TUUC WEEKLY NEWS
[SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010]
SUNDAY SERVICE – SEPTEMBER 5, 2010 @ 10:30 AM
Water Communion
What Will You Bring To The Feast?
Rev. Clare Petersberger, Ms. Joyce Duncan, The Intergenerational Arts Coalition, and you!
This morning we celebrate our annual Water Communion. The Intergenerational Arts Coalition will share a story based on an African and Chinese folk tale to remind us that “no matter where we go and for how long, our love of this community, and the love from this community, draws us back in, warm and welcoming.” Please bring water to mingle as well as an offering of canned good for the Assistance Center of Towson Churches.
[YOUTH RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION]
Summer comes to a close, sometimes bringing surprises. One surprise for the YRE ministry is that some adults have experienced unexpected events that prevent them from joining a teaching team this fall as they had planned. This presents an opportunity for all adults at TUUC to offer the gift of themselves by joining in exploration of the “riddles and mysteries” of life that we address in YRE classes. At 11:15 AM, the PreK/K class needs one teacher, the 1st through 3rd needs two teachers, and the 4th/5th needs one teacher to complete our teams of three. We are also still looking for an adult to become an advisor to the youth group. Teachers lead a session (from excellent on-line curricula provided by the UUA) once or twice a month and assist once or twice a month. You will learn about Unitarian Universalism and get to know other children, teens, and adults in our faith community! Please contact Joyce Duncan at tuucdre@towsonuuc.org or 410 825-6045 to learn how you can help pass our faith on to the next generation.
Room parents are also an important part of our program. They set up a schedule for families to bring in snacks, help with any class social events, and coordinate a thank you for the teachers at the end of the year. Please contact me if you can help with this for any class. (We need room parents for all classes EXCEPT 1st-3rd grades and 6th/7th grades at 11:15 AM.)
Parents of high schoolers please look for an email about an upcoming planning meeting.
[NOTICES]
50TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO DIRECTORY
The 50th Anniversary Photo Directory will include photos taken by Olan Mills in March and April, photos of our celebration events, and photos of events over the past 50 years. The 50-year retrospective took longer to put together than expected, but was turned over to the printer in August. We believe copies will be available for you to pick up either Sunday, September 12 or 19. Those who sat for a photo are invited to pick up your free copy at that time or any later time.
AGING TOGETHER
The Aging Together group will meet at its regular time (the third Tuesday of every month), on September 21 at 1 PM at the church. Allan Thorn will lead the discussion on the topic, "What Is It About (Our Own) Death.....?"
AUCTION
Announcing the 2010 TUUC Auction! This year’s auction is scheduled for Saturday, November 20 – save the date! The first organizing meeting will be held on Thursday, September 9 at 7:30 PM at the church. We need lots of help for this big event. If you need more information or can't make the meeting but want to be involved in the auction, please call Kim Peabody at 410-570-9850.
BLOOD DRIVE
November 6, 2010, is the date for the next TUUC Blood Drive. Our March drive was very successful - 30 pints - and it would be wonderful to have even greater participation in November! With a mandatory 56-day waiting period between whole blood donations, the cutoff date for outside donations is September 10 if you want to donate at TUUC on November 6. We'll need a lot of help - and donors, of course - to make this blood drive successful, so stay tuned for further announcements. Please contact Barry Marsh if you'd like to help organize our drive. We'll start recruiting eligible donors in September, so save the date! Give Blood - Give Life.
BUILDING HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS
This is a final reminder that TUUC will be hosting a series of Saturday
workshops for teams from nearby Unitarian Universalist Churches, with the
objective of having interested UU’s evaluate the vibrancy of the missions
of their respective churches and consider their own relationship to their
church with an eye towards refreshing and renewing that mission. Any
interested member or friend of TUUC can join the TUUC team to pursue these
exciting opportunities to renew his or her own participation at TUUC.
Interested people should contact Mickie in our office and plan to pay at least
a portion of the $160 registration by the September 7 deadline. Any follow-up
questions should be directed to Mickie or Mike Robinson. The first two
sessions are September 11 and October 2 from 9 AM – 4 PM.
CHALICE CIRCLES
Chalice Circles, a Small Group Ministry, provides religious liberals with a welcoming place to explore our spirituality, serve our community, and make new friends. Chalice Circles, each with six to ten people, meet twice monthly to share important parts of our lives. Together, we explore important questions and strive to live our values through service projects in our church and the larger community. Small Group Ministry helps us to find new ways to demonstrate our UU Principles in our lives. Our Small Groups are open to anyone - church members, friends, and visitors - who will attend the gatherings regularly and abide by the groups' ground rules, or agreements. September is around the corner, and as we plan,
it is time to consider what day and time would work for you to be involved with Chalice Circles. There is an “I am interested sheet” in the lobby. You may also ask questions or sign up with Dick Scholle, Robin Sinn, or Marcia Brooks.
GALLERY UNICORN
Gallery Unicorn is very happy to present Water Media Musings by Robin McElfatrick. Robin has been doing artwork for only eight years and has tapped into a talent she never knew she had. The exhibition will run through September 12, 2010.
GIFTS - BASED MINISTRY
This is first of regular features about Gifts-based Ministry (GBM). GBM refers to an all-church initiative highlighting the practice of each member/pledging friend coming to TUUC with many gifts and finding ways to minister to the rest of us by sharing or offering of his or her gift. This week’s spotlight is on Andy Peterson and Mary O’Byrne. Andy, a professional electronics apparatus manager and sound engineer for a commercial television station, has been coordinating the audio-visual committee here for 4+ years. This has included on many occasions, upgrading and installing our array of speakers and sound-carrying equipment. Mary has been using the organized mind and spirit of a practicing lawyer, which she is, to schedule and encourage the ushers who arrive early to set up for the services each Sunday. Their gifts help make part of our experience at TUUC what it is. Thank you to Andy and Mary, but two of many, as we consider how they both practice Gifts-based Ministry.
GREEN SANCTUARY
Look for Terry Ellen in the lobby the next few Sundays before October 10 to take your pledge to yourself and to Chesapeake Climate Action Network to contribute to climate solutions along with citizens all over the U.S. and the world. We would also urge you, if attending political forums in the upcoming weeks, to ask questions of candidates about their positions on climate change or climate emergency. Coffee sales at TUUC resume monthly on September 12, so if you're noticing your supply going down, try to hold out and buy fair trade coffee!
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
We are once again seeking friends and members of the church
who would be willing to deliver the chalice lighting readings during either or
both services on a given Sunday. Readings will be provided to you by the Friday before you are
scheduled to speak, in order to give you ample time to prepare. If you
have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Clare, Tara McIntyre,
and/or Aynsley Hamel (contact information for each one appears in the
directory).
MEET THE CANDIDATES’ NIGHT
On Friday, September 10, Democrat and Republican candidates for State Senate District 5, House of Delegates District 5B, CountyExecutive, and County Council District 3 are coming to Broadmead, 13801 York Rd., Cockeysville. They’ll be available to answer your questions in the auditorium before and after the more formal presentations which are from 7-8 PM. The event is open to the public, and there will be balloons, patriotic music, and refreshments. The following candidates are planning to attend: State Senate District 5: C. Scott Stone-D; Joe Getty-R; House of Delegates District 5B: Pete Definbaugh-D, Wade Kach-R (incumbent), Chris Luciano-R, Tom Morgan-R; County Executive: Joe Bartenfelder-D, Kevin Kamenetz-D, Ken Holt-R; and County Council District 3: Ben Sutley-D, Jim Christina-R, George Harman-R, Todd Huff-R, T. Bryan McIntyre-R (Incumbent), Jeff Srnec-R, and Glen Thomas-R.
THANK YOU!
Many talented volunteers provided music for the Sunday services this past summer. Our special thanks to Alta Haywood, Janet Byers, Nancy Hannah, Kyra and Lelah Mahoney, Nathan Shane, Lelane Schmitt, Paul Azzam, Pate Mahoney, Joe Gascho, John Gaccek, Paul Stapp, Steve Atlas, Donn Tuebner, Amy Koren, Andree Maslen, and Carel Hedlund for enhancing our worship with your musical gifts. Judi Clague, Music Committee Chair
TUUC COMMUNITY SUNDAY
Heartfelt thanks to Joyce Duncan, Angela Epps, Tom Zeller, Joseph Gascho, Rev. Clare, and Max Mutchler for providing opportunities on August 29 for our multi-generational community. We are a community committed to seeking the truths which guide our lives, and we help one another to do just that! So if you would like to facilitate a multi-generational exploration next year or have ideas for someone you hope will facilitate a workshop next summer, please speak with Rev. Clare or Joyce Duncan.
[SOCIAL ACTION]
A MILLION MINUTES FOR PEACE
We're really excited that you are considering joining in 'A Million Minutes for Peace on September 21, 2010
WATCH THE 'ONE MILLION ACTS OF KINDNESS' VIDEO at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPaaUY9_j80 . Do your part for peace. If you haven't already, forward the pledge to friends and family and invite them to become a part of 'A Million Minutes for Peace.' FORWARD THE PLEDGE TO FRIENDS .May Peace Prevail on Earth.
ACTC NEWS
Donations have increased since the recent article in the Towson Times appeared. However, supplies are still low. It is important that TUUC continue with donations. The request for homeless bags continues to be high. So, starting in October we will resume packing 12 bags each month on the second Sunday. If you are interested in helping let me know. I plan to give an instruction sheet to volunteers. Volunteers who help with this project should sign up for a donation and help pack the bags on the designated Sunday. For the first collection on October 10, I will bring all the supplies to show what is needed. Sue Shankroff
PAKISTAN FLOODS WORSEN
Since the world learned of the floods now
devastating Pakistan, conditions have worsened dramatically. As
of August 23, the Pakistani government estimates that 17.2 million people
are affected by the floods — more than the Haiti earthquake,
the 2005 South Asia earthquake,
and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
combined.
The growing enormity of this humanitarian disaster has compelled UUSC and the
Unitarian Universalist Association to launch our UUSC-UUA Joint Pakistan Flood Relief
Fund.
Donations to the UUSC-UUA Joint Pakistan Flood Relief
Fund will be put to immediate use, since UUSC already has
partner organizations in the region. Bedari, which worked with UUSC in the
2005 South Asia earthquake, is working to protect women
and children displaced by the floods. Barakat, a UUSC partner in Afghanistan that also
works in Pakistan, is helping refugee families who have fled
to the district of Attock. Please help us help the people of Pakistan recover
from this unfathomable disaster — give to the UUSC-UUA Joint Pakistan
Flood Relief Fund. If you would like to donate by check,
please make it payable to "UUSC-UUA Pakistan Flood Relief Fund" and
mail it to
UUSC
PO Box 844001
Boston, MA 02284-4001
PURSES FOR PLASE
COLLECTION DRIVE
We are collecting new or gently used purses to support a Project PLASE
fundraiser. Project PLASE, which stands for People Lacking Ample Shelter and
Employment, is a non-profit organization in Baltimore that provides housing and supportive services to the
most vulnerable and under-served homeless adults in the area. The
donated purses will be sold at the 44th Annual Fell’s Point Fun Festival
on October 2 and 3. Please bring your donations to the box at church labeled
"Purses for PLASE." Purses will be collected until Sunday, September
19. Thank you for your support! For more information, contact Tam Kelley at supertam99@yahoo.com.
[CALENDAR]
For
info on all the happenings at TUUC go to: http://my.calendars.net/towsonuuc
SUNDAY SERVICE – SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 @ 9:30 and 11:15 AM
I Need a Religious Home
Rev. Clare Petersberger
In 2002, The Reverend Bill Sinkford, former President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, was traveling on a plane. Seated next to him was a young woman and her ten-month-old son. She was a Palestinian immigrant, a Muslim, married to a Lebanese Christian. With tears in her eyes she asked, “Where will my baby find a church where he can honor all of his heritage? It is not just for my son that I cry…I need a religious home.” On this 9th anniversary of 9/11, in the wake of protests around the country against building mosques, let us reflect on how, without Islam, Unitarian Universalism might not exist. Let us dream about how we might respond to this woman (and others like her whom we have not yet met) who are seeking a faith that honors the truths in all religions.
ETHNIC LUNCHEON – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 @ 11:45 AM
A repeat restaurant! Last November we all enjoyed the lite and healthy Vietnamese cuisine at the Pho Dat Thanh, so let‘s do it again! “The Pho” is located at 510 York Road in Towson next door to the former Towson Theatre. There are several public parking facilities in the area, including TowsonTownCenter. Meet there at 11:45 AM. Please let Bette know at ethniclunch@towsonuuc.org by Sunday, September 12, if you will be attending. Thanks!
TUUC SINGLES SEPTEMBER POTLUCK – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 @ 6 PM.
Our hosts for the first potluck of the new season will be Ron Rowley and Joe Whitehill. The gathering will be at their residence in Timonium. RSVP to Ron or Joe. Joe's phone number is in the directory.
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST GROUP – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 @ 8:30 AM
Women’s Breakfast Group took the summer off! We will get together again on Wednesday, September 22. We meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8:30 AM at Edenwald. If you need more information contact Sue Shankroff at information in directory.
PFLAG – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 @ 7 PM
PFLAG is sponsoring a panel discussion/program at our September general meeting. Several Transgender people will talk about issues and solutions facing this community. September 28 at 7 PM. Email pflagbaltimorecounty@gmail.com for more info.
EVENING BOOK GROUP – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 @ 7:30 PM
The Evening Book Group will meet on this date, and you have your choice of books to read! Pick one of Greg Mortenson's books - Three Cups of Tea or Stones into Schools. We'll discuss the challenges faced by one man in making a difference in Afghanistan, and how that intersects with America's foreign policy. All are welcome. Please call Carel Hedlund at her number in the directory if you have any questions.
ANITA GREGORY BOOK GROUP – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 @ 2 PM
This month’s selection is Every Last One, by Anna Quindlen, about the life of a family and the intrusion of violence into their lives.
YOGA PRACTICE GROUP – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, @ 7:15 PM
There will be no yoga during the month of September. We will start up again on Wednesday, October 6.
"REDS, WHITES ANDBLUEGRASS" FUNDRAISER – OCTOBER 16 @ 5 – 9 PM
Plan to join your music-loving friends for a fun evening at
the home of Judy and Neil Cohen. The cost is $50 per person including
dinner, open bar, and musical entertainment by the Bald Mountain Band.
There may even be a surprise or two along the way! All proceeds go to the TUUC
general fund. RSVPs are required, and space will be limited, so please
secure your spot at your earliest convenience by contacting Judy at jdcohen@comcast.net .
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