THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS

Two of our young people got a lesson in How to Be an Usher this past Sunday.

THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE

Sunday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.

Broken and Brilliant

Rev. Dr. John Morehouse

Music: MLUC Choir

Join us in person or on our livestream.

MINISTER'S MINUTE

Holding On

Dear Friends,

I have been heartened by the many stories of people near and far who are reaching out to those who are feeling vulnerable. There has also been a marked increase in donations to organizations who care for the hungry and the housing insecure.

We do not know what the future will bring but we know what we can do now. And for now that may be enough. As Rebecca Solnit writes in her book A Paradise Built in Hell:

"This is a paradise of rising to the occasion that points out by contrast how the rest of the time most of us fall down from the heights of possibility, down into diminished selves and dismal societies."

Stay strong and stay in touch,

Rev. Dr. John Morehouse

Senior Minister

DAWNING THOUGHTS

A Prayer for Safe Haven

May we provide a safe haven, but not a safe harbor. There are no truly safe harbors, and we cannot build one out of anger and fear. Havens are made safe by the actions of everyone who seeks them. There are no walls to keep out the sea and storm, lightning, and punishing winds. There is only the love that holds us together, as a body holds cells and the cells make up the body. Let us teach love, act love, move in love, be still in love, allow love, and choose love. In that love there is anger. There is fear. There is pain and grief. But it is held. The haven that we build together holds this anger and fear, pain and grief, and also allows us to let it go without hurting each other or those who join us. May it be so.

Dawn Star Sarahs-Borchelt

Director of Learning & Family Ministries

MUSIC NOTES

Join the Multigenerational Choir, Community Orchestra, or Liturgical Dance Group

Sunday, Nov. 17

11:30 a.m.

If you would like to sing in the Multigenerational Choir or play in the Community Orchestra, please join us for our rehearsal this Sunday after the service in the Main Meeting Room at 11:30 a.m.

Dancers are also invited to join the Liturgical Dance Group. There will be a brief rehearsal this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Rec Room on the lower level.

These groups are preparing for our Thanksgiving Bread Communion Service on Sunday, Nov. 24. There will be one final rehearsal that day at 9:00 a.m.

Participants of all ages, abilities, and experience levels are welcome. The orchestra is open to all instruments. Children and youth are especially encouraged to join!

Sheet music (including chords) for instrumentalists will be available here by Saturday. If your particular clef or transposition is not included, please let me know so that I can create a part for you. Non-music-readers are equally welcome to sing or play by ear.

David Brown

Music Director

On Brokenness and Brahms

A lot of us are feeling broken right now. Broken by the dominance of fear and hatred in our country. By despair in the face of malevolent promises reinforced by a selfish few beneficiaries in power. By profound empathy for vulnerable communities targeted by opportunistic cruelty. But when I'm feeling broken, I listen to Johannes Brahms . . . READ MORE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Embodied Spirituality Workshop

Fridays, Nov. 15 & 22

7–9 p.m.

Connect your body, mind, and spirit by experiencing chanting, yoga, drumming, and other physically embodied spiritual practices!

This week: Chanting with Sue Compton

Women's Monthly Lunch & Discussion

Saturday, Nov. 16

12–2 p.m.

Fireside Room

Linda McCarthy, a member of MLUC, will be speaking to us about her book Sig & Char: The War Years. She has written about her parents' experiences during World War II and will include a few interesting, lesser-known facts about the war. Come learn about the effects of war on individuals and culture. Please bring family stories from this period to share with the group.

A light lunch will be provided for $10. Please email Holly Alden at ride711@gmail.com by Thursday, Nov. 14.

Family Fun by the Fireplace

Saturday, Nov. 16

6 p.m.

Fireside Room

Bring the outdoor fun indoors! Join us for a fun-filled night by the fireplace with hot dogs, s'mores, and games.

No need to pre-register. Just show up!

Bake Sale

Sunday, Nov. 17

11 a.m.

Delicious treats will be offered pay-as-you-will.

A fundraiser for our Offering Outreach Partner, the Providence Relief Organization.

Jazz & Joe

Wednesday, Nov. 20

7:30–9:00 p.m.

Come out for a relaxing mid-week break and hear the Jazz Sanctuary Quintet, one of the best jazz combos in the area.

This is a secular and FREE performance. Coffee, soft drinks, and snacks will be served.

Soul Matters

Sunday, Nov. 24

11:30 a.m.

Drop in to share the spiritual practice you chose to work with this month based on the Soul Matters small group ministry packet themes: Invitation, Deep Listening, Repair, and Presence. If you need a packet, download it here or request it from re@mluc.org.

HELPERS NEEDED

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday, Nov. 28

2 p.m.

It's up to our community members to make Thanksgiving happen at MLUC. Building and feeling part of a community is developed through participation.

The church provides delicious turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy for volunteers to pick up at Whole Foods in Devon Thanksgiving morning. Each attendee is asked to bring a side dish or dessert for six.

To volunteer for one of the four areas (cleanup, pickup, heat up, set up) sign up below. For more information, contact Holly Alden at ride711@gmail.com.

Fall Leaf-Raking Day

Saturday, Dec. 7

9:30–11:30 a.m.

Rain date: Dec. 14

Let's come together to rake the fall leaves and enjoy the company of others in the MLUC community.

Raking begins at 9:30 a.m. Warm soup and bread will be provided at 11:30 a.m. If you want to join in this fun outdoor activity, please reply to Christy at hola.christy@verizon.net. Please specify whether you are staying for soup.

Holiday Workshop

Sunday, Dec. 8

Following the service

Seeking volunteers to help create a magical holiday experience for all ages! Our annual multigenerational Holiday Workshop is a beloved tradition, featuring fun and creative craft stations.

We're looking for enthusiastic individuals to lead craft tables, sharing their skills and sparking joy in others. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a creative beginner, we welcome your talents!

TRAINING

Safe Congregation Training

Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.

Zoom or at church

Are you a leader in a group at MLUC? Would you know what to do if a safety concern arose within your group? Attend this training to learn more about MLUC's Safe Congregations Policy and how to access appropriate help and support when problems arise.

ZOOM LINK

Small Group Ministry Facilitator Training

Tuesday, Dec. 10

For all current Small Group Ministry facilitators and anyone considering taking a leadership role in an SGM! Join Scott Tayler, Rev. John, and Dawn Star for a refresher training on best practices for small group facilitation.

ZOOM LINK

CONTINUING EVENTS

Meditation I: Right Intention

Sundays, 8:30–9:45 a.m.

Meeting ID: 813 7503 7090

If you come in person, please bring a laptop or other device.

The topic for Sunday is “Seeking 'True North’ through the Development of 'Right Intention': Some Buddhist Steps for Discovering Your Path.” All are welcome: new and experienced meditators, church members, and guests. Facilitated by Holly Alden.

__________

Meditation II

Sundays, 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Room 208

Meeting ID: 871 0669 1309

We meet for a short reading followed by 20 minutes of silent meditation. All are welcome: beginning and experienced meditators, church members, and guests.

__________

Monday Morning Meditation & Book Group

Mondays, 7:30–8:45 a.m.

In person or via Zoom

The group is currently discussing A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for the World. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Dilip Kumar or 610-517-1942.

__________

Thursday Evening Meditation

Thursdays, 7:00–7:45 p.m.

Zoom Link

There will be a short centering meditation, a short reading and discussion, and a longer meditation. All are welcome.

Theology Explorers

2nd Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 299 356 228

This group discusses spiritual topics and materials in search of truth, meaning, and spiritual growth. On Dec. 11, we will discuss "Reeling Religion." You can find more information on Theology Explorers at this link.

CANDLES OF COMMUNITY

THIS WEEK'S CANDLES

Candles of Community is our ritual of personal sharing and support. Please join us in holding these joys and concerns in our hearts.

Marile Marshall asks that we light a candle of concern for Betty Graham, a longtime member of MLUC, who has been admitted to Dunwoody for rehab after a hospitalization. Betty is almost 102 years old, carries on a great conversation, and would enjoy hearing from church members.

We light a candle of healing energy for Nancy Jeffrey’s niece, Doris Grazulis, who is undergoing chemo treatments for ovarian cancer.

We light a candle of support for Debbie McKnight, currently in Illinois. Debbie is with her mother, who is in hospice and expected to pass soon.

We light a candle of concern for the many trans friends of this community. For their safety and privacy, we do not name all who are so loved and welcomed here.

Pam Kosty and Anders Back ask that we light a candle of joy at the birth of their first grandchild, Gawin Francis Back. Gawin is the son of Gregory and Tonson Back. Gregory grew up at MLUC and the couple was married at MLUC.

HOW TO SUBMIT JOYS & CONCERNS

To submit a joy or a concern to be read aloud on Sunday, please fill out this form.

FROM THE PARTNER CHURCH COMMITTEE

Rev. John stands beside the plaque in the prison cell in Deva, Transylvania, where Francis David died in 1579. The plaque reads, in part, “The founder and first bishop of the Unitarian Church was martyred in the prison of this castle.”

Our Partners in Transylvania Celebrate the Founding of Unitarianism

On Nov. 15, the congregation of the Várfalva Unitarian Church, our partners in Transylvania, Romania, will commemorate the death of Francis David (Dávid Ferenc). A theologian, writer, and preacher who inspired the king of Transylvania, John Sigismund, to issue an edict of tolerance, Francis David died in small dark prison cell in a fortress high on a hill in Deva, Transylvania on Nov. 15, 1579. David’s refusal to denounce his faith after the death of King John led to his imprisonment. Many Unitarians in Transylvania make a pilgrimage to the fortress on Nov. 15.

The July 2024 MLUC pilgrims to Transylvania visited the fortress in Deva and participated in a brief service that Rev. John led in the darkened cell to commemorate the life of Francis David.