May 3 - Radical Hospitality: Greeting Our Neighbors Everywhere  Rev. Amy Russell
~ Every Sunday, we greet new people in our services.  Everyday, we see strangers in our lives.  Rev. Marilyn Sewell says, "We are not separate; we are one.  No strangers, really, just part of our lost selves reclaimed."  How do we practice "radical hospitality"?
May 10 - Social Justice Mission  Rev. Amy Russell & the Social Concerns Committee
~ What is our social justice mission in our congregation?  Our second principle calls us to "justice, equity, and compassion in human relations".  Does this mean we should be working on social justice as a whole congregation, as individual groups, or as individuals in our own lives?  Should we be working on issue advocacy, community action, and global systemic justice?  We'll hear from people with different views.

May 17 - Our Inherent Worth  Rev. Amy Russell
~ When we look at our first principle, the inherent worth and dignity of all people, we are reminded of humanity's good.  Are we born good?  What about our "shadow side", as Jung calls it?  How do we understand both our dark side and our worthy side?
May 24 - What We Learn from Each Other  MVUUF Youth
~ This intergenerational service will be led by the youth of our congregation.  The focus of this service will be on the lessons we learn from one another.  In addition, our youth will give their belief statements and we will honor the teachers in the Fellowship.

Suzanne Hudson, wife of Jim Hudson, has moved to a nursing home facility.  Her new address is Hearth and Home  55 Great Hall Dr.  Room #105  Dayton, OH  45414. 

Bettie Nickell would love to hear from you!  Her address is Bellbrook Rehab. Center  1957 N. Lakeman Dr. #111A  Bellbrook, OH  45305

 

Take a look at our newest additions, welcomed to our congregation on April 12th!!

 

 

 

YRE Calendar for May:
Chalice Children class (Preschool and Kindergarten): Pre-K/K begin in class at 11:00 a.m.
May 3 - Preschool/Kindergarten Children's Worship
May 10 - Class: Curriculum - Chalice Children
May 17 - Class: Curriculum - Chalice Children

Grades 1st through 8th: Workshop Rotation, May's theme: World Religions: Religious Practices
1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade class:
May 3 - Children's Worship in the Founders' Room
May 10 - Workshop 1: Sikhism - Religious Practices
May 17 - Workshop 2: Native American - Religious Practices

4th and 5th grade class:
May 3 - Children's Worship in the Founders' Room
May 10 - Workshop 2: Native American - Religious Practices
May 17 - Workshop 3: Taoism - Religious Practices

6th and 8th grade class:
May 3 - Youth Worship in the Library
May 10 - Workshop 3: Taoism - Religious Practices
May 17 - Workshop 1: Sikhism - Religious Practices

Senior High Class (Grades 9th-12th):
May 3 - Youth Worship in the Library
May 10 - "Popcorn Theology"
May 17 - "Popcorn Theology"

You can view the DRE's letter here:  Natalie's Letter

 

**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."

Community Discussion Group Topics*
May 3 - The Battle for the American Soul:  Who should we support in the national debate raging between the Marlboro Man and the Good Samaritan?  Moderator: Roger Davis
May 10 - Is Teaching Children Tradition an Indoctrination?  Moderator: Joe Lawrence
May 17 - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love  Moderator: Cynthia Brooks
*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.

Julie Renfro Award Nominations
The YRE Committee is seeking nominations for the Julie Renfro Award for outstanding service to Youth Religious Education.  This award is presented in honor of a former RE Assistant who showed dedication and service beyond her call of duty.  The recipient should be someone who has devoted significant service to our young people through the YRE program.  The nomination, which should be a paragraph explaining your recommendation, can be submitted to Shannon Harper.  Shannon will take nominations in person, at somamata@gmail.com, or they can be left in the DRE mailbox.  Anyone can nominate, so please discuss this with your children, as some of our most heartfelt nominations have come from them.  All nominations will be considered and reviewed by our YRE Committee and the award will be presented at our June Congregational Meeting.

Annual MVUUF Garage Sale
Our annual Garage Sale will take place on Sat., May 16, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  We need volunteers to help the day of the event, taking money, working in the kitchen, etc.  There are three shifts (8:30-12, 12-3, or all day).  You can also volunteer to help out the week leading up the Garage Sale, because we'll need lots of items priced!  Can't volunteer, but still want to help out?  We'll take your donations to sell!  We can take anything, but NO CLOTHING, please.  If you have furniture to donate & need it picked up, contact Tom Adams at 832-1448 or basstom53@aol.com.  Any other questions/want to sign up to volunteer?  Call Shirley Gezinski at 434-2267.  Can't volunteer or donate?  Come out and shop!  Bring your cash & enjoy a day of bargain hunting - we'll have lunch & baked goodies, too!

Honoring Our Loved Ones
On our May 31 service, we'll be honoring all our loved ones who died in the past year.  This is a long held tradition at MVUUF.  Please send Kristin all names you would like read at the service.  She can be reached at kfreeman@mvuuf.org or 436-3628.

Cake Walk!
In addition to the great items you'll find at the Garage Sale, some of our MVUUF kids will be holding a cake walk during the Sale.  If you'd like to show off your cake baking ability, please donate a cake for this event.  There are only 20 spots available, so if you're interested, sign up in the Gathering Space soon!  It's $10/person, and you can pay the day of the event.  The cake walk will take place in the Founders' Room at 1 p.m. on May 16 (that's right - bargains & baking!  You can't beat a Garage Sale like this one!).  Donations should be dropped off no later than noon that day.  If you have any questions, please contact Izabella Spriggs-Trobridge through her mom's email, dre@mvuuf.org.  Happy baking!

 

Have a Graduate?
If you have a graduate you'd like recognized at a service in the near future, please email Kristin at kfreeman@mvuuf.org, by June 1.

St. Vincent de Paul's 2nd Saturday Lunch Menu*
May 9 menu: lasagna, green salad, fruit salad (already prepared, or a combo/any of the following - melon chunks, oranges, grapes, tangerines or clementines), and 100% orange juice. 
* 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.

Daytime Book Club Titles
May 20 - Flight of the Falcon, by Daphne DuMaurier
June 17 - The Wayward Bus, by John Steinbeck
July 29 - Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, by Greg Mortenson
We meet one Wednesday a month, at 10:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Library.  All are welcome!

Offering for May
The Social Concerns Committee invites plate offerings for SICSA (The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals).  SICSA is a non-profit animal welfare group that has been dedicated to helping the homeless, stray, and unwanted animal population in the Miami Valley since 1974.  SICSA depends on donations at all times, but in today's economic climate, donations are down and many animals are being abandoned as people have to give up their homes.  For more information, please visit SICSA.

 
Food Fanciers*
Food Fanciers is open to MVUUF members who want to have fun & learn tricks used in food preparation.  We do taste everything we make!  Whomever is demonstrating brings the ingredients & utensils.  On May 15, Janice Beers will show us how to make one serving chocolate cake in a mug.  Questions?  Contact Sylvia Wince. 
*Meets one Friday a month at 2 p.m., in the Fellowship Kitchen

Universalist Cemetery Restoration Clinic
The Springboro Historical Society will be sponsoring a clinic on how to preserve and restore a graveyard at the Springboro Universalist Cemetery.  The clinic is May 31, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  The cost is $35 and includes a continental breakfast and picnic lunch.  For more information, email clinic@springborohistory.org.

New Orleans Service Project
Come join a work project in New Orleans, July 11 - 19.  Cost of the trip is $200, and includes a cot to sleep on, bathroom facilities, 5 breakfasts, 5 sack lunches, and 5 dinners.  The group is leaving from Evansville, IN.  Individuals must reserve their space by Apr. 30.  A $100 deposit is required to register.  Registration forms are available at Heartland District, online at www.uuevansville.org or by email to Rev. Deane Oliva at cogenisys@aol.com.  Call 270-779-9222 for more information.

Need an Updated MVUUF Directory?
If you would like a current MVUUF directory, please contact Kristin via email at kfreeman@mvuuf.org or phone at 436-3628.  She can send you a hard copy in the mail or email you an electronic version.