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July 2014

Worship
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Ice Cream Social

 

The Social Committee is organizing an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social to be held on Sunday August 3rd after the service. In addition to some nice choices of ice creams and toppings, plan to stay a while-- Enjoy a game of croquet or corn hole or simply cool your feet in any number of wading pools scattered across the lawn(for big & little kids)! 

We already have a croquet set being loaned, but if you have a cornhole game you'd like to share or perhaps a wading pool, Please contact Eileen Watters at [email protected] or 740-225-5342.
 
EMBRACE THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER!! 
Save Your Plastic Bags

Inmates at the Marysville Women's Reformatory use discarded plastic bags to make durable sleeping mats for the homeless.  It takes 900 of these plastic bags to make one mat.


Please save your plastic bags and place them in the labeled box in the Fellowship Hall.

Contact: Carol Focke
 

Discussion Group

One Sunday a month during the summer months, Rev. Ritchie will join anyone interested in a discussion of Huston Smith's "The World's Religions"  (book widely available from all sellers).  On July 13, we will discuss the chapter on Christianity.   11:45 AM-12:45 AM, Nielsen House, no need to sign up.  

Ways and Means 

Fair Trade Sales 

 

Share your passion for fair trade and UU-ism with others by giving gifts whose labels proudly display these values.    

If you are interested in volunteering for these opportunities, or if you have other ideas for fundraising opportunities for our congregation, Please contact Becca Morse 

at [email protected].  

Thank you!

  

Sign up for the
Kroger Community Rewards card
Do your regular grocery shopping, and earn money for NUUC at the same time!  If you need help signing up. someone will be available on the second Sunday of each month to walk you through the process.  

Did you know?
We are a registered Non-Profit organization at the Delaware County Community Market.  You can buy groceries from Local vendors AND have a portion of your purchase donated to us!  Check it out!  http://www.dccmc.com/ 
Rummage Sale - It's Coming!!

 

Not too far off now - in fact, on the 25th and 26th of THIS MONTH (July), our sanctuary and Fellowship Hall will resemble a department store for NUUC's huge Rummage Sale.  Have unwanted clothes?  Linens?  Dishes and glassware?  Knick-knacks, too?  And tools?  How about books?  Appliances, big or small, even furniture?  If you don't want it any longer, NUUC does, and there will be a place for it at the Rummage Sale, a major fund-raiser for our congregation.  On Sundays beginning June 29th, you can bring your smaller donation items to the church.  Or, you can wait until July 21-23 to drop off items.  On July 23 & 24, we will have a truck to pick up your bigger items or if you have a lot of stuff.  

 

Of course, to prepare for such a large sale, help is needed in the 5 days before the sale to setup, display, price items.  Then we need people to help customers and take money on the days of the sale.  We also need people to cleanup after the sale.  Please see the sign-up display in Fellowship Hall for ALL the ways you can assist.  Contact Bob or Marty Keith with questions or to coordinate donations.

 

Service Auction - Save the Date!

 

Ready, Set, Mark your Calendars!

This year's Service Auction will be held on the evening of Saturday, September 27!  This year we are going to kick our heels up and throw a party with fun for the entire family. 

Details will be announced in future newsletters, but we don't want you to miss out on the fun, so be sure to SAVE THE DATE!

 

 

Thank you from the Board

 

As President of NUUC Board of trustees, I have many joys that I have to work with.  The first and foremost is recognizing those members that have gone above and beyond to help make NUUC the special place that is.  This month, the board would like to recognize Sue Fredericks.  Sue has been instrumental in restarting the covenant group program.  So to Sue, "thank you from the board" for all that you do!

 

Jeff Hill 

Mowing at NUUC - We Still Need Some Help

 

For this mowing season, the Building and Grounds Committee plans to handle the mowing using the same approach as last year, which will avoid us having to contract out the mowing and save about $2,900 in the budget.  Our plan is for the B&G Committee to handle the mowing on a rotating basis with some help from the congregation.  B&G Committee members will mow 3 weeks of each month, and the 4th week and sometimes the 5th week will be handled by a different volunteer from the congregation.  This approach will spread the work so each committee member will mow only once a month, and each congregational volunteer would mow just one time during the season.  Our approach will keep everyone's work commitments reasonable. 

 

The area to be mowed includes both the church yard (bounded by the driveway and the parking lot) plus the yard around Nielsen House.  The southern field at the rear of our property and the west side of the parking lot are excluded and will be mowed using a different arrangement.  We have a riding mower, which is used for almost all of the mowing.  For a few small, tight areas, which the riding mower cannot handle, we use a push power mower.

 

Therefore, we would like to get 1 or 2 volunteers from the congregation each month to mow one time in the season.  The mowing season runs from mid-April through early November.  But volunteers from the congregation will be needed only for the months of May through October, which is 6 months.  Two of those months have 5 weeks and will require 2 volunteers, so we need a total of 8 volunteers.  We have filled the schedule through July but we still need volunteers in the August-September time frame.

 

Please consider volunteering to mow one time this season.  If would like to help the church handle the mowing, you can sign up on the mowing sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.  Just pick a date that works for your schedule.  If you have questions or would like more information, just contact Bob Keith at 740-369-1919 or [email protected].

Brown Bag Books

Meets at Noon the Third Tuesday of the month.  Get all the details by clicking here.
NUUC Youth Group
For grades 6 through 12
We will meet the
THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH at 7pm!
 
The Youth is also collecting canned foods and gently used children's books for their service project to Appalchia this spring.  Please leave donations in the bins in Fellowship Hall, or contact Melinda Rosenberg below to arrange a pick up.

  

Questions? 
Contact Kristin Grimshaw 
  
or Melinda Rosenberg
 
Ohio Meadville  District of the UUA

   Click here for the Latest News!
Thank you for Spring Spruce Up Day!

 

The Building & Grounds Committee thanks everyone who helped with our recent Spring Spruce-up Day held on Saturday May 17th.  The event was a success, with a good amount of work getting done around the church and Nielsen House. 

 

Some people scheduled their work before or after the May 17th date.  Overall, we accomplished many tasks, which included trimming bushes and trees, weeding, stabilizing the crushed stone entrance to the rear parking area, cleaning the recycling bins and trash tipster, and reorganizing the kitchen's coffee/tea cabinets.  We also removed overgrown bushes by the rear porch and planted flowers and mulched around our sign along Lewis Center Road.  

 

Again, thanks for your help in making the church and Nielsen House "shine."

NUUC MEMBER DIRECTORY

Our NUUC Member Directory is now available online!  Go to the "About NUUC" menu tab on our website, and select "Members Directory."  You'll be asked for a password.  
Please ask Susan in person or via email (
[email protected]) for the password so that we can protect the privacy of our members. Also, please email her a digital photograph for inclusion in the directory if you can!  She will also be roaming around this month, randomly terrorizing people with her camera. 
Social Committee

 

"Here's a twist to one of our Rev. Ritchie favorites -- you may be a member of Social Committee and not even know it!   However, if you suspect that you are (the signs include a persistent desire to make good coffee, rinse cups, bake treats, open your home to folks for a meal, plan a movie night, or join in the fun at any given time) OR if you would like to learn more about our goals and  help with planning for the upcoming summer and fall, then please contact Eileen Watters for a "virtual" meeting, either by phone or by email.  Thanks in advance for your enthusiasm and caring."     [email protected] or 740-225-5342.  

 

Susan RevElations!

  

This month, I am especially looking forward to the book signing/reception/talk that Allison Fagan and Teri Cornell have been kind enough to host at the church on July 31st, 7:30 PM, to mark the publication of my book Children of the Same God: The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism, Judaism, and Islam.  Click here for more information, and to sign up!

 

To Life!
Susan

  

From our Music Director

 

MUSIC NOTES 

 

The NUUC Choir will be on a well-deserved hiatus this summer. I am in need of talented soloists, small ensembles, vocalists, instrumentalists, and performers of all ages and levels to provide music at summer worship. I can assist with repertoire selection and organizing rehearsals. 

Of special need are pianists to fill in for Wade on June 29July 13, and August 10. Piano players will be able to select their favorite hymns and will coordinate with me on the other musical elements for the service. 

Please contact me at [email protected] if interested.

 

Musically Yours,

 

Marlene Hartzler, Music Director

Notes from the President of the Board

 

Summer is upon us and with that brings cookouts, vacations and this year the World Cup.  As I sit watching these games, I am always amazed at how the teams that may be adversaries in the battlefield are able to focus on this global competition.

 

NUUC, while quiet in the summer, still has some goings on.  Congratulations to Marty Keith and Syd Schardt for a phenomenally successful social program "Table for Nine".  Also, congratulations to Eileen Watters for a very successful summer salad potluck. And remember, the next Board meeting is July 19th at 6:30pm!

 

We have a very large fundraiser for NUUC coming up soon - the rummage sale.  There are announcements in the order of service and signups for helping.  I hope to see all of you there.  Bring your "trash" to become someone else's "treasure" - or find some new "treasure" of your own.

 

General Assembly is coming up with Susan, Laura Howe and David Petras representing the congregation.  We wish them well and hope they come back with lots of good information for the congregation.

In the spirit of World Cup, U-S-A!  U-S-A!

 

Happy Summer all!

 

Blessed be.

 

Jeff Hill

 

New Flower Garden Sitting Area - Eagle Scout Project

 

A new flower garden sitting area has been built at NUUC as the Boy Scout Eagle Service Project of Christian Wade of Team 243 in Worthington!  Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout project involves working on many merit badges plus completing a service project.  For the service project, the scout plans, organizes, and manages the project from beginning to end.  There will be no cost to NUUC and we did not have to provide any manpower.

The result for NUUC is a beautiful flower garden near the front of the church that has a park bench in which people can sit and relax, enjoy the flowers, and watch the sunset and people biking and walking on the bike trail.  Also, the flower garden is very visible from the street and enhances the church's appearance for people driving by or walking/riding along the street.  Christian came on June 14th with all the materials and 9 fellow scouts to do the work.  This flower garden sitting area will be a great addition NUUC and we deeply thank Christian Wade for this gift.
 

 

Adult Enrichment

 

 

"Mindful Writing" has settled into a cozy group of people who, starting with "prompts" on various topics, see where their written words take them, and then, during our meetings, share the results.  Speaking for myself, I enjoy exploring my feelings, putting my thoughts on paper, and then hearing what the others have written.  Our sessions have been on the first and third Monday of each month since May 19.  Session 4, "Gratitude," will be July 7 at 6:30 in Fellowship Hall.  Our schedule must change due to the busy week before the big rummage sale, when, even on that Monday, our church will be filling up with items for sale.  Therefore, Session 5, "Dwelling in Our Bodies," is slated for July 28.  "Grief and Mortality," the last session this time around, will be August 11.

 

            Which brings me to the next time around-maybe.  Some of us participants are interested in continuing the writing journey.  Holly J. Hughes and Barbara Miller's book, The Pen and the Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World, certainly has enough chapters and topics to send us off on additional hunts for the spirituality we can find in our own words.  Just a glance through the book tells me there is promise in "Encounters with the Wild," "Eating as Contemplative Practice," and "Balancing Contemplation and Action," as well as other offerings.

 

            In addition, at the last Leaders Council, my suggestion that we have a review of some sort of The Welcoming Congregation course, taken years ago by many in the congregation then, met with encouragement.  Some time in the months to come, then, I may see what I can do along those lines, examining how Unitarian Universalism includes and values the perspectives and strengths of LGBTQ people.

 

            Also, from the congregation's "Wishing Well," put on the sanctuary wall by the Threshold Congregation Committee a number of weeks ago, came the expressed desire for a "Building Your Own Theology" adult religious education course.  I'm looking into it!

 

            I have a few other ideas, but I've presented the new ones to you.  Remember, too, that we have Rev. Ritchie's comparative religions discussions.  The next one, on Christianity, is on July 13.  For those of you who are looking for enrichment activities and stimulating talks, I have hopes that you will find something of interest!

 

Marty Keith, Adult Enrichment Chair

Threshold Committee (TCC) - Update

 

 

Your Threshold Congregation Committee (TCC) has been hard at work on your wishing well ideas, compiling and distributing to each individual committee.  Discussion, and yes, action, is happening.  Additionally, the first committee charters are under development and should result in greater communication of committee goals toward shared action.  

 

We are looking forward to the upcoming Leaders Council meeting on July 14.  TCC hopes to meet with the Board soon to update and align on TCC's accomplishments and goals and to begin collaborative discussions on key areas of concern.  

 

And soon you will hear about a workshop we are organizing as NUUC hosts an OMD workshop for our cluster.  It's called H-UULTI which could be gently translated and distilled to 'learning and involvement'. It's an opportunity you won't want to miss.  Watch this space for details. 

 

Your TCC,

Sydney Schardt, Bob Keith, Jen Aultman, Cathy Rodeheffer, Laura Howe, John Rodeheffer, Kim Poderys 

 

News from your Social Action Committee (SAC) - July 2014 Newsletter

 

ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE:   It's back to school!  In Delaware, the first day is August 13.  NUUC members and friends have an opportunity to help others by participating in the Social Action Committee's annual School Supply Drive to benefit students who are served by the Delaware County Juvenile Probation Program.  The donation of school supplies is one way for the congregation to express its belief in the importance of education to a group of students who are at higher than average risk for failing and dropping out of school.
 
This program serves approximately 150 middle school and high school students, ranging in age from 13 to 19.  A collection box for school supplies will be available at the church through Sunday, August 10th.  The #1 needed item are book bags appropriate for middle school and high school boys, and items always needed are paper, pens, pencils and folders.  Your donation of school supplies, or money to purchase supplies, will be greatly appreciated.  If you choose to donate money, please write your check to NUUC and put "School Supplies" on the memo line.  This can be dropped in the offering basket or mailed to: NUUC, P.O. Box 541, Lewis Center, OH 43035.
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Mullis at 614-776-5569 or [email protected].  Thank you for your continued support!
 
LOOSE CHANGE OFFERING:  Our Loose Change offerings in July and August will go to the School Supply Drive sponsored by the Delaware County Juvenile Probation Program.
 
SOCIAL JUSTICE LIBRARY:  The Social Action Committee has started a lending library of books and DVDs on social justice issues such as immigration, poverty, LGBTQ, environment, and human rights.  Some of our books include:  Behind the Kitchen DoorA Place at the TableThe Death of JoselineNo Impact Man; and Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash.  Our DVDs include: Chasing IceA Place at the TableThe Hungry Tide; and On Faith and Fracking.  Check out our selection on the bookshelf in Fellowship Hall and please consider donating appropriate books or DVDs to add to our collection. 
 
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE BULLETIN BOARD:  Check out the folding divider in Fellowship Hall with information about upcoming SAC activities as well as issues and actions at the local, state, and national level.  If you have information about social justice issues you want to share with the congregation, please post it on the bulletin board or email it to Pam Patsch at [email protected].
 
HELP WANTED:  Our Social Action Committee has some ambitious and creative ideas for this year, but we need your help.  We would love to have new (or returning) members on the committee to help us brainstorm and implement activities related to social justice.  We also welcome people who are unable to commit to being on the committee on a regular basis, but are willing to help with a specific project.  Contact Pam Patsch at [email protected]  if you are interested in getting more involved in social justice at NUUC.
 
NEXT SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING will be on Sunday, July 6th at 7:00 pm at Pam Patsch's home at 676 Greenwich Street, Worthington, OH 43085. 
 

Board of Trustees

 

The NUUC Board of Trustees plans to begin a conversation with various members of the congregation; a conversation about establishing a new Stewardship Committee for 2015.   The Stewardship Committee is integral to the successful operation of our congregation.  In the recent past, we have happily completed years of successful pledge drives, thanks to the organized and thoughtful work of members.  Even more recently, the Stewardship Committee was led by our own, Rev. Dr. Susan Ritchie. 

 

Planning a successful campaign that engages our membership requires a creative and energetic team.  You may be approached by one of your Board members in the coming weeks, because you stand out as a leader, or because you are recognized as a well-respected member of this community.

 

But, if you already feel eager to bring your talents to the table, please don't hesitate to speak with one of your Board members.  You can contact Jeff Hill, Board President at [email protected] or Lauren Richards at [email protected].


 Treasurer's Report of April 2014 Results

 

submitted June 21 2014

 

May 2014 financials for the month show Income of $11,527 which is $1,734 under budget.  Expenses of $12,462 are $892 lower than budget resulting in actual expenses exceeding income by $935.   

 

Pledges continue to be lower than budget and expenses for May include a YTD catchup of R&M expense of $461.  Child care continues to exceed budget as expected since the 30 % increase in rates in January, 2014.

 

May YTD financials show Income of $60,163 which is $6,146 lower than budget.  Expenses of $62,025 are $4,166 better than budget.  YTD we have spent $1,862 more than our income.  Pledge offerings are $5,352 less than budget after five months.  

 

On the positive side, spending has been lower than budget in most areas, and the areas that are over budget, with the exception of Child Care ($420), reflect timing difference between actual expense and a budget spread evenly over the 12 months.

 

North Unitarian Universalist Congregation

INCOME

Month ended May 31, 2014

Actual

Budget

2014 Pledges

11,113.66

12,420.00

Non-Pledge Gifts

313.73

0.00

Rental Revenue

100.00

125.00

W & M Fundraising

0.00

716.67

TOTAL INCOME

11,527.39

13,261.67

EXPENSES

TOTAL Administrative

158.39

560.83

Bld & Prop Ins

0.00

308.33

Bld Mortgage

815.00

833.33

Bld Property Tax

0.00

21.25

TOTAL Building R&M

660.80

431.25

TOTAL Building Utilities

600.22

676.25

TOTAL Committees

0.00

200.00

TOTAL Compensation

9,320.60

9,386.60

TOTAL Dues

907.00

911.67

Pledge Canvass

0.00

16.67

TOTAL EXPENSES

12,454.01

13,346.18

OVERALL TOTAL

(934.62)

(84.51)

 

North Unitarian Universalist Congregation

INCOME

YTD ended May 31, 2014

Actual

Budget

2014 Pledges

56,748.30

62,100.00

Misc.

76.58

0.00

Non-Pledge Gifts

2,166.59

0.00

Rental Revenue

608.75

625.00

W & M Fundraising

141.95

3,583.35

Service Auction

420.00

0.00

TOTAL W & M Fundraising

561.95

3,583.35

_IntInc

0.60

0.00

TOTAL INCOME

60,162.77

66,308.35

EXPENSES

TOTAL Administrative

1,075.17

2,804.23

Bld & Prop Ins

0.00

1,541.69

Bld Mortgage

4,035.97

4,166.69

Bld Property Tax

146.90

106.25

TOTAL Building R&M

1,990.80

2,156.29

TOTAL Building Utilities

3,291.88

3,381.29

TOTAL Committees

231.59

1,000.12

TOTAL Compensation

46,717.86

46,392.64

TOTAL Dues

4,535.00

4,558.35

Pledge Canvass

0.00

83.35

TOTAL EXPENSES

62,025.17

66,190.90

OVERALL TOTAL

(1,862.40)

117.45

 

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May and June Board Minutes Pending Approval
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