Welcome to our meeting, primarily a time to elect new leaders. I would like to thank our Nominating Committee for providing an excellent slate of candidates. The job of filling elected positions with people who have the "right stuff" is not an easy one. Thank you especially to those of you who are willing to serve the work of the Fellowship. I trust you will find joy and meaning in the work.

 

It seems something has shifted in our Fellowship. Things are running very smoothly! The MVUUF Minister and Fellowship Administrator are comfortable in their jobs and our programs are running well. I think these are the signs of healthy commitment, practice, and experience. We have also begun some engaging conversations about our role in social justice. These conversations are based on respect and care for one another, and while there may be passionate disagreements, we are staying with one another to try to figure out how to honor each other's perspectives.

 

But let's not get too comfortable! We also need to look to the future. Complacency is not going to serve us well. Like the rest of the country, we faced a harsh economic climate when we passed our budget in June. We agreed to give small raises to our staff and provide the resources needed to paint our building. We did this at a time when many churches were cutting staff or hours. I think this commitment reflects how important MVUUF is to all our lives. I would like to challenge us to really examine what it will take to provide a balanced budget every year that provides health insurance for employees, and the needed resources for vibrant programming, such as religious education, music and worship, fellowship, and social justice. If you think your commitment doesn't matter, please think again. We know financial circumstances vary, but even a small amount makes a difference. 

 

We also need to think beyond our financial future. Learning together about what this Fellowship can and should be has the potential to be a rewarding and meaningful process. It will also require the same kind of respectful engagement and love of community that we have seen in the social justice discussions. This sort of deliberation about what kind of community we should be is so consistent with what we stand for as a religious community. We do not wait for others to tell us what to think or do, and we do not stand idly by and wait for others to make things happen. We know we have an active hand in the world, and we can have an active hand in our future. I know we have it in us and I look forward to the work it requires. It is what it means to be UU.

 

~Alice Diebel

*This is the President's letter in the Congregational Meeting packet for Jan. 17, 2010

Ellen Beck would like to extend these words to the Fellowship:

"My family and I thank you for your sensitivity and kindness at the time of my husband's death.  The many thoughtful notes and cards mean a great deal, and the planter will remind us of your care and concern."

 

Chalice Children class (Preschool) 
January 17- Integenerational Service NO CLASS, but nursery care will be provided for those ages 3 and under

January 24- Class: Me and My World - I can remember
January 31 - Class: Me and My World - I can pretend

Kindergarten - 5th grade class:
January 17 - Integenerational Service NO CLASS, but nursery care will be provided for those ages 3 and under
January 24 - Workshop Rotation
                        ~ K & 1st grade:  Workshop 2 - An Iroquois Tale of Peacemaking 

                        ~ 2nd & 3rd grades:  Workshop 3 - An Appalachian Tale of Building Bridges

                        ~ 4th and 5th grades:  Workshop 1 - An Afghan Tale of Fear

January 31 - Workshop Rotation
                        ~ K & 1st grade:  Workshop 3 - An Appalachian Tale of Building Bridges

                        ~ 2nd & 3rd grades:  Workshop 1 - An Afghan Tale of Fear

                        ~ 4th and 5th grades:  Workshop 2 - An Iroquois Tale of Peacemaking

 

6th - 12th grade class: 
January 17 -  Integenerational Service NO CLASS, but nursery care will be provided for those ages 3 and under
January 24 - Class: Neighboring Faiths

January 31 - Class: Neighboring Faiths

 

**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*
January 17 - "What Will Libraries Be Like in The Future?"  Moderator: Mike Nelson 
January 24 - "Computer Security for Consumers"  Moderator: Denny Smith
January 31 - "Complaint About a Cop?  What Are Police for Anyway?  Part II"  Moderator: Roger Davis
*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.

Daytime Book Club Title*
January 20 - Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
February 17 - Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe
March 19 - Spite Fences, by Trudy Krisher  *This will be held on a Friday so the author can join us!
April TBA - Women of Brewster Place, by Gloria Naylor
*We meet one Wednesday a month, at 10:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Library.  We then go out for lunch together.  All are welcome!

Food Fanciers
Gary Courts will demonstrate how to make Edamame Hummus Dip with Pita Chips on January 22 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship kitchen.  All are invited - and it's deliciously fun!

 

Smart Choices
Mark your calendars for our meeting on February 11 at 2:00 p.m.  We will have our Midwinter Slump Party, where we will meet in our most comfortable sweats, pj's, etc.  Jan Campbell and Robin Farinet will have some surprises for us, too!

 

What Moves Us
"What Moves Us" is a UU curriculum dealing with UU theology and its meaning in our lives.  This seminar provides a framework for deep and longtime UUs to engage in theological reflection, not as an intellectual exercise, but as a process of meaning-making that equips one for living in the world as a UU person of faith.  This program explores the life experiences of both historic and contemporary UU theologians, highlighting that which caused in them a change of heart, a new direction, new hope, and a deeper understanding of their own liberal faith.  This course will be offered Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., January 26-March 30.  It will be led by Amy Russell.  Sign up in the Gathering Space.

Chalicelight Gallery
Beginning January 13, the Chalicelight Gallery will be showcasing the work of Cathy Jeffers.  Cathy is an artist and a teacher.  She works for Dayton Public Schools teaching art to emotionally disturbed children and at Wright State where she is an adjunct professor working with future elementary school teachers to give them the basics of art education philosophy and techniques.  Cathy made her first quilt in 2003 and after many years of experimenting and layering, has discovered her unique style.  Her work has been shown in Ohio, Hawaii, Oregon, Nebraska, and many other states as well.  Her quilt, The Artist and the Mermaid, is now on tour until 2011 with the Quilt National, an international quilt show.  The focus of her show is about the many people she's met, imagined, or would like to know.  For more information on Cathy, please visit www.cathyjeffers.com.

Peace and Peacemaking
Peace and peacemaking is a subject that most of us are concerned about.  The UUA has drafted a statement on Peacemaking. This is an important statement for all Unitarian Universalists and the UUA is requesting individual congregations to comment on it. The Social Concerns Committee is holding a meeting after the service on January 24 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the statement and determine a response from our congregation.  We are asking as many of you as are able to attend this meeting so our response will be as representative as possible of our congregation. 
Please read the draft of the statement with background and context at: www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/peacemaking/121606.shtml   It will be discussed and acted on at the General Assembly this coming June.  We look forward to hearing your voice on Jan 24.

Martin Luther King Memorial March
Participate with others from the Fellowship in participating in the MLK, Jr. march on Mon., January 18.  The Dayton march from the four corners of the city to the Courthouse will begin around 11 a.m.  If you are interested in carpooling from the Fellowship, please meet in the parking lot at 10:30 a.m.  If you live closer to Dayton, meet us at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.  Please let Bill Ross know if you're planning to attend.  Also contact him with any questions at 520-2481.  See you there!

Offering for January
The Social Concerns Committee invites plate offerings for the Wesley Community Center of Dayton.  The Wesley CC was founded in 1966 during the Dayton race riots and is located on Dayton's West Side.  The Center's mission is "helping others through God-centered principles."  Although the Center is faith-based, it serves all persons without regard to race, religion, sex, age, or sexual orientation and maintains a non-proselytizing stance.  Center programs include after school childcare, scouting, youth leadership development and senior nutrition and transportation programs.  The Center also offers self-sufficiency classes, motivational counseling, job preparation, and computer literacy.  An important and primary principle of the Center is to enable families and individuals to become self-sufficient and to be able to give back to the community.  The generosity exhibited by MVUUF in becoming a supporter of the Wesley Center is most appreciated.

 

Office News
The Fellowship Office will be closed on Monday, January 18 in observance of MLK, Jr. Day.

 

Congregational Meeting

The Congregational Meeting will be on Sun., January 17 at 12:15 p.m. in the MVUUF Sanctuary.  Agenda items will include the election of Board members, Program Council representatives, and the Nominating Committee.  We will also give the Unsung UU Award.  Please plan to attend.