowship (perfume, aftershave, scented hair products, lotions, etc.). Thank you for helping us to be a safe as well as welcoming congregation!
 

 
SANCTUARY MOVEMENT EDUCATION
The Sanctuary Taskforce and the Adult Religious Education Program are sponsoring a yearlong exploration of the world of immigration and the rise of the Sanctuary Movement. 

However, a fter service on Sunday, May 6th, in lieu of offering our monthly educational experience, Social Action and the Sanctuary Task Force are encouraging attendance at an Interfaith Forum of Greater Dayton program.  The program, called Welcoming the Stranger-Voices of Immigrants will be held from 3-5:00 PM at Christ Church United Methodist, 3440 Shroyer Road, Kettering, 45429.  It is an opportunity to meet members of our refugee & immigrant communities and better understand their needs & challenges and how we can all help them adjust to life here.  It is also an opportunity to meet members of other faith communities interested in immigration issues.
 


DAYTIME BOOK CLUB
The next gathering of this well-read group will take place on Wednesday, May 16th, 10:30 AM in the Library, and they'll be discussing The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.
 
Upcoming choices for discussions are:
06/20       The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash
07/18        The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
08/15        Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama
09/19        Facism: A Warning by Madeline Albright    
 
All are welcome to join them!
 


 
SMART CHOICES BIRTHDAY LUNCH
Members & friends of MVUUF (that identify as women) are invited to join this fun-loving group as they celebrate birthdays on Thursday, May 10th, 11:30 AM, at MCL Cafeteria, in Kettering. Please RSVP to Allie Petersen at:
 


ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUNCH
Please join us in providing food and/or serving for our long-standing second Saturday lunch ministry for women and families staying at the St. Vincent de Paul Shelter. You can sign up for the Saturday, May 12th lunch 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  [email protected] .   If you would like more information regarding volunteering, please take one of the info flyers near the sign up sheet.
 
Thanks to ALL who pitched in by providing food and/or serving the April meal!  (The photo is of our April servers).  Once again, diners were appreciative of our tasty, healthy and abundant food! We served 52; with 35 in the women's group at 11 am and 17 in the family group at noon.  Compare this to over 100 people  for a few months in the winter! 
 
May 12th menu :  Our needs this month include sandwich filling (BBQ pulled pork/chicken/beef, sloppy joes, or chicken/egg salad) vegetable dishes (pasta salad with LOTS of veggies, cole slaw, or other vegetable -- steamed broccoli with Italian salad dressing has been popular!),    green    salads, fresh fruit/fruit salads, 100% orange juice and reduced-fat milk (we use buns from St. Vincent's pantry for the sandwiches). 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.
 


      FAIR TRADE COFFEE SALE!
Remember to place your order for Fair Trade coffee on the first Sunday of the month (this month it's on May 6 th ) !

Coffee will be ready to be picked up on or after the third Sunday of the month (this month, May  20th ) . 

There are many varieties and bean grinds to choose from, including several that are organic!  Contact  Lynn Buffington  at:    (937) 657-0426  or  [email protected]
 
 
     
DON'T FORGET!
Y ou can keep up-to-date with all the happenings at MVUUF by viewing the Fellowship's calendar online, from a link to our website  HERE  
 
The calendar is updated daily, so it's always the place to check and see what's going on!

       
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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, 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!