Tuesday: Our regular Tuesday UUFA Choir Rehearsal. 7pm. Newcomers welcome. Choir Director: Megan Cameron.
Friday: The UUFA Board will meet 7pm Friday, October 11th in the Ploghoft room of the fellowship building.
SUNDAY October 13, 2019:The Future is Now: Trends in Today’s Liberal Religion with Rev. Don Rollins & POTLUCK. That old blessing, “May you live in interesting times,” certainly applies these days. Don will lead us in a look at the realities and opportunities of twenty-first century liberal religion – what still works, and what doesn’t. Coffee 10:30am, Service 11:00am. POTLUCK at noon. 184 Longview Heights Road, Athens, Ohio 45701
This Sunday our CHILDREN will learn about the UUA’s Common Read program, which includes An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People adapted by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese (Beacon Press, 2019), and will share thoughts about Columbus Day. As usual, we’ll include time for the children to share extra love (our children’s version of Joys and Sorrows), and we’ll include craft time related to our lesson. New children welcome!
Fellowship News from our UUFA President Barb Harrison: October is here and I wanted to remind us all about our two meetings coming up this month. We will have both meeting in person for those who can make it and, if you need to join remotely, we’ll provide a zoom announcement for both meetings. These will come in separate emails for each. I look forward to our conversations and work together. Here are our two meetings for the month: (1.) October executive committee meeting – Friday, October 11th – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm UUFA / Zoom for those not able to attend in person. (2.) Mission and vision planning for UUFA – Friday, October 18th – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Please mark these on your calendar. Zoom meeting information is forthcoming.
UUFA Committee on Ministry: The committee met last Sunday and made plans for a new member ceremony in November. If you are interested in becoming a UUFA member, please contact one of the committee members: Marsha N., Jackie W., Robin B., and Wenda S. We would be happy to send you a copy of our membership covenant and bylaws. The next Committee on Ministry meeting will be Sunday, November 3rd at noon.
DATE CHANGE FOR THE WALTZ CLASS
We’ve had to change the date for the ballroom waltz class. it will now be held on Friday, October 25th at 6 p.m. at the fellowship, offered by Lois Gladchild. Though individuals will need to choose to either learn to lead or to follow, there will be no sex or gender assignments to those roles. You do not need to bring a partner. (We will work around the turnout that we have.) This is intended to be a light-hearted class with the goal of learning to joyfully move to music while communicating with your dance partner. It would be helpful to know about how many folks will be there, so if you’d RSVP to Lois via email at GLADCHILDL@gmail.com, it would be good, but not required. If you have questions, please contact Lois via email or telephone or speak with her at fellowship meetings. It’s best if your feet can slide on the floor. So please either wear leather soled shoes, or heavy socks.
The Common Read Selection Committee is pleased to announce that An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (Beacon Press, 2015) and An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People adapted by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese (Beacon Press, 2019) are the new Common Read.
In 2015, Beacon Press published an extraordinary book by Indigenous scholar and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz that challenged readers to learn US history through a narrative that centers the story, the experiences, and the perspectives of Indigenous peoples. In 2019, Beacon Press published an adaptation for young people by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese. Upending myths and misinformation that have been promulgated by leaders and media, it asks readers to reconsider the origin story of the United States taught to every US school child.
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.
From the UU Church of Akron’s Racial Justice Task Force:
On November 15 and 16 The UU Church of Akron’s Racial Justice Task Force will be hosting speaker and facilitator Dr. David Campt. Dr. Campt is the author of the White Ally Toolkit and former advisory board member for President Bill Clinton’s Initiative on Race. His unique approach to handling difficult conversations has provided opportunities for folks to navigate the current unprecedented polarization of ideology without compromising values.
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
FUTURE SUNDAYS – Subject to change—your ideas welcome. The next programming committee meeting is online via Zoom on Friday, November 8th at 6pm. All welcome to participate. To participate, download Zoom and ask us for the Zoom invitation in advance. – Katie, Brian, Susan & Wenda.
Sunday, October 20th: Andy Ray “Finding Your Rhythm in Times of Crisis.” For many years, Andy Ray chased balance, only to find it more fleeting the more he tried. After much thought and discussion with friends and some family members, he slowly came to realize some key pieces about balance. Like a bird in flight (and similar to playing a prayer bowl), balance requires awareness, sensitivity, and constant adjustment. While he worked on improving balance in the years that came, his family’s arrival to Athens almost two years ago put his life balance to the test. Andy will discuss why he lost his balance and the steps he took to regain it. Subtopics include: rhythm, nature, knowledge, sadness, support system, and eccentricity (“the happy outsider”).
Sunday, October 27th: Samhain with Roberta & Barb and the UUFA Choir
Sunday, November 3rd: delfin bautista
Sunday, November 10th: Rev. Don Rollins
Sunday, November 17th: Brian Richards on Love
Sunday, November 24th: Katie Evans on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Sunday, December 1st: Susan Westenbarger on Gratitude with Attitude
Sunday, December 8th: Rev. Don Rollins
Sunday, December 15th: Yule Service
Sunday, December 22nd: Nate Hayes
CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24th: Our special Christmas Eve service.
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, joys, sorrows, birthdays, anniversaries, and whatnot all welcome for possible inclusion in the Greensheet. Deadline for each week: Midnight Monday. Thanks!
[pdf-embedder url=”http://uuathensoh.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Campt-Press-Packet.pdf” title=”Campt Press Packet”]