Dear Ones,

Although I will do just about anything to avoid writing these days, I loved writing in elementary school and high school, from creative writing to writing for my high school newspaper. And I LOVED reading novels even more (still do). It seems that what I love is story.

In The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, Jonathan Gottschal explains, “Humans evolved to crave story. This craving has, on the whole, been a good thing for us. Stories give us pleasure and instruction. They simulate worlds so we can live better in this one. They help bind us into communities and define us as cultures.” Gottschal asserts that we human animals need meaning and use stories to create that meaning.

In last month’s relaunch of our monthly newsletter, Meredith wrote about the power of story and vulnerably shared how they are transforming one of their own personal stories. As Meredith’s example shows, the stories we tell about ourselves are the most powerful stories we tell. They hold the power to both limit and expand our lives. They hold the power to harm ourselves and others.

Gottschal explains that the power of the stories we tell about ourselves is why talk therapy hasn’t been replaced by psychiatric medications. Talk therapy helps an individual consciously rewrite their life story. Although the facts remain the same, the narrator’s perspective and judgments can change. When we rewrite our past, it changes how we think and act in the future.

In January, I attended the UUMA Institute, a professional development program offered every three years by the UU Minister Association. The learning track that I took was Improvisation as Liberation Theology. This learning track was a follow-up to one of my seminary classes on improv as ministry, the improv program that I developed as a hospital chaplain, and my current improv work with an adult day program for dementia elders. As a bonus, it gave me the opportunity to learn from my beloved master’s thesis advisor, Rev. Darrick Jackson, who is now the Director of the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC).

One of the reasons I love improv is that it can be used in so many ways to facilitate healing. For example, improv reminds us that our entire lives are actually improv (no one gets a script for life). Just like improv, each moment —each present—is unique and unrepeatable. Practicing improv can help people reduce their discomfort in uncertainty and stay in the present moment with appreciation and even awe. Improv also lets us try on different personas and stories, allowing us to rewrite our own stories unconsciously.

In my work with elders with dementia, I witnessed a powerful rewriting of one man’s story. Steve (name changed for privacy) was often agitated and preoccupied with his wife’s return. In our third or fourth monthly session, he finally agreed to participate in the prop table exercise and put on a king’s costume (crown and robe/cape). It was like Steve had flipped a switch and become gregarious and playful. What happened in the weeks that followed was even more amazing. Whenever Steve arrived at the program, a small group of his fellow participants would lovingly welcome him as “the King” and Steve would light up as he did when he wore the costume. Steve’s friends helped him rewrite his own story by reminding him of this part of himself that had become buried by his dementia. How powerful a story is!

As we continue our strategic planning, we will explore the stories the congregation has told about itself and identify places where it would be helpful to rewrite our narrative. Most importantly, we will begin writing our story of today, a story of excitement, mission, and hope! I pray for your health, growth, and flourishing.

With much gratitude and love,

Kellie

Rev. Kellie Kelly

minister@mvuuf.org

Worship & CYRE Schedule

(CYRE = Children and Youth Religious Education)

Missed a service?

You can view past services, at your convenience, on our website. New worships uploaded by Wednesday of each week. Just click the button below.

Pledge Now!

It's spring, the flowers are blooming, the trees are blossoming, and you are invited to put our shared value of generosity into practice by making a financial pledge to MVUUF. Pledging gives each of us the opportunity to sustain our beloved church community, and consider what MVUUF means to us. Your pledge funds our annual budget, strengthens this community - which supports you through life’s ups and downs - and sustains our important social justice work. Click the button to learn more about this year's pledge, and for this year's pledge form. Pledges are due Sunday, May 10th.

Household Supply Drive

At MVUUF, we live our values of interdependence, generosity, and justice through action. That's why the Social Justice Committee is collecting household items to support clients of Homefull, as they transition out of homelessness and into stable housing. Many people are moving into empty spaces and need basic essentials. You can help by bringing your donations to service on Sunday, May 24, and placing them in the collection boxes at the back of the sanctuary. Your support turns housing into homes!

Most Requested Items: Cleaning supplies (Windex, Comet, Antibacterial Wipes etc), Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap, Sponges, Basic Cookware, Utensils, Shower Curtains, Trash Cans/Bags, Toilet Paper 

UUJO Democracy Action Statement

Partly inspired by MVUUF's public statement, Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) created a Democracy Action Statement:

Centered in LOVED, we strive to build a just, democratic, and compassionate society where every person is valued and inherently worthy.

We commit to ACT to defend Democracy:

• Show Up with Courage: Do not obey in advance, be as courageous as possible, assess risks individually, and support responsible individual choices.
• Exercise Moral Clarity: Use public witness, statements, and voice to illuminate lies and weaknesses in authoritarian leadership.
• Organize and Join: Share narratives, support and create meaningful actions, and build relationships that strengthen our interdependent web of life.
• Leverage Democratic Power: Work for justice with people you know and don't know, speak truth to officials, vote, and support free and fair elections.
• Provide Mutual Aid: Create networks of care and support with and for those on the margins and frontlines.

Let it be our practice to take nonviolent, united actions and treat all people with kindness and respect including those with whom we disagree.

UPDATE: Google Groups

Don't miss out on last minute opportunities! Join a google group today. Tried to join a google group last month, and couldn't figure out how? Turns out, not all groups were open to new subscribers. That issue has been resolved.

MVUUF Board

MVUUF Social Justice Committee

MVUUF News

MVUUF Bulletin

Board

MVUUF Outdoors

MVUUF Women's Group

Faith in Action: Social Justice

Dear MVUUF Friends,

Below is a list of upcoming local events and advocacy actions to take, as we continue in the spirit of the UUA’s Side with Love to “lament the cruelty on display…rejoice in the rising…to action, resistance and the power of community” and that “even in the storm, we carry something precious: a fire we refuse to let go out.” Learn more by clicking on the links attached to each offering.

In the coming months..

• Vote in Ohio's Primary Tuesday, May 5 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Preview a sample ballot here. Then, find your polling location here.
• UUSJ National Online Event: “Freedom Demands We Organize: A National UU Call to Moral Action,” Tuesday, May 5, 8 pm. Features renowned Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-founder and co-leader with Rev. William Barber of the Poor People’s Campaign. Register on UUSJ's website.
• “The Roadmap Back to Equality,” With Jim Obergefell, Dwayne Steward, and Friends. Presented by Equality Ohio. Friday, May 8 at 5:15 PM (doors open at 4:30). Antioch College Wellness Center South Gym (240 East South College St., Yellow Springs). Light refreshments will be available. Parking lot behind Wellness Center. RSVP by May 4 here. Jim Obergefell was one of the main plaintiffs in the crucial 2015 Supreme Court decision for marriage equality. Learn more about that on the UUA's website.
• "Racism in an Age of Trump: A convocation by the Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Action Committee." Saturday, May 9 from 12 to 2 PM on Zoom. Featuring talks on "Media and Racism" by Dr. Lanier Frush Holt, "Racism in Trump Administration Policies" by Dr. Alan Spector, and "Racism is not hate; its trauma trolled" The Rev. Dr. Thandeka, PhD. To register send an email to UUMUAC@gmail.com.
• "We Ride at Dawn: Showing Up, No Matter What,” DRUUMM Public Worship is May 14 at 8 pm. DRUUMM is the Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries. MVUUF is a sponsor of this DRUUMM public worship through the MVUUF Social Justice budget. Learn more and register for free here through DRUUM's website.
• “Pride Rocks,” Family friendly suicide prevention festival organized by NCCJ. MVUUF has a booth! May 16, from 11 am to 4 pm. Levitt Pavilion (134 S. Main St., Dayton 45402). Learn more about Pride Rocks on NCCJ's Website. Then, sign up to volunteer at MVUUF’s booth through SignUp Genius.
• “Ohio Interfaith Vigils in Solidarity with People in Civil Immigration Detention (ICE Jail): Statewide Action for Justice & Accountability," Saturday, May 30, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Butler County Jail (705 Hanover St., Hamilton). Organized by Butler County Immigrant Justice, the Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio, and other community partners. Butler County Jail is the closet immigration detention center to Dayton; many people from Dayton are or have been detained there. Rev. Kellie expects to be there. You are invited to wear a Side with Love shirt if you have one. Learn more here.
• "Dayton Pride" organized by the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. MVUUF has a booth! June 6, from 11 am to 4 pm (booth shifts are 2.5 hours long). Greater Dayton LGBT Center (136 N Saint Clair St, Dayton, OH 45402). Sign up to volunteer at MVUUF's booth through SignUp Genius.

For ways to be in solidarity with Haitians in Springfield and local immigrants: visit MVIC Linktree.

Additional events are added to the Social Justice Linktree all the time. Check back often, or find other events of interest at Gem City Action's website, District 10 Indivisible for All Facebook Page, and Dayton-Miami Valley Activist Events Facebook Group.

Lynn B., Chair

MVUUF Social Justice Committee