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October Theme: Death


In this issue: "What's In a Name?" Committee -- Practice of the Week -- Worship Oct 5 and Oct 12 -- R.E. News -- Animal Blessing Service -- Are You In a Journey Group? -- Saturday Zen -- Links & Reminders
"What's In a Name?" Committee 

The "What's In a Name?" Committee (Karen Dreher, John Cavallero, Karen Schatzel, Scott Damashek, and Adine Usher) is coordinating a discussion about what we think the name of our congregation should be. They're starting by attending Program Council, RE Council, and Board of Trustees. They will be contacting other groups to set up discussions in the coming months. READ MORE...

Practice of the Week: Don't Be Alarmed

"Don't underestimate the amount of background alarm in your body and mind. It's hard-wired and relentless, inherent in the collision between the needs of life and the realities of existence." READ MORE...

Worship Oct 5, 10:00am: Making Friends with Death

Rev. Meredith Garmon

What is life but change? What is change but the passing away of what was? Can we befriend the process?
Children and youth start in the sanctuary.
10:00 - Music for all ages with Adam Kent and Adrian Daurov.
10:10 - Gathering song.
The choir will sing.
For more about the music, CLICK HERE.

Worship Oct 12, 10:00am: Persons and Beings 

Rev. Meredith Garmon

Where do we draw the line between who has inherent worth and dignity and who doesn't?

R.E. News

Ever wonder what all our young folk are learning about? Descriptions of each of our eight R.E. classes: CLICK HERE. 

Sun Oct 5: Children and youth start in the sanctuary for music for all ages at 10:00, followed by Wonder Box Story. Our youth group is headed out for apple picking. The R.E. Council meets before the service, at 8am. READ MORE...

Adult Religious Education is being planned. An affirmation program for adults, perhaps? Other classes? READ MORE...

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.

Are You in a Journey Group?

Spiritual development is a main reason for being part of a UU congregation. 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.
PDF (better for printing out), CLICK HERE.

Saturday Zen: Oct 4

Zen practice at the Parsonage. 10:00 - 11:45a on Sat Oct 4. Come around to back door. New to meditation? Come 10 minutes early for a brief orientation. READ MORE...

Links & Reminders

Family Chalice Lighters. This year we are inviting families to take a meaningful role in the Sunday Service by becoming Family Chalice Lighters. Each week that our children join us in the sanctuary, one family will come to the chancel, read our chalice lighting words, and light the chalice. READ MORE...

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):

 - UU and Buddhist . . . and Prophetic

 - Faith Like a Chalice 4: Continuous Gift-Giving

 - This Week's Prayer (Sep 28)

 - Faith Like a Chalice 3: Openness to Whatever
Yours in the faith we share,

-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister

-Perry
Perry Montrose
Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development
 
The Five Foundational Spiritual Practices
 - Journal daily
 - Study daily
 - Silence daily
 - Group monthly
 - Mindfulness as much as you can
READ MORE...