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Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church
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This month's theme: Integrity
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A Letter from Your Minister
Rev. Mary Frances Comer
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The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.
~L.R. Knost
Dear Folks,
Welcome to the new year, the month of January, and our monthly theme of Integrity.
As the United States deploys thousands of troops to the Middle East, the world questions our integrity as a country, and many of our citizens question the integrity of our own government. When will humans move beyond violence as a solution to problems or as a means of control?
L.R. Knost penned the quote above: The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you. This has never been more true, so in the midst of the chaos that is a part of our world, remember...
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Family Choir
Kaarin Record Leach
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I’m so excited to be starting this new group at PUUC in February! If you’re not familiar with the concept, you may have asked yourself “What exactly IS a Family Choir?” Here are some key components of how the group will come together.
What exactly is a Family Choir?
The great thing about it is that you don’t have to be related by DNA to...
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Adult RE Class Starting Next Month
Growing the Circle Wider — Facing the Stigma of Mental Illness
Join Ministerial Intern, Holly Brown for a four-week course on how we can be more intentionally welcoming and inclusive to individuals with mental illnesses. Mental illness affects many individuals and families deeply both within and outside of our own congregation. The goals of the class are to create greater understanding of current terminology, stigma that individuals with mental illness face, and how our religious tradition calls us to engage will allow the congregation to grow the caring circle of beloved community. Our tradition has long utilized spirituality in the care of individuals facing the effects of mental illness and we can continue that legacy in our own communities through answering the call to be on the side of love.
The sessions are scheduled for four consecutive Saturday afternoons at the University Gathering, February 29, March 7, March 14, and March 21, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Please contact Holly Brown at
holly@puuc.org if you are interested in attending or would like additional information.
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Christmas Eve Service at the University Gathering
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Planning a Celebration of Life Service Workshop with the Minister
Saturday, January 25th from 11-12:30 p.m.at the University Gathering
Have you considered your own memorial or Celebration of Life service but aren't sure how to plan the details? Sign up for this workshop with our minister by emailing
info@puuc.org. We need RSVPs for planning purposes. A folder and worksheets will be provided as well as sample formats. Rev. Mary Frances will cover the basics and then follow up with individual appointments as needed to craft a meaningful and personal service.
Taking care of these plans in advance is a gift to family members. We can also keep a copy of your wishes on file at the church if you'd like.
Suggested minimum donation for the workshop and materials: $5.00
Limited to 8 individuals per session as needed.
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Breaking Bread with the Board
January 31st at 6pm at the University Gathering
Have you ever been told that your church Board serves you? Well, be sure to take advantage of this event - where you will be actually, really, legitimately SERVED BY YOUR BOARD. This family-friendly event will be a night to remember — great food and equally great entertainment. A good time will most definitely be had by all!
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Interested in Becoming a Member? Have Questions?
Attend our Newcomer Orientation and Meet the Minister Events:
- University Gathering: Jan. 22nd following the Fellowship Dinner
- Salisbury Gathering: Jan. 26th following the 12:30 service
If you're a newcomer to Unitarian Universalism or to Piedmont UU Church and would like to learn more about either, or if you're interested in becoming a member, we welcome your participation in this event led by Rev. Mary Frances.
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We couldn't provide our warm welcome without the help of these members in January:
Greeters: Beth F., Angela K., Chris S., and Sheila W., at the Salisbury Gathering; stay tuned for the University Gathering Greeters
Service Assistants: Merry O., Julia H., Teresa R., and Bob V.
Nursery Assistants: Connie B., Rich H., Nancy S., and Pat W.
Religious Education Assistants: Jeri E., and Karen H.
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Fellowship Events in December
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Quarterly Fellowship Dinner
January 22, 2020
Join us for food and fellowship!
Questions about dietary restrictions, or to help with set-up or clean-up, email Ali at
all.star@mac.com.
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Monthly Game Night
January 24, 2020
Join us for fun and fellowship! Bring a game to play, or choose something from the game library. Teens are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
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From the Board of Trustees
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News from the Piedmont UU Church Board of Trustees
December Meeting Highlights
- Plans for Piedmont UU Annual Meeting on December 22, 2019
- Approval of Policy Governance Manual
- Review of Policy Manual
- Reflection on 2019 and board goals achieved
Thanks
The board extended thanks to the following:
- Members of the Policy Committee for all of the work that has been done over the last two years on church bylaws, policy manual and policy governance manual.
- Becky Schisler for her leadership of the BOT in 2019.
- Sam Treadaway and Anne Laukaitis for completing years of service to the BOT.
- Deb Davelka for her assistance with development of the policy manuals
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Piedmont UU Church Financial Health: November 2019
Monthly Income $31,138
Monthly
Expense (
$20,103)
Monthly Mortgage Principal Payment ($1,634)
Monthly Cash Flow $9,401
Year to Date Income $224,718
Year to Date Expense ($210,098)
Year to Date Mortgage Principal Payments ($17,842)
Year to Date Cash Flow (3,222)
Would you like to contribute to the financial health of our congregation?
Click here to make a donation now. Thank you for your generosity.
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This Month's Shared Offering Plate
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This month's shared offering will go to the UUA Annual Program Fund (APF). Every congregation in our Association is asked to contribute to the Annual Program Fund (formerly called GIFT in our Southern Region). Our Principles and Purposes close with this promise: "As free congregations, we enter into covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support." APF makes that covenantal promise real. We give so that our spirits will be enriched by the practice of generosity in community and so that Unitarian Universalism will flourish.
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9:45 a.m. at the University Gathering
12:30 p.m. at the Salisbury Gathering
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Sunday, January 5, 2020
University Gathering:
“366 Days: InteGRITy Part I”
Rev. Mary Frances Comer
January's theme is Integrity. Today we consider integrity (and grit) as a predictors of success and look at some of our favorite and most successful "failures."
Salisbury Gathering:
“Sacred Spaces and Sacred Places”
Rev. Mary Frances Comer
Members of our Meditation and Memorial Garden Committee will lead our service today in Salisbury. Jeff Blum and Rev. Mary Frances will speak about extending our sacred spaces beyond the walls of our sanctuaries, and Anne Laukaitis will share as well. Stay after the service for a presentation and time of discussion.
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Sunday, January 12, 2020
"InteGRITy Part II: The Intangible Predictors of Success"
Rev. Mary Frances Comer
Our norms and values as individuals and as a church have a major impact on our spiritual as well as our personal lives. Today we consider qualities that will serve us well in the new year.
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Sunday, January 19, 2020
"Aspirations of Integrity: Learning from MLK"
Holly Brown, ministerial intern
Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression remain a goal that we must continue to work toward as Unitarian Universalists. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired many toward an ethic of non-violent direct action during the Civil Rights Movement. The ripples of this work continue to be felt and utilized today.
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Sunday, January 26, 2020
“Secrets of Success”
Rev. Mary Frances Comer
Today we conclude our monthly theme of integrity and success as we consider the combined wisdom of Helen Keller and Colin Powell. Following the service, Doug Wall leads a presentation on the Meditation and Memorial Garden called "Funding the Dream."
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Piedmont UU Church Covenant of Right Relations
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Love is the spirit of this church
and service its prayer.
We covenant to honor all spiritual paths
with hospitality,
To assume the best of one another
from our highest selves,
To dwell together in peace through kindness,
And to serve others with compassion,
Honoring one another as members of Beloved Community.
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History Presentation: Becoming The Beloved Community
Hosted by St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Salisbury NC
131 W Council St, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 4 PM – 5:30 PM
The final component of work funded by the Mission Endowment Grant of the Episcopal Diocese of NC is a look at the parish history of St. Luke's as it relates to the story of slavery and race.
Local historian Gary Freeze has been contracted to research this "lost chapter" of our parish history.
This research is not being done to shame those in previous generations, but rather to help us understand the history that we have inherited so that we can move forward in the process of healing from those wounds.
Join us on the Sunday of Martin Luther King weekend (Jan 19) at 4pm in the Parish Hall for the presentation by Dr. Freeze. All are welcome.
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Clear Light of Dharma
A three session teaching by donation will take place at 8216 Chandos Place on Saturday, Feb. 15th - 11 to 1 & 3 to 5 p.m. Contact Pema Tara for more information at 413-358-2626
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