Northern Light

The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Newsletter

October 2009

Page 1

I have always loved fall. I like the cool weather and the magic sound of wind high in the trees where the leaves are beginning to dry and rattle. And the smells! For me, one of the triggers that the season is really here is that peculiar citron smell that the black walnut pods give off as they fall. Did I mention the warm, comforting foods? And ok, I like a good ghost story, too. And I do mean a ghost story, not a bloody, unimaginative thriller about some maniac who uses power tools on human beings. I like a Shirley Jackson kind of ghost story, where there is just a hint that things are happening underneath the surface of our lives and consciousness that don’t always yield their truths under the light of day or the scrutiny of reason. In so many of her stories, the reader is never sure whether or not there really is something supernatural happening, or if the people are becoming unhinged by themselves. Now that’s creepy! There are also the theological implications of the basic haunted house story…which I will mention in my sermon on “Ancestors” on Nov. 1 (help me research! Send me your favorite haunted house novel, story, or movie suggestions!). Many different religious traditions honor this time of year for its seeming otherworldly suggestions. The Celts saw the end of October as a “thin place,” where the lines between worlds is more permeable that usual. However you enter this fall, I hope you take time to embrace the magic of this mysterious existence. To Life! Rev. Susan Ritchie Also in this issue Page 2  Events & Activities.  Find out what's happening this Month! New Friday Family Potluck and Worship planned…and more! Page 3 News from the Board and Committees. Be sure to See Laura Howe’s invitation to our stewardship kickoff event Oct. 4! Page 4 A Call to Action!  See how you can support your congregation and your world!

Worship Schedule October 4 Casting Lots. Religion is not an adherence to abstract principles; sooner or later, it asks that we join our personal futures to that of a larger good. Oct. 11 The Changing Reputation of Human Being. The different varieties of humanism, and what they suggest about how we might live more full lives. Oct. 18 Affiliated Community Minister Rev. Chris Jones-Leavy offers the worship. Oct. 25 Mixities, Glorious Mixities. The borders between different cultures and religions are tight and well patrolled, right? Maybe not. How identity suggests a joyful look at mixity everywhere. Children’s Religious Education The Children’s Religious Education classes began meeting on Sunday, September 20 and will be held every Sunday during the worship hour unless otherwise noted (children will be in the main worship for certain intergenerational services such as at Thanksgiving and Christmas). NUUC is again offering three classes this year. Our “Chalice Children” class is for ages 3-5 and meets in the main church building, in Fellowship Hall. The “Explorers” class (for ages 6-11), and the “Seekers” youth class (for ages 12 and up) meet in Nielsen House, the religious education “House” across the parking lot from the main church building. The complete and updated 2009-10 Religious Education Prospectus is available by clicking here. Open Invitation to Youth RE Speakers! The Youth are looking for speakers to lead their Sunday Religious Education classes.  This is just a one Sunday commitment (yes, you would miss service, but in return you would get to spend an hour with our vibrant and intelligent youth).  You also get to pick the topic or activity, depending on your interests and talents. Some of the topics scheduled to be shared with the youth this fall are: --Eileen Watters counsels young people of military families and has recently returned from assignments in Germany and Japan – she shares these and other life experiences --Rev. Chris Jones-Leavy, an ordained UU minister who works in hospice, shares how she helps families prepare for end of life and what she had to do to become a minister; --Ruth and Gary Rusk, who have been attending our church since before it was NUUC, share their religious (how they became UUs) and other life journeys (there are both retired teachers). --The husband-and-wife team of Tony Marconi and Martha Filipic will share many interesting stories regarding their passion for the cause of gay rights. If you have questions or would like to sign up on the schedule, talk to any of our teens, Lynn Foreman (sbgmacb@hotmail.com or 740-513-4876) or Rev. Susan Ritchie (RevRitchie@aol.com or 740-657-8081, ext. 2). Fall Nursery Schedule Hours to be Observed The NUUC nursery will be staffed to serve younger-than-toddler age children from 8:45am until 11:45am unless otherwise posted. Northern Light Newsletter The “Northern Light” is a monthly newsletter produced by North Unitarian Universalist Congregation and is distributed approximately the 1^st of each month. The deadline for submissions is generally the week following the monthly Board of Trustees meeting. The submission deadline for November’s issue will be Thursday, October 22. If possible, submissions should be sent as a Word-compatible document attached to an e-mail to Jeri Dill at nuucjdill@aol.com. Pasting the article into the body of the e-mail is also suggested in case of incompatibility of software. Delivery by electronic mail (e-mail) is our preferred method in order to save paper and postage; however, paper mailed copies are available upon request. If your postal mail or e-mail address changes or you wish to be added to or removed from either mailing list, please advise Jeri in the office at nuucjdill@aol.com or by calling her at 740-657-8081, ext. 1.