MVUUF's Forum          December 1-31, 2014

A View From the 'Rim

Service Topics for December

TRANSITIONS

I don't usually quote Donald Rumsfeld. I think his words apply here, as he famously said, "There are things we don't know we don't know." There was an entire MVUUF history and plan that I did not know when I came to the Transition Team. I wonder if there are some of our members who also do not know? I think some of the congregation's current dissatisfaction may be due to not knowing.

In 2006, changes to our bylaws were made by our Board. These changes were made to facilitate our transition to becoming a program church. Our church building was designed and built with he idea that our membership numbers would grow. We need a larger number of members top sustain the vision and the financial success of our Fellowship. We were made to grow. We want to involve more people in our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. We have something valuable to offer.

Rev. Mary Moore was hired as our Interim Minister because of her specialized training and experience in developing program churches; she was hired by our Board to change our function from a pastoral church to a program church. The planning that began in 2006--the building out of our Fellowship, the goals of our Board--all pointed to hiring someone with her experience and training in developing a program church. We were fortunate to hire someone with her background, and she has come to us to help us meet our stated goal.

We are already a program church by definition, we have just been lagging behind in implementing the changes that will allow us to function smoothly as a program church. The change was organic; that is, it was made by our growing numbers, and not a matter of being forced into a mold.

We came from being a pastoral church; that is, a church with 150 members, or less. In a pastoral church, the pastor knows everyone personally and has the time to minister to everyone. In a pastoral church, the pastor, and not the lay leaders, is in charge of most of the functions. A program church makes much greater use of lay leaders, pastoral associates, and small group ministry. If we can grow our ministry, we can hire more staff. That will also help us to be more efficient and effective as a program church.

Here is what I know so far:  we are not a small, pastoral church. If we try to remain "small minded" we will fail utterly, both financially and as a liberal religious force in our community. We know that it is not humanly possible for one pastor to sustain the Fellowship at its present size. We need the help of lay leaders. We need people who can see what the future of the Fellowship could be. We need these folks to be change champions, leaders who are thinking not only about their own needs, but about the needs of our entire congregation. We need growing aspirations to quality. So we need folks to step up and commit to making MVUUF as good as it can be. A new settled minister is not going to "save" us; we have to be saving ourselves. This is our home.

In the future, the Transition Team will be speaking to you in more depth about what it means to be a program church. If you would like more information sooner, please feel free to read Alice Mann's Raising The Roof.

Margaret Michal, Transition Team Chair

 FROM THE MSC!

Remember...if you have any questions about the search process, please contact one of us!

WINTER BAZAAR 2014! 

WELCOMING THE GUEST AT YOUR TABLE

uusc.org/givetoguest

Our Guest At Your Table program will run through January 4, 2015.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Pennington at pennkath@gmail.com.

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

We are now collecting food items every Sunday for our local food pantry. Just be mindful to bring a can or box or some non-perishable food item with you on Sundays. Although any food is welcome, protein (in the form of canned meat or jerky) is especially welcome. Look for the specially-marked spot in the Gathering Space where you can drop off your donation. And thank you for helping to feed the hungry!    

SUNDAY OFFERINGS

A portion of MVUUF's Sunday Offering during December, January and February--and the entire Offering from the Christmas Eve service--is designated for the Minister's Discretionary Fund. May everyone be generous so that this congregation can continue to be able to offer some support to those who need it.

DAYTIME BOOK CLUB

January (date tba):   The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd

We meet one Wednesday a month, at 10:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Library.  All are welcome! Contact Janice Beers, (937) 836-7166.

EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd. We will also talk about plans for future meetings.

if you would like more information.

SMART CHOICES

Smart Choices will hold their next monthly birthday luncheon on Thursday, December 11, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at MCL Cafeteria in Kettering (Far Hills and David Road). All are invited to help us celebrate...come check us out! You can RSVP to Allie Petersen at allieoop777@yahoo.com.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE SALES

After service on the first Sunday of the month is the time to order Fair Trade coffee in the Gathering Space, for a triple win:   delicious coffee or tea; economic justice and safety for the growers and workers; and a commission to support Social Action activities at MVUUF. Orders are available for pick up on the third Sunday...Sunday, November 16 this month. You can also place your order at any time with Lynn Buffington at (937) 657-0426 or abufflg@gmail.com.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUNCH

Please join us in our longstanding 2nd Saturday ministry serving lunch to homeless and/or low income women and families. It's getting colder and the numbers are up at St. V's, so we've needed more contributions. Special thanks to Rita Reeve for stepping up with extra batches of chili in November. If you are thinking of helping at St. Vincent's but would like a bit more information, please pick up one of the information half-sheets from the table near the windows in the Gathering Space.  December 13th Menu: hearty chili, green salad, fresh fruit or fruit salad and 100% juice (we will also use stock in the St. Vincent pantry for milk and bread). We need four to five donations of each item, with each donation serving 15 to 20. Please bring all items, heated if applicable, to 120 W. Apple St. in Dayton (St. Vincent de Paul Hotel) by 10:30 a.m. Sign up to serve or donate menu items in the Gathering Space. Feel free to call Lynn Buffington at (937)657-0426 if you have any questions. 

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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!