The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Newsletter

December 2010

Page 2

December News and Events!

NEW!!! Ethical Eating Dicussion Course Led by our Commissioned Lay Leaders Allison Fagan and Teri Cornell. Tuesday evenings starting Jan. 11, for seven weeks (Feb. 22 last day of class). 7:00 PM, snacks and conversation; 7:30-9:00 PM, class. Sign up by Dec. 19 (by phoning the office at 740-657-8081, signing up on the sheet on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall,or by emailing RevRitchie@aol.com. $20 fee for course reader due first evening of class. . Course Goals: • To explore food systems and their impacts on culture, society and ecological systems. • To gain insight into agricultural and individual practices that promote personal and ecological well-being. • To consider your role in creating or supporting sustainable food systems. Topics Covered: 1. What's Eating America: Given the array of food choices and advice, eating in modern industrial society can be wrought with confusion, contradictions and anxiety. Session One considers the effects of modern industrial eating habits on culture, society and ecological systems. 2. Anonymous Food: Session Two traces the historical shift from family farms to industrial agriculture to present day questions surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMO) and industrial organics. The session examines the ecological and economic impacts that have accompanied the changes in how we grow and prepare food. 3. Farming for the Future: Session Three explores emerging food system alternatives, highlighting sustainable growing practices and the benefits of small farms and urban food production. The session considers how individuals can make choices that lead to a more sustainable food supply. 4. You Are What You Eat: Session Four explores food systems from a human health perspective. The session considers the influences that shape our choices and food policies from the fields to Capitol Hill, and the implications for our health and well-being. 5. Toward a Just Food System: The readings in Session Five examine issues of hunger, equity, and Fair Trade. The session considers the role that governments, communities and individuals can play in addressing these issues to create a more just food system. 6. Choices for Change: Individuals and communities are discovering the benefits of choosing local, seasonal and sustainably grown and produced foods. Session Six offers inspiration and practical advice in taking steps to create more sustainable food systems. 7. Discussion and Guest Speakers Delaware County Community Market The Delaware Country Community Market is a fascinating new venture in downtown Delaware. A non-profit market, you can shop there for groceries, handmade foods and other items, and household goods, and then direct 20% of the profits to your favorite non-profit. Yes, NUUC is on the list of nonprofits to choose from—we recently received our first check!) The market is open 7 days a week (10-6 weekdays and 10-4 weekends). More information at www.dccmc.com. The store is located at 222 East William Street. Poinsettias to Decorate the Sanctuary Our traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve service will be Friday, December 24 at 7:00pm (regular Sunday worship at 10:30am will occur on December 26 and January 2, with no Children’s RE those days). We will continue our tradition of decorating the sanctuary with donated poinsettias. Just bring in any Sunday between now and Christmas Eve. If you wish to dedicate your poinsettia to the memory of (or in honor of) someone special, please fill out a Dedication Form (see Greeters Table) and leave in Jeri Dill’s mail slot by Sunday, December 19. Or, you may e-mail your info to her at nuucjdill@aol.com or call her at 740-657-8081, ext. 1 no later than Tuesday, Dec. 21 to ensure your dedication will be noted at the Christmas Eve service. You are welcome to take your poinsettia home after the Christmas Eve service or upon your next visit to NUUC (please pick up by Sunday, Jan. 2 if possible). “Orientation to Our Congregation” March 20 Earlier this fall we recognized several new members of our congregation.  If you would like to learn more about UU or join the congregation, be sure to sign up for the next “Orientation to our Congregation” session Sunday, March 20 from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Rev. Susan Ritchie and a Membership Committee rep. will explain the denomination’s (and our congregation’s) history and the meaning of membership. Babysitter service available upon request. New and recently joined members will be recognized during service Sunday, March 27. If you would like to join the congregation on or prior to this day, let Rev. Ritchie know - RevRitchie@aol.com or 740-657-8081. Adult Education Classes Planned NUUC is pleased to offer the following Adult Education classes for the new year; watch for sign-up sheets on the bulletin board soon. Child care will be offered upon request. For questions concerning either offering, contact Rev. Susan Ritchie at 740-657-8081, ext. 2 or RevRitchie@aol.com Final Passages. Rev Ritchie offers a workshop on the specifically religious aspects of end of life arrangements. What range of choices are available regarding the handling of the body, funerals, and memorial services? How does theology inform those choices? What arrangements should you make in advance for yourself, or, how do you arrange appropriate services for a loved one? Sunday, February 20, 12-1:30 PM, Nielsen House (sign up by Sunday, Feb. 13). UU Theology. What and how do UUs believe about God, evil, human nature, the nature of truth, and just about everything else all packed into one workshop (we will schedule more follow up sessions if there is a demand)! Offered by Rev. Ritchie, Sunday, April 10, 12-1:30PM, Nielsen House (sign up by Sunday, April 3). Reminder: Renew your Kroger Plus Cards Thanks to all of you who have registered (or renewed) your Kroger Plus card with the Community Rewards program and designating NUUC as your recipient. Thank you! Individual participation must be renewed annually, so be sure you have updated your record. If you haven’t registered or need to update your participation: Go to http://www.kroger.com and select Kroger Community Rewards at the bottom of the page. You’ll need your account information or your Plus card number to complete the registration. It is a little cumbersome, but the sooner you do it the sooner your purchases start counting toward another nice donation from Kroger. (Should you need it, our NUUC Nonprofit Organization Number is 84869). Fair Trade Sale Dec. 12 The Social Action Committee will hold its monthly Fair Trade Sale after the service on Sunday,  December 12^th (held the second Sunday of every month).  Are you looking for stocking stuffers for the kids or gifts for those hard to buy for family members? Coffee, Tea and Chocolate make great gifts! Buy a bag of delicious dark chocolate minis for only $3 and split them between stockings or use as fillers in gift baskets. See Brandy or Paul Montgomery for more info (brandy.montgomery@gmail.com) New NUUC Covenant Groups Two of our three covenant groups (the Thursday evening and Saturday morning groups) still have room for new members. If you are interested participating in either of these covenant groups, just contact the group’s facilitator. So, what is a covenant group?  Covenant groups are small groups of 6-10 people that meet monthly and allow you to explore significant questions and to experience community through deep, intentional listening.  Covenant groups are not support groups.  Nor are they intended to solve people’s problems or to provide spiritual enlightenment.  In covenant groups, people get to know each other in a neighborly way, to feel in touch with each other's lives, and to provide a context in which to think about and talk through "the big questions."  Covenant groups provide a unique experience that differs from adult education, other groups, Sunday services, or anything else you do at church.  The groups are open to NUUC members, non-members, visitors, and friends. Covenant groups meet for 2 hours monthly, usually from October through June.  Each covenant group creates a covenant as a way they intend to be together.  Meetings have a discussion topic, follow a simple format, and are guided by a facilitator.  The format of the meetings helps participants set aside daily distractions, reflect on their lives and beliefs, and make meaningful connections with one another. Each meeting focuses on a different topic, which leads to reflection on the deeper issues of who we are and what gives our lives meaning.   All new topics are being covered this year. Here is specific information about each group: Wednesday Morning Covenant Group (closed to new members): l Meeting Day & Time: 3^rd Wed. of month at 10 AM – Noon l Meeting Location: Nielsen House l Next Meeting: December 15 l Facilitator: John Rodeheffer (740-369-9659, jrodeheffer@insight.rr.com) l Upcoming Topics: ♦ Play's the Thing (December 15) ♦ The Bucket List (January 19) ♦ Sorting Our Values (February 16) ♦ Ethical Wills (March 16) ♦ Stages of Faith (April 20) ♦ Where Would You Be Without UU? (May 18) ♦ (No June meeting scheduled) Thursday Evening Covenant Group (new members still welcome): l Meeting Day & Time: 2^nd Thur. evening of month at 7-9 PM l Meeting Location: Fellowship Hall or other locations l Next Meeting: December 9 l Facilitator: Bob Keith (740-369-1919, bobkeith@frontier.com) l Upcoming Topics (Months for topics not yet selected): ♦ Pure Joy ♦ Sorting Our Values ♦ What If God Was One of Us? ♦ The Bucket List ♦ Stages of Faith ♦ Play’s the Thing ♦ Where Would You Be Without UU? ♦ Ethical Wills Saturday Morning Covenant Group (new members still welcome): l Meeting Day & Time: Monthly on 1st Sat. at 10:30 AM l Meeting Location: Panera Bread, corner of State St. and Schrock Rd. in Westerville) l Next Meeting: December 4 l Facilitator: Dick Leavy (614-890-7319, rckleavy@sbcglobal.net) l Upcoming Topics: ♦ Finding Our Boundaries (Dec. 4) ♦ {additional topics to be discussed and decided upon for meetings through May, 2011-- to be announced in future newsletters} For additional information, pick up our new brochure about the Covenant Group program, which is located in the literature rack in the sanctuary. A description of each topic appears in the brochure. If you have general questions or other comments about covenant groups, please send a note to Rev. Susan Ritchie at RevRitchie@aol.com.

December Calendar Preview: (N) = Nielsen House (F) = Fellowship Hall (S) = Sanctuary December 4 10:30am – Covenant Group (Panera Bread) December 5 Social Action Committee (N) December 6 Deadline to submit Service Auction items December 9 7:00pm – Covenant Group (F) December 12 Loose Change Sunday Fair Trade Sale after service 11:30am – Service Auction (F) (sitter service extended to 12:45pm) December 14 Worship Committee Meeting December 15 10:00am – Covenant Group (N) December 18 9:00am – Board Meeting (F) December 19 Congregational Meeting for 2011 Budget after service (sitter service extended to 12:45pm) December 21 Noon - Brown Bag Books (Highbanks Park) January 2011 newsletter submissions due December 24 7:00pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight service December 25 Christmas Day December 31 New Year’s Eve Service Auction Set for Dec. 12 Our annual NUUC Service Auction will be held after church on December 12. E-mail Becca Morse with your contribution information no later than Monday, December 6 – beccamorse@gmail.com Some folks offer entertainment (formal or not so formal dinners, parties, beer tasting, game nights); some offer actual items (the Stavishs’ pumpkins, complete with names and personality profiles, were a hit last year); some offer services (yard work, rides to the airport); and some offer educational opportunities (learn to star gaze, quilt, knit, etc…) This is not only an important fund raiser for the church, but it provides some great excuses to get together for some social time! Bown Bag Book Group There will be two changes for the December 21 meeting of the Brown Bag Books group.  First, the book choice has been changed to The Death of Josseline:  Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands by Margaret Regan.  (Half Empty by David Rakoff will be moved to February because the waiting list at the library has been long.) The second change will be that we are going to try out a new format, "Walk and Talk"!   So, for December we’ll will meet at the Nature Center at Highbanks Metro Park off Rt. 23 at the usual time-- 12:00 PM--to take a walk and discuss The Death of Josseline.  You may want to get a bite to eat before the walk or bring a snack that you can eat while walking, as it might be difficult to walk, talk, AND eat!  In the event of inclement weather, we’ll will still meet at the Nature Center and discuss the book inside. The Death of Josseline:  Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands presents a series of intimate stories from immigrants, activists, human rights workers, and border patrol people.  Through their stories, the book explores the ethical, moral, and spiritual challenges presented by the complex immigration issues on the border, evoking our human response, rather than a political or policy debate.  Regan calls us to the religious act of bearing witness to brutality and despair along with extraordinary courage and commitment.  We are reading this book in response to a “common read” invitation we received from the UUA. For those of you who like to read ahead, upcoming books will be Little Bee:  A Novel by Chris Cleave for January, and Half Empty by David Rakoff for February.  Our small group continues to grow, and we are having lively discussions each month.  Won’t you join us (even if you just want to enjoy a pleasant December walk!) Remember, we meet the third Tuesday of the month at 12:00 noon. Happy reading! Ruth Rusk ruthrusk@midohio.net NUUC Has Gone “Green”! Thanks to the help of the Building and Grounds Committee, we now have the opportunity to recycle glass, plastic (#1 & #2), aluminum, and paper/cardboard.  Please look for the correct bins to place the items to be recycled.  They are located both in the kitchen and in Nielsen House.  While helping the planet, we may even be able to make money from recycling our pop cans!  Please contact Cathy Rodeheffer with any questions (614-370-5202). December Music Notes December is always a busy time for the choir as we celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, and Solstice. As always, the choir will be singing at the Christmas Eve service. Here’s a preview of what you can expect this month: December 5: The choir will sing a celebratory favorite: “Carol of the Bells.” December 12: “Inscription of Hope” uses a Russian folk melody. The words to this piece were found on a cellar wall in Germany, a place where Jews were hidden during the Holocaust. This piece is a powerful reminder of the power of hope and peace. December 19: Many people are familiar with Eric Satie’s “Gymnopedie” for piano. The choir will sing an arrangement with Christmas lyrics, creating a serene setting in this busy holiday season. At the Christmas Eve service, the NUUC Choir will reprise the holiday music we prepared for worship services this month. (Choir will meet for warm-ups at Nielsen House at 6:40pm.) December 26: A guest soloist will sing for us this week while the choir is taking a well-deserved break. Choir members, please note that we will break from December 26 through January 10 with regular rehearsals resuming on January 16. Musically yours, Marlene Hartzler, Music Director marlenemetz@yahoo.com NUUC Directory Updated in Nov. The Fall update to the NUUC Directory of Members and Friends was disseminated via e-mail in November. Sending out this information via e-mail is more cost-effective and allows us to make more timely updates. However, if you have no means to print out a copy of the directory or just wish to receive a paper copy, kindly let Jeri Dill know at nuucjdill@aol.com or 740-657-8081, ext. 1, noting whether you are able to pick it up at church (to save postage) or you need it mailed to you. Help us keep the directory information current--please notify Jeri if your address, phone, or e-mail information needs updating. Silent Auction Bake Sale a Success! The Silent Auction Bake Sale held on Sunday, Nov. 21 after the service was a big success. The sale netted $330.50, an increase of more than $42 over last year’s sale number. A big thank-you to all who baked and donated their delectable items, and to those who purchased them. (And a special note of appreciation to Jan Bourke and Teri Cornell for coordinating this year’s event!) “Women of Spirit” Program NUUC's women's group, “Women of Spirit,” continues a new program that might best be described as “Looking for the Feminine Soul.” The program consists of 10 sessions and meets every 6 weeks (session One began on June 27, but you can come whenever you like). Meetings are from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Nielsen House or another agreed-upon location whenever noted. We will be reading these novels: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker, and/or The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan. There also will be readings (provided) from The Dance of the Dissident Daughter (Sue Monk Kidd), The Goddess in the Gospels (Margaret Starbird), When God Was a Woman (Merlin Stone), Toward a New Psychology of Women (Dr. Jean Baker Miller), and the UU curriculum Rise Up and Call Her Name (Elizabeth Fisher). Men are welcome to attend meetings. They may be interested in “archetypes” or the bits of history that will be studied (see session six). Women and men: come to as many (or as few) sessions as you like. The remaining sessions: 5 (Dec. 12) Reflecting “The Great Goddess,” inside, out 6 (Jan. 23, '11) Inviting Men Into the Quest: What's In It For Them 7 (Mar. 6) Assessing the Hard Facts: What is Still at Stake, part 1 Abuse world wide, and why 8 (Apr. 17) Assessing, part 2 Book(s) discussion: The Temple of My Familiar, The Kitchen God's Wife, or other 9 (May 29) Backing Away from Power: Why is That? The importance of conflict 10 (July 10) Unlocking It Just what have we “locked up”? The “Water Blessing” Contact person: Marty Keith (740) 369-1919 or martykeith@verizon.net Go to: Page 1 Page 3 Page 4