Chalice                    Miami Valley 
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

8690 Yankee St.  Dayton, OH  45458

 

 

    937-436-3628  www.mvuuf.org 

 

MVUUF's Forum for September, 2018

  visit our website  HERE          visit the UUA's website    HERE

 
Service Topics for September, 2018

Sunday, September 2nd - 11:00 AM      
Our Ancestors' Vision
(a Worship For All Ages service)
with Rev. Kellie Kelly
 
Sunday, September 9th - 11:00 AM      
In-Gathering Water Service
(a Worship For All Ages service)
with Rev. Kellie Kelly
   
Sunday, September 16th - 11:00 AM      
Forgive Us Our Failures
with Rev. Kellie Kelly
   
Sunday, September 23rd - 11:00 AM
      A lay-led service
with Joe Law, MVUUF member
 
Sunday, September 30th - 11:00 AM 
Awaken Our Dreams
with Rev. Kellie Kelly

September News
 
FROM OUR NEW SETTLED MINISTER
Dear MVUUF members and friends,
 
OMSL-Oh My Spirit of Life! I am sooooo excited about our time together and our amazing future!
 
Our program year officially launches this Sunday with our Ingathering Water Service, which will delightfully be a Worship for All Ages. Then our Children and Youth Religious Education (YRE) program begins the following Sunday (September 16th). And that's just talking about our worship schedule!
 
The fellowship leadership has decided to utilize Soul Matters themed ministry for worship, YRE, and small groups. Our first theme is Vision. If you would like more information about Soul Matters, please check out the information about my Soul Matters Information Session.
 
Most importantly, I have been busy this first month meeting with many of our fellowship leaders, listening and learning about what makes MVUUF their heart's home. My goal is to visit each committee at least once during my first year with you all so that I can meet more of you personally. Starting in October, I also will lead a book discussion series on White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and host a Conversation with Your Minister gathering after Sunday service once a month (keep a lookout for first dates).
 
I have a song that keeps playing in my head when I think of MVUUF and this month's theme of Vision. How about taking a listen to Johnny Nash's classic, I Can See Clearly Now, with me? Click HERE!
 
Holding each of you in my heart!


      
A MINUTE FOR MUSIC
At the end of our worship service last month ( News Where We Live on Aug. 19th), I invited the congregation to stand for the Postlude: Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing (#149 in Singing the Living Tradition). This powerful hymn has an important place in American history. Written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, a school principal in Jacksonville, Florida, and set to music by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, it was first performed by 500 school children in honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. The song was quickly adopted by Black communities in the South and in 1919, the NAACP made it their official song.  During the civil rights movement it became known as the Black National Anthem. The soaring imagery of the lyrics inspire both hope "... sing til earth and heaven ring with the harmonies of liberty " and resolve to continue the struggle "... bitter the chastening rod felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our fathers sighed? "


 
STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT
We are proud to announce that our Director of Religious Education, Dr. Phillip Green, has been accepted into a hospital chaplain residency at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center. While we all hoped that Phillip could continue on in his MVUUF position, Phillip has discovered that he will not have time for both positions. His last day with us will be Sunday, September 16th so that he can help us launch our 2018-2019 YRE program year.  
 
Please join us in celebrating Phillip's time with us and blessing his chaplaincy at our Ingathering Water Service   Sunday, September 9.
 
 
Dear MVUUF,
 
I have, regrettably, decided to resign my position as Director of Religious Education. I want everyone to know that I struggled with this decision, and my reasons for leaving are for personal reasons. I have recently accepted a full-time chaplain residency program in  Columbus, and unfortunately, I cannot continue to work at MVUUF while simultaneously meeting the many demands of this new work. I want everyone to know that I enjoyed my time at MVUUF, even if it was short-lived. I also wish everyone at MVUUF the very best. I know MVUUF has some exciting times ahead, especially now that you all have a fantastic new minister! I will miss everyone, children and adults. If I could have a single parting wish, it would be that everyone continues to take religious education seriously, serious enough to warrant devoting time and energy in order to make the program better and stronger.
 
Peace & Blessings,
Phillip
 

 
IN-GATHERING WATER SERVICE ON 
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th
Please join us in a Worship For All Ages Water Service on Sunday, September 9th, beginning at 11:00 AM. Make sure to bring with you that day a sample of water drawn from a place that is sacred or special to you (your home, perhaps, or a place you visited); and please make sure that your water container can also be used to bring home with you some of the water from the service. Water will also be available at the service so that everyone will be able to participate.
 

 
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JENNIE!
Please join me in celebrating Jennie Freiberger's service to MVUUF this month!
 
Monday, September 3rd, 2018 was Jennie's 5-year anniversary with MVUUF. During this time, our fellowship has gone through a great deal of change and a wee bit of conflict (5 ministers in 5 years!?!). Jennie and her smile have been one of our constants.
 
This month, please join me in celebrating Jennie's ministry to MVUUF by dropping her a note or expressing your gratitude the next time you see her or speak with her on the phone. (Please do not bring flowers or food for Jennie due to her allergies.)


 
SOUL MATTERS INFORMATION SESSION
Join Rev. Kellie for an information session on our new Soul Matters Small Groups (starting in October). While Soul Matters offers a distinctive small group curriculum tied to the Sunday worship themes, its central goal is to foster circles of trust and deep listening. These small groups allow you to go deep with each theme and with a small group of the fellowship's members and friends. If you would like to join or lead a Soul Matters small group and are not able to attend the information session, please email Kellie at [email protected]. 

And for more information on Soul Matters, please click HERE 
 
1.   A Journey that the Whole Church Takes Together
Soul Matters small groups are not a stand-alone program.  They are designed as a companion program to a congregation's worship and religious education ministries. Congregations using Soul Matters, position their small groups "an opportunity to explore our congregation's monthly worship themes in more depth." We also provide theme-based religious education curriculum to enable parents, children and the whole church to go on the same spiritual journey each month. Breaking down the silos between the ministries within congregations is a passion of ours.      

2. Experience the Theme, Don't Just Analyze It
We know that spiritual development requires more than analysis of a topic. There is a deep hunger in all of us for experiential engagement. Honoring this, we include spiritual exercises in each small group packet. For instance, when we wrestled with the concept of grace, our small groups didn't just read what theologians had to say about it, they also were invited to find a way to bring grace (a gift one doesn't expect, earn or even deserve) into another person's life.
 
3 . Questions to Live With, Not Talk Through
In traditional small groups, questions are an opportunity for the group to think together, going through each question one by one. Soul Matters engages reflection questions differently. We see them as tools for individual  exploration and spiritual discernment. Instead of asking small groups to go through all the questions and discuss them one at a time during group time, Soul Matters participants read all the questions ahead of time and find the one question that "hooks" them-the one that speaks to and challenges them personally. Participants then live with that question for a couple of weeks leading up to the group, coming to their meeting, not with an answer to each of the questions on the list, but with a story about how their one personally-chosen question led them to deeper, personal insight. This technique leads us away from abstraction and intellectualizing and challenges us to think about how the topic (and question) applies to our daily living.
 
4. A Reminder that UUism is Distinctive, Not an "Anything Goes" Religion
Our monthly themes focus on a spiritual value that our UU faith has historically honored and calls all of us to embody in our lives. At each small group meeting, participants are reminded that our faith promotes a preferred way for us to be in the world. This is why each monthly theme is framed with the question: "What does it mean to be a people of _____________?"
 
Being a part of Soul Matters facilitators covenant group has been invaluable for me. I was able to experience in living color what a group experience can be. Rev. Scott Tayler facilitated the groups and added important teaching and insights for us. As a clinical psychologist I have run many groups but the covenant group has important differences. I highly recommend this experience for new facilitators.
---Antoinette Saunders, Small Group Facilitator, Eliot Chapel of Kirkwood, MO



PROGRAM COUNCIL MEETING DATE MOVED FOR SEPTEMBER
Due to the Labor Day holiday falling on the same date as the scheduled Program Council meeting for September, the meeting has been moved to Monday, September 10th, 7:00 PM, in the Founders' Room at MVUUF.
 
 

MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE CALENDAR
Please make sure to check the MVUUF calendar when you're planning an event at MVUUF...and please make sure to schedule those events with our Fellowship Administrator, Jennie Freiberger; you can reach her at 937-436-3628 or [email protected]. Scheduling events on the calendar helps us ensure that space is available for all of the many events we have at the Fellowship.



ART ON DISPLAY IN THE CHALICELIGHT GALLERY
The art currently on display in the Chalicelight Gallery (in the Sanctuary) is the work of former member and now friend of MVUUF, Katherine Cruse. She began painting in 2005 when she moved to Dayton from Colorado, where she hiked and rafted and skied, and wrote a column for a weekly paper. Her work is informed by a love of nature, its mystery and power. Currently, Katherine and her husband, Tom, reside in downtown Dayton.
 
All of Katherine's work is for sale; if you are interested in something, please contact her at [email protected] or 937-499-3441 .
 

 
WOMEN'S GROUP RESUMES ON SEPTEMBER 9th
After a summer break, the Women's Group will begin meeting on Sunday, September 9th at 9:30 AM in Classroom #5. This group is open to women of all ages. Child care is provided during the 9:30 AM hour, so we encourage women with young children to come and be part of this group.
 
This is an "open and on-going" Covenant Group. Confidentiality and deep listening help build trust and friendship among participants. The focus is on sharing freely during check-in and throughout the session. This fall we will be following the Soul Matters themes along with Rev. Kelly in her sermons and the YRE program in their classes. The topic for September is VISION. Facilitators will take turns, one month at a time.
    
Plan to join us as we start a new year together, review our covenant, renew old friendships and make new ones:   Sunday, September 9th and each Sunday thereafter, 9:30 AM in Classroom #5.



                                          UNSUNG HERO  
In August, the Program Council recognized Bea Walther as it's Unsung Hero of the month. Bea is an active member of the West Dayton Action group, contributing significantly to MVUUF's participation in the October baby shower which is part of the Wesley Center's Baby Ready Program .  She often is a server at the monthly lunch MVUUF provides at Dayton St. Vincent's shelter for which she also regularly donates multiple items including home cooked vegetable dishes and recently BBQ chicken. Worker bee (pun intended) that she is, Bea has also helped with the Sanctuary flowers, coffee hour, as a YRE volunteer,  made a beautiful fruit pizza for MVUUF and Arab-Israeli youth gathering, coordinated refreshments for memorial services and  likely many efforts unknown to the PC because she is one who often works in the background! If you speak with Bea about her efforts, you will know what a generous and caring heart underlies them.
 
 
 
BABY SHOWER AT WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
MVUUF will be holding its annual baby shower at the Wesley Center on Saturday, October 13th. We are currently collecting donations so that we can provide every expecting mother who attends the shower with a large basket of baby supplies. After the service stop by the display in the gathering space and sign up to donate an item from our list of needed supplies.
 
This important project is part of the Wesley Center's efforts to reduce the infant mortality rate in West Dayton. Please see Steve Steel or Bea Walther for more information.



RIGHT RELATIONS' PEACE TALKING WORKSHOP
A six-session workshop 
will be held at
Miami Valley
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
8690 Yankee Street, Dayton OH 45458
on Tuesdays,
September 11th thru October 16th,
7:00 PM
in the Founders' Room
 
We are a gentle, angry people, at least according to hymn #170 in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnals. That can be awkward at times, when anger can spread past righteous indignation and spill into our family, home and workplace communication.
 
You, especially our newer members and friends who have not yet attended an MVUUF workshop on this theme, are invited to this evening series of two hour sessions on what has been called Non-Violent Communication , Compassionate Communication or Peace Talking over the years. 
 
This introductory Peace Talking Workshop series is designed to capture what Rev. Richard Gordon has called the "UU Genius of Integrating Head and Heart." Over six Tuesday evenings, we'll look at the foundation of peaceful communication heart attitudes and the head aptitudes suggested in Marshall Rosenberg's book, Non-Violent Communication . This workshop includes sharing conversations facilitated covenant group style. Videos including music, poetry and occasional lecture recordings will be used to broaden and stimulate our conversations. Its goal is to offer further foundation to our MVUUF Right Relations approach to connection.
  
Register for this workshop series on the signup sheet in the Gathering Space, or just contact Denny Smith at  [email protected].
 
(For those interested in more depth than can be covered in this brief workshop series, the second or third editions of Rosenberg's text are suggested reading.)



VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITIES
In 2016, a shocking proportion of African American voters stayed at home on Election Day.  To   increase participation in the mid-terms this year, the MVUUF Voter Registration Drive is partnering with other congregations in LEAD (Leadership for Equality and Action in Dayton) to increase voter registration and participation in Dayton's West End.
 
Here's how you can help. Sign up in the Gathering Space to:
  •  Join Canvassing Teams - (Saturdays this month: 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th). Training starts at 9:00, walking from 10 AM to Noon, lunch following. Gather at New Hope Lutheran Church, 2000 Catalpa Drive, Dayton OH 45406.
  •  Address Postcard Voting Reminders
  •  Educate Voters on Issue One, the Ohio Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment (https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Issue_1,_Drug_and_Criminal_Justice_Policies_Initiative_(2018)) 
  •  Help with After-Canvassing Lunches (provide food, set-up, clean-up)
  •  Drive Voters to the Polls on Election Day
  •  Donate Money
          
Questions? Contact Team Members Dennis Kay, Harvey Scott, Ruth Rowley, Larry Stone, Bob Lewis, and Trudy Krisher.
 

 
DAYTIME BOOK CLUB
The next gathering of this well-read group will take place on Wednesday, September 19th, 10:30 AM in the Library, and they'll be discussing Facism: A Warning by Madeline Albright.
 
Upcoming choices for discussion are:
October 17th               The Round House  by Louise Erdrich
November 14th           Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
December 19th           Pretty Paper by Willie Nelson
January 16th               A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
 
All are welcome to join them!
 

 
ENVIRONMENTAL BOOK CLUB
The next bi-monthly meeting of the Environmental Book Club will be held on Monday, October 15th, 7:00 PM, in the Founders' Room. The book to be discussed is The Immense Journey by Loren Eiseley. Meetings of the Environmental Book Club are held every two months, the third Monday of that month. All are welcome to join them!



 
BOOK FAIR FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL BOOK FAIR
Book Fair time is just around the corner: November 9th-12th, at the Montgomery County Fair's new location, 645 Infirmary Road (just off Route 35). This year's non-profit recipients are Rebuilding Together Dayton, The Victory Project, and We Care Arts.
 
We thank you for your generous contributions of books, as well as the help in getting them to the foundation. MVUUF will continue to be a drop-off location for those books, so please feel free to bring them to the Fellowship now through the fall.
 
 
   
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, September 13th, 11:30 AM, at MCL Cafeteria, in Kettering. Please RSVP to Allie Petersen at:   [email protected].



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, September 8th 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].

  You can also check on what is  needed  at  Sign Up Genius at  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ea9aa2dabf58-stvincents 
(no need to log in unless you also want to sign up through Genius).  
 
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 August  meal!   Numbers are up as they often are as the school year approaches.   We served 81  diners with 48 in the women's group and 33 in the family group.  Food items were provided by many MVUUFer's, including by those in the photo who also served the lunch.    
 
September 8th menu :  Our needs this month   include sandwich filling (BBQ pulled pork/chicken/beef, sloppy joes, tuna salad and one batch of egg salad) vegetable dishes (pasta salad with LOTS of veggies, cole slaw, or other vegetable - green beans have been popular!), green salads, fresh fruit/fruit salads, 100% orange juice and 1% 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.



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!
 


      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 September 2nd ) !

Coffee will be ready to be picked up on or after the third Sunday of the month (this month, September 16 th ) . 

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!