Please send any newsletter submissions to news@jruuc.org by Tuesday at 5:00 pm. | |
This Sunday, October 8, 2023
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“Reconciliation, Restorative Action, and Right Relationship” with Rev. Kerri Parker
Rev. Kerri Parker will join us to share unsettling and healing stories: stories of colonization and disruption, paired with questions and actions that can lead us toward healing. She will offer the reflection during the service, and afterwards lead a workshop for us on developing meaningful land acknowledgments. The workshop is designed to be both informative and conversational, so please come with your questions.
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Rev. Kerri Parker (she/her) has been Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches since 2017. During her tenure, the Council has become known nationwide for its leadership in faith-based COVID19 response, fresh ecumenical vision, and collaborations for racial equity. Read more about her on our service webpage. | |
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Next week: “Before We Play” with Rev. Craig Schwalenberg
Rev. Craig is high-risk and asks that in-person attendees mask for the service. In-person coffee hour will be split up this week, with masked people staying in the sanctuary after worship, and unmasked people moving to other parts of the building.
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The Share the Plate for Sunday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 15 is Odyssey Behind Bars. Odyssey behind Bars offers college jumpstart programs to students incarcerated in Wisconsin state prisons. It is part of the UW Odyssey Project, which for 19 years has empowered students living in poverty to overcome obstacles, find their voices and reframe their futures. Susan Podebradsky nominated them.
Please nominate a local organization for our Share the Plate Program!
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Our October Theme: The Gift of Heritage | |
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Our October theme reminds us that we’re part of a sacred chain, always in contact with something larger than ourselves- our history. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection every week.
Check-in question: What story told by (or about) your ancestors has shaped you the most?
Walking. I am listening in a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.
-- Linda Hogan (read the full excerpt from Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World here)
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What's Happening in Our Congregation | |
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Minister's Musings
Dear Ones, it seems that autumn has finally (and suddenly) arrived! I’m watching the leaves begin to show the colors that have been hidden behind their green, and I’m enjoying the crispness of fresh apples and fall air. Seasonal transition is really apparent in this place at this time, and my Pagan heart knows this season as a sacred opportunity to reflect on the transitions in my own life...(read more)
I would love to meet with you! Please come by during office hours (click the button below to see those) or send me an email to set up an appointment for another time.
And, as always, please call or text if you have a pastoral emergency.
Rev. Karen will be away from the office from Tuesday, October 17 until Friday, October 27 and there will be no office hours these two weeks.
- October 17-20: She will be at a ministers’ retreat and available via email, phone, and text
- October 21-26: She will be on study leave and not reading email- please call or text her if you have a pastoral emergency
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Religious Education and Family Ministry
This week our children and youth will have RE classes during the service:
- Elementary aged children will meet in the front classroom
- Middle school aged youth will meet for Our Whole Lives in the youth room.
- Following the service we will have a community meal in the sanctuary. This meal will be potluck style and everyone is encouraged to bring a dish that represents their family or heritage.
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Offerings for Adults and High School Youth
with Rev. Karen
"Shaping the Journey” on Sunday, Nov. 5
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Music Ministry
This week, while struggling to select a piece for the offertory that felt like the right fit, I sat down and began composing. Reflecting on the concept of repair, I found myself undulating between dissonance and consonance. In music, consonance and dissonance are often just a small step away from one another. Dissonance creates tension and unease. Consonance releases us from that tension. As we reflect on last week’s message and move into this Sunday’s service on reconciliation, I think it’s important to note that in life, like in music, repair begins with one small step. And then another. And then another. We may move in and out of discomfort for a time, but with care and dedication we reach towards harmony. On Sunday, I will share my new piece with the congregation in hopes that it will complement Rev. Kerri Parker’s message. Thank you for your hearts and ears.
The Sacred Breath Choir is trying to track down all of our choir folders. Do you have a choir folder at home and no plans to return to choir in the near future? Please bring it to Reeb and leave it on the table in the staff office. If you have a folder at home but plan to come to choir eventually, please email Jennifer to notify them of your folder number! Thank you!
Are you good at organizing and/or data entry? If you would like to support the music ministry, but are not able to commit to weekly choir rehearsal, contact Jennifer at music@jruuc.org about ways you can assist with filing and updating the Choir Inventory doc.
This Sunday’s shared music:
“We Are” #1051 (teal hymnal)- Hymn of the Month
“My Life Flows On in Endless Song” #108 (gray hymnal)
“One More Step” #168 (gray hymnal)
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Offering and Receiving Connection, Support, and Spiritual Practice | |
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Meditation With Friends - Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7 p.m. (Beginners Welcome)
Sacred Breath Choir - Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., contact Music Director Jennifer Hedstrom at music@jruuc.org
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Announcements & Upcoming Events | |
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* Camp-out at Lake Farm Park Cancelled *
Due to predicted cold, windy and rainy weather for this Saturday, we are cancelling the campout and associated potlucks. Our apologies to anyone who was hoping to don their raingear and gather for this. Next year we’ll pick a date earlier in the fall.
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Phone Line Issues
We're in the process of changing our phone and internet provider, and our phone line may not be working properly for a few days. If you're trying to call and not getting through, please send an email to our Office Administrator, Tony Hebblethwaite, at office@jruuc.org. Thank you for your patience!
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Upcoming Folk Music Gatherings!
Hello, what a great time the Sunday revival service was! Let's keep the energy moving and get together for more folk singing in October!
Folk singing at Reeb: Oct. 14, Oct. 21, and Oct. 28, all at 2 p.m.
I hope to see you then! - Michael Stimson
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Reparations Workshop with the Rev. Kerri Parker this Sunday after Worship
Rev. Parker will lead us in thinking about our land acknowledgement and what reparations might look like for our congregation. This will be a multiplatform event- virtual participants just need to stay on the worship/coffee hourlink to attend. In the sanctuary, we’ll set up for our community lunch and begin the workshop as we start eating. The workshop will start about 20 minutes after the service ends.
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Exploring Membership Class, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Anyone new to JRUUC, long term friend or even members wanting to know more about JRUUC and UU history are welcome to attend. To sign up or get more info, contact Mary Wagner or Kelly Kearns.
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Reeb Rave 2023 - Take a Chance on Reeb! Nov. 11th | |
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Join us Saturday Nov. 11th 5:30-8:30 in person (with dinner) or on zoom 6-8:30 for our annual fundraiser and celebration. The theme will be “Take a Chance on Reeb” and we invite you to come in your favorite disco or 70’s outfit. Enjoy live entertainment and the auction in person or online. Suggested donation - $10 per person or $25 for a family.
We are seeking volunteers to help with the event, including providing entertainment, helping setup and cleanup, preparing dinner and helping with the auction. Contact Tom McClintock with your ideas or to volunteer.
Use this online donation form to donate services or goods. Donation ideas can be found on the donation form. We especially encourage donations that create community and connection, such as gatherings or homemade items.
See our 2023 Reeb Rave Page for more details and links to the donation form.
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Listening Session Findings
Your board and minister would like to thank all those who participated in our congregational listening session on 9/17/2023. A summary of the results is now available at this link.
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Seeking Members for Safety/Security Task Force
Your Board of Trustees is seeking two to four congregation members who would be interested in working on a task force to develop our new safety and security policy. If you are interested in helping, please email board@jruuc.org or contact Deb Myrbo or Rand Hill.
We'll begin work on the priority sections of this policy--building security during Sunday worship, and natural disaster/medical emergency/fire protocols soon.
Thanks!
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Website Tip of the Week - Recorded Reflections
Did you miss a service and wish you had heard the Reflection? You can catch it on our Service Archives page. Click the red “Service Archives” button on the home page, find it under the Worship tab or menu option, or click this link.
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Seeking Folks with a Welcoming Attitude
Do you have a winning smile? Are you up to the job of making newcomers and old-timers feel they belong? If so, consider being a greeter on Sunday mornings. The membership Team is looking for people to help greet, especially on the first or second Sundays of the month. If you are interested, please contact Elaine Morrison. She will make sure you get the instruction you need.
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Help Beautify Our Grounds!
Our members & friends run community counts on people to sign up to mow grass and pick up litter around our building. Mower provided. Sign up here for a week or two.Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
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What's Happening in Our Community | |
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Healing House Wish List
Just Dane's Healing House is a safe place for families experiencing homelessness to go when a member of the family needs to prepare for a medical procedure, or to recuperate after childbirth or hospitalization.
Guests at Healing House often come there with the bare minimum. Please help us provide some items to make them feel comfortable. The Program Coordinator has developed a wish list of items they need.
Please sign-up to donate and drop off the smaller items at the Healing House: 303 Lathrop St., Madison, WI 53726
View the wish list here
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A Message from UUA President: “Welcome, in this Season of Return”
The Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, elected UUA President at General Assembly in June 2023, offers a message of welcome at the start of a new congregational year for Unitarian Universalists. Rev. Dr. Betancourt also invites all UUs into a shared ministry together to reimagine the workings and expressions of Unitarian Universalist faith, while holding onto the traditions, theology, and commitments that have made us who we are.
Watch the video message here
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Click the banner to learn what you can do to promote social justice along with our national organization. | | Abortion, Anti-Racism, Reparations, Restorative Justice, Medicare | |
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Click the banner to learn how you can get involved in getting out the vote.
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Do you have an announcement for our congregation?
Please send it to news@jruuc.org and submit by 5 p.m. on Tuesdays - earlier if possible!
Please specify where you would like it listed by writing
Sunday Announcement and/or Weekly and/or Website in the subject line of your email
Our office is the central point of contact for all Reeb communications.
Please send your questions to office@jruuc.org
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