THIS WEEK At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring October 26, 2017
Worship Services
Sunday, October 29: Spirit and Gifts
THIS Sunday, October 29, 2017, our Interim Minister, Rev. Evan Keely, will lead a service entitled: “Spirit and Gifts” at 9:30am & 11:30am. Martin Luther’s presentation of his 95 Theses at the end of October 1517 is traditionally understood as the dawn of the Protestant Reformation. Five hundred years later, what have we learned, and what might the future hold?
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!
The Auction Catalog is Now Available! The catalog is posted online. Print it out, or better yet download it to your tablet or smartphone to be green! A limited number of printed catalogs will be provided. 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! We 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.
Pathways to Membership Class
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 Wednesday, November 1 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. 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
In the past two months, more than 70 people have attended cottage parties to share their perspectives about the past, present, and future of UUCSS with Rev. Keeley. Many thanks to the hosts and to all who attended. The cottage parties are winding down, but Rev. Keeley will meet with people individually through early December. Stop by the Transition Team table at Coffee Hour on Sunday or email transition@uucss.org to schedule a time to have a rich conversation with our interim minister.
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. November 27th’s book is Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. We will not meet in December but will be reading A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin for our January 22, 2018 gathering.
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!
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
SOME Donations due Sunday, November 5
Hello, Church Family:
As most of you know, UUCSS donates food and other items to So Others Might Eat (SOME) monthly, usually on the first Sunday of the month. Our next donation is due Nov 5.
- The current food wish list is:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Canned fruit (in their own juice or water)
- Canned vegetables (low sodium)
- Whole grains (Quinoa, brown rice, farro)
- Pasta (Whole wheat pastas and couscous)
- Low sugar cereal and oatmeal
- Healthy snacks
- Nuts
- Oils and vinegars
- Canned or frozen turkey, chicken, salmon
SOME cannot accept any opened food products or products with expired dates. SOME also collects clothing (especially men’s clothing), household items, and baby items. See this link for more information.
In addition, for the holiday season, SOME is collecting Shoebox Gifts. Shoebox gifts are shoeboxes decorated for the holidays and brimming with gifts and essential items for homeless or poor children, women and men. They are particularly in need of shoebox gifts for men and women. Your gift boxes will be given out or delivered over the holidays to all who come to SOME for meals and services and to those who are residents in SOME’s housing. More information about shoebox gifts is here. They may be included in your SOME donation at UUCSS either November 5 or December 3.
Please place your donations in the Sanctuary kitchen by the end of the second service, clearly marked for SOME. Thank you for helping our neighbors in need.
Olivia Pickett
Daytime Inreach Group
Are you new to the Church and wanting to get acquainted with other UUCSSers in a small group setting? If so, the Daytime Inreach Group has a few openings. If you’re free on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, you might give us a try. Contact Bev McGaughy, coordinator, for details email: bnbmcgaughy@verizon.net.
Daily Spiritual Practice Group
About 20 people responded, so we WILL be having an experiential class on establishing a daily spiritual practice! We need a 8 week stretch, so it looks like we will start mid-January. I will send out a Doodle poll in December to find a time that works best for the most people. If you expressed interest but don’t get the poll by Christmas, please let me know. I am excited that there is this level of interest. Stay tuned! –Doneby Smith at Donebys@gmail.com.
Workshop on How to Plan Green Events at UUCSS and Your Home
If you plan events at UUCSS or hold events in your home, you are invited to attend a 30-minute workshop on Sunday, November 12. The Workship will begin 15 minutes after the 9:30 a.m. service ends.
Participants will learn the following:
- How to plan an event to ensure minimal waste
- How to properly dispose of waste
- Where to access and/or buy Earth-friendly products
- Menu planning to suite all dietary needs
- Questions to ask caterers to ensure they engage in eco-friendly practices
- Eco-friendly décor AND MORE!
Presented by former green event producer and UUCSS member Lori Hill. Questions? Contact Lori at lori@sistereden.com
Styrofoam/Polysytyrene Recycling
Once again the Green Sanctuary Committee is sponsoring a styrofoam/polystyrene recycling collection on Nov. 12. What is styrofoam? It is expanded (not extruded) polystyrene foam, such as disposable coffee cups, plates and bowls, clamshell containers, coolers, or cushioning material in packaging, which is typically white and is made of expanded polystyrene beads. It may be marked with the recycling symbol 6. Styrofoam itself is a brand name, and similar items made by different companies are properly referred to as polystyrene.
Please bring your clean items on Nov. 12 and deposit them in the collection container in the Community Hall. For more information, contact Lori Hill at lori@sistereden.com.
Local Theater Production
Steve Leete will play the part of Roscoe in a production of “Follies”. Full information and tickets are available at the Music and Drama club web site. Performances are Oct 27 – Nov 11, 2017 in Greenbelt, MD.
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.
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.