THIS WEEK At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring October 5, 2017
Worship Services
Sunday, October 8: Voyages
Columbus Day is always fraught with the pain of remembering that encounters between Europeans and the native peoples of this hemisphere have included profound injustices. In 2017, confronting these tensions is as important as ever.
Sunday, October 15: The Next Sixty-Five Years
UUCSS is 65 years old! Come celebrate on October 15th, when we begin a year-long commemoration of the life of our church. Please join us at either service, where congregants will share memories and stories. We’ll have cake and punch between services, and anyone may Mark a Moment on our UUCSS historical timeline, to be displayed sometime this year. In coming worship services special speakers will spotlight the ministries that have shaped us. And look for photos and memorabilia displays all around!
In this time of congregational discernment, we can also celebrate all we’ve accomplished. Happy Birthday to us!
Religious Education
Hello hello!
Welcome to the new Religious Education school year! We are traveling back in time this year to learn about Unitarian Universalist history. This coincides perfectly with the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of UUCSS!
Registration: Still need to register for RE or OWL? No problem! Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QGJ59NF
Thank You Teachers! A big thank you for the service of our teachers this year! Thank you to Tina Terrill, Sandra Sackett, Laurie Mears, Dan Greenstein, Bobbi Pohl, Erica Anderson, Katie Kirk Haag, Colin Riggs, Robin Moore Laskey, Elise Turner, Jesse Webber, Brian Livelsberger, Andrea Waters, Emily Tien, Scott Sleek, Laura Ellis, Don Berkemeyer, Michelle Morrison, Phi T. Thach, Elissa Webber, Steve Webber, Jim Street and Alice-Ann Beachy!
2-3rd Grade RE Teacher Needed: We’re still looking for another teacher for our team! Email Catherine dre@uucss.org to volunteer.
Young Religious Unitarian Universalists
Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) is a group for youth in grades 10-12. All youth in these grades are welcome. We meet during the second service in the Fellowship House on church grounds (If there is only one service, check the RE board in the sanctuary building entrance to see if we are meeting; announcements will also be made in the church newsletter and Facebook group). Adult advisers and the RE assistant facilitate meetings. Email REAssistant@UUCSS.org for more details about this program or to add your youth’s email to the YRUU email list.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Please reach out to the DRE Catherine at dre@uucss.org
Events
Sp-UU-k-tacular Halloween Party
“BOO! Our Inaugural ‘Sp-UU-k-tacular Halloween Party’ is scheduled for 4-8pm on Sunday, October 29th! Come one, come all, if you dare. Activities will include bobbing for apples, a costume contest, fortune telling, mummy wrap, crafts, and more! But to make it work we need all warty or wolfy hands, claws, and tentacles on deck to throw a fabulously fun and freaky Halloween Party! Please go to Sp-UU-k- tacular Halloween Party! sign up to bring a potluck item AND a volunteer duty, or signup at the table at Coffee Hour. Please contact Michael LeBlanc at wayworth@yahoo.com, or Jeremy Holt at cjeremyholt@yahoo.com with questions you may have.”
The Church Auction is November 4, 2017!
Get Your Auction Raffle Tickets! As the November 4th UUCSS Auction approaches, you can increase your chances of getting a spot at an exciting event by buying raffle tickets at Coffee Hour! The deadline to sign up for ASL interpretation is October 14 and for childcare for the Auction is October 21. We also need more volunteers! Please email auction@uucss.org to sign up. More information is available at: https://uucss.org/auction/, or visit the Auction Table during Coffee Hour.
UUCSS 101 – Interested in joining UUCSS?
Come to this informational session to learn more about our church and ask questions. The next UUCSS 101 will be Sunday, Oct. 22, during Coffee Hour (about 10:30 am) in the Triangle Room, which is adjacent to the Community Hall across from the Sanctuary. All are welcome! You do not need to sign up in advance. Contact membershipchair@uucss.org with any questions.
Pathways to Membership Class – Two Opportunities this Fall
The Pathways to Membership class is the first formal step toward becoming a UUCSS member. It is a chance to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, UUCSS, and the benefits of membership. This fall the Membership Committee will offer the Pathways class on Saturday, October 21st from 9 am to noon and on Wednesday, November 1 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. You need only attend one of these classes. Pre-registration is required. You can register by sending an email to membershipchair@uucss.org. The Membership Committee will arrange ASL interpretation and child care if requested in advance.
Transition Team News
Rev. Keely is holding conversations with any and all UUCSS members who would like to share their experiences and perspectives regarding our history, this transition period, and our hopes for the future. You can meet with him individually (at church, or elsewhere) or at a small group “Cottage Party” hosted by a UUCSS member. Space is available at the following Cottage Parties, including a KID-FRIENDLY one on October 28:
DATE, TIME, & HOST(S)
10/7 (Sat) 12-2 pm hosted by Nancy Dougherty (Silver Spring 20901)
10/18 (Weds) 1-3 pm hosted by Marcia Joiner & Jimmy Schreiber (Silver Spring 20902)
10/28 (Sat) 3-5 pm hosted by Melissa Hampton (Silver Spring 20901) – KIDS WELCOME
The Transition Team will be at coffee hour on Sunday to sign people up for individual meetings and Cottage Parties. You can also sign up for a Cottage Party online at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084bafa623a4ff2-cottage
You’ll be hearing from the Transition Team on a regular basis as we work to support Rev. Keely. If you have any questions, please see us during coffee hour or email transition@uucss.org. You can also contact us by email to schedule an individual meeting with Rev. Keely.
Women’s Book Group
The Women’s Book Group has been in existence since 2000 and we welcome interested readers. No long-term obligation required. We meet on the fourth Monday of the month; contact dweiner04@gmail.com for more information. October 23rd’s book: One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus.
Men’s Book Group
We are reading Joseph Conrad’s Nostromo, ranked 47th on the list of 100 best English-language novels in the 20th century by the Modern Library. The next meeting will be held at the home of Craig Flaherty on Sunday, October 29 at 7 pm. All are welcome. If you are interested in joining the group, contact Richard Lorr (rlorr4@gmail.com), get the book, and come to the next meeting. Hope to see you there!
Opportunities!
Free Lumber!
You may have seen the stack of wood at the top of the stairs between the Sanctuary and the Community Hall that was removed when we put in the new carpet. It is available to you if you haul it away. If not, do you know someone that has a good use for it and can remove it? We would like it to go to a good home before we throw it away. Let Rob Dahlstrom know at aocchair@uucss.org.
The UUCSS Children’s Choir
The UUCSS Children’s Choir is just about to begin its second expanded year-round continuous program with performances during several services this church year. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, October 15th, between the two services. Weekly regular rehearsals will be led by Audrey Engdahl and Michael Holmes. We are seeking children from the ages of 5-11 who simply love to sing. No past experience is required. Please contact Michael Holmes at musicdirector@uucss.org or Audrey Engdahl at audreyengdahl@gmail.com to register or for more information and to obtain a sign-up form. There are also sign-up forms around the church, in the RE rooms and at the welcome desk.
There is a place for you in the UUCSS Sanctuary Singers!!
If you love music, love singing, and love community, come join the choir! The UUCSS Sanctuary Singers perform a diverse array of styles of music, including contemporary UU, classical, gospel, chant, jazz, and early music, normally two Sundays per month during the regular church year, with the summers off. Past choir and/or other musical experience is helpful but not required. Sight singing and ear training classes can be arranged with the music director to provide individual attention and assistance with the music. The choir is open to all generations. Rehearsals are Thursday nights 7:30pm- 9:30pm in the UUCSS sanctuary. For more information contact musicdirector@uucss.org.
Volunteer with the UUCSS RE Program!
Sages and seekers, wanderers and wonderers, RE is searching for volunteer teachers for the new school year! Please contact Catherine at dre@UUCSS.org.
The UUCSS RE program could not function without the help of many UUCSS community members who serve the program with their time and energy. There are a number of volunteer roles for people with varying amounts of RE experience and available time to give. Would you like to help with children’s worship once a month? Can you teach one of our 9:30 am RE classes two times per month? You can help provide spiritual nourishment for the youngest members of this faith community! Email dre@uucss.org for more information or to volunteer.
Announcements
Volunteer of the Month – Al Nathan
Al Nathan is the Volunteer of the Month for October. Al was a member of the Healing Task Force and is a member of the Diversity Team and the Racial Justice Task Force. Al had never heard of Unitarian-Universalism until he started dating Eli Briggs and heard about it from her. He started coming to UUCSS with her but it took awhile for him to warm up to it. He took Unitarian-Universalism into his heart four or five years ago when he joined the Diversity Team and began participating in a deep, honest, and loving exploration of our experiences of racism, sexism, and all forms of dehumanization along with the nurturing of our spiritual bonds with each other which inspired a vision of how we could be together as a church and as a human family. These experiences exposed to him a synergy between his professional experiences as a psychologist and psychoanalyst and what was happening at church.
While he found Rev. Liz’s sermons inspirational, he first realized on a deeper level what it meant to be ministered to when Rev. Leon came to UUCSS. It deepened his spiritual connection to UUCSS. Rev. Leon taught him to find the joy in doing racial justice work. Al will always be thankful for that lesson. Al believes that the heart of our UUCSS is our belief in the essential worth and dignity of every human being. He sees UUCSS now moving to work on interconnectedness. Al recommends that new members and friends seek out deep and serious relationships with other members of the our Beloved Community and do what they feel called to do to express their faith. Al believes that our relationships with one another deepen our spiritual connections.
Welcome the Uniters Back!
In case you haven’t heard, the Uniter is back in full force. The co-editors, Jane Larrick and Stephanie McConachie, welcome contributions from anyone who has a message or interesting news or updates. The newsletter is published monthly, with a deadline of the 20th of the preceding month. Some people received a form to fill out for submission, but we are not emphasizing use of the form any longer. Please send your submissions to uniter@uucss.org.
Daily spiritual practice? Have one? Want one? Curious?
If there is interest, I will work with our new DRE, Catherine, to lead a once-a-week 8 week “class” to help folks who want to establish a daily practice. Even apart from that, I would love to hear from those who already have a daily practice: what do you do, why do you do it, etc. Doneby Smith, donebys@gmail.com
Office Coverage While the Administrator is on Vacation
Melinda Yalom, our Administrator, will be away on vacation through October 9th, 2017. In order to keep the office functioning, she has set these plans in place for coverage while she’s away:
Church Calendar: Ken Iobst has agreed to take care of the UUCSS calendar. Anyone wanting to put something on (or take something off) the calendar should email Ken at logicalemail@uucss.org. He can also answer questions about what’s currently on the calendar. (His home phone is 301-315-6309.)
Church Database: Rob Dahlstrom (chair of the Administrative Operations Committee) has agreed to take care of any database changes or issues. You can reach him by emailing: aocchair@uucss.org. (His cell phone is 301-758-2598.)
Church Space Rentals: Any previously planned rentals will proceed as usual. Otherwise, please contact Melinda at administrator@uucss.org after October 9th for any new rental requests.
Property Issues: Anyone wanting to report a church property problem or concern should contact property@uucss.org. The Property Chair is Brian Beard. Contact him with any emergencies at 240-413-2388.
Financial Contributions to UUCSS
We appreciate your financial contributions to UUCSS and want to provide accurate records for you. To help us do this, please put “Auction,” “Capital Campaign,” or “2017-18 Pledge” in the memo line of your check. If you want to donate stock, please email collector@uucss.org for easy instructions on how to move the stock into the church’s Etrade account. Thank you!
Attention Planners of Church Events
The Green Sanctuary Committee, in conjunction with the Property Committee, and the Program Council, has posted helpful resources on the Green Sanctuary page of the UUCSS web site to ensure our events follow our values by being green! Click on https://uucss.org/green/ for guidelines on greening events, recycling, and composting. You just may learn something new!
Parking During Church Services & Events
In an effort to be as welcoming to visitors as possible, we encourage UUCSS members who are able to not park in the UUCSS lot for Sunday services or large events so that we can keep spots open for visitors. Good alternative parking spots include the side streets near UUCSS and the CHI lot just north of the church on New Hampshire Avenue. Thank you in advance for your help.
UUCSS Member Dropbox Link
In order to provide ready access to documents that help everyone stay engaged and informed about church matters, the UUCSS Board of Trustees created folders in Dropbox at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6m0pncsiskos8f4/AACRaDMaJy8kua–iMJ0zHRNa?dl=0
Click on the link, or copy/paste it into your browser, and it will take you to “UUCSS Member Dropbox”. There you can view minutes from board meetings, congregational meetings, and annual meetings, as well as copies of UUCSS constitution and policies, and other resources. New folders and documents will be added over time. Questions about the Dropbox may be sent to: boardsecretary@uucss.org. Emails to the Board of Trustees may be sent to: board@uucss.org.