A LETTER FROM THE MINISTER

While I'm gone in July, you are going to have the privilege of having several different speakers.  All of them are either in training to be ministers, or are ministers, or were in ministry in the past.  However, we often have wonderful lay speakers from our own congregation as well.  Many of you have had a time to share your experience from the pulpit during one of our more experiential services.  I hope those of you who feel comfortable will volunteer at some point to share your story.  Hearing someone else's story is often a trigger for our own reflection.  We are all ministers in what we have to offer each other.

Gordon McKeeman says that ministry is:

1.        a quality of relationship between and among human being that beckons forth hidden possibilities

2.        inviting people into deeper, more constant, more reverent relationship with the world and with one another

3.        being present with, to, and for others in their terrors and torments, and their grief, misery, and pain.

4.        knowing that those feelings are our feelings, too.

5.        celebrating the triumphs of the human spirit, the miracle of birth and life, the wonders of devotion and sacrifice.

6.        witnessing to life-enhancing values, speaking truth to power, standing for human dignity and equity, for compassion and aspiration.

7.        believing in life in the presence of death, struggling for human responsibility, against principalities and structures that ignore humaneness and become instruments of death...

8.        whenever there is a meeting that summons us to our better selves, wherever our lostness is found,our fragments are united, or our wounds begin healing, our spines stiffen and our muscles grow strong for the task.

9.        There is ministry.

So while I'm gone in July, I leave you in good hands.  Each other's.  Please call if you have an emergency and I'll be there.  But meanwhile, minister to each other, to our community, and to the world who needs our love more than anyone.

Sermon Topics

July 3 - How Then, Shall We Live?  Rev. Leslie Woodward

~ We all long to experience a sense of inner wholeness and guidance, to live a life of meaning, purpose, and grace.  But how can we live up to this ideal?  Rev. Woodward explores the writings of therapist, minister, and activist Wayne Muller as he shows us a path to finding the wise spiritual guide that is alive in each of us.

July 10 - Mother Earth vs. the World's People  MVUUF members
~ All members, friends and visitors of the Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship are hereby summoned for Jury Duty to render a verdict in the case of "Mother Earth vs. World's People", perhaps the most important trial in the history of civilization.  To be held in the Courtroom of His Honor the Judge located at 8690 Yankee St.  Centerville, Ohio.  Failure to comply with this summons will result in tiresome whining by the Producer, Director, and members of the hardworking cast of this serious, but amusing, play.

July 17 - Jesus for Humanists  Lathe Snyder
~ Jesus is the central figure for Christian faith.  Others have sometimes seen him as the enemy.  This sermon suggests that humanists and others who do not identify as Christians may find value in the story of Jesus without seeing him as divine.

July 24 - From You I Receive  Dan Miyake
~ The act of giving is almost second nature to most of us.  We generously give of ourselves, our time, our money, and other resources.  Giving makes us feel good.  When it comes to receiving, however, we often feel awkward and uncomfortable.  Come join us as we look at the art of gracious receiving.  It feels good, too!

July 31 - Liberal Religion's Core Beliefs  Rev. Bruce Russell-Jayne

~ Surveys of UUs show broad agreement on a set of religious ideas.  In the text for this sermon, The Marketing of Liberal Religion, the Rev. David Bumbaugh spelled them out, and he suggests we use them to bring some clarity about liberal religion in the broader world.

Keeping Up with Our Members

Beryl Schicker, longtime member of MVUUF, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on June 24.  A memorial service will be held on July 16, 2-4 p.m. at the Yellow Springs UU located at 2884 U.S. 68.  Cards may be sent to her husband, Stephen, at 215 Whitehall Dr.  Yellow Springs, OH  45387.

Elsie Fenic is (finally!) back home after two months of hospital stays and rehab from her back surgery.  She will continue physical therapy on an outpatient basis.  She has heart rhythm issues and will be in a back brace until early August, but is now able to walk limited distances with a cane. 

John Crockford's father passed away the weekend of June 19.  Please keep John in your thoughts and prayers as he goes through this difficult time.

If you are experiencing a rough time in your life, please know that your Fellowship community is here to support you.

Around the Fellowship

St. Vincent de Paul 2^nd Saturday Lunch*
July 9 Menu:  Beef stew, green salad, fruit salad, 2% milk, 100% juice
*All items 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 kfreeman@mvuuf.org or sign up in the Gathering Space.

Lunch with Amy
Lunch is on hiatus during July and will resume at Second Street Market in August.

Community Discussion Group*

July 3 - "How Free Are We?"  Moderator: Lindy McDonough

July 10 - "The Economics of Medicine (Medical Care)."  Moderator: Tom Starr

July 17 - "Famous People Who Graduated from Your High School or College."  Moderator:  Bruce Baker

July 24 - "How Have Your Hobbies Changed over The Years?"  Moderator: Diane Dermody

July 31 - TBD

*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.

Evening Book Club

Please join us at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at Christopher's Restaurant (2318 Dorothy Ln., Kettering).  For more information, contact Ann Snively.
July 12 - A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah
August 9 - The Irresistible Henry House, by Lisa Grunwald
September 13 - March, by Geraldine Brooks
October 11 - Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

Daytime Book Club Title*
July 20 - Bess and Harry: An American Love Story, by Jhan Robbins
August 17 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot
*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!

Legal Notice
All members, friends and visitors of the Miami Valley UU Fellowship are hereby summoned for Jury Duty on Sunday, July 10, 2011 to render a verdict in the case of "Mother Earth vs. World's People - Perhaps the Most Important Trial in the History of Civilization".  To be held in the courtroom of His Honor the Judge located at 8690 Yankee St.  Failure to comply with this summons will result in tiresome whining by the Producer, Director, and members of the hardworking cast of this serious, but amusing, play.

Ice Cream, Food, Water & Fun!!
We need a FUNdraiser for our A/C and this is it!  Join us on July 10 as we host a water party!  We are planning an ice cream social (with Reeve's ice cream and Farinet's brownies!), a bouncy house and water carnival!  We'll be selling tickets for food and games.  And we're inviting everyone - other UU congregations, the community, our neighbors - so tell a friend!  If you're planning on playing water games, we advise dressing appropriately and bringing a towel J  We need your help to make this day a success!  If you can help set-up, clean-up, serve food or help with games, let us know!  Have a gazebo you can donate for shade and food prep?  That'd be great!  Call Adina Reeve (320-1714) or Robin Farinet (293-3014) to volunteer.  See you on July 10!!

Rev. Amy's Study Break
During the month of July, Amy will be on study break.  She will be available for pastoral emergencies.  Call Kristin to reach Amy.

Humanitarian Giving Action Group Offering

During July, the Humanitarian Giving Action Group welcomes donations for Homefull.  Homefull managers work one-on-one with clients in the gateway shelters with the primary goal of moving them into appropriate permanent housing, and out of the shelter system.  They also provide educational classes, including basic life skills and employability courses.

Water Communion

Don't forget to collect a little water from whatever mountain stream or city fountain you visit this summer.  We'll use it for our ingathering worship service on September 11.  During that traditional water ceremony, we all pour water together into a communal bowl, symbolizing what we've learned over the summer and bring it back to share with our beloved community.

Social Justice Film Series
The Social Justice Film Series begins on July 8 at 7 p.m.!  Mark your calendars for July 8, July 29 (an environmental film), August 5 (an LGBT film) and August 19 (TBD).  Our July 8 film is "Farmingville."  This movie tells the story of a suburban Long Island town that made national headlines in the early 2000s when conflict over the sudden influx of Mexican day laborers tore the town in two.  It's the unique story of one particular town's response to change and conflict, but it's also a story of unresolved national questions about labor, the economy, and immigration that are probably playing out in our community, too.  This movie was recommended by the UUA Commission on Social Witness as part of the study action issue on immigration.

Cinemaniacs
Cinemaniacs meet the first and third Sunday of the month at a local theater.  Movies, times and locations are announced on the MVUUF Discussion list.

August 21 Service
Our August 21 service is titled "Stretching Into Our Discomfort Zone."  Have you ever allowed yourself to stay in a place that was outside of your comfort zone long enough to be really stretched by the experience?  Would you like to share that experience?  Let Amy know if you'd like to briefly share your stretching story during service.

Change in Regularly Scheduled Child Care Availability
Due to a lack of need, there will no longer be regularly scheduled childcare from 9:30-10:30 on Sunday mornings starting July 3.  If you are attending a meeting during that time and need child care, please contact Kristin and it will be arranged.

We are a liberal religious community that embraces diversity and respects the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  ALL are welcome here, no matter their race, sex, sexual/affectional orientation, gender expression, or ability.

Please visit us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. for our worship service - we'd love to see you!