Hello Beloved,

When I was a religious educator, part of my job was to tell stories. Over the years, I grew to understand just what an honor that was. Stories are powerful. They not only help us understand new or ephemeral concepts, but they can shape our perceptions of others, ourselves, and the world.

I wonder, what are the stories that make up your life? Are there stories you often remember, re-read, or refer to when you are struggling? Do you have a favorite story you like to share with children or loved ones? What about the stories you have written – the ones you tell yourself about your life, the people in it, and yourself? I wonder, are all your stories serving you and your best interests? Are all your stories leading you towards love?

About a year ago, I pieced together a story I wrote about myself long ago, during my childhood. And, in doing so, I realized it was no longer serving me or leading me towards love. That story goes like this, “My wants and needs are a burden to those around me. To place a burden on someone is an unkindness. To be kind to those around me, I should not share my wants and needs. I will be self-sufficient in all things.”

Have you ever told yourself this story? Many of us do, including people living with chronic illness, our neurodiverse friends and family, and other people on the margins of dominant culture. Of course, because no one can be self-sufficient at all things, this story inevitably leaves the teller blaming themselves for their inability to be perfect. “But I’m trying so hard!” they think.

Over the years, whenever I have gleamed snippets of this story within myself, I have done my best to course-correct. But, no amount of self-admonishment, learning about liberation, talking to myself like I’d talk to a friend, or simply pushing through my discomfort made the story go away. So, I changed tactics, and it seems to be working!

What did I do? I rewrote that old story, replacing it with a new story - a story that leads to love. That new story goes like this, “My wants and needs make me human. By sharing my wants and needs with those around me, they can share their love with me. Sharing love back and forth is how we build community. Community is how we survive.”

Stories are powerful. And, as Uncle Ben from Spiderman says, “With great power comes great responsibility.” I wonder, what stories in your life do you need to rewrite? And, what are the stories we tell about MVUUF that could use a rewrite? How might our rewritten stories, lead us toward love?

In faith,

-       Meredith

Worship & CYRE Schedule

(CYRE = Children and Youth Religious Education)

Missed a service? You can view past services on our website! Just click the button to your right.

Visitors & Friends - Join our next Membership Class!

Starting Point: Membership Class is a class for anyone who is curious about Unitarian Universalism, MVUUF, or what it means to be a member. The next Starting Point class is scheduled for Saturday, April 11th from 2:30 to 5:00 PM in the chapel. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, April 10th. Snacks and childcare will be provided. Email Director of Membership, Meredith, to RSVP.

Order your MVUUF Side with Love T-Shirts Today!

Just fill out the T-shirt request form to the right (one form per shirt), and then pay what you can for your shirt. This means, if you cannot pay, that's okay! Type $0 in that part of the form. And, if you can pay more than the cost of the shirt ($24.00), hooray! You've just help off-set the cost of other T-shirts. Additional instructions can be found in the order form. Questions (after you see the form)? Contact CQ at cqofdayton@gmail.com. This anti-capitalist project is a collaboration between Social Justice and Membership.

Gather with Other Ohio UUs this April!

The UU statewide social justice organization for Ohio is UUJO, UU Justice Ohio. The UUJO Spring Assembly is a great opportunity to connect with UU's from around the state. We, Ohio UUs, are very fortunate that the keynote speaker this year is the Executive Director of the national UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ), Pablo DeJesus. He'll be speaking on "Faithful Defiance in Times of Democratic Trial." Workshop topics will include immigration, trauma and resilience, coalition/network building, and statehouse advocacy.

This year's Spring Assembly is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th from 9 am to 5:00 pm at First UU Columbus, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd, 43214. Register by following the link below. There is $65 registration fee (includes lunch and snacks) but scholarships are available. Contact Rev. Dr. Alice Diebel at diebelalice@gmail.com for scholarship information.

If you are interested in carpooling, contact Lynn B. at abufflg@gmail.com and she will try to match up drivers and riders - let her know if you will drive your vehicle, ride with another person, or either.

Stay In-the-Know with Google Groups

With The Forum returning, and the eBlast refocusing on weekly happenings, it is possible some last-minute events may not make it into either publication. However, you can still stay up-to-date by joining MVUUF's google groups. Just click on the Google Groups that interest you and request to join. Our admin will review pending requests weekly.

MVUUF Board

MVUUF Social Justice Committee



MVUUF Anti-Racism

Ally Group

MVUUF Immigration Action Group

MVUUF News

MVUUF Bulletin

Board

MVUUF Climate and Environmental Justice Team

MVUUF Outdoors

MVUUF Women's Group

MVUUF Transgender Justice Team



MVUUF West Dayton Action 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..

• Climate Justice: Earth Week/Day this month the national UUSJ (UU's for Social Justice) will have climate justice updates, advocacy, and virtual events. Sign up for their emails or just view their web page.
• Last day to register to vote or change your voting address, April 6, Election Day is May 5, early voting starts April 7. Check your voting registration and address here.
• “Dayton Regional Sustainability Luncheon,” Tuesday, April 14, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Sinclair Community College, Building 12, Room 172. $30 before April 4, then $35. Lunch & parking included. Details and registration on EventBrite.
• Greene County & Friends Sixth Annual Anti-Racism Conference, Saturday, April 18, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, Sinclair Community College, building 11, 3rd floor. Keynote speaker is the amazing Michael Carter. Registration and more details can be found here.
• UUJO Spring Assembly, Sat. April 25, 10 am to 5:00 pm, First UU Columbus, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd, 43214. See elsewhere in this newsletter, or the website, for details and registration link.
• “Pride Rocks,” Family friendly suicide prevention festival. MVUUF has a booth! May 16, 2026, 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.

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