The front doors, the sanctuary doors, the memorial garden doors will all be open during the entire service for quick exits if necessary!   Remember that all live pets must be caged or leashed, more than just "hand-held"!   If you have any questions or concerns, call or e-mail me!

On Sunday, October 13, we will continue the annual GLBTQ (gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender-questioning) Service.  This year I will be asking if we truly make room for all?   This is another great service to bring a friend, neighbor or co-worker to.

Sunday, October 20, we will be recognizing those who have recently signed the UUCG Membership Book, and because it is also Crop Walk day in Greensboro, I will be talking about hunger.  Finally, to close out October on the 27th, you will be hearing about the earth-centered-spirituality view about how the world of the living and that of dearly departed are separated by the thinnest of lines during this turn of the season.

In freeing faith,

Rev. Ann Marie

 When my kiddo, Audrey, was growing up, one of her favorite things was dramatic play and putting on costumes -- which made Halloween one of her favorite holidays. She was in luck, because sewing was something I was good at and LOVED to do.  So each Halloween became a type of celebration for us -- talking about and selecting a persona, thinking about and shopping for fabrics and notions, and then seeing the costume (that I was constructing) unfold.  

Audrey used her costumes not just for trick-or-treat, but year after year in play with her friends.  And when she outgrew them, they became part of "dress-ups" at The School for Young Children (SYC), the preschool at First UU Church of Columbus Ohio.  The last I knew, parts of my now 19-year-old daughter's "Rapunzel," "Gypsy," and "Hippie" costumes are still being enjoyed by other children.  So, her costumes have had a second life.  And the costumes of your children have the opportunity for a second life as well.

When thinking about how we celebrate Halloween, here's a startling statement: "If half the kids in the U.S. who celebrate Halloween swapped costumes, rather than buying new ones, the nation's annual landfill waste would be reduced by 6,250 tons.  That's about the weight of 2,500 mid-size cars."

This year, UUCG will be partnering with The Learning Palette in support of a "Green Halloween".  On Saturday, October 26, we will have our annual yard sale, shine (outside) or rain (inside).  As a part of that, we will be holding a "costume swap".  So, if you have young children -- or grandchildren -- or neighbor children -- who love to dress up, survey the costumes you have, launder them, and bring them to me 10/20-24 for a voucher (let me know in advance @ uucgre@att.net to arrange for a time).  Then come to the yard sale with your child/grandchild/neighbor child on Saturday, 10/26, to find a new costume.  No money needed for a new costume, with fun to be had by all!

Namaste,

Cindy Dillard, Director of Religious Education

We have a wide range of Adult Religious Education opportunities this fall at UUCG.  There will be Sunday morning programming from 9:30-10:30 and Thursday nights from 7:00-9:00.

Compassionate Communication will lead on the first Sunday 10/6. Compassionate Communication is based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg.  Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence-- the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart.

NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies -- whether verbal or physical -- are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture.  NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.

People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection and conflict resolution.

http://www.cnvc.org/  

Ken Knight will facilitate a study and exploration of The How of Happiness: A Practical Guide to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky Sunday October 13, 20, 27.

Learn how to achieve the happiness you deserve

"A guide to sustaining your new-found contentment." --Psychology Today

You see here a different kind of happiness book.  The How of Happiness is a comprehensive guide to understanding the elements of happiness based on years of groundbreaking scientific research.  It is also a practical, empowering, and easy-to-follow workbook, incorporating happiness strategies, excercises in new ways of thinking, and quizzes for understanding our individuality, all in an effort to help us realize our innate potential for joy and ways to sustain it in our lives.  Drawing upon years of pioneering research with thousands of men and women, The How of Happiness is both a powerful contribution to the field of positive psychology and a gift to people who have sought to take their happiness into their own hands.

www.TheHowOfHappiness.com  

Into the Beautiful North book discussion October 27

Greensboro's 2013 One City One Book selection is Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea.  UUCG will have a discussion of the book on Sunday, October 27 at 9:30.  Sponsored every two years by Greensboro Public Library, One City One Book is an opportunity for the community to learn from each other's thoughts and deliberations.  Since its inception in 2002, the mission of this project has been to connect the people our community through literature.  To learn more about One City One Book and related events, visit http://greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=848  For more information about the discussion, please contact Sharin Francis.

Sharin Francis will also lead discussion on Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel over three weeks November 17, December 8, 15.  We will first show this year's Ware lecture featuring Dr. Patel on November 10.

Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, in the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation

Acts of Faith is a remarkable account of growing up Muslim in America and coming to believe in religious pluralism, from one of the most prominent faith leaders in the United States.  Eboo Patel's story is a hopeful and moving testament to the power and passion of young people -- and of the world-changing potential of an interfaith youth movement.  Currently only $3.99 for the Kindle edition.

http://www.ifyc.org/about-us/eboo-patel  

Thursday nights our Developmental Minister, the Rev. Ann Marie Alderman, continues to lead "Faith Like a River" Tapestry of Faith curriculum on UU History.  You are welcome to join in for any class.  Note there will not be a class on Halloween evening!

Every other month Rev. Alderman and the Membership Team present New Member Orientation classes on Saturday mornings.  The next one is scheduled for Nov. 9 from 9:30 - 11:30 am.

Submitted by Steve Pearsall

Sunday, October 6th at 9:30 a.m.

Conflict Improvs will feature a Halloween Costume dispute between husband and wife.  Don't miss this hilarious episode starring Michelle Lee and Bill Haney!

Taught by Heather Rushforth and ElizabethErbrecht  (doTerra IPCs)

Heather and her sister Elizabeth will be teaching an  informative class to learn about the the natural power of essential oils.  Learn easy approaches to a variety of "life's little emergencies" using plant-based biochemistry.  We will also be discussing quality and grades of essential oils, 

so if you are an experienced user, bring your oils to compare. Children are welcome, and limited childcare available with a reservation.

October 12th at 6pm 

For more information contact Heather Rushforth hmrushfo@uncg.edu 

UUCG Team for Greater Greensboro CROP Hunger Walk and Run

October 20, 2013        

1:00 assemble and register

Grasshopper Stadium in downtown Greensboro

You can sign up to walk or make a donation at the SAT table after service on Sundays.  Stop at the table to pick up your pledge packet so you can start soliciting other members and your friends.  Or even better, get your friends to walk with you.  Watch for more details and where to meet at the Grasshoppers stadium on Sunday afternoon.

If no walker has asked you for a pledge, you can make a donation at the SAT table.  Remember that 25% of the funds raised by the CROP Walk will go to the Greensboro Urban Ministry to feed hungry people right here at home.

Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea.  UUCG will have a discussion of the book on Sunday, October 27 at 9:30, at UUCG, in the sanctuary.   

Sponsored every two years by Greensboro Public Library, One City One Book is an opportunity for the community to learn from each other's thoughts and deliberations. Since its inception in 2002, the mission of this project has been to connect the people our community through literature.  

To learn more about One City One Book and related events, visit http://greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=848  

For more information about the discussion, please contact Sharin Francis at sharinfrancis@hotmail.com