Nov. News

Contents: Sunday Service and Discussion Topics. Ministers MUUsing, Musical Notes, Rainbow Sunday School News, 'From the Inner Office'. Covenant House Needs. UUC Announcements and Events.

November 1: “A Ceremony of Remembrance.” This service on All Souls Day calls us to honor and remember those souls who have gone before us. There will be an opportunity during the service for you to remember a loved one by speaking his/her name and one thing you learned from that person, or one sentence you would like to share. Candles will be available to light if you wish to acknowledge someone without speaking. Service leader: David Miller; Worship Associate: Amy Weintraub.

November 8: “Ownership: What’s Mine is Mine – Right!?” Chief Seattle said, “The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.” The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” In our life time on this planet, what can we really claim as ours? What should belong to everyone? What do we want to pass on? Ownership is this month’s covenant group theme. Ministers: Mel and Rose; Worship Associate: David Miller

November 15 “Lest We Forget: Affirming our Warriors.” On this Sunday after Veterans Day we look to the Native American Sioux for ideas on how to appreciate and work with our modern day warriors. The Sioux designated certain members of the tribe as warriors, while the tribe took on the responsibility of helping restore the warriors to wholeness after battles. UUC is working with the “Lest We Forget” Peer Support Network, a program to work with veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Speakers from the program will share stories of their experiences and how we can be helpful. Speakers: From “Lest We Forget;” Service Coordinators: Mel and Rose.

November 22: “More than a House…” Covenant House is a trusted “home” for those in our community who find themselves, often unexpectedly, in need – of food, shelter, clothing, or a place to wash clothes and clean up. We are fortunate to have Amy Weintraub, executive director and excellent speaker, as a member of our congregation. She will bring us up-to-date on the work Covenant House does on our behalf to those in need in our community. Speaker: Amy Weintraub; Worship Associate: Malyka Knapp Smith.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 — THANKSGIVING DINNER! JOIN YOUR UU FRIENDS DINNER AT 3PM. The cost is $3 per person to cover main dish (turkey or vegan option). Bring your favorite side dish or dessert. PLEASE RSVP BY NOV. 22 so we’ll know how how many are coming. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

November 29: “Welcoming a Guest at Your Table.” We combine this year’s occasional theme on our UU heritage with the Guest At Your Table (GAYT) Program from the UU Service Committee. As we move into the winter holiday season the GAYT boxes give us the opportunity to remember those around the world and in the US who need help with their local justice issues. The UU Service Committee began by helping Jewish children escape Nazism during World War II. We will share stories of people directly affected by UUSC today. Chris Higgins, service coordinator.

Nov. 1      2012: an end time or transition?   Phil Schenk
Nov. 8       PBS NOVA "The Big Energy Gamble" (DVD)
Nov. 15     Life Begins on Earth: What, when, and how? Ken Williamson
Nov. 22     Darwin's impact on science and technology. Dr. Don Gartman
Nov. 29     Friends aid projects in Vietnam. Mike Boehm
Dec. 6        (tentative) Some Foundational Falsehoods of 'Creationism.’ (DVD)

Childcare provided from 9 30pm. Children start in the 11am Service and leave for their Rainbow Sunday School Classes after the Story for all Ages.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we give thanks that we are ministering with such an open, life-giving congregation. It is good that UUC is here in the community, as we are often called on to open our doors for various community needs and events. For instances, just recently, it is good that we can provide space for “Lest We Forget” so returning veterans can network and be involved in peer counseling. It is good that we can be the site on Wednesday, November 11, for the showing of “Numen” a documentary on respecting the life of plants (see announcement else where in newsletter, and come to the event!). And, it is good that we could support the brave people, some of whom are members of UUC, who tried to speak at the hearing on nationwide mining permits, and who needed space to meet for healing and to figure out what to do next.

That’s just a smattering of how our building gets used. Requests come in all the time, and they have to be balanced with our own UUC activities, and the need to pay attention to what we, as a congregation, want and need. We continue to grapple with our need for expanded space. During the past year or so, especially during our sabbatical, we combined the Committee on Ministry with the Long Range Planning Committee. It is now time to separate the two committees for their specific work. Instead of a Long Range Planning Committee, the Board designated a Building Committee for our longer term building needs and how to meet them. That has left us as ministers free to put together a fully-staffed Committee on Ministry, whose new members were approved and continuing members re-affirmed at the October Board meeting.

The main purpose of the Committee on Ministry (COM) is to work with the ministers on an over-all view of UUC’s mutual ministry. The COM evaluates us as ministers and UUC as a congregation in how we all carry out ministry. It is composed of five members who are chosen by the ministers and approved by the Board. Current members of COM are Jack Hickok and Amy Weintraub, co-chairs; Neil Chakrabarty, Mary Lou Wiegand, and Cammy Kitchen. Please feel free to contact them with any concerns, ideas, future directions you have about UUC or us. We really mean this; for we recognize it is sometimes difficult for some of you to give us feedback directly. If that is the case, you may talk with any member of the COM, and they will relay your concerns to us. Of course, we always open to hearing things you like about what we’re doing, too.

An immediate task the COM is taking on is one that UU congregations across the country are taking on – having a SMART Team in place. SMART stands for Sexual Misconduct and Abuse Response Team. We have excellent resources from the UUA for developing policies for how to proceed if someone in the congregation is charged with sexual abuse, or if someone is not charged but there are concerns. The Board has asked the following to be members of the UUC SMART Team: The Committee on Ministry, the ministers, a Board representative (Annette Zavareei is the Board designee); with advice from the Director of Children and Family Programs (Chris Higgins) and legal counsel (Mary Beth Kershner), as needed. Voting on SMART Guidelines will be part of our Annual Meeting in May.

More immediately, we have the Town Meeting coming up after the service on November 22. This is the Board of Trustees’ opportunity to be accountable to the membership by reporting on goals and objectives for the year and informing you, the members and friends, of important needs, concerns or opportunities.

There is one particularly exciting item on the Town Meeting agenda we want to let you know about. Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, Ohio Meadville District Executive, sees UUC as a healthy congregation and has invited us to apply to be accepted into the Planning for Growth Program for Smaller Mid-Size Congregations. This competitive program is sponsored by Ohio Meadville District and the other three districts in our four-district region. As ministers, we’re delighted by this special invitation to UUC to apply and hope our application will be accepted. (Surely they will need a vital, active congregation from West Virginia!)

Numbers wise UUC is between the pastoral and program congregation designations (often referred to as the “awkward-sized church”), and this invitation for Planning for Growth could help us greatly with our growth needs, issues, and concerns. It means a commitment on the part of UUC’s leadership to participate in workshops held in Pittsburgh every six months over a three-year period, and for everyone in the congregation to work together to implement the learnings the team brings back home.

We, your ministers, are not getting any younger, and in the not-too-distant future retirement will become an option for us. We believe this Planning for Growth program will provide an excellent transition for UUC’s future and will help determine the skills and experience needed for selecting the best next minister(s) to work with you. UUC will have clear plans and goals and a self-evaluation for your next steps as a congregation.

This plan, plus resolving our building space needs, means UUC will have a facility that meets congregational needs; and a vision and clear action plan for being a beacon of love, acceptance, justice and hope far into the future.

Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it? And it will be if all of us young and old and of all theological persuasions make UUC’s growth and development a priority the next three to four years. We can do it! Let it be so!

Please sign your child in when entering the building for the first time. A sign in sheet is located in the Front Porch. Younger children should be signed out from their morning class.

Pre-School: Continues with 'Friendship Finders' with Nevzetta, Moya and a Parent Helper..

K-2: Nell has done a fantastic job getting this group started with 'Stories About God'. In November Children will be doing a 4 week 'New UU for Kids' course with Laura and Steve. The course is intended to give a brief overview of Unitarian Universalism. Children will discuss who we are as individuals and the importance of finding our individuality. The children will learn about the importance of the democratic process. The children will discuss what is truth and right. The children will discuss the need for a peaceful, fair and free world.

Grade 3-5: In November children will be doing a 4 week curricula called 'Lessons of Loss' with Chris. The curricula helps children to recognize that change and loss are inevitable and exist throughout nature. There will be opportunities to voice fears and questions about loss. It will help them understand that grieving, with its wide range of feelings, is a normal reaction to loss. Children will recognize that every person responds to loss in a different way. It looks at UU and other religious/cultural traditions concerning death and dying. It helps children understand how the UU principles provide guidance in understanding loss and supporting the grieving process. Children will develop a personal theology regarding loss, death, and dying and; respectfully remember loved ones who have died. If you have any concerns about your children doing this curriculum please address them to me.

Grade 6-9: A teaching team of Renu, Tabitha, Mike Foster and Chris will continue to rotate throughout the year. The youth will continue with Compass Points. The early part of the Curriculum has dealt with self assessment. They now begin a journey exploring different concepts.

All Children will learn about the UU Service Committee and the 'Guest at your Table' Program at the end of the month. The Youth will once again spearhead the Covenant House 'Adopt a Family' Program.

Things seem to be going well. I am excited by the opportunity of Parent and Children involvement in the Chime choir on Wednesday evenings and looking forward to the Family Night. If you have any questions please be in touch.

Hello all. It is a beautiful Fall and the leaves are now starting to be vibrant and beautiful. I hope all of you are enjoying this time of year before we start feeling the cold. In case you have missed my many announcements, we are beginning to have some rehearsals for musical groups:

The chime group will be a collective of children and adults who will work on a song for the annual Philharmonia. After the Philharmonia, we will attempt to perform in the Sunday morning service once per month.

The UUC Singers is a new and improved hybrid of the choir. We will focus on learning songs out of “Singing the Living Tradition”, perform for the Philharmonia, and sing one time per month in the Sunday morning service. The UUC singers will also begin to rehearse for the annual “Broadway on the Boulevard” which will be held February 26, 2010 at 7 pm.

I hope to see old and new faces alike in the Wednesday rehearsals. Show up and give music at UUC a try. You may find great joy in exploring your musical talents.

Well, this year is racing to an end. The calendar seems to be picking up the pace. November is a hectic month with December looking just as busy. There are a ton activities going on. We definitely have something for everyone. We are getting ready for the holiday season with the Annual Fall Clean Up on November 1^st. So, come in your scrubs and help get the building ready!! The UUC Singers are meeting every week. Lunches with the Ministers are going strong. We are having a Family Night, a Numen Night, a Seneca 2 Fundraiser and let’s not forget about 3^rd Friday Film Series. Thanksgiving Dinner is at 3 pm on Thursday, the 26^th. With River Arts is just around the corner, someone may be contact you for volunteering. There is definitely a ton of choices! I look forward to seeing all of you!

The second session of our fall New UU series will take place Wednesday, November 4 from 7-9pm in the Webb Room. Come to this session to learn more about the Unitarian Universalist Association and UUC in Charleston. Reservations for child care needed by November 1.

This is a partnership between 4 West Side Congregations, UUC, Grace Bible, 7th Day Adventist; and St Anthony's. Events rotate between Churches, they are educational as well as fun. WV Public Health is a sponsor. Nov 9, 6 PM at UUC: Meet to discuss "Moving for Pain Relief"

Friday Nov. 13th is the date for our November family night/potluck. We will try to eat between 5:30-6:30pm. From 6:30-7:30pm: there will be nursery care for our youngest children. Elementary will have a workshop presented by Bully Prevention Coordinator Tonya Huff from Step by Step from VISTA on 'Bully Awareness and Prevention'. Teens will have a program or be whisked away to 'Ellens' for some sociability. Parents will have a 'spiritual business' chat to discuss Children's Programming. The whole event will finish by 8:00pm.

“Numen: The Nature of Plants” is a new documentary created by Ann Armbrecht, who will be in Charleston visiting her parents, and we have the opportunity to show it at UUC. From an internet blurb: "Numen: The Nature of Plants, is a new documentary film exploring ecological medicine, herbalism and healing. Featuring interviews with Bioneers Founder, Kenny Ausubel, doctors Tieraona LowDog, Larry Dossey and the late Bill Mitchell as well as herbalist Rosemary Gladstar and many others, Numen examines how our disconnection from the natural world affects human and environmental health and the healing made possible by re-embracing our place in the wider web of life."

Our “Numen” evening Wednesday, November 11, begins with a “Local foods” potluck at 5:30pm. You are encouraged to bring simple, preferably finger foods that are from products within a 100 mile radius of where you live. The film will begin at 6:00pm with question-and-answer following.

The Drum Circle takes place on the third Sunday of the month at 5 30pm. You don't need a drum, there is percussion available. If you have not drummed before, come early at 5pm and receive some tips on drumming technique from Shelia McEntee. If you want to play an acoustic instrument, song or poem you’re also more than welcome. It’s a participatory event, there are no corners in a circle. This month’s date is November 15th. Film follows this month’s session, bring a snack!!

FILM: 'Standing Silent Nation' (follows Drum Circle) - Sunday Nov, 15th: 7pm

Sunday 15th, November at 7pm following the Drum Circle, a screening of 'Standing Silent Nation' The film, chronicles the efforts of Alex White Plume and his family to develop a sustainable economy on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Because the land is unsuitable for most crops, they put their hopes in industrial hemp, a hardy fiber crop with a booming worldwide demand for its many products. It has won numerous Documentary Film Awards, and has been shown on PBS in 2007. November is Native American Month, the Growing of Industrial Hemp has been made 'semi' legal in WV; it has featured as a topic of our Sunday Discussion Group. Donations will be taken to send to Pine Ridge to help fight Uranium Mining around Pine Ridge. (Chris on his recent trip to SD stayed with the White Plumes and will pass on some first hand tales).

Additional:

November is Native American Month.

The Growing of Industrial Hemp has been made 'semi' legal in WV; it has featured as a topic of UUC's Sunday Discussion Group. Hemp is grown around the world and used in numerous products, feedstuffs, paper, clothing.

http://standingsilentnation.com/home.html - Film

http://bringbacktheway.com/default.htm - Lakota

http://www.naihc.org/ - Hemp

Join Mel and Rose at RCCR’s Annual fundraising Bean Dinner. RCCR is the Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (RCCR) which works across faiths to end homelessness in our community. The Bean Dinner is on November 19 at 6:00pm at Christ Church United Methodist (corner of Morris and Quarrier). Cost is $60 per person. You may think $60 is a lot for cornbread and beans, but it’s more than dinner – all proceeds help with Jubilee Housing, Samaritan Inn and Smith Street Station. There will also be a silent auction.

A supernatural thriller that blends fact and fiction. A reporter for the Washington Post investigates a series of UFO sightings in Point Pleasant, WV, and uncovers predictions on an impending disaster. Starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney. Shown with captions for the hearing impaired.

This month’s book choice is 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. The book club will meet on November the 22nd to discuss at 9 30pm. I believe there is also a movie available from the library if you don't want to read the book !

The following is a little about the book from Publishers Weekly.
Satrapi's autobiography is a timely and timeless story of a young girl's life under the Islamic Revolution. Descended from the last Emperor of Iran, Satrapi is nine when fundamentalist rebels overthrow the Shah. While Satrapi's radical parents and their community initially welcome the ouster, they soon learn a new brand of totalitarianism is taking over. Satrapi's art is minimal and stark yet often charming and humorous as it depicts the madness around her. She idolizes those who were imprisoned by the Shah, fascinated by their tales of torture, and bonds with her Uncle Anoosh, only to see the new regime imprison and eventually kill him. Thanks to the Iran-Iraq war, neighbors' homes are bombed, playmates are killed and parties are forbidden. Satrapi's parents, who once lived in luxury despite their politics, struggle to educate their daughter. Her father briefly considers fleeing to America, only to realize the price would be too great. "I can become a taxi driver and you a cleaning lady?" he asks his wife. Iron Maiden, Nikes and Michael Jackson become precious symbols of freedom, and eventually Satrapi's rebellious streak puts her in danger, as even educated women are threatened with beatings for improper attire. Despite the grimness, Satrapi never lapses into sensationalism or sentimentality. Skillfully presenting a child's view of war and her own shifting ideals, she also shows quotidian life in Tehran and her family's pride and love for their country despite the tumultuous times. Powerfully understated, this work joins other memoirs-Spiegelman's Maus and Sacco's Safe Area Goradze-that use comics to make the unthinkable familiar.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition."

SENECA 2 Fundraiser: An Evening with Barrelhouse Bonni, (Blues): Friday Nov. 27th, 7 30pm

We will launch the Guest at the Table Program on Sunday, November 29th. During Guest at Your Table, participants keep a colorful Guest at Your Table box — with photographs of special guests from around the world — in a prominent place in their home, like the dining room table. We will hear stories at UUC, which you can also take home with you to highlight how UUSC has worked to transform peoples lives, in the US and around the world. Loose change is collected in the box. Boxes will be collected at the Philharmonia Service on Dec. 20th or should be returned by the first week of January. Please count the change in your Box and write a check for the amount Alternatively you can take an envelope and return a check. Box collections can qualify you for membership of UUSC. We are looking forward to a great GAYT program and increased UUSC membership at UUC. It really is a great organization. Find out more about UUSC at: www.uusc.org

River Arts Show and Sale is now in its 7th year. Its a great place to meet of 30 exhibiting local artists and crafts people and meet your holiday shopping needs!

December 5 includes the gourmet lunch. Mel and Rose will be glad to take your lunch orders. River Arts is a great way to

Please stay after the service to help us clear away the remnants of our great River Arts Weekend and prepare for the holiday season with a hanging of the greens. Making and hanging decorations is sure to build up our appetites, so December’s potluck lunch will be on this Sunday.

THE ALL MEMBER JOYFUL EXTRAVAGANZA KNOWN AS THE UU PHILHARMONIA WILL HAPPEN SUNDAY DECEMBER 20 DURING THE 11AM SERVICE. PLEASE SEE ROSE ASAP SO SHE CAN SCHEDULE YOUR TALENT INTO THE SERVICE.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation

520 Kanawha Blvd, Charleston, West Virginia 25302 unitarians@verizon.net

(304) 345-5042

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SENECA 2 Fundraiser: An Evening with Barrelhouse Bonni, (Blues): Friday Nov. 27th, 7 30pm