Please send any newsletter submissions to news@jruuc.org by Tuesday at 5:00 pm. | |
This Sunday, September 17, 2023
| | |
|
Coming of Age Service
with Genevieve McPherson-Shambarger and JRUUC Youth
Coming of Age is a program for high school aged youth which is our faith’s way of allowing youth to explore what it means to be Unitarian Universalists and live out of fourth principle by aiding them in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The youth you will hear from during this service have spent the last nine months in discussion with Genevieve, their adult mentors, and each other to investigate what it is they believe and what is important to them. Now they have reached the end of that journey and will embark on a new one as they grow into competent, intelligent, and compassionate young adults. This service will follow a unique format, with each youth presenting their credos or personal belief statements to the congregation with music selected by them.
| | |
|
The Share the Plate for Sunday Sept 10th and Sunday Sept 17th is Madison East High School Raza United’s trip to Mexico. Raza United motivates and inspires students of Latinex backgrounds for graduation and a successful future. Raza United is fundraising to send 10 students and 4 chaperones on a once in a life time educational, cultural and life experience to Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México in October for almost 2 weeks. The trip will include attending a college prep high school, experiencing Dia de Los Muertos, and learning about the indigenous Wixaritari people.
Please nominate a local organization for our Share the Plate Program!
| |
Our September theme: The Gift of Welcome | |
|
Our September theme calls our attention to places of welcome in our hearts and in our community. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection every week.
Check-in question: What do you know now about welcoming in the present moment that you didn’t know?
"Hospitality is simply love on the loose."
-- Joan D. Chittister
| |
What's Happening in Our Congregation | |
|
|
Minister's Musings
Dear ones, it is so good to be back among you! I’ve enjoyed seeing you and talking with you over the past couple of weeks. And as I settle back into the work I love of being your minister, I want to remind you to reach out to me when you want to connect, and to offer you some guidelines about what when it might be appropriate to do so…(read more)
Rev. Karen’s office hours are:
Tuesdays at the Victory Café (2710 Atwood Ave) 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Tuesdays on Zoom 5:00 – 6:00 pm – Check your weekly email for link
Wednesdays at Reeb 2:00 – 4:00 pm, please call or text ahead so Karen knows you’re coming
Evenings and other times by appointment - Karen would love to meet with you! Please send her an email to set up a time.
And, as always, please call or text her if you have a pastoral emergency.
| | | |
|
|
Religious Education and Family Ministry
This week will be our Coming of Age service! Come join us as our youth complete their Coming of Age program by sharing their credos or personal belief statements at a service designed by them. This will be a multigenerational service with everyone in the sanctuary. Next Week will be our first regularly scheduled RE classes. Children from Pre-K through 5th grade will have their classes in the classroom at the front of the building immediately following the service. Youth are invited to join us at First Unitarian Society from 12:30-1:30 for our first meeting. We will be having a get to know you bonfire with marshmallow roasting as well as other snacks and games. Please contact Genevieve for more information on any of our programing.
| |
Offerings for Adults and High School Youth
With Rev. Karen
“The Shared Pulpit” course for adults- ask Karen for details
“Writing Your UU Elevator Speech” for adults and high school youth on Sunday, October 1
| | | |
|
|
Music Ministry
This Sunday, I’ll be sharing two pieces by Sally Whitwell during the Prelude and Offertory. Sally Whitwell is an incredible Queer composer from Australia. I discovered her music on a playlist of women composers last March and was captivated by her writing style. Sally Whitwell is also a teacher and these pieces are inspired by her work with teenagers. The Prelude, an excerpt from “Reels,” is about the “unbridled joy of teen friendships.” The Offertory, “Waltzing Alone” is a “quiet reflection on personal independence.” I offer these pieces as a means of celebrating our youth Coming of Age this Sunday.
Are you good at organizing and/or data entry? If you would like to support the music ministry, but are not able to commit to weekly choir rehearsal, contact Jennifer about ways you can assist with filing and updating the Choir Inventory doc.
| | | |
Offering and Receiving Connection, Support, and Spiritual Practice | |
|
Sign up for 2023-2024 Covenant Groups!
Covenant Groups are part of the Adult Religious Exploration Program at JRUUC. Groups are randomly created at the start of each church year, based on the availability of people interested, and they meet monthly. hey are closed groups, for confidentiality and community-building, and are made up of 6 to 10 people plus a facilitator. They have several purposes: to build relationships through the practice of deep listening, and to practice shared ministry with each other and our congregation as a whole. Please see this brochure for more information, and sign up here or on the sign-up sheet on the RE table in the foyer if you’d like to be part of a virtual or in-person Covenant Group this year.
Meditation With Friends - No meeting this week, will resume next Wednesday at 6:30-7:00 pm (Beginners Welcome)
Sacred Breath Choir - Thursdays 7-8:30 pm, contact Music Director Jennifer Hedstrom at music@jruuc.org
Journaling Group - Breaking for the summer, contact Jean Skinner
Building Our Racial Awareness Open Discussions - Breaking for the summer, contact Jeanette Clawson
| |
Announcements & Upcoming Events | |
|
Website Tip of the Week - Events Calendar
Click on "Calendars" in the Menu or the "Calendar" tab at the top of our website and choose "Congregation Activities" to see upcoming activities. You can use the options on the pages to see them as an "Agenda" (list of activities by date) or as a calendar for a day, a week, or a month. You can also click here for the calendar. Let us know if your congregation event is missing and we will add it! news@jruuc.org
| |
|
Upcoming folk music gatherings!
You're invited to join our weekly folk music gathering. Next sessions are:
Saturday, September 16, 2pm
Saturday, September 23, 2pm
Saturday, September 30, 2pm
In addition, we will play the music for the October 1 Revival Service! All are welcome to come any or all of those Saturdays, and to sing/play with us on Sunday, October 1 at 10am.
| |
|
Board and Minister Congregational Listening Session This Sunday!
Your Board of Trustees and minister value what you have to say! We’ll hold our quarterly listening session in the sanctuary, after the service and a 15-20 minute coffee hour, this Sunday, September 17. Zoom participants can stay on the service link to participate in the listening session. We’ll have a Board member monitoring the Zoom chat to facilitate online participation.
Here are the three questions for discussion. We’ll plan to spend about 15 minutes on each:
- What is your understanding of the Board’s role in your congregation?
- Do you have concerns around safety and security at JRUUC? If so, which areas do you consider priorities for us to work on first?
- What ideas do you have and what can you share to help build a robust community at JRUUC?
| |
|
Vigils for our Healthcare - September 17
Wisconsinites across the state are losing access to Medicaid - we are coming together to bring attention and call for an end to this policy violence.
Sunday, September 17th at 7PM
Triangle Community
755 Braxton Place
Madison, WI
Outdoor gathering in the space between Brittingham and Karabis Hosted by Triangle Community Ministry. For questions, email wisconsin@poorpeoplescampaign.org.
| |
|
Justice Leadership Team Meeting - September 19
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, on Zoom. If you would like to attend, please send a request to join the Google Group: jruuc-justice-leadership-team@googlegroups.com. You will get the agenda and Zoom link sent to you every month.
| |
|
Save the Date! JRUUC Camp-out Saturday October 14 - Sunday October 15
Plan to come for a pot-luck dinner and campfire and/or breakfast or stay for the night. Lake Farm County Park just south of Madison. More details to come.
| |
|
Reeb Rave 2023 is Happening! – Nov 11th
We have picked a date for our annual fundraising auction and party "Reeb Rave" – Nov 11th, 5:30 - 8:30pm at James Reeb! We are soliciting suggestions for a theme and seeking volunteers to help with the event, including soliciting businesses for donations, providing
entertainment and helping with food preparation. If you have any ideas or suggestions please contact Tom McClintock.
| |
|
Caring Tree Update
We are happy to announce that Heike Saynish has joined the Caring Tree. We would like to thank Randy Coloni and Marla McFadden for their help during the search for a new co-chair. If you need assistance or are interested in providing assistance please use the caring tree link on the JRUUC website.
| |
|
Board Update From President Deb Myrbo
I'm pleased to announce that Tom McClintock has been appointed by the Board, according to our bylaws, to fill a vacated position and serve another year on the Board of Trustees as a Member at large. Welcome back, Tom! Your 2023-2024 Board consists of:
Deb Myrbo, President
Karol Niemann, President-Elect
Sophie Hannauer, Secretary
Michael Nunley, Treasurer
Rand Hill, Elaine Morrison, and Tom McClintock, Members at large
| |
|
Let's Make the JRUUC Front Window More Inviting!
Looking for one or more people to come up with a plan to make our front window area look nicer and more inviting. Got any ideas or good looking plants that can withstand a south-facing window? Contact Joan Kemble or Kelly Kearns.
| |
|
Help Beautify Our Grounds!
Our members & friends run community counts on people to sign up to mow grass and pick up litter around our building. Mower provided. Sign up here for a week or two.
| |
What's Happening in Our Community | |
Urban Triage Unhoused Youth Initiative Drive
September 11 - October 6, 2023
Urban Triage strives to end youth homelessness though their transitional housing services: Youth- Headed Family Shelter, Scattered Transitional Housing Units, Rapid Rehousing, and Youth Drop-In Center. You can support their initiative by contributing household items to either a drop off bin near you or checkout their Amazon Wish List. View the wish list here.
| |
Our UUA General Assembly of Congregations has happened, and there was much worship, learning, discussion, and deciding! Go here to read some highlights, and come to worship this Sunday to hear Rev. Karen’s reflections on GA. Part of the learning, discussing, and deciding was about the proposed revisions to Article II of the UUA Bylaws - you can find the draft that this year’s delegates voted to bring to our congregations and other UU groups here. The delegates to the 2024 GA will share the conversations that happen over the course of the year, and vote on whether to adopt these revisions. | |
Click the banner to learn what you can do to promote social justice along with our national organization. | | Abortion, Anti-Racism, Reparations, Restorative Justice, Medicare | |
|
Click the banner to learn how you can get involved in getting out the vote.
| |
|
Do you have an announcement for our congregation?
Please send it to news@jruuc.org and submit by 5 p.m. on Tuesdays - earlier if possible!
Please specify where you would like it listed by writing
Sunday Announcement and/or Weekly and/or Website in the subject line of your email
Our office is the central point of contact for all Reeb communications.
Please send your questions to office@jruuc.org
| | | | |
