The Forum: October 2022 Newsletter

The Forum

Miami Valley Unitarian

Universalist Fellowship's

Monthly Newsletter

OCTOBER 2022

DON'T MISS ANY OF THE FORUM!

Did you know that your email server often

cuts off a big part of our messages to you?

If you would like to read the entire email message and learn about ALL the exciting things happening at MVUUF, please click HERE

DEADLINE FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 FORUM

If you'd like to have an announcement published in the November 2022 edition of The Forum, please make sure to send your info

to the Editor, Jennie Freiberger, at admin@mvuuf.org by

Monday, October 24th.

We'd love to read what YOU have to offer!

SECTIONS INCLUDED THIS MONTH:

Staff Notes

Children & Youth Religious Enrichment

Adult Religious Education

Small Group Ministry

Around the Fellowship

Pagan Events

In-Person Activities

Showing Up for Social Justice

Save the Dates for November

STAFF NOTES

FROM REV. KELLIE:

My Dear Ones,

What a whirlwind the last month has been! Along with the falling temps, changing leaves, and crisp blue skies, MVUUF has been bustling with all the activity of a new fellowship year—in-person, via Zoom, and multi-platform.

Although we can’t make all our in-person events multiplatform, we’re trying to offer Zoom on alternate dates. For example, with the Committee on Ministry’s Ministerial Review sessions, we offered a Zoom session on a weeknight and an in-person event after the 9/25 Sunday service. Once our new livestreaming technology is operational and our volunteer capacity increases, we hope to offer more events in a multiplatform format. We remain committed to better integrating our in-person and online communities into one loving MVUUF community.

We hope you are finding ways to reconnect with MVUUF or deepen the connections you already have. One way is to get back into the habit of attending Sunday worship, whether in-person or online. If you already are a regular attendee, consider trying to mix it up and attend in a different format. If you normally attend in-person, consider attending online once a month so that you can connect with our online community. If you normally attend online and can attend in-person, consider attending in-person once or twice a month so that you can connect with our in-person community and our visitors. Of course, some of you are already doing this (where do you think I got the idea?)!

This is a wonderful time to reengage with MVUUF outside of Sunday worship, too. Small Group ministry can be an important path to create new connections, strengthen your connection to the fellowship, and deepen your connection to the Great Mystery. Our small groups consist of 5-9 MVUUF members and friends who meet once a month from November through June. We will be using Touchstones as the foundation of our Small Group ministry this year (introduction email went out Saturday and is abbreviated later in the Forum). Registration opened Saturday and will continue through Sunday, October 16: https://forms.gle/55rk43egixbFtuZo7

As I mentioned in the August Forum, we are inviting our members and friends to set up, organize, and host events/activities at MVUUF, public areas, their homes, or online to help improve connection, strengthen community, and integrate our newer members and friends. We apologize for our delay in getting this set up—the behind-the-scenes aspects of registration was a little more complicated than we planned. The good news is that we should have this process finalized and out to you by the beginning of next week.

These events can range from small with a limited number of participants to large and open. Like the service auction events of yore, you can host dinners, afternoon teas, lunches, brunches, BBQs, crafts, game nights, workshops, drum circles, hikes in local parks, and other creative ideas for gathering. Like the service auction events, they can be scheduled in advance (through October 20230. Unlike service auction events, these events are free for attendees. Instead of a fund-raiser, consider this a FUN-raiser!

Another way to reconnect with MVUUF is to become more involved in the “work” of the fellowship. While no one says, “I want to join a church so I can join a committee,” lay leadership is a great way to meet more congregants and create deep relationships within our community. The Nominating Committee is starting to work on our new leadership slate for 2023. Please do not wait for them to invite you into formal leadership—let them know of your interest. We currently have openings for Operations Rep, Membership Rep, and Activities Rep. If you are interested in one of these positions or any other elected positions, please contact Diane Colvin: drcolvin6740@yahoo.com.

Yet in this time of renewed activity at MVUUF, we know that it is not possible to do everything, both individually and as a congregation. Sometimes that means missing a fun concert because we have to go to work or school early the next day. Sometimes that means sharing the burden or load with others—either asking for help or offering help. Sometimes that means finding a different way to help share the load, swapping out a draining role for one that is more nourishing for us individually. And sometimes, even when we adore what we do, we still need a break from leadership, from pitching in—from always saying yes.

For professional ministers, this break in leadership is called a sabbatical. In the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), parish ministers earn one month of sabbatical leave per year they serve a congregation. We, ministers, are usually able to take this leave after our fourth year of service to a congregation. As this is the beginning of my fifth year at MVUUF, I will be taking my 4-month sabbatical from January 1, 2023 through April 30, 2023.

Currently, we are in the process of hiring a half-time sabbatical minister who will preach twice a month, lead the pastoral care committee, supervise the staff, and support the Board. If all goes as planned, we will announce the sabbatical minister in November and they will begin meeting the fellowship in December. We also are in the process of creating a care plan for the sabbatical minister and the congregation, including designating a support committee for both. In addition to our sabbatical minister, we will bring in pulpit guests and are already reviving the Alternative Worship Experience (AWE) Team.

While this might sound scary to some, please know that you and the fellowship will be well taken care of during my time away. We have been preparing for my sabbatical leave since 2020, when we began saving money to hire a half-time sabbatical minister. I have been planning my sabbatical with our Board, our Committee on Ministry, our Worship Rep, and my UUA ministry mentor since April of this year. Our shared goal is that my sabbatical leave is restorative and meaningful for both me AND our congregation.

I imagine some of you might be wondering how a sabbatical can be restorative and meaningful for the congregation without your only full-time employee, especially as we attempt to create a long-term financial sustainability plan. First of all, a sabbatical allows the congregation to experience distance from me and my leadership. This distancing experience typically takes about 3 months to occur. During this time, you all will get a feel for what MVUUF is like without me—who MVUUF is without my influence. As my mom and I like to joke with each other, “How can I miss you if you won’t leave?” This self-differentiation is an important part of all healthy relationships and is crucial to us identifying a successful long-term sustainability plan. Secondly, my sabbatical will allow other leaders to take on new responsibilities, which will strengthen our lay leadership and open up new ways of being for the fellowship. Last but not least, my sabbatical will give you all an opportunity to listen to different voices in the pulpit—our sabbatical minister, pulpit guests, and our AWE Team.

Like for the congregation, the sabbatical will offer me distance from MVUUF, allowing me to lay down all the responsibilities of caring for, leading, and loving our congregation. For example, I will be able to turn my mobile phone ringer off at bedtime because I will not be on call 24/7 as I am now (whoo-hoo). First and foremost, this distance will allow me to rest physically and emotionally, which is what most folx think of when they think of a pastoral sabbatical. However, my time away will also let my mind switch to what I call “shower mode”—when our minds solve a problem seemingly out of the blue (often when we’re in the shower or the car). In shower mode, we are more creative and our perspective widens (proof that trying too hard isn’t always a good thing). Unlike an academic sabbatical, a pastoral sabbatical does not center on education, research, or other traditional study-leave activities. Therefore, any projects that I take on will be focused on spiritual growth and creative regeneration. I will keep you posted on my sabbatical plans as we go.

It's a lot, IKR (I know, right). Thank goodness, we believe in prayer (at least some of us, hehe). I’ll repeat the prayer I created for us at the end of our 2021-2022 program year. I've decided to make it my prayer for the 2022-2023 year. Will you say it with me?

May we remember that we are stronger and healthier when we are together. May we give ourselves permission to put roots down in this liminal space; to remain open, present, and hopeful as we learn to live in this new space; to play, imagine, dream and fantasize in this playground of possibility. May we know that discomfort and uncertainty are necessary for growth and transformation. May we find joy in the questions and joy in the Changes. May we live everything.

I pray for your health, growth, and flourishing.

With gratitude and love,

Kellie

Rev. Kellie Kelly

Mobile (847) 804-4614

Email minister@mvuuf.org

Appointment Scheduler: calendly.com/kellieuukelly.

How and When to Reach Me:

The best way to reach me quickly is to text or call my mobile phone between 9am and 8pm on my office days: Monday through Thursday.
Unless a pastoral care emergency, I typically do not return email messages, text messages, or calls on the following days: Sunday is "Church" and Friday is my personal Sabbath (day off).
For non-emergencies, please feel free to send me an email or text reminder if you don’t receive a reply to your message in 3 days.
You can also schedule a quick call (less than 30 minutes) or longer meeting/visit (60 minutes) with me online: calendly.com/kellieuukelly.

What I’ve Been Seeing, Reading, Listening to, and Watching:

*Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or Pacific Islander author(s)

**Important antiracism reads

Washington Post
New York Times
The Atlantic
Dayton Daily News
Apple News+
You’re Wrong About Podcast: Princess Diana (5-part series)
The Measure: A Novel by Nikki Erlick
This Must Be the Place: A Novel by Maggie O’Farrell
The Marriage Portrait: A Novel by Maggie O’Farrell
Tecumsah and the Prophet: The Shawnee Brothers Who Defied a Nation by Peter Cozzens**
Sins of the Founding Father: George Washington, the Indigenous Tribes, and the Decisions that Shaped America by Peter Stark (Scribd Original)**
The Rings of Power—1^st season (Amazon Prime)
Serpent Queen—1^st season (Starz)
A Discovery of Witches—Final season, boo-hoo!
Guilt—1^st and 2^nd seasons (Amazon Prime)
Bad Sisters—1^st season (Apple+)

A MINUTE FOR MUSIC

Some of our favorite hymn tunes, like “Blue Boat Home” are used multiple times but with different texts. The tune is named “Hyfrydol” (from Welsh for “cheerful”) and there are three other settings in our hymnal: #140- Hail the Glorious Golden City, #166- Years Are Coming, #207- Earth Was Given as Garden.

Another example of “recycling” great music with different texts is the tune “Finlandia,” originally an orchestral work by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. In our hymnal, it is both #159- This Is My Song AND #318- We Would Be One.

On page 661 of “Singing the Living Tradition” there is an Index of Tunes, which, in the centuries before widely available printed hymn books, any professional church organist or choir director would know thoroughly. It's interesting to see tunes that have two or more hymn numbers like "Forest Green" and "Tallis' Canon."

---Sara Davis, Director of Music

CYRE NEWS

Dear Families,

Our program year has officially begun! I'm very excited to welcome our two new teachers to the staff at MVUUF. Holly Harvey will be teaching prek-5th grade and Jacob Nolin will be leading our youth group!

Starting this month we will have classes every Sunday except for one Sunday in which we will have Worship For All Ages. We are currently still trying to hire two childcare providers for the nursery, but in the meantime are trying our best to offer nursery every Sunday. Our nursery is for infants through 4 years (who have not started preschool); the rest of our classes will correlate less with age and more so on what grade they are currently in.

Since most of our current families were not here when we were doing classes before COVID, I thought it might be a good idea to run through how we usually handle Sundays when we have classes. You can drop off kids to the nursery at 10:30 AM. Pre-kindergarten thru high school will all start in the service with you and be sung out to their classes after the Story For All Ages. Pick up from the class rooms is by 12:15 PM. We ask that you come pick up your child(ren) from the RE hallway so that we can maintain safe spaces with two adults in the classroom with the children at all times.

I am working to create a sign up sheet for assistant volunteers in the classroom which will be sent out this month. Until then if you have a Sunday in October or November that works well for you please let me know and I will put you down.

This will be our schedule for the month of October:

Oct. 2nd- Animal Blessing- WFAA (Nursery only)

Oct. 9th- Classes & Nursery

Oct. 16th- Classes & Nursery

Oct. 23rd- Classes & Nursery

Oct. 30th- Classes & Nursery

---Somaya Bernard, Director of Religious Education, re @ mvuuf.org

PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW MVUUF EMPLOYEES!

We are pleased to announce that we have hired two new employees at MVUUF! Both will be working with our CYRE families; Holly is our new Children's Teacher, and Jacob is our new Youth Advisor. Please take a few moments, and get to know them better.

"My name is Holly Harvey and I teach 2nd grade at Horizon Science Academy. Teaching and working with children is my passion. I think it is extremely important for children to be seen and appreciated exactly as they are.

I have been married 19 years and have 2 boys aged 18 and 15. I am excited to be a part of your community."

"My name is Jacob Nolin, and I have conducted classes in-person and online. I have experience teaching multiple age groups, and have taught in the United States, as well as in China

If my name sounds familiar, it may be because I have attended MVUUF since I was 5 years old."

OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE CALENDAR

OCT

2nd (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie & Somaya Bernard, Director of Religious Education

Worship For All Ages: Pet Blessing

9th (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie

The How and Why of Multiculturalism

16th (multi-platform)

Rev. Dr. Alice Diebel

Meet the Moment: Reimagining Radical Faith Community

23rd (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie

The Rules of Magic

30th (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie

All Souls: Annual Service for Our Departed

NOV

6th (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie

Is Unitarian Universalism a Religion?

13th (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie

20th (multi-platform)

Rev. Kellie and Somaya Bernard, Director of Religious Education

Worship For All Ages: Stone Soup

27th (Zoom only)

Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen

To attend the service on Zoom, please use the following link:

https://uuma.zoom.us/j/95381147453?pwd=Wng5YXFTUnJ0NU44aHhySUxCQjBrUT09

Meeting ID: 953 8114 7453 and Passcode: 869000

CHILDREN & YOUTH

RELIGIOUS ENRICHMENT

What's Ahead: CYRE Calendar, Trunk-Or-Treat,

CYRE Committee, Juust Breathe Podcast,

Family Area in the Sanctuary

CYRE CALENDAR

OCTOBER

2nd Worship For All Ages (Nursery only)

9th CYRE Classes; Nursery

16th CYRE Classes; Nursery

23rd CYRE Classes; Nursery

30th CYRE Classes; Nursery

NOVEMBER

6th CYRE Classes; Nursery

13th CYRE Classes; Nursery

20th Worship For All Ages (Nursery only)

27th CYRE Classes; Nursery

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Sunday, October 23rd, 5:00 PM,

in the MVUUF parking lot

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 23rd for our Trunk-or-Treat event!

More details will be coming soon in our Friday eBlasts!

CYRE COMMITTEE

Our Children and Youth Religious Education Committee is open to all. Whether you have children in the CYRE program or not, the committee if always looking for people to teach classes and/or volunteer to help with family-friendly activities.

The committee is not currently meeting at a regular time but if you have any questions or would like to join the committee please contact our Director of Religious Education, Somaya Bernard, at re@mvuuf.org.

JUUST BREATHE PODCASTS

Looking for a podcast that's interesting and covers topics of interest to UUs? Then take a listen to JUUst Breathe Live Podcasts, where youth ministry has a say! Hosts Shannon Harper (yes, THAT Shannon Harper!) and Eric Bliss interview youth and adults who hold a vision of liberal religious youth ministry that is both life-saving and spirit-lifting.

Among some of the topics are: Dinner Church, Mental Health First Aid, Climate Change, Resonance in Activism, and more!

Click below for the link to check them out:

JUUst Breathe Live

FAMILY AREA IN THE SANCTUARY

We have added some activity supplies to a table at the back of the Sanctuary (just inside the doors at the west end of the room). When you are entering the Sanctuary, feel free to pause a moment and find something to keep you little one(s) occupied during the service, if you'd like to do so.

After service, please make sure to return the supplies so that we can continue to enjoy them during future services. And if you make any "creations" with the wiki stix, feel free to keep them, or leave them behind to inspire other artists!

ADULT

RELIGIOUS ENRICHMENT

What's Ahead: Scripture Study, Starting Point,

Daytime Book Club

SCRIPTURE STUDY

Sunday Mornings, 9:00 AM

If you are interested in learning about different religions, and especially in the writings from those different religions, then you should consider attending our weekly Scripture Study. They meet every Sunday morning, beginning at 9:00 AM on Zoom; you can contact John Bierman if you have any questions at johnbierman78@gmail.com.

To join their Zoom meeting, use the information posted below:

To join the gathering online, click the link below---

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/424304843?pwd=RFcyeTlpR2J5bVRoZlk3TElEU3UzUT09

Passcode: 720015 Meeting ID: 424 304 843

STARTING POINT (2-Part Series)

Saturday, October 15th, 1:00 PM, on Zoom;

Saturday, October 22nd, 1:00 PM, in the Sanctuary

Rev. Kellie will be offering a new session of Starting Point classes in October. Starting Point is a 2-class program for new MVUUF congregants and/or congregants who want to deepen their understanding of Unitarian Universalism and involvement in our fellowship. More than a history class, Starting Point gives participants an opportunity to share their own journeys and experience Unitarian Universalism as a living religion, changed by each one of us.

The classes will be held on two consecutive Saturday afternoons: October 15th and 22nd from 1-3:00 PM. The first class (October 15th) will be via Zoom (online and phone conference). The second class (October 22nd) will be in-person at MVUUF, with a Newcomer Dinner immediately afterward.

If you would like to join Rev. Kellie for these classes, please email her by Thursday, October 13th: starting.point@mvuuf.org. If you can't make it this time but are interested in future sessions, please email Rev. Kellie to let her know so she can let you know when the next session is scheduled.

DAYTIME BOOK CLUB

Third Wednesday Each Month

Wednesday, October 19th, 10:30 AM

Our Daytime Book Club continues to meet monthly to discuss a featured book; here's what they'll be discussing on Wednesday, October 19th, at 10:30 AM: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.

What are they reading next? Here's a list:

NOV 16th--Take My Hand

by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

DEC 21st--Our Gen

by Diane McKinney-Whetstone

If you'd like to join them online, please click the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83229588801?pwd=RHlBM2Z4WnBXZzJyWnc3WmpRN3VuUT09

Meeting ID: 832 2958 8801 Passcode: 224361

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

What's Ahead: Small Groups Sign-Ups, Touchstones,

Women's Group

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY REGISTRATION

Registrations due Sunday, October 16

Are you hoping to strengthen your connection to MVUUF? Create new connections at MVUUF? Or deepen your connection to that which is greater than us all?

In these difficult times, it is even more important for us to be part of a loving community that can support us as we seek to understand our lives, create meaning, find the Holy, and grow into new ways of being. Our Small Group ministry provides this spiritual grounding by creating small groups of 5-9 MVUUF members and friends who travel together for a year, meeting once a month via Zoom. Groups meet from November through June.

If you are new to Small Group ministry or even to MVUUF, fear not! We will be using the new Touchstones program as the foundation of our small group ministry this year. As in years past, we follow a simple formula of non-judgmental listening that makes even the shyest of hearts feel comfortable: we contemplate a topic, share from our experiences and beliefs, listen deeply, and get to know one another in a caring and confidential environment. Small Group ministry is one of the best ways to forge new connections, develop friendships, and discover unexplored parts of yourself.

While the majority of our groups are via Zoom and based on the new Touchstones resource (see below), We'll be offering 2 special small groups:

Young Adults Group for folx 18-30s, meeting one Sunday evening a month via Zoom (resource to be selected by group).
Rev. Kellie will be offering an In-person Touchstones Group at the fellowship on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm.

Registration for all groups begins Saturday, October 1 and ends Sunday, October 16: https://forms.gle/8yqPkcpG6gg8Xeqr7

TOUCHSTONES

Our New Resource for Small Group Ministry

We are excited to share with you a new resource for our shared ministry, the Touchstones Project. Touchstones is replacing Soul Matters as the foundation of our small group ministry and religious enrichment. Touchstones was selected by last year’s small group leaders as a worthy replacement.

Touchstones provides many ways to dive into the month’s theme, whether you are a person who barely has time to brush your teeth before rushing out of the house or you are someone who enjoys long periods of silence, reading, and reflection. Touchstones fits both personalities/lifestyles and everyone in-between!

On the first of each month, we will send the Touchstones Journal to the entire newsletter list in a separate email message. This month's journal went out at noon on October 1. We want all congregants to take advantage of the beauty and wisdom in each journal (the journals are not limited to small group ministry participants).

The Journal is a treasure trove of content with readings sprinkled amidst the following main section:

Introduction to monthly theme
Connection between monthly theme and annual theme
Wisdom Story(ies)
Readings from the Common Bowl – one super-short quotation to reflect on for each day of the month (ideal for those of us rushing out the door)
Faith and Theology
Family Matters – introduction to the theme for families with a family activity
Sample Small Group Discussion Guide – guide provides good questions for reflection; however, small groups will most likely use a different discussion guide

While I know many UUs consider themselves good students, you do not need to read the entire journal. The journal is not homework. Instead, it is a resource to help you dig deeper into yourself and create meaning in your life. Therefore, you select the pieces (sections) that you explore. Consider the journal a packet of doorways. Pick one and open yourself up to discovery—to an adventure—to a love affair with life.

If you would like to gather with some of your fellow travelers to share what you’re finding, we hope you will register for our small group ministry. Touchstones will be the foundation of this year’s small group ministry program. Registration begins Saturday, October 1 and ends Sunday, October 16.

Our small groups are composed of 5-9 MVUUF members and friends who meet once a month from November through June. While the majority of our groups are via Zoom, I will be offering an in-person group at the fellowship on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm. Here is the registration link: https://forms.gle/8yqPkcpG6gg8Xeqr7

Welcome to Touchstones!

WOMEN'S GROUP

Sunday Mornings, 9:00 AM, on Zoom

This weekly group is open to all who identify as female, and they would love to have you join them for one of their interesting and thought-provoking discussions!

To join the gathering online, click on the link below---

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/339923301?pwd=eFJVNWZaSTRPdHQ5NkM4REt2WTg3QT09

Passcode: 042027 Meeting ID: 339 923 301

AROUND THE FELLOWSHIP

What's Ahead: Special Congregational Meeting,

Pronoun Stickers, Pictures for New Website,

Pastoral Associates, Board Meeting, Production Team

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON ZOOM

Sunday, October 23rd, 2:00 PM, on Zoom

A special congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 23rd at 2:00 PM on Zoom only. The purpose is a first meeting to consider and vote on withdrawal of funds from the Endowment Fund principal for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Recall that at the June, 2022 congregational meeting, the congregation passed a 2022-2023 budget that includes two provisions to meet the shortfall in that budget. One is the ongoing Close the Gap campaign. The other is an Endowment Fund withdrawal, a process that requires approval by the congregation at two congregational meetings at least 60 days apart.

PRONOUN STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE!

Did you know we now have pronoun stickers available? We do, and you can find them on the Welcome Table in the Gathering Space. Feel free to stick one on your wooden name tag (members), plastic-coated name tag (friends), or your stick-on name tag from the Welcome Table.

Why is it important to know each others pronouns? Click HERE to find out why it matters.

PICTURES FOR THE NEW WEBSITE

We now have an online folder for collecting pictures of MVUUF and MVUUF activities to be used on our new website. Do you have any pictures you'd like to share? Of course you do!

Please make sure that when you save your pictures you save them with the highest resolution possible, as those are high quality photos needed for the website.

You should use the link below to upload your photos:

https://mvuuf.org/?ff_landing=3

PASTORAL CARE ASSOCIATES

The Pastoral Care Team at MVUUF is a group of lay leaders who volunteer their time to tend to the heart of our community. Led & guided by Rev. Kellie, this group reaches out to or works with individuals who reach out to the Team who are in need—for many different reasons. You can reach out to anyone on the Team at any time, and rest assured all info is kept confidential.

Mike Fanelli

fanellimike@aol.com

937.231.6359

Susan Forman

jsforman72@gmail.com

937.901.1509

Tina Musgrove

musgrove.tina1@gmail.com

937.204.7504

Steve Steel

steel.steven@yahoo.com

937.304.4087

Maury Wyckoff

mwyckoff@woh.rr.com

937.478.2993

You can also reach them at: pastoralcare@mvuuf.org

Many hands (and hearts) make light work.

BOARD MEETING

Sunday, October 30th,

2:00 PM, on Zoom

Our Board meetings are open to EVERYONE, and time is set aside at the beginning of the meeting to answer any questions our members and friends may have for Board members.

The next Board Meeting will take place (on Zoom) Sunday, October 16th, at 2:00 PM.

To join the Zoom meeting, click below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81521323250?pwd=YWgxKzlWRnJXZDFiTG9pT1ZYbWIrdz09

Meeting ID: 815 2132 3250 Passcode: 003493

PRODUCTION TEAM

Tuesday, October 25th, 7:00 PM, on Zoom

The Production team typically meets on the 4th Tuesday each month at 7:00 PM on Zoom. This team includes Zoom host and co-host roles as well as in-person AV Booth and Mevo roles. Those interested in learning more about what we do and potentially volunteering on this team are invited to join us.

You can do so by using the Zoom link below:

https://uuma.zoom.us/j/95267921276?pwd=NDlsaG10ZE1uZzRXekpVeU9KZlRkQT09

Meeting ID: 952 6792 1276 Passcode: 381047

PAGAN EVENTS

What's Ahead: Chalice of the Willow Discussion Group,

CUUPS October Events, Dayton Pagan Pride Day

CHALICE OF THE WILLOW (CUUPS)

DISCUSSION GROUP

Second Sunday Each Month

Sunday, October 9th, 12:30 PM,

in the Founders' Room

Our pagan group, Chalice of the Willow (CUUPS) has a discussion group on the second Sunday of each month, beginning at 12:30 PM. It's a great way to find out a little bit more about pagan beliefs & traditions, and to converse with others in a comfortable, non-judgmental atmosphere.

This group will be meeting (in-person only) at MVUUF; meeting dates can be found on the MVUUF calendar. You can find out more by contacting Tina Porter at ladyosun@yahoo.com.

CUUPS OCTOBER EVENTS

Sunday, OCT 9th

Full Moon Ritual

6:30 PM at MVUUF

Saturday, OCT 22nd

Dayton Pagan Pride Day

9 AM-6 PM

Fairborn Community Park

Sunday, OCT 30th

Samhain Ritual

6:30 PM at MVUUF

IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES

What's Ahead: Choir, John Denver Sing Along, Long-Term Sustainability Task Force Lunch, Climate Response Lunch,

Sewing Circus, Welcome Session,

Acoustic Folk Jam, Newcomer Dinner

WORSHIP CHOIR REHEARSAL

Every Wednesday Evening

Each Month, In the Sanctuary

Our worship Choir is back, meeting in-person every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM, in the Sanctuary!

If you are seeking a fun and supportive way to connect through music, you are invited to give the Choir a try! We would love to have more voices join us as we look forward to singing in service two Sundays every month.

Contact Sara Davis, our Director of Music, if you want to know more at music@mvuuf.org.

JOHN DENVER SING ALONG!

Saturday, October 1st, 6:00 PM,

at MVUUF

In celebration of the success of Jeff Bohrer's first John Denver Sing-a-Long this summer, Jeff is hosting a second night of music, fellowship, and fun for everyone who loves John Denver!

The event is open to the whole congregation and anyone in the community who would like to attend. All are welcome to bring instruments and play along (not required).

Please bring a snack to share and bring your cell phones so you can look up lyrics for singing along.

Last but not least, please let Jeff Bohrer know if you plan on coming by emailing john.denver@mvuuf.org and share with anyone else who would like to come.

LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILTY

TASK FORCE LUNCH

Sunday, October 2nd, 12:30 PM, at MVUUF

Join the Long-Term Sustainability Task Force for lunch immediately after the service and share your ideas for helping MVUUF become financially sustainable in 2-5 years. In this initial series of meetings, we want to get creative and try to generate as many options as possible. No idea is too big or too outlandish. They need your unique perspective!

As a reminder, the Long-Term Sustainability Task Force will not make any decisions for the fellowship. Appointed by the Board, these committed members will create a plan that represents our members' ideas, needs, and dreams. Fellowship members will then vote on their plan at the June 2023 Congregational Meeting.

CLIMATE RESPONSE LUNCH

Sunday, October 9th, 12:15 PM,

in the Sanctuary

How should MVUUF respond to the recent historic collaborative request from several UU groups to pledge actions on environmental and climate justice? How might we build on the significant ongoing seventh principle efforts of many MVUUF members and friends?

The Social Justice Committee invites you to share ideas. A lunch with a low environmental footprint will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Lynn Buffington (ABUFFLG@Gmail.com) or Maureen O’Meara (omearamf@udayton.edu) with the number attending and any dietary restrictions.

SEWING CIRCUS

Saturday, October 15th, 2-4:00 PM, at 758 Grants Trail, 45459

Our next meeting date for Sewing Circus “performers” is Saturday October 15th, from 2-4:00 PM. Wearing face masks is encouraged due to the high rate of COVID-19 transmission. We meet at 758 Grants Trail, 45459.

Sewing Circus:

Open to those who sew, knit, crochet, craft, color, etc. No skill level required. Bring your own materials and equipment for personal projects. Wearing face masks is always okay, as long as covid-19 continues.

Our purpose:

Sewing Circus provides encouragement for all creators, and moral support to makers of baby quilts for the Wesley Dayton Baby Shower.

“Performers” are welcome to help make bibs, stuffed animals, and the baby quilts.

Schedule:

Sewing Circus meets monthly, in person when possible. Contact cqofdayton@gmail.com to get on our email list for the monthly update on whether we are zooming or meeting in person.

Looking ahead, let’s get together next month:

On Saturday, November 19th, we plan to meet from 2-4:00 PM at 758 Grants Trail 45459.

Questions? Contact cqofdayton@gmail.com

WELCOME SESSION

Sunday, October 16th, 12:15 PM, in the Library

following the Worship Service

Are you new to MVUUF? Would you like to know more about the Fellowship and what we have to offer?

We offer a Welcome Session monthly where you'll have the opportunity to find out more about our Fellowship and meet Rev. Kellie and other members of MVUUF.

We hope to see you there!

ACOUSTIC FOLK JAM SESSION

Third Tuesday Each Month

Tuesday, October 18th, 7:00 PM, in the Sanctuary

We will gather on Tuesday, October 18th, starting at 7:00 PM at the Fellowship. Please feel free to bring any music/lead sheets or just lyrics you'd like to share. Instrumentalists, singers and just "listeners" are all welcome!

No need to RSVP but text or email me if you have questions or concerns. The more the merrier! Hope to see you there.

--Sara Davis,

Director of Music, music@mvuuf.org

NEWCOMER DINNER

Saturday, October 22nd, 4:00 PM,

in the Sanctuary

Are you new to MVUUF? Or did you start participating with us during COVID?

Either way, Rev. Kellie and our lay ministry leaders would like to meet you and get to know you better while sharing a meal with you. We know that it can be difficult to make connections in a new community and we understand that COVID has only made it more difficult. We would like to get to know you!

Join us for our Newcomer Dinner Saturday, October 22nd from 4-6:00 PM. We'll provide dinner so you don't have to worry about preparing anything to bring. All you need to bring is YOURSELF (and your children and youth if they would like to attend)!

Please RSVP by Saturday, October 15th with number of people attending and any dietary restrictions: newcomer@mvuuf.org.

SHOWING UP FOR

SOCIAL JUSTICE

What's Ahead: Issue 1 and House Bill 315, West Dayton Action Group, Women's March, DRUUM New Member Orientation, Taproot, Social Justice Committee,

UUA Transgender/Non-Binary Monthly Gathering

ISSUE 1 AND HOUSE BILL 315

"I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned." ~Bryan Stevenson

Ohio's laws regarding cash bail creates a two-tiered system of justice in which people who can afford their freedom go home to their families, and those who cannot pay are forced to suffer in jail even though they are presumed innocent. Spending time in jail before there has even been a trial means people can lose their jobs, their homes, and maybe even their children. This system needs to change and can change. You will see an issue on your ballot that is not about meaningful change.

Therefore, when you go to the polls this Fall, for the sake of justice, vote “no” on State Issue 1. Masquerading as bail reform, this ballot initiative is actually an unnecessary attempt to enshrine cash bail into the Ohio Constitution, under the guise of public safety. Judges already consider safety in making bail decisions.

In contrast to what Issue 1 would do, meaningful bail reform could become public policy via House Bill 315 – bipartisan legislation that protects the presumption of innocence and curbs wealth-based detention. Write your state reps in support of House Bill 315, but vote NO on State Issue 1.

To learn more about this issue, please join the Montgomery County Jail Coalition for a Zoom-based meeting on Tuesday, October 11th. We have invited Judge Dankoff and others to talk about cashless bail systems that have been used successfully in Montgomery County courtrooms. Watch for the Zoom link in a future Friday eBlast or check their Facebook page. Contact Rev. Alice Diebel for more information.

WEST DAYTON ACTION GROUP

First Tuesday Each Month

Tuesday, October 4th,

6:30 PM, on Zoom

If you are concerned by the conditions of our siblings living in West Dayton, please consider attending our West Dayton Action Group. They meet--on Zoom--the first Tuesday of every month, and have already developed and participated in several actions to benefit those living on the west side of town.

The group will next meet on Tuesday, October 4th, at 6:30 PM.

You can find out more by contacting

Bob Lewis at bobslewis@hotmail.com.

WOMEN'S MARCH

Saturday, October 8th, 1:00 PM,

at Dayton's Riverscape MetroPark

Plan now to join Rev. Kellie and the Women's March on Saturday, October 8th for a national day of action to help us send the message that reproduction rights are civil rights!

Join Rev. Kellie and the Women's March on Saturday, October 8th for a national day of action to help us send the message that reproduction rights are civil rights!

Women's March welcomes and values all women and feminists, working across race, age, place and all lines of difference. When they say all ‘women’ that means everybody invested in gender justice and putting an end to sexism in all its forms. Women's March wants to see women of every race, gender expression, lived experience, sexual orientation, ability, ethnic background, class origin, country of birth, region, immigration status or religion thrive. They believe we all are responsible for welcoming and bringing more women and feminists into our movements.

We will speak out against Ohio's 6 Week abortion ban and the attacks on our families, future, and our freedom. We will raise our voices to show we cannot be silenced!

Look for more details in the October 7th Friday eBlast about where to meet and potential carpooling opportunities!

DRUUM NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

Thursday, October 13th, 8:00 PM, online

A Note from Rev. Kellie:

As a minister, I have witnessed how difficult it can be to be a Black, Asian-American, Pacific Islander, Latinx, or Indigenous Unitarian Universalist. Although MVUUF has attempted to provide a space for our BIPoC+ congregants with Da Group, we simply have not had the real numbers needed to sustain this important ministry. However, there are opportunities to participate in this ministry on a national scale.

One of these ministries is DRUUMM (Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries). I am sharing their New Member Orientation event, October 13. If you are a Black, Asian-American, Pacific Islander, Latinx, or Indigenous MVUUF friend or member, I encourage you to consider joining DRUUMM and connecting with BIPoC+ UUs from across the country. If cost is a barrier, please email me at minister@mvuuf.org.

DRUUMM (Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries) welcomes you into our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Unitarian Universalist community. We come together, with family and roots from around the world. We are united in our vision of healing from oppression, self-determination, and the anti-racist, anti-oppressive transformation of Unitarian Universalism.

We invite new members, and current members who are seeking to reconnect, to register for a New Member Orientation. This is a virtual one hour facilitated gathering via Zoom. It is an opportunity to get to know other DRUUMM members from across the world, learn more about the organization, and ask questions/share your ideas about how we build our community. Facilitated by Ayanna Kafi.

We kindly request that you RSVP online here: https://tinyurl.com/druumm-oct13

TAPROOT:

A NATIONAL BIPOC SPACE

Second Thursday Each Month

Thursday, October 13th, 9:00 PM

The work of spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. The need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our communities and congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC).

All too aware of this need, Congregational Life is excited to explore and co-create a network with congregational leaders that support them in this time in emergent ways through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space. BIPoC Leaders rooted in the Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in this monthly, virtual gathering.

To register online, please visit:

https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/m1w669841ox9xn1/

SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Third Monday Each Month

Monday, October 17th, 6:30 PM

Our Social Justice Committee offers many different ways for you to "be the change" you'd like to see in the world: immigration action, improving conditions in west Dayton, literacy & tutoring projects, and the list goes on.

Feel free to join their next meeting by using the info below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85022429356?pwd=dmhiKzIzZzhvTTdwbTBpQ1JzWVlpdz09

Passcode: 613674 Meeting ID: 850 2242 9356

UUA TRANSGENDER/NON-BINARY MONTHLY GATHERING

Fourth Tuesday Each Month

Tuesday, October 25th, 8-9:30 PM, online

Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings focused on trans, nonbinary, and other not (completely or at all) cis UUs. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)!

These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space. Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t cisgender, it’s a space for you.

NOTE: This space is intentionally multi-generational. It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults. Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend. We're glad to have you here!

To join them online, use the link below:

online at https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/transnb