 The FORUM
Newsletter of MVUUF
March 16-31, 2009
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~ A Welcoming Congregation ~
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Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
8690 Yankee Street, Dayton, OH 45458
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| The winds of change are a-blowin'... |
| And they've come to rest on "The Forum." Welcome to the new, slimmer version of "The Forum." In order to get information to our readers in a more timely, relevant manner, we are going to present "The Forum" in a smaller version, twice a month. We hope these changes make "The Forum" a more useful resource for you. Information, schedules, Fellowship calendar, etc. are located on our web site at http://mvuuf.org. Whenever possible, links will provided to save you even more time. In addition, watch your mailbox for Forum Guidelines. Because of the new style, guidelines for submissions will need to be followed. Amy's letter has been placed on the web site. You can read it here: Letter from Rev. Amy | |
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Greetings!!
You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member or friend of MVUUF. If you don't wish to receive our newsletters, let us know by replying to this email or using "safe unsubscribe" at the bottom of this email. | |
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| Sermons |
March 15 - The Gospel According to Science: Evolutionary Good News The Rev. Michael Dowd
~ In this sermon, Michael Dowd shares the "good news" of a mainstream evolutionary worldview, as presented in his book, Thank God for Evolution. Until evolution is preached from the pulpit and taught in religious education, Dowd claims, we will never see an end to the science and religious war in America, nor will religion reach its potential to serve humanity and the interdependent web of life in the 21st century.
March 22 - Gifts of the Spirit Rev. Amy Russell
We all bring unique gifts into our Beloved Community. We bring gifts of our time, our energy, our creativity, our caring, and our financial resources. All of these things are gifts of the spirit.
March 29 - Living the Four Agreements James Nihan
James Nihan first met Don Miguel Ruiz, author of the bestselling book, The Four Agreements, in 2000. He will share his personal journey on the Toltec path and songs inspired by its wisdom. | |
| Keeping Up With Our Members |
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Jennie Hardy's uncle in England passed away on March 3rd. She will be in the U.K. for a few weeks. Please send her your thoughts and prayers.
Alysoun Taylor & Brandon Hall are engaged to be married! The wedding will take place at the Fellowship some time in 2011. Between them, Alysoun & Brandon have three children: Heidi, 19, Brook, 14, and Alex, 11. Congratulations!
Lew Hann is at homebound for a few weeks, after surgery. Please let him know you're thinking of him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Moreda family as they grieve the tragic loss of Esme Kenney, Michael's girlfriend.
Deb Miyake had surgery to repair a hernia and is currently in Miami Valley Hospital. She will be recovering at her mother's (Carol Kahler) home. The address is 100 Huffman Ave. #108 Dayton, OH 45403.
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| YRE Schedules |
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YRE Calendar for March:
Chalice Children class (Preschool and Kindergarten): Pre-K/K begin in class at 11:00 a.m.
March 15 - Class: Curriculum - Chalice Children
March 22 - Class: Curriculum - Chalice Children
March 29 - Class: Curriculum - Chalice Children
Grades 1st through 8th: Workshop Rotation, March's theme: "World Religions - Creation"
1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade class:
March 15 - Workshop 1: Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist - Big Bang: We Are All Made of Stardust
March 22 - Workshop 2: Hinduism - Creation Story
March 29 - Workshop 3: Yoruba religion - Creation Story
4th and 5th grade class:
March 15 - Workshop 2: Hinduism - Creation story
March 22 - Workshop 3: Yoruba religion - Creation Story
March 29 - Workshop 1: Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist - Big Bang: We Are All Made of Stardust
6th and 8th grade class:
March 15 - Workshop 3: Yoruba religion - Creation story
March 22 - Workshop 1: Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist - Big Bang: We Are All Made of Stardust
March 29 - Workshop 2: Hinduism - Creation story
Senior High Class (Grades 9th-12th):
March 15 - "Popcorn Theology"
March 22 - "Popcorn Theology"
March 29 - planning period for Youth Worship & service projects
**For more detailed information about the YRE program, as well as YRE events and schedules, please go to our web site at http://mvuuf.org and click on "Religious Education." |
| Around the Fellowship |
Community Discussion Group Topics*
March 15 - Season for Nonviolence: Art & Practice of Consensus Building Moderator: Bob Lewis
March 22 - The Narcissistic Personality Moderator: Jim Faulconer
March 29 - The Changing Racial and Ethnic Makeup of the American Population Moderator: Alex Moreda
*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. 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."
St. Vincent de Paul/2nd Saturday Lunch Menu*April 11 menu: mixed vegetables, fresh fruit salad, 100% OJ, and milk. The main dish will be provided by Natalie Spriggs-Trobridge's homeschool group. *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. James Nihan Concert
On Sat. March 28 at 8:00 p.m., Nashville-based singer/songwriter James Nihan will join us again for a spirit-filled concert. You might remember the inspirational music James shared with us two years ago at Sunday service. So many of you have asked to have him back, he's agreed to do both a concert and a service! He will be at the March 29 service. The concert and service will be different, so you'll want to come to both. You can find out more about James at his web site, http://jamesnihan.com Contact Carol Narigon at 427-2056 or narigonc@aol.com if you'd like to volunteer to help. See you there! 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 CampaignThe Social Concerns Committee of the Fellowship invites offering plate contributions for the Dayton For Darfur (DFD) Peacecard Campaign. 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.
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
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| Don't Forget! |
**Cinemaniacs will meet March 15 at the Neon Theater & April 4 at Danbury South. Please call Pete Hering at 974-0360 for more information.
**Smart Choices will meet Thur., March 26 at 2 p.m. at the Fellowship. Robin Farinet will bring scripts for the play, "The Quilters."
**Food Fanciers will meet Fri., March 20 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Kitchen to see Adina & Rita Reeve make cream puffs, �clairs, and cheese puffs. They will also give tips on making items with choux pastry. All are welcome! Contact Sylvia Wince with questions.
**Evening Book Group will meet at the Java Street Caf� (2056 E. Dorothy Ln.) on Tues., April 14 to discuss Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult. May's selection is Pagan Christ, by Tom Harpur. Contact Ann Snively.
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| Save the Date! |
**Greg Greenway will be performing a concert on Sat., April 25...more details here: Greg Greenway concert
**The Service Auction is April 18! The auction starts at 6:30 p.m. Get ready for an evening of tapas, sangria, & fun! Donation forms are available in Sunday bulletins and in the Gathering Space. If you'd like a form emailed to you, please contact Kristin in the Fellowship office at 436-3628 and she will get one to you. | |
