It’s Choir Time!!
Calling all who love to sing (or might like to give it a try)!! Choir rehearsals begin on Sunday, September 7th at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary and we want to welcome YOU to the choir family! All voices are needed in the ensemble!
The choir welcomes new members at any time, but this is an ideal time to start! We only rehearse once a week - on Sunday morning before the service - so there is no mid-week commitment. It’s helpful if you are able to read music, but you don’t have to be an expert - no prior choral experience is necessary. Choir members generally do some review/practice at home to make the most of our Sunday rehearsal time and Molly sends out weekly emails with rehearsal information and recordings/videos to help review and prepare. It’s no problem if you cannot sing every Sunday, as long as you let us know of any upcoming planned absences.
New members should reach out to Molly Watson (mollystarfish@gmail.com) to get on the email list or if you have any questions.
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Sewing Circle starting in September
Teri Cornell is starting a sewing circle for those who crochet, knit, embroider, quilt, needlework etc. It will be held at the church at a time agreed upon by all. This is a good opportunity to get to know others in our congregation as well as a time to work on those projects. Contact Teri Cornell if interested at imuuteri@yahoo.com or call or text at 614-843-8300.
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Ingathering September 14
In our tradition of free association, we gather each Sunday, called not by creed but by conscience, creating fertile ground for truth-telling, accountability, and spiritual growth. On September 14, we celebrate Ingathering—the official start of our church year with a dedication of our sanctuary and an exploration of what it means to worship UU style.
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NUUC Covenant Group "Beyond Words” to host Dances of Universal Peace Sept. 14
by Pam Spence
We are pleased to announce that Munira Elizabeth Reed will lead a session of Dances of Universal Peace at NUUC on Sunday, Sept. 14th, following service.
The Dances of Universal Peace are “spiritual practices in motion.” From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song, and story have brought people together at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation. The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of Sacred Dance.
Drawing on the sacred phrases, scripture, and poetry of the many spiritual traditions of the earth, the Dances provide a unified experience of movement, sound, breath, and sacred phrase.
No experience necessary! The chants and simple movements are taught and repeated throughout each dance.
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Reed (ret.) was a member of the mainstream clergy for 15 years. She founded the nonprofit Shalem Center in 1988 for psychospiritual-focused counseling, teaching and consulting. She has been involved with the Dances of Universal Peace for over 20 years. Her work has included local and national peace work and in the past three years, international travel with the “Beyond Initiative” to Turkey, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil; this fall she will travel to India and Malaysia. Her current writing project focuses on goddesses in the first-century Middle East.
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Join Us for an Equinox Celebration September 22, 7 PM
Beyond Words Presents Down to Earth celebrations
Starting this month on Sept. 22, at 7pm we will be offering “Wheel of the Year” celebrations of the Fall Equinox, Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice at the church. The celebrations will be grounded in "Earth-Centered observances/ celebrations" which have been and continue to be observed by many cultures and traditions. We expect to be entirely inclusive so however you define yourself in this regard, i.e. Druid, Wiccan, Pantheist, Native American, Pagan, or simply Tree Hugger and Earth lover, you are welcome.
What to expect: we will cast the sacred circle through chant, music, movement; bring tokens of the elements (e.g. fruit, flowers, pine cones, feathers, etc) into the circle, light candles, set intentions, join together to offer up petitions of individuals and the group at large; partake of shared food - then open the circle and bid each other “Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.”
Attire is entirely up to the individual: if you like to wear fantastic robes, headdresses and vestments, please do; if you are more comfortable in foraging and dirt digging duds, have at it. We want this to be an Earth celebration for all. These observances are open to the congregation and the community at large.
The celebrations will be facilitated by Laura (Ishtar) Bergman and Pam Spence. Questions, screams of heresy, squeals of delight? Contact Pam at pammy.spence@gmail.com
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Religious Exploration at NUUC
First NUUC Camp: A Success!
NUUC introduced its first-ever summer camp in August. We hosted 8 kids from 6 families. The kids made shirts, crafted, explored the new playground - all while creating a community of trailblazers who stand up, reach out, jump in, and have fun (as the motto goes).
Thanks to camp director Noa Weatherwax, and our volunteers Laurie Anderson, Jane Henson, Sara Irish, John McConnell, Deb McGuire, Rod Myers, Trina Timson, and Melissa Woodward.
Shared Wisdom from Camp
Some of you asked to see the adivce to grown ups put together by our summer campers, which was shared by Noa Weatherwax during worship on August 17. Here it is: “First, grown-ups should fight less and have more fun playing with us. They should get us fifty million axolotls and watch K-Pop Demon Hunters. Second, people should stop littering and learn to pick up after themselves and not make such big messes in the ocean. Also, world peace should be free. People who are leaders should lead with kindness and love, and respect people’s rights. If that’s not possible, grown-ups should hire dogs to be leaders instead. Finally, everybody should be treated equally. Because it’s cool to be different, and nobody should be discriminated against for that. If we were all the same, we couldn’t have interesting conversations with anyone about anything, and we’d be bored zombies all the time. Being different is more fun.”
Summer RE Ending; New Classes Beginning
Special thanks to our summer teaching teams: John Daquila, Theo Daquila, Nancy Gamso, Sara Irish, Pete Kelly, Sarah Reeder, and Jewlia Whaley! On September 14, our regular classes will begin for the year.
Punk Art and Zine Workshop
Teens will dive into the rebellious roots of punk art, while exploring the ways they can use art, collage, drawing, poetry, and storytelling to craft their own zines. This space celebrates individuality, encourages bold self-expression, and empowers teens to share their truth. No experience or particular skills needed—just a passion for making some noise. This class is for middle and high school students.
Art Explorers
Children will explore their values and the world around them through visual art. Each week, they will learn about a particular artist, work of art, and artistic technique while considering big questions about ourselves and what matters in our communities and our faith. At the end of the year, we will host an End of Year Art Gallery to display a selection of student work. This class is for elementary and preschool students.
Teachers Needed
In order to run these classes effectively, we still need to round out our teaching teams. Teachers get to build relationships with our youth and families - and only commit to teaching once per month! Contact our Director of Religious Exploration, Morgan Patten at morgan@nuuc.org to learn more.
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Ongoing Ways to Connect
Mindful Writing meets monthly, with members sharing a variety of written pieces and thoughts. All are welcome! Please contact Marty Keith if you're interested in joining the group so she can send you time and the Zoom link. martykeith@zoho.com
Brown Bag Books Discussion Group meets monthly at noon on the Third Tuesday of each month, in Room 3 at church.
Beyond Words Covenant Group Pam Spence is coordinating a covenant group, "Beyond Words." The group will explore a variety of paths that help deepen spiritual connection focused on "whole body" experience by participating in local initiatives. Experiences we will pursue might include, singing bowls/sound baths, drum circles, chanting, labyrinth walking, heart-centered meditation, Dances of Universal Peace, animal assisted prayer and meditation - depending on the interest of the group. We will each be responsible for any fee involved and, of course, you are not obligated to participate in any of the events. Contact: pammy.spence@gmail.com or text at 740-816-1905 for further information. Pam holds a MA in Transformational Theater/ Sacred Drama from Antioch University and is a commissioned community minister through the Federation of Christian Ministries, licensed through the state of Ohio.
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Life has a way of rushing by. Sometimes we feel the need to pause or to reflect more deeply. Join me for a virtual half hour of mindful contemplation that is inclusive, non-judgmental and expectation free. I’ll bring a mix of poetry, music, breathwork, silence, or meditation to create a space for you to relax. Participants are muted. Feel free to turn your video off. Please engage in whatever way feels most meaningful to you. A Space for Reflection is freely offered the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm on Zoom. Registration is required (link here).
As for me, Karen McGuire, the facilitator, I’m a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, a retired educator, and a trained Interspiritual Companion who finds it necessary to stop every once in a while, and pay attention.
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New Feature: Members' Bulletin Board
WOMEN'S DRUMMING CIRCLE
Mennonite Church in Circleville (35 Oakland Park Avenue)
Saturday, September 20, 5:30-7:00 PM
(Drums are provided but you may bring your own)
--submitted by Susan Baker
Are you involved in something you'd like to share with the congregation? Now there's a way to include that in the newsletter. Just email Barb Lubberger for inclusion in the monthly email newsletter at: blubberg@gmail.com. Since the newsletter comes out at the beginning of each month, you will need to send your event to Barb in the month preceding your event. For example, for an event that will be held in October, you'd send the notice in September.
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