uuaa september 2019 newsletteruuaa.org/images/documents/newsletters/y2019/... · join! we will...
TRANSCRIPT
UUAA September 2019 NewsletterSeptember 2019 Newsletter - Vol. 15, Issue 9
Congregational LinksUUAA.org | Calendar of Events | Social Justice at UUAA | Make a Pledge
Other Links of InterestUUA.org | MidAmericaUUA.org | Side with Love
Weaving Worship
September 2019 | Expectation
September 1 | 10:00amYou and Me, Together
What does it mean to choose spiritual community? What expectations come withthat choice? Often, the spoken ones are just the beginning.
September 8 | 9:30am & 11:30amThe Tide Is Rising. So Are We.Ingathering for All Ages & Annual Water Communion
On this first Sunday of the two-service season, we gather, we sing, we recommitourselves to our shared spiritual journey. We invite you to bring a small containerof water from a source with meaning to you, or, to draw on the water we will haveon hand. We will combine these waters in a ritual to honor the life-giving power ofbeloved community.
NOTE: UUAA offers two services at 9:30 am & 11:30 am for each fall, winter, andspring (this year, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 through May 24, 2020).
September 15 | 9:30am & 11:30amSweet Spot
How do we find balance in our expectations of others? Is there a sustainablecourse to meet all our neighbors expect of us?
September 22 | 9:30am & 11:30amAdjustment
When what we expect isn't what comes, when heartbreak and disappointmentfollow, can we learn to adjust ourselves and our approaches to new chapters oftruth? Can we resist our own rigidities when our perspectives change and ourcircles grow?
September 29 | 9:30am & 11:30amExpecting Safety
In an uncertain world, we consciously or subconsciously cling to ideas about whatprovides us safety. Join us this Sunday as we begin exploring this theme, and howits impacts our relationships to others, individually and within community.
Peace,
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship and Music,for our community's Worship and Music Team members:
Allison Halerz, Pianist-in-ResidenceRev. Cassandra Hartley, Assistant Minister for Spiritual Growth& DevelopmentRev. Lindasusan V. Ulrich, Assistant Minister for OperationsRev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Ministertheresa rohlck, M.Div.
For Your Calendar
Memory Loss Caregiver Support * Wednesday, September 4
The Memory Loss Caregiver Support Group, sponsored by theUUAA Pastoral Care Team in partnership with the Alzheimer'sAssociation, meets regularly the first Wednesday of each monthfrom 3:00pm to 4:30pm in the David Room. It is a drop-in group,open to both members of the congregation and the largercommunity. We encourage congregants who may know a persongiving care to someone with memory loss to inform them that they
are welcome to join the support group. A support group offers caregivers, family members, and friends of people withmemory loss the opportunity to ask questions, share stories, give and receivecomfort, and gain practical knowledge. A confidential, positive setting for sharingexperiences is known to be an important factor in how well one copes withcaregiver stress. Save the dates: The Memory Loss Caregiver Support Group and the Alzheimer'sAssociation are co-sponsoring two one-hour workshops at UUAA in the Fall.These workshops are open to everyone. Call 800-272-3900 to register
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 | Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 | Living with Alzheimer's: For Middle-Stage Caregivers
Flyers are on the Pastoral Care Table in the Social Hall during Social Hour andposted on the Pastoral Care bulletin board outside the Social Hall.
Questions? Contact Joan Burleigh at [email protected], Sandy Kunkle [email protected], or Meredith Ley at [email protected].
Senior Dinner Out * Wednesday, September 4
The UUAA Senior Dinner Out will be at 6:00pm at Hot PotChen (2255 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor). Noreservations are required. Just come and enjoy good foodand conversations. Questions? Contact Marie Duke at 734-769-0467 or [email protected].
Friday Fun Night * Friday, September 6
Banished: Ethnic Cleansing of Blacks in America * Friday,September 6
Banished: Ethnic Cleansing of Blacks in AmericaFriday, September 6, 7:00pm
Join Mindful Eating and Challenging Racism in viewingthe award-winning documentary: Banished: EthnicCleansing of Blacks in America at the September FridayFun Night. A short discussion will follow. Banishedexplores a time "when thousands of African Americanswere driven from their homes and communities by violent,
racist mobs. The film places these events in the context ofpresent day race relations by following three concretecases where black and white citizens warily explore ifthere is common ground for reconciliation over theseexpulsions." Questions? Email Cathyat [email protected] .
Mothers and Others * Saturdays, September 14 & 28
Mothers and Others | A Group for Caregivers of Young Children
Join our group for caregivers of young children forfellowship, support, and friendship! Mothers, fathers,grandparents, foster parents, and others are all welcome tojoin! We will resume our bimonthly playgroups in the UUAAnursery in September on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of themonth at 10:15am. For details, join our email list by
contacting Charlene Mangi at [email protected].
Black Lives of UU (BLUU) Service * Sunday, September 15
Black Lives of UU (BLUU) is excited to start 2019 off with aroaring homecoming service. The doors will open at 3:45pmwith a 90-minute service beginning at 4:00pm. We will havelight refreshments and fellowship afterward. Please note thatBLUU worship is closed/ black-only space. All those whoidentify as black are invited to attend.
The website: https://www.blacklivesuu.com/
YouTube Black Lives UU channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaX1WEmwOjOfGG3yBYwCqbg
Open to all: BLUU Harper- Jordan Symposium in St. Paul MN:https://www.blacklivesuu.com/symposium-registration
We look forward to seeing you.
Questions? Email Quiana at [email protected].
Caregiver Conversations * Tuesday, September 17
Pastoral Care is excited to be hosting Jewish Family Servicesof Washtenaw for the September Caregiver Conversation.
This is an informal group for caregiver support and educationmeeting from 3:00pm-4:30pm at UUAA. This free event is forcaregivers caring for loved ones aged 60+; registration ispreferred. For more information, contact Roberta Hirshon, MA,LMSW at 734-769-0209 ext. 374or [email protected]
People of Color (POC) Brown Bag Lunch * Sunday, September 20
POC Gathering
After a successful summer of meetings, the UUAA People of Color (POC) group will continue to gatheronce a month. Our September gathering will take placeon Sunday, September 20 at 1:00pm. All those who
identify as people of color are invited to attend.The gatherings will be a mix offellowship and visioning for the future. We look forward to building community!
Questions? Email Quiana at [email protected].
20th Annual Men's Retreat * Friday-Sunday, September 20-22
Please join us for the 20th Annual UUAA Men's Retreat to beheld September 20-22 at Judson Collins Retreat Center (45minutes west of Ann Arbor). This year's theme will be"Resilience." Enjoy friendship, fun, intellectual and spiritual
discourse, humor, and physical activities. We offer half-price rates for first-timeattendees, and scholarships are available. Register at the Men's Retreat Tableduring Social Hours on Sundays, or go to uuaa.org/mensretreat. Questions? EmailJim Schaefer at [email protected].
Womyn's Retreat * Friday-Sunday,September 27-29
Nurture Your "Storyteller Within!"
Join us at the 2019 UUAA Womyn's Retreat, September 27-29 at beautiful YMCACamp Copneconic (45 minutes north of Ann Arbor in Fenton). You will meet otherwomen in the congregation, enjoy interesting workshops, relax, and renew. It is awonderful opportunity to reflect, laugh, and connect in a warm and safe circle ofwomen of all ages. Teens over age 14 are encouraged to attend with an adultsponsor.
Nearly a dozen workshops are planned, along with many fun activities. In our"Women's Wares" sale, attendees will be able to view and purchase art, crafts,music, and books handcrafted by other attendees. In addition, we invite womenwho are licensed massage therapists to bring their table or chair and offer shortmassages. Or, if you're experienced at tarot or astrology readings, bring yourtalents to share. These services may be offered for a nominal fee.
Our lodges offer a variety of sleeping arrangements. A separate building has beenreserved for our teen attendees, and there's a separate apartment for our nursingmoms and their infants!
The registration fee is $170 ($125 for ages 14-25). This fee includes lodging,meals, retreat t-shirt (if registered before September 10), workshops, and mostactivities. Attendees may choose to pay $10 extra for each of the following: highropes course, zip line, and climbing wall. Scholarships are available -- we ask thatyou pay what you are able and request our help with the rest. Please try to requestassistance before September 10, 2019.
Pick up a registration form at the Womyn's Community Table in the Social Hall orregister online at www.uuaa.org. Contact Roen Montalva, Womyn's Retreat Chairat [email protected] or Judi Lintott at [email protected] or 734-352-7285.
Introduction to OUUr Faith * Saturday, September 28
Join Rev. Lindasusan Ulrich and Welcome MinistriesCoordinator Hannah Hotchkiss for an engaging
workshop on Saturday, September 28, 10:00am -2:30pm. Explore the history and theology of UnitarianUniversalism. What does it mean to be a covenantreligion? How has UU been at the forefront of socialchange? What are the rights and responsibilities ofmembership? How can you connect here? Share yourspiritual journey with fellow congregants.
Whether you are ready to sign the membership book or are just starting to exploreUnitarian Universalism, you are welcome to take part. Register online or by fillingout an Introduction to OUUr Faith registration form found on the Involvement Tableduring Social Hour. The registration deadline is Sunday, September 22. If youneed childcare, please register by Sunday, September 15.
Questions? Contact Hannah Hotchkiss at [email protected].
News and Announcements
Challenging Racism
What Do You Know About Viola Liuzzo?
One of our SGD classrooms is named for ViolaLiuzzo, a Detroit mother of five who heeded MartinLuther King Jr.'s plea for help after bloody Sunday inMarch 1965. She drove to Selma and assisted withthe Selma to Montgomery Freedom March. Whiledriving a march participant back to Selma, she waskilled by the KKK. A park in west Detroit was dedicated to her in 1982.This summer a statue of Viola was dedicated in thepark. Congregants and participants in UUAA's
Challenging Racism group, Margaret Pekarek and Kathy McLean recently spent amorning at the park admiring the statue and exploring the park. Both felt blessed that Mr. Johnson saw them from his home across from the statueand came over to talk. He is the president of the Viola Liuzzo Park Association andtaught them a lot about the history of the park and the story of the statue. He wasable to contact all five of Viola's children, and all came for the dedication. It was aninspirational morning, and Margaret and Kathy recommend a visit to the park. If you are interested in knowing more about UUAA's Challenging Racism Group,contact Kathy McLean at [email protected] or Margaret Pekarek [email protected].
Chalice Circles
Are you looking for a way to connect with fellow UnitarianUniversalists at UUAA? Are you seeking opportunities to share
your truths in a safe/brave space? The 2019-2020 ChaliceCircle season is ready to start. Welcome the upcoming decadewith new connections and new opportunities to discover waysthat UUAA can be meaningful in your life. Find a program thatsuits your needs.
Traditional Chalice Circle: Registration through the end ofSeptember. Chalice Circles meet mid-October through mid-May. Registeronline or in the Social Hall during Social Hour.
Newcomer Circles: A one-session circle tailored to those new to UUAA.The first Newcomer Circle is scheduled for Sunday, September 15 (1:00pm-3:00pm). For more information, contact Welcome Ministries CoordinatorHannah Hotchkiss at [email protected].
One-time Chalice Circles: Keep an eye on the Weekly Bulletin throughoutthe year for available sessions. No commitment to attend other circles isneeded. See what a Chalice Circle is like.
20's-30's Chalice Circle: A monthly Open Circle - September through May;no need to commit to the entire series. Drop in as it fits your schedule; newpeople may join anytime. Check the website or Weekly Bulletin for specificdates. Childcare may be available. Please request it two weeks in advance.
Email [email protected] for more information.
Humanist Groups
Are You a Humanist? Do you believe that we must decide for ourselves what themeaning of our lives is? Do you believe that humans, ratherthan a supreme being, define morality and ethics? Do youbelieve that God is created in humans' image? If youanswer yes to any of these questions, or if you are unsure ofthe answers, then consider joining this group that issearching for answers to these questions.
Humanism has a long history in our congregation, and a lively group of humanistshas been meeting for about 20 years.The current group of about 20 membersgathers to discuss topics relating to humanist philosophy, theology, morals, ethics,reasoning, science, and more. There are two Humanist discussion groups. The Afternoon Humanists Group andEvening Humanists Group discuss the same issues, with some of the sameparticipants, and sometimes with the same discussion leaders. Both groupsprovide varied, lively discussion opportunities. All are welcome at either or both of these meetings:
Thursdays, September 5 and 12 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Mondays, September 9 and 23 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
For more information about the Thursday group, contact Bruce Gibb [email protected]. For more information about the Monday group, contact Hal Breidenbach [email protected].
Partner Church Transylvania
The Partner Church group looks forward throughout the 2019-2020year to sharing information about our Transylvanian partners andour 22-year relationship with them. Stop by our third Sunday SocialHour Table in the Social Hall to learn more and find out how youcan be involved. One event on our calendar is the January FunNight, and other events are being planned.
Questions? Contact Phyllis Valentine at [email protected].
Pastoral Care Network
This past spring, UUAA launched a new Pastoral CareNetwork. This network approach utilizes the skills andstrengths of both the ministerial team and the congregationto assist in times of need and joy.
The network needs you! We are asking that each membercommit, as spiritual practice, to performing one or two actsof care a year. Please let us know how you can support theCare Network by completing the UUAA Pastoral Care
Commitment Form.
The Network can help you! If you require pastoral care, you can reach the CareTeam in the following ways:
Call UUAA at 734-665-6158 and ask for Pastoral Care.Send an email to [email protected]. Visit in-person on Sunday at the Pastoral Care/Involvement Table at the eastend of the Social Hall.
The Pastoral Team looks forward to serving this beloved community!
QUUest Bookstore
Fall 2019 promises to be an exciting season for our congregation and QUUest. QUUest's broad selection will be supplemented by the promotion of thepaperback The Overstory, which has received wonderful rave reviews fromcongregation members. We will be supporting Mindful Eating and Challenging Racism by placing specialorders for their fall book read Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the
Black Freedom Movement (Justice, Power, and Politics) by Monica White. We'll also be promoting special orders for Ann Arbor's own William Lopez's newbook Separated: Family and Community in the Aftermath of an ImmigrationRaid, recommended by Cheryl Valentine and our Immigration Action Coalition. Many 2018 titles have just gone into paperback. Watch for new arrivals throughoutthe Fall. We welcome new book-selling energy. Booksellers work one or two Sundays amonth, only during first Social Hour. We always pair two workers for support andconversation. Booksellers record sales with pen and paper. Attending monthlymeetings is not required. Benefits include recommending books, the privilege ofborrowing books, and two social gatherings: a summer lunch and a holiday lunch. Current members are Marion Holt,Tim Richards, Fran Lyman, Evelyn Burns, TerryButcher, Anne Hagiwara, Lineve McKie, Joyce Phillips, Vey Valentine, KarenBourdon, and Lucia Heinold. To join the QUUest Bookseller Team, stop at our table and give your name andcontact information to one of the booksellers or contact Lucia Heinold, at 734-996-2796 or [email protected].
Social Justice Council Reports on Statements of Immediate Witness
Delegates at the 2019 General Assembly (GA) in Spokane, Washington voted toapprove three Statements of Immediate Witness that call attention to specificsocial justice issues that UU congregations are urged to advocate for with theirvoices, their money, and their votes. Statement One denounces the existence of ICE and calls for the humanetreatment of migrant families, including reunification of children with their familiesand ending the policy of incarcerating asylum seekers. It advocates forcomprehensive, humane immigration reform, building accountable relationshipswith immigrant-led groups, supporting what they request without usurpingleadership. UUAA can be proud of its sanctuary commitment, its multi-year supportof the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR), and its twoborder vigil trips. Statement Two pledges direct and tangible support for local indigenousmovements that seek to protect the environment and restore traditional ways of life.Statement Two goes on to urge the UUA to supply educational and curriculumdevelopment materials, and support networking among UU's working in solidaritywith Water Protectors.
Representatives of the UUAA congregation have traveled to Standing Rock andstayed to support the water protectors. Upon their return, they worked to educatecongregants. Statement Three encourages UUs to get more deeply involved in direct prisonministry by organizing congregational efforts to network with others engaged inministry programs within prisons, encouraging pen pal programs, and welcomingpost-incarcerated persons into your congregation. UUs are urged to educate
themselves on the adverse impacts of prison privatization, the disproportionateincarceration of marginalized groups, the damaging conditions of solitaryconfinement, voter disenfranchisement, and employment discrimination.
The UUAA Congregation is a founding member of the Friends of RestorativeJustice Organization (FORJ ) -- an interfaith community coalition whose memberswork with the Women Lifers Organization at the Women's Huron Valley Prison --the State's only women's prison located in nearby Pittsfield Township. FORJ isalso committed to educate Washtenaw County voters about the need to elect aprogressive county prosecutor to reduce the over reliance on incarceration to solvecriminal justice issues.
Questions? Contact Kate Warner at [email protected].
Sharing the Collection
Your Contributions Make a Difference!
The Sharing the Collection Committee is happy to sharethe good news; on August 4, we raised $1,583for Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH). So far in 2019, we have raised over $18,000 to benefit non-
profit organizations in Washtenaw County who are serving the needy and thedisadvantaged. Mark your calendar for these upcoming collections
On September 8, to benefit Washtenaw LiteracyOn October 6, to benefit Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
Do you know a community-service organization in Washtenaw County that wouldlike to apply to be one of our recipients in 2020? Have them fill out the form locatedon our webpage: bit.ly/sharingthecollection.
Are you not able to attend services on the Sunday of Sharing the Collection? Youcan mail a check to UUAA, noting "Sharing the Collection" in the memo line.
For Sharing the Collection Committee: Bob Dinan, Jan Duncan, Casey Jackson,Glenn Kime, and Fran Lyman
Questions? Email Bob Dinan at [email protected].
Sunday Welcome Teams
We have openings for 2019-2020 Sunday Welcome Teams.Now is a great time to try out ushering, greeting, hosting aNewcomer Welcome Session, or assisting with Social Hour.See if it is the right fit for you! Typically, Sunday Welcome Teammembers sign up to help one service a month. If you are
interested in learning more, contact Welcome Ministries Coordinator HannahHotchkiss at [email protected].
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
UUSC Partners to Address Race and Immigration
Through Love Resists, UUSC is supporting anorganization called UndocuBlacknetwork, UBN, which
encapsulates the immigrant "problem" and the black "problem". The organizationworks to bring a wider awareness to the plight of black people who areundocumented, those who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) ,Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).Because of the color of their skin, they are not only subject to pervasive targetingand criminalization -- not unlike our own citizen black community members -- butalso subject to deportation. The group has been instrumental in introducinglegislation, creating a guide for mental health specialists, and setting up a meetingplace for black undocumented people. Immigration and its accompanyingproblems move us to compassion and calls for justice.
Questions? Email Quincy at [email protected].
On the Horizon
Social Justice Open House * Sunday, October 13
The UUAA Social Justice community will be hosting an openhouse in the Social Hall during Social Hour. UUAA has over 20Social Justice groups. The open house will be a chance to meetfolks and learn more about their work. We are excited to besharing the work of this congregation! Questions? Contact SocialJustice and Pastoral Care Coordinator Quiana Perkins [email protected].
Becoming a Member
Office and Building News
Beware of Suspicious Emails
What Is Phishing? There is an email scam that has been going around local churches anduniversities. I got an email that looked like it came from a congregation member,but the reply-to address was changed. It was a pretty short and convincingmessage asking for help. Once I replied, I could tell right away this was phishing:
Example of a Suspicious Email"I am sorry for bothering you with this mail, I need to get an iTunes gift card formy Niece, Its her birthday but i can't do this now because I'm currently travelingand i tried purchasing online but unfortunately no luck with that.Can you get itfrom any store around you? I'll pay back as soon as i am back. Kindly let meknow if you can handle this.Await your soonest response." Why Is This Suspicious?
When someone online asks you for a gift card or Bitcoin you must besuspicious. A credit card is more secure actually, because fraudulentcharges can be investigated and reversed.
There are parts of this message that I wouldn't associate with mainstreamAmerican English, specifically beginning a sentence with "Kindly" instead of"Please." And the sentence "Awaiting your soonest response" or somethingequally as unusual is surely an indication that this message originatedoutside the US.
This might be advanced, but the email address looked like it was my friend,but in fact the address to reply to was slightly different.
If You Find Out Someone Is Impersonating You in an Email Request
If a friend tells you that they received a message from you that you did not send,change your email password to a password you have not used before. Using acombination of capital and lower case letters as well as numbers, and evensymbols helps. One way to do this is to think of a phrase, such as: "Bringing unitarian and universalism to Ann Arbor for 155 years" Which can be shortened to Bu+u2AA4155y Find out more about this specific scam online: http://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/itunes-gift-card-scam Be suspicious anytime you receive an email asking you for your personalidentifying information or for a payment using a gift card or Bitcoin/CryptoCurrency.
Sandy Eyl
Now Taking Room Reservation Requests
Room reservations can now be submitted by recognizedcongregational groups for events occurring now through September12, 2020. Please make sure that your group has submitted their roomreservation request!
To submit a room reservation request or for more information, click on theRequest-a-Room link on the bottom of the UUAA website or click here.
These links will take you to the room reservation request form. The form will guideyou through the parameters and guidelines for making a room reservation. As we continue to work on improving the room reservation process and the requestform, we welcome your input and suggestions. If you have any questions or wouldlike some assistance with submitting a room reservation request, do not hesitate tocontact us.
The UUAA room team, debita graham and Jim McCargar, can be reached byemailing [email protected] Questions? Contact the Room Team at [email protected].
Calendaring Update | Change of Program Year Name
To coincide with the UUAA Sunday service schedule, the calendar year will bedivided into the "Two-Service Season" and the "One-Service Season." This will behow we will refer to the schedules and is important to congregants planning eventsand making room reservations.
Publication Deadlines
Weekly Bulletin Deadline: Wednesdays at 5:00pmSubmissions should be sent as an attachment in Word format and limited to 90words or fewer. Send submissions to [email protected].
October Newsletter Deadline: Saturday, September 21 at 9:00am All submissions should be sent as an attachment in Word format and limited to 300words or fewer. Send submissions to [email protected] Questions? Contact Welcome Ministries Coordinator Hannah Hotchkiss [email protected].
Change of Contact Information?
If you have had a change in name, residence, email address, or phone numberover the past year and would like to update your information with UUAA, use thislink or email Welcome Ministries Coordinator Hannah Hotchkiss [email protected].
Two-Service Season Hours * Sunday, September 8 - Sunday, May 24
Sunday | 8:30am-4:00pmMonday-Thursday | 9:00am-9:00pm1st & 3rd Friday | 5:00pm-9:00pm
Other Fridays | ClosedSaturday | 9:00am-4:00pm Office: Monday-Thursday | 9:00am-5:00pm
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor | [email protected] | 734-665-6158 | wwwuuaa.org
See what's happening on our social sites: