The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Newsletter

October 2010

Page 4

Call to Action!

Refreshment Help Requested One NUUC tradition that carries on week to week is coffee, cookies, and conversation after services.  In an effort to share in the set up and clean up of this after-service treat, a monthly sign-up schedule has been designed. A very special thank you to all of you who have taken a turn at this task this year.. If you have not already done so, could you spare a bit of time some Sunday to help?  The process is easy--all you have to do is follow instructions that are already posted in the kitchen on where everything is and how to make coffee (if you don't know how). And then clean up after and put things back. Everything is provided for you.  (But, of course, if you want to try a new cookie recipe or have dessert left from a meeting or family function, you are more than welcome to share it!) This is the perfect opportunity to work as a couple, or grab a friend to help.  If everyone took a turn, no one would have to do it every week.  And it's fun!   We are currently scheduling through December—see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for available dates, or please contact Teri Cornell at tericornell@ymail.com or 614-891-5935.  Remember the “Share” Project Cold weather will soon be upon us…so please remember this project the next time you clean out your linen closet… If you have used (but stain-free) towels and washcloths that you would like to get rid of, please consider donating them to "Share” for their use in making sleeping bags for the homeless.  (Other items that are needed are fabric, blankets, and men's ties.) Donation is easy—just give to Lynn Foreman at service any Sunday morning. (If you can’t find her, you may leave the items on Jeri’s desk in the center office off Fellowship Hall with a note marked “for Share project.”) “Share” has also sent out an appeal for help with toiletry and personal care items. Especially needed are: new or gently used washcloths/towels; toothbrushes; toothpaste; deodorant; safety pins; sewing kits (Dollar Tree has great name brand health items!) Place items in labeled box on desk in Fellowship Hall. See bulletin board for complete list of items. For more information about either of the above projects, www.Shareyourbest.us or contact NUUC Coordinator Lynn Foreman sbgmacb@hotmail.com or 740-513-4876. 2nd Annual Cause Fair Set for Oct. 31 Your Social Action Committee knows how we, as Unitarian Universalists, love to be involved and contribute! Accordingly, the SA Committee will sponsor its second annual “Cause Fair” on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 11:45am – 1:00pm. Do you have a cause or passion you want others to know about? There are many wonderful causes out there of which we may not be aware or may not have had the opportunity to contact. Tables will be available for the groups and will be set up in Fellowship Hall. If you have a favorite passion or know a cause that would love to share their mission with us, please contact Lyn Herron (ohiolyn@aol.com or 614-519-5378). Let's work together to make this a better world in which to live!" CROP Hunger Walk Slated for Oct. 3 Each year your Social Action Committee participates in the Delaware County CROP Hunger Walk. This year the Walk is on Sunday, October 3. Our Walk is sponsored by the Delaware Ministerial Association and supports Church World Service hunger programs. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. We’ll be joined by walkers in CROP Walks in some 2,000 communities across the country. We walk to raise awareness of the problem of hunger, and provide funds for immediate relief and long-term developmental assistance, both abroad and in our own country. 25% of funds raised go to local food banks, pantries, etc. In our case, 25% goes to PIN (People In Need), which operates a food pantry and a holiday clearing house (providing food, gifts, clothing, etc.), and provides emergency housing and emergency medical and other services, for people in Delaware county. PIN is a member of the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. The point of walking is to be in solidarity with hungry people in developing countries who walk as much as six miles a day for fuel, water, and food. CROP Walkers can choose either a six-mile or a one-mile route. It is a tragic fact that worldwide more than one in seven people are hungry – and as many as half of them are children. Whether you are a CROP Walker or a donor, you help end the curse of hunger at home and abroad by supporting the vital work of Church World Service. To sign up as a CROP Walker: See Tom MacLaughlin (740-201-5724) tjmaclaughlin@columbus.rr.com He has envelopes which contain all the information you need. To learn more: go to www.churchworldservice.org, or www.cropwalk.org. NUUC Bumper Stickers The Communications Committee still has some of the new NUUC bumper stickers. Our “Many beliefs. One faith” stickers are an eye-catching bright yellow with black print and are available for purchase for just $4.00. See the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall to get yours. For more information, contact Kristin Grimshaw at 614-840-1950 or grimshaw@wowway.com.

Update on House Bill 176 HOUSE BILL 176--Where has it gone? Nowhere! True to form, Senator Bill Harris did not assign a senate number to HB 176 before the senators went on their summer break. Not much can be done until the Senate reconvenes in November. However, there are a few things you can do as individuals. It can’t hurt to write another letter or place another phone call to your senator asking them and Bill Harris to bring HB 176 to the Senate floor once they reconvene in November (and don‘t forget to thank your senators who are in favor of passing the bill). Go to the website www.ohiosenate.gov to get information about your senator. The NUUC Social Action Committee has been in close contact with Equity Ohio concerning the passage of HB 176. The group was very thankful for our letter-writing campaign. In fact, they were so impressed with our organized campaign that they asked if they could use the material in a letter-writing workshop they held. Our thanks to NUUC members Martha Filipic, Marty Keith, Jeanne Casanova, and Connie Grossman for providing the great resources used in our letter-writing campaign. Equity Ohio also has a form letter on their web site which you can sign. Their website is www.equalityohio.org. Our support for getting HB 176 to the Senate floor doesn’t end with our letters. A number of members from our congregation attended Equality Ohio’s Lobby Day in May, and I am happy to report that Unitarian Universalists were well-represented that day. Members from Akron’s UU, Kent’s UU, Columbus First Church, North UU, Wayne County’s UU and a few other churches were there in force! Once the Senate reconvenes in November we will continue to work with Equality Ohio on getting HB 176 to the Senate floor. For more information, contact any member of your NUUC Social Action Committee or Equality Ohio. Tracy Steinbrenner, Chair tracystein@att.net Open Invitation from Social Action Committee The NUUC Social Action Committee typically meets the first Sunday of the month, after service, in Nielsen House. For more information please feel free to attend a committee meeting or talk to any member of your Social Action Committee. The October and November meetings may be consolidated into one mid-month meeting later in October due to important social action activities on the usual first Sunday meeting dates (CROP Walk on Oct. 3 and Empty Bowls soup fundraiser on Nov. 7). Contact Chair Tracy Steinbrenner at tracystein@att.net for questions and to learn of the next meeting date.  Won’t you join us? Empty Bowls on Nov. 7 I have to say the “Empty Bowls” soup fundraiser (scheduled for Sunday, November 7 from 11:30am-12:30pm) is one of my favorite events at North Unitarian Universalist Congregation . I love the time of year, the delicious soups, and the great sense of community the event brings. It is one of those events were we get to make and eat great soups, support our local Food Banks, and spend time talking with our friends. As in years past, our NUUC youth have joined with others in the community and made bowls for the event. For a requested $10.00 donation, you get to choose and keep one of the many unique bowls specially made for this event, filled with all the hot soup (plus bread) you can eat. We will need volunteers to help set up for the event, make one gallon of soup, and/or clean up (and of course, EAT the soup!) Please look for the sign-up sheet to be posted soon in Fellowship Hall. For more information, please contact me (Tracy Steinbrenner) or any member of your Social Action Committee. Loose Change Project Update Your Social Action Committee will continue its “Loose Change” project in 2010 by collecting your loose coins during the worship service on Sunday, October 10, as it has on the second Sunday of each month throughout the past year. September's Loose Change was earmarked for the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE).  The Ohio Meadville District was selected to participate in a project designed to provide support for congregations within our district which are committed to caring for the earth, deepening understanding of our seventh principle, and working to build a more just and sustainable earth. The funds will go towards a Challenge Grant the UUMFE has received from the UU Funding Program. To receive the funding the UUMFE must raise at least $500 from individuals and congregations within the district.  We were advised that if we raised over $100, our congregation could become a member of UUMFE. I am happy to report we raised $111.70. October's Loose Change will go to CROP WALK (scheduled for Sunday October 3).  Tom MacLauglin  is organizing our congregation this year.  (See the CROP Walk article elsewhere in this month’s newsletter for more information). Additional deserving recipients for 2010 Loose Change collections are always under discussion. For questions regarding the “Loose Change” project or to suggest a recipient, contact Chair Tracy Steinbrenner at tracystein@att.net or any member of your Social Action Committee. 2010 Loose Change Collection Recap Month Collected $ Amount Donated to: Total January $112.25 Delaware Co. People In Need February $114.72 “ “ $226.97 March $ 92.47 UUSC/UUA Joint Relief April $106.70 Effort—Haiti $199.17 May $ 99.28 Heifer Int’l. June $ 75.00 Heifer Int’l. $174.28 July $ 98.32 Delaware Co. Juvenile Probation August $194.33 Department $292.65 September $111.70 UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) $111.70 Go to: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3