The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Newsletter May 2008

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May News and Events!

UU ORIENTATION SESSIONS The next UU Orientation will be held Sunday, June 1 from 9:15am to 10:15am at Nielsen House (nursery services will be available – please inquire if you have a need). Rev. Susan Ritchie and Eileen Watters will lead the session, and information on the denomination’s (and our congregation’s) history and the meaning of membership will be presented. A corresponding New Member Sunday is planned for Sunday, June 8. If you or someone you know might be interested in membership, sign up to attend the Orientation on the sheet posted in Fellowship Hall, or contact Rev. Ritchie at 740-657-8081. (Additional Orientations are slated for September 21 and December 7, with New Member Sundays planned for October 5 and December 14). AFTER-WORSHIP DISCUSSION FORMAT The next after-worship discussion session will be Sunday, June. 1. Rev.Susan Ritchie will discuss From Akron to Antioh—a look at the history of Unitarianism and Universalism here in Ohio begs the question: can we make a difference in this region? Join Rev. Ritchie in the parlor of Nielsen House (RE Building across the driveway from the church) after the service to converse further about that day’s worship topic. No need to sign up in advance. Sponsored by the Adult RE & Enrichment Committee.) FAIR TRADE SALES The Social Action Committee will hold its monthly Fair Trade Sale on Sunday, May 11 (held the second Sunday of every month.) Please support this project by considering a purchase of delicious coffees, teas and chocolates after the service on May 11. See Chris Jones-Leavy for more info. BROWN BAG BOOKS Bring your lunch and join the Brown Bag Book reading group at its new meeting time on Tuesday, May 20 at 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall to discuss Forward From Here: Leaving Middle Age—and Other Unexpected Adventures by Reeve Lindbergh, daughter of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. A review of this insightful and poignant book may be found at www.amazon.com . For questions, contact group facilitator Ruth Rusk at ruthrusk@midohio.net. (Meetings held at 1:00pm the 3^rd Tuesday of the month, effective in May) HATHA YOGA & MEDITATION CLASSES OFFERED AT NUUC Registered Yoga Therapist Holly Jones will offer Hatha Yoga and Meditation classes on Tuesday evenings from May 13 through June 17 from 7:00-8:20pm at NUUC in Fellowship Hall. Classes are suitable for beginning and continuing students of all ages and levels of fitness. The class will focus on increasing flexibility, strength, balance and range of motion in the physical body, as a pathway for increasing awareness of the breath and calming the mind. This class offers a fun, peaceful atmosphere with lots of personal attention. Registration is $36 for all 6 classes, or $10 at the door for individual drop-in sessions. For more information and to register, pick up a flyer from the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or contact Jeri Dill at the church office at 740-657-8081, ext. 1 or Nuucjdill@aol.com. RE WORKSHOP OFFERED SAT. MAY 3 A question from a U.U. child to her parent: "Mommy, why do those churches have a "t" in their front lawn?" On Saturday, May 3, NUUC’s own Religious Education Consultant, Katie Erslev, will offer a workshop from 9:30am – Noon entitled Talking with Children about our Unitarian Universalist Theology. Several years ago, when we decided to hire a Religious Education Consultant, our clear pick out of a nation of choices was Katie Erslev. She is an experienced Director of Religious Education in small, medium, and large-sized congregations; the author of our favorite curriculums, and the author of a book on how to keep UU children and adults affiliated in adulthood. The workshop will focus on how to address spiritual issues with children. We will explore how we answer children’s questions such as “What happens when we die?” “What if my friends think I am going to hell?” and “What do WE believe, anyway?” In addition, we will focus on children’s faith development through a UU lens. The workshop is appropriate for all persons who are interested in faith development and/or in this perspective on our identity—not just parents. There is no fee for the workshop, and snacks will be provided! Childcare is also available; please note your need. Sign up for the workshop by e-mailing Rev. Susan Ritchie (RevRitchie@aol.com), our Administrative Assistant, Jeri Dill (Nuucjdill@aol.com), by leaving a message for Jeri at the church (740-657-8081, ext. 1) or by signing up on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Go to: Page 1 Page 3 Page 4

MAY Calendar Preview: (N) = Nielsen House (F) = Fellowship Hall (S) = Sanctuary May 3 10:30am – Covenant Group (N) May 4 11:45am – Social Action Committee May 11 – MOTHER’S DAY 9:15am – Children’s RE Committee (N) “Loose Change” Sunday After worship - Fair Trade Sale 11:45am – Adult RE & Enrichment Committee Noon – Bldg. Exploratory Committee (S) 6:00pm – Covenant Group (N) May 13 7:00pm – Yoga (F) - Worship Committee May 17 9:00am – Board Meeting May 18 MUSIC SUNDAY 10:00am – 2:00pm – NUUC Spring Flower Sale 11:45am – Membership Committee (N) May 20 1:00pm – Brown Bag Books (F) 7:00pm – Yoga (F) June newsletter submission deadline May 22 7:00pm – Spirituality Group May 26 MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED May 27 7:00pm – Yoga (F) “SEEKERS” YOUTH DISPLAY THEIR ARTWORK IN SANCTUARY The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s Youth Group the “Seekers” will present an artwork display in the sanctuary for the months of May and June. For this body of work, Youth Advisor Mylly Carreno asked the students to take a “closer look” at their surroundings; to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. The assigned task was to take photos of objects or living things that a passerby may be too busy to notice or take time to appreciate. Also, the students were to choose subjects or objects that were, in their opinion, beautiful or important. The idea was to then take those photos and create larger works of art, utilizing a variety of mediums and individual expressive style. Through this approach to art making, the observer can see a large variety of interpretations and individualism expressed through the work. Mylly hoped the project would show the youth that by taking a closer look and slowing down for a moment to appreciate the small things, one can learn to see the world with fresh eyes and can begin to find happiness in the simpler things that surround us daily. Through this study both the viewer and the artist may find a moment in which they realize that there is glamour in a flower petal or tranquility in a footprint. Slowing down and taking a closer look at the things around us may guide us in also taking a closer look at ourselves and finding harmony and understanding in the world around us. Please take a moment to “slow down” and view the youths’ efforts over the next several weeks. And, as always, if you have or know of art work you would like to see displayed in the sanctuary, please let Rev. Ritchie know (RevRitchie@aol.com ) MUSIC SUNDAY IS MAY 18 Join us on May 18 as we celebrate the musical life of the congregation. Headliners for Music Sunday 2008 include vocalists Traci Aquara, Kurt Zielenbach, and Sarabeth Mahusky-Petras; pianist Daniel Mallett, flutists Lily and John Rodeheffer, pianist Wade Jones, and the NUUC Choir. Enjoy music spanning centuries and transcending genres. The congregation will have a chance to participate in the music-making by singing some of our favorite songs from the hymnal during this intergenerational service. For questions, contact Music Director Marlene Metz at marlenemetz@yahoo.com S.O.S. (Summer Opportunities for Socializing) Watch for details coming soon! A REMINDER FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE As a courtesy to visitors (and those of us with faulty memories…), please remember to wear your name tag during Sunday services and other large gatherings. If you need a new (or replacement) nametag, please note so on the “Nametag” sign-up sheet located on the white “Greeter’s Table” located against the wall in the sanctuary overflow area.