New Adult Enrichment Opportunity: 

Exploring Unitarian Universalism Through Short Literature

Starting Oct. 9, Rev. Ritchie will be offering a monthly series exploring important themes in Unitarian Universalist history, theology, ethics, and spiritual practice through the discussion of short pieces of literature. This series will take place at 12:00-1:30PM the second Sunday of the month, running October-February. You can attend either in person at church, or online on Zoom. You can sign up either for the whole series, or for individual sessions. Participants will be expected to complete the short readings (no more than 1-2 hours of dedicated reading time) before the workshops. No need to procure the material—Rev. Ritchie will send that out to those who register ahead of time. The individual classes are as follows:

October 9 

Today we explore the historical origins of Unitarianism in America as a revision of the Puritan past, and as a conversation about the nature of sin and free will. Readings are two short stories (slightly spooky for October!) by Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Birthmark” and “The Minister’s Black Veil.”

November 13 

In this workshop, we discuss the principles of Unitarian Universalist ethical thinking, alongside a conversation about Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story “The Yellow Wallpaper.”  

December 11 

This month we look at the Unitarian Universalist relationship to Christianity, Jesus, and social change, through an examination of two Christmas Stories, Lydia Marie Child’s “The Christ Child and the Poor Children” and Rev. Samuel Crother’s “A Christmas Parable.”

January 8 

Today we look at Unitarian Universalist spiritual practice, especially those connected to the Transcendentalists. The reading is “The Pond in Winter” by Thoreau (an excerpt from “Walden”) and an excerpt from Louisa May Alcott’s “Transcendentalist Wild Oats.”  

February 12

This month we read works by Francis Ellen Watkins Harper and Sylvia Plath to discuss Unitarian Universalist approaches to issues of race and gender. 

Sign up for one, some or all of the workshops here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UUShortStory

Music & Choir Notes

The NUUC Choir will resume regular rehearsals beginning Sunday, September 11 at 9:00am. Current and prospective members should pick up a folder of music before the first rehearsal. The repertoire for the first six performances is on a table in Fellowship Hall for members to take home. If you are unable to pick up the sheet music at church, please contact Music Director Marlene Hartzler to make other arrangements to receive the music before the first rehearsal.

The choir welcomes new members at any time, but the beginning of the season is the best opportunity. The choir has one rehearsal per week - Sunday at 9am - and there’s no mid-week commitment. Members of the NUUC choir should be able to read music but no prior vocal experience is necessary if you’re willing to practice at home. We often use recordings to help us prepare for performances. 

New members should reach out to Marlene Hartzler to get on the email list and plan to attend the first rehearsal. It’s no problem if you cannot sing every Sunday as long as you let us know of absences. All voices are needed in the ensemble. From time to time, we also use instrumentalists. For more information about membership in the NUUC Choir, please contact Marlene at marlenehartzler@gmail.com

This will be Marlene’s 20th season with the NUUC Choir. The choir has performed under her direction more than 530 times. Their repertoire has grown to include 192 different pieces; many favorites will be heard during this fall’s worship services. We welcome Prescott Hartzler back for his second season as interim pianist. 

Board Looking for Self-Nominations for Congregational Volunteer Roles

At the last board of trustees meeting, your board decided to assist our recruitment efforts for volunteers by asking for self-nominations for certain roles. 

We are currently looking to fill these volunteer jobs, but please let us know about your skills and interests even if they lie outside of these positions--we're happy to find a good fit for you in the many volunteer roles that support our congregation.

Trustee on Board of Trustees

There are six Trustees on the Board of Trustees. Each March, two trustees are elected to three-year

terms. Trustees take a leadership role in establishing, promoting, monitoring, and achieving the vision,

mission, and goals of the congregation. The Board is the ultimate steward of both our long-range vision and financial affairs.  The Board meets monthly Board and some board members (voluntarily) take on responsibilities outside these meetings.  

Skills Needed: This is a position of responsibility that requires a willingness to listen and participate in group process, analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively on a team. Board members must be able to engage in both short- and long-term visioning and planning

Treasurer of the Congregation

The Treasurer is elected by the board. The Treasurer oversees and coordinates the Society’s financial operations and is an ex-officio member the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer has many varied duties:

• Working with the bookkeeper and the minister to ensure the accuracy of expenditures and all financial records, updating as necessary procedures for handling various financial matters and for monitoring for accuracy

• Oversee all deposits of the congregation into different checking and investment accounts; and to direct the bookkeeper in issuing all payments

• Attend monthly meetings of the Board and prepare a monthly report (with the assistance of the bookkeeper) to the Board on the church’s finances, highlighting any emerging financial needs, concerns or policy issues requiring the Board’s attention 

Skills Needed: The treasurer must be a numbers person, familiar with keeping books and financial principles, and comfortable using a computer church management system (we will train).  

NOTE: Our current Interim Treasurer, Lyn Savidge, is revising and refining the Treasurer’s job description and can provide more information soon

Chair of the Service Auction Committee

The chair of the Service Auction Committee works with a vibrant team of other volunteers to coordinate the annual Service Auction. This involves soliciting and publicizing donations and planning the auction event itself. This year the board of trustees is imaging the auction as a simple social event (drinks, appetizers, either after church or on a separate evening) combined with the live auction that may or may not have virtual elements. 

Skills needed: ability to project manage, and team build.

To volunteer for these or another congregational volunteer position, please use this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NUUCVolunteer