THE TORCH: News & Updates

October | 2021

Fall is Here: When Will the "Burning Bush" Peak? (see the last article)

There is much to report, on happenings at the United Religious Community and with our partners and supporters. Thanks for reading this, and be sure to see about:

Updates on Emergency Rent Assistance and the planned Refugee Resettlement program
URC Strategic Planning
Partner events, including (chronologically!) La Casa de Amistad's opening (Oct 26), Religions for Peace USA (Oct. 28), Notre Dame Welcomes Ecumenical Patriarch (Oct 28), the Kurt and Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance (Nov. 7) and the N. American Interfaith Network (Nov 7).

And, join the 'contest' to determine when the maple tree and bushes that grace the URC property will be in full fall resplendence!

URC Moving on Plans to Resettle Refugees; Afghan Focus to Start

The URC's plans to establish a refugee resettlement office in St. Joe County is nearing a final stage, and the organization is undergoing initial training with plans to assist a small number of Afghan arrivals through a cooperative relationship with Church World Service. Much more will be known in the next few weeks.

Interested in helping out? Send us an email: urcsjc@gmail.com. We will be in touch as the plans develop. More to come after our orientation/training ends in late October.

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE: APPLY BY OCT 29

The URC Advocacy Center has provided over $475,000 in help from the Emergency Rent Assistance (ERA) Program since March, 2021. This is in addition to funds provided by member congregations, including a special grant from the Islamic Society of Michiana, and grants from the United Way COVID Relief Fund and Heat for Homes.

IMPORTANT: The final date to apply for ERA, which requires that the applicant be a renter, have a COVID related loss of income or other hardships, and which can assist with rent and utilities, is Oct 29, 2021. PLEASE HELP friends, family, and congregants to apply; here is the site:

https://sjcindiana.communityos.org/initial-tenant

URC BOARD ASKS FOR YOUR INPUT:

The board embarked on a strategic planning process in September, and asks your engagement in what you recommend. Take 5 minutes to complete our confidential survey here.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Notre Dame: Oct. 28

The University of Notre Dame invites the community to join in an event that will honor and welcome Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the area. The event will be live-streamed.

Find Out More

NORTH AMERICAN INTERFAITH NETWORK (NAIN)

November 7

The North American Interfaith Network will host an online CONNECT on Sunday, November 7, from 3 to 9 pm. Registration and Info on Speakers and Session is in the button below.

NAIN Registration

Join the La Casa

"El Sueño" Ribbon Cutting: Oct 26

Our great friends and partners at La Casa de Amistad will be officially opening their new building on Tuesday, October 26, 11 a.m. The community is welcome, and we especially encourage faith leaders to join in the event and ceremonies!

3423 S. Michigan St.

South Bend, IN 46614

El Sueño Event Info

October 28:

Religions for Peace USA will host a session,

"On Right Wing Populism and Religion

Considering US and Europe's Futures"

Thurs, Oct 28, 2021,

12 noon to 1 PM ET

The speaker is Dr. Jeffrey Haynes.

Registration is required, but complimentary.

November 7: Kristallnacht Observation at Temple Beth El

The Kurt and Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance at Temple Beth El, a longtime supporter of the URC, will host an event on Sunday, November 7 with Sondra Perl. The event, on Zoom, is free but requires registration; info is below.

When Will the Fall Peak at the URC?

This is the view of the maple and bushes on the north side of the URC building, taken on 10/21/21; in 2020, they stunned the neighborhood (or at least your editor) in their incredible beauty during a rough time of staying indoors. Take our (meaningless) poll to predict when it be at its most beautiful, and then pass by 501 N. Main in SB to see how it's faring; happy fall!

What date do you predict our 'burning bush (and tree)' to be at its Autumn peak?

This is a silly quiz!

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