Worship & Music
Sunday services are offered at 9:45 and 11:30 AM.
April 6, 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.
From the Library
Rev. Elaine Strawn has kindly shared some sources she used to prepare her sermon, “Generosity of Spirit”, given on Sunday, March 30th.
Teo Drake’s full comments can be found on standingonthesideoflove.org He wrote the comments for day 24 of the 30 Days of Love. He also blogs on blueboat.blogs.uua.org
The spirit of the sermon came from John Buehren’s The Unitarians and the Universalists, published by Beacon Press. He corrects many misunderstandings about our history, bringing “our saints” much closer to earth.
A correction: the Marge Piercy poem she quoted is The Low Road, not We.
Hal-elujah! Hal Walker CDs Now Available
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 on Sunday, or anytime from Brad Bolton.
*Christie likes it.
The UUCK and the Cuyahoga River Concert Series present.
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.”
Lifespan Learning
What We Choose: Ethics for Unitarian Universalist adult education class will meet tomorrow, April 3 at 7:00 PM in Fessenden Hall.
The upper elementary RE class is collecting new or gently used pet toys for donation to the Humane Society of Greater Akron – and the last day to donate is this coming Sunday April 6th! Boxes for donations are in the church. The students in this class decided to help the Humane Society because they believe all animals should be cared for. The class will be visiting the Humane Society on April 19th to drop off the donations.
Community Within
Tickets Available for Saturday’s Mandala Workshop.
We have two tickets donated by Jen May and Lois Weir for Saturday’s workshop on making Mandalas, which was offered at the auction. This is a spiritual practice of drawing circular designs and coloring them making beautiful designs. Each one is a work of art and unique. If you’d like to come and make your own mandalas we have two tickets available for Saturday’s Class which is being held in Fessenden hall from 1 o’clock until 3 o’clock. First come first serve please contact Meg Milko if you’d like one or both tickets.
Surprise Friends
It’s that time of year again! Want to make a new friend in the church? Looking for a fun way to celebrate spring? Here is your chance! You are all invited to participate in this intergenerational activity of friendship and caring. Become a Surprise Friend! Complete a sign-up form and place it in the Surprise Friends Box in Fessenden Hall no later than April 6. Participating adults will be matched with children in the congregation on April 13. (High school youth are invited to participate as an adult Surprise Friend; middle school youth may choose to participate as an adult Surprise Friend OR as a child Surprise Friend.) By signing up to be a Surprise Friend, you make a commitment to attend church each week, April 20,27 and May 4,11 and to share a note or some artwork with your Surprise Friend. Adults and children alike should leave their surprises at the Surprise Friends table in Fessenden Hall, but be careful you aren’t discovered! Adults will remain anonymous until the “big reveal” on May 18. Don’t you just love surprises?
Tai Chi Program Canceled – Many thank to Sally Burnell for leading the Tai Chi classes these last few years. For a variety of reasons, Sally needs to step away from this program. At this time, Tai Chi will no longer be offered on Monday evenings at the Church.
We are looking for the individual who may have picked up a sewing machine from the Mills’ house? We have some parts and the instruction manual to the sewing machine that you may be interested in. Please contact the Church Office if you would like the parts and manual.
The Patricia Pownall UU Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm in the home of Kathie Slater. This month we are reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel by Rachel Joyce. Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old love in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance. In May we will be reading Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. If you have any questions you may contact Bonnie Harper. All are welcome.
We Need You to Help us Become a Green Sanctuary!
The Green Sanctuary Steering Committee, Mary Lou Holly, Andrew Rome and Patty Miller, warmly invite you to come out for an evening to explore how you might become involved in helping us become a Green Sanctuary. To accomplish this goal, we need participation from every area of congregational life – from worship and religious education to the library and buildings and grounds and more. Whatever your area of interest in congregational life, there is a way you can support this process. Please consider joining us in Fessenden Hall on Tuesday, April 1 from 7:00 to 8:30 to learn more and to share your ideas.
Coffee Hour Connection
Did you know that our coffee hour is provided by volunteers? Every week Deb Biggins, Shirley and Jonathan Kiernan come to church early to set up for coffee hour so that there is hot coffee, tea and treats available for folks at church to enjoy. It is a wonderful labor of love. If you haven’t recently, would you please thank them for their contributions.
Deb and Shirley have received several requests to provide particular condiments for coffee hour that are not in our budget to provide. However, if you want to bring your favorite tea or a particular type of milk or sweetener to be available at coffee hour, please feel free to bring it in to share. And if you have ideas about how you’d like to see coffee hour go, please approach Deb and Shirley and let them know that you would be glad to volunteer. They’d be happy to have your help!
Outreach and Social Justice
Thanks to all who support last Sunday’s special collection in support of CoCoDA (Companion Community Development Alternatives), $ 373.67 was donated in support this outreach program to develop education for youth with limited economic resources from rural El Salvadoran communities.
The upper elementary RE class is collecting new or gently used pet toys for donation to the Humane Society of Greater Akron – and the last day to donate is this coming Sunday April 6th! Boxes for donations are in the church. The students in this class decided to help the Humane Society because they believe all animals should be cared for. The class will be visiting the Humane Society on April 19th to drop off the donations.
Kent Social Services – Food & Grocery Card Donations
March is rapidly coming to a close and with it, National Nutrition Month and Harvest for Hunger. Sadly, the food baskets have remained nearly empty all month. Won’t you please consider donating non-perishable food items this weekend? The Super-Six remain much in need – PB (and jelly, of course), canned veggies, soup, beef stew, tuna and cereal – as well as other staples such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, rice, beans, canned fruit, crackers, meal-in-a-box & meal-in-a-can & macaroni n’ cheese mix. Children often enjoy pudding cups, fruit snacks, granola bars, raisins, and other wrapped snack items.
No fancy style at this welcome table . . . just quality, basic food for meals and snacks; please, no open packages, outdated boxes or rusty cans. Won’t you please consider donating? Baskets are available on the lower level inside the closet next to the elevator and on the upper level outside the sanctuary. [If you are in need of groceries or any other help, please contact Reverend Melissa for confidential assistance.]
If you are not grocery shopping this week, donations of $10 Acme grocery cards are most appreciated so KSS clients can purchase fresh foods or non-edibles that food stamp benefits do not allow.
Thank you in advance for your generosity,
Elaine Bowen.
UU and Interfaith Connections
Spring Art Show
The UU Church of Akron invites us to The UUWA’s Inaugural Spring Art Show exhibit will run April 10 through April 27 with an opening reception on Thursday April 10 at 7 pm. Meet the artists, enjoy some yummy
Hors d’oeuvers. There will be a silent auction of items donated from the participating artists. The Show will run April 10 through April 27 at The UU Church of Akron, 3300 Morewood Rd., Akron (across from Summit Mall). Visit during church office hours Tuesday through Friday 9 am – 2 pm or Sundays 9:30 am -1 pm. For more info contact Carol Dobbins 330-836-2206, [email protected]
First Congregational Church of Ravenna is hosting a mission project jewelry sale on April 10 and April 12. The paper bead jewelry is made by ladies in Uganda and sold through the non-profit business “Bead for Life.” All profits from the jewelry sales will go towards helping Ugandan ladies work their way out of poverty.
Hospice of Western Reserve Warehouse Sale: Donation are needed for our next sale, Friday, May 9, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday, May 10, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Hospice of the Western Reserve Headquarters, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. Proceeds support patients and families of Hospice of the Western Reserve throughout northern Ohio. They are accepting gently used indoor and outdoor furniture, other household items, collectibles, framed artwork, and holiday items. To donate items, please contact the Warehouse Sale Team at 800.707.8922, ext. 6881. Pick up can be arranged for larger items.
Drone Teach-In
Drone technology has recently come to the public’s attention. What are its capabilities and consequences? Please join The Imagine Peace Task Force, part of the Justice Council at West Shore UU Church, in a Drone Teach- In, Saturday, April 5th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Westshore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, OH 44116. Lunch is included. The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken.
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER- MEDEA BENJAMIN, author and co-founder of the Nationally renowned grassroots social justice movement CodePink. Joining her will be the ACLU, the American Friends Service Committee, Chapter 39 of Veterans for Peace, the Cleveland Non-Violence Network, Cleveland Peace Action and others.
Income Generation
Have you made your pledge of your financial commitment for the upcoming fiscal year? Our Finance Committee relies on our pledges to set the budget for next fiscal year. Every pledge is important so we may continue our programs and ministries. If you haven’t had a chance to make your pledge yet, you can do so in many ways:
- In Person on Sunday March 30th at the Stewardship Table
- In the Offertory on Sunday – Pledge cards are in the pews
- Online Pledge card on the website kentuu.org
- Email your pledge to the church office [email protected]
- Call in your pledge to the church office 330.673.4247
Thanks to everyone who has helped make this a successful campaign!
The Stewardship Committee
Sandy Eaglen – Co-Chair
Kathie Slater – Co-Chair
Meg Milko – Co-Chair