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The Forum
monthly Newsletter
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DON'T MISS ANY OF THE FORUM!
When you get to the end of this email message,
please check the bottom left of your screen...
you may have a message that states:
[Message clipped] and View entire message.
Click on "view entire message"
to read ALL of this month's Forum!
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DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST 2021 FORUM
If you'd like to have an announcement published in the August 2021 edition of The Forum, please make sure to send your info to the Editor, Jennie Freiberger, at admin@mvuuf.org by Friday, July 23rd.
We'd love to read what YOU have to offer!
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TO CONNECT WITH US ON ZOOM
We provide Zoom links in The Forum so you can join
ALL of our events online (computer, tablet, smart phone).
Additionally, if you want/need to attend the meeting/event using a phone, you can use the following number for ANY of our events:
To join on your cell phone or land line,
please call 1-929-205-6099
and enter the Meeting ID and Password when prompted
(our worship services do not require a password).
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OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES |
Please join us on Zoom!
Sundays at 11:00 AM
(Tech assistance available from 10:30 - 11 AM)
Join us online with this link:
(no passcode required)
Please note the following:
1. This service will be recorded and/or live-streamed to Facebook. If you do not want to be included in the recording, please turn off your camera, mute your microphone, and change your name to "MVUUF" (these are all Zoom options once you join the meeting).
2. If you would like to submit an announcement, joy, or sorrow for the service, please email Rev. Kellie by 10:00 PM on the prior Saturday evening (minister @mvuuf.org).
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WORSHIP FOR THE WEARY
Thursdays, 6:30 PM
We continue to offer this shorter, more reflective service as a way of providing a bit of peace and comfort during these trying times. We "gather" on Zoom for music, readings, and reflection.
We do hope you'll join us by using the link below:
Meeting ID: 958 9428 2191 (no passcode needed)
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FROM REV. KELLIE:
My Dear Ones,
Three years ago, almost to the day, I spent my first week with you as your chosen candidate. We worshipped together for the first time on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. I attended my first Full Moon ritual with our CUUPs group in my first of many marathon Sundays. I started to consider the concept of napping. On Memorial Day, I met our faith community’s younger families and our Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) volunteers at a Centerville park to play together and start to get to know one another. During the rest of the week, I met with various groups and committees and became very comfortable with a microphone, hehe. Our Ministerial Search Committee hosted many open sessions so that you could ask me ALL of your questions about me, my family, and my ministry. During this time together, some of you also started to share your hopes, fears, and dreams for our ministry together. On Friday, my mom and 13-year old son arrived for a fun night of Magic the Gathering and Mexican Dominos. On Saturday, we marched in the Dayton Pride Parade and I probably got a little sunburned. On Sunday, we worshipped together one last time before you voted to call me as your settled minister. What a week!
Since that time, we have gone through so much together—more than any of us could have imagined back in 2018. We created a Repair and Healing Taskforce which worked with the Dayton Mediation Center to lead the congregation through a series of listening circles focused on the volatile interim ministry. At the end of that process, we produced a 40-page report and shared some of our learnings in a worship service. Meanwhile, we experienced 4 break-in robberies over the course of 3 months. We celebrated our shared ministry with a beautiful installation service. We showed up for our Dayton community when the KKK attempted to bring hate to town. We managed a $54,000 budget deficit (wow!). We showed up for the Dayton community and each other when a quick series of tornados hit Dayton (also on a Memorial Day). We came together again when the Oregon District Mass Shooting occurred later that summer. The Board and I launched the Dreaming Together exploration of our shared ministry. Then without warning, 3 of our beloved long-term members died (Harvey Scott, Laurel Herminghausen, and Ruth Scott). Then the unthinkable happened—a global pandemic, the likes we had not seen in over 100 years. Everything in our lives changed, including how we do church. At the same time, the most important things did not change: our need for one another and the importance of our faith community.
Now, we are celebrating the end of our 3rd year of shared ministry and hopefully (prayerfully) the end of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This last year and a half of pandemic have given us significant losses, personally and as a faith community. Along with the loss of income for some of our congregants, 2 more of our beloved long-term members died (Adrienne Clark and Jim Hudson), leaving holes in our faith community that will be difficult to fill. While we have remained connected to all of our members through our electronic and mailed communications, our phone tree, and CYRE boxes, we have several members who do not participate in our virtual worship or gatherings, either because of lack of interest in video church or lack of access. For many of our youngest children, Zoom simply is not a doable option given attention spans and the demands of online public schooling.
And yet, and yet.
And yet, we converted almost all of our programs over to a virtual video format. And yet, 12 members have joined MVUUF since the pandemic began. And yet, we created a first-in-the-world Peace Heroes Trail to spread Peace Literacy, share our Good News with the larger Dayton community and raise money for our budget. And yet, we ordained our longterm member and new Associated Community Minister, Rev. Alice Diebel. And yet, we added an additional worship service, called Worship for the Weary on Thursday nights. And yet, we have had a dynamic new Director of Religious of Education join us and thrive. And yet, we have continued and expanded our social action commitments in Dayton. And yet, we have had incredible pulpit guests lead worship for us (Matt Meyer, Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen, Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, Samuel Prince, and Alex Kapitan). And yet, we have deepened our commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism in our worship services and through our participation in the Beloved Conversations program and Board adoption of the 8th Principle (https://www.8thprincipleuu.org).
And yet, we just celebrated 96 volunteers from our current program year (September 2020 through June 2021) at our first annual Volunteer Appreciation service. 96, y’all! Do you get how amazing that is for a congregation of 160 members? Let alone during a devastating global pandemic? You simply ROCK.
And yet, I am now the 3rd longest serving minister that you have had, following Rev. Amy Russell and Rev. Richard Venus. This also feels like an accomplishment to celebrate. The honeymoon is over and we still like each other.
And yet, even with so many personal and community losses, we are still here. You all know that I like repetition so I am going to say it again. And yet, we are still here.
We are still here—practicing compassion, forging connections, and pursuing justice (spoiler alert: that’s our mission statement). We are still here—practicing being fully human together. We are still here—learning how to love one another. We are still here—discovering the beauty in our world, in each other, and in ourselves. We are still here.
Now you might be thinking, “Yeah, yeah, enough with all of this mushy stuff! Don’t pretend like everything is awesome after you told us that we’re in a financial crisis.”
Yes. Our MVUUF faith community and all of us individually have survived a once-in-a-lifetime event (trauma), a devastating global pandemic (I’ll repeat, trauma). And yet, we thrived in many ways and have a lot to feel proud of. And yet, we’re in a financial crisis that started building years before the pandemic. All can be true.
While I knew we were going to need to have important discussions about our long-term financial and volunteer sustainability, I was hoping we could make it another year so that we wouldn't have to juggle a global pandemic at the same time. Unfortunately, this is not possible.
Since I came to MVUUF, I have been looking at our finances and trying to find new ways of talking about and understanding our finances, annual pledge drive, and fundraising as a congregation. I feel blessed to have collaborated with a few amazing lay leaders on this work. They were strong enough to tell me when I was going down the wrong path and brave enough to push past their own discomfort around talking about money. All because they love MVUUF and believe that it is important that we are here-- that we continue to exist. They have blessed me with their patient nudging (or prodding sometimes) and their ingenuity.
When First Church Dayton and MVUUF merged in 1998 and started planning our governance structure and beautiful building, we had 260 members total. Today, we have 160 members. It is amazing that you all have been able to do so well with 100 fewer members. Amazing.
Please remember that we are not alone in this struggle. Religion in America has been on a decline for a long time. "Church" as we have done it for years does not work anymore and hasn't worked very well for at least the last 10 years (that's how long I've heard the UUA talk about it). For the first time in American history, more Americans identify as secular than religious. This isn't our fault.
While this challenge causes anxiety and conflict, it also is our opportunity to create something new together. Let us remember that conflict is natural and can be both healthy and productive. Let us remember that while the COVID pandemic looks like it is ending, we are navigating this challenge during a worldwide trauma. Let us hold one another with tenderness and love while we explore answers together. Let us remember that there is more that unites us than divides us.
I believe in MVUUF and Unitarian Universalism. Most importantly, I believe in you and I believe in us together.
Holding you with gratitude, love, and faith--
Kellie
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
The best way to reach me is to text or call my mobile phone between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM on my office days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
You can also schedule a quick call (less than 30 minutes) or longer meeting/visit (60 minutes) with me online: calendly.com/kellieuukelly.
Unless a pastoral care emergency, I typically do not return email messages, text messages, or calls on the following days: Sunday is "Church," Wednesday is my study day (worship prep), and Friday is my personal Sabbath.
email address: minister@mvuuf.org
phone number: 847.804.4614
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MINUTE FOR MUSIC
What a tribute to our strength as a community that we have persevered to see the beginning of the end of this terrible pandemic! Over this past year it has been much easier to click on our computer screens to see and hear what other UU congregations have been doing. I am incredibly proud of our Fellowship for continuing to offer Sunday worship and to maintain our committees, connections and our work in the wider community. Hooray for us for hanging in there!
With only Zoom gatherings, normal music-making activities have been nearly impossible. But with commitment, creativity and adjusted expectations, our music programming continues to provide opportunities for social/emotional support, playing and singing through the monthly Acoustic Folk Jam group (dubbed the “Yankee Street Band” by one attendee) and regular weekly Choir rehearsals.
Since our worship services have been exclusively virtual, issues of permission for use and copyright have taken on new complexity. What was allowed during in-person gatherings within our church walls is very different from posting on the web for the world to see. Despite the free-and-easy availability of videos on the internet, living out our principles requires us to acknowledge that many composers and performers are not monetarily compensated fairly for their work. MVUUF has purchased both a CCLI and One License agreement to attain legal use of many works. Through online collaborations with others such as the UUA Worship Web, Facebook groups for UU leaders and the AUUMM (Association for UU Music Ministries) there is a great deal of information sharing and support around these challenges of usage rights.
Another important area of musical change that has come even more into focus during this past year are questions of inclusiveness of language, cultural misappropriation, and White-Anglo centering in our traditional worship music. For example, Is it okay to change a composer’s lyrics to remove gendered pronouns? Should a majority White congregation sing “We Shall Overcome?” Can we sing “Amazing Grace” knowing that John Newton continued to enslave people even after writing those confessional words? To help acknowledge some of these complexities, you may have noticed that introductions to songs during worship have been providing more explanation and context.
While there are no simple answers to these questions, again, our principles compel us to engage in difficult and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. My hope is that with a group of interested people willing to serve on a Music Committee, we can grow together in our understanding and become even more inclusive not only in the music we choose but also the style in which we play and sing in worship.
As we look ahead to resuming in-person gathering, I have future dreams for our music program: more music and singing activities for our children and youth, more multi-cultural music offerings, and getting a drum circle group going.
With a grateful heart for the opportunity to serve,
Sara Davis. Director of Music
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CYRE NEWS
Hello everyone,
I cannot believe it’s already June. Time has felt like it’s simultaneously flown by and stood still this year. We are so thankful that you have chosen this community. I know that this year has been so hard; it has been hard to build community and to nourish the community that already exists. The work that we have all done this year to stay connected is amazing. You are amazing.
In our last WFAA, we talked a little about how we are going to keep going. We will keep learning, changing, and growing. This summer we have to do a lot of all three. As we look to re-open, the CYRE committee and re-opening task force have a lot to cover. We will be working to find the best possible course for CYRE and the entire congregation. Due to this we are going to reduce our preK-5th grade class to one class a month for June, July and August. As for now we will plan to meet on the fourth Sunday of the month in June and July on zoom at 1:00 PM. We will have a check-in and play some games. This will give the CYRE committee time and energy to put into re-opening. The high school and middle school group will continue to meet as usual until further notice.
We are always still looking for new members for the CYRE committee. The committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month. All that are interested are welcome! We are also looking for parents that would be willing to be part of a re-opening discussion. We are trying to be as inclusive as possible with our re-opening decisions. We would love to hear thoughts and opinions from families in the congregation on re-opening.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at re@mvuuf.org.
Somaya Bernard, Director of Religious Education
re@mvuuf.org
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WEEK LONG "MINI" SABBATICAL FOR THE STAFF LATER THIS MONTH
During many months filled with all sorts of questions, concerns, emotions, etc. regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, your MVUUF staff members have been hard at work getting all the things done that need doing in order to keep the Fellowship running smoothly.
Now that the slower, more relaxed pace that summertime brings is upon us, we have decided--along with the board's approval--that a week-long, "mini" sabbatical is in order, to help us rest, reset & recharge. By taking this time off to care for ourselves, we will be better able & equipped to take care of each other, and you, too, when the busy days of autumn arrive. Additionally, we are providing great examples of just how important self-care can be for ALL of us.
For the week of June 28th thru July 5th, we will be enjoying time off: there will NOT be a July edition of The Forum (it's been combined with this edition), or a Friday eBlast on July 2nd, or a Worship for the Weary Service on July 1st, or a Sunday Worship Service on July 4th.
We are grateful for this opportunity to step back and take a break, and look forward to the 2021-2022 program year and all it has to offer!
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CHILDREN & YOUTH
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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CYRE COMMITTEE
Second Wednesday Each Month
Wednesdays, June 9th and July 14th,
7:00 PM
Our Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) Committee meets on the second Wednesday of the month and is open to ALL! Whether you have children in the CYRE program or not, the committee is always looking for people to teach classes and/or volunteer to help with family-friendly activities.
If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Somaya Bernard, re@ mvuuf.org.
To join the Zoom Meeting online, click below:
Meeting ID: 813 5941 9144 Passcode: 385131
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WEEKLY CYRE CLASSES
Preschool-5th Grade Religious Education
(for June-August) 4th Sunday of each month, 1:00 PM
(NO CLASS on Sundays with Worship For All Ages services)
Meeting ID: 747 369 526 Passcode: 149172
Middle School and High School Groups
Sunday afternoons, 2:30 PM
The High School Group meets on the 1st & 3rd Sundays and the Middle School Group meets on the 2nd & 4th Sundays. Both groups focus on building more bonds and strengthening their connections.
Meeting ID: 220 144 959 Passcode: 149172
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ADULT
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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SCRIPTURE STUDY
Sunday Mornings, 9:30 AM
If you are interested in learning about different religions, and especially in the writings from those different religions, then you should consider attending our weekly Scripture Study. They meet every Sunday morning, beginning at 9:30 AM on Zoom; you can contact John Bierman if you have any questions at john_bierman@att.net.
To join their Zoom meeting, use the information posted below:
To join the gathering online, click the link below---
Passcode: 720015 Meeting ID: 424 304 843
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LONG STRANGE TRIP:
UU HISTORY REDUX
Second Saturday Each Month
June 12th and July 10th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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CONGREGATIONAL READ
Saturday, June 19th 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Join Rev. Kellie for the final gathering of her THIRD Congregational Read, Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin. The UUA Bookstore states that the book, “Shares how five diverse congregations encounter frustrations and disappointments, as well as hope and wonder, once they commit to the journey to create multicultural, antiracist Beloved Community.”
Regardless of whether you have read all of the previous Congregational Reads with Rev. Kellie or you are new to Unitarian Universalism— regardless of whether you are committed to antiracism and anti-oppression justice or you want to grow your mind, heart, and soul— regardless of whether you can attend all 8 monthly sessions or only a few, please join Rev. Kellie on Saturday, June 19th at 10:30 AM on Zoom. We'll be discussing
To join us on Zoom please use the info below:
Meeting ID: 847 5921 6947 Passcode: 773098
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DAYTIME BOOK CLUB
Third Wednesday Each Month
Wednesdays, June 16th and 21st, 10:30 AM
Our Daytime Book Club continues to meet monthly to discuss a featured book; here's what they'll be discussing:
June 16th
West With Giraffes: A Novel
by Lynda Rutledge;
July 21st
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
by Isabel Wilkerson
If you'd like to join them online, please click the link below:
Passcode: 284687 Meeting ID: 814 1095 6674
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DEATH CAFE
Fourth Monday Each Month
Mondays, June28th and July 26th, 7:00 PM
At a Death Café people, often strangers, gather in an accessible, respectful and confidential space to enjoy refreshments and to discuss death. Our Death Café conversations are participant-directed; there is no agenda. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. Groups such as this gather around the globe with a purpose: "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives."
MVUUF holds a Death Café on the fourth Monday of each month from 7-8:30 PM; uou are welcome to join us to listen and share and/or invite a friend who you think may be interested in exploring the topic.
To join the meeting online, click below:
Passcode: 900106 Meeting ID: 851 4870 0547
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SOUL MATTERS' THEME FOR JUNE
For the month of June, our Soul Matters' theme is Play.
The Soul Matters' packet includes spiritual exercises, questions that encourage reflection on daily living, and 5-7 pages of recommended resources that help participants explore the monthly themes in more depth.
Simply click HERE for this month's packet!
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WOMEN'S GROUP
Sunday Mornings, 9:30 AM
This weekly group is open to all who identify as female, and they would love to have you join them for one of their interesting and thought-provoking discussions!
To join the gathering online, click on the link below---
Passcode: 042027 Meeting ID: 339 923 301
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DA' GROUP
This group is a space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to gather and share their stories, receive and provide support, and share their joys, sorrows and celebrations with each other.
Currently, the group is on hiatus; you can contact Ndidi Achebe at nachebepublic@gmail.com
if you'd like more information.
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YOUNG ADULTS GROUP
Now Forming
Connect and build bonds with other UU young adults at MVUUF (ages 18-35). If you are interested in participating, please contact Somaya Bernard, Director of Religious Education, at re@mvuuf.org or 937-694-0594 to let her know what meeting dates/times work best for you.
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MIAMI VALLEY PEACE HEROES TRAIL
2021
The Miami Valley Peace Heroes Trail mission:
To inspire and educate a new generation of peace leaders; to support peace literacy programming at MVUUF and our peace partners; to introduce MVUUF to the larger Dayton community.
We aim to raise $35,000 for peace literacy education, with the help of 30 peace hero captains, legions of word-spreaders, and hundreds of donors--your friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors.
This year's campaign ends on Sunday, June 6th...please get those donations in!
It’s not too late to donate: To ensure that more of your donation goes toward peace hero literacy, send a check electronically to:
or by USPS to MVUUF, 8690 Yankee Street,
Washington Township Ohio 45458.
Another option is to donate through CharityWeb at:
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REOPENING TASK FORCE
Sunday, June 6th, 1:30 PM
First, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Reopening Town Halls and returned the Reopening Survey. Your input has been monumentally helpful.
It is time for us to plan how to reopen. Please consider attending the Reopening Task Force meeting on Sunday, June 6th at 1:30 PM. We look forward to coming together again.
To join us on Zoom:
Personal meeting ID: 227 685 5958
Personal meeting url:
If you have questions, please email Garlene Hamilton at Producer@mvuuf.org.
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JUNE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, June 13th, 12:30 PM on Zoom
Our annual June Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 13th, at 12:30 PM on Zoom (right after the worship service on that day).
While it is a privilege and a duty for all voting members to attend Congregational Meetings, EVERYONE is welcome to attend; it's a meeting where the budget for the coming fiscal year is approved by voting members, among other important fellowship business.
Join us on Zoom for this important meeting! You can take a look at the Congregational Meeting Packet HERE and the proposed Budget HERE
If you attend the Sunday Worship Service that morning, simply stay on Zoom; if not, you can use the link below:
Meeting ID: 852 938 388 (no password needed)
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MVUUF's WORSHIP CHOIR
Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
Did you know that our Worship Choir continues to meet--on Zoom--and participates in our Worship Services? Their love of singing won't let the pandemic stop them!
They "gather" on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, and you are always welcome to join them. You can contact our Director of Music, Sara Davis, with any questions, and join rehearsals online by clicking the link below:
Meeting ID: 149 540 739 Passcode: 115053
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PROGRAM COUNCIL
First Monday Each Month
Monday, July 5th, 7:00 PM
Our PC is responsible for the following: Leading and implementing a variety of programs that bring MVUUF closer to realizing its purpose, vision and mission; Facilitating cooperation among program areas; Approving the appointment or removal of committee chairs nominated by individual program council representatives; Appointing interim members to fill mid-term vacancies on the nominating committee; Nominating one qualified candidate for election to the nominating committee each year; and Recommending policies and procedures to the board for approval and incorporation into the MVUUF policy manual.
PC meets once a month, usually on the first Monday, and their meetings are open to ALL. They will not be meeting on Monday, June 7th, due to a lack of need at this time; look for them to gather again on Monday, July 5th, 7:00 PM, on Zoom.
To join the meeting online, click below
Passcode: 395986 Meeting ID: 845 4628 1330
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FINANCE COMMITTEE
First Wednesday Each Month
Wednesdays,
June 2nd and July 7th, 7:00 PM
We meet on the first Wednesday evening of the month to discuss the fellowship's finances. This includes budgeting, stewardship, and fundraising.
As with the Board meetings, we set aside time at the beginning of each meeting for visitor comments and/or questions. So you can ask questions or make comments and leave right afterwards if you'd rather not stay for the whole meeting (which is usually about an hour). Contact is Skylar Gladden, our Treasurer; you can reach her at treasurer@mvuuf.org.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below:
Meeting ID: 844 3664 8371 Passcode: 495242
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CHALICE OF THE WILLOW (CUUPS)
DISCUSSION GROUP
Second Sunday Each Month
Sundays, June 13th and July 11th, 12:30 PM
Our pagan group, Chalice of the Willow (CUUPS) has a discussion group on the second Sunday of each month, beginning at 12:30 PM. It's a great way to find out a little bit more about pagan beliefs & traditions, and to converse with others in a comfortable, non-judgmental atmosphere.
You can find out more by contacting Tina Porter at ladyosun@yahoo.com. You can join the discussion online by clicking the link below:
Meeting ID: 860 0484 4655 Passcode: 757543
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BOARD MEETING
NOW the Third Sunday Each Month
Sunday, May 16th, 1:30 PM
Our monthly Board Meetings are now held on the third Sunday of each month. Our Board meetings are open to EVERYONE, and time is set aside at the beginning of the meeting to answer any questions our members and friends may have for Board members. This month, the group will meet on Sunday, May 16th, 1:30 PM.
To join the Zoom meeting, click below:
Passcode: 033710 Meeting ID: 976 9504 0775
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WELCOME SESSION
Third Sunday Each Month
Sundays, June 20th and July 18th, 12:15 PM
Are you new to MVUUF? Would you like to know more about the Fellowship and what we have to offer?
We offer a Welcome Session on the third Sunday of each month where you'll have the opportunity to find out more about our Fellowship and meet Rev. Kellie and other members of MVUUF.
To join the meeting on Zoom, simply stay on in the Zoom session for the Sunday worship or use the info below:
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ACOUSTIC FOLK JAM SESSION
Third Tuesday Each Month
Tuesdays, June 15th and July 20th, 7:00 PM
If you're looking for a fun way to share your love of music, may we suggest attending our Acoustic Folk Jam Session? You can play an instrument...or use your voice...or just listen and enjoy to everyone else. It's a low-key way to enjoy some human connection (virtually, of course) and relax.
If you'd like to join them online, please click the link below:
Passcode: 639360 Meeting ID: 876 8968 9805
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SHOWING UP FOR
SOCIAL JUSTICE
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DAYTON PRIDE PARADE 2021
Join the Dayton Pride Parade on Saturday, June 5! Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Dayton LGBTQ organizers are holding a reverse parade. A reverse parade is the physical opposite of a standard parade - the folks that would normally line the sidewalks to watch the parade get in their vehicle of choice (car, bicycle, scooter, etc.) and drive by the static 'parade' on the sidewalk. The groups and folks who are normally marching in the parade are on the sidewalks at static displays/booths waving at the 'spectators' driving by in their cars. I imagine MVUUF could do both!
Feel free to decorate your cars with decorations, rainbows, or flags representing their identities in the LGBTQ community and drive the short route (approx. 2 blocks) in downtown Dayton at 5mph through the parade. The groups had usual give-away items and brochures to give as folks drove by. You can check out some pictures of the event HERE!
If someone would like to take the MVUUF and Standing on the Side of Love banners, please do!
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UUA'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Circle 'Round for
Justice - Healing - Courage
June 23rd - June 27th
Every year, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has an association-wide assembly, known as General Assembly (GA). It is open to everyone! Due to the pandemic, this year's GA will be virtual. If you are interested in hearing great speakers, listening to amazing music, and connecting with thousands of UUs, I commend the virtual GA as an affordable experience. GA will be held from Wednesday evening, June 23rd through Sunday afternoon, June 27th. Registration is open and is $200 per person: https://www.uua.org/ga
Special note from Rev. Kellie: The UUA has now GREATLY improved their financial support options for registration, with up to a $100 self-select discount available. If the reduced fee is still prohibitive, please contact Rev. Kellie. We do not want cost to prevent anyone from participating.
GA is also the place where UUA decisions are made; it's our business meeting. Each congregation is allowed to have delegates attend to represent them in the business portion of the assembly. MVUUF is allowed four delegates. If you are interested in being a delegate, please notify the MVUUF Board. Our board selects the delegates. If you wish to be a delegate, you must be a member of MVUUF and commit to attending the portions of GA where business is carried out. Most business is taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. You can see the schedule at:
You do not have to be a delegate to attend business meetings or to enjoy all the richness of GA, such as the Ware Lecture. Past lecturers have included Naomi Klein, Winona LaDuke, Cornell West and many more; you can find out more at:
Finally, some parts of GA are free and open to the public. Get to know our association and all it brings to our congregation. Please feel free to contact me, Alice Diebel, for information at:
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SHARING THE OFFERING
MVUUF shares 50% of its non-pledge offerings with a human service agency or similar fund. These agencies are selected yearly by the congregation’s members under the guidance of the Social Action Committee.
Please give generously by clicking HERE to go to our online donation page and go to “SHARING OUR OFFERING.”
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About Our Current Recipient
For the months of April, May and June, 50% of non-pledge offerings will be given to Dayton Young Black Professionals, a community of young professionals committed to making the Gem City a great place to live, work, and grow, with a vision to empower their members to be leaders in business and their local communities.
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WEST DAYTON ACTION GROUP
First Tuesday Each Month
Tuesdays, June 1st and July 6th, 6:30 PM
The meeting that was originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 4th, has been cancelled.
The group will next meet on Tuesday, June 1st, at 6:30PM; July's meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 6th, also at 6:30 PM.
You can find out more by contacting
Bob Lewis at bobslewis@hotmail.com.
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IMMIGRATION ACTION GROUP
Second Monday Each Month
Mondays, June 14th and July 12th,
6:30 PM
Are you interested in supporting those who have come to our country searching for a better life? Do you believe all humans have a right to live in a safe environment? Then we'd like to suggest attending a meeting of our MVUUF Immigration Action Group. One specific way to help is with food and supplemental item deliveries. We do this with the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition, and volunteers are much needed now to deliver this support.
Our MVUUF Immigration Action Group meets on the second Monday of every month, 6:30 PM, on Zoom, and the meeting is open to ALL. Why not join them and see how you can help?
To join the meeting online with Zoom please use the link below:
Passcode is: 100025 Meeting ID: 845 0612 0783
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ST. VINCENT de PAUL LUNCH
Food Items Delivered, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Fridays, June 11th and July 9th
Thanks to all those who have donated funds and all those who have been willing to provide extra large batches of menu items as we continue with the COVID-19 plan we began more than one year ago, April 2020! Financial donations allow some of our willing shoppers and cooks to buy and prepare the extra large batches of menu items. We ask MVUUF members and friends to provide beef or ground turkey sloppy joe sandwich filling, salad and fresh fruit, and to deliver or arrange with Lynn Buffington for pick up. The food service director has told us that the sloppy joe menu is very popular with residents and he hopes we will continue that menu.
Please note new delivery day (Friday) and times that began in January (8 am to 5 pm on Fridays) and new drop off spot due to creation of a St. V. central kitchen in the Jobs Center Complex ( south west corner of 1133 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd, at the door marked W6.) For covid safety we will continue to deliver with the hard working St. Vincent's staff serving the meal. Please check the signup genius for how you might help and please pay careful attention to the labeling instructions which now must include "Apple St." as well as "Saturday lunch" and "Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship." Note that both June and July slots are on the SignUp Genius. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ea9aa2dabf58-stvincents1
The Social Action Committee is reviewing whether to continue our efforts at St. Vincent's. Your thoughts are welcome (contact info for Lynn is below).
Because of the expense of large “batches,” we are reimbursing cooks and shoppers for ingredients. We accept financial donations for this purpose. You may donate by sending a check made out to MVUUF with memo line "St. Vincent's." Please mail to 8690 Yankee St, Dayton 45458. Because MVUUF still needs our funds for operating expenses, more than ever, please only donate for St. Vincent's if you are able to also continue to contribute to MVUUF operating expenses. You can contact Lynn with questions, including about reimbursement process, and suggestions: ABUFFLG@Gmail.com cell: 937-657-0426. You can also contact Lynn to sign up, as an alternative to SignUpGenius.
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TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE GROUP
Second Thursday Each Month
Thursdays, June 10th and July 8th, 7:00 PM
MVUUF's Transgender Alliance Group meets each month on the second Thursday; the group is a supportive place of community for transgender folx and their allies.
To join the Zoom meeting online, click below:
Passcode: 774615 Meeting ID: 841 0786 6724
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Third Monday Each Month
Mondays, June 21st and July 19th, 6:30 PM
Our Social Action Committee offers many different ways for you to "be the change" you'd like to see in the world: immigration action, St. Vincent lunches, improving conditions in west Dayton, literacy & tutoring projects, and the list goes on.
Feel free to join their next meeting by using the info below:
Passcode: 613674 Meeting ID: 850 2242 9356
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ANTI-RACISM ALLY GROUP
4th Thursday of Every Month
Thursdays, June 24th and July 22nd, 7:00 PM
There continues to be a lot of turmoil around racism in our country, state and city. Are you a white person with questions, ideas, concerns or just want a place to have discussions about what is going on? We also welcome anyone who identifies as BIPOC.
Each meeting will allow for learning, actively practicing being allies, open discussion, and creating actions we can take to follow and support Black, Indigenous and all People of Color (BIPOC) in our congregation as well as residents in the larger community. Meetings usually take place the 4th Thursday evening of the month.
To join the meeting online click on the link below:
Meeting ID: 810 0062 5437 Passcode: 306008
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DONATE TO MVUUF AS YOU SHOP...IT'S EASY! |
Did you know you can donate to MVUUF at no cost to you
every time you shop at
Kroger, Dorothy Lane Market, and Amazon?
By using the affiliate groups at these companies,
a percentage (based on your purchases) will go to MVUUF.
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