New Adult Enrichment Opportunity: 

Exploring Unitarian Universalism Through Short Literature

Starting Oct. 9, Rev. Ritchie will be offering a monthly series exploring important themes in Unitarian Universalist history, theology, ethics, and spiritual practice through the discussion of short pieces of literature. This series will take place at 12:00-1:30PM the second Sunday of the month, running October-February. You can attend either in person at church, or online on Zoom. You can sign up either for the whole series, or for individual sessions. Participants will be expected to complete the short readings (no more than 1-2 hours of dedicated reading time) before the workshops. No need to procure the material—Rev. Ritchie will send that out to those who register ahead of time. The individual classes are as follows:

October 9 

Today we explore the historical origins of Unitarianism in America as a revision of the Puritan past, and as a conversation about the nature of sin and free will. Reading will be a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne “The Minister’s Black Veil.”

November 13 

In this workshop, we discuss the principles of Unitarian Universalist ethical thinking, alongside a conversation about Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story “The Yellow Wallpaper.”  

December 11 

This month we look at the Unitarian Universalist relationship to Christianity, Jesus, and social change, through an examination of two Christmas Stories, Lydia Marie Child’s “The Christ Child and the Poor Children” and Rev. Samuel Crother’s “A Christmas Parable.”

January 8 

Today we look at Unitarian Universalist spiritual practice, especially those connected to the Transcendentalists. The reading is “The Pond in Winter” by Thoreau (an excerpt from “Walden”) and an excerpt from Louisa May Alcott’s “Transcendentalist Wild Oats.”  

February 12

This month we read works by Francis Ellen Watkins Harper and Sylvia Plath to discuss Unitarian Universalist approaches to issues of race and gender. 

Sign up for one, some or all of the workshops here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UUShortStory

Religious Exploration Classes for Children

Hello friends,

Fall is here! It’s my personal favorite time of year, I love the crisp, cold air, the falling leaves and apple cider. It’s also back to school time, and our Spiritual Exploration classroom is no exception. We’ll be following the Soul Matters curriculum put out by Katie Covey

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b8Z_7Ek50MPVkTxBKyKi7mIImfk94Qmyz9OQECyACgU/edit

Don’t worry, we’ll still have plenty of time for free art, sensory activities and free play

The theme for the month of October is: The Path of Courage

October 2: Exploring the Many Paths of Courage

This session challenges the dominant and stereotypical views about what makes for a courageous person, such as extraordinary individuals like superheroes. We’ll learn about Malala Yousafzai and other kids who demonstrate great courage

October 9: Personal Courage: Exploring the Path of Doing Hard Things

There are times when we have to muster our personal courage and do something hard for us. It might be expressing a diverging opinion from your group of friends. It might be swallowing your pride and saying you are sorry, jumping in the deep end of the pool, or being the only one to raise your hand.

***Halloween Pumpkin carving get together for youth ages 11 and up 5:00pm at NUUC***

October 16: Wholehearted Courage: Exploring the Path of Being Yourself

The heart stands for courage to follow your heart. You know what is in your heart. There is a voice inside of you which speaks to you about what is important. Wholehearted courage means living with the courage to be your true self. We’ll learn the story of Benjamin Lay “The Cosmic Quaker”

October 23: Social Courage: Exploring the Path of Taking Action

This lesson reflects on the path of social courage. In other words, the courage we find to take action. It takes courage to affirm your values and beliefs and try to make changes in an unjust world. We’ll learn about the Social Justice work being done in our own congregation, how it has taken action.

October 30: Halloween Courage: Exploring the Path of Facing Fear

Trick or treat! Calling all young people!  You are invited to a

Halloween

COSTUME PARTY

October 30th

during worship at the Nielson House

Wear your Halloween Costume

GAMES, TREATS and FUN!

Jacquie Zarley, Intern Minister and Director of Religious Education 

Board Looking for Self-Nominations for Congregational Volunteer Roles

At the last board of trustees meeting, your board decided to assist our recruitment efforts for volunteers by asking for self-nominations for certain roles. 

We are currently looking to fill the volunteer job of Treasurer.  

Treasurer of the Congregation

The Treasurer is elected by the board. The Treasurer oversees and coordinates the Society’s financial operations and is an ex-officio member the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer has many varied duties:

• Working with the bookkeeper and the minister to ensure the accuracy of expenditures and all financial records, updating as necessary procedures for handling various financial matters and for monitoring for accuracy

• Oversee all deposits of the congregation into different checking and investment accounts; and to direct the bookkeeper in issuing all payments

• Attend monthly meetings of the Board and prepare a monthly report (with the assistance of the bookkeeper) to the Board on the church’s finances, highlighting any emerging financial needs, concerns or policy issues requiring the Board’s attention 

Skills Needed: The treasurer must be a numbers person, familiar with keeping books and financial principles, and comfortable using a computer church management system (we will train).  

NOTE: Our current Interim Treasurer, Lyn Savidge, is revising and refining the Treasurer’s job description and can provide more information soon

To volunteer for this or another congregational volunteer position, please use this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NUUCVolunteer