Please send any newsletter submissions to news@jruuc.org by Tuesday at 5:00 pm. | |
This Sunday, August 20, 2023
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"My Faith is Love"
with Rev. Karen Armina
Why do Unitarian Universalists work for justice? On this weekend that Madison celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride, we’ll explore how our faith tradition calls us to work to create a world that is welcoming and safe for all people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
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All money collected in the offering will go to Willma’s Fund, a project of OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center that provides relief for LGBTQ+ homelessness or support to prevent homelessness.
Please nominate a local organization for our Share the Plate Program!
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Our summer theme: Nurturing Community | |
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We take a break from Soul Matters themes in the summer, and during this time you’re invited to notice and nurture your communities, and pay attention to how you’re nurtured in them. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection every week.
Check-in question: How has being in community offered you hope or healing?
“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
-- Marsha P. Johnson
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What's Happening in Our Congregation | |
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Minister's Musings
Dear ones, welcome to summer- the season of light and warmth and life in this part of the world! I feel like I imagine our Unitarian ancestor Ralph Waldo Emerson did, when he told the graduating class of Harvard Divinity School in July 1838 (with some edits for gender inclusivity): “In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life…”
Read more here
Rev. Karen has returned from her leave time, but office hours are suspended until September. She’d love to meet with you before (or after) then- please send her an email to set up a time. And, as always, please call or text her if you have a pastoral emergency.
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Religious Education and Family Ministry
Genevieve is looking for Religious Education teachers for the upcoming school year. The commitment is approximately once per month, either during or immediately after the service and training will be provided. Please contact Genevieve for more information. This Sunday will be a multigenerational service with everyone in the sanctuary, please join Genevieve at the busy hands table for fun crafts!
Adult Religious Education:
Rev. Karen is offering “The Shared Pulpit” - a course designed to deepen connection and trust among us as we learn to write and speak our truths - starting in September! Please click here for more information, and contact Karen with your questions and if you think you might be interested.
We’re also planning another adult offering, which will likely be after worship on the first Sundays, while our children and youth are in their classes. Watch this space for more information in the coming weeks!
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Music Ministry
Since we celebrate Pride this Sunday in Madison, I wanted to take a moment to spotlight one of my favorite local bands, LINE. LINE is a Queer indie pop band making “multi-genre songs for healing and possibility.” Their song, “Vigil,” was recorded live at the Barrymore Theater in November of 2021. Maddie Batzli (they/them), the primary songwriter for LINE, shares a thorough account of the creation of “Vigil” and its emotional contents on LINE’s website. Like the song, the essay is heavy, but very much worth the read if the song moves you and you’d like to know more.
In Reeb news, the first rehearsal of Sacred Breath Choir is only two weeks away. If you are curious about choir, please join myself and current members of Sacred Breath in the Multipurpose Room during Coffee Hour this Sunday to socialize and ask any questions you might have about being a part of choir.
This Sunday’s shared music:
#361 “Enter, Rejoice, and Come In”
“Days of Rage and Days of Hope” by Amanda Udis-Kessler
#1014 “Answering the Call of Love”
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Offering and Receiving Connection, Support, and Spiritual Practice | |
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Sign up for 2023-2024 Covenant Groups!
Covenant Groups are part of the Adult Religious Exploration Program at JRUUC. Groups are randomly created at the start of each church year, based on the availability of people interested, and they meet monthly. hey are closed groups, for confidentiality and community-building, and are made up of 6 to 10 people plus a facilitator. They have several purposes: to build relationships through the practice of deep listening, and to practice shared ministry with each other and our congregation as a whole. Please see this brochure for more information, and sign up here or on the sign-up sheet on the RE table in the foyer if you’d like to be part of a virtual or in-person Covenant Group this year.
Meditation With Friends - Wednesdays at 6:30-7:00 pm (Beginners Welcome)
Sacred Breath Choir - Breaking for the summer, will resume August 31, contact Music Director Jennifer Hedstrom at music@jruuc.org
Journaling Group - Breaking for the summer, contact Jean Skinner
Building Our Racial Awareness Open Discussions - Breaking for the summer, contact Jeanette Clawson
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Announcements & Upcoming Events | |
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Memorial Service for Tom McComb this Saturday, August 19
Son of Craig McComb and Leila Pine
2 p.m. Saturday, August 19
At James Reeb UU Congregation
2146 E. Johnson St., Madison, WI
Donations in Tom's name may be made to The Gratitude Club, 295 Ruggles St., Fond du Lac, WI, 54935; or Tellurian Behavioral Health, 5900 Monona Dr., Suite 300, Monona, WI 53716.
If you can bring cake, cookies or little sandwiches to the service, please call or text Joan Kermble
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Just Bakery Returns to JRUUC!
Get your goodies this Sunday, August 20, in the foyer after the service! There will be confetti cookies in honor of Pride Sunday, and so much more. Both cash and cards are happily accepted. Just Bakery, an initiative of JustDane, is a 12-week educational and vocational training program that works with individuals who are experiencing significant barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involved, lack of education, and/or a lack of work history or skills).
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Reeb Rave 2023 is Happening! – Nov 11th
We have picked a date for our annual fundraising auction and party "Reeb Rave" – Nov 11th, 5:30 - 8:30pm at James Reeb! We are soliciting suggestions for a theme and seeking volunteers to help with the event, including soliciting businesses for donations, providing
entertainment and helping with food preparation. If you have any ideas or suggestions please contact Tom McClintock.
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Let's make the JRUUC front window more inviting!
Looking for one or more people to come up with a plan to make our front window area look nicer and more inviting. Got any ideas or good looking plants that can withstand a south-facing window? Contact Joan Kemble or Kelly Kearns.
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MOSES Annual Rummage Sale – August 25-26 8am-3pm, Donate Aug. 24th
Get your treasures ready for MOSES Rummage Sale!
Donate clean clothes and other items in good condition at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6205 University Avenue, near the corner of Allen Blvd on the west side of Madison, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 24th. We are not able to accept computers, TVs, exercise equipment, sofas, futons, or baby furniture.
Volunteer on SignUp Genius by clicking here. No need to log in or download any app.
Shop! Stop by for bargains and conversations Friday 8-5, Saturday 8-3 St. Dunstan’s – 6205 University Ave. Contact Mary Anglim with questions. Learn more about MOSES here – Criminal justice reform to restore our community.
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Save the date! JRUUC camp-out Saturday October 14 - Sunday October 15
Plan to come for a pot-luck dinner and campfire and/or breakfast or stay for the night. Lake Farm County Park just south of Madison. More details to come.
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Upcoming Folk Music Gatherings!
You're invited to join an informal group that gathers to make folk music at church! Bring your voice and/or an instrument. If there's a song you want to sing, bring some lyrics and chords printed out to share. This is just for fun, all are welcome! Please come and lend your voice to our song, our next gathering will be Saturday, August 26, 2pm (note the changed time).
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JRUUC Membership Team looking for new members!
If you like getting to know visitors and new members, planning social events, or just want to help at JRUUC in a small but important way, please consider joining the Membership Team. Contact any current team members for more information - Mary Wagner, Kelly Kearns and Elaine Morrison.
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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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Support Just Dane Youth with Backpacks and Calculators
Youth in Just Dane’s summer Just Bakery program are in need of backpacks and calculators. Kids in the Mentoring Connections will also receive these supplies at their summer picnic. Please consider donating by ordering from their Amazon wish list here and have the order delivered to:
JustDane
2115 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53713
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Our UUA General Assembly of Congregations has happened, and there was much worship, learning, discussion, and deciding! Go here to read some highlights, and come to worship this Sunday to hear Rev. Karen’s reflections on GA. Part of the learning, discussing, and deciding was about the proposed revisions to Article II of the UUA Bylaws - you can find the draft that this year’s delegates voted to bring to our congregations and other UU groups here. The delegates to the 2024 GA will share the conversations that happen over the course of the year, and vote on whether to adopt these revisions. | |
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!
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Please send your questions to office@jruuc.org
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