Anti-Fracking Event!
Concerned Citizens Ohio is presenting an ordinance to establish a Community Bill of Rights and a ban on fracking to Kent City Council on Wednesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., at Kent City Hall, 325 S. DePeyster Street. Rev. Melissa is one of the speakers and all are invited to attend and show their support. Questions? Contact Paulette Thurman.
Sunday, April 1, 2012 Let My People Go!
Led by The Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Kristina Spaude –
A message of liberation is at the heart of the scriptures and stories of Passover. Freedom is a requirement for the realization of justice. How are we still struggling for freedom in our own time? How can the old story help illuminate the
struggles that greet our hands and feet today?
“Let Them Eat PIE!”
Well, folks, this is our last 2012 stewardship campaign “pie piece,” and with this one we want to offer everyone a tempting “piece of pie”! There might not often be such a thing as a “free lunch,” but there IS a free piece of pie waiting for each of you this Sunday at the stewardship campaign table. Stop in and celebrate the last day of our campaign–let’s all make sure it’s a successful one!–with us.
Sunday, April 1 is the official end of the 2013 Stewardship campaign. Lots of pledges came in this week; thank you; thank you; thank you!!! We’re still waiting for a substantial number of pledges from people, who pledged last year, and of course we’re hoping for another pledge this year. In addition, an increase would help us to continue providing and improving those programs that change our lives, and those of our children, some of whom have pledged!! As of Tuesday, we were at $162,438 pledged. Many thanks go to those who were able to increase their pledges. The outstanding pledges should take us to at least $200,000……If you haven’t pledged yet, we’re waiting for you. An email or call to the church office at [email protected] is all it takes. Please…..give as generously as you are able.
Art in the Sanctuary
There will be a short “Spring Mood” art exhibit Apr. 1-15 with works by John Kluth with a reception from 12:30 to 2:00 on Apr. 15. The art retrospective reception for Beth Sholtis will be Apr. 22 from 1-3 pn with that exhibit continuing through Apr. 29. In May the exhibit will be provided by the RE department.
Come Help Make Room for our NEW Tables and Chairs!
April 14th 9 am – 12 pm
Thanks to the generous memorial gifts received in honor of Gordon Vars and Robert Wood, we have the resources needed to replace our old tables and chairs. In order to make room for our new ones, we need a community work day. In addition, to preserve the integrity of our new shed, we are ordering patio block to create a level foundation. We’ll need helpers to move the shed, level the ground and lay the block as well as reposition the shed. We’ll appreciate all the help we can get with both of these tasks as “many hands make light work.” Please let us know if you are able to assist. [email protected]
Doctrine of Discovery and Immigration
An Adult Exploration class will be presented on the Doctrine of Discovery and Immigration starting on Tuesday April 3rd at 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm for six consecutive weeks. All are encouraged to participate including our youth. These two issues are front and center with our UU Association and will be the major components of our upcoming Justice General Assembly in Phoenix.
This doctrine came into being with the 1452 Papal Bull giving Portugal the right to exploit, subjugate and enslave the natives of West Africa. This was followed in 1493 with Spain getting the same “rights” over the “new” world.
Sadly, the former English Colonies of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and USA codified this Doctrine into law and their native populations are still being subjugated, now in the form of structural violence. An example, the Phoenix Indian School (now gone) in its early years was a “prison school”
where native children were forced to “assimilate” – that is to give up their own tribal culture for the white man’s ways.
Much of our attitude towards immigrants has arisen from this Doctrine.
These attitudes have become part of our American culture and they are now part of the engine that drives our Euro-centric superior thinking, our continued racism, and xenophobia. We will thoroughly explore the connections here and look seriously at what we might, we must, do about this.
Please let me or MaryBeth know if you will be attending.
Mac Goekler
Come Celebrate Passover!
The living tradition of Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources. This spring we will honor the Jewish tradition of Passover celebrating freedom and liberation. Everyone in the congregation is invited to attend our family friendly Passover Seder on Friday, April 13 from 6:15 to 8:15 pm in Fessenden Hall. During the Seder you will get to hear the ancient story of the Jewish people in the land of Egypt and to enjoy the special rituals and foods that are associated with this holiday.
Many of those foods require advance purchase and preparation. In order to make sure that we have enough for everyone we need to know whether you plan to attend by Sunday, April 8. There is a sign up sheet in Fessenden Hall along with a choice of roles you can play to help make our Seder a success. If you have questions or need more information please speak to our Director of Religious Education Karen Lapidus or our minister Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer.
Help Keep Our Littlest Ones Safe
As we all adapt to the new ways that we are using our space, please refrain from using the west door of the nursery (formerly the door to the library) and use only the door with the window.
Our growing group of UU babies thanks you for your cooperation!
A new Five Below fundraiser is scheduled for April 5, 6,and 7 at the Stow store located at 4332 Kent Road. All the items in the store are $5 or less! It is a great opportunity to purchase spring items and Easter goodies! 10% of your purchase is donated to the church with the necessary flyer. Click here to print flyer.
Egg Hunt for All Children Easter Morning
It has been a long-standing tradition of our church for the Middle School youth to host an Easter Egg Hunt for the younger children on Easter morning. On April 1st they will be busy packing eggs with candy and toys and plan to hide them around the church and in the backyard of the Annex.
Here is what all parents need to know:
- On Easter, the 11:15 service will be family-friendly and multigenerational. Families with young and school-aged children should plan to attend then. The 9:30 worship service will be focused toward older youth and adults. Nursery care for little ones up to age three will be provided both services.
- Immediately following the 11:15 worship service, all children grade 5 and younger should gather in the front of the sanctuary to decorate bags for collecting the eggs. (In the meantime, the Middle School youth will hide the eggs outside…)
- Parents and guardians are encouraged to assist their children as they travel outside.
- While outside, please supervise your child to assure their safety! The Middle School youth and a team of adults will be outside with the children, but we still need the watchful eyes of our parents.
- The youngest children will hunt for eggs in the backyard of the Annex and the older children will hunt around the periphery of the church.
- In case of rain or other inclement weather, alternate plans will be announced during the 11:15 worship service.
- Let Karen Lapidus, Director of Religious Education or any member of the RE Committee know if you have any questions or concerns.
The Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at 7 pm in the home of Kathie Slater. Please bring a snack to share. This month we are reading the book Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghesse. Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon. Orphaned by their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution. Moving from Addis Ababa to New York City and back again, Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles–and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.
Annual Meeting dates have been set!
Discussion Session: Thursday, May 31, 2012 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Voting Session: Sunday, June 3, 2012 10:30 am in the Sanctuary
Attention All Leaders and Committee Chairs
All Annual Reports to be included in the Annual Meeting packet are due April 30th. Please submit or email reports to MaryBeth at [email protected]. Thank you. Annual Meeting packets will be available to the congregation on May 13th.