Community Discussion Group Topics*
March 1 - Conspiracy Theories  Moderator: Tom Cruse
March 8 - Activities Families Enjoy Doing Together  Moderator: Sherry Davis
March 15 - Season for Nonviolence: Art & Practice of Consensus Building  Moderator: Bob Lewis
*This adult group meets every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Founders' Room for fellowship and thought-provoking discussions led by member volunteers.  For a more detailed listing of topics, please see the Sunday bulletin.

Michael Dowd Visits!
Michael Dowd will be back on our pulpit March 15.  And his wife Connie will be working with the 1st - 3rd grade classes.  We couldn't ask for better timing, as his visit comes on the heels of Darwin's 200th birthday.  His inspiring message embraces science and awe in an expression of gratitude for our human ability to understand our evolution.  If you have not heard him, you won't want to miss out.  If you have heard him, you'll be back.  Dowd will offer an extended, two-hour presentation on Tues. March 17 at 6:30 p.m.  Invite your friends from other faiths to come hear him then!  His evolutionary message invites people of all, or no, faith to celebrate the epic journey we've made together.  He may be backed by some of the world's biggest brains, but Dowd's message is all heart.  He & his wife Connie have literally lived on the road, out of a van, for the past eight years, traveling and preaching the "Gospel of Evolution."

UUMen
Starting March 1, UUMen will begin discussing Zalman Schachter-Shalomi's, From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Profound New Vision of Growing Older.  All MVUUF men are invited to attend, Sundays at 9:30 a.m.  For more information, please contact Bob Lewis, Richard Donnelly, Jim Poltrone, Joe Law, or Phil Wise.  Childcare is available and we have an extra copy of the book if you need it.

St. Vincent de Paul/2nd Saturday Lunch Menu*
March 14 menu: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, 100% OJ, milk
*All donations must be delivered heated and ready to serve 15-20 people.  Donations should be taken to 120 W. Apple St. by 10:30 a.m.  Contact theotherplace@mvuuf.org to sign up/with questions.  You can also sign up in the Gathering Space.
 
Memorial Garden
We are starting to seriously research related Memorial Garden subjects, including plaques, landscaping, etc.  No decisions are finalized, but we are considering a Memorial Garden behind the Fellowship & opposite the Sanctuary.  We want it to be dignified & low maintenance.  We hope funding will come from prior subscriptions and fundraising.  We hope to present a final design at the June Congregational meeting, at no cost to the Fellowship.  If you are seriously interested in this project, please contact John Bierman at biermajw@notes.udayton.edu.

Daytime Book Club Titles*
March 18 - Collapse, by Jared Diamond  April 22 - Water for Elephants, by Stephanie Gruen. 
*We meet one Wednesday a month, at 10:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Library.  All are welcome!

Offering for March & Peacecard Campaign
The Social Concerns Committee of the Fellowship invites offering plate contributions for the Dayton For Darfur (DFD) Peacecard Campaign. Starting in 2003, the Sudanese government employed systematic genocide against Darfuri civilians that has now claimed 300,000+ lives from direct violence, disease and starvation. Rape and torture have been widespread, and approximately 3 million Darfuris are now refugees in deplorable conditions, dependent on humanitarian aid. DFD, working with area organizations & places of worship, plans to hand-deliver 10,000 Peacecards signed by citizens throughout the Miami Valley to Senator Voinovich, with another 10,000 distributed between President Obama, Senator Brown & others in congress. The Peacecards urge that they take a leadership role in resolving this crisis.  30% of non-pledge contributions each Sunday in March will go to helping offset the $4 per hundred cost of printing the Peacecards. Peacecards will be available at the Fellowship. Additional information is available at http://daytonfordarfur.org 

Stewardship Campaign Kick-Off!
March 1 is the official kick-off for our annual stewardship campaign.  Last year we focused on the meaning of this fellowship to all our lives and you responded generously.  You told us that you no longer wanted deficit budgeting and "close-the-gap" campaigns and you responded accordingly.  We have been prudent in our spending as well.  All the staff and program reps have watched their expenditures closely and managed their budgets wisely.  Between your generosity and prudence, we are poised to move into a period of growth.

And we are growing.  You have noticed it!  Our parking lot is full.  The number of children in R.E. seems to keep growing.  There are many activities for newcomers to join.  We are developing new leaders.  We are growing and need to prepare for more of it.  What a terrific opportunity we face!  In tough economic times, congregations like ours become more important than ever.  We offer a place of spiritual growth, an opportunity for religious education, an environment that creates the space to live our religion through social justice work, and a wonderful home for fellowship among caring, thinking people.  These four pillars - worship, religious education, social justice, and fellowship - all require our stewardship.  Let's meet our growth responsibly with an eye toward the future.

Fellowship leaders will host a dinner for all of you on Sat. March 21 at 6:00 p.m.  You will be entertained and inspired by our own Scott Leonard.  A host of people will be able to answer questions about church budget and giving, and we will ask for your pledge.  So join us - it'll be fun!  Do the responsible thing.  If you don't come, we'll find you.  Ve haf our vays.  Please sign up in the Gathering Space so we know how much food to prepare.
~Alice Diebel