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.

May 31 - Honoring Our Grief  Rev. Amy Russell
~ On this day, we will honor a long held MVUUF tradition of reading the names of our loved ones who have passed in this year.  As we honor the memories of those people, we'll share our grief and our celebration of those we have been privileged to love. 

Please keep Jeanette Eakins in your thoughts as she undergoes surgery at the end of the month. 

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

May 24 - Intergenerational Youth Led Service
May 31 - Class: Curriculum - Chalice Children  LAST DAY OF SPRING CLASS

May 17 - Workshop 2: Native American - Religious Practices

May 24 - Intergenerational Youth Led Service
May 31 - Workshop 3: Taoism - Religious Practices  LAST DAY OF SPRING WORKSHOPS

4th and 5th grade class:
May 17 - Workshop 3: Taoism - Religious Practices

May 24 - Intergenerational Youth Led Service
May 31 - Workshop 1: Sikhism - Religious Practices  LAST DAY OF SPRING WORKSHOPS

6th and 8th grade class:
May 17 - Workshop 1: Sikhism - Religious Practices

May 24 - Intergenerational Youth Led Service
May 31 - Workshop 2: Native American - Religious Practices  LAST DAY OF SPRING WORKSHOPS

Senior High Class (Grades 9th-12th):
May 17 - "Popcorn Theology"

May 24 - Intergenerational Youth Led Service
May 31 - Planning period for Youth Worship & service projects  LAST DAY OF SPRING CLASS

**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."

Annual MVUUF Garage Sale
Our annual Garage Sale will take place on Sat., May 16, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Come out and shop!  Bring your cash & enjoy a day of bargain hunting - we'll have lunch & baked goodies, too!
 
Bake Sale & Cake Walk
In addition to the great items you'll find at the Garage Sale, we are also holding a Bake Sale & a Cake Walk.  To donate items for the Bake Sale, please contact D.J. Henry at [email protected] or at 239-3699.  To donate items for the Cake Walk, please contact Izabella Spriggs-Trobridge at [email protected]. 

 
Community Discussion Group Topics*
May 17 - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love  Moderator: Cynthia Brooks
May 24 -Why Not Legalize Street/Recreational Drugs  Moderator:  Gordon Taylor
May 31 - "N" is for Nauru and New River Gorge  Moderator:  Don Ferguson
*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.  The nomination, which should be a paragraph explaining your recommendation, can be submitted to Shannon Harper.  Shannon will take nominations in person, at [email protected], or they can be left in the DRE mailbox. 

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 [email protected] or 436-3628.

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 www.sicsa.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 [email protected].  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 [email protected] or phone at 436-3628.  She can send you a hard copy in the mail or email you an electronic version.

Mind, Body, Spirit
Join us the 4th Friday of the month at 7 p.m. for an experiential worship service: Mind, Body, Spirit.  The topic for May 22 will be "Prayer", presented by Alice Diebel.  As UUs we often reject the notion of prayer.  What do we think prayer is?  Why would we do it?  Join this service to discuss and experience prayer.

Music Task Force Survey Results
A meeting will be held immediately following the service on Sunday, May 24 in the Founders' Room to review the results of the music survey we conducted earlier this year.  All are invited to attend.  The meeting will last no more than 1 hour and will consist of about 15 minutes of presentation, with the remainder of the time available for discussion and questions.  This will also be an opportunity to express additional comments or suggestions about music at the Fellowship.

Have a Graduate?
Is there a recent, or soon-to-be, graduate in your house?  If you'd like them to be recognized at a future service, please email Kristin by June 1.