Staff Schedules for the Next Few Weeks

The week of Aug. 4 – 8
The Church Office is open this week.
Rev. Melissa is working her normal schedule.
MaryBeth is on vacation through August 8.
Karen is working her normal schedule.
Hal is working his normal schedule.

While MaryBeth is on vacation this week, please send any August 10 Thread announcements to Melissa at [email protected]. Thank you.

The week of Aug. 11 – 15
The Church Office will be open this week.
Rev. Melissa will be on study leave
MaryBeth will be working her normal schedule.
Karen will be working remotely.
Hal will be working his normal schedule.

Worship & Music

We are back to our normal schedule of two services being offered Sunday mornings at 9:45 and 11:30.

Summer Religious Education will continue to be offered at 9:45 AM only with Nursery care available for all services through the end of August.

 August 10 – The Inside Out Church

Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Worship Associate Bonnie Harper
This year at General Assembly there was a lot of talk about Unitarian Universalists becoming more missional. What does that mean, you wonder? That is what this service will be about!

 A Gentle Reminder About Sanctuary Seating

We would like to offer a reminder that on Sunday mornings, the pews located against the back wall of the Sanctuary are reserved for parents with young children. This allows them to easily enter and exit the Sanctuary with their children, during the service, with minimal disruption to the others around them. Thank you.

Lifespan Learning

Mark Your Calendars! Important RE Dates!

August 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st ~ Summer RE continues at 9:45. Preschool children meet in the upstairs classroom and for school-aged and younger youth gather in Fessenden. Childcare for babies and children up to age 4 is provided in the nursery during both the 9:45 and the 11:30 services.

August 10th ~ Summer RE Field Trip to Kent Healthcare Center for school-aged children and younger youth. Please email Karen Lapidus ~ [email protected] ~ if you haven’t received the email and would like more details. We are departing the church no later than 9:55 am!

September 7th ~ Ingathering Sunday. See the Chalice Flame and the e- nUUs for more information about this wonderful multigenerational worship experience. Preschool RE starts this day @ 9:45 for children age three by 9/1/14 to those 5-year-olds who are not attending Kindergarten in the fall.

September 14th ~ RE starts for everyone else. At 9:45, we have classes for preschool, Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5. At 11:30, we have our school-aged RE class, Middle School and High School Youth Group.

New UU Classes in August!

Curious? Interested in learning more? Ready to take the next step?

Our New UU classes cover everything you wanted to know about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent in particular and Unitarian Universalism in general, but didn’t know where to go or whom to ask. Well, maybe not everything, but we try to give you an overview, a starting point. Some history of both, some organizational details. Come join the conversation. And, if you’re curious about membership, this is the place to be.

Part 1 will be on Sunday, August 10 from 9-11 am. Part 2 will be on Sunday, August 17, from 9-11 am. You may attend one or both, although attendance at both is encouraged. Different topics will be covered in each. We will gather at the Annex, the yellow house next to the church.

If you have any questions, contact Claudia Miller [email protected].

Community Within

We wish to dispose of a small load of hazardous waste from the basement of the former Mill’s property.

The site at 1201 Graham Road is open to residents of Summit County only and is open from 2:00pm until 8:00 pm on Thursdays. If you are a resident of Summit County and can take on this task, please email Randy Ruchotzke at [email protected]. He will help you load and unload.

Have You Seen Those Painted Rocks Around the Church?

Those are for you – yes you! They are a gift from the children in Summer Religious Education. Please take one as a gift from them to you. The rocks will be replenished throughout the summer.

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, August 12 at 7 pm in the home of Marion Yeagler

This month you may choose between two novels. Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan is the story about three generations of women who converge on the family beach house in this wickedly funny, emotionally resonant story of love and dysfunction. The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler is a witty, sharply observed debut novel about a young woman who finds unexpected salvation while working in a quirky used bookstore in Manhattan. Impressionable and idealistic, Esme Garland is a young British woman who finds herself studying art history in New York. She loves her apartment and is passionate about the city and her boyfriend; her future couldn’t look brighter. Until she finds out that she’s pregnant. In September we will be reading Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman’s Prison by Piper Kerman. At October’s gathering, we will have a book exchange so begin thinking about books you might want to trade with other book group members. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper at [email protected]. All are welcome.

We Continue to Make Progress!

We just received confirmation on the Mills House demolition date. Unfortunately, we will not meet our end of July goal but we continue to make progress. The contractor has set the demo date for August 12. The asbestos abatement and the basement clean-out were completed a few weeks ago. Many thanks to everyone who helped with the basement project! While we wait for demolition, Habitat Restore will be salvaging the boiler, hot water tank and radiators. We’re happy to know that so many items from the house have been repurposed and saved from going into a landfill. This has been a long-time undertaking but as we continue to wait a few more weeks, we know we are moving another step closer to realizing our dreams of expansion!

Church Campout

Save the date – Oct. 3-5. Where’s Walden in the Fall will be held at Loleta Recreation Area in Pennsylvania. Keep watching the Thread and e-nUUs for more information.

Time to Dream!!!

Our church vision statement calls us to expand our physical facilities to better accommodate our growing congregation. As the church moves forward with our expansion and renovation plans- building a new social hall, renovating the basement to create new RE space, expanding the sanctuary– the Capital Campaign Team would like to hear from members- What are your hopes and dreams for our new space?

We would welcome responses to the following questions. You can simply reply to this e-mail, inserting your responses, or fill out the attached document and send it to church administrator MaryBeth Hannan. Thank you, and start dreaming!

1. How do you envision us using our new space? What kinds of activities do you think we will be able to do, that we can’t do now?

2. Why is pursuing our church vision important to you?

We may want to use some responses in our campaign materials. Can we quote from your responses or contact you for further testimonials? If so, please give your name and best way to contact you:

The Capital Campaign Team, Marion Yeagler and Kathy Kerns, Co-Chairs

Outreach and Social Justice

You are Invited to an Evening to Aid in Developing Awareness of Cultural and Religious Diversity

• Presented by:  Isam Zaiem, President Emeritus (CAIR-Ohio – Cleveland Chapter)
• Topic: Islam 101 and Being Muslim Post 9/11; Challenging Islamophobia, Profiling, and Marginalization
• When: Friday September 5, 2014
• Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, 228 Gougler Ave., Kent, OH 44240 kentuu.org
• Time: 6:15-7:00 PM Potluck Dinner (Please, NO Pork or Alcohol), 7:00-8:30 PM Discussion, Questions and Answers

Please know Rev. Melissa will be working her normal schedule next week and the Office will be open while MaryBeth is on vacation, August 4 – 8.   

While MaryBeth is on vacation next week, please send any e-nUUs announcements or August 10 Thread announcements to Melissa at [email protected].  Thank you.

Worship & Music  

We are back to our normal schedule of two services being offered Sunday mornings at 9:45 and 11:30.  Summer Religious Education will continue to be offered at 9:45 AM only with Nursery care available for all services.

August 3 – Spiritual But Not Religious?

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

Have you heard people use that phrase to describe themselves?  Media, scholars and pollsters have all invested a great deal in understanding who the “spiritual but not religious” are and whether they might have any interest in formal religious communities.  This morning we explore the growing “spiritual but not religious” identity with a Unitarian Universalist lens.

A Gentle Reminder About Sanctuary Seating

We would like to offer a reminder that on Sunday mornings, the pews located against the back wall of the Sanctuary are reserved for parents with young children.  This allows them to easily enter and exit the Sanctuary with their children, during the service, with minimal disruption to the others around them.  Thank you.

From the Library

The service last Sunday, “The Art of Change” was led by Mike Hovancsek and Lori McGee. The references they used are:

Lori McGee

• “The Diary of Frida Kahlo”, ed. by Carlos Fuentes

Mike Hovancsek

• video of Sam Baker’s song, “Go in Peace”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4vB2CPhBvk
• video of Sam Baker explaining the traumatic incident he writes about in his music:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goUN2ri62_o
• A book on trauma and therapy:  http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Trauma-Therapy-Evaluation-Treatment/dp/1483351246/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1406304555&sr=8-2&keywords=trauma+therapy
• A book about Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica”:   http://www.amazon.com/Guernica-The-Biography-Twentieth-Century-Icon/dp/1582346062/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406560054&sr=8-3&keywords=Guernica

Lifespan Learning

Mark Your Calendars!  Important RE Dates!

August 3rd.10th, 17th and 24th ~  Summer RE continues at 9:45.  Preschool children meet in the upstairs classroom and for school-aged and younger youth gather in Fessenden.  Childcare for babies and children up to age 4 is provided in the nursery during both the 9:45 and the 11:30 services.

August 10th  ~  Summer RE Field Trip to Kent Healthcare Center for school-aged children and younger youth.  Please email Karen Lapidus  ~  [email protected] ~  if you haven’t received the email and would like more details.

September 7th ~  Ingathering Sunday.  See the Chalice Flame and the e- nUUs for more information about this wonderful multigenerational worship experience.  Preschool RE starts this day @ 9:45 for children age three by 9/1/14 to those 5-year-olds who are not attending Kindergarten in the fall.

September 14th ~  RE starts for everyone else.  At 9:45, we have classes for preschool, Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5.  At 11:30, we have our school-aged RE class, Middle School and High School Youth Group.

The OWL and Coming of Age youth will be receiving more detailed information about those programs in an email.

Have You Seen Those Painted Rocks Around the Church?

Those are for you – yes you!  They are a gift from the children in Summer Religious Education.  Please take one as a gift from them to you.

More “Simple Gifts” are planned all summer long.  We are making decorated placemats and fleece lap blankets for the residents at Kent Healthcare Center.   On August 10^th, we will be visiting the facility to deliver the gifts and to sing songs.  Parents and caregivers of school-aged children will receive more information via email.

Community Within

New UU Classes in August!

Curious?  Interested in learning more?  Ready to take the next step?

Our New UU classes cover everything you wanted to know about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent in particular and Unitarian Universalism in general, but didn’t know where to go or whom to ask.  Well, maybe not everything, but we try to give you an overview, a starting point.  Some history of both, some organizational details. Come join the conversation.  And, if you’re curious about membership, this is the place to be.

Part 1 will be on Sunday, August 10 from 9-11 am. Part 2 will be on Sunday, August 17, from 9-11 am.  You may attend one or both, although attendance at both is encouraged.  Different topics will be covered in each.  We will gather at the Annex, the yellow house next to the church.  If you have any questions, contact Claudia Miller.

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, August 12 at 7 pm in the home of Marion Yeagler.  This month you may choose between two novels. Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan is the story about three generations of women who converge on the family beach house in this wickedly funny, emotionally resonant story of love and dysfunction.  The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler is a witty, sharply observed debut novel about a young woman who finds unexpected salvation while working in a quirky used bookstore in Manhattan. Impressionable and idealistic, Esme Garland is a young British woman who finds herself studying art history in New York. She loves her apartment and is passionate about the city and her boyfriend; her future couldn’t look brighter. Until she finds out that she’s pregnant. In September we will be reading Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman’s Prison by Piper Kerman.  At October’s gathering, we will have a book exchange so begin thinking about books you might want to trade with other book group members. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.  All are welcome.

News from the Building Expansion Front

‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.‘  -Winston Churchill

The Capital Campaign Team has been meeting since March.  We have been charged by the Board of the UU Church of Kent with raising funds toward the construction of a fellowship hall, and renovations of religious education space and the sanctuary in the existing church building.  We’re busy organizing and recruiting volunteers.  We welcome your questions and offers of help.

Team members are:

Church Campout

Save the date – Oct. 3-5.   Where’s Walden in the Fall will be held at Loleta Recreation Area in Pennsylvania.   Keep watching the Thread and e-nUUs for more information.

Outreach and Social Justice

A Conversation with Lee Brooker:  Mississippi Civil Rights Journey

Join Lee Brooker on Tuesday, August 5 at 7 PM in Fessenden Hall.  He would like to share his experience on the UU College of Social Justice/UU Living Legacy Mississippi Civil Rights Bus Journey that he participated in while everybody else was at S.I.!  This journey featured visits to Civil Rights Movement sites throughout Mississippi.

Pray for Relief Faith Summit on Stopping Deportations

Last month I delivered a sermon reflecting on the terrible journeys of the many unaccompanied immigrant children coming into the United States from Central America and Mexico. I talked about my fear that they will face deportation even though the UN reports that many likely qualify for refugee status.  After that sermon, Dan Flippo suggested to me that my concern might warrant proposing an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly.  The UUA Commission on Social Witness (CSW) describes an Action of Immediate Witness as a statement “that expresses the conscience and carries the authority of the delegates at the General Assembly at which it is passed.”  I followed up on his suggestion by writing to several immigration justice leaders in the UUA to ask their advice.  I was encouraged to propose an AIW calling people to an upcoming event in Washington DC focused on asking President Obama to stop the deportations.

With help from Dan, several colleagues and lay leaders as well from members of the Commission on Social Witness (including former UUCK member Susan Goekler who is chair of the CSW,) I proposed an AIW which was accepted and ultimately endorsed by the General Assembly.  Dan took video of me presenting a statement in support of the AIW which he posted to our congregation’s FB page if you are interested in learning more.

I am leaving this afternoon to go to DC to participate in the Pray for Relief Faith Summit on Stopping Deportations.  Check out this link for much more information.

-Rev. Melissa

Rev. Melissa is on vacation this week. If you have an urgent pastoral concern while she is away, please contact our Affiliated Community Minister Rev. Renee Ruchotzke by phone through Thursday July 3.  Rev. Melissa will take emergency calls over the Fourth of July weekend.

Worship & Music  

Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.  Please note that for the month of July only, one service at 9:45 am will be offered.  We will return to our regular schedule of two services at 9:45 and 11:30 am on August 7.

July 6, 2014 – Taking Perspective, Giving Perspective

Led by Andrew and Amanda Rome

Sacred Song Circle every Thursday in Fessenden Lounge.
Every Thursday a group of us gather to create sacred space for thirty minutes by singing together in community.  This is a safe space where all levels of singing experience, comfort level and skill are welcome.  There is no need to bring anything with you but water.  Saunis Parsons leads the group in singing choruses, zipper songs, familiar hymns, camps songs, and sometimes even children’s songs.  Sacred songs for us are songs which celebrate and encourage things like hope, peace, community, care for each other and the earth, forgiveness, and thankfulness.  We gather in the sanctuary around 6:00 PM, and sing from 6:15 till 6:45.  Typically folks come up the stairs to the back door of the sanctuary, but if you need to come in on the ground floor to use the elevator, just call Saunis at 330-472-0956.  Hope to see you there!

Lifespan Learning

Summer Religious Education
Our theme is “Simple Gifts”, which will be a series of easy, mostly stand-alone social action and social justice projects.

Summer RE will take place at 9:45 am only.  At 11:30, the only option for children and youth is to attend the worship service with their parents/designated adult.  During the month of July, we will only have services at 9:45.  In August, we’ll have the usual two services at 9:45 and 11:30.

This year we are adding a separate preschool program along with the multi-age group, which includes school-aged children and Middle School youth as helpers.  Nursery care will be available for our youngest UUs during all worship services during the summer.  The preschool will meet in the upstairs classroom while the older children will meet in Fesenden Hall.

Karen Lapidus, Director of Religious Education and the members of the RE Committee

The Summer RE Program is in need of clean, used t-shirts of various colors and patterns for a project we are doing on July 6th.  Please leave your donations in the bin located at the northeast corner of Fessenden Hall.

Community Within

Moving Forward

We continue to move forward towards our expansion.  On Monday, July 7 work will continue on the Mills House with beginning of the asbestos abatement.  We ask that folks keep clear of the house during this time.  This project will continue for approximately one week.  Following that will be many small tasks that will include the final clearing of any remaining contents in the house.  We project that the house demolition will be concluded by the end of the month!

About the July Artist . . .

My name is Melodie Luther Peterson ).  I am a spirit artist and my spirit name is Dancing Dove.  I am not Native American by bloodline but I believe that I have had many Native American lives. I have often been drawn close to Mother Nature and I listen to my Heart.  This means that I channel my art from angels, masters, guides, elementals and other benevolent Beings that work with me according to the prayer that I say that precedes each painting.  If you are drawn to a painting, it is speaking to you.  They are live paintings. They will do what they are meant to do whether that is healing, guiding, giving a lesson, etc.    I mention on my bio that my inspiration is from my God, the ultimate naturalist and my parents.  You may view my art and channeled message for each painting on my blog: mylivepaintings.blogspot.com and click on Heart Speak or make comments to: [email protected]

Our Care Team invites you to stop by their table in Fessenden Hall after either service to start or sign cards others have started for people in our community who might appreciate the gesture of care and concern.

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, July 22 at 7 pm in the home of Chris Hurlbut.  This month we are reading The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution by Alex Storozynski .  Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish-Lithuanian born in 1746, was one of the most important figures of the modern world. Fleeing his homeland after a death sentence was placed on his head, he came to America with little more than a revolutionary spirit and a genius for engineering. He quickly proved his capabilities and became the most talented engineer of the Continental Army.  A lifelong champion of the common man and woman, he was ahead of his time in advocating tolerance and standing up for the rights of slaves, Native Americans, women, serfs, and Jews. Following the end of the war, Kosciuszko returned to Poland and was a leading figure in that nation’s Constitutional movement. He became Commander in Chief of the Polish Army and valiantly led a defense against a Russian invasion. He lived the remainder of his life as an international celebrity and a vocal proponent for human rights. This definitive and exhaustively researched biography fills a long-standing gap in historical literature with its account of a dashing and inspiring revolutionary figure. In the month of August we will be reading Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan or The Bookstore by Debroah Meyler. In September we will be reading Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman’s Prison by Piper Kerman. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper. All are welcome.

Outreach and Social Justice

Help Needed This Saturday at the Hot Lunch Program at Trinity Lutheran Church!

Due to family illness, the team that had committed to prepare and serve the lunch this Saturday has greatly diminished in numbers.  We need at least 3 people to fill in.  The time commitment is 10:30 – 1:00.  Adults, as well as children with their families are welcome to participate.  This is a great way to live our Unitarian Universalist faith!  If you are able to help, please notify Karen Lapidus ([email protected]) or Tanya Kahl (Tanya Kahl <[email protected]) for more details.

Worship & Music  

Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.  Please note that during the month of July only, once service at 9:45 am will be offered.  We will return to our normal schedule of two services at 9:45 and 11:30 am in August. 

June 15 – Generative Journeys

Led by the Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Sophie Smith

How have the journeys you have taken shaped your life? What are the journeys that define the experience of a generation? What is it about a journey that creates new possibilities? Come explore these and other questions as we also lift up the celebration of fathers. If you would like to honor your own father or another person in your life who has been a father figure to you, please send a photograph to Melissa by the Saturday prior to this service for inclusion in our Father’s Day SlideShow.9:45 and 11:30 am

From the Library

Rev. Melissa’s references for her “Blessing of the Animals” reflection last Sunday include: In Praise of Animals, a treasury of poems, quotations and readings, collected by Edward Searl.  This may be found in our church library.  An additional reference source is:  Blessing of the Animals: Celebrating our Kinship With All Creation, by Gary Kowalski.

Those who are grieving the loss of a pet might like to know we have two excellent books in our church library about coping with pet loss: Goodbye Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet, by Gary Kowalski, and Goodby My Friend: Grieving the Loss of a Pet, by Mary and Herb Montgomery.

Sunday Service Proposals Sought

The Sunday Program Committee will be meeting soon to plan lay-led Sunday services for the summer.  It is now accepting program proposals.  If you think you might be interested in preparing and leading a service, please contact a member of the Program Committee –Lois Weir, Liz Bright, Andrew Rome, Lori McGee, or Christie Anderson.  They can provide you with assistance if you are new to the process.  Links to information about planning a service and the proposal form may be found on the Sunday Program Committee’s web page at //kentuu.org/ministry/sunday-program/.

Lois Weir,

Chair, Sunday Program Committee

Lifespan Learning

Summer RE program begins this Sunday @ 9:45!  

Our theme is “Simple Gifts”, which will be a series of easy, mostly stand-alone social action and social justice projects.

To kick-off the summer RE program, on June 15th, the school-aged children and youth will be guided through a process of envisioning their ideal space as we move into the building expansion and renovation.

Summer RE will take place at 9:45 am only.  At 11:30, the only option for children and youth is to attend the worship service with their parents/designated adult.  During the month of July, we will only have services at 9:45.  In June and August, we’ll have the usual two services at 9:45 and 11:30.

This year we are adding a separate preschool program along with the multi-age group, which includes school-aged children and Middle School youth as helpers.  Nursery care will be available for our youngest UUs during all worship services during the summer.  The preschool will meet in the upstairs classroom while the older children will meet in Fesenden Hall.

Karen Lapidus, Director of Religious Education and the members of the RE Committee

Community Within

Dedication of the Play Space ~ Sunday, June 22nd immediately following the first service

There will be a brief ceremony to dedicate and sanctify our new Play Space behind the church.  We will circle around the space and bless it with our words and intentions.

All are welcome!

It has come to our attention recently that there are some members and friends that may not be receiving the Weekly e-nUUs  and/or the monthly newsletter, The Chalice Flame.  If you happen to be one of these individuals but would like to begin receiving either of these publications electronically, please send a request, including your email address, to the Church Office at [email protected].  Thank you.

Outreach and Social Justice

Countryside Conservancy called a few days ago to personally express their gratitude for the generosity of this congregation.  They were thrilled with the special collection donation and very grateful to be a beneficiary of the gift.  It was requested that we extend their appreciation to those who supported the collection.  Thank you!

UU and Interfaith Connections

 Save the Date: Friday, September 5, 2014

Join us for an evening in developing cultural and religious awareness presented by Mr. Isam Zaiem,

Islam 101 and Being Muslim Post 9/11 – Challenging Islamophobia, Profiling, and Marginalization

Watch for more information in the future.

UU Church of Kent’s advertisement with Kent Area Chamber of Commerce that will be e-blasted Friday, April 25.

Worship & Music  

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

April 27 – Sowing Seeds of Justice and Growing Community

Led by Matthew McHale, Intern Minister, West Shore UU Church 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 a 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?

From the Library

Rev. Melissa’s references for her Easter Sunday homilies were taken from two different sources.

For those who want to learn more about Malala, an excellent article may be found at http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24379018

Dr. Cornel West has stated, “never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.” One source that provides a good introduction to what that means to him in practical terms is an interview he and two other theologians gave on the Bill Moyers show called “Faith and Justice”:   http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07032009/transcript1.html

Lifespan Learning

The Youth Sunday worship service will happen at both services on Sunday, May 4th.  The high school youth have chosen “Letting Go” as their theme.  They have created a worship experience filled with story, music, readings and homilies that is sure to inspire and enlighten.

Community Within

Attention All Leaders and Committee Chairs

All Annual Reports to be included in the Annual Meeting packet are due May 1, 2014. Please submit or email reports to MaryBeth at [email protected]. Annual Meeting packets will be available to the congregation on May 14. The Annual Congregational Information Meeting is scheduled for May 28 @ 7 PM and the Voting Meeting will be held on June 1 @ 12:30 PM.

Congregational Meeting Postponed to April 27

The Building Expansion Team postponed the meeting between services to from April 20 to April 27.  The purpose of the meeting is to invite you to engage with an expansion project survey that will help guide the members of the Building Expansion Team in discussion with the architects.

Surprise Friends

Don’t forget your Surprise Friend this week! Bring your surprise (a note, a piece of artwork, etc.) and leave it on the Surprise Friends table in Fessenden Hall.

The  Food for Thought group would like to thank all those who contributed to our wonderful Easter Sunday coffee hour. After Rev. Melissa’s inspiring homilies and Hal’s wonderful celebratory music, the “groaning table” and the sustained fellowship we enjoyed together in Fessenden Hall made the morning especially memorable. We are fortunate, indeed to be a part of this generous congregation.  Anyone interested in joining this group may contact Claudia Miller.

New UU Classes in May!

Curious?  Interested in learning more?  Ready to take the next step?

Our New UU classes cover everything you wanted to know about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent in particular and Unitarian Universalism in general, but didn’t know where to go or whom to ask.  Well, maybe not everything, but we try to give you an overview, a starting point.  Some history of both, some organizational details. Come join the conversation.  And, if you’re curious about membership, this is the place to be.

Part 1 will be on Sunday, May 4th, from 9-11 am. Part 2 will be on Sunday, May 18th, from 9-11 am.  You may attend one or both, although attendance at both is encouraged.  Different topics will be covered in each.  We will gather at the Annex, the yellow house next to the church.

If you have any questions, contact Claudia Miller  or Marion Yeagler.

The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 pm in the home of Trish Kwartler.  This month we are reading Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. Let the Great World Spin is the critically acclaimed author’s most ambitious novel yet: a dazzlingly rich vision of the pain, loveliness, mystery, and promise of New York City in the 1970s. Elegantly weaving together seemingly disparate lives, McCann’s powerful allegory comes alive in the unforgettable voices of the city’s people, unexpectedly drawn together by hope, beauty, and the “artistic crime of the century.” A sweeping and radical social novel, it captures the spirit of America in a time of transition, extraordinary promise, and, in hindsight, heartbreaking innocence. In June we will be reading Cloud Cover by Margo Milcetich. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper.  All are welcome.

Due to a lapse in security, the doors codes have been changed.  All previous codes were purged and deactivated.  If you are in need of a code for the Church and/or Annex, please contact the office with your request.

Outreach and Social Justice

Dinner for the Earth

Friday, April 25th, 6pm in Fessenden Hall

Join us for a Potluck Dinner to eat delicious food and learn from each other.  Everyone should bring a dish and share the story of their food, as sharing a meal and our stories helps us care for the living Earth with reverence and gratitude.  Our goal is to share and respect each other’s food decisions, if that is good home cookin’ like my Mama’s, or nutritionally exact FDA certified food, or organic/local/seasonal/artisanal fare.  Whether plant-based or paleo, home grown or store bought – all are welcome.

Contact Andrew Rome for additional details!

Amphibians are declining globally and their disappearance is likely to have significant impacts on ecosystems. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to environmental change and contaminants. FrogWatch is a citizen science program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums that invites individuals and families to learn about the wetlands in their communities and help conserve amphibians by reporting the calls of local frogs and toads. Join us on Tuesday, April 29^th, from 6:30-8:30pm for a FrogWatch USA introductory education session led by Cara Constance, PhD and Jennifer Clark, PhD of Hiram College.  The session will be held in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent.

RiverDay Garlic Mustard Pull on Saturday, May 17th, 10am-12pm

Meet at the parking lot at 143 Gougler Ave. across from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent to protect our riverside park from invasive weeds. Contact Andrew Rome for more information.

 Green Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent presents a free showing of the movie:

Forks Over Knives

 “A film that can save your life” Roger Ebert Chicago-Sun Times

“Great Movie” Mark Bittman, New York Times columnist

 Date:  May 23, 2014

Time:  7 pm

Place: The Sanctuary

Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent

Followed by discussion and healthy snacks

Contact person: Trish McLoughlin

Income Generation

Last Call for FY2015 Pledges

The Finance Committee will meet tomorrow morning, April 24 to set the budget for our next fiscal year beginning July 1.  Below is an announcement that was sent last week detailing the results of the current stewardship campaign.  If you would like to make a pledge or consider an increase in pledge, please send an email to the Church Office, [email protected]   or complete the online pledge card found on our website:  //kentuu.org/membership/stewardship/       Thank you.

Stewardship Campaign Update: Good News and Other News

The good news is that many people responded to our annual stewardship campaign.  With thanks to all of the leaders and all of you who chose to make a pledge, we have nearly $220,000 in commitments for our next fiscal year.  We are very grateful for your ongoing support!

The other news is that the total pledge commitments for our next fiscal year are the same as our pledge commitments for the current fiscal year.  This means that our budget is flat.  Without additional pledges, we will be unable to implement the new ministry goals we set for next year.  Because of increased costs we cannot control, the same pledge income we received for this fiscal year will not go quite as far next fiscal year.  This means that we will need to make some modest cuts to our budget for next year.

The Finance Committee will be meeting to finalize the budget for the Board of Trustees this coming week.  If you haven’t yet made a pledge or would like to consider an increase to your pledge, please let the church office or one of our stewardship campaign leaders know before Thursday morning.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to support our beloved church.

Sandy Eaglen, Treasurer

Marion Yeagler, Kathie Slater and Meg Milko – Stewardship Committee