|
Music notes
Join us on Sunday, May 3 at the 10:30am worship service for our annual celebration of Music Sunday. The program this year will feature the NUUC Choir, Recorder Ensemble, Youth Orchestra, and violinist Elowen Conley.
Soloists and small ensembles are needed for worship services this summer. Beginning May 24, the NUUC Choir will be on summer break. Instrumentalists and vocalists of all ages are invited to perform. I am able to help you choose music and will organize rehearsal times around your schedule. Please contact me for available dates. Thank you!
Musically yours,
Marlene Hartzler
|
|
|
If you have always wanted to learn more about the workings behind the scenes of our wonderful congregation, here's one way to do so. Join us for Leadership Council Meeting, Monday May 11, 6:30 PM.
The Leadership Council meets to share ideas and projects of all the various committees. If you have suggestions, you can voice them; if you have ideas, bring them! A light meal is provided.
Can't make it this time? No worries. Join us July 15. |
|
Ways and Means
| |
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 beccamorse@gmail.com.
|
 |
Spring Spruce-up Weekend
Sat. & Sun. June 20 & 21
Mark your calendar! In June we'll get be getting both the church and Nielsen House ready for summer with our annual Spring Spruce-up activity. This year we
will be expanding the event to a weekend instead of just holding it on a Saturday.
The resulting Spring Spruce-up Weekend will be held on Saturday June 20th from
9 AM - 3 PM and on Sunday June 21st from 12:30 PM - 3 PM. This will make it convenient for those who want to stay following the Sunday service and help those
who can't make it on a Saturday.
We'll be doing a variety of tasks both outdoors and indoors. Please consider helping out on one of the days. You could work for a few hours, half a day, or
more... whatever works best for you. Any help will be appreciated. If neither date fits your schedule, you can select a task and do it when you can. Look for the sign up sheet and list of tasks posted in Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions
about this event, please contact Bob Keith or Roger Orwick of the Building & Grounds Committee.
|
|
Guest at Your Table
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has received NUUC's Guest at Your Table donations.
Our congregation contributed $870.00 plus amounts that some people sent independently or gave online. Gifts of $125.00 or more are eligible to be matched with grant money by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York. Therefore, we actually might be responsible for at least $1495.00 for the UUSC to use in Guest at Your Table programs. Thanks, all!
Marty Keith
| |
|
|
Mowing at NUUC - We 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 $3,000 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 about 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. 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. The southern field at the rear of our property and the west side of the parking lot are excluded and will be mowed separately compliments of Gary Rusk, using his large tractor.
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.
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 bobkeith@frontier.com .
|
Adult Enrichment
In April, "Mindful Writing" participants had an interesting time distinguishing routines from the ordinary rituals that have significance in our lives. For myself, I decided that rituals, unlike routines, have "litanies." I had fun composing a tongue-in-cheek piece. We writers plan to put together some of our efforts in a printed booklet to be made available for the congregation, so perhaps you will see that
particular loosely structured poem. Our group has fun! If you want to give us a try, please join us on May 20 at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall to share written thoughts about "renewal." The Children/Youth RE theme for May is "Home." If "Home," any definition of it, is what feeds you and gives you strength, renewal occurs. When we can, we are attempting to link the monthly Mindful Writing topic with the Children/Youth RE theme. Again, all are welcome to come to our sessions on the third
Wednesday of each month. See me, Marty Keith, if you have questions.
Diners enjoyed delicious food and good conversation at the Vegan-Vegetarian dinner April 24 in Fellowship Hall. Possible future plans are varied; all are exciting! Other dinners certainly will happen, but a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly "Vegan-Vegetarian Supper Club" might develop, with recipe exchanges, discussions about vegan and vegetarian diets, and cooking demonstrations. Also, Adult
Enrichment and the Social Action Committee are considering having videos, such as Hungry for
Change, be part of the event occasionally, or offering a Northwest Earth Institute course about sustainability as a culmination after a number of dinners.
Approximately 6 years ago, NUUC explored LGBT issues through the UUA program called "The Welcoming Congregation."
Rev. Ritchie, Social Action Chair Pam Patsch, and Adult Enrichment facilitator Marty Keith soon will be offering some opportunities for refreshing our Welcoming Congregation commitments.
|
|
|
The NUUC Recorder Ensemble has full wind in its sails once again. We would like to invite you to join our
tootling fun! For more information, contact Becca Morse at beccamorse@gmail.com
(or 614-805-6680)
or Nathan Morse at zefquaavius@gmail.com.
We rehearse together on the second and fourth Fridays of each
month at noon at Friendship Village of Columbus. If you're interested, but the rehearsal time doesn't work for you, just go for Baroque and contact us anyway:
If enough people are interested in an alternate time, I'm sure we can work out a second rehearsal schedule. Just because a hobby blows doesn't mean it's not fun! |
|
For grades 6 through 12
Questions?
Contact Kristin Grimshaw
for the meeting schedule!
|
|
Meets at Noon the Third Tuesday of the month. Get all the details by clicking here. |
|
|
|
|
 RevElations!
I imagine many of you, like me, have been listening to the marriage equality arguments being made before the Supreme Court this week. Some of the arguments have been inspiring, others perplexing. And yet many of us cautiously anticipate a decision in favor of gay marriage towards the end of June.
Should that take place, we want to be ready to celebrate and help couples who have been waiting sometimes for decades for the opportunity to be legally married. Fortunately, we at NUUC have three clergy members (myself, Rev. Chris Jones Leavy, Rev. Van Becelaere) and two Commissioned Lay Leaders (Teri Cornell, Allison Fagan)who can perform marriages. We will be meeting with two other licensed UU officiants in the next few weeks to plan how we can be ready to respond. Our vision right now is to hold the doors of the church open for walk in weddings on the first day it would be legal to do so, with others of us making ourselves available downtown, perhaps near the courthouse or statehouse.
No religious body has been performing same sex commitment ceremonies as long as we UUs have--what a special opportunity this might be to celebrate our expertise, and our happiness. We'll be in touch soon with specifics. We'd love your help making our availability known, and in helping with hospitality on the big day (some decorations, greeters, joyful witnesses, of course cake and punch).
And should the ruling not go as expected,well, then we'll use the time to make some plans. I am thinking that cake and punch would work for that situation, as well.
To Life!
Susan
|
|
2015 NUUC Service Auction
"An Evening of Enchantment: Tropical Paradise"
Sat. evening May 16, 2015 starting at 6:15 PM.
FLASH: It's here! The Service Auction Catalog is here! You can get your copy of the exciting Service Auction Catalog online by clicking here or you can pick up a hard copy in Fellowship Hall.
Come and enjoy a gala event for the entire family on the evening of Saturday, May 16 at 6:15pm. The theme of the service auction will be "An Evening of Enchantment: Tropical Paradise." This event is NUUC's biggest fund-raiser and will have a new format, decorations, and more activities. Activities will include: our exciting Live Auction and 3 Silent Auctions (traditional, gift basket, and clothesline). There will even be a Kids' Raffle Auction featuring educational games & books and certificates for fun events. In addition, 3 special activities for kids will be available (face painting, balloon twisting, & drawing) plus childcare. A big selection of food will be offered along with wine (both will be free). Admission also will be free and no costumes will be needed. Furthermore, we'll have 3 nice door prizes ($25 gift cards to restaurants: Panera, Applebee's, & Outback).
You won't want to miss this fun event! Can't attend the Service Auction? Just use proxy bidding. You can have someone of your choosing bid for you, or you can have someone on the service auction team bid for you. In either case, just tell the proxy bidder the items you
want and a maximum bid amount for each item.
ATTENTION: There is still time to submit your Service Auction donation! While you won't have a listing in the Service Auction Catalog, your donation will be included in the Supplement to the Service Auction Catalog. The donation deadline for the Service Auction Supplement is Tue. May 5th. Please consider donating a service or something you can make. Just use the online version of the All-In-One Form located at www.NUUC.org/service-auction to enter your donation or you can use the paper version of the form located in Fellowship Hall to write up your donation. Then, complete and drop it in the Service Auction Submission Box located in Fellowship Hall.
Also, we need volunteers to help with the service auction. If you would like to help, just indicate your interest on the All-In-One form. For questions, contact Becca Morse or Bob Keith.
Thank you!
The Service Auction Magic Makers (SAMMs) (Bob Keith, Marty Keith, Becca Morse, Erika Castro, and Katrina Timson)
|
News from your Social Action Committee (SAC) - April 2015 Newsletter
INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OHIO (IACO): IACO is an organization of faith traditions in Central Ohio. Unitarian Universalism was recently added as the ninth faith tradition. Other faith traditions
include Baha'i Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, and Sikh Faith. IACO was established in 1986 to promote religious understanding, tolerance, and freedom. The purposes of the
association are: 1) To create an inter-religious community based on understanding, friendship, and trust; 2) To educate adherents and the public about customs and practices of faith traditions; 3) To provide interfaith public worship and ceremonies expressing local and global concerns; and 4) To promote social justice, peace, and human dignity. IACO is governed by an Interfaith Council with up to 3 representatives from each faith tradition.
Pam Patsch is one of the UU representatives on the Council. There are three standing committees: Education (learning about other faiths and exchanging viewpoints), Engagement (public events and partnerships), and Development (fundraising and membership) and a Social Justice Task Force. Some of IACO's activities include visits to different houses of worship, a speaker's bureau, involvement in the Horizon's Prison Program, a Thanksgiving Interfaith Potluck, an Interfaith Memorial Prayer Service for the Homeless, book studies, and a spiritual sharing group. Upcoming events include an interfaith panel discussion about the movie Jerusalem (May 5, 2015), an exhibit for the Peace Quilt Labyrinth (June 22 -July 11. 2015), and a luncheon and presentation by Rabbi Jessica Shimberg with Ohio Interfaith Power and Light about faith and the environment (August 2015). If you are interested in more information, contact Pam Patsch at pgp723@aol.com or visit the website where you can also become a member and sign up for the monthly newsletter http://iaco.org/.
COMMIT2RESPOND: On April 28th, a group from NUUC toured the Rumpke Recycling Facility. The tour was inspired by Jan Bourke at the Active Hope service on March 9th. Since tours are only given during the
work week, Jan was not able to participate so several of us stepped in to fulfill her commitment to active hope. If you would like to find out what we learned, ask John Rodeheffer, Rod Myers, Becky Gentry, Becca or Nathan Morse, Roger Orwick, Melinda Rosenberg, or Pam Patsch. Our Loose Change Offering in March and April went to the UUSC Blue Bucket Campaign to support those communities whose access to clean water is
impacted by climate change. Our donations exceeded the $175 suggested by the UUA and totaled $251.58!
MAY LOOSE CHANGE OFFERING - UUSC-UUA Response to Earthquake in Nepal: On April 25, communities in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh suffered a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. So far, reports reveal that more than 5,000 people have died and thousands more are injured or missing. UUSC President Bill Schulz and Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) President Rev. Peter Morales have issued this joint statement in response to this tragedy: "The devastating earthquake in Nepal has resulted in a growing number of victims and widespread destruction of property, including some of the world's greatest heritage sites. This tragic disaster, in a country where 25% of the population already lives at or below the national poverty line, reminds us of life's fragility and our human obligation to respond with generosity and compassion to those who suffer. With Nepal's record of poor infrastructure, relief and recovery efforts are certain to face significant challenges. That is one reason that UUSC and the UUA are launching a special joint appeal for Nepal relief work. As is our practice with international disaster relief, UUSC will take the lead in distributing funds where they can do the most good, directing support toward people who are left out of mainstream relief efforts.
People and communities whose rights will be most at risk in the wake of the disaster will include people living in remote areas; women and children; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people; people who do not have recognized citizenship; indigenous people; Dalits; elderly people; and people living with disabilities and HIV/AIDS. UUSC and the UUA are already establishing on-the-ground partnerships and projects to support these communities.
We are keeping the people of Nepal and the affected region in our hearts and prayers. Please be generous with your support."
SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS IN CENTRAL OHIO:
May 5, 2015, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Athletic Club of Columbus - Environmental Advocacy Day sponsored by The Ohio Environmental Council and Ohio Interfaith Power and Light - a great opportunity to learn about environmental issues in Ohio and develop advocacy skills. There will also be opportunities to tour the Statehouse, attend a committee hearing, or meet with lawmakers. For more information or to register go to http://www.theoec.org/events/environmental-advocacy-day.
May 5, 2015, 7:00 - 8:30 PM - Jerusalem Film and Interfaith Panel Discussion. See the Jerusalem giant screen film in 3D followed by an Interfaith Panel Discussion. The panel, comprised of local faith leaders from each of the three Abrahamic Faiths in the film, will explore the Jerusalem film's major themes. WOSU "All Sides" Host, Ann Fisher, will moderate the panel discussion and will facilitate questions from the audience.
May 31, 2015, 6:30 PM at First UU - Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, a groundbreaking documentary that uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today - and investigates why the world's leading environmental organizers are too afraid to talk about it. For more information on the documentary: http://www.cowspiracy.com/
June 7, 2015, 1:00 PM at First UU - Groundswell Rising: Protecting Our Children's Air and Water, the new documentary from Emmy Award-winning Resolution Pictures, captures the passion of people engaged in a David and Goliath confrontation. They stand together, challenging a system that promotes profit over health. We meet mothers, fathers, scientists, doctors, farmers and people from all sides of the political spectrum taking a hard look at energy extraction techniques not proven to be safe. With the Oil and Gas industry's expansion of fracking seen as a moral issue, this provocative documentary tracks a people's movement, a groundswell rising towards reason and sensitivity, to protect life, today
and tomorrow. The film was produced by UU, Mark Lichty. For more information about this award winning documentary go to http://www.groundswellrising.com/.
June 19-20, 2015 - Columbus Pride Festival at Goodale Park. Step-off for Pride Parade is 11:00 AM on Saturday. For more information go to http://www.columbuspride.org/. SAC is exploring the possibility with First UU of participating together as a UU group. Group registration fees for the parade are based on number of participants. If you are interested in participating in the parade as part of a UU group contact Erin Fisher-Kenny at erinfisherkenny@gmail.com by May 31st.
June 22 - July 11, 2015 - Interfaith Association of Central Ohio Peace Labyrinth Exhibit at Martin de Porres Center - The exhibit allows visitors to walk through a 3-D labyrinth of quilts representing 17 major faiths and religions. All these major world faiths share a central belief in what we in America call "The Golden Rule" or the Law of Reciprocity that instructs us to treat others as we would have them treat us - to not bring harm to another being. As one walks into the Peace Labyrinth, one passes the sides of the faith panels that provide basic facts on when and where that faith began and other information about its beliefs and practices. On the way out, one only sees a panel of black displaying that faith's version of the "Golden Rule". Since viewers are not told which panel is which, it is hoped that they will carry away with them a realization of the basic similarity these faiths share. If you are interested in being trained as a docent for the exhibit, contact Pam Patsch at pgp723@aol.com.
More info on the Peace Labyrinth Exhibit will be posted on the SAC bulletin board or http://www.peacelabyrinthofquilts.com/MainPage.html.
UU JUSTICE OHIO: UUJO is a 501c3 statewide action network for the 38 UU Congregations in Ohio and their more than 5,000 members - 27 churches and fellowships in the Ohio Meadville District of CERG and 11 in the MidAmerica Region. The mission of UUJO is to organize justice seekers statewide to promote education, service and advocacy consistent with Unitarian Universalist liberal religious principles and to witness with and on behalf of marginalized groups and individuals. To learn more about issues in Ohio related to Criminal Justice and Race, Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Reproductive Justice, LGBTQ Equality,
Peacemaking, Immigration, and Voting Rights/Elections visit the UUJO website at http://ohiomeadville.org/uujo/.
UUSC FAIR TRADE COFFEE: Shop for delicious Fair Trade coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate after the service on May 10th. Your purchase of Fair Trade products means that workers along the supply chain are
provided a living wage. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) supports a number of worker-owned, local producers who are in danger of being replaced with multinational corporations that have little
respect for workers' rights. Making consumer choices that are aligned with our UU Principles is one way to help create a more just world community.
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. Check out our selection on the bookshelf in Fellowship Hall and please consider donating appropriate books or DVDs to add to our collection. Don't forget to return books so that others can also enjoy them!
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 pgp723@aol.com.
NEXT SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING: The next meeting will be on Sunday, May 3rd at 11:45 am. New members are always welcome. |
|
Treasurer's Report of March 2015 Results, April 27, 2015
After three months we have spent ($5,470) more than our income. Our spending is under control and at budgeted level, however our Pledge income was expected to be $13,000 each month and we are only receiving $10,900 on average. Please review your pledge and if possible bring it up to date.
March financial results: Expenses exceeded Income by ($2,518). Pledges were less than Budget by ($2,548). Total income of $12,310 was ($2,895) under budget. Expenses of $14,827 were ($235)over budget. Minor differences are due to timing of expenses.
March YTD financial results: Expenses exceeded Income by ($5,470). Pledges were less than Budget by ($6,463). Total income of $38,422 was ($7,191) under budget. Expenses of $43,892 were $709 under budget.
If you have any questions regarding financial details, please email me at gschardt@columbus.rr.com.
Respectfully submitted
Jerry Schardt, Treasurer
|
North Unitarian Universalist Congregation
| |
INCOME
|
Month ended March 31, 2015
| |
Actual
|
Budget
| |
2015 Pledges
|
10,519.00
|
13,067.00
| |
Non-Pledge Offering
|
261.00
|
0.00
| |
Rental Revenue
|
100.00
|
125.00
| |
Trf from DRE Restricted Funds
|
1,345.63
|
1,346.00
| |
W & M Fundraising
|
83.98
|
667.00
| |
TOTAL INCOME
|
12,309.61
|
15,205.00
| | | | |
EXPENSES
| | | | | | |
TOTAL Administrative
|
175.39
|
218.00
| |
Bld Mortgage
|
770.00
|
775.00
| |
TOTAL Building R&M
|
684.10
|
505.00
| |
TOTAL Building Utilities
|
671.87
|
633.34
| |
TOTAL Committees
|
175.18
|
242.00
| |
TOTAL Compensation
|
11,337.65
|
11,205.50
| |
TOTAL Dues
|
1,013.00
|
1,013.00
| |
TOTAL EXPENSES
|
14,827.19
|
14,591.84
| | | | |
OVERALL TOTAL
|
(2,517.58)
|
613.16
|
|
North Unitarian Universalist Congregation
| |
INCOME
|
YTD ended March 31, 2015
| |
Actual
|
Budget
| |
2014 Pledges
|
500.00
|
0.00
| |
2015 Pledges
|
32,737.00
|
39,200.00
| |
Non-Pledge Offering
|
751.00
|
0.00
| |
Rental Revenue
|
200.00
|
375.00
| |
Trf from DRE Restricted Funds
|
4,036.89
|
4,038.00
| |
W & M Fundraising
|
196.91
|
2,000.00
| |
TOTAL INCOME
|
38,421.80
|
45,613.00
| | | | |
EXPENSES
| | | | | | |
TOTAL Administrative
|
897.24
|
796.00
| |
Bld & Prop Ins
|
0.00
|
0.00
| |
Bld Mortgage
|
2,325.00
|
2,325.00
| |
Bld Property Tax
|
137.04
|
135.00
| |
TOTAL Building R&M
|
1,097.62
|
1,755.00
| |
TOTAL Building Utilities
|
2,239.88
|
2,210.02
| |
TOTAL Committees
|
297.81
|
724.00
| |
TOTAL Compensation
|
33,858.08
|
33,616.50
| |
TOTAL Dues
|
3,039.00
|
3,039.00
| |
Payback to Capital
|
0.00
|
0.00
| |
Pledge Canvass
|
0.00
|
0.00
| |
TOTAL EXPENSES
|
43,891.67
|
44,600.52
| | | | |
OVERALL TOTAL
|
(5,469.87)
|
1,012.48
|
Board of Trustees & Leadership Council
April Board Minutes (not yet approved)
Feb. Leadership Council Minutes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
