The Unitarian
The Newsletter of the
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland

SEPTEMBER 2015

Please enjoy our new e-newsletter.  As part of our continuing commitment to being green, The Unitarian is now being sent in this format.
SEPTEMBER SERVICE INFORMATION
Sunday, September 6 at 11:00 am
"Inquiring Minds Want to Know"
        the Rev. Daniel Budd and Ms. Bethany S. Ward
 
Join us for our annual service where we celebrate a questing faith and do our best to respond to the questions on your mind.
 
 
Sunday, September 13 at 11:00 am
Ingathering Sunday: "Time Travel"
the Rev. Daniel Budd and Ms. Bethany S. Ward
 
Let's pack everyone into to sanctuary and do a bit of time travelling.  Be a part of this significant day in the life of our congregation as we officially welcome our new Music Director, Mike Carney, and our first Killam Intern, Valerie Freseman.
 
 
Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 am
"Varieties of Gifts, Varieties of Service"
the Rev. Daniel Budd
 
This morning we celebrate our Social Justice Ministries through story and their link to the work of our congregation.  Coffee Hour will include a Social Justice "Fair" where you will be able to learn more about the work of each ministry.
 
 
Sunday, September 27 at 11:00 am
"Packing for Re-enchantment"
Valerie Freseman, Killam Intern
 
An exploration of the adventurer's tool bag- what does it take to bring about the world we seek?
 

MONTHLY PRAYER SERVICE
Wednesday, September 9
7:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Led by our Community Minister Affiliated, Patricia Shelden

THE MIX "VESPERS"

Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm

in the Sanctuary Chancel

the Rev. Daniel Budd

Music: Gnarles Barkley,

"Who's Gonna Save My Soul Now?"


 

INGATHERING SUNDAY MUSIC
Come join us on Sunday, September 13  on the portico beginning at 10:30 am for special music from the Found Sounds Steelpan Trio, led by Matt Dudack, a Grammy-nominated musician and senior lecturer at The University of Akron. The choir will lead us in procession into the Sanctuary for our festive service, which will include music from the choir and the steel drum ensemble. 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TOUR
October 3 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
 
Save the date for this opportunity to tour several Cleveland neighborhoods to learn about their environmental problems and the efforts to solve them. We will meet with community members and end with lunch at CornUcopia, a community kitchen facility and cafe sponsored by the Burten, Bell, Carr Development Corporation on Kinsman. UU Ministry for Earth is arranging this tour-look for details in September.  

 
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN R.E.
TEACHER ORIENTATION
 
Bagels and coffee at 9:15 am in Fellowship Hall.  All volunteer teachers are asked to attend an important orientation on Saturday, August 29 at 9:30 am .
 
We will hand out curriculum, review classroom procedure and also allow time for teaching teams to meet and create teaching schedules.  Child care provided in Room 108 upon request to Bethany S. Ward at [email protected] by August 29.


YRE PIZZA KICK-OFF and GAME NIGHT
 
The Annual Pizza Kick-Off will be the evening of Sunday, September 20 in Fellowship Hall rather than immediately following the Service.  Join us from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm as we start the year off with a rollicking evening of pizza and family friendly games. Weather permitting, we will have indoor and outdoor games.
 

MEET THE TEACHERS
 
Please stop by your child(ren)'s classroom to meet the teachers and other parents on the 1st day of RE on Sunday, September 20 . We are offering two time slots to better serve your needs: 10:35 am - 10:50 am and 12:00 pm - 12:15 pm. 
 

SEPTEMBER YRE CALENDAR
 
September 13         Ingathering
September 19         COA Student/Parent orientation, 10:00 am
September 20         1st Day of RE, 11:00 am in Sanctuary,
                              11:20 am brought to classrooms
September 20         Meet the Teachers, 10:35 am - 10:50 am
                             or at 12:00 pm - 12:15 pm
September 26         COA Overnight and Parent Small
                              Group Ministry, 3:30 pm
September 27         RE Classes



DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR 2015-2016 YRE TODAY!
 
 


 
DLFD Column will be posted on the blog!

COMING OF AGE INFO
COA Mentor Orientation: Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 pm
All Coming of Age mentors are asked to attend an important orientation.
 
COA Overnight: September 26 at 3:30 pm
Coming of Agers, join us for the 1st overnight of the year! Parents, don't forget to stay for Small Group Ministry!
 
COA'ers (Parents, Youth and Mentors) Save These Dates!
9/19         Student/Parent Orientation, 10:00 am
9/26         COA Overnight and Parent Small Group Ministry
10/4        COA Mentor Meeting
10/11      COA Hangout, Following Church
11/6-8     COA Overnight
11/8        Mentor Debrief, 9:30 am
1/24       COA Mentor Meeting, 12:30 pm
3/5        COA Full Day
3/6       COA Mentor Meeting, 12:30 pm
4/8        COA Retreat, 10:00 am
4/17      COA Mentor Meeting, 12:30 pm
4/23     COA Rehearsal, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
4/30     COA Rehearsal, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
5/1      COA Service

CHALICE LIGHTERS PROGRAM

Chalice Lighters provides an opportunity for young people (4th- 6th grade) in our congregation to become familiar with the ideas of our unique religious tradition. They will learn to take an active role in the worship service by lighting the chalice at our Sunday morning services. Throughout the preparation process, family participation is built in to encourage an intergenerational exploration of religious identity enhancing the experience for young people.
 
Watch for a complete list of dates!  Please note the slight change in age range, 7th through 9th graders are now invited to participate in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program.
A MESSAGE FROM KATHIE
When I think back to my first days here 56 years ago, I realize how greedy I was.  I wanted answers and solutions so I got involved in everything and anything that could possibly serve ME and show me "the way." What I found was worthy activities, valuable lessons, interesting classes and loving people.  I found what I was looking for and more so I "stuck around" all these years.
 
Now as I step aside I thank you for all you have done to make my journey an enlightened and blessed one.  May you find what you are looking for in this wondrous place.  Keep the faith and take care of this house, it is our future.
 
Kathie Kitchingham

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Congratulations to  Carol and  Tom Gibson who are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
 
Congratulations to  Alison Stimpert and  Dan Powers on the birth of their son,  Nikolas Stimpert Powers, on July 31.  Proud grandparents are Jackie and Don Stimpert.
 
Congratulations to  Ashley and  Sean Cahaney on the birth of their son, Kyron Sean Cahaney on August 12.  This is the second great grandchild for  Jim Wickert.
 
WELCOME OUR FIRST KILLAM INTERN!
 We know you will want to be at Ingathering Sunday, September 13 , as our new Music Director, Mike Carney, begins his tenure with us.  But that's not all!  We will also be welcoming our first Killam Intern, Valerie Freseman, a recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary and life-long resident of New York City, during the service and at Coffee Hour following.
 
The welcome reception is being planned by her Intern Committee: Roland Moore and Jean Ellsworth Wolk, co-facilitators, Mark Weber, Betty Root, Tracy Segall, and the Rev. Patricia Shelden (ministerial consultant).
 

CHANCEL FLOWERS

If you would like to donate flowers to decorate the Chancel on a particular Sunday beginning in September, contact Julie Short at 216-409-0240 or [email protected].  When using email please indicate "chancel flowers" in the subject line.

 

Dedications can be in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a happy event.  Flowers are $65. 

NEWCOMER COFFEE CHAT
Attention New Members, Guests and Visitors!

 

Please join us in the Library for Coffee and Conversation on Sunday, September 5 immediately following the service.  We look forward to getting to know you better.

NEW CONNECTIONS

New Connections is a welcoming resource for visitors, guests and newcomers who would like to meet other new people and learn more about our Church and to see if we might become a good spiritual home for you.  Next meeting: September 20 immediately following the service to 1:30 pm in the Baker Room second floor).   For more information contact Karen Grochau.


CLOSED ON LABOR DAY
The Church will be closed on Monday, September 7
in observance of Labor Day.
 
THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
The Book Group will meet Sunday, September 13 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Fellowship Hall, to discuss Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  This is a novel about love and race centered around two young people from Nigeria who face difficult choices and challenges in their adopted countries.  Please bring a beverage or goodie to share.  For more information contact Brian Larson.
 
 
CARY ALBURN LIBRARY

More Additions to Our Collection:  
  • The Battle for Justice in Palestine by Ali Abunimah
  • The Meaning of Human Existence by Edward O. Wilson
  • How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacherfrom Galilee by Bart D. Ehrman
  • Southern Witness: Unitarians and Universalists in the Civil  Rights Era by Gordon D. Gibson

FORUMS RETURN ON SEPTEMBER 20

COFFEE, CONVERSATION & COMMUNITY:
September 20, 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall
 
Join us for the first forum of the church year on Sunday, September 20 from 9:30 am to 10:45 am .  Attorney Steven Dettelbach, U.S. Department of Justice, Northern District of Ohio, will discuss DOJ's agreement with the City of Cleveland, how to increase community collaboration to reform the Cleveland Police Department, and address firearms violence and drug trafficking.
 
 
HOW TO REQUEST PASTORAL CARE


Contact the Rev. Daniel Budd, Parish Minister at

216-751-2320 ext. 24 or 

[email protected]

 


HELPING HANDS

Could you use a ride?  Are you recuperating from an illness and would love to have dinners delivered for a couple of days or weeks?  Please let us know if you would like some assistance. Contact Cheryl Hanger or Jackie Stimpert . We will put out the call to our merry band of helpers.  For those who would like to join that merry band, drop us a line.  


 

 
DON'T HIDE THAT TALENT UNDER A BUSHEL!

If you have the ability to sing or play an instrument, we would love to have you share that talent with the congregation. Or maybe you know a friend or family member who is "ready for prime time." Either way, our new Music Director Mike Carney is on the lookout for musicians of all types - whether you've performed at church before, and whether you're into Berlioz or The Beatles, Charlie Daniels or Charlie Parker, Soundgarden or Sondheim, we will find a way for you to make music at First Church! Just get in touch with Mike at 216-751-2320, ext. 23 or at [email protected] to get the ball rolling. We can't wait to hear what you've got!



CHOIR NEWS
 
Our Choir practices on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm.  All are welcome! If you have any questions, contact Music Director Mike Carney at [email protected] or at 216-751-2320, ext. 23. 
 
UU MINISTRY FOR EARTH COMMITTEE
All are invited to UU Ministry for Earth's first meeting of the year, September 13, 12:30 pm in the Baker Room. We will be setting our agenda for the year and planning for an Environmental Justice tour of Cleveland on October 3.
 
The purpose of UU Ministry for Earth is to engage First Unitarian in living out the 7th UU Principle: "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part." Our activities include supporting and encouraging congregational participation in the many green initiatives that the church has undertaken, including: Recycling, Permaculture Garden, Community Garden, FACT (interfaith anti-fracking group), Commit2Respond, Blaine Community Garden in Hough, Earth Day worship, and more.  


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