STARTING UP

You may be wondering what happened at Rev. Greg's Start-Up Workshop held on October 9 and 10. We found much enthusiasm and excitement about where we are and where we want to go, and we were able to begin making plans to get us there.

 

About 40 congregation members and friends gathered to talk on Friday evening, and Fellowship leaders continued the discussion on Saturday. We were led by Nancy Hegee from the MidAmerica Region of the UUA in our deliberations. Several people commented that they were impressed with the knowledge and resourcefulness Nancy brought us. (Her services were provided to us at no charge by the MidAmerica   Region of the UUA; this is just one of the services we receive through our Fair Share contribution to the Region.)

 

As we anticipated, there was lively discussion as members came together on Friday to talk about what we love about the Fellowship. Among our loves are things inherent to our Unitarian Universalism, such as our common sense and use of our minds (including the freedom to change them), our focus on deeds not creeds and our Seven Principles. More locally, we appreciate our sense of community and the importance of our relationships with each other, including intergenerational ones, our welcoming and acceptance of difference, our opportunities for growth for all ages through Religious Education, mentorship, our engagement with the world and social action, our traditions and the aesthetics of our space. There is a lot to love here!

 

We also have lots of hopes for the future. Among those are hopes for stimulating intellectual and experiential Sunday morning services and possible expansion outside Sunday morning, expanded RE and other group offerings and more musical opportunities, a focus on mission that leads to greater involvement and deepening commitment, and growth in the number of members and families. There were also hopes for possible building expansion and financial stability with more hours and compensation for staff. We also want to increase our interfaith participation and lift up the promise of UUism in the broader community.

On Saturday, Nancy met with Rev. Greg, members of the Board, the Program Council, and the Committee on Ministry to begin making concrete plans for those hopes and dreams. We identified six areas of focus for our work in these next couple of years. These are :

 Engaging people in the congregation

• Leadership development
• Improved communication
• Making sure that the systems and structures of the Fellowship fit who we are now and what we want to become
• Nurturing healthy decision-making
• Religious education

Obviously, this is an ambitious list of initiatives, with no easy "fix" for any of them. Some of these areas were an outgrowth of the Leadership Exploration Groups we held last fall; others resulted from Greg's early observations among us. We felt confident, though, that with Greg's guidance, we will make improvements in these areas over time. We are hoping that you will engage with us in making this so. We

will be keeping you informed of steps in these areas as time goes on.

 

We also developed specific plans to revisit our Mission and Vision statements that are now more than 10 years old. Many of us have felt that we needed to undertake this work for some time, but it seemed appropriate to wait for our new settled minister to be part of the process. Now that Greg is here, the work can begin. We will be using a different approach from what we did in the past, and it will involve several months, so watch for more information as we progress.

 

In the afternoon, the Board and Greg worked to clarify responsibilities and ways to work together. All in all, we felt that the weekend was a useful and inspiring time that will inform our work for some time to come.

 

I want to thank all those who participated in the Start-Up Workshop. I know that we will bring our excitement to the celebration and social action surrounding Greg's Installation later this month. I recognize that most of us have other things to do on our weekends. It speaks to the importance of this Fellowship in our lives that so many of you give of your time and energy to ensure that Greg's ministry with us begins in this focused and meaningful way.

 

In appreciation,

Barb Weber

Board President

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE:  

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Each year, hundreds of transgender and/or gender-variant people are murdered around the world for no other reason than for being their authentic selves. The International Transgender Day of Remembrance was established in 1999 to honor Rita Hester, who was brutally murdered in 1998. Rita's murder, like most transgender murder cases, has remained unsolved and largely ignored. These senseless acts of violence and hatred speak volumes about the need to raise public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, and the more critical need to remove the myths and mystique about transgender people through education and advocacy.

 

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves multiple purposes: raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action current media does not perform; publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people who may otherwise be forgotten; offers an opportunity for us to express love and respect for transgender. It gives allies a chance to step forward and stand in vigil, memorializing those who have died by anti-transgender violence.

 

This year's Remembrance falls on November 20, and we will commemorate the occasion with our Sunday service on November 29. Margaret Michal and Dan Miyake will lead the service, sharing their experiences and insights. Please join us as we gather to pause and reflect on the struggles and challenges faced by transgender people, and to honor those who have been murdered this year.

-Dan Miyake

INSTALLATION EVENTS!

Please visit the table in the Gathering Space to sign-up for and participate in one of the many activities leading up to Rev. Greg's Installation on Sunday, November 15, 3:00 p.m., at the Fellowship. Issues regarding hunger and food scarcity have been life-long concerns of Rev. Greg; what an opportunity we have to join together as a Fellowship and do something related to hunger! We are serving, learning, advocating and organizing...together!

 

We will also sell tickets for Coops, No Coops, And Co-Ops, a fundraising dinner for the proposed food co-op in Dayton. It tales place on Saturday, November 7, 6:00 p.m., at the Fellowship; tickets are $25, and all proceeds go to the local effort to address food scarcity. Sign-up to prepare a dish, set-up, or clean-up. If you can, buy a scholarship ticket for someone else! Dishes can be any of your favorites (more info HERE), and we will also be having a raffle (more info HERE).

 

Here's the list of all the events:

Friday, Nov. 6, 7:00 p.m.-Anti-Racism Task Force movie, A Place at the Table (Founder's Room)

Saturday, Nov. 7, 6:00 p.m.-Coops, No Coops, and Co-Ops fundraising dinner

Sunday, Nov. 8, before and after the 11:00 a.m. service-Collaborative Art Project (more info HERE)

Monday, Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m.-lunch at The Castle

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 9:00 a.m.-lunch at The House of Bread

Thursday, Nov. 12, 9:00 a.m.-bread run (from Dorothy Lane Market to The Wesley Center and St. Paul's)

Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:00 p.m.-Class Consciousness session (part 2) at the Fellowship

Friday, Nov. 13, 6:00 p.m.-prepare food for St. Vincent de Paul lunch, at the Fellowship

Saturday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m.-serve lunch at St. Vincent de Paul Hotel

Saturday, Nov. 14, all day-UUJO Justice Assembly in Columbus

Sunday, Nov. 15, 3:00 p.m.-Installation Service for Rev. Greg

Sunday, Nov. 22, 11:00 a.m.-Guest At Your Table kick-off during service

GUEST AT YOUR TABLE

As mentioned in the list above, this year's Guest at Your Table campaign will kick-off with an inter-generational Thanksgiving celebration worship service on Sunday, November 22!

 

Invite a "guest" to your table by reading Stories of Hope, featuring people around the world who the UUSC works with to turn human rights into realities. Our program introduces you to grassroots leaders around the world who are advancing human rights.  As you gather together with family and friends to take part in Guest at Your Table, figuratively invite these leaders as "guests" to your table by sharing their stories. And this year the boxes are back, which will help get the children involved! After your family has collected your spare cash, make an online donation or send a check to the UUSC. You can also give your check to Kathleen Pennington (or any member of the Social Action Committee); the UUSC encourages you to make your donation online at their website.

-Kathleen Pennington

MVUUF MEMBERSHIP? WHO ME? NOW?

Do any of the following statements describe you?

• You've been visiting or attending MVUUF for several weeks, months, or even years.
• Your children are enrolled in the MVUUF YRE Program.
• You participate in one or more of the many specialty groups offered by MVUUF.
• You help out with music, coffee, ushering, audio, etc., on Sundays.
• You've been thinking about becoming a member but were waiting for the new minister.
• You've been attending the Intro to UUism class with Bob Lewis the past few weeks.
• You enjoy coming to MVUUF and feel at home with the people you've met.

 If any of these (or other descriptive sentences) fit your situation, it may be the right time for you to "trade in" your friend name tag for one of the official wooden name tags...as in, become a member of MVUUF!  Membership will help you to deepen your relationship and commitment to this Fellowship. The wooden name tag is the outward symbol of this commitment.

 

To learn more about the privileges and responsibilities of membership, you are invited to attend a Joining Session on Sunday, November 22, 12:30 p.m., in the Founder's Room at the Fellowship. We'll have several Board members on hand, and Rev. Greg, to provide information and answer your questions. Then you will have time to complete the paperwork and be ready for the reception of new members on Sunday, December 6 during the 11:00 a.m. worship service.  You will sign the book and receive your wooden name tag at that time. You will then be a Voting Member in time for our January Congregational Meeting.

 

For more information, or questions regarding membership at MVUUF, please contact Membership Representative, Diane Colvin, at (937) 433-0969 or drcolvin6740@yahoo.com.

SMART CHOICES BIRTHDAY LUNCH

The next gathering of this fun group will take place on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 11:30 a.m., at the MCL Cafeteria (private room). Please note the day of the week is different this month, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone is invited to attend! Please RSVP to Allie Petersen at:

allieoop777@yahoo.com

 

 

MAKE SURE TO SAVE THE DATE!

Two of our members are celebrating milestone birthdays this month: 

Dane & Priscilla Mutter will be celebrating their 

80th and 85th birthdays!

 

In honor of this wonderful occasion, they'll be celebrating with a party on Saturday, November 28, 4-7:00 p.m., at the Fellowship. 

Everyone is invited; 

please RSVP to Priscilla at:

 perkster@woh.rr.com

or

(937) 898-3495

by Friday, November 13.

 

If you'd like to mark this festive occasion with a gift, please donate to the MVUUF Endowment Fund, the Humane Society, or a philanthropic organization of your choice.

 

Please plan to attend and help them celebrate this momentous occasion!

 

  

ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE FIRST FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT 

IS BACK!

Make sure to plan on attending the November offering from our Anti-Racism Task Force! On Friday,  November 6, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Founder's Room at the Fellowship, they'll be showing A Place At The Table, an examination of the issue of hunger in America focusing on the plight of three individuals from different parts of the country who struggle with finding adequate nutrition.  This event is being highlighted as one of several activities offered this month in support of causes near to Rev. Greg's heart-hunger and food scarcity.   Please plan to join us!

 

 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUNCH

Our next lunch for women and families staying at St. Vincent de Paul's shelter is on Saturday, November 14. In addition to the usual ways of volunteering by serving on Saturday morning and/or donating food, we will also be preparing some of the food items together at the Fellowship on Friday, November 13. To help on Friday and/or Saturday, please sign-up in the Gathering Place, or contact Lynn Buffington:  (937) 657-0426 or abufflg@gmail.com.

If you would like more information regarding volunteering, please take one of the info half-sheets near the sign-up sheet. Thanks to all who donated food and helped serve in October; we were again happy to be able to offer seconds.

 

November 14th 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. 

 

 

 

November 10---Clara and Mr. Tiffany, 

 by Susan Vreeland

December 8---Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Vissionary Leader, by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli

January 12---God Help the Child, by Toni Morrison

February 9---Just Mercy, by Bryan Stephenson (this is the UUA Common Read title)

March 8---All The Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr

 

• 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)

•  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!