Our Kids in June!

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Written by Ellie Andrews, RE teacher

In June, we focused on the first two principles: that each and every person is important and that all people should be treated fairly and kindly. We explored these principles with consensus decision-making activities, through stories about people who overcame oppression in society, and by practicing giving every person an equal turn trying things out, without unhelpful interruption or criticism. In the process, we’ve designed and started building a fort in the woods, planted blueberry bushes, done science experiments, acted out stories, and much more! It’s been a fabulous month of growth.

Pledge Drive Update (It’s Not Too Late!)

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As we approach the start of the new fiscal year (July 1), I’m pleased to report that we have received 28 pledge forms for a total of $35,923 ($37,593 with the Cake Walk). Many thanks to those who have pledged! For reference, last year we had 23 pledges for a total of $31,755. However, we now have 70 members and an annual budget of $52,919, so we’re still hoping for more pledges.

Pledges provide a reality check against our annual budget. The closer pledges are to that budget, the more confident committees can be that the money will be there when they need it (for example, to pay for building maintenance, child care or program expenses).

In the current economy in a college town, it can be hard to commit to a pledge. Who can predict their total giving through the coming year? No one likes to mislead or disappoint.

Fear not! While it’s true that the Treasurer is supposed to update you a few times a year about your contributions, nobody gets sent to collections for an unpaid pledge. The pledge system is a voluntary planning tool, and it’s confidential. It won’t hurt, I promise, and it definitely helps the fellowship.

We tried to complete the current pledge drive well before the start of the fiscal year, but pledges still help even a few weeks into the year. So if you haven’t pledged yet, please take a moment right now to find that pledge form we sent you. Or just click here to download and print a new one (second page). Don’t worry about precision. Just make your best guess about your total offerings through the coming year, write it down on the form, and mail it in (or fold it up and put it in the offering plate in an upcoming service). No need to include a payment!

And thanks, again, for participating in the life of the Fellowship.

July 2013 Services

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July 7 @ 10:30am
“Unitarian Universalist Mothers” by Barb Harrison
A follow up to the Unitarian Universalist Forefathers presentation, showing how crucial women were in the process of development of these two faith traditions.

July 14 @ 10:30am
“Building the Past” by William Beale
Back in February, we heard from some of our long-time members about the early days of the UUFA.  In today’s service, engineer William Beale will tell us more about the building itself and how it came to be.  Please join us for this trip down memory lane, and stay for the monthly potluck after service.

July 21 @ 10:30am
“Top Ten Reasons Liberal Religion Still Matters” by Rev. Don Rollins
Every once in a while it’s time to revisist liberal religion and it’s influence within, among and beyond. Rev. Don Rollins served as our minister in the late 1990s. Since then he has traveled the US serving UU churches from North Carolina to Oregon – and some in between.

July 28 @ 10:30am
“Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From Baseball” with Jessie Roberson
A lifelong avid sports fan, and in his younger days a well-coached and competent athlete (so says his wife–because Jessie is just too modest!), Jessie will mesh the important life lessons learned through baseball with the UU principles we hold so dear.  Please join us on this journey with Jessie–part exploration of philosophical ideals,  part nostalgia for the care-free days of youth, and a big part of immense gratitude to his sometimes stern but always kind and thoughtful coach.

What’s Coming from the Communications Committee

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We have some exciting things developing out of the Communications Committee. Here’s how we are starting.

uu road signsFirst – be on the lookout for UUFA Roadway Signs! We are in the process of ordering signs to mark the route from US 33 to the Fellowship. These signs are similar to those you have seen for other denominations but are UU specific. We have chosen this route for two reasons. One, it is often the primary route for those coming from outside the community. Secondly, any signs we want to post within city limits require an act of city council and this route is entirely within the county.

Second, we have selected a software system, called a Congregational Management System or CMS, for the Fellowship. In the past we have had a lot of problems maintaining our fellowship’s different membership lists, contact lists, pledges information. etc. A CMS will allow this to be stored in a single system and be easily available to the Executive Committee and other committee leaders – with information controlled by these persons roles in the Fellowshio. Our CMS is Elvanto and in addition to the features I’ve listed we can track committee membership, pastoral concerns, assist in programming, and financial features. Be on the lookout for any emails you get from Elvanto. We will be working to make sure all the information we have is 100% accurate and we will need your help.

Third. WiFi! Need I say more ? In July we will be working to have internet access provided to the fellowship and installing WiFi. We hope that this can help in services, meetings, and in attracting rentals to the fellowship. Stay tuned for more information.

What else is coming ? Well now that’s for another post.

Save Your Water!

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Don’t forget to save and bring back water from your summer travels for use in our annual Water Communion Service in September.

Travel safely and have a joyous summer!

OMD Leadership Training Opportunities!

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Are You Ready for Leadership School?
Hurry the deadline is fast approaching! UULTI – the UU Leadership Team Institute is back with 2 offerings this summer – UULTI by the Lake July 31-August 4 in Cananadagua, NY and UULTI on the Hudson August 14-18 in Stoney Brook, NY.

Youth can explore their leadership skills at Goldmine Youth Leadership School West, July 31-August 4 also in Canandagua, NY or Goldmine Youth Leadership School East, August 20-24 in Stoney Brook, NY. Details can be found at www.cerguua.org/uulti or www.cerguua.org/goldmine

Save the Date!
Are you a congregational leader? Take this opportunity to join other congregational leaders in the OMD at this year’s Leadership Day on October 26, 2013 at the UU Church of the North Hills in Pittsburgh, PA. Details and registration will be available on the OMD website in August, save the date today!

District Assembly 2014 will take place at the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center, Erie, PA March 28-29, 2014 with the Rev. Meg Barnhouse at the keynote speaker. Regionalization will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion. Put this date on your calendar, you won’t want to miss it!

Looking for Our Whole Lives Training?
CERG is offering Our Whole Lives Training at the West Shore UU Church in Rocky River, OH July 26-28, 2013. Participants must choose one of the three age groups – Elementary (k-1, 4-6), Jr/Sr High (7-9, 10-12) or Young Adult/Adult. Early bird deadline is July 2. Details available on the OMD website at www.ohiomeadville.org/omdevents/619-owloh

UUFA Special June Potluck and Farewell Party for Rev. Evan Young – Sunday , June 9th

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Please join us on Sunday June 9th just after service for a special potluck to honor Rev. Evan Young’s service to UUFA over the past 10 years. As many of you know, Rev. Young will be leaving UUFA at the end of June. We look forward to taking the time to pay special tribute to Evan and hope that you can join us. Bring a potluck dish as usual and stay for the celebration. Questions ? Please contact Laura Patton, Marsha Nagy or Barb Harrison.

UUFA Leadership Annual Retreat – Saturday June 8 – 2-7 pm

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It’s time again for the annual UUFA Leadership retreat. We are nearing the end of our fellowship year as of June 30 , 2013. Each year we strive to bring leaders together to reflect upon the year’s accomplishments and set plans in place for the coming year. All members are welcome to attend but we especially want to have representation from the leaders of UUFA. This year’s retreat is set for Saturday , June 8th from 2pm – 7pm at the fellowship. We’l break for a late afternoon meal so please bring a potluck dish to share.

For Questions please contact Barb Harrison – 740-707-6197 or harrisob@ohio.edu

Services for June 2013

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June 2 @ 10:30am
“Crime, Justice, and Reconciliation” with Don Shamblin, retired professor of criminology. We will examine competing philosophies and practices of justice, with special attention to reconciliation. Does justice always involve punishment? Can reconciliation substitute for punishment and still serve justice? Join us for this morning’s thought-provoking service!

June 9 @ 10:30am
“And Also With You”  by Rev. Evan Young
After ten years serving as UUFA’s minister, Rev. Evan Young is moving on. And this will be his last Sunday service here. Given the title above, it’s a safe bet that someone will say “Peace Be With You”; beyond that, we’re not exactly sure what’s going to happen. There will be music (including the UUFA Choir!), and laughter, maybe a few tears, and certainly some reflection on our time together. Join us–and stay after the service for our potluck and farewell celebration for Rev. Young!

June 16 @ 10:30am
“Celebrating our Unitarian Forefathers” by Pat Gordon
A look at the founding fathers of Unitarianism and Universalism in the United States from the Revolution to the Civil War. Various movements in each faith will be reviewed with those men who both expounded and criticized each.

June 23 @ 10:30am
“Summer Solstice Ritual: Offerings to the Sun”
We will celebrate the longest day of the year by sending our offerings to the sun on the day of greatest strength!

June 30 @ 10:30am
“GA Report” by Jackie Warmke and Pauline Urbahns
This year’s UUA General Assembly will be held in Louisville, KY from June 19-23 and “will explore the kinds of promises our religious communities are called to make as we seek to live out our Unitarian Universalist values; how we make these promises, with whom, and how we hold ourselves and each other accountable.” Join us for the impressions and insights gained by UUFA delegates Jackie Warmke and Pauline Urbahns.

Service: “Our UU Sources Through Song” on Sunday, May 26

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by Sonja Coble

We often talk about the UU Purposes and Principles – the interdependent web, the individual search for truth and meaning, etc. But what about the sources that inspire us? This Sunday we will remind ourselves of the six sources we draw upon by celebrating them through a wide variety of music and song.