Worship & Music

 

Services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 and 11:30.

 

Sunday,  March 17, 2013    Poetry Sunday

Led by Lay Leaders Joe Kuemerle and Lori McGee

Poetry is an important part of many people’s lives here at the UUCK. We are reviving the long-held tradition of Poetry Sunday, a tradition that has fallen to the wayside for several years. This service will include poems sent in by members and poems chosen by Joe and Lori which will be woven into an uplifting and inspirational service.

 

Celtic Clan of Kent Concert.

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Eve! The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent will host a family friendly concert of traditional Irish music on Saturday, March 16th at 7 PM. There will be toe tapping jigs and reels, beautiful songs and dancing too! This is a church fundraiser.

Adults: $7 donation, children 12 years and under, free.   Light refreshments will be served following the concert.

 

Lifespan Learning
 

Family-Friendly Easter Offerings
Our Middle School Youth will again be hosting the egg hunt for younger children on Sunday, March 31st at 11:00 am, immediately following the 10:00 am Family-Friendly Easter Worship Service.  Candy-filled plastic eggs will be “hidden” on the grounds around the main building and in the backyard of the Annex.  Parents will be asked to supervise their young children.  Watch the e-nUUs, Thread and email for more details.

 

Have you been intrigued by our Chalice Group program, but missed the sign-up this past fall? Perhaps you’re interested in checking it out for a spell before committing to a full season next year. The Thursday Night Chalice Group has some available openings and would welcome your presence. We meet about twice a month on Thursday Nights from 7pm to 9pm, and will be meeting through the month of May.. Please e-mail Leah Gillig  if you’re interested.

 

Community Within

 

I will be away this week from Thursday through Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Allies for Racial Equity (ARE) annual conference. As the president of ARE, I have significant responsibilities presenting workshops and leading meetings at the conference, but I will make a point to check my email at least once each day and will be available via cell phone for urgent concerns.  I’ll be concluding my responsibilities by leading worship Sunday morning at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford.  I only regret I will miss Poetry Sunday back here with you!

Peace, Melissa

 

Please note that the Church Office will be closed for the next several Mondays.  The Office will be open each week Tuesday – Friday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.  Thank you.

 

The Library Committee urgently requests all overdue books (2 weeks after checkout date) be returned as soon as possible. We are trying to account for all the volumes listed in the collection in order to create another data base for easy access.  We are most grateful for your cooperation.

 

Surprise — it’s that time of year again!

Want to make a new friend in the church? Looking for a way to celebrate spring? Here is your chance! You are all invited to participate in this fun, intergenerational activity of friendship and caring! We will have a sign up table outside of the sanctuary on March 24, 31 and April 7. Participating adults will be matched with children in the congregation on April 14 and encouraged to exchange notes and artwork on Sundays, April 21 through May 12.  Adults will remain anonymous until the “big reveal” on May 19. Sign-up forms will be available until April 7.

 

Have you served on a committee in the last five years?  Did your committee read a book together?  Do you still have that book at your house?  If so, we’d appreciate it if you would bring it to the church office.  We are trying to gather the leadership books committees have used in recent years to keep them available in one central place.  That way future leaders might also benefit from these resources.  Thank you!

 

LANDSCAPE TEAM:  The growing season is about to SPRING upon us!  Aren’t you just itching to dig in some dirt?  A few people have signed up to take charge of some areas around the church, and we have a person dedicated to mowing, but we need a few more hands to keep the workload light and the weeds at bay.  A few hours a month through the growing season is all the commitment that is needed, and there are NO MEETINGS!  Email Georgia Quinn to sign up.

 

Save the Date: Friday, April 5, 2012   7 PM

“Your Basic Treasure Chest of Humor” presented by Ted Voneida and Cast

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

This spring, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. As people of faith, we must raise our voices for an immigration reform bill that promotes justice, compassion, and keeps families together. Are you interested in learning more about how we can help?  The UUA Witness Ministries and Standing on the Side of Love staff will be hosting a webinar on TONIGHT, March 13, 8:00pm ET.  Please let Rev. Melissa know if you can attend the webinar and she’ll send you more information.

 

Close to someone with a mental illness? Attend a free program that has helped many Ohioans. The Portage County Family-to-Family Education Program will run Saturdays starting March 16, 2013 for 12 weeks. The course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at The Church in Aurora, 146 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora 44202. The program is sponsored by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County and NAMI Portage County. The course is open to anyone who has a family member or a friend with a brain disease, including schizophrenia, manic depression, clinical depression, an anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. It is taught by local residents who have a family member dealing with mental illness. Register by March 14. Call 330-673-1756, ext 201. You can also register by emailing [email protected].

CONTACT:        Amie Cajka

Director of Community Relations

Mental Health & Recovery Board, 330 673-1756, ext. 207

 

Income Generation

 

St. Patty’s Day Potato Bar Fundraiser!

On March 17th after 2nd service we will feature a potato bar fundraiser for your enjoyment.  (If the potatoes are done around 11AM and you are hungry we’ll be glad to feed you then)

We will have hot baked potatoes with ALL kinds of toppings!  Come enjoy one topped with Corned Beef and Cabbage and don’t forget the mustard or horsey sauce!  Maybe you are a purist and want butter only, that’s fine too.  We will have butter, sour cream, scallions, cheese, bacon bits, salsa and whatever else we can think of that might be good on a potato.

Our usual donation of $6 per adult and $4 per child under 12 is all we ask!

Thank you,

Your Fundraising Committee

 

Stewardship Campaign is off and running!

Our Stewardship Campaign is in full swing and the pledges are coming in strong;  to date, we’ve received approximately 60 pledges.  We’ve heard wonderful heartfelt stories about how this church, OUR church, has inspired our members to give and contribute of their time and talent because of what they receive in return.  We’ve heard how an increase in overall giving can add so much to our community.  We’ve sold PIE raffle tickets and given away several delicious pies!

If you haven’t committed to your pledge yet there is still time to do so!  The campaign doesn’t end until March 24th.  Don’t forget this is for next fiscal year which runs from July 1, 2013 until June 30, 2014.  If you aren’t at the 3% giving level yet and can make that stretch to give 3% of your adjusted gross income that would be ideal and really help with future planning.

If you have already turned in your pledges we thank you!!  If not you can turn in your pledge cards during the offertory on Sundays or at the Stewardship table during coffee hour.  If you need more information or just want to chat with fellow members we have some dessert nights still available.  You can sign up for one of them at the Stewardship table during coffee hour.

A classic pie to share with someone special –  Be sure to get one of these homemade apple pies, each in its vintage Ovenex 6” pie pan.   Carolyn Schlemmer makes apple pies with a mixture of Granny Smiths for tartness and Golden Delicious for sweetness so that only a little sugar is needed.  A touch of Saigon cinnamon and real butter enhances the apples’ flavor.  The pie pans belonged to Carolyn’s Granny Edna, and the light crust is made with Granny Edna’s recipe.  Each pie provides two people with a generous half a pie.  Only six pies will be offered, and all proceeds go to our own “slice of the pie” stewardship fund.

We will have a special silent auction of these delicious homemade pies.  Get your bids in at coffee hour!

Thank you,

Your Stewardship Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship & Music

 

Services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 and 11:30.

 

Sunday,  March 10, 2013    When God and Science Met

Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Justin Czekaj – In the 20th century, the meeting of God and science helped fuel the rise of humanism. Since then, the ongoing relationship between the two have led down many paths. We’ll explore some of them this morning.

 

Celtic Clan of Kent Concert.

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Eve! The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent will host a family friendly concert of traditional Irish music on Saturday, March 16th at 7 PM. There will be toe tapping jigs and reels, beautiful songs and dancing too! This is a church fundraiser.

Adults: $7 donation, children 12 years and under, free.

Light refreshments will be served following the concert.

 

The Music Committee of the UUCK would like to warmly thank the church’s members and friends who attended last Sunday’s outstanding chamber concert of the Zeng Quartet + one.  Their virtuoso performance was received with awe and gratitude by an appreciative audience.  Thank you very much for your support of the church’s music program through your participation and donations.  $145.00 was donated through the free-will offering.

 

Lifespan Learning

 

TED and Pizza

On March 10th the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent will be continuing its series of TED talks.  The program will return to its regularly scheduled time of 12:45 to 2:00 and will meet in Fessenden Hall.  This week we will be exploring new expressions of atheism through philosopher and author Alain de Botton’s talk Atheism 2.0.  This form of atheism isn’t hostile to religion, but rather draws inspiration from religion.  Intrigued?  To provide another point of view for our conversation, we may also show some short video clips in which the Unitarian Universalist minister Joanna Crawford discusses her search for God.   All are invited-please rsvp your attendance by calling the church at 330-673-4247 so we can be sure to order enough pizza.

 

The Tradition Continues with the Easter Egg Hunt

Our Middle School Youth will again be hosting the egg hunt for younger children on Sunday, March 31st immediately following the 10:00 am Family-Friendly Easter Worship Service.  Candy-filled plastic eggs will be “hidden” on the grounds around the main building and in the backyard of the Annex.  Parents will be asked to supervise their young children.  Watch the e-nUUs, Thread and email for more details.

 

Community Within

 

Have you served on a committee in the last five years?  Did your committee read a book together?  Do you still have that book at your house?  If so, we’d appreciate it if you would bring it to the church office.  We are trying to gather the leadership books committees have used in recent years to keep them available in one central place.  That way future leaders might also benefit from these resources.  Thank you!

 

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 pm in the home of Betty Kendrick.  This month we are reading The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty. This is a novel about the friendship between an adolescent, pre-movie-star Louise Brooks, and the 36-year-old woman who chaperones her to New York City for a summer in 1922, and how it changes both their lives. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.  All are welcome.

 

The Library committee is working toward making our collection more accessible and current. There are a number of books which have been checked out and are long overdue.  It would help us enormously if you could return them as soon as possible. We operate on a 2-week honor system, (i.e. we don’t collect fines), so we count on you to help us with prompt returns.

In addition to your donations, we try to order at least one new book a month. We always appreciate your suggestions for books  that would be of interest to the congregation, and would be a good addition to our collection.  If you can’t find a committee member, just put your suggestion(s) in the “Return” box near the entrance to the Nursery room. We consider new acquisitions at each monthly meeting.

Ann Waters, Publicity

 

LANDSCAPE TEAM:  The growing season is about to SPRING upon us!  Aren’t you just itching to dig in some dirt?  A few people have signed up to take charge of some areas around the church, and we have a person dedicated to mowing, but we need a few more hands to keep the workload light and the weeds at bay.  A few hours a month through the growing season is all the commitment that is needed, and there are NO MEETINGS!  Email the Georgia Quinn to sign-up.

 

Surprise — it’s that time of year again! Want to make a new friend in the church? Looking for a way to celebrate spring? Here is your chance! You are all invited to participate in this fun, intergenerational activity of friendship and caring! We will have a sign up table outside of the sanctuary on March 24, 31 and April 7. Participating adults will be matched with children in the congregation on April 10 and encouraged to exchange notes and artwork on Sundays, April 21 through May 12.  Adults will remain anonymous until the “big reveal” on May 19. Sign-up forms will be available until April 7.

 

Save the Date: Friday, April 5, 2012   7 PM

“Your Basic Treasure Chest of Humor” presented by Ted Voneida and Cast

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

This spring, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. As people of faith, we must raise our voices for an immigration reform bill that promotes justice, compassion, and keeps families together. Are you interested in learning more about how we can help?  The UUA Witness Ministries and Standing on the Side of Love staff will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, March 13, 8:00pm ET.  Please let Rev. Melissa know if you can attend the webinar and she’ll send you more information.

 

Thanks to everyone who supported the special collection for the water project in El Salvador.  $939.50 was raised in support of this outreach.

 

Close to someone with a mental illness? Attend a free program that has helped many Ohioans. The Portage County Family-to-Family Education Program will run Saturdays starting March 16, 2013 for 12 weeks. The course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at The Church in Aurora, 146 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora 44202. The program is sponsored by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County and NAMI Portage County. The course is open to anyone who has a family member or a friend with a brain disease, including schizophrenia, manic depression, clinical depression, an anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. It is taught by local residents who have a family member dealing with mental illness. Register by March 14. Call 330-673-1756, ext 201. You can also register by emailing [email protected].

CONTACT:        Amie Cajka

Director of Community Relations

Mental Health & Recovery Board, 330 673-1756, ext. 207

 

Income Generation

 

St. Patty’s Day Potato Bar Fundraiser!

On March 17th after 2nd service we will feature a potato bar fundraiser for your enjoyment.  (If the potatoes are done around 11AM and you are hungry we’ll be glad to feed you then)

We will have hot baked potatoes with ALL kinds of toppings!  Come enjoy one topped with Corned Beef and Cabbage and don’t forget the mustard or horsey sauce!  Maybe you are a purist and want butter only, that’s fine too.  We will have butter, sour cream, scallions, cheese, bacon bits, salsa and whatever else we can think of that might be good on a potato.

Our usual donation of $6 per adult and $4 per child under 12 is all we ask!

Thank you,

Your Fundraising Committee

 

 

Another Slice of Pie
The annual Stewardship campaign is off to a rousing start.  We have already received over $69,000 in pledges!  Have you thought about yours?  In the coming weeks you will hear about how your financial commitment will help us provide the programs that change all our lives, from Sunday services to Our Whole Lives, the UU sex education program.  Many more are listed in the stewardship brochure.

For more information, look for the Stewardship table at coffee hour every Sunday through March 24.  If you would like further conversation about stewardship and the church, sign up at the table for a ‘dessert event’ or contact Kay Eckman or Marion Yeagler.

And, of course, we’re all looking forward to this Sunday’s pie raffle!  Tickets will again be $1.00 each, but any youngsters from new-born through 18 as well as any not-so-youngsters-but-young-in-spiritsters 65 years old and up will be entitled to one free raffle ticket.  What a deal, you lucky UUs–the opportunity to make your pledge and maybe win a pie, all at the same time! See you on Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship & Music

 

Services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 and 11:30.

 

Sunday,  March 3, 2013    The Changing Reputation of God

Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate John Marfy

Join us for a whirlwind tour of some major moments in the history of God.  Who has God been in the past and how does all that history inform our understanding of God today?

 

The UU Church of Kent Music Committee presents the Zeng Quartet (plus 1)

José Herrera has graced our sanctuary twice already with his passionate cello playing.  Our music committee is pleased to announce that José is back and this time brings an international Quintet, the Zeng Quartet (plus 1).  PLease join us for a FREE concert on March 3rd at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.   José graduates and will to Mexico this summer, so this is one of your last opportunities to hear this beautiful music.

 

Celtic Clan of Kent Concert

March 16, 2013     7:00 pm

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Eve with a family friendly concert of traditional Irish music at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent. There will be toe tapping jigs and reels, beautiful songs and dancing too!

Adults $7 donation, children 12 years and under, free.

228 Gougler Ave, Kent, OH 44240

 

Poetry Sunday Is Coming!

On March 17th Joe Kuemerle and Lori McGee will be leading a poetry based service and they need your ideas. Please send them any poems that are meaningful to you or that you feel would be inspiring for others. All sorts of poems are welcome.  Please submit your suggestions via email to Joe at [email protected] .  Thanks for your participation and we hope to see you at the service!

 

 

Lifespan Learning

 

Join the Theological Meet-Up! 

A quick way to locate theologically like-minded UUs

Would you like to find other members and friends of our congregation whose theologies are similar to yours?  Think of the possibilities… perhaps you could share names of books you’ve read, exchange viewpoints on a blog, or coordinate a time to meet and have a discussion or together engage in a practice like journaling or prayer.  You will have the opportunity to meet up with others of similar beliefs at the Theological Meet-Up to be held at two times on Sunday, March 3.  Participants can attend at either 9:15 a.m. (where a light breakfast will be offered for a goodwill donation) or at 12:40, following the second service.  Participants at the later time are invited to bring a brown bag lunch for themselves.  If you plan to attend the breakfast gathering, please RSVP to the church office by Friday, March 1 so we know how many to plan for.  Thank you.

The Theological Meet-Up event will be very simple.  Signs having the theological labels used on the spring 2012 congregational survey will be posted around Fessenden Hall.  Participants can take their coffee and snacks and gather in the location(s) of their choice and converse with the others who have selected that particular theological label.    Knowing that we are not easily labeled, individuals are not restricted to one theological location, and may visit with as many groups as desired.  It is up to the participating individuals in each theological group to decide how or whether they wish to interact with one another beyond the meet-up event.  Contact information sign-up sheets will be at each location for those who wish to have future contact with others in that specific theological group.  The event planners (the members of the Adult Religious Exploration Committee) will collect the contact information and provide email addresses to all within each group who indicate an interest in that particular theology.  The purpose of the event is simply to provide an opportunity for people to identify others in the congregation who hold similar theologies.  The rest is up to you.  Who knows, perhaps people within some groups may decide to work together in preparing a worship service explaining their theology.  If you have questions, feel free to contact members of the Adult RE Committee – Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer, Christie Anderson, Liz Erickson, Dan Flippo, Jack Graham, Joel Slater, Cheryl Spoehr, or Mary Ann Stephens.

 

 

Community Within

 

Have you served on a committee in the last five years?  Did your committee read a book together?  Do you still have that book at your house?  If so, we’d appreciate it if you would bring it to the church office.  We are trying to gather the leadership books committees have used in recent years to keep them available in one central place.  That way future leaders might also benefit from these resources.  Thank you!

 

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 pm in the home of Betty Kendrick at 175 Graham Road, Apr. 12 in Cuyahoga Falls.  This month we are reading The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty. This is a novel about the friendship between an adolescent, pre-movie-star Louise Brooks, and the 36-year-old woman who chaperones her to New York City for a summer in 1922, and how it changes both their lives. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper at [email protected].  All are welcome.

 

Our Art in the Sanctuary for March is an exhibit of photos by member Georgia Quinn.  Since retiring from teaching a few years ago Georgia has been able to indulge in her passion for the out-of-doors while traveling and while volunteering for Summit County Metro Parks.  Her photos bring a little of the great outdoors inside for us to enjoy.  (All photos are available for purchase for a donation to the church.)

 

Pie Raffle this Sunday….see the announcement below under Income Generation!

 

UU & Interfaith Connections

 

WE NEED ACTORS!

Aesop, First UU? Seven Stories, Seven Principles  will make its congregational  performance debut and we need actors of all ages!  Written by Deb Lemire (UUCA) and Laura Conkle of The First UU of Pittsburgh, Aesop, First UU?  was developed for a workshop at Summer Institute this past summer and now we want to bring it home.

The performance will be presented as reader’s theatre (so you will have your script in hand, don’t have to memorize lines)  We will add some blocking and costumes and other fun stuff as well.

The first rehearsal will be Monday, March 4 7-8:30 pm

The second rehearsal will be Sunday, March 10, 12-2 pm

We will decide on additional rehearsals when we all meet.

The performance is Saturday, April 12, 7 pm (set up at 5 pm)

The performance and rehearsals will be at the UUCA, 3300 Morewood Rd, Fairlawn, OH (across from Summit Mall)

For over 2,000 years, Aesop’s tales have long explored the intentions of human beings and our social and personal responsibility to each other and ourselves.  And there isn’t always a happy ending. These fables create an excellent backdrop for exploring and witnessing our UU principles.

To learn more about the play or hear the performances done at SI,  you can visit the website www.aesopfirstuu.com.

Let me know if you are interested in being a part of our grand debut! or have questions! contact Deb Lemire at [email protected], 330-701-6887.

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

Close to someone with a mental illness? Attend a free program that has helped many Ohioans. The Portage County Family-to-Family Education Program will run Saturdays starting March 16, 2013 for 12 weeks. The course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at The Church in Aurora, 146 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora 44202. The program is sponsored by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County and NAMI Portage County. The course is open to anyone who has a family member or a friend with a brain disease, including schizophrenia, manic depression, clinical depression, an anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. It is taught by local residents who have a family member dealing with mental illness. Register by March 14. Call 330-673-1756, ext 201. You can also register by emailing [email protected].

CONTACT:     Amie Cajka

Director of Community Relations

Mental Health & Recovery Board, 330 673-1756, ext. 207

 

Income Generation

 

Are you ready for another slice of Pie?

Our Annual Stewardship Campaign begins Sunday, March 3^rd and ends March 24^th

This Sunday we will begin asking our members and friends to reflect on what this church community means to them and make a monetary pledge to this church community for fiscal year 2014, which runs July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

Our church is entirely self-funded, and our by-laws prevent us passing a deficit budget, so we rely on pledges and fundraising to pay for the many slices of programs and services offered.  In addition there are concrete expenses like building maintenance, salaries, supplies, utilities, etc that need to be paid in order to remain a viable community and have a place to gather and sometimes eat pie together!

Stewardship packets will be mailed out this week, and our wonderful canvassers will be making calls to discuss stewardship, the church and what it means to them.  At that time you are encouraged to share your story of what this church means to you and also commit to a pledge.

There will also be a series of dessert events available, where further discussion and fellowship is possible.  In addition to these opportunities there will be a stewardship table at coffee hour, where you can get more information, make your pledge, take part in a pie raffle or sign up for one of the dessert events.

If you have any questions about the annual stewardship campaign, please contact a member of the committee:  Kay Eckman, Marion Yeagler, Meg Milko, Laura Teagle or Sandy Eaglen.

 

How about cherry?  Mmm, mmm.  Yum!  But how about coconut cream?  Oooo, yes!  Well, sure, but don’t forget chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!  Darn, I just can’t decide!  What’s YOUR favorite kind of pie?  Come to the Stewardship table this Sunday and check out the possibilities–a $1.00 pie raffle ticket may win you the pie of your dreams!!  And we sure won’t complain if you want to buy more than one ticket–in fact, in the spirit of spring and new beginnings (of our FY2014 stewardship campaign!), anyone (of any age) who has a birthday in the month of March can start off with one free ticket.  Wow, what a deal!  See you at coffee hour on Sunday!