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In This Issue
Music Notes
Upcoming Events
News Bites
Projects for the Homeless
Shop for NUUC
Phoenix Witness Project
Volunteers Wanted!
Treasurer's Report
Loose Change Update
Quick Links
   
  
  
  
  
     

Music Notes 

 

 

Summer has flown by! I would like to extend a hearty thanks to all the vocalists and instrumentalists who have performed during worship services. Of special note were the August musicians: Scot Hardin, Nancy Gamso, Barb Lubberger, Lauren Richards, Ruth Rusk, Brad Dana, Chris Aultman, Aaron Saling, and Nathan Morse. Bravo!

 

Current and prospective members: the first rehearsal of the 2011-2012 choir season will be Sunday, September 11 at 9:00am. A babysitter will be available from 8:45an-1145am every Sunday morning from September 11-December 18.

 

This is the perfect time of year for new singers to join the NUUC Choir. We are always looking for talented vocalists to join us. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings at 9:00am (no mid-week or evening practices required), and babysitting service is available. Please contact me if you are interested. Perhaps the best way to see if choir is right for you is to come to a rehearsal. I'll be happy to set you up with music if you contact me at least one week in advance.

 

Choir folders are now ready for pick-up. Current members should see me before the first rehearsal for their music. If any choir member has not recently received an email from me, please make sure I have your current email address. I am very excited about the repertoire we will be performing during the fall season. I have programmed many old favorites and a number of new pieces too. Stay tuned... ;)

 

Always yours,

 

Marlene Hartzler, Music Director

[email protected]

 

 

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Upcoming Events

NUUC 25th Anniversary Party

 

Please join us at NUUC's twenty-fifth anniversary party on Saturday evening, September 10 at 7:00pm.  We'll enjoy celebratory beverages, tempting desserts, lively conversation, AND jazz music from our own Wade Jones and Traci Aquara..  On the NUUC lawn, weather permitting. Babysitting service available.

We are currently looking for donations of small tables (card or tv style) and desserts.  Please contact Mary Ann Woyton ( if [email protected])  can donate a table--as for desserts, please just bring them with you to the party! 

 

Service Auction Sept. 25

 

The Service Auction is just around the corner! On Sunday, September 25 we will be holding our Annual Service Auction. This is always a fabulously fun event, and it couldn't happen without YOU! Hope your creative juices have been flowing and you've been deciding what goods and services you want to offer for purchase at this year's auction.  Watch for submission details or contact NUUC coordinator Becca Morse at [email protected] with your intended offering!

 

Hurry - there's still time to let us know what you want to purchase, too! What do you want? What items are you interested in bidding on? What services do you want to buy? Our congregation has a wide range of talents, and it is often difficult to decide what to offer. In past years you've purchased lessons (knitting, musical and belly dancing!); cooked dinners and organized theme parties; and helpful services such as yard work and tax preparation.

 

So, help your fellow NUUC members by telling them what you want...email Becca Morse at [email protected] right away with "SERVICE AUCTION - WANTED" as the subject of your e-mail to place a "Wanted Ad" for the service auction.

 

Please join us on Sunday, September 25 immediately after the service - watch the bulletin board and September Orders of Service for updates!

 

 

Fair Trade Sale Set for Sept. 11

 

"The Social Action Committee will hold a Fair Trade Sale on Sunday, September 11 (held the second Sunday of most months). Plan to purchase your fairly traded coffee, tea and delicious dark chocolates! See Brandy or Paul Montgomery for more information ([email protected])

 

News Bytes 

 churchdoor

 

 

 

Annual School Supply Drive Results

 

Thanks to all who contributed items and money to support our annual School Supply Drive, which benefits some 150 middle and high school students served by the Delaware Co. Juvenile Probation Department. Our drive was a huge success; a gift card for $550 plus a boxful of supplies was delivered on prior to the first day of school. A special thank-you to NUUC coordinator Becky Mullis for overseeing this year's drive.

 

NUUC Directory 

 

The NUUC Directory of Members and Friends was distributed via e-mail in late April to save printing and postage.  You can receive an electronic or paper copy at any time upon request; please contact Jeri Dill at [email protected] or 740-657-8081, ext. 1, noting whether you want to receive via e-mail or get a printed copy (please note whether you are able to pick it up at church to save postage or you need it mailed to you.)

 Help us keep the directory information current--please notify Jeri if your address, phone, or e-mail information needs updating.

 

 

 

 

 

Projects for the

Homeless

 

It's still summer, but cold weather will be here soon enough. Please remember the "Share" group's ongoing Sleeping Bag Project: If you have used (but stain-free) towels and washcloths that you would like to get rid of, please consider donating them to "Share" for their use in making sleeping bags for the homeless.  (Other items that are needed are fabric, blankets, and men's ties.) Donation is easy-just leave the items in or near the marked box located in Fellowship Hall with a note marked "for Share project.") There is always an urgent need to make more sleeping bags-see the website for info about how to help with the assembly. So...clean your linen and clothes closets and drawers and ask friends!

 

For more information about the above project or to view other requested items (toiletries, clothing needs), visit www.Shareyourbest.us or contact NUUC Coordinator Lynn Foreman [email protected] or 740-513-4876.

 

PulpitChalice

Shop for NUUC

The Delaware County Community Market is a fascinating new venture in downtown Delaware.  A year-round, non-profit market, you can shop there for groceries, handmade foods and other items, and household goods, and then direct 20% of the profits to your favorite non-profit.  (Yes, NUUC is on the list of nonprofits to choose from!)  The market is open 7 days a week (10-6 weekdays and 10-4 weekends).  For more information, go to www.dccmc.com. 

 

 If you haven't already registered (or renewed) your Kroger Plus card with the Community Rewards program, please consider designating NUUC as your recipient.  Individual participation must be renewed annually, so be sure you have updated your record.If you haven't registered or need to update your participation:  Go to http://www.kroger.com and select Kroger Community Rewards at the bottom of the page.  You'll need your account information or your Plus card number to complete the registration.  It is a little cumbersome, but the sooner you do it the sooner your purchases start counting toward another nice donation from Kroger.  (Should you need it, our NUUC Nonprofit Organization Number is 84869).

 

 

September 2011

RevElations!

 

When you are walking, and facing a sudden and sharp incline, what do you do?  I try to maintain my same steady pace, telling myself there will be a chance to catch my breath at the top.  Some folks--I admire them the most--speed up, meeting extra challenge with extra effort.  The dog, of course, just sits down and politely declines the unnecessary obstacle by pointing out the easier route home with his snout.

 

We have quite the fall ahead of us.  We celebrate Ingathering on Sept. 11.  At this service we will install our Intern Minister Rachel Baker, and make our annual Water Celebration (you may bring a vial or real or symbolic or imaginary water signifying your summer's experiences if you like).  After services we will have a special lunch and learn about possibilities for becoming more involved with the congregation.  Our regular religious education classes for children begin Sept. 18--parents look for more information and registration materials in your email in about a week's time.  And, we will hear about your Board of Trustee's deliberations regarding possibilities for expanding our existing building space.

 

So how shall we push ourselves ahead?  With a party, of course!  I hope you can join us for our 25th Anniversary Party Saturday Sept. 10 at 7:00 PM (see "upcoming events" in this newsletter for more details).  We're going enjoy the jazz of Traci Aquara and Wade Jones, mark our anniversary, and also have a chance to warmly welcome our Intern Minister Rachel Baker and her partner Andy to our congregation.  

 

Rachel will be with us until the beginning of June.  She has recently completed the coursework for her Master's of Divinity from the Starr King School for the Ministry associated with the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.  She brings a wealth of past experience.  She will also be serving in the (very) part time capacity of Social Witness Coordinator for the Ohio Meadville District.  Rachel has done a variety of direct care justice work, including literacy training for adults and children, operating a homeless shelter, and teaching English and HIV/AIDS prevention workshops while a Peace Corps volunteer.  Rachel and Andy will be living in Nielsen House, so while we will continue to use some of that space during Sunday morning for religious education, we'll want to be mindful of their privacy in the house otherwise.

 

I'm very excited that Rachel will be with us.  Nobody loves formal schooling more than I do--but--the beautfiul fact of the matter is that in our tradition, only congregations finally say who our ministers are, and so it is only appropriate, then, for such a gifted and lovely congregation as you all to help in the final stage of Rachel's education and ministerial formation.  I promise that one day not too far away you will hear of Rachel's good work in our association, and be able to say, "we knew her as an Intern!"

 

OK, off to climb that hill.  Here's hoping for a beautiful fall together.

 

To Life!
Susan

(Rev. Susan Ritchie)

Fall Adult Education Opportunities 

 

 

Immigration as a Moral Issue

Starting Tuesday October 4 at 7 PM, and meeting weekly in Fellowship Hall through November 8, NUUC will be offering and adult education course on "Immigration as a Moral Issue." This course will use the curriculum developed by the UUA when General Assembly urged all congregations to learn more about this vital issue. Topics covered will include: Understanding the Causes of Migration; History of Immigration in the US; Economics of (Im)migration; Security, Enforcement, and Human Rights; Who Benefits from a Broken System; and Seeking Solutions. Course facilitated by NUUC member Pam Patsch. See the bulletin board, call 740-657-8081, or email [email protected] to sign up by Sunday, October 2. Babysitter service available upon advance request.

 

Articulating your UU Faith

A five session course uses as variety of engaging exercises to help participants learn how to effectively communicate their liberal religious ideals. Taught by Intern Minister Rachel Baker, Thursday nights 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Oct. 6 through Nov. 3, in Fellowship Hall.   See the bulletin board, call 740-657-8081, or email [email protected] to sign up by Sunday, October 2. Babysitter service available upon advance request.

 

Orientation to Our Congregation

 This spring we recognized seventeen new members of our congregation, and two more new members have joined this summer!  If you would like to learn more about UU or join the congregation, be sure to sign up for the next "Orientation to our Congregation" session, Oct. 16, 11:45 AM-12:45 PM in the vestibule. During Orientation, Rev. Susan Ritchie and a Membership Committee representative will explain the denomination's (and our congregation's) history and the meaning of membership. The next scheduled public recognition of new members will be during the worship service on Oct.30. Let Rev. Ritchie know - [email protected] or 740-657-8081, if you are interested in joining then or before then.  See the bulletin board, call 740-657-8081, or email [email protected] to sign up by Sunday, October 9. Babysitter service available upon advance request.

 

Phoenix Witness Project
 Phoenix Witness Project
Have you seen a button that looks like this? Maybe in yellow or maybe in white? What does it mean? Who is it for? and most important, how can I get one? The Phoenix Witness Project is the response of the Ohio Meadville District to the current legislation in Arizona (Senate Bill 1070 now being mimicked by Georgia, Utah and other states) that substantially impacts the civil rights of anyone who cannot pass for a white Midwesterner. In 2010, rather than follow many organizations and impose economic boycotts and pull out of planned conventions in response to SB1070, the 2010 General Assembly, working with the Arizona UU congregations, determined that instead of a boycott, we as a movement will go and bear witness, we will go and do justice, we will reach out into the community to live our values and take a stand on the side of love. So instead of a General Assembly in 2012 in Phoenix, we will have a Justice Assembly.

 

To be effective, Justice Assembly must be more than a General Assemby with a different name. To that end, the OMD Board has made a commitment to substantially increase our District's participations in Justice Assembly through the Phoenix Witness

Project.

 

With the Phoenix Witness Project, we are going to congregations large and small throughout the district with a simple request; we are asking for a pledge from each congregant, that we will collect and use as grants and scholarships to help people get to Phoenix in 2012. In particular, since Justice Assembly will be a pivotal moment in the history of our faith, we must insure that our youths and young adults can freely participate and live out the values we preach from every pulpit in our District every Sunday.

 

So we will go as a district to Phoenix; to bear witness, to speak with love to hate, to speak justice to intolerance, to live our faith, to stand on the side of love. We ask you to pledge and to attend Justice Assembly for the same reason we do any justice work, to show that love, that is the doctrine of our faith, does not, and can not, stop at our church's front door. If you wish to help the Phoenix Witness Project, please see our page on the Ohio Meadville District website (www.ohiomeadville.org). 

 

Volunteers Wanted!

 

Refreshments:  One NUUC tradition that carries on week to week is coffee, cookies, and conversation after services.   A very special thank you to all of you who have taken a turn at setting up and clean-up after our weekly refreshment tasks this year.   The process is easy--all you have to do is follow instructions that are already posted in the kitchen on where everything is and how to make coffee.  And then clean up after and put things back.  Everything is provided for you.  (But, feel free to try out a new cookie recipe or bring a dessert left from a meeting or family function!)  We are currently scheduling through October-see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for available dates, or please contact Teri Cornell at [email protected]  or 614-891-59. 

 

Delaware County CROP Hunger Walk

 

 

 Each year your Social Action Committee participates in the Delaware County CROP Hunger Walk. This year the Walk is on Sunday, October 2. Our Walk is sponsored by the Delaware Ministerial Association and supports Church World Service hunger programs.

CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. We'll be joined by walkers in CROP Walks in some 2,000 communities across the country. We walk to raise awareness of the problem of hunger, and provide funds for immediate relief and long-term developmental assistance, both abroad and in our own country.

 25% of funds raised go to local food banks, pantries, etc. In our case, 25% goes to PIN (People In Need), which operates a food pantry and a holiday clearing house (providing food, gifts, clothing, etc.), and provides emergency housing and emergency medical and other services, for people in Delaware county. PIN is a member of the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

 

 

 

The point of walking is to be in solidarity with hungry people in developing countries who walk as much as six miles a day for fuel, water, and food. CROP Walkers can choose either a six-mile or a one-mile route.  It is a tragic fact that worldwide more than one in seven people are hungry - and as many as half of them are children. Whether you are a CROP Walker or a donor, you help end the curse of hunger at home and abroad by supporting the vital work of Church World Service.

 

To sign up as a CROP Walker:   See NUUC Coordinator Tracy Steinbrenner ([email protected] or 614-885-0324). She will have envelopes which contain all the information you need. To learn more:   go to www.churchworldservice.org, or www.cropwalk.org.

 

 

Open Invitation from Social Action Committee

 

The next meeting of the NUUC Social Action Committee will be on the special (2nd Sunday) date of Sunday, September 11, after service in the vestibule off the sanctuary. We will revert to our "first Sunday" schedule beginning in October. For more information, please feel free to attend a committee meeting or talk to any member of your Social Action Committee. Contact Chair Tracy Steinbrenner at [email protected] for questions or to reconfirm the next meeting date.  Won't you join us?

 

 

 Spruce-Up Help Still Solicited

 

 A reminder from the Building & Grounds Committee: We do have some remaining tasks that we would like to get done this summer. If you are interested, contact B&G Committee Chair Bob Keith at 740-369-1919 or [email protected] .  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasurer's Report 

  

 

 

Outlined below is a summary of the financial report presented to members of your Finance Committee and Board of Trustees for the month of July, 2011:

 

 

Actual $ Received

and Paid

Budget (Planned Receipts and Payments)

 July, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Pledge Offerings

10,445

12,419

Non-Pledge Offerings

643

0

Rental Revenue

100

900

Ways and Means-Fundraising

8

353

 

 

 

Total Income

11,196

13,672

 

 

 

Total Expenses

14,858

13,672

 

 

 

 Year-to-Date

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Pledge Offerings

4,665

0

2011 Pledge Offerings

81,187

86,930

Non-Pledge Offerings

6,561

0

Rental Revenue

4,571

6,300

Ways and Means-Fundraising

764

2,470

 

 

 

Total Income

97,747

95,700

 

 

 

Total Expenses

93,310

95,700

Respectuflly Submitted,

Koralleen Stavish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loose Change Update

 

 

 

Your Social Action Committee will continue its "Loose Change" project in 2011 by collecting your loose coins during the worship service on the second Sunday of each month throughout the past several years.  The September 11 "Loose Change" collection will benefit "Montana de Luz," a faith- based organization that supports an orphanage for children affected by HIV / AIDS in Honduras. The funds collected will help feed, clothe, educate and provide loving comprehensive care to these children. Visit www.montanadeluz.org or speak to NUUC member Erika Shell de Castro for more information.

 

Other upcoming beneficiaries of our "Loose Change" efforts include: CROP Walk (October): Holiday Family (November & December); and Out of Darkness (January 2012).  Additional deserving recipients of our monthly Loose Change collections are always under discussion. For questions regarding the "Loose Change" project or to suggest a recipient, contact Chair Tracy Steinbrenner at [email protected] or any member of your Social Action Committee.

 

  

The Loose Change collections for July and August were earmarked to benefit the School Supply Drive, our annual project to support the youth served by the Delaware County Juvenile Probation Department. (see article elsewhere in this newsletter for more details about this project). In July we collected $116.00.

 

 

 

 

Board Minutes 

August 20, 2011

Attendees: Darlene Tschudy, Gary Rusk, Kim Poderys, Mary Ann Wojton, Laura Howe,Nina Webb- Lawton. Nathan Morse, Koralleen Stavish

Absent: Marty Keith, Susan Ritchie

1. Gary Rusk motioned, Laura Howe seconded, that we transfer $200 from communications committee to Social Action committee, MOTION PASSED.

2.  Nathan Morse has been asked to fill the position vacated by Scot Danforth. Gary Rusk motioned, Mary Ann seconded, that we accept Nathan Morse as a Board Member, pending Nathan Morse signing the membership book, MOTION PASSED.

3. Anniversary Party, September 10. Members and friends are invited.

4. Opportunities Lunch after in-gathering, September 11, there will be sandwiches, Darlene will contact committee chairs, there will be flyer that shares info about each church committee.

5. An Informational congregational meeting to discuss church growth will occur mid- to late-September.

6. Gary moved, Nina seconded that we authorize the necessary costs to meet with architect to plan our direction. 4 approved, 1 opposed. MOTION PASSED