Led by the Rev. Elaine Strawn, Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County, and Worship Associate Max Grubb
What if generosity means a deep call from within-what energizes you, calls you to share from yourself, challenges you to leave your mark on a better world?
Podcast: Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
6 April, 2014 Moving in with Mystery
Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Lori McGee
Where do we come from? What was there before the beginning? This morning we draw upon the ancient history of religion and the modern insights of science to reflect upon the mystery.
13 April, 2014 Big Questions
Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Ted Voneida
What are we? What does it mean to be human? Perhaps the biblical stories of Jesus’ final days can give us some insight into the nature of our own being.
20 April, 2014 The Wonder of it All
Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer, Director of Religious Education Karen Lapidus and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen
Where are we going? And how shall we live the journey? Wonderful music and uplifting worship await you this morning as we celebrate Easter together. Our first service will be multigenerational and designed to be especially welcoming for families with younger children to attend together. Our second service will be prepared with older youth and adults in mind. Our annual Easter egg hunt will be held after the first service.
27 April, 2014 Sowing Seeds of Justice and Growing Community
Led by the Intern Minister at West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, Matthew McHale and Worship Associate Justin Czekaj
This spring, as signs of new life and new possibilities emerge all around us, we consider our relationship to one another and to the environment which sustains all life on this planet. Can planting a garden be radical act? How can the way we grow and eat food help create communities that align with our liberal religious values—promoting justice and honoring the interconnected web of existence?
Led by Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Mary Lou Holly
We end our exploration of sin and evil by considering what the earth might say about this subject if the earth could speak.
Podcast: Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Magpie
April 12 8:00 pm
$10 donation at the door
call 810-265-4007 to reserve tickets.
Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner began to play music together in Kent, Ohio in September of 1973. In the years since then, they have traveled and toured extensively, performed in concerts, at folk clubs and festivals around the world, and recorded many times. Magpie has always embraced a musical rainbow, and with impressive proficiency in each different genre. From traditional, classic country, swing, and blues of the nineteen twenties and thirties, to contemporary songs written by themselves and others, Terry and Greg cover a lot of musical ground.
Pete Seeger wrote: “Greg and Terry can show us all what a wonderful thing it can be for two voices to harmonize together. How lucky I am to have lived to see and hear more links in the chain.”
Sing Out magazine writes: “This recording (Give Light) absolutely radiates light, glowing with great songs in radiant performances… Their music is their religion, and Give Light comes very close to the divine.”
I have compiled Hal’s best performances during Sunday morning services at church over the last 6 years into one critically acclaimed* CD, now available at church on Sunday mornings. They are $10 each, with all proceeds going to the music program at church. Revel in Hal’s original masterpieces! Wonder at his ability to play two instruments at once! Be amazed at John Marfy’s jaw harp prowess! Hear Hallie transition from a girl into a young lady!
Get your collectible “Hal-elujah” CD during coffee hour starting Sunday, March 23, or anytime from Brad Bolton.
*Christie likes it.
Led by Matt Meyer and Hal Walker – Ours is a faith guided by covenant. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that some things are better accomplished in community. A spiritual life is one of those. Social justice work is another. Join us for a service of rhythm, music, covenantal community and collective action.
Matt is a musician and community organizer who has lead hundreds services for UU congregations across the country. He is a member of the UUA’s Council on Cross Cultural Engagement and is also a founding resident of the Lucy Stone Cooperative in Roxbury.
Podcast: Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Led by Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Worship Associate Joel Slater – Every now and again someone asks me whether Unitarian Universalist ministers take confession. This morning we’ll consider the question as well as the experience behind the question. This morning we look at the personal dimensions of sin.
Podcast: Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Worship & Music
Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.
March 9, 2014 Do You Take Confession?
Led by Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Worship Associate Joel Slater
Every now and again someone asks me whether Unitarian Universalist ministers take confession. This morning we’ll consider the question as well as the experience behind the question. This morning we look at the personal dimensions of sin.
As part of our work helping members and friends of the congregation become aware of the resources of our church library, the Library Committee is advertising some of the sources Rev. Melissa uses in preparing her sermons. This past Sunday’s sermon on Seven Deadly Sins drew from the work of John Buehrens and Rebecca Parker and their book A House for Hope: the Promise of Progressive Religion for the Twenty-first Century. Our library has two copies of this book available for loan.
The Unitarian-Universalist church of Kent and the Cuyahoga River Concert Series announce a “March Music Weekend.– March 15-16, 2014.
Saturday, March 15, 8:00 pm: WILD CARROT in Concert
Pam Temple and Spencer Funk are Wild Carrot. This Cincinnati-based, award-winning group has what it takes to please all types of folk music fans. Rooted in traditional American music, their repertoire branches in diverse directions: from original tunes to swing, blues and traditional songs, using guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, concertina and vocals. Their performances have often been described as “honest, soothing, uplifting and fun all at the same time”, moving an audience from laughter to tears and back again in a way that makes the listener feel like they’re in a conversation with old friends. All of this adds up to a performance that’s been described as “seamless”, “life-sized complex, subtle and powerful” and “a joy.” $10 donation at the door.
Sunday, Mar 16, 2:00- 3:30pm: Matt Meyer workshop: Drumming and Spirituality
Matt’s “Drumming and Spirituality” workshop is a chance for people of all skill levels to participate in hands on rhythm-making. The workshop includes instruction on basic technique, as well as information on the origins of percussion instruments from around the world. Participants will also experience the spirituality of community music-making through stories, games and discussions as well as look at how rhythm and music intersect with Unitarian Universalist values. Bring your own drum if you have one, for those who don’t, enough will provided. $10 donation at the door.
Lifespan Learning
Parents of Young Children!
Are you the caregiver of a child or children in Kindergarten or younger? Do you need something to do on a Friday night? Then come on out and join us on March 21st for a family potluck followed by a small group meeting focused on the joys and challenges of raising our little UU’s. Childcare is provided. Dinner begins at 6pm in Fessenden Hall. For more information please contact Colleen Thoele or Karen Lapidus.
Sadly the CD player in the nursery has played its last lullaby and gone kaput! Do you have a new or used CD player to donate to the nursery? Please contact Colleen Thoele, Michelle Bores or Karen Lapidus if you can help!
Care Packages for younger Young Adults
On Sunday, March 9th, the parents of our college-aged young adults will be assembling care packages (think cookies, packages of hot chocolate, candy, lip balm, etc.) to send their children. This will be a great way to stay connected to our Young Adults and let them know that we are thinking about them. There will be greeting cards for each of the Young Adults at the Caring Committee’s card table for everyone to sign.
Community Within
Pi Day Celebration! Come one, come all!
Join us for a family friendly evening of games and activities involving Pi, including “Pizza Pi”. We’ll be celebrating Pi Day in honor of the mid-way point of our Stewardship Campaign. Bring a game and join us in Fessenden Hall on Friday, March 14 (3.14) 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Please RSVP to the Church Office, 330.673.4247 or [email protected], by noon on March 12 so we know how much pizza supplies to purchase for our evening of Pi. We need to have at least 15 participants in order to go forward with this event; if you plan to attend, please submit your RSVP to the Office as soon as possible. Thank you.
Do you want to become a Surprise Friend this year? Complete a sign-up form and place it in the Surprise Friends Box in Fessenden Hall no later than March 25th.
Come enjoy an evening of theatre, featuring Ted Voneida and Company
Presenting all new material on Mark Twain, plus Bob & Ray, Nichols & May, Abbott & Costello!
Saturday, March 8 @ 7:00 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent
All for the ridiculously low donation of $12
The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 pm in the home of Chris Hurlbut. This month we are reading The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. Spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the Whittaker family as led by Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry’s daughter, Alma becomes a botanist. As Alma’s research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction—into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist—but what unites this couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life. In April, we will be reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel by Rachel Joyce. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper. All are welcome.
Outreach and Social Justice
SOS from Miller Community House, the only shelter for homeless in Portage County. They need donations of feminine hygiene products and as soon as possible. Please bring bags/boxes of any type of pads or tampons to church on Sunday, March 2 & leave in the lower level closet by the elevator. I’ll get all donations delivered after 2nd service.
On behalf of the women of Miller House, thank you.
Elaine Bowen
Noreen Kumm-Gory will shave her hair on March 16, 2014 to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research. The event is sponsored by an organization known as the St. Baldrick’s foundation. Childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded, so we can all help through your donations.
To support Noreen and do your part in helping out children suffering from cancer, please go to Noreen’s donation web page, http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/685372/2014. Also, Noreen and Fred will be available during coffee hour for questions and donations. Thank you. Noreen
Income Generation
Are you ready for another slice of Pie/Pi?
Our Annual Stewardship Campaign began March 2 and ends March 30
During our Stewardship Campaign we ask 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 2015, which runs July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.
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!
Many of you will receive a stewardship packet in the mail, 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 be a stewardship table at coffee hour, where you can get more information, make your pledge, and take part in a pie raffle. If you have a birthday in March ask for your FREE raffle ticket BUT if it happens to fall on 3/14/ (National Pi Day), you’re a “Pi” – – Lucky you, you get 5 free raffle tickets. Otherwise you can purchase one for $1 or six for $5.
If you have any questions about the annual stewardship campaign, please feel free to contact Kathie Slater, Meg Milko, or Sandy Eaglen.
P.S. Be sure to see our announcement about our Pizza Pi Family Game Night to be held on Friday evening March 14th in Fessenden Hall.
Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Worship Associate John Marfy – This morning we begin our exploration of sin and evil with a reflection on the social dimensions of sin as articulated by Mahatma Gandhi. Come join us as we reflect on the ways in which we are complicit as well as on the ways in which we can participate in our collective liberation.
Podcast: Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS