Please send any newsletter submissions to news@jruuc.org by Tuesday at 5 p.m. | |
This Sunday, November 19, 2023
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"The Connectedness Generosity Provides” with Letesha Nelson
Today's reflection explores what we get out of being generous and how we are connected because of it. It helps to create perspective around 2 Corinthians 9:11-13, which says, “You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.”
Letesha Nelson is the CEO/ED of the Goodman Community Center. She grew up in the Pentecostal faith, and as she learned more about God, and developed a personal relationship with God, she changed her faith to non-denominational. She is married, the mother of four adult children, and grandmother to 10 children, including one who has been in her care since he was 10 months old; he is now 14. She loves community—not only being a part of it, but being a full participant in it. Her gift is serving others.
We will have live music today from our choir and instrumentalists.
All are invited for our community meal afterwards. The meal will be provided, and there will be a request for donations- and as always, you’re welcome to come and eat regardless of your ability to make a donation.
Link to service webpage
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The Share the Plate recipient for Nov. 19 and 26 will be Worker Justice Wisconsin, in gratitude for this year's Labor in the Pulpit speaker. Worker Justice Wisconsin brings together faith and labor allies to build collective worker power. They advocate for a just and living wage and paid time off for all, as well as workplaces free of discrimination and harassment.
Please nominate a local organization for our Share the Plate Program!
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Our November Theme: The Gift of Generosity | |
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Our November theme reminds us of the spiritual practice of giving and receiving generously. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection every week.
Check-in question: What have you learned during your life about generosity?
Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.
-- Simone Weil
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What's Happening in Our Congregation | |
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Minister's Musings
Dear Ones,
Our November theme is the “gift of generosity,” and I feel like this should be an easy thing to reflect on. Generosity is about giving, right? So my first impulse is…(read more here)
November is also Native American Heritage Month. Please follow this link and this link to find public events you can attend to learn about local Native people and cultures. And I invite you to explore these gifts of generosity - relationship, transformation, and justice - as you offer your time, talent, and treasure to celebrate the gifts of our Native siblings. Here are some ways you can do that (thank you to the Wisconsin Council of Churches for this list from Kaitlin Curtice):
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Grab all the you’re on native land merch here, and make sure your favorite family members get something for the holidays!
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This website is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to know which children’s books are appropriate in representation of Indigenous peoples. Use it often and buy the books recommended by Dr. Debbie Reese, the website’s founder.
- Are you a fan of comics? Super Indian is a wonderful pick. Grab them here.
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Donate to The Kwek Society, an organization working to end period poverty for those in Indian Country.
- Subscribe to the Liminality Journal. Supporting this work allows me (Kaitlin Curtice) to write and share resources like these with you all on a regular basis. Consider joining the Liminality community!
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Buy medicine soaps and other products from Haipazaza, an Indigenous-run wellness brand. They make wonderful holiday gifts and the soaps are beautiful.
- And, of course, USE GOOGLE! There are so many incredible lists of companies and organizations out there. The tools are available if we are willing to find them.
I am out of town to attend Prairie Group on Monday, November 13 through Thursday, November 16. I am checking email just once a day during this time, and there will be no office hours this week.
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.
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Religious Education and Family Ministry
This week children and youth will have RE during the service followed by a community meal open to everyone after the service. The meal will be provided, and there will be a request for donations- and as always, you’re welcome to come and eat regardless of your ability to make a donation.
Next week will be a multigenerational service with Prairie UU families joining us. After the service we will have a potluck followed by our collaborative Youth Group held at FUS from 12:30-1:30.
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Offerings for Adults with Rev. Karen
The next religious exploration offering for adults will be a workshop on reparations after the service on Sunday, Dec. 3. This will be a follow-up to the workshop led by Rev. Kerri Parker in October, and we’ll reflect on the spiritual grounding for reparations and consider concrete actions we might take as a congregation.
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The Sacred Breath Choir will be sharing two pieces at worship this Sunday: “Simple Gifts” and “Courage to Be Who We Are.”
“Courage to Be Who We Are” was written by Ruth Huber and comes from the Justice Choir Songbook. Ruth writes: “‘Courage to Be Who We Are’ was written to commemorate the life of Gwen Amber Rose Araujo and to celebrate the lives of beautiful and courageous trans people everywhere.” The choir offers this piece for Trans Day of Remembrance, which takes place on Monday November 20.
The arrangement of “Simple Gifts” by Dale Warland will feature two of our choir members as instrumentalists! If you play an instrument and would like to join the choir on a piece of music, contact Jennifer for future opportunities. Collaborations are welcome and encouraged.
This Sunday’s shared music:
#134 Our World Is One World
#354 We Laugh, We Cry
#299 Make Channels for the Streams of Love (HOM)
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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
Folk Music Gatherings - Saturdays at 2:00 (taking a break for November), contact Mike Stimson
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Announcements & Upcoming Events | |
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Reeb Rave Success!
Thanks! We raised more than $7000 and had a great deal of fun. If you haven't already, please go to the Auctria website to complete payment of the items you won. Tom McClintock will also be emailing .pdfs with statements for donors and bidders soon. Check out our Reeb Rave Page for the latest information about this year's event.
Building Work Day - Saturday Nov. 18 at 10 am - 12 pm
Come help with the fall clean up work day. Please come between 10-12 and help with various tasks indoors and out. We need to do a final lawn mowing, clean off the roof, fix the gutter guards, wash the window, straighten up and sort through things in the kitchen and more. Questions? Contact Kelly Kearns.
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Meditation & Mindfulness Mini-Retreat - Saturday Nov. 25 at 2-4 pm
Join us in person (or via zoom) to spend some time together practicing meditation and mindfulness as the busy holiday season gets underway. We will spend time with: a reading, guided meditation, walking meditation, silent meditation, drawing or writing, sitting or free movement with music, and brief discussion. No experience necessary! Questions? Contact Susan Podebradsky. Please let Susan know if you plan to attend.
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Lost Anything at Reeb?
Last call for lost and found - Please check the lost and found box for anything that might belong to you. The box is to the left of the sanctuary doors, by the coat rack. After the Nov. 19 service anything left will be going to St. Vinnie’s.
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Need a New Name Tag?
If you have lost your name tag, or never got a printed one, please let us know so we can print one up. Anyone who has joined since the start of 2020 will be getting a name tag. Email us at office@JRUUC.org.
Assisted Listening Devices Available
Assisted Listening devices are available in the bottom of the AV cart (to the right of the computer), For help, see a greeter.
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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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MOSES Transformation Celebration and Fundraising Gala
Dec. 9, 5:30 - 9 pm at Brassworks at the Goodman Center
Join us to hear the inspiring stories of our three Honorees to celebrate their accomplishments and to learn more about the work of MOSES. Tickets $75, or $65 for two. See Mosesmadison.org for more information. JRUUC is a founding member of MOSES.
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Native American Heritage Month Events throughout November
If you attended the recent workshop on reparations with the Rev. Kerri Parker, you’ll remember that one of her suggestions was to educate ourselves about our Native siblings by attending public events. There are many events happening this month, including an introduction to the histories and traditions of Wisconsin’s Native Nations with Tom Jones, and activities throughout the month organized by the UW Indigenous Student Center Coalition.
Reparations Workshop Dec. 3
The next religious exploration offering for adults will be a workshop on reparations after the service on Sunday, Dec. 3. This will be a follow-up to the workshop led by Rev. Kerri Parker in October, and we’ll reflect on the spiritual grounding for reparations and consider concrete actions we might take as a congregation.
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Collecting Items for Nehemiah Essentials Pantry - Now through Dec. 3
Nehemiah (a black-led community development organization) is in need of numerous items in order to create toiletries kits and laundry kits which are then distributed to people in need along with food. The Racial Justice Focus Team is requesting that Reeb members consider bringing in the following items (a collection box is in the foyer). The fact that there are people in our city without the means to purchase these things for their families is a stark reminder of the inequities that surround us, and providing these items is something we do right here and right now, while we work on the longer term goal of dismantling the systemic racism and income inequalities which underlie the situation.
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For the Toiletries Kits: Deodorant, Toothpaste, Shampoo & Conditioner, Lotion, Body Wash / Soap, Feminine Hygiene Products
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For the Laundry Kits: Laundry Detergent, Dryer Sheets, Bleach, All Purpose Cleaner, Rolls of Quarters
Randy Coloni will then host a kit making event after service on Dec. 3rd, with the kits delivered to Nehemiah in time for the December distribution.
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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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Final Proposed Revision to Article II
The final version of the proposed revision to Article II of the UUA Bylaws is now available! The UUA Board will officially receive the revision at the next board meeting, November 13, 2023, but it is available to you now. The deadline for submitting an amendment is 11:59 p.m. ET on February 1, 2024. All qualified amendments will be considered at 2024 General Assembly.
Read the Proposed Article II here
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General Assembly 2024 Theme Announcement:
Love Unites, Stories Ignite
The 63rd General Assembly will take place virtually
Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Participants will receive:
- Memorable, high-impact content for faith formation, with an easy and accessible experience
- Sense of belonging in the online community, with flexible approaches for a variety of needs
- Renewed connection to the wider faith of Unitarian Universalism.
- Inspiration and support to carry forward to your local congregations and beyond
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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!
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Our office is the central point of contact for all Reeb communications.
Please send your questions to office@jruuc.org
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