Unitarian Church of Cleveland
E-Blast and
RE-Connect
October 4, 2015
Dogs in the pews!
As our continued quest to be good stewards of the earth, we have begun sending electronic versions of the Monthly Newsletter,  The Unitarian The document enclosed in this email is the weekly E-Blast and REconnect, which relates only the information that is pertinent to the next 2 weeks, or so.  

Take a few minutes to peruse, sign up, and learn more! Remember that any word that is underlined and in teal is a link, either to another website or to an email address. Happy reading!
Sunday Service
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
11:00 AM
"Blessing of the Animals"
The Rev. Daniel Budd & Ms. Bethany S. Ward
 
Multigen Choir
OCTOBER 4, 9:30 AM
SANCTUARY
There will be a Choir For All Ages on Sunday, October 4 for the Blessing of the Animals service. There is no weeknight rehearsal for this group, just come to the sanctuary at 9:30 am on October 4. Mike will teach the group a couple of easy-to-learn songs and the Multigen Choir will sing them during the service 
that same morning. All are welcome!
 The New UU Adult Workshop
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Lunch included.  Child care available on request.
 
The program will:
  • Introduce newcomers to UUism and our Congregation
  • Equip participants to make a decision about membership in a UU congregation
  • Provide information related to Unitarian Universalist worship, theology, history, social justice, religious education and governance
  • Provide resources within and outside the congregation for participants to explore topics independently
  • Facilitate integration into the congregation by introducing participants to a cross-section of members
Leaders: Daniel Budd, Bethany Ward and Eve Bendezu

To register, contact the Church Office at 216-751-2320 or at church@firstunitariancleveland.org by October 2 at noon.
A minimum of six participants required.
Environmental Justice Tour of Cleveland
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

UU Ministry for Earth will be sponsoring an Environmental Justice Tour  of Cleveland. It will  include a bus tour and the opportunity to hear from people from several  east side Cleveland neighborhoods dealing with issues around food  justice, housing, water and land use. A fee of $25 covers lunch, the bus  and stipends for presenters. Information and registration at the UU  Ministry for Earth table during coffee hour. 
RECRUITING One More Teacher!
There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back. Please consider giving of your time to the 4th and 5th graders of our community! We need ONE more teacher to complete the roster. Email Sarah or Bethany today!

Blessing of the Animals, 

What  You Need to Know

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
  1. Dogs on leashes, cats in carriers, lizards in terrariums, hamsters in balls--we hope to see them all! 
  2. If you do not share your home with a pet, we welcome you, too! There is so much that animals can teach us.
  3. No one knows your pet more than you. Use your best judgment when deciding whether or not to bring your pet. If your pet is fearful or timid of other beings, please bring just your pet's photograph with you on that day.
  4. Dogs must be leashed.  Cats should be in carriers for the transportation to and from the worship service.  Ensure that smaller animals are well-protected in their portable cages.
  5. Volunteers will have plenty of waste disposal bags.  Please clean up after your pet.
  6. Bring plenty of water for your pet.
  7. Animals and their people will be a part of the processional into the Sanctuary at the beginning of the service and recess just prior to the end of the worship hour.  You will want to gather on the front lawn and Portico, where we will have volunteers there to help you assemble for the processional. After the recessional, you will once again gather on the front lawn.  Treats will be awaiting your pets at the end of the service.
  8. The loss of a beloved animal remains with us.  You are welcome to bring a photo or memento of an animal that has passed away and place it on our Memorial Table set up in the Sanctuary.  Take time to be present with your children as you recognize and comfort one another in this loss.
  9. Expect a little chaos.  "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir" and sometimes, that can be a bit noisy.  We do hope that, with your cooperation on the above, chaos can be minimized.
Fire Drill Scheduled
OCTOBER 25TH
11:45 AM
Coming of Age Blog!
SEPTEMBER 20

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the COA Website has MOVED! It will now be a part of the church blog! You can find ALL the information you need at:    blog:https://firstuclere.wordpress.com/coming-of-age/ 
Attention all 7th & 8th Graders and
High Schoolers!
Youth groups will be starting up again in October.  
Come join in the fun! If you like games, snacks, youth worship, discussing hot topics that affect you and your peers, working with social justice groups, going on field trips and outing, and just hanging out with friends, we are the group for you!  Meetings will be held from 12:30-2:30pm throughout the year. 

There will be an informational parent/guardian meeting on Sunday, October 11th from 12:30 -1:00; Senior High and Junior High Youth Group meetings will be immediately following from 1:30-3:00pm.  The informational meeting will give you an opportunity to meet the advisors, learn what activities we do in youth group, voice your opinion about what you want youth group to look like, sign any participation paperwork, and get a (tentative) calendar of events.  Let's make this a great year for our youth!

Fall Cleanup Day
OCTOBER 17
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
We need to clean up the yard before the snow falls!  Our compost operation served us well for several years but has fallen into chaos.  (It's that gigantic mess behind the Artibiti paper collection dumpsters).  We need to break it down and clear that area.  There may be work to do in the permaculture garden as well, depending on the weather.  Join us for demolition and other fun from 9-12 Saturday October 17.  I'm bringing cider and doughnuts.  Bring a wheelbarrow and some sort of shovel/pitchfork thing if you can and wear work gloves.  Questions to Eileen at Eileen or (216) 215-6395.
Forum: Hacking Affects us All
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
9:30 AM

Hacking Affects Us All: What Can Be Done?  The media report massive thefts of personal information from banks, retailers, and government. Health care organizations accounted for 42% of data breaches in 2014.  What are the potential risks for us individually or for our public utilities and local infrastructure?  David Kennedy, President, Binary Defense Systems.
Photo Directory
AVAILABLE NOW

The Photo Directories are here! If you have a picture in the directory, there is a free directory waiting for your pickup. Look for Meghan Breitzmann and Laurie Albright at a table in Fellowship Hall this Sunday after our ingathering worship. 
Cary Alburn Library
More New Titles:
  • Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a  Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
  • Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
  • Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • The Dinner by Herman Koch
  • The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam by Barbara W. Tuchman
We Need Eachother!
There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back. Please consider giving of your time to the 4th and 5th graders of our community! We need ONE more teacher to complete the roster. Email Sarah or Bethany today!
Chalice Lighter Pizza Party!
OCTOBER 10
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Optimum fun, optimal location.
Join your fellow Chalice Lighters on October 10th for pizza, games and community.
Senior High Con!
OCTOBER 16-18
Rocky River, OH

Registration for Senior High Con is Open!! Please remember to tell your DLFD/DRE that you are registering BEFORE you register!

Blessing of the Animals
OCTOBER 4
Bring a pet, stuffed animal or a photo! See the detailed rules above.
Blessing of the Animals
white-dog-polaroid.jpg

YRE CALENDAR

October 4: Blessing of the Animals
October 4: Coming of Age (COA) Mentor Meeting, 12:30 pm
October 10: Multigen (tentative)
October 10: Chalice Lighters Pizza Party, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
October 11: Youth Group Parent Meeting, 12:30 - 1:00 pm
October 11: Youth Group, Senior High: Listening Circle, 1:00-1:30pm, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
October 11: Youth Group, Junior High: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
October 11: COA Hangout after Church, ending by 1:30 pm
October 11: Small Group Ministry (SGM) Registration 
October 25: Fire Drill during Religious Education Classes
October 30: Youth Religious Education (YRE) Halloween Party

Contact Us
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland