Worship & Music

 

Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.

 

September 29 – Returning to a Faith That Matters

Led by the Rev. Doug Wadkins and Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer

As we move into the autumn together, it is a good time to recall essential matters and think about how we will journey through this new year together. This service will explore some of the core aspects of our faith, past, present and future, that bring us back to a dynamic understanding of who we are as a community.

 

Seeking photos for worship service

I am hoping to include a short slide show as part of the worship service that I’ll be leading in October.  The topic is about environmentalist Rachel Carson and her philosophy on the importance of instilling a sense of wonder in children.  You are invited to email several photos to me that illustrate a child’s sense of awe, curiosity or excitement about the natural world.  The photo can be of your children, grandchildren or even yourself as a child.  Email photos to [email protected] by Oct. 4.  Thanks!  Christie Anderson

 

Sacred Song Circle Returns

The Sacred Song Circle returns to Thursday nights starting Sept. 26 for 30 minutes of community harmony and sacular stimulation beginning at 6:15 PM. Please note that this is a slightly earlier time than we had been meeting.  In addition, I will be available at 6:00 for 15 minutes of teaching time to help people become familiar with the songs, and to explain the framework we use and it’s theoretical underpinnings for anyone who is interested.  In addition, due to popular request, I’m going to try having a Sacred Song Circle every week instead of every two or three weeks.  As always, you don’t have to consider yourself a singer to be able to participate, and in fact you don’t even have to sing.  It’s free and open to all.  The more voices the better!  Bring your friends, and a water bottle if you’ll need it. Please gather in the Sanctuary.  Hope to see you there.

 

We hope you plan to join us for what is sure to be an entertaining event!

U.U.’ve Got Talent!  “An Evening of Musical Variety”

On Saturday September 28^th, the UU church of Kent Music Committee is hosting a musical fundraiser. We are hoping to raise $800 to pay for the services of an accompanist for our beloved choir.  Join us at 7:30 that evening as we transform the Kent sanctuary into a venue for highlighting the remarkable talents of local UU’s and Friends!  $10 is the suggested donation, but please give what you can – hope to see you there!

 

Lifespan Learning

 

The Super Brain group will meet at 3 PM on Sunday, October 6 in the Annex.  The group will be examining developing your greatest gift and how the brain makes reality.  All are welcome to join in the exploration.  Any questions, call Mary Maske at 330.677.0174.

 

Dear members and friends of UUCK,

If you were thinking about joining a small group this year but didn’t get around to signing up, you have another chance!  We met this morning to sort people into groups and it looks like we may be able to offer the following small groups (each meeting once per month from October through May):

Sunday night Food for Thought Group from 6-8pm

Monday night Chalice Group from 7-9pm

Tuesday night Chalice Group from 7-9pm

Thursday night Chalice group from 7-9pm

Each of these groups can accommodate a couple more people.  If you would like to participate, please email me with your preferred day and the other information requested on the attached sign-up sheet and copy the church office at [email protected] by this coming Friday, 9/27.

I personally think that participating in a monthly small group is a wonderful way to deepen your connections with others in the congregation while having meaningful conversations.  Each month’s theme for the small group conversations reflects our monthly worship themes, thus the groups provide an opportunity to share your own ideas, feelings and experiences about the themes we are exploring in our services.  The brochure about this program is attached if you need more information.

 

Save the Date!

The annual Halloween Party and Haunted House will take place on Saturday, October 26th starting at 6:00. More details are forthcoming in the October edition of the Chalice Flame and in future eNuu’s and Facebook posts.

 

Community Within

 

The planning task force for the church’s 150th anniversary celebration will be meeting on Sunday, September 29 at 12:45 in the Annex. 

 

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 pm. We are again meeting in the home of Trish Johnson-Kwartler, 2937 Overlook Rd. in Silver Lake. Please bring a snack to share. Beverages will be provided. This month we are reading The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.   A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past. In November we will be reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper at [email protected].  All are welcome.

 

The 2nd Bill Moyers Symposium will be held on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:30 P.M. in Fessenden

Hall. The program will be an interview by Moyers with the atheist philosopher, Colin McGinn. It is part of the series exploring the theme, “Faith vs.Reason”. After viewing the program, Carolyn Schlemmer will moderate the discussion. Please join us. Our first program was enthusiastically received.

 

Parents and guardians of our older (age 9 and above) children,

On behalf of KentHogwarts I would like to cordially invite you participate in our upcoming Forbidden Forest night hike. Prepare to face down Dementors, Death Eaters and Acromantulas in an after dark adventure!

We are hosting this event on Saturday, October 12th 2013 at the Tallmadge Meadows Metropark in Munroe Falls. This is an open event so please feel free to invite other friends but due to the scary nature of the program we do ask that all participants be 9 years old or older.

We do require that parents/guardians be present during the event, you don’t have to go on the hike as we have a hangout spot by the shelter, but we will need to have a signed permission slip for the event.

Please do RSVP for this event at http://tinyurl.com/forbiddenforest and feel free to pass along this information and invitation to any others you think may be interested. For updated information please visit our website at www.kenthogwarts.org or email [email protected].

Yours in magical fraternity,
Professor Chroniculus FizzBOOM!
Headmaster, KentHogwarts

 

Be the first to see the artwork for the 2013 auction! Hear the artists talk about their creations while you enjoy appetizers and beverages. Artists this year are Brad Bolton, Don Easterling, Heidrun Hultgren, Wendy Jenks, John Kluth, Claudia Miller, Georgia Quinn, Rhonda Mitchell, and Jan Noden.

Date: Friday, Oct. 18

Time: 7-9 pm

Place: Fessenden Hall

Donation: $15

 

The Library continues to process new books. Below are more new titles we are adding to the collection.They will be ready for circulation the beginning of October.

Jonathan Haidt, “The Righteous Mind”; Martin Luther King Jr.

“Thou Dear God”:Prayers that Open the Hearts and Spirits.; Eboo Patel

“Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation; Margaret Regan

“The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands.

The Library Committee would like to remind everyone to put complete information on the card you find in each book you check out. In order for the Library to function efficiently, we need to know where the books in circulation are located. Books may be checked out for 2 weeks, and may be renewed with the Library committee member in Founders Lounge during each Sunday coffee hour. We have a number of over-due books. Since we do not have a fine policy for over-due books we count on your cooperation to return the books in a timely manner. We are aggressively pursuing those volumes that are overdue. Please check to see if you are holding overdue books: if you see a Library committee member bearing down on you, forewarned is forearmed.

In addition, the Library Committee is very pleased to welcome Jane Krimmer as a new committee member. We are grateful to the following congregational members who volunteered to help the committee on a one-time-only basis with various Library functions: Sue Crossen, Paulette Thurman, Barbara Brovarone, Zachary Johnson, Mary Lou Holly and Ruth Peterson. Thank you all.

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

Social Justice Human Rights Committee Meeting – Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the Annex.  All are welcome!   

 

UU and Interfaith Connections

 

The October Kent Community Dinner Needs our Help!

On October 19, the Kent Community Dinner will be held at the United Church of Christ in Kent.  As it did two years ago, this dinner will once again focus on celebrating the GLBTQ community, though this time with particular

emphasis on one segment of that community. Two members of our congregation will be involved in the leadership of that dinner; Rev. Christie Anderson will be the moderator of the panel and Kat Holtz will be one of the presenters.  We have been asked to identify 4-6 people who would support this dinner by agreeing to cook. The 4-6 cooks will receive about 20 pounds of meat or fish and asked to cook it and stretch it by making it into a meal to feed many. The cooks could work together or separately. Are you willing to help? Please let Rev. Melissa know.

 

Income Generation

 

Thanks4Giving Auction Saturday, November 2, 6 pm

Did you save the date?  You don’t want to miss this year’s auction of goods and services in support of our beloved church.  Fun, food, fraternizing, fundraising. something for everyone in every price range.  Look for our table at coffee hour, soon.  Tickets will soon be on sale, and FAQS brochures are being made.  We’ll be looking for volunteers to help that weekend.  Have you thought about making a donation, maybe more than one donation?  The FAQS brochure can help with ideas, and donation forms are available.  You will be hearing more about the auction as time goes on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship & Music

 

Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.

 

September 22 – Building Your Own Theology: Journeys in Faith

Led by Elaine Yehle Bowen

Participants of the 10 session Adult Religious Exploration class, Building Your Own Theology (BYOT), will share their personal credos or statement of beliefs, discerned through reading, discussion and art over the past 3 months of meetings. Come join us on our journeys of faith.

 

Sacred Song Circle Returns

The Sacred Song Circle returns to Thursday nights starting Sept. 26 for 30 minutes of community harmony and sacular stimulation beginning at 6:15 PM. Please note that this is a slightly earlier time than we had been meeting.  In addition, I will be available at 6:00 for 15 minutes of teaching time to help people become familiar with the songs, and to explain the framework we use and it’s theoretical underpinnings for anyone who is interested.  In addition, due to popular request, I’m going to try having a Sacred Song Circle every week instead of every two or three weeks.  As always, you don’t have to consider yourself a singer to be able to participate, and in fact you don’t even have to sing.  It’s free and open to all.  The more voices the better!  Bring your friends, and a water bottle if you’ll need it. Please gather in the Sanctuary.  Hope to see you there.

 

Lay-Led Programs Solicited:

The Sunday program committee wants to hear from YOU for your ideas and/or proposals for Sunday services.  If you have an idea, please consider talking to someone on the committee (Lois Weir, Christie Anderson, Liz Bright, Joe Kuemerle, Lori McGee, Andrew Rome, and Kristofer Sperry), and/or submitting a proposal (find more information and the form at //kentuu.org/ministry/sunday-program/).  Contact Lois Weir with your questions or to submit a proposal.  The Sunday Program Committee meets tonight, September 11^th at 6:30 PM.

 

Following the Returning to Right Relationship Sermon

During my sermon on Sept.  8, I raised a series of questions for self-reflection inspired by the practices of returning, repentance and atonement kept by Jewish people who observe the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  If you’d like to reflect on them further, the questions follow:

SELF

How have you done this year taking care of your body?  Are you satisfied with the way you are eating, with how much rest and exercise you are getting?  How have you done taking care of your mind?  Are you satisfied with the ways you are engaging your intellect?  How have you done taking care of your spirit?  Are you satisfied with your spiritual life and the way you have nurtured that part of yourself?  Are you satisfied with your connection with something larger than yourself?

OTHERS

How are your relationships with the people who are closest to you – your family and your friends? Take each important relationship in turn.  Is there friction or challenge anywhere and, if there is, in what ways might you be contributing?  How are your relationships with your co-workers, or classmates or the people in your communities?  Again you can ask yourself, if any of those relationships have friction or challenge, in what ways might you be contributing?

WIDER WORLD

How have you done this year in engaging concerns beyond your own?  Are you satisfied with the ways you have responded to some of the social or political or environmental concerns of our common life today?

I took inspiration for these questions from Rabbi Michael Lerner’s High Holiday Repentance Workbook which you can find at http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/high-holiday-repentance-workbook-2013-5774

 

We hope you’re planning to join us for what is sure to be an entertaining event!

U.U.’ve Got Talent!  “An Evening of Musical Variety”

On Saturday September 28^th, the UU church of Kent Music Committee is hosting a musical fundraiser. We are hoping to raise $800 to pay for the services of an accompanist for our beloved choir.  Join us at 7:30 that evening as we transform the Kent sanctuary into a venue for highlighting the remarkable talents of local UU’s and Friends!  $10 is the suggested donation, but please give what you can – hope to see you there!

 

It takes all of us to create a welcoming environment on Sunday mornings.  All the members and friends of this church are needed to extend hospitality to our visitors.  On any given Sunday, some people volunteer to be a part of our hospitality efforts in particular ways.  We have a large team of people who volunteer to help greet and usher on Sunday mornings, to prepare an inviting coffee hour and to donate flowers to add a focal point of beauty to our services.  In order to make it easier to participate, we are using a new tool that will allow you to see what Sunday morning hospitality positions are available and to decide when and how frequently you might be able to help.

If you are a member or an active friend of this congregation, we hope you will consider finding at least one time this fall and early winter when you might be able to volunteer in one of this very easy but extremely important roles.  Of course, there is no limit to the number of times you can volunteer!  Also, we want you to know that children and youth are welcome to participate in any of these roles.  Thank you for considering how you might be part of helping us practice the fragile art of hospitality every Sunday.   Sign up at:  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/904054FA9A62BA57-sunday

 

Lifespan Learning

 

Small Group Ministry:  Food for Thought Groups and Chalice Groups

Deadline to register is this Sunday, September 22.  Please complete your sign-up form and drop it in the offering plate, in the box marked Small Group Ministry located in Founders Lounge or mail it to the Church office.  Thank you.

 

The Super Brain group will meet at 3 PM on Sunday, September 22 in the Annex.  The group will be examining the concepts of personal power, core self, happiness and self-healing.  All are welcome to join in the exploration.  Any questions, call Mary Maske at 330.677.0174.

 

Save the Date!

The annual Halloween Party and Haunted House will take place on Saturday, October 26th starting at 6:00. More details are forthcoming in the October edition of the Chalice Flame and in future eNuu’s and Facebook posts.

(Many thanks to those families who participated in the straw poll to identify the best date!)

 

Community Within

 

Locavore Dinner Tickets Available:

On Saturday, September 21 at 6:30 pm, Jennifer May and Lois Weir will host the 4^th annual Locavore Dinner, which will be all vegetarian this year.  A multi-course meal will be served that features the best produce that northeast Ohio has to offer.  Lois & Jennifer source almost everything locally (including the wine, beer, and cocktails) for this unique event.  Some vegan dishes will be included, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.  Children and adults are welcome.  This was a 2012 Thanks4Giving Auction offering which did not sell out; therefore, there are 3 tickets available for purchase at $80 each.  Contact Lois Weir to reserve your seat(s).

 

UUCK Men’s Group – Join Us!

The Men’s Group, led by Max Grubb,  will be meeting on September 22 in the Sanctuary.  This is an opportunity for men to connect and engage each other for support concerning issues and challenges that arise from being male, husband or partner, father and friend in today’s society.  All men are welcome.   Please contact Max if you have any questions.

 

The planning task force for the church’s 150th anniversary celebration will be meeting on Sunday, September 29 at 12:45 in the Annex. 

 

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 pm. We are again meeting in the home of Trish Johnson-Kwartler.  Please bring a snack to share. Beverages will be provided. This month we are reading The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.   A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past. In November we will be reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.  All are welcome.

 

Parents and guardians of our older (age 9 and above) children,

On behalf of KentHogwarts I would like to cordially invite you participate in our upcoming Forbidden Forest night hike. Prepare to face down Dementors, Death Eaters and Acromantulas in an after dark adventure!

We are hosting this event on Saturday, October 12th 2013 at the Tallmadge Meadows Metropark in Munroe Falls. This is an open event so please feel free to invite other friends but due to the scary nature of the program we do ask that all participants be 9 years old or older.

We do require that parents/guardians be present during the event, you don’t have to go on the hike as we have a hangout spot by the shelter, but we will need to have a signed permission slip for the event.

Please do RSVP for this event at http://tinyurl.com/forbiddenforest and feel free to pass along this information and invitation to any others you think may be interested. For updated information please visit our website at www.kenthogwarts.org or email [email protected].

Yours in magical fraternity,
Professor Chroniculus FizzBOOM!
Headmaster, KentHogwarts

 

Be the first to see the artwork for the 2013 auction! Hear the artists talk about their creations while you enjoy appetizers and beverages. Artists this year are Brad Bolton, Don Easterling, Heidrun Hultgren, Wendy Jenks, John Kluth, Claudia Miller, Georgia Quinn, Rhonda Mitchell, and Jan Noden.

Date: Friday, Oct. 18

Time: 7-9 pm

Place: Fessenden Hall

Donation: $15

 

From the Library

The Library has received almost 20 new titles that will be available by the end of the month. Included are Proof of Heaven, by Eben Alexander; Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy, by Emily Bazelton; The Separation of Church and State: Writings on a Fundamental Freedom by America’s Founders, by Forrest Church; Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel. A complete list will be available once all new titles have been processed. Below is a review of The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Resa Aslan, also a new addition. 

Aslan, Resa, The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (New York, Random House, 2013). This book has just been added to the Library collection and should be available by the last week in September, 2013. It is popular new treatment of the life of Jesus based on information from the Bible and from historical sources. Aslan is an Iranian American Muslim, a religious studies scholar, and a creative writing professor. The author believes that the best way to understand the life of Jesus is to see him in his historical and social context.  by Martha Kluth

The Library Committee thanks all those who committed to volunteer on a limited, one-time-only basis, to the work of the Library. If you are able to give us a small amount of your time, either during coffee hour by helping a committee member, or any other Library activity, please speak to a committee member:  Matthew Cox, Martha Kluth, Harry Noden, Carolyn Schlemmer, Ann Waters or Kathy Wilen. We thank you in advance.

Ann Waters, Publicity

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

Many thanks to everyone who support the September 15 Special Collection to benefit  Family and Community Services to help fund security deposits for families moving out of homeless shelters into transitional housing.  $599.00 was raised for this cause.

 

Social Justice Human Rights Committee Meeting – Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the Annex.  All are welcome!   

 

The October Kent Community Dinner Needs our Help!

On October 19, the Kent Community Dinner will be held at the United Church of Christ in Kent.  As it did two years ago, this dinner will once again focus on celebrating the GLBTQ community, though this time with particular

emphasis on one segment of that community. Two members of our congregation will be involved in the leadership of that dinner; Rev. Christie Anderson will be the moderator of the panel and Kat Holtz will be one of the presenters.  We have been asked to identify 4-6 people who would support this dinner by agreeing to cook. The 4-6 cooks will receive about 20 pounds of meat or fish and asked to cook it and stretch it by making it into a meal to feed many. The cooks could work together or separately. Are you willing to help? Please let Rev. Melissa know.

 

Clothing Donations Needed

The network of shelters for veterans in Northeast OH has expanded with the opening of Valor Home in Akron.  Valor Home has also opened a thrift shop, the proceeds of which will be used to help fund supportive housing for veterans who are moving out of a shelter.  The Valor Home Thrift Shop is located in Akron in Highland Square and sells used clothing for men and women.  They are especially in need of donations of women’s clothing to stock the store.  Donations may be brought directly to the Valor Home Thrift Shop or to Freedom House in Kent.

 

Opportunities from the Hunger and Economic Justice Task Group

We have been invited by Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent to be part of augmenting the hot meals available for hungry people in our community.  Currently meals are offered every day of the week save Saturdays under the auspices of Kent Social Services. Trinity Lutheran, a trusted partner of Kent Social Services, is planning to offer a hot lunch every Saturday and has invited us to help. We get to determine the frequency with which we would host and to do so we need to know how many of you would be interested in being involved. For each meal we host, we would need 10 – 12 people to cook, serve and clean up. Children are welcome to be an active part of our team so we are especially encouraging families to consider volunteering to participate together. We are thinking we might start with one Saturday every month or every other month. If you might be interested in being involved, please write to Rev. Melissa and Tanya Kahl.  Let us know how frequently you would be interested in participating and whether you would be volunteering on your own or with others in your family. Once we know how many people are interested, we’ll make a more concrete plan for our congregation’s involvement.

 

UU and Interfaith Connections

 

Our Congregation – 2020 and Beyond

A congregation is the product of both the surrounding society as well as the members within.  Drawing on sociological research, join other UUs in exploring how we can be a liberal religious beacon in the greater Cleveland area.  What does a “UU to be” look like?   Karen LoBracco, Lifespan Faith Development Consultant with the Ohio Meadville District will uncover practical applications from the research.  This FREE workshop is Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9:30 am to noon in Fellowship Hall at First Unitarian Church of Cleveland (www.firstunitariancleveland.org).  Light refreshments provided.  RSVP for childcare by Sept. 16. Register by contacting Bethany Ward, DRE, at [email protected] or by calling the office at (216) 751-2320.

 

Income Generation

 

Thanks4Giving Auction Saturday, November 2, 6 pm

Did you save the date?  You don’t want to miss this year’s auction of goods and services in support of our beloved church.  Fun, food, fraternizing, fundraising. something for everyone in every price range.  Look for our table at coffee hour, soon.  Tickets will soon be on sale, and FAQS brochures are being made.  We’ll be looking for volunteers to help that weekend.  Have you thought about making a donation, maybe more than one donation?  The FAQS brochure can help with ideas, and donation forms are available.  You will be hearing more about the auction as time goes on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship & Music

 

Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.

 

September 15 – Revisiting our Stories

Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Joel Slater

Several members and friends of the congregation and I have been engaging in a series exploring our spiritual autobiographies. In returning to our stories, we discover insights about who we have been and who we are now that might not have been accessible to us at the time of the original experience. It may even be that revisiting our stories can help us discover how we are called at this time in our lives.

 

Lay-Led Programs Solicited:

The Sunday program committee wants to hear from YOU for your ideas and/or proposals for Sunday services.  If you have an idea, please consider talking to someone on the committee (Lois Weir, Christie Anderson, Liz Bright, Joe Kuemerle, Lori McGee, Andrew Rome, and Kristofer Sperry), and/or submitting a proposal (find more information and the form at //kentuu.org/ministry/sunday-program/).  Contact Lois Weir with your questions or to submit a proposal.  The Sunday Program Committee meets tonight, September 11^th at 6:30 PM.

 

Following the Returning to Right Relationship Sermon

During my sermon last week I raised a series of questions for self-reflection inspired by the practices of returning, repentance and atonement kept by Jewish people who observe the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  If you’d like to reflect on them further, the questions follow:

SELF

How have you done this year taking care of your body?  Are you satisfied with the way you are eating, with how much rest and exercise you are getting?  How have you done taking care of your mind?  Are you satisfied with the ways you are engaging your intellect?  How have you done taking care of your spirit?  Are you satisfied with your spiritual life and the way you have nurtured that part of yourself?  Are you satisfied with your connection with something larger than yourself?

OTHERS

How are your relationships with the people who are closest to you – your family and your friends? Take each important relationship in turn.  Is there friction or challenge anywhere and, if there is, in what ways might you be contributing?  How are your relationships with your co-workers, or classmates or the people in your communities?  Again you can ask yourself, if any of those relationships have friction or challenge, in what ways might you be contributing?

WIDER WORLD

How have you done this year in engaging concerns beyond your own?  Are you satisfied with the ways you have responded to some of the social or political or environmental concerns of our common life today?

I took inspiration for these questions from Rabbi Michael Lerner’s High Holiday Repentance Workbook which you can find at http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/high-holiday-repentance-workbook-2013-5774

 

 

U.U.’ve Got Talent!

“We know you’ve got it, it’s time to let it out!”

WE ARE IN SEARCH OF TALENT. This is your opportunity to perform solo or to invite other members of the congregation and friends to create a small ensemble. This is your chance to release that creative spark within you. Before Sunday, September 15, please contact Hal Walker  with your idea. We are looking for a diverse range of 3 to 5 minute musical selections that express your unique talent. Only a limited number of spots are available, so start getting ready now!   All ages welcome!

 

SAVE THE DATE!

U.U.’ve Got Talent!  “An Evening of Musical Variety”

Please SAVE THE DATE!  On Saturday September 28^th, the UU church of Kent Music Committee is hosting a musical fundraiser. We are hoping to raise $800 to pay for the services of an accompanist for our beloved choir.  Join us at 7:30 that evening as we transform the Kent sanctuary into a venue for highlighting the remarkable talents of local UU’s and Friends!  $10 is the suggested donation, but please give what you can – hope to see you there!

 

It takes all of us to create a welcoming environment on Sunday mornings.  All the members and friends of this church are needed to extend hospitality to our visitors.  On any given Sunday, some people volunteer to be a part of our hospitality efforts in particular ways.  We have a large team of people who volunteer to help greet and usher on Sunday mornings, to prepare an inviting coffee hour and to donate flowers to add a focal point of beauty to our services.  In order to make it easier to participate, we are using a new tool that will allow you to see what Sunday morning hospitality positions are available and to decide when and how frequently you might be able to help.

If you are a member or an active friend of this congregation, we hope you will consider finding at least one time this fall and early winter when you might be able to volunteer in one of this very easy but extremely important roles.  Of course, there is no limit to the number of times you can volunteer!  Also, we want you to know that children and youth are welcome to participate in any of these roles.  Thank you for considering how you might be part of helping us practice the fragile art of hospitality every Sunday.

Sign up at:  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/904054FA9A62BA57-sunday

 

 

Lifespan Learning

 

Small Group Ministry:  Food for Thought Groups and Chalice Groups

Deadline to register is September 22.  Please complete your sign-up form and drop it in the offering plate, in the box marked Small Group Ministry located on the Adult Religious Exploration table during our Ministry Fair or you may mail it to the Church office.  Thank you.

 

Have you ever wanted to volunteer at church but cannot make a continued or lengthy time commitment? Do you enjoy spending time with infants and toddlers? If yes, then volunteering in the nursery is right up your alley! Every Sunday we ask that 2 adults or older teens (1 for each service) assist Michelle in the nursery. We are scheduling for nursery helpers now and we NEED you! To volunteer to be placed in the potential pool of nursery helpers, please email  Colleen Thoele.

 

The Super Brain book group will meet at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 22 in the Annex.  The group will be examining the concepts of personal power, core self, happiness and self-healing.  All are welcome to join in the exploration.  Any questions, please call Mary Maske.

 

Spiritual Cinema: Contact

This year the middle school youth group will be studying “Popcorn Theology” and we are going to use our monthly Spiritual Cinema as an opportunity to watch some of the movies in their entirety. Our movie nights have always been open to people of all ages but we strongly encourage youth to attend with their parents.

For our next Spiritual Cinema on Friday, September 13 at 7:00 PM, we will watch the motion picture, “Contact” (1997) which was written by the late Dr. Carl Sagan. The movie is 150 minutes and will be followed by a short discussion of some of the topics raised by the movie. Previously Dan Flippo has shown this movie in his home but we will be showing the film at the church to allow more people to attend. Please RSVP to Dan.

Comments by Dan:

One of the key themes in “Contact” is the conflict between science and religion. In the movie, a message discovered by radio telescope immediately causes conflict between scientists who would learn more about the message and others who find their beliefs threatened.  At the conclusion I believe the protagonist realizes that even science might require an element of faith.
 

Community Within

We hope you can join us for this special evening!

Tonight is the first of the Library’s evening gathering for viewing Bill Moyers DVD followed by refreshments and discussion.  7:30 in Fessenden Hall.   We’re looking forward to seeing you. 

 

Don’t forget to join us for the Ministries Fair this Sunday, September 15

Several of the programs and ministries will be highlighted.   Following each of the services, representatives from each team and committee will be available to help you learn about their activities and explore varied opportunities to get involved.  We hope you’ll find something that both interests you and helps build your faith and sense of community here at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent.

 

Locavore Dinner Tickets Available:

On Saturday, September 21 at 6:30 pm, Jennifer May and Lois Weir will host the 4^th annual Locavore Dinner, which will be all vegetarian this year.  A multi-course meal will be served that features the best produce that northeast Ohio has to offer.  Lois & Jennifer source almost everything locally (including the wine, beer, and cocktails) for this unique event.  Some vegan dishes will be included, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.  Children and adults are welcome.  This was a 2012 Thanks4Giving Auction offering which did not sell out; therefore, there are 3 tickets available for purchase at $80 each.  Contact Lois Weir  to reserve your seat(s).

 

UUCK Men’s Group – Join Us!

The Men’s Group, led by Max Grubb,  will be meeting on September 22 in the Sanctuary.  This is an opportunity for men to connect and engage each other for support concerning issues and challenges that arise from being male, husband or partner, father and friend in today’s society.  All men are welcome.   Please contact Max if you have any questions.

 

The planning task force for the church’s 150th anniversary celebration will be meeting on Sunday, September 29 at 12:45 in the Annex. 

 

As our days are getting shorter and we have a need for lights on at the church, especially for our evening meetings, we ask that you please ensure that all lights are turned off prior to leaving the building, with the exception of the foyer lights by the front door.  These are left on through the night to ensure that our front door area is illuminated.  Thank you!

 

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 pm. We are again meeting in the home of Trish Johnson-Kwartler. Please bring a snack to share. Beverages will be provided. This month we are reading The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.   A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past. In November we will be reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.  All are welcome.

 

Be the first to see the artwork for the 2013 auction! Hear the artists talk about their creations while you enjoy appetizers and beverages. Artists this year are Brad Bolton, Don Easterling, Heidrun Hultgren, Wendy Jenks, John Kluth, Claudia Miller, Georgia Quinn, Rhonda Mitchell, and Jan Noden.

Date: Friday, Oct. 18

Time: 7-9 pm

Place: Fessenden Hall

Donation: $15

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

The Human Rights Social Justice Committee will meet on tomorrow, September 12^th at 6:30 pm in the Annex.  All are welcome.

 

Clothing Donations Needed

The network of shelters for veterans in Northeast OH has expanded with the opening of Valor Home in Akron.  Valor Home has also opened a thrift shop, the proceeds of which will be used to help fund supportive housing for veterans who are moving out of a shelter.  The Valor Home Thrift Shop is located in Akron in Highland Square and sells used clothing for men and women.  They are especially in need of donations of women’s clothing to stock the store.  Donations may be brought directly to the Valor Home Thrift Shop or to Freedom House in Kent.

 

Opportunities from the Hunger and Economic Justice Task Group

We have been invited by Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent to be part of augmenting the hot meals available for hungry people in our community.  Currently meals are offered every day of the week save Saturdays under the auspices of Kent Social Services. Trinity Lutheran, a trusted partner of Kent Social Services, is planning to offer a hot lunch every Saturday and has invited us to help. We get to determine the frequency with which we would host and to do so we need to know how many of you would be interested in being involved. For each meal we host, we would need 10 – 12 people to cook, serve and clean up. Children are welcome to be an active part of our team so we are especially encouraging families to consider volunteering to participate together. We are thinking we might start with one Saturday every month or every other month. If you might be interested in being involved, please write to Rev. Melissa and Tanya Kahl.   Let us know how frequently you would be interested in participating and whether you would be volunteering on your own or with others in your family. Once we know how many people are interested, we’ll make a more concrete plan for our congregation’s involvement.

 

 

The October Kent Community Dinner Needs our Help!

On October 19, the Kent Community Dinner will be held at the United Church of Christ in Kent.  As it did two years ago, this dinner will once again focus on celebrating the GLBTQ community, though this time with particular

emphasis on one segment of that community. Two members of our congregation will be involved in the leadership of that dinner; Rev. Christie Anderson will be the moderator of the panel and Kat Holtz will be one of the presenters.  We have been asked to identify 4-6 people who would support this dinner by agreeing to cook. The 4-6 cooks will receive about 20 pounds of meat or fish and asked to cook it and stretch it by making it into a meal to feed many. The cooks could work together or separately. Are you willing to help? Please let Rev. Melissa know.

 

 

Income Generation

 

WHAT ARE THOSE GROCERY CARDS ABOUT ANYHOW?

Every week we sell gift cards for ACME and Giant Eagle stores during coffee hour.  This program raises a few thousand dollars for the church every year!  There is nothing special you have to do – when you buy your grocery cards from the Church, the Church receives 5% of the card’s value.  You get to spend the full value of the card; use them like a debit card at either ACME or Giant Eagle. Cards can be used for anything bought at the store: Prescriptions, other name-brand gift cards sold at the stores, and of course groceries. And there is an added bonus…you still receive the fuel rewards!  For those who don’t bring cash or checks to church, you may use your credit or debit card to purchase your Acme or Giant Eagle cards, Fair Trade Coffee and the cost of fund raising events such as the pancake breakfasts. We do pay a fee per credit card transaction, so if you have cash or a check, that would be better, but if not, we’re happy to process the payment through your credit or debit card. Stop by and visit Carol Gould or Bob Erdman or one of the many who help in this effort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship & Music

 

Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.

 

 

September 8      Returning to Right Relationship

Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen

The Jewish observances of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the Ten Days of Repentance in between are steeped in tradition and infused with the wisdom of generations.  Drawing on that wisdom, we will consider again what is required of us if we would return to right relationship with the people in our own lives and with source of life itself.

 

Lay-Led Programs Solicited:

The Sunday program committee wants to hear from YOU for your ideas and/or proposals for Sunday services.  If you have an idea, please consider talking to someone on the committee (Lois Weir, Christie Anderson, Liz Bright, Joe Kuemerle, Lori McGee, Andrew Rome, and Kristofer Sperry), and/or submitting a proposal (find more information and the form at //kentuu.org/ministry/sunday-program/).  Contact Lois Weir with your questions or to submit a proposal.  The Sunday Program Committee meets next on September 11^th.

 

 

U.U.’ve Got Talent!

“We know you’ve got it, it’s time to let it out!”

On Saturday, September 28, the UU Church of Kent music committee is hosting a musical fundraiser. WE ARE IN SEARCH OF TALENT. This is your opportunity to perform solo or to invite other members of the congregation and friends to create a small ensemble. This is your chance to release that creative spark within you. Before Sunday, September 15, please contact Hal Walker with your idea. We are looking for a diverse range of 3 to 5 minute musical selections that express your unique talent. Only a limited number of spots are available, so start getting ready now!   All ages welcome!

 

 

SAVE THE DATE!

U.U.’ve Got Talent!  “An Evening of Musical Variety”

Please SAVE THE DATE!  On Saturday September 28^th, the UU church of Kent Music Committee is hosting a musical fundraiser. We are hoping to raise $800 to pay for the services of an accompanist for our beloved choir.  Join us at 7:30 that evening as we transform the Kent sanctuary into a venue for highlighting the remarkable talents of local UU’s and Friends!  $10 is the suggested donation, but please give what you can – hope to see you there!

 

 

It takes all of us to create a welcoming environment on Sunday mornings.  All the members and friends of this church are needed to extend hospitality to our visitors.  On any given Sunday, some people volunteer to be a part of our hospitality efforts in particular ways.  We have a large team of people who volunteer to help greet and usher on Sunday mornings, to prepare an inviting coffee hour and to donate flowers to add a focal point of beauty to our services.  In order to make it easier to participate, we are using a new tool that will allow you to see what Sunday morning hospitality positions are available and to decide when and how frequently you might be able to help.

If you are a member or an active friend of this congregation, we hope you will consider finding at least one time this fall and early winter when you might be able to volunteer in one of this very easy but extremely important roles.  Of course, there is no limit to the number of times you can volunteer!  Also, we want you to know that children and youth are welcome to participate in any of these roles.  Thank you for considering how you might be part of helping us practice the fragile art of hospitality every Sunday.

Sign up at:  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/904054FA9A62BA57-sunday

 

 

Lifespan Learning

 

Small Group Ministry:  Food for Thought Groups and Chalice Groups

Attached to today’s e-nUUs is this year’s Small Group Ministry brochure and sign-up form.  Deadline to register is September 22.  Please complete the sign-up form and drop it in the offering plate or mail it to the Church office.  Thank you.

 

 

Our Religious Education is back to its regular schedule. The RE committee is very excited about the curriculum.  And we are even more excited about the amazing group of teachers who are graciously giving their talents to the awesome kids of our church!  It’s going to be a great year!

Please see the website for detailed information:  //kentuu.org/education/childrens-religious-education/

During the 9:45 service we will offer:

• Nursery
• Preschool for ages 3 + 4
• Early Elementary for grades K-2
• Upper Elementary for grades 3-5

During the 11:30 service we will offer:

• Nursery/playtime for babies through preschool
• Multi-age class for school-aged children
• Middle School Youth Group for grades 6-8
• High School Youth Group for grades 9-12

With the new RE year comes fall registration so that our information is current. Please stop by the registration table during coffee hour on 8/25 and register the children in your family. For more information on registering your family please contact RE Assistant Colleen Thoele.

 

 

Have you ever wanted to volunteer at church but cannot make a continued or lengthy time commitment? Do you enjoy spending time with infants and toddlers? If yes, then volunteering in the nursery is right up your alley! Every Sunday we ask that 2 adults or older teens (1 for each service) assist Michelle in the nursery. We are scheduling for nursery helpers now and we NEED you! To volunteer to be placed in the potential pool of nursery helpers, please email  Colleen Thoele.

 

 

Super Brain: Unleashing the Explosive Power of Your Mind to Maximize Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Well-Being by Deepak Chopra, M.D. and Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D.; Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology, Havard medical School.

The group will meet today, Sunday, Sept. 8 from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Eldredge Annex .  There will be a general overview of the book as well as examination of what we each believe about our brains.  The authors present us with five myths about our brains we can work to dispel as well as three brain Super Heros.

 

 

Spiritual Cinema: Contact

This year the middle school youth group will be studying “Popcorn Theology” and we are going to use our monthly Spiritual Cinema as an opportunity to watch some of the movies in their entirety. Our movie nights have always been open to people of all ages but we strongly encourage youth to attend with their parents.

For our next Spiritual Cinema on Friday, September 13 at 7:00 PM, we will watch the motion picture, “Contact” (1997) which was written by the late Dr. Carl Sagan. The movie is 150 minutes and will be followed by a short discussion of some of the topics raised by the movie. Previously Dan Flippo has shown this movie in his home but we will be showing the film at the church to allow more people to attend. Please RSVP to Dan..

Comments by Dan:

One of the key themes in “Contact” is the conflict between science and religion. In the movie, a message discovered by radio telescope immediately causes conflict between scientists who would learn more about the message and others who find their beliefs threatened.  At the conclusion I believe the protagonist realizes that even science might require an element of faith.

 

 

Community Within

 

In a recent Chalice Flame newsletter article, I wrote that Evin and I are not in need of any gifts for our baby, but that if someone wants to give a gift perhaps they might consider donating some new toys or clothes (for children of any age) to Summit County Children Services for children in foster care.  Someone recently asked me how exactly to go about making such a donation.  Items must be dropped off in person at the main SCCS building at 264 S. Arlington Street, Akron, Ohio, 44306.  Donations are accepted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week and donation receipts are available.  Just be sure to let the person at the desk know the items are for the holiday gift program.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity.

~ Melissa

 

 

Several people asked this past Sunday for the title of the UUA Common Read book I referenced during my sermon as well as information about how to access the Restaurant Opportunities Center Dining Guide.  The book is called Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman and is available from the UUA Bookstore.  I also understand our church library is hoping to acquire a copy as well.  The Dining Guide is an online resource which also has an app you can use if you have a smartphone.  You can find a link to the guide as well as the app at http://rocunited.org/dinersguide/

~ Melissa

 

 

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at 7 pm in the home of Trish Johnson-Kwartler.  This month we are offering a choice of two older novels: Main Street by Sinclair Lewis or Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser.  Main Street tells the tale of a big-city girl who marries a physician and settles in a small town in the Midwest, only to fall victim to the narrow-mindedness and unimaginative natures of the town’s residents. Sister Carrie is a novel about a young country girl who moves to the big city where she starts realizing her own American Dream, first as a mistress to men that she perceives as superior, and later becoming a famous actress. In October we will be reading The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.  All are welcome.

 

 

From the Library:  One week from tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 11th, the first Library Symposium will be held in the Library at 7:30 P.M. We look forward to a lively discussion and refreshments after viewing the Bill Moyer’s examination of 2 faith journeys one by author Mary Gordon, and the other by philosopher Colin McGinn. Harry Noden will be Moderator.  We hope you can join us for this special evening, and we look forward to seeing you.

 

 

Ministries Fair:  September 15

Please join us on Sunday, Sept. 15 when we highlight the many programs and ministries here at the Church.  Following each of the services, representatives from each team and committee will be available to help you explore varied opportunities to get involved.  We hope you’ll find something that both interests you and helps build your faith and sense of community here at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent.

 

 

Locavore Dinner Tickets Available:

On Saturday, September 21 at 6:30 pm, Jennifer May and Lois Weir will host the 4^th annual Locavore Dinner, which will be all vegetarian this year.  A multi-course meal will be served that features the best produce that northeast Ohio has to offer.  Lois & Jennifer source almost everything locally (including the wine, beer, and cocktails) for this unique event.  Some vegan dishes will be included, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.  Children and adults are welcome.  This was a 2012 Thanks4Giving Auction offering which did not sell out; therefore, there are 3 tickets available for purchase at $80 each.  Contact Lois Weir to reserve your seat(s).

 

 

The planning task force for the church’s 150th anniversary celebration will be meeting on Sunday, September 29 at 12:45 in the Annex. 

 

 

Outreach and Social Justice

 

The Human Rights Social Justice Committee will meet on Thursday, September 12^th at 6:30 pm in the Annex.  All are welcome.

 

 

Income Generation

 

WHAT ARE THOSE GROCERY CARDS ABOUT ANYHOW?

Every week we sell gift cards for ACME and Giant Eagle stores during coffee hour.  This program raises a few thousand dollars for the church every year!  There is nothing special you have to do – when you buy your grocery cards from the Church, the Church receives 5% of the card’s value.  You get to spend the full value of the card; use them like a debit card at either ACME or Giant Eagle. Cards can be used for anything bought at the store: Prescriptions, other name-brand gift cards sold at the stores, and of course groceries. And there is an added bonus…you still receive the fuel rewards!  For those who don’t bring cash or checks to church, you may use your credit or debit card to purchase your Acme or Giant Eagle cards, Fair Trade Coffee and the cost of fund raising events such as the pancake breakfasts. We do pay a fee per credit card transaction, so if you have cash or a check, that would be better, but if not, we’re happy to process the payment through your credit or debit card. Stop by and visit Carol Gould or Bob Erdman or one of the many who help in this effort.