OUR WINTER SOLSTICE SERVICE
Sunday 11am EST by Zoom
Please join us this Sunday, December 20th as we observe the Winter Solstice. We are moving from the darkest night of the year into welcoming the return of the light. We pause to consider the interdependent web of which we are a part. Within this web it is important to recognize that we have individual relationships with the sun, the earth, the moon and all living beings.
As we consider our relationships within the web, individuals will be asked to release, with gratitude for lessons learned, those things we have held during the darkness that no longer serve us. As we welcome the return of the light we’ll explore those things that we as individuals wish manifest in our lives. Please have on hand a pen, paper, a candle, matches and a container in which paper can be burned. We look forward to celebrating with you.
SUNDAY SERVICE Join by Phone: Use your phone to dial either 312 626 6799 or 646 876 9923. Then, when asked, enter meeting ID: 823 6539 7153 OR cut & paste this whole string of numbers, a couple commas, and an ending number symbol into your phone and it’ll dial all that automagically: +16468769923,,82365397153#
SUNDAY SERVICE Join via Zoom: If you’ve already download the Zoom app, then simply click on this link to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82365397153
“TIME OUT TUESDAYS”
Looking for some midweek “vespers” time with UUFA folks? Ready to do some reflecting and sharing? Join Rev. Don Rollins every other Tuesday, including this coming Tuesday, December 22nd at 7pm.
TIME OUT TUESDAYS Join by Phone: Use your phone to dial either 312 626 6799 or 646 876 9923. Then, when asked, enter meeting ID: 827 9379 7593 OR cut & paste this whole string of numbers, a couple commas, and an ending number symbol into your phone and it’ll dial all that automagically: +13017158592,,82793797593#
TIME OUT TUESDAYS Join via Zoom: If you’ve already download the Zoom app, then simply click on this link to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82793797593
HELP INDIVISIBLE APPALACHIAN OHIO (IAO)
MEET THE NEED TO FEED SOUTHEAST OHIO
Editor’s Note: Liz Shaw of IAO spoke to us in our fellowship building on Sunday morning, February 23rd, one of our last in-person services before the pandemic. Here is her update about hunger in SE Ohio and IAO’s plans to help.
Thousands of children were orphaned during the bomb raids of WWII, and many were left to starve. Some were rescued, placed in orphanages and given the best care possible; however, many of them could not sleep at night, fearful they would wake up homeless and hungry again. Someone gave each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. The bread reassured the children they would have food when morning came, and they drifted off to sleep.
There are children in our neighborhoods also unable to sleep for lack of food. This might be a new experience for them because the pandemic is ravaging their family’s financial security. Or, it might be a familiar feeling that has become worse as safety nets begin to unravel. Whatever the reasons that leave the refrigerator empty, Ohio is currently suffering some of the worst food insecurity in the nation.
The statistics are sobering. According to the Children’s Defense Fund Ohio, by the end of April 2020, more than one in five Ohio households surveyed said their children are not getting enough to eat – a rate three times higher than during the 2008 Recession. By November, the number had increased to one in four according to Feeding America. Relief agencies are struggling to keep up, and images on the evening news of endless cars in food distribution lines have become a daily occurrence.
Indivisible Appalachian Ohio began addressing food insecurity in our communities during the government shutdown in late 2018. Since then, we have helped to provide thousands of meals for our neighbors in need through our sponsorship of the SE Ohio Foodbank’s mobile food pantry as well as paid for processing of fair animals through our Pork to Pantry program.
The time has come for us to amplify our partnership with “the experts” to quickly get resources on the ground where they are needed most. To that end, IAO is launching Meet the Need to Feed SEOH, an “angel partnership” with the SE Ohio Foodbank. Due to funding often being restricted, the agency receives many calls for help that sometimes must wait. Our funds will fill these gaps by providing unrestricted resources to assist food pantries, sponsor mobile distributions, and direct services based on the SE Ohio Foodbank’s assessment of immediate needs.
Our pledge drive is now underway. While no gift of any size will be turned away, we are urging you to consider a monthly pledge for six months so the Foodbank can rely on these funds, knowing resources will be there tomorrow to provide that piece of bread to a hungry child!
Indivisible Appalachian Ohio is a 501(c)4 non-profit. Donations are not tax deductible.
Four Ways You Can Give:
- Make your check to Indivisible Appalachian Ohio. Indicate “Food Assistance” in the memo. Mail to: Betsy Haehl, 23 Euclid Dr., Athens, OH 45701.
- Set up a monthly pledge or make a one-time donation through PayPal. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Food Assistance.” http://j.mp/2VdzTrx
- Use Ohio University Credit Union’s Person to Person (P2P) option. E-mail indivappohio@gmail.com with your name as it appears on your checking account along with the amount you would like to pledge or give as a one-time gift. OUCU will email you easy instructions for making a secure online transfer of funds. (We never see your financial account information.)
- Give using Venmo. @Indivisible-AppalachianOhio
THE UUFA BOARD’S NEXT MEETING will be on Saturday, January 9th at 2pm via Zoom. All members are invited to attend. Contact a board member for Zoom login information.
THE UUFA PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE will meet Sunday, January 10th at 7pm via Zoom. All members are invited to attend. Future Sundays below, subject to change. Contact Wenda, Katie, Susan, Brian, or Barb for Zoom login info. Ideas most welcome. All information subject to change. Check our website or Facebook page for the latest information.
Dec. 24th – Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 27th – How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy – A UU response and discussion on the concepts in that 2019 book by Jenny O’Dell.
Jan. 3rd – TBD
Jan 10th – Rev. Don Rollins
Jan. 17th – Lois G. and Brian R.
HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR THIS GREENSHEET NEWSLETTER: Please email items to wendasheard@yahoo.com and put “Greensheet” in the subject line. New ideas, new columns, announcements, artwork, photographs, biographies, birthdays, anniversaries, and whatnot that you don’t mind being public are all welcome for possible inclusion in the Greensheet. Deadline for each week: Midnight Monday or before publication, whichever comes last. Thanks!