Have you ever wondered if Fellowship leaders know what you want us to become? Here is your chance to have your voice heard! Now that Rev. Greg is getting to know us at least a little, it is time for us to work together to set beginning goals for his ministry with us. And we want your input.

 

The UUA will help facilitate our goal setting, in what is known as a Start-Up Workshop, which will take place on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. Nancy Hegee, a member of the MidAmerica Regional staff, will help us dream, goal set, and covenant with Greg.

 

The entire congregation is invited on Friday evening to come talk about our hopes for the Fellowship. This will be a chance to dream together as we did in our Cottage Meetings during the Ministerial Search. Remember how inspiring those were? Please plan to come share in the excitement of this opportunity. Even if you didn't have the opportunity to participate in those meetings, you do have this chance to let us know what YOU want the Fellowship to become. From new-comers to long-timers, ALL are welcome!

 

After we hear your dreams on Friday evening, the Board, Program Council and Committee on Ministry will be meeting with Nancy on Saturday morning, 9:00 a.m. until noon, to turn those ideas into goals.

Additionally, the entire congregation is invited to share a lasagna dinner on Friday evening, beginning at 6:00 p.m. A free will offering will be collected to help cover the cost of the meal. The program will take place 7-8:30 p.m., and child care will be provided.

 

We need you to sign up so that we can plan on how many chairs, how much food, and how many child care providers we'll need to arrange. There is a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space, or you can feel free to send me an email at blw622@yahoo.com to let me know that you are coming. And if you are able to help with set-up and clean-up, I'd love to know that, as well.

 

I am excited about this next step in our Fellowship's life and health. And I hope to see you there!

--Barb Weber, Board President

 

THIS MONTH IN YRE

Happy Autumn Everyone!

 

We are now several weeks into our new YRE school year and with all the excitement around Rev. Greg beginning his ministry with us we missed celebrating what a fun and magical summer we had in YRE! I want to thank all of our summer volunteers who donned a robe and a pointed hat, read lyrical rhyme with silly characters or popped popcorn and watched Imax movies.

 

Specifically, these people (in no particular order) are:

 

Pam Gromen	Robin Shampton	Brianna Kempe
Caroline Dickey	Iris Mirelez	Colleen Saxen
Joe Kerhin	Ellie Kerhin	Eileen Simon
Genevieve Harvey	Sheila Adams	Kathleen Pennington
Dawn Bellinger	Yolanda Crooms-Cobb	Anwyl Scott
Garlene Hamilton	Adrienne Clark	Jim Poltrone
Catherine Queener	Jacob Nolin	David Cobb

 

And anyone else who stepped up at the last minute to lead or assist in a class!

 

Here are some highlights of our summer, in pictures...

 

(above...students on their trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center to see the Imax movie Jerusalem)

(above...Hogwarts students ready for action!)

(above...play time in preschool)

(above...our hands-on Magical Creatures lesson, because all creatures are magical, really)

Our Intergenerational Water Communion and following Open House was a huge success in September, too. In October, I hope to meet with teachers and parents of each class being offered this fall, to answer questions about lesson plans, safety issues, and future programming. This will also be a perfect time for parents to meet their children's teachers and connect with other parents. Parents, check your email for when these sessions will happen.

 

And please remember:  we are still looking for volunteers in YRE! We need more teachers in every class. Please contact me if you are interested and we can discuss where you might best fit in our YRE family.

 

Peace & blessings, 

Shannon Harper, Director of Religious Education

 

WOMEN'S RIGHTS POTLUCK & VIGIL

On Monday, Sept. 28, members & friends of MVUUF joined with community members and fellow progressive people of faith to rally for women's rights. About two dozen of us gathered from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. in front of the Women's Medical Center in Kettering, which is facing shutdown thanks to draconian Republican-passed laws meant to destroy women's access to safe abortions.

With half of Ohio's abortion clinics already lost, this latest action would

 leave the entire southwest of Ohio without abortion access. It's time to speak up, speak out and vote to protect women's rights! 

Join us for a Beloved Community Potluck and Women's Rights Prayer Vigil from 4:30 to 6 pm on Saturday, October 3 at MVUUF!

UPCOMING INSTALLATION CELEBRATION EVENTS

As you read in Rev. Greg's column in this edition of The Forum, there will be many opportunities for you to contribute something toward food justice in Dayton during the month of November. Please watch for more details and information regarding signing up for these events. Could you do at least one thing on the list? Be the change! What a great way to honor Rev. Greg's installation and the  issues he has supported throughout his previous ministry and those that will continue with MVUUF!

Here's a Calendar of Events:

•  Sunday, 11/1--Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales after the service
•  Friday, 11/6-7:00 p.m., at the Fellowship--Anti-Racism Task Force movie on food justice
•  Saturday, 11/7-6:00 p.m., at the Fellowship--Coops, No Coops, and Co-Ops fundraising dinner. Share your ethical food passion! Proceeds will benefit the Dayton Food Co-Op that is being planned and developed. Let's get in at the beginning.
•  Sunday, 11/8-11:00 a.m., at the Fellowship--collaborative, all-ages art project
•  Sunday, 11/8--Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales after the service
•  Monday, 11/9--lunch at The Castle
•  Wednesday, 11/11-9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.--helping serve lunch at The House of Bread
•  Thursday, 11/12--bread run...ride along with someone!
•  Thursday, 11/12-7:00 p.m., at the Fellowship--Class Conscious (Part 2) adult religious education
•  Friday, 11/13--at the Fellowship-preparing food for St. Vincent de Paul lunch the next day
•  Saturday, 11/14--10:30 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul, 120 W. Apple St. in Dayton-serving a hot, nutritious lunch to the hungry
•  Saturday, 11/14--all day-UUJO Justice Assembly in Columbus, OH
•  Sunday, 11/15--Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales after the service
•  Sunday, 11/15--3:00 p.m., at the Fellowship-Rev. Greg's Installation Service!
•  Sunday, 11/22--kick-off for Guest At Your Table

 

CLASS CONSCIOUS: 

AN ESCALATING INEQUALITY CURRICULUM

The UUA's current Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) is Escalating Inequality; you read about it in The Forum a couple months ago.  We'll be offering a class from the Escalating Inequality Study Guide, called Class Conscious: Class and Class Consciousness in UU Life, by Suzanne Zilber. As Suzanne explains, "We need new language to better discuss the dynamics of class and classism. We need to learn how to work more effectively in cross-class alliances to create systems-level change. When Unitarian Universalists are equipped with class and classism awareness, we can be more effective in selecting and implementing social justice action. Because all oppressions intersect,  dealing with class connects us with issues of race, disability access, democracy, and the environment."

 

The first class takes place on October 29, in the library at the Fellowship; second class November 12, in the Founder's room; both on Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. More sessions may be offered in January, as well. Contact Alice Diebel or Kathleen Pennington with questions or to sign up; look for a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space, as well.

 

THE RAISING OF AMERICA: A DOCUMENTARY

Inequality in Dayton is most easily seen on the city's west side, where poverty has a dramatic impact on the everyday lives of thousands, particularly among blacks, and especially among children.

 

The Fellowship's West Dayton Action Group was formed years ago to focus on providing service, education, and advocacy around poverty and inequality in west Dayton.

 

Picking up on the earlier work of LIFT Greater Dayton, our interfaith community organization, the West Dayton Action Group has targeted early childhood development (health and education) as a critical issue for its attention. The infant mortality rate in Dayton's west side is one of the highest in the nation and in Ohio. It stands currently at 14/1000.  This means that for every 1000 births, fourteen will die before the end of their first year. This is just one example of the many ways in which poverty and race have a negative and long-lasting impact on infants and children on the west side of Dayton.

 

MVUUF has partnered with the Wesley Community Center in west Dayton to help address the    issues of early childhood development, with attention particularly to ages prenatal to age three. The congregation's support for the Wesley Community Center's bi-annual baby showers for pregnant women living in poverty has been a major expression of our involvement. Thank you everyone who contributed clothes and money for this great cause! Another baby shower is coming up--October 10--and we hope you can help; please see the announcement following this article.

 

We have learned a lot about the vulnerabilities of infants through three years of age and want to share it with you. The ability to change the early-life's circumstances that actually affect brain development in those early years is something worth our energy and investment. It will pay        dividends for our whole area.

 

On Friday, October 2, and Friday, October 16, we are showing parts of a new, highly acclaimed documentary, The Raising of America, which calls for national attention to the question, "Why are so many children in America faring so poorly?" In different segments, the documentary looks at the scientific evidence pointing to the enduring importance of early life experience on the brain and body, on the difficulties of parenting while living in poverty, and the failure of our health and       education-related institutions to overcome the disparities in service delivery.

 

Come and learn more! We would like 50 people to show up for these showings; the film will be preceded by spiritual grounding and followed by discussion, and provide practical steps for west Dayton, where the problems are most pronounced. Y'all come!

-Bob Lewis

 

 

WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER BABY SHOWER

This event takes place on Saturday, October 10! Thank you to everyone who contributed baby clothes, supplies, and/or money. And there are still other ways to give! First, we want volunteers to set-up and serve during the shower. This is the fun part-interacting with the mothers and others at the Wesley Community Center! We also need help preparing the sandwiches for the luncheon. Could you donate a loaf of bread, a couple pounds of lunch meat, sandwich cheeses, tuna or egg salad, lettuce, or sliced tomatoes? We will make the sandwiches on Friday, October 9 at 4:00 p.m. (before the all-congregation Start-Up Workshop). If you can donate food, please leave it in the     refrigerator prior to that time, marked "Baby Shower." If you can help make the sandwiches, please let me know. There is a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space, or you can contact me at (937) 350-7763 or diebelalice@gmail.com. Thank you for your generosity and your support of these mothers!

---Alice Diebel

INTERGENERATIONAL UUJO EVENTS!

Here are two intergenerational events sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) coming up soon:

 

Walk To Stop Executions in Columbus, OH on Saturday, October 10

A week-long UUJO-sponsored walk from Lucasville to Columbus culminates in this final 2.5 mile leg on Saturday, October 10, in honor of World Day Against The Death Penalty. UUJO encourages youth-and perhaps some RE families-to participate in the Saturday walk and rally. Transportation to Columbus may be available for interested participants. This final leg leads walkers to the Ohio Statehouse and a noon rally at Trinity Episcopal Church. For more info, please click HERE

 

Justice Assembly Youth-Led Lunch

The Annual UUJO Assembly this year features Rev. Susan Ritchie as the keynote speaker, with workshops on racial, economic, reproductive, and environmental justice and an interest group lunch for youth and others interested in school discipline. For more info and to register click HERE

 

 

ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE FIRST FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT RETURNS!

After a summer hiatus, it's back! Make sure to plan on attending the October offering from our Anti-Racism Task Force! On Friday, October 2nd, they'll be showing The Raising of America, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Founder's Room. This film calls for national attention to the question, "Why are so many children in America faring so poorly?" and more info regarding the film can be found in this edition of The Forum. Snacks will be available during the movie, and a great discussion will follow. Please plan to join us!

 

HOGWARTS HARVEST!

Volunteers are needed for our Hogwarts Harvest,

a family-friendly fall celebration!

The fun will take place on Friday, October 30,

6-9:00 p.m., at the Fellowship.

  

So we're calling all Hogwarts Professors, Quidditch Referees, and Honeydukes Chefs! We need YOU to make sure our Hogwarts Harvest celebration is a great success! We are planning activities for the whole family, including muggle quidditch, caramel apple making, pumpkin decorating, campfire tales from Beedle the Bard, pumpkin juice, and more!

 

Please sign-up so we'll know you want to help! You can do so on the sheet in the Gathering Space, on online using SignUpGenius to donate your time, food, or materials. For more information, you can contact Pam Gromen at conservac@yahoo.com. And thanks for all you do for MVUUF!

 

 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUNCH

Please join us in providing food and/or serving for our long-standing 2nd Saturday lunch ministry for women and families staying at St. Vincent's shelter. This is the second month of our hearty chili fall menu! You can sign-up for food donations and/or serving on the clipboard on the counter by the windows in the gathering Space, or you can contact Lynn Buffington at (937) 657-0426, or abufflg@gmail.com. If you would like more info on volunteering, please pick up one of the half-sheets near the sign-up sheet. Thanks to all who donated food and helped serve in September; we were once again able to offer seconds, this time to 27 women at 11:00 a.m. and to 33 people during the noon family meal!

 

October 10th fall menu:  hearty chili, chili fixings (shredded cheese, chopped onions, etc.), green salad (dressed with dressing) or other fresh vegetable dish, fresh fruit/fruit salad, 100% juice, reduced fat milk. We need several donations of each item, each to serve 15-20. Please bring all items-heated if applicable-to 120 West Apple Street, Dayton (St. Vincent de Paul Hotel) by 10:45 a.m. Serving ends about 12:45 p.m., with women eating at 11:00 a.m. and families at noon. Contact Lynn, Shirley Gezinski, or Iris Mirelez if you would like to help with menu planning or organizing the Friday, November 13th evening intergenerational cooking activity for St. V's. 

 

 

 

THE EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

• October 19 - Moral Ground:  Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril, by Kathleen Dean Moore
• November 16 - Earth in The Balance, by Al Gore
• December 21 - Pope Francis' Encyclical, On The Care of Our Common Home (you can read the Encyclical on the Vatican's website)

•  October 21   The Shell Seekers, by Rosamunde Pilcher 
•  November 18  Altered Genes, Twisted Truth, by Steven Drucker
•  December 16  A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas. (This book is very short, for our annual party.)
• January tba  The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. This book has 784 pages in paperback; we chose it for January so we could begin reading it in December or earlier.

You can keep up-to-date with all the happenings at MVUUF by viewing the Fellowship's calendar online, from a link to our website HERE  

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!