Friday Waltz, Sunday Samhain

THIS SUNDAY October 27, 2019, Samhain Service:  Please join us this Sunday, October 27 at 11:00 am for our annual service where we remember our ancestors and loved ones who have passed on.  If you are inspired to bring a photo of your loved one to place on the Samhain tree please do so.  We will discuss the meaning of Samhain which is an ancient  Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the “darker half” of the year. Traditionally, it is celebrated from 31 October to 1 November, as the Celtic day began and ended at sunset. This is about halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. We hope you can join us. Coffee 10:30am, Service 11:00am. 184 Longview Heights Road, Athens, Ohio 45701

Saturday Nov. 2nd: UU Money Mythbusters Stewardship Conference in Erie, PA: 

• The fabulous Elizabeth Terry’s keynote will inspire and energize your stewardship team and other leaders
• Have lunch with folx from other congregations with similar roles
• Send members of your team to each of the helpful workshops:
  • training canvassers (for your stewardship team)
  • stewardship as part of the path to membership (for your membership team)
  • changing culture around money (for ministers and board members)
  • communicating about finances (for treasurers, bookkeepers and finance committee members)
• Hear stories of successful stewardship experiences from other congregational leaders of various-sized churches (>70, 120, 500+)
• Help us help you!

We’ve created a discount structure to make it easy to send a team. We’re hosting this in Erie, PA because of its central location for the western/northern part of our region. And we are offering a later start-time (10am) to give you more driving time in the morning. 😊  Registration is $35 per person, or $100 per congregational teams of 4 or more members. All participants must register, but only one person needs to pay for the team. See the registration form for details.  Register Now Deadline for registration is October 30, 2019. Childcare is available for $20 per child and must be requested by October 20th. Please indicate your need for childcare on the registration form.  Website: https://www.uua.org/central-east/events/region/money-mythbusters-stewardship-conference   In faith and service, Rev. Renée Ruchotzke (ruh-HUT-skee) |  Congregational Life Staff  |  Central East Region Phone/Text (330) 554-0828  |  rruchotzke@uua.org   | Zoom vitalleaders | Twitter @vitalleaders

On Friday evening Dr. Campt will present Connection Trumps Conflict, an interactive talk.  This is free and open to the public.  A suggested $20 donation at the door is welcome.  Saturday, we host an all-day workshop intensive, Dismantling Racism One Conversation at a Time.  The fee for the workshop is $65 which includes lunch and materials.  A sliding scale is offered.

We are encouraging social justice groups, faith-based organizations, educators, diversity workers and cross-cultural organizations to attend.  More info and registration can be found at www.uurjtf.org.

Even if you think you are too far to bring a group to the workshop, having a representative attend will give you the opportunity to explore what you might want to bring back to your congregation.  Attached is an information packet [UUFA Editor’s Note: the pdf is attached far below].  Please feel free to distribute the information as you are able.  We hope to see you in November.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Important links: Registration and information www.uurjtf.org
Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/383125495930329/

Deb Lemire, Co-chair 330-701-6887

In 2020, our nation will approach the 400th anniversary of the much-mythologized encounter at Plymouth between colonists and those native to the land, and our own General Assembly 2020, in Providence, RI, will speak to the truths that contradict the mythology. At the same time, movements in response to global and local environmental emergencies, many involving UUs, are increasingly recognizing the connection between Indigenous rights and climate justice. This Common Read invites UU congregations, communities, and individuals to learn the story of trauma and resilience that is the Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States.