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October Theme: Death



I love this time of year! I share the sentiment expressed by Anne Shirley (in the Anne of Green Gables novels of L.M. Montgomery): "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." Happy autumn to you!

Practice of the Week: Dream Big Dreams 

"If you truly open to this question - What are the dreams that matter to me? - you'll hear your soul speaking - your essence, your core, your deepest inner wisdom. It's worth listening to what it says." READ MORE...

Upcoming: Animal Blessing: Sun Nov 2

Rev. LoraKim Joyner will be leading this Multi-Generational Animal Blessing service. You're invited to bring your critter to the service -- or a photo or memento to place on the altar.

Saturday Zen: Oct 18 

Zen practice at the Parsonage. 10:00 - 11:45a on Sat Oct 18. Come around to back door. New to meditation? Come 10 minutes early for a brief orientation. READ MORE...

For those who may be interested, I've compiled a "spiritual autobiography," now available: CLICK HERE.

Excelsior!
-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
Worship Oct 19, 10:00: Gratitude and Its Expression 

Rev. Meredith Garmon

Gratitude is the most basic of spiritual practices and the foundation upon which spiritual development is possible. Why? And what if the people for whom we're grateful never know it?

Sunday's Music: UU Singer/Songwriter/Composer Jim Scott will be with us. More on this Sunday's music: CLICK HERE.
10:00 - Prelude by Jim Scott
10:10 - Inviting the bell & gathering song

Worship Oct 26, 10:00: Dia de los Muertos 

Rev. Meredith Garmon

Halloween -- the eve of All Hallow's Day, a.k.a. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) -- approaches. Dia de los Muertos is a time for remembering friends and family members who have died. We'll have a special service of remembrance.

 



On Sun Oct 19: Children in grades K-4 begin in Fellowship Hall at 10:00 for a musical worship with Music Director Adam Kent. Experience music created by Unitarian Universalists and the feelings the music evokes that relate to our values. At 10:25 the children head to their classes.

5th-6th graders and their parents begin in Rm 21 at 10:00 for the Our Whole Lives Parent-Child Orientation.

7th-8th graders begin in Rm 41 at 10:00 for the Judaism Introduction Part II before a trip to a synagogue next weekend.

9th grade Coming of Age begins in Rm 11 at 10:00 and will then head to Fellowship Hall at 10:30 for a session on Music & Spirituality with Music Director Adam Kent.

Youth Group will be having a Journey Group on this month's theme of death with facilitator Jeff Tomlinson, then planning upcoming activities.

Each RE class will put together a THEMED BASKET of GREAT STUFF to be auctioned off at this year's CUC Community Auction. Every child in the RE program can help by bringing in one or two new items to donate to their joint class basket. To see the theme and suggested items for each class to donate, CLICK HERE. Please bring in your items by November 2 and look for the collection basket by the RE front door. THANKS for helping to make this year's auction a success!!

Families are invited to light the chalice on Sundays when the children and youth are in the sanctuary. To sign up your family for a date, CLICK HERE.

Wellness Workshop on Thu Oct 23 at 7:00pm with Certified Holistic Health Coach Jaime Stemkowski. For more information CLICK HERE.

Yours in the faith we share,
-Perry
Perry Montrose
Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development
Links & Reminders

Hymnal Supplement coming. In November, we'll have copies of Singing the Living Tradition, and a chance to dedicate each one. About this supplement: CLICK HERE.

Journey Groups. Exploration of the "big issues" in a small group is a powerful way to engender spiritual development. Not sure if you're in a Journey Group? See if your name is listed: CLICK HERE. If your name isn't there, then sign-up on-line: CLICK HERE. To prepare for your Journey Group, read the Monthly Theme Packet. The October Packet: As a blog post, CLICK HERE. As a PDF (better for printing out), CLICK HERE.

"What's In a Name?" Committee is coordinating a discussion about what we think the name of our congregation should be. READ MORE...

Our Child/Youth R.E. Classes Descriptions of each of our eight R.E. classes meeting on Sunday mornings: CLICK HERE.

Musicians wanted for Brief and Rewarding Gig. We are searching for musicians - of all skills - to contribute a song or two to each of our Children's Worship services this year. You can help on a regular basis, or just one time at your convenience. You can select the music yourself, or let us suggest something. You'll even make it back to the sanctuary in time for the sermon. Please consider sharing your gift with us! READ MORE...

The UUA Common Read for 2014-15 is: Paul Rasor, Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square.  Order your copy! READ MORE...

General Assembly 2015 is in Portland, OR -- Jun 24-28. GA is amazing fun, enriching, deepening, and transformative! We encourage all CUC members to begin planning now to attend.

The web site for Community Unitarian Church: CLICK HERE.
October Monthly Theme Packet, "Death": CLICK HERE.
October issue of The Communitarian: CLICK HERE.

New this week from The Liberal Pulpit (click on title):

 - Making Friends with Death 4

 - Making Friends with Death 3

 - Making Friends with Death 2

 - Making Friends with Death 1

 - This Week's Prayer (Oct 11)

 - Reclaiming Prophetic Witness 4
The Five Foundational Spiritual Practices
 - Journal daily
 - Study daily
 - Silence daily
 - Group monthly
 - Mindfulness as much as you can
READ MORE...