January 2023

Upcoming Worships
Make a Donation Here

From Your Board of Trustees: Report on December meeting


Minutes from the Nov. 2 meeting were approved. 


Approved board meeting minutes will be made available on the website with password protection shortly after the board meeting.


Minutes from the Congregational meeting were discussed and must be approved at the next Congregational meeting.


The treasurer suggested having a 2 to 3-month reserve in the bank. We currently operate with just a 1-month reserve.


Rev. Ritchie reported the contractor gave the Building Committee a guaranteed maximum price for the building expansion. Susan and Lyn will review the costs more closely this week. There will be a small committee to look at the soft costs; some items have already been paid and a few others might be able to be reduced. Once this is done, the building committee will bring a report to the board. Due to the timeliness, the board has moved the board meeting up to January 8. Anticipating board approval, a congregational meeting has been set for Jan. 15 where the proposal will be presented to the congregation.


The proposal for the kitchen update came back over budget again. The Building Committee will bid the job out elsewhere.


We have had good applications for the Administrative Assistant. We should have news on that soon.


We have reviewed the compensation data for NUUC staff and have decided to make this part of the budget for the next fiscal year and will discuss it at the April board meeting.


The board discussed masks at length. Masks will continue to be optional during service. We are a mask-friendly congregation. If you want to wear a mask, please do. The board will continue to monitor the situation and will consult with medical professionals.

Congregational Meeting Called for Jan 15


From Your Board of Trustees: Congregational Meeting Called for January 15, 2023, immediately following worship


Please join us immediately after worship (11:30 AM) for a congregational meeting on Jan. 15, 2023. The final cost numbers are in from our contractor! We'll hear a full report and take a vote to proceed with our Building Expansion Project. Join us in person or on Zoom (use the regular worship link).

SOCIAL GATHERINGS



New to NUUC: An Invitation To Gather


Rev. Susan Ritchie and member Roger Johnson are planning a social gathering in the second week of January 2023 for folks new to NUUC, whether new members, or visitors who would like to get to know us better. New members will receive a personal invitation, but if you are a visitor who would like to join, we'd love to spend some time with you. Just reach out to minister@nuuc.org for the specifics.


Chili Cook Off


When: Sunday January 29, 2023

Where: Fellowship Hall after church 

What: Make your favorite chili recipe and bring it to church, preferably in a crock pot of similar for reheating at church 

Plan: Each batch of chili will have a container next to it to put a donation in for your favorite chili. Person with the most $$$$ in their container wins a prize (all funds to go to NUUC). Having a warm chili lunch, and conversation on a winter day makes us all winners! 

Sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall and online, click here. 

Be there or Be square!  

Spirit of Life New Adult Enrichment Class Feb. 5-28, 2023


Join Intern minister Jacquie Zarley for a four-week adult education class (with weekly sessions online or in person) offering space, time, and community to explore Unitarian Universalist spirituality. Each session focuses on a different aspect of the spiritual life, framed by the lyrics of Carolyn McDade’s song “Spirit of Life.” Like the song, this class is designed to be welcoming to Unitarian Universalists of many spiritual and theological persuasions. Participants are invited to claim an inclusive definition of spirituality and recognize the spiritual aspects of their lives. Reflecting, speaking, and listening are core activities in each session.


Participants will:


  • Become familiar with a broad and inclusive definition of spirituality—one that includes those who do and do not affirm the existence of spirit or deity

  • Evaluate their experiences of the spiritual during turning points in their lives and during day-to-day living

  • Learn methods for being attentive to their spirituality

  • Consider the value of spiritual practice, in any variety of forms, as a means to deepen faith and enhance the quality of everyday living

  • Participate in the spiritual practices of speaking and listening with respect

  • Explore a vocabulary of reverence drawn from the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the

  • Living Tradition and its supplement, Singing the Journey

  • Articulate thoughts, feelings, and longings in authentic ways, and develop their understanding of the spiritually healing value of such authenticity

  • Explore possibilities for deepening experiences of spirituality for themselves and for others in the context of their Unitarian Universalist congregation


In person sessions weekly beginning Sunday Feb. 5 at 12:00 pm

Online sessions weekly beginning Tuesday Feb. 7 at 7:00 pm

Sessions last one hour


Please sign up in person on bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or online, using this link.  



Call for Nominations for NUUC Board


It’s the time of year when it’s common to reflect on renewing our commitment to what’s important in our lives. Is NUUC on that list for you?


At the March annual meeting, the congregation will be asked to elect two members to the Board of Trustees. These new members will join Donna Rhodeback, Glen Waring, Leah McCoy and Ted Hicks who will be continuing their three-year terms. The board meets monthly to lead the congregation toward its mission, vision and goals. At times, a few hours of “homework” is needed between meetings. 

Effective board members are those who are willing to listen and participate in the group process, who have analytical skills, and who have the ability to work effectively on a team. 


Congregation members interested in taking on a leadership position or who just want to learn more may contact any Nominating Committee member: Morgan Patten (morgan.patten@gmail.com), Debbie Shaw (debbieshaw18@gmail.com), Roger Johnson (jrogerj@aol.com) or Martha Filipic (marthafilipic@gmail.com). We’ll also be looking for two new members of the Nominating Committee, as well. 


Consider taking part to make NUUC all that it can be. 


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 


Dear Readers, 


The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17, at noon at church. Upcoming books will be as follows:


January  Jack by Marilynne Robinson

February On the March: A Novel of the Women's March on Washington by Trudy Krisher

March   There is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st Century by Fiona Hill

April     Dark and Stormy: Unitarian Theology in Gothic and Ghostly Literature 1789-1912 by Susan J. Ritchie


Happy Reading! Hope to see you soon!

Ruth


Mindful Writing:  Mindful Writing: Bring your short prose and your poetry to share! All are welcome. Monday, January 16, 7:00, via Zoom. Please contact Marty Keith if you are interested so she can 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 Groups

We currently have three different 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

End of Year Appeal


Dear NUUC Member or Friend,


We hope this finds you well in this season, this fascinating, liminal time where we move through the holidays and onwards to a new year. It is natural this time of year that we both look backwards in nostalgia, and towards the uncertain future. So it is as well with our life as a congregation. We are poised on a threshold and navigating an in-between time. This past year we have done a great deal to rebuild the programs and structures of our congregation from pre-pandemic times and make our offerings available in both in person and virtual formats, even as we realize more than ever that the future will poise new challenges. For this reason, we would like to ask your help this season in these ways:


If you are a pledging member, would you consider catching up on your pledge? And if you are able, would you consider a small holiday gift in addition to what you already do? You can make on online gift here, or mail a check to NUUC, PO Box 541, Lewis Center OH 43035.


If you are a member or friend who is not pledging, would you consider making a pledge? You can indicate your planned commitment either by signing up to make a recurring online pledge here (our preference) or by filling out this form.


If you are a friend who is not a member, or if you are a member of another church, but you have been participating in our classes, small groups, or worships, would you consider making a onetime gift so that we can continue to make these offerings available in a sustainable way? You can make that gift online here, or by mailing a check to check to NUUC, PO Box 541, Lewis Center OH 43035.


May you have a blessed New Year,


Your friends at NUUC  


January Religious Exploration for Children


The theme of the month is Finding Our Center


Jan.1: No RE class. Miss Holly will provide child care during the service


Jan 8: A Center that Evolves: Our Changing and Ever-Growing Principles

For this lesson, we explore the changing landscape of our Principles and Sources, and how UU’s everywhere have been invited to share ideas about what values are at the center of our faith. This is an opportunity to talk about how "our center" as a faith is something that changes over time rather than being something that is fixed and forever. Since life changes, so do our passions and commitments. We offer classic games with a circle and a center. Story: Because by Mo Williams


Jan 15: Putting Racial Justice at the Center

In this lesson we explore decentering whiteness and putting racial justice at the center of our faith, our lives and our world. We explore the meaning of equality and equity and emphasize that justice work is hard work. It is challenging and complicated but we work to reflect and understand it in order so all may journey to wholeness. Story: Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi (Author), Ashley Lukashevsky (Illustrator)


Jan 22: Making Choices to Find Your Center

In this lesson we explore the importance of choosing certain directions in life in order to find your center and live the values that are at the center of your being.   Story: Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty (Author), David Roberts (Illustrator)


Jan 29: Keep Your Balance to Find Your Center

In this lesson we explore “finding your center” through balance. When we are off-balance, we can be lost and confused, whether it's from spinning around, or not hearing our inner voice. When we find our center, we are balanced and are able to face hard times with calm and courage and know what we need to do to make the world a better place.  Story: I am Whole by Shola Oz