There’s a new email address for your submissions - please send them to news@jruuc.org by Tuesday at 10:00 pm. | |
This Sunday, April 16, 2023
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"Saying Yes and Saying No"
with Heather Vickery
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As UUs, we are a justice centered people. Our faith calls us to work toward creating the beloved community here and now, but that can feel overwhelming in face of all the injustices of our current world. In order to stay in this work for the long haul, we have to be able to practice faithful discernment. Join us to honor the sorrows of the world and connect to our deepest yesses for justice so we can keep on moving forward.
Link to service webpage and Heather's bio
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After the service, Heather will lead a workshop on “Faith in Action: Organizing Effective Justice Ministry Teams,” which we think will help us create more effective structures to support the efforts of the Focus Teams and involve more members of the congregation.
Go here for more information.
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Rev. Karen shared wisdom and inspiration from Trisha Hersey and adrienne maree brown during the April 2 service. Please visit our worship archive page for links to continue your exploration of their work on rest and pleasure as resistance. | |
The share the plate for 4/16 and 4/23 is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Its work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity. The UUSC supports self-determination and defends the rights of people displaced due to climate, conflict or economic hardships and responds to humanitarian crises as partners with people whose access to aid is most limited. | |
Our April Theme: The Path of Resistance | |
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Our April theme invites us to notice and act on the disparities between society’s messages and what we know to be true. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection on our monthly theme every week.
Check-in question: In today’s world, what do you feel called to resist?
Your uprising against the forces of darkness has got to do more than say "no." A fierce, primal yes should be at the heart of your crusade.
-- rob brezny
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What's Happening in Our Congregation | |
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Minister's Musings
What do you know to be true? How does what you know square with the daily messaging you consume?
These questions are what come to mind for me when I think about this month’s theme, “the path of resistance.” You see…
Read more here
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Religious Education and Family Ministry
This week children and youth will have a multigenerational RE class in the multipurpose room, following Genevieve out of the sanctuary after the Time For All Ages. Coming of Age will meet after the service at 11:15 in the youth room.
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Music Ministry
The Sacred Breath Choir gathers on Thursday evenings. Please send an email to music@jruuc.org with any questions or thoughts you have about music ministry at JRUUC.
The song of the month for April is “The Tide Is Rising” by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman and Yotam Schachter. Check it out here and get ready to sing it on Sunday!
This Sunday's shared music:
- “The Tide is Rising” by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman and Yotam Schachter
- Hymn #1024 “When the Spirit Says Do”
- Hymn #113 “Where Is Our Holy Church?”
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Offering and Receiving Connection, Support, and Spiritual Practice | |
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Meditation With Friends - Wednesdays at 6:30-7:00 pm (Beginners Welcome)
Sacred Breath Choir - Thursdays at 6:45 - 8:15 pm
Journaling Group next meets Monday April 24 at 7:00 pm - contact Jean Skinner
Building Our Racial Awareness Open Discussions - 4th Sundays at 4:00 - 6:00 pm, next meets April 23
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Announcements & Upcoming Events | |
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Spring Cleaning? Reeb Rummage & Book Sale April 15
Were you inspired by Rev. Monica’s talk about The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning? If you are ready to part with your treasures now and let someone else enjoy them, you can donate them to Reeb’s upcoming sale! We’ll take (almost) anything but clothing. You can drop off donations on Sunday mornings or the evening of Friday April 14. We need help organizing the treasures on Friday night and staffing the sale on Saturday! Go here to sign up.
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“Faith in Action: Organizing Effective Justice Ministry Teams” Sunday, April 16 at 12:00
You’re invited to attend a multiplatform workshop with Heather Vickery, the UU Service Committee’s Coordinator for Congregational Activism. Heather will help us think through our Justice Leadership Team’s structures toward helping them more effectively support the work we want to do and involve more members of the congregation. Go here for more information.
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Justice Leadership Team Meeting, April 18 at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, on Zoom
If you would like to attend, please send a request to join the Google Group by clicking here. You will get the agenda and Zoom link sent to you every month.
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Earth Day Potluck and Games Night, Saturday April 22
Bring your friends and family for an Earth Day celebration of the end of 10 years of Sustainable Saturday Nights combined with a potluck and JRUUC games night. Community potluck at 6:00 pm, SSN celebration at 6:45, and games and cake at 7:15. All ages welcome. Bring a potluck dish and some games to share.
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“Reconciliation, Restorative Action, and Right Relationship” on Sunday, April 30
Worship and Workshop with Rev. Kerri Parker
The Rev. Kerri Parker is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and has worked with congregations seeking to restore relationship with the Indigenous people of the land we occupy. Kerri will lead worship and then a multiplatform workshop on helping us articulate our land acknowledgement and figure out what reparations might look like for JRUUC. Read our current land acknowledgement here, and join the conversation on April 30!
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Congregational Listening Session Update
The Board and Rev. Karen hosted a virtual and in-person listening sessions in March, where many of you engaged with the questions: What helps you feel connected to the congregation? What prevents you from feeling more connected to the congregation? What would inspire you to be more involved with the congregation?/more able to be involved in the congregation? Nobody attended the virtual session, but a link to the note from the in-person session on March 5 is available in your weekly emailed newsletter. Watch this space for a date for the June listening session!
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Want to be in our Members and Friends Directory?
The JRUUC Directory is being updated. If you are not currently listed and would like to have your contact information in the directory, please contact office@jruuc.org with your name, address, phone number, and email address. Note that the directory is shared only with people listed in it.
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JRUUC Community Sharing Project in Sanctuary: For the Anxious and Hopeful
Thank you for your contributions!
The sharing portion of our project has come to a close, but we’ll leave it on the wall as inspiration as we explore our April theme, the Path of Resistance. You can see the finished project here.
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JRUUC Is Hiring!
We’ve had some applicants for the Music Director position, and the Search Team will be conducting interviews over the next couple of weeks. We’ll continue the search until we’ve hired someone, so please continue to share the Music Director job description with your networks. Applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume to apply@jruuc.org
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Staffing Update
We’ve hired an Office Administrator! Her name is Madeline Reyes, and you’ll find an introduction from her in next week’s email. And we’ve had some applicants for the Music Director position, and the Search Team will be conducting interviews over the next couple of weeks!
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Join Your Worship and Music Team!
We are continually looking for people to serve as Worship Associates and Tech Wizards. We’ve simplified zoom hosting and it is now done in the sanctuary, along with audio-visual work! Please email Rev. Karen with your interest or questions.
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What's Happening in Our Community | |
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General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. This is a great year to go, especially for first-timers! There will be exciting work done on the process of revising Article II of our Bylaws, worship is always wonderful, and it’s an amazing experience to be surrounded by thousands of UUs. Early bird registration ends on February 28, and there are many opportunities for financial support. Follow these links for general information, volunteer opportunities, other financial support, registration, and housing reservations.
The General Assembly and Conference Services Team leads the initiative to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are woven throughout, from planning to fruition. You’re invited to watch this video about historical trauma and transformative healing, which is informing our work.
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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 specify where you would like it listed by writing
Sunday Announcement and/or Weekly and/or Website in the subject line of your email
and submit by 10 p.m. on Tuesdays - earlier if possible!
Our office is the central point of contact for all Reeb communications. The office@jruuc.org email is being monitored for emails regarding all communications.
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