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 2, 2023
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"Undaunted"
with Rev. Karen Armina, Deb Myrbo, and Genevieve McPherson-Shambarger
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Many people believe it’s time to shift our strategies in the face of climate change, from prevention to compassionate, clear-eyed, vibrant, intentional adaptation. On this Earth Day, we’ll explore some of the lessons in resistance we see in nature, and we’ll ritualize our grief and our hope for the world. And our own David Lauth and Mike Stimson will offer special music in their premiere as a duo!
Link to service webpage
In person participants are invited to stay in the sanctuary after the service for a conversation about adopting the 8th Principle. See the announcement below for details.
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Next Sunday: “Reconciliation, Restorative Action, and Right Relationship” Worship and Workshop with Rev. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches
Come for worship and stay for a conversation about JRUUC’s land acknowledgement and what reparations to the Indigenous People whose land we occupy might look like for us.
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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?
But it’s not impermanence per se, or even knowing that we’re going to die, that is the cause of our suffering, the Buddha taught. Rather, it’s our resistance to the fundamental uncertainty of our situation.
-- Pema Chödrön
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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
Rev. Karen will be away on study leave from Monday, April 24 until Tuesday, May 2. There will be no office hours the week of April 23.
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Religious Education and Family Ministry
This week everyone will be in the sanctuary for a multigenerational service for Earth Day! Join Genevieve at the busy hands table to make seed bombs with Wisconsin wildflowers! Coming of Age will meet after the service at 11:15 in the youth room, ending at 12:00 noon.
Any youth who would like to add their own reflections for the Earth day service should send them to Genevieve no later than Friday morning before noon. Check your email for details.
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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:
Hymn #170 "We Are a Gentle, Angry People"
Hymn #1064 “Blue Boat Home”
"The Tide is Rising" by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman and Yotam Schachter
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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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Say hello to our new Office Administrator!
Madeline Reyes (she/her/hers) joined the JRUUC team mid-April and is excited to get to know the JRUUC community. Madeline was born and raised in New Mexico and has been living in Madison since December, 2021, where she also works at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. She has experience working in, with, and alongside many faith communities and community organizations across the country. She and her golden retriever, Malcolm, enjoy exploring Madison's parks, reading, and staying involved in community organizing for justice work.
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Save the Date for the JRUUC Annual Congregational Meeting! Sunday, May 21
The multiplatform meeting will be after worship. Watch this space for details in the coming weeks.
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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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Congregational Conversations on Adopting the 8th Principle - Sunday, April 23
In person at 11:30, Virtual at 4:00
In August 2022 the 8th Principle Project Team was created and charged with bringing the work of the 8th Principle Project to JRUUC. Our overall goal is to educate Reebers on the 8th Principle, in order to bring a formal vote to adopt the 8th Principle at a congregational meeting no later than May 2024. You can read more about the 8th Principle, including its language and history, here.
We invite you to gather this Sunday to discuss this effort and plan next steps in moving towards a vote. Your questions and thoughts on what is needed are key to our progress, and we sincerely hope you can find the time to participate.
Please join us in the sanctuary at 11:30, or join "Building Our Racial Awareness" on Zoom at 4:00.
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MOSES Madison Action Day - Thursday, April 27 at 9-3, Masonic Temple
MOSES stands for Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity and Solidarity. JRUUC is a Member Organization of MOSES, which advocates for criminal justice reform. Registration is $25 and includes a free lunch, entertainment by the Raging Grannies and a chance to join in group visits to legislators. Every live body helps make an impact! Click here for more information and to register ($25)
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Many Hands Spring Cleaning Work Day - Saturday, April 29
Join us in a spring cleaning of JRUUC inside and out on Saturday, April 29 from 9 am - noon. There will be tasks for all ages and abilities such as kitchen cleaning, window washing, organizing, planting, trash pick-up, and more. No need to RSVP, just show up when you can. Questions? Email Kelly Kearns.
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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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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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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 notes are available in the last email version of this newsletter from the in-person session on March 5. Watch this space for a date for the June listening session!
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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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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.
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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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