This month in worship we are exploring the theme of "generosity" and I could think of no better way to start things off than by giving gifts to the congregation. Last Sunday, in a reverse offering, I gave each person who attended worship an envelope containing $2, $5, or $10 along with the charge simply to be generous with it in the name of Unity Church.

The gifts for the reverse offering came from the Minister's Discretionary Fund, a relatively modest fund that the church provides the minister for the purpose of responding to urgent financial needs among members and friends of the congregation and beyond. Though the fund is not huge, this is one small way the ministry of Unity Church extends inside and outside of our walls to support the needy in our communities. I entrusted the congregation with gifts from this Fund because I wanted to show you how important I think YOUR ministry is in the life of Unity Church. I want you all to participate in spreading wide the reach of Unity Church's ministry to the world.

I've already heard from some members and friends about how they have been generous with what they received. Some have chosen to add their gifts to larger donations to the Greater Boston Food Bank. Churches across the country have done similar reverse offerings, and some of their members got pretty inventive with how they used their gifts generously.

• At a church in New Jersey, some members who had lost jobs in the recession used what they received to enhance their grocery budgets and then invited friends over who were in need to share a meal.
• A Mennonite youth group chose to pool the money they had received, purchase ingredients, and bake snacks. They sold those snacks at their church during coffee hour and later gave the profits back to the church to support its ongoing ministries.
• A woman from a church in Michigan used the $5 she received to buy materials to make yard sale signs. She then donated $400 she made from her yard sale to a local charity.

If you were not present on Sunday I hope you will still participate in what I've begun calling Operation Generosity! There are a few envelopes left over from Sunday, and I will be happy to give or mail you one. Just email me so we can figure out the details. I also hope you will let me know how you were generous before November 24, so that we can celebrate the reaches of our shared ministry together on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

With affection and excitement,
Rev. Kristin

Donations to the Minister's Discretionary Fund are always welcome. It is through such gifts that the minister is able to respond confidentially with one-time gifts to members, friends, and people in Unity Church's wider community who are in urgent financial need. If you would like to make a donation to support this generosity please write a check to "Unity Church Minister's Discretionary Fund" and either mail it to the church or drop it in the offering plate any Sunday morning. Thanks!

Thanks to our wonderful AV volunteers, Ernie Cohen, Greg Wolfe, and Jason Gold, sermon recordings are once again available for anyone who might have missed a service, or anyone would just like to listen again.

Recorded Sermons, since the beginning of this church year, can be found on our web site under the Worship, Ministry, and Music menu.

If you have any trouble finding them, or listening to them, please contact our Web Administrator, Cathy Adler at welcome2ucne at gmail.com. 

November 24 at 11:30am

Our 3rd Annual Fellowship Luncheon is coming up on Sunday November 24. During Social Hour after the service, gather in Parish Hall for a Seasonal Luncheon! Turkeys will be prepared for us and we all will bring the side dishes.

 

Look for a sign-up sheet in Parish Hall and start thinking now about what dish you would like to bring. Choices include:

• mashed potatoes
• stuffing
• gravy
• cranberry sauce
• vegetables, including green beans, corn, carrots, or your favorite
• rolls or cornbread
• pumpkin or apple pie, or your favorite pie
• cookies or a cake

For more information contact Audrey Davies 508-238-3516.

The public is invited to attend the Envision Easton Second Summit on Wednesday, November 13 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the Oliver Ames High School cafeteria, 100 Lothrop Street.

The Master Plan Steering Committee and five working groups have been hard at work collecting data and identifying key challenges, opportunities and issues Easton will be facing over the next 10-20 years.

Summit participants will have the opportunity to hear about the work to date, and to provide ideas and input on these topics:

• Housing and Neighborhoods
• Economic Development
• Recreation and Natural Resources
• Arts, Culture, and Education
• Transportation, Mobility, and Access

All members of the Easton community are welcome to attend and all ideas will be heard!

Envision Easton is a master planning process that asks what Easton should be like in the future and lays out a path to achieve that vision.

For more information please visit www.envisioneaston.com, or contact Cathy Adler, Co-Chair Easton Master Planning Steering Committee.