NUUC March 2023 Newsletter

March 2023

Congregational Meeting Scheduled for Immediately after Worship

March 19, 2023

Please join us online or in person for the March Congregational Meeting--we will elect new members for the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee, consider a bylaw change regarding youth membership, hear about our building expansion groundbreaking plans, and hear an update about our finances. Biographies of our nominees for Board and Nominating Committee will be circulated the week before the meeting. You can attend (and vote) either in person or on Zoom (just stay tuned to the usual worship link).

The Service Auction is Coming!

Sunday, May 21, promises to be a very eventful day at NUUC. We will be holding our NUUC Service Auction after church.. This year we will have a Live Auction and a Silent Auction online as well as activities for the younger set. The Rev Susan Ritchie is already planning those free hearty appetizers she will be preparing for your bidding enjoyment.

We need you to:

* Think of a service or item to donate

* Write a description on the Item Donation Form, which is available online at: https://forms.gle/GffgszKMK9ztaGrs8

Now, don't get discouraged about what you could donate. Our congregation is full to the brim with talented folks. If you need some help deciding what to donate, you may look online at some of the past catalogs for ideas:

https://auctria.events/NUUCauction

When you put your donation idea down - have a little fun with it. Use your imagination to describe the item/event, remember to tell us how many seats are available if it is a dinner, and of course, the value of the item.

The committee will sort the items into two categories: live and silent. And, in the coming weeks, you will be able to check out this year's catalog and plan your silent auction bidding.

We are looking forward to having a fun-filled event with lots of good food, a lot of laughter and of course, great bidding. Looking forward to seeing you at NUUC on May 21.

End of Life Workshop

Sunday March 26, at noon

Be kind to your family. When your time to exit this life arrives, will they calmly fulfill your wishes or scramble to make arrangements? Do you know….

How to evaluate the General Price List that funeral homes must give to all customers

Where you should store your will?

Which advance directives every adult person should have?

Who the state of Ohio designates as your legal next of kin?

(Maybe your eldest son is not a good fit for handling legal affairs)

What are the hazards of prepaid funerals?

Embalming is rarely required and can be refused?

These and other topics will be covered workshop will be led by Cathy Elkins and Alice Faryna from the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio.

You can attend in person, or on Zoom (just stay tuned to the usual worship link).

A note from Rev. Ritchie--I hope you will join me in attending this workshop. The Funeral Consumers Alliance has its origins in a Unitarian Universalist and Quaker effort to equip people to make end of life plans that are compassionate, equitable, and affordable. Nothing is more central to our mission as Unitarian Universalists, nothing is more practical for individuals and families. (P.S., no one is too young to not need this information!).

Let's Plan Some Picnics!

Melinda Rosenberg is looking for some help to plan monthly NUUC Picnics. Interested? Please find her in fellowship hall on Sunday, March 26, immediately after worship.

Story Sunday is May 7!

Come join us for Open Mic Story Sunday!

“The Story of Us”

Why do we tell stories? Who are we? How do we fit together? What is a story anyway?

For the purposes of story sunday, a story could be a poem, a song, a personal story, or a folk tale which lasts 4 minutes or less. We encourage original works, though anything you love sharing is welcome. Come share your favorite piece with our congregation. Please sign up in advance, and if time allows, we will accept walk-ins.

For more information contact beccamorse@gmail.com

A New Adult Enrichment Offering

Life has a way of rushing by. Sometimes we feel the need to pause or to reflect more deeply. Join me for a virtual half hour of mindful contemplation that is inclusive, non-judgmental and expectation free. I’ll bring a mix of poetry, music, breathwork, silence, or meditation to create a space for you to relax. Participants are muted. Feel free to turn your video off. Please engage in whatever way feels most meaningful to you. A Space for Reflection is freely offered the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm on Zoom. Registration is required (link here).

As for me, Karen McGuire, the facilitator, I’m a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, a retired educator, and a trained Interspiritual Companion who finds it necessary to stop every once in a while, and pay attention.

Volunteers Wanted to Host Coffee!

Coffee hour hosts arrive at 10:15 AM to begin the preliminary coffee set up and leave at some point after noon when folks have drifted away. Specific details for how to prepare, set up, and clean up from coffee are posted on the cabinets in the kitchen. All coffee and coffee related supplies are stocked an on hand in the kitchen. The coffee host has the option of supplementing the coffee service with snacks as desired. Click here to sign up.

Ways to Connect

Brown Bag Books

Brown Bag Books will meet at the church at noon on Tuesday.March 21. The group will be discussing Fiona Hill's book, There is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st Century.

Mindful Writing:

Mindful Writing will meet by Zoom on Monday, March 20, at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to share your original prose and poetry, or just to listen. Please contact Marty Keith if you're interested, and she'll send you the Zoom link. (martykeith@zoho.com)

Wednesday Noon Check In

Join us using the regular NUUC zoom connection at noon everyday Wednesday for informal check- ins and chat with your fellow members. Write revritchie@aol.com for a direct link.

Soul Matters Small Group

We currently have a Soul Matters Small Groups virtually meeting, for regular in depth check ins, and for exploring together different spiritual themes. New members are welcome at any time, write to revritchie@aol.com. NOTE: Teri Cornell's Soul Matters Group is now meeting the Third Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00pm.