Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:30 AM	Sunday, October 21, 2007 10:30 AM
Sermon	“This is the Day – Gala Rededication Service” Rev. Tim Kutzmark	“500 Miles To Go: Living With Chronic Illness, Suffering, or Disappointment”  Rev. Tim Kutzmark
Children	Intergenerational Rededication Service. No Church School. Playschool in Sawyer with Mary. jUUnior choir 11:45 - 12:45 Community Hall. Youth Adult Committee 5:00 – 6:30 Loring, O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring , SHYP  6:30 – 8:30 Loring.	Children begin in Sanctuary. Church School follows until 11:45 a.m. Playschool in Sawyer with Mary. SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Loring House. O.W.L. 6:30 – 9 p.m. in Loring House.
Ushers	Linda Farley and Bill Grace	Linda Farley
Altar	Carolyn Grace	Ruth Goldberg
Refreshments	Rededication Luncheon Committee	Beverly Everett and Janet Nussmann
Membership Table	Nancy Bond and Shelby Woods	Susan Delaney and Judy Riley
Greeter	Beverly Everett and Fran Sansalone	Ann Fisher and Susan Delaney
Paper Recycler	Margaret Soli	Ann Fisher

Sunday, October 14 - 10:30 AM

“This is the Day—Gala Rededication Service”
Rev. Tim Kutzmark

Join us to celebrate this historic moment in the life of our beloved community of faith, as we rededicate our expanded sanctuary and church campus, and rededicate ourselves to our shared vision of a world united within a universal spirit of life.  This intergenerational service will feature special music, special moments of celebration, and special reflections on the past, present and future of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading.  Joining us today will be the Rev. Jan Rzepka, former minister of UUCR.   Following the service, a festive luncheon will be served in our new Fellowship Hall. Whether you are a year-round attendee or haven't been back to UUCR for some time, please accept this invitation to join us for our Rededication Service and the year ahead.  We'd love to see you!

NOTE: During the service, all children and youth will be invited to join in the filling of a special Time Capsule that will be re-opened 100 years from now – in October of 2107.  All kids and youth are asked to bring special small items that they would like to include in this time capsule.  Some suggestions are: an individual or family photo; a CD recording of a favorite song; a special newspaper headline; sports memorabilia; a charm, pin, badge or token; a letter about yourself, your church, your concerns for the world, or what it means to be a U U; or any other fun, small items that you can think of.

Sunday, October 21—10:30 AM

“500 Miles To Go: Living With Chronic Illness, Suffering, or Disappointment”
Rev. Tim Kutzmark

How do we face life when hope is hard to find?  How to we keep going when we—or someone we love—suffer from an illness or a condition that won’t get better over time?  How can we be better friends and companions to those will struggle with the reality of chronic illness, suffering, or disappointment?  Special music by Roald Wilson

Rededication Weekend Celebration – October 13 and 14

Coming this weekend – the event of the year at UUCR!  Be sure not to miss it!

On Saturday, October 13:

• Tours of all our buildings and our church campus - 9:30AM to 2:00 PM
• Open House with snacks, children’s activities and excitement throughout the day -  9:30AM to 2:00 PM
• Alex, the Jester - a free performance in the sanctuary at 10:00 AM.  Laugh and giggle as you watch one of the funniest performers in the business.  Perfect entertainment for all ages.

On Sunday, October 14:

• A Worship Service of Rededication - 10:30–11:30.  Special guests, including Rev. Jane Rzepka, a well-loved former UUCR minister.  Special music from our choir and a guest trumpet player.  Rev. Tim, Rev. Jane, and our UUCR Governing Board President, Lorraine Dennis, will all share the pulpit to preach on a theme of “The Past, Present, and Future of UUCR.”  Children and youth are invited to bring special items to be put into a Time Capsule that will be buried for 100 years and reopened in 2107.
• A Special Rededication Luncheon - 12:00 in Fellowship Hall.  A committee of our finest UUCR chefs has been planning for weeks to offer up some delicious fare to cap off our special weekend.

NEW MEMBER SUNDAY

Our first New Member Sunday of the church year will be November 4.   If you would like to become an official member of UUCR, please contact the church office at 781-944-0494 as soon as possible or email the Church Office .    Rev. Tim likes to sit down and talk with folks interested in joining the church, so the earlier you let us know, the easier it will be to schedule a conversation.

Dear Friends:

Here’s something unusual from me: something, short and sweet and to the point!  Congratulations!  Congratulations to us all!  Congratulations to our Building Our Future Steering Committee.  Congratulations to everyone who visioned and dreamed and built. Congratulations to us all!   Congratulations on our commitment to our loving church community and our transforming Unitarian Universalist faith.

This Saturday and Sunday is a time to celebrate, as we rededicate our church campus and ourselves to the great work of liberal religion.

As I said at the start of our staff meeting this morning: “It is good.  It is good to be.  It is good to be together.”

See you on the path, Tim

PS: I’ll be leading an adult enrichment class in November entitled:  “Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals.”  We’ll be exploring the Hebrew Bible, focusing on the Books of Genesis, Exodus, Kings, Psalms, Job, and the writings of the Prophets.  We’ll have a Tuesday evening class and a Thursday morning class in order to accommodate different schedules.  See the full description in this newsletter for more information.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading  2007 Warrant

UUCR Annual October Meeting to be Held on October 21, 2007

Dear Members and Friends of the UUCR,

The Governing Board has called the Annual October Meeting of the Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading for Sunday, October 21, 2007 at Noon in the sanctuary.

The purpose of the meeting will be to:

1. Elect a Moderator to serve this meeting since our Standing Moderator is unable to attend;
2. Approve any minutes of past Membership Meetings that may be submitted;
3. Receive the Treasurer’s final report of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007; and
4. To hear a report of progress from the Building Our Future Steering Committee.

This is an exciting time in the life of our church.  Here we are in our beautiful new space. We’ve made amazing progress in the last year.  Your participation at this meeting and active involvement throughout the year makes this progress possible!  Please plan on attending this short but meaningful Membership Meeting.

Thank you!           

THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF READING WARRANT
ANNUAL OCTOBER MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION
Sunday, October 21, 2007
In the Sanctuary at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading  in Reading, MA
at 12:00 noon

The Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading are hereby called to the Annual October Meeting of the Church on Sunday, October 21, 2007, in the Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, Reading Massachusetts, at 12:00 noon.

AGENDA

1. To elect a Moderator to serve for this meeting.
2. To approve any minutes of past Membership Meeting that may be submitted.
3. To receive the Treasurer’s final report of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.
4. To hear a report of progress from the Building Our Future Steering Committee.

Respectfully Submitted,
Lorraine Dennis
President

Joys and Challenges in a Multi-staff Church

Did you know that we know have a dozen staff positions serving various roles to support our growing congregation?  We are proud of our staff, and the hard work and commitment they have to allowing us all to create our shared ministry to each other and our world.  We always love to hear how a staff member has assisted you, or gone out of their way to be of service.  We know our staff does so on a daily basis.

If, though, for some reason you have a conflict or concern regarding any staff member, please know we have a procedure in place to assist all of us in dealing directly with the issue.  If you have a concern regarding a staff member, please use the following procedures:

1. Speak to the staff member directly to resolve the issue or share your feelings.
2. If that is not successful, or if you don’t feel comfortable approaching the staff member directly, please speak with the staff member’s supervisor.  The supervisor will then speak with the staff member on your behalf, as long as your name and specific concern is connected to the issue.  Please note that UUCR will not actively deal with anonymous complaints, or concerns that you are unwilling to have your name connected to.
3. If you are unhappy with the supervisor’s response, please speak to the Personnel Committee (Linda Deveau, chair: (phone: 781-599-5189) ).  The Personnel Committee will work to resolve the issue.
4. If you are unhappy with the Personnel Committee’s response, the final recourse will be bring the issue to the Governing Board (Lorraine Dennis, Chair)

We appreciate your following these procedures as outlined above.  And, please, know we do want to hear from you.  And we sure like to hear about the compliments as well!

This is a list of current staff positions and their supervisors:

STAFF MEMBER	SUPERVISOR
Minister:Rev. Tim Kutzmark	Committee on Ministry (Geoff Beckwith, Chair) Governing Board (Lorraine Dennis, Chair)
Office Administrator: Rosemary Fiori	Minister (Rev. Tim Kutzmark)
Dir of  Religious Education: Aileen Dashurova	Minister (Rev. Tim Kutzmark)
Choir Director: Dr. Mark Bennett	Minister (Rev. Tim Kutzmark)
Facilities Manager: Chuck Wettergreen	Office Administrator (Rosemary Fiori)
Office Assistant: Shari Nichols	Office Administrator (Rosemary Fiori)
Religious Education Ass’t.          Valerie Robinson	Dir. of Religious Education (Aileen Dashurova)
Organist: George White	Minister (Rev. Tim Kutzmark)
Senior High Youth Leader:  position open	Dir. of Religious Education (Aileen Dashurova)
Nursery Attendant: candidate selected	Dir. of Religious Education (Aileen Dashurova)
Play School Supervisor: position open	Dir. of Religious Education (Aileen Dashurova)
Coordinator of Member Services: position open	Minister (Rev. Tim Kutzmark)

OPEN POSITION: PART-TIME COORDINATOR OF MEMBER SERVICES AND VOLUNTEERS

Liberal church seeks outgoing, detail-oriented people-person with interpersonal, multi-tasking, writing & organizational skills to support membership programs and volunteerism in growing Unitarian Universalist congregation (Reading, MA).  Experience with volunteers necessary.  Demonstrated customer service, computer and data management skills.  Salary/hours: $15/hr 15 hr/wk.  Flexible weekday hours, with 4 evenings per month & most Sundays (3 hours) preferred.   Reduced summer schedule.  Read the full job description.   Please send cover letter, resume, and references to the CMSV Search Mailbox .

NEW FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

Need a particular room set up for a Committee Meeting in an upcoming month?  Did you notice a potentially unsafe buildings and grounds issue that needs review and troubleshoot?  Have you noticed a cleaning area that needs attention?  Do you have a question for our Cleaning Company, G Corporation?  Do you need a door lock or open?  Chuck Wettergreen, our Facilities Manager has a new tri-system for communication:

1. Use the new pink colored UUCR Facilities Management Request form.  You can send an email to the Church Office , or to the Facilities Manager to receive this form.  Or you can call the church office and ask for the request form.  You can’t miss it!  The color of the form is “pink.”    Return your request form to Chuck Wettergreen via email or place it in his inbox in the mailbox system located in the copy room across from the new offices or mail the form to 239 Woburn St., Reading, MA  01867.
2. Email Chuck for comments, concerns, and follow-up 
3. Follow up with Chuck via his email or his phone number of 978-257-0383.

If you have any questions about our new system, please call Chuck at his number above or Rosemary in the Church office at 781-944-0494.  This system should help us all run an efficient beautiful and well maintained campus. 

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE:  AN INTRODUCTION FOR SKEPTICS, SEEKERS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERALS

Tuesday Evening Class: November 6, 13, 20, 27; Dec. 4 7:00-9:00 pm
Thursday AM Class: November 8, 15, 29; Dec. 6, 13 (no class Nov. 22): 10 AM - Noon
Rev. Tim Kutzmark, Facilitator

Skeptics, seekers, and religious liberals often need a “way in” to understanding the complex territory that is the Hebrew Bible.  Massive injustice has been and continues to be done in the name of the Bible.  Meanwhile the Bible is also about the beauty and goodness of creation itself; about the ancient human struggle for freedom and liberation;  about  frustration with violence and injustice throughout the generations; and about experiences of exultation, expectation, and inspiration that can sustain the human quest for wisdom, justice, and peace.  Together we’ll explore the Hebrew Bible (what has commonly been referred to as “The Old Testament.”  Participants will need to purchase and read selected chapters of “Understanding the Hebrew Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals” by John Buehrens (Beacon Press, $14.00). Participants will also need a Bible, a notebook or journal, and a pen or pencil for each session.   Registration is required, please call (781-944-0494) or email the Church Office or sign up on Sunday at social hour.  Class limit: 12. 

CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS:  HELPING PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE AND YOUR OWN

Sunday, November 4, 2007
Co-facilitators:  Paula Koppel and Elaine Ohlson

Paula Koppel and Elaine Ohlson will lead an adult enrichment discussion focusing on the challenges of caring for older adults and helping them prepare for their future needs. This program will provide an overview of the issues and resources available for older adults. It is a perfect program for individuals who are currently helping an older adult (family or friend) as well as for seniors who want to be proactive! This informal presentation will include information on health management, navigating the healthcare system, housing and care options and financial planning considerations. Paula is a geriatric nurse practitioner and Elaine is a lawyer. Both have professional and personal experience and are excited to share this with other UUCR members. There will be plenty of time for questions. Registration is requested. Please sign up on the sign up sheet during coffee hour or call the church office.

GUIDED NATURE WALK WITH JOHN SURETTE

Join John Surette for a picnic lunch and walk through Reading's Town Forest. Enjoy the colors, sights, and smells of autumn with someone who has a deep knowledge of the natural habitat in our little corner of the world. John's award-winning videos of the Town Forest, Spot Pond, and other natural settings in the area have been televised locally.  At 1pm on Sunday, October 21 (after the annual meeting), we will head over to the Town Forest, sit down for a picnic lunch (so please come prepared), and enter the forest for a leisurely walk with nature.

MISSION OF DEEDS LINEN DRIVE HERE AT THE UUCR ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH!

What:

Linen/Small household goods drive to benefit Mission of Deeds in Reading Please bring the following types of items in good, clean, usable condition:

• sheets/blankets/comforters (esp. for TWIN BEDS, but full and queen also),
• bed pillows,
• pots and pans,
• silverware,
• lamps,
• small appliances
• (please, no furniture; for furniture donations, call 781-944-9797 to arrange dropoff or pickup)

When:

Sunday, Oct. 28, 9-10:30, 11:30-12:30 (before and after church service)

Where:

UCR parking lot; Senior High Youth Group (SHYP) and Social Action Committee members will show you where to go and help unload

Or:

If you can’t come to church on Oct. 28, you may leave your linens Oct. 21–27 in the Religious Education office, Room 202 of Loring House (accessible by stairs and elevator).

Why:

Mission of Deeds provides furniture and household goods to those in need throughout northeastern Massachusetts. “We have never been busier and must constantly replenish our inventories to continue to adequately provide for those in need of our service.” With each of the 700 beds they expect to distribute this year, they will try to give a set of sheets, a blanket, and a pillow, and that’s where we come in!

Longtime UUCR member Nancy Morley is a devoted Mission of Deeds volunteer, sorting and shelving donations every Thursday. “It’s a great organization and a great group of people,” she says. “I believe they really do give furniture to people who are worthy and in need. There are big families, small families, women who’ve escaped domestic violence…I’m particularly fond of the children who come in with their parents. We try to make sure they leave with a donated toy and especially books. It makes me feel good when I come home from there, knowing we’ve been able to help somebody.”

Info: email Ann Mark   (781-944-8769)

UUCR/Lynn Jericho Road Project

Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 16, HERE AT THE UUCR!
The UUCR has been approached to become a partnering congregation for a new Jericho Road Project serving the city of Lynn. All are invited to a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 7:00 p.m. (note early start time), Loring House, to hear more from JRP director Dan Holin and to explore this proposal.
JRP, which began at the Concord UU Church, matches volunteers with nonprofit agencies to provide professional services such as strategic planning, marketing, graphic design, and grant writing. There are currently two JRPs, which operate as separate nonprofit agencies: one sponsored by the Concord church, which partners with nonprofits in Lowell, and one sponsored the North Andover UU Church, which partners with nonprofits in Lawrence.
JRP Concord is strongly committed to replicating these successful programs. Were the UUCR to partner with the city of Lynn, JRP would provide initial funding, work with the UUCR to hire and train the director, make contacts with Lynn agencies, offer experience and advice, and so on. But there is much to learn, question, and ponder, and we hope this meeting will make a good start as we consider whether to participate.  For more information, contact Ann Fisher (781-942-1634).

Reading Food Pantry Shelves Low

From the Reading Food Pantry: “Some of our most requested items are no longer in stock. Some of the most needed products are laundry detergent, hand soap, toilet and facial tissue, juice, juice boxes, cereal, stew, hash, chili, canned fruit, mayonnaise, catsup, boxed potatoes, rice (white and brown), canned pasta, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, granola bars, crackers, popcorn, pretzels, cookies.”  To donate and help Reading residents in need, just place items in the Food Pantry basket under the coat rack in the front foyer of the church (Woburn St. entrance).  The Food Pantry also issues vouchers for perishable items (milk, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread). “The only way these vouchers can be purchased is through donations. After the last purchase of vouchers, our funds are dangerously low. If you would like to help, please mail a check to Reading Food Pantry, 6 Salem St., Reading, MA 01867.”

Reading Cable TV Airs Reading Habitat Documentary

John Surette’s documentary about construction of the Habitat for Humanity homes in Reading—which a number of UUCR folks helped with—began airing on Reading Cable TV (RCTV) last weekend. Check listings for more chances to see Part I (land-clearing and site-prep work) and for broadcast dates for Parts II, III, and IV.

KRIS KRINGLE FAIR CHAIRPERSONS – Meeting Change!

PLEASE NOTE MEETING CHANGE! There has been a change in date and location for our first Kris Kringle Fair Planning Meeting. It will now be held on Tuesday, October 16th, at 7:30 in the new Fellowship Hall. We ask that all Table Chairs and Service Chairs attend the meeting. If you cannot attend, please try to send a worker or some other representative.

FAMILY FUN! FABULOUS FINDS! FRIENDLY FOLKS! FAIR FEVER!

We are coming very close to being fully staffed for the upcoming Kris Kringle Fair on Nov. 10th, but we still need five brave souls to step up to the plate. If you are willing to co-chair Plants, Toys, Silent Auction or Boutique (2 needed), please contact the Fair Tri-chairs below. Also, we are seeking a variety of street entertainers and artists, such as people who can walk on stilts, jugglers, magicians, face painters, hair sprayers, tattoo appliers, balloon hat makers, clowns, acrobats, unicycle riders, etc. If you have any talents such as these and are willing to share them for a couple hours on Nov. 10, please contact us.

Meanwhile, hold on to your fair donations until the week before the fair. On Sunday, Nov. 4, we'll open all our buildings and start accepting your donations. But this year, we'll do it a little differently. We ask that you sort your donations by the various tables and that you deliver them to the drop-off room locations that we will publicize later as we get closer to Fair Day. Please note that children's books and puzzles will be at the Toys table - not at the Books table. We can no longer store things in Loring basement or other locations. If you have donations that absolutely must leave your house before Nov. 4, please try to find a friend with a big garage or attic who can store them for you. The only exceptions to this rule are Jewelry, Silent Auction and Raffles. For Jewelry, Nancy Bond and Lynne Champion will have baskets available in Fellowship Hall for you to drop off your donations. They need the items early so they can be sorted, polished and carded. You can also contact Nancy or Lynne individually to make donations. If you wish to donate a high-interest and high appeal item for raffles, please contact Susanne Sullivan as soon as possible. These folks can be found in your directory. If you have nicer items that may generate bidding at the Silent Auction, please contact Judy Barolak to talk it over with her.

We are bringing back a table this year that has been missing for a few years. It's called the Kids-Only Gift Shopping Store, but we call it Kids-Only Table for short. It's a place where kids can go shopping for their holiday gifts for parents, friends and siblings and everything at the table is priced so that kids can afford it. If you have items that would fit here, please contact Ellen Childress.

We are also initiating a new table called New Books. It will contain our new UUCR Cookbooks, some books by a UUCR poet/author and some selected offerings from the UUA Bookstore. All donations of new books are gratefully accepted. John MacDonald will be thrilled to hear from you. .)

There will be a Kids' Fair this year again. The youth of the SHYP program will be coordinating and staffing that event. We will publicize the entire Fair Staff list with the contact information next week.

But, meanwhile, here is a list of all of our tables, so you can start to collect and sort your donations:

• Attic Treasures (White Elephant)
• Baked Goods Books (Used, non-children's books)
• Boutique (Hand-crafted Items)
• Christmas Elf (Grab Bag-type of character - small toys, gifts and candy)
• Country Store (jams, jellies, antique tools, mixes, herbs, preserved food)
• Jewelry Kids' Fair Kids-Only Table (affordable gift items)
• Plants Potpourri (regifted new items)
• Raffles (high-interest, high value items)
• Silent Auction (nicer-than-attic-treasures used or vintage items that would generate bidding)
• Snack Bar Toys and Kids' Books,
• Games and Puzzles

Thank you,

Sharyn Taitz , Ginny Beauregard , and Judy Bousquin

Fall Dinners

Whether you have been here for decades or days, join us for our Fall Dinners for groups of 5-9 people on Saturday, October 20.  Here is how it works:  Sign up as a guest or host. Groups will be organized and hosts will call guests several days ahead and ask each one to bring part of the meal. It's easy! It's tasty! It's fun! Great for both making new friends and spending time with old ones. Sign up in the atrium after Worship Services, at Coffee Hour until October 14th, or e-mail Beth Brauer or call 978-664-5046 by October 15th.  Hope to see you!

TIME CAPSULE

UUCR KIDS TO FILL A TIME CAPSULE AT RE-DEDICATION SERVICE ON OCT. 14th

In order to make the event extra special for our young people, and to engage them in this historic moment in the life of our church, during the Re-dedication Service on October 14th, all our kids and youth are invited to help fill a time capsule that will be opened 100 years from now, in October 2107.

All kids and youth are asked to bring a photo of themselves or their family to place in the time capsule, as well as any small items they would like to include in the capsule.  Another fun idea might be to record one of their favorite songs and place the tape or cd in the time capsule. It would also be fun to write a letter to whoever finds and opens the time capsule. Our kids can tell them about themselves, their family, our church, and what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, etc.  Can you and your kids come up with any other fun ideas?

jUUnior CHOIR UPDATE!

Members and parents of the jUUnior choir are reminded that there is no rehearsal next Sunday, Oct. 14, due to the special Rededication Luncheon and activities.  We will have a special make-up rehearsal on the following Sunday, Oct. 21, at the regular time of 11:45.  We will also meet on the 28th, as normally scheduled.  Don't forget to bring a new friend!  Sharyn Taitz and Beth Murray

Church School

Sunday, October 14

• Intergenerational Rededication Service. No Church School.
• Playschool in Sawyer with Mary.
• jUUnior choir grades 1 - 4 11:45 - 12:45 Community Hall.
• Youth Adult Committee 5:00 – 6:30 Loring House,
• O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House
• Senior High Youth Program 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House.

Sunday, October 21

• Children begin in Sanctuary. Church School follows until 11:45 a.m.
• Playschool in Sawyer with Mary.
• SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Loring House.
• O.W.L. 6:30 – 9 p.m. in Loring House.

Upcoming Events

Join us at church for a wonderful Community Day on Saturday, October 13! There will be a funny and lively jester, tours of our beautiful church campus and an opportunity to be together proudly sharing our new sacred space with the community.

Sunday, October 14 is our Rededication! Bring letters, pictures, stories and other items for the Time Capsule that will be sealed that day, only to be opened in 2107! WOW!

Youth Adult Committee Meeting Oct. 14 5 – 6:30 in Loring House.

Religious Education Committee meeting Monday, Oct. 15 7:30 – 9:30 Loring House.

PLEASE NOTE THE 2nd QUARTER TEACHER INGATHERING IS NOW SAT. OCTOBER 27 from 9 – 11 a.m. (moved from Sat. Oct. 20)

Coming of Age Underway!

Our two year Coming of Age Program is underway again with the COA 1 class lead by Andy Furst and Susan Lederer. The program began the year with the traditional family potluck dinner. The Taco Dinner (fondly remembered by preceding COA classes) and the creation of the annual Haunted House are next on the COA calendar.

Look for the class members after coffee hour in January as they share who they are and look to meet church members. During the spring this class will learn about UU History and lead the Edict of Torda celebration service with a unique and education “sermon” on the Edict of Torda.

Our Whole Lives Vital and Expanded!

This year, under the wonderful coordination of YEAT (Youth Empowerment Adult Team Chair) Andy Furst, Our Whole Lives, the UUA Comprehensive Sexuality Program, is holding three sessions! Our 8th graders are currently in the O.W.L. program with facilitators Sue Hildreth, Donna Colebrook and Steve McCrory. This winter our highschool youth will be offered O.W.L. with facilitators Susanne Sullican and Rob Craig-Comin. The 7th graders will be taking O.W.L. with Iris Hardin and Steve Rose in the spring. We are a blessed community to have so many talented and committed adults and wonderful youth!

Senior High Youth Program Vibrant and Involved!

Our amazing Senior High Youth Program has started off the church year in a great burst of church energy! You will see these fantastic youth saying announcements, lighting the chalice, volunteering in the Playschool, running the Halloween Party, loading the Mission of Deeds truck for the linen drive, working the Kid’s Fair in Sawyer House and the list goes on and on! Perhaps some of you saw our SHYP youth at the recent rally in Boston supporting peace and humanitarian efforts in Darfur!

Our SHYP youth are a powerful bunch and we thank them for being a part of this church community!  Thank you to Roald Wilson, Ben Oyer and Rev. Tim for their strong support of our SHYP youth and attendance at meetings and events.

Youth Adult Committee Caring and Inclusive!

Our Youth Adult Committee has been focusing on youth programs for grades 6 – 12 and this year they are expanding to oversee all of the wonderful youth offerings that we have at the church. This committee is co-chaired by an adult and a youth. Three youth will be sharing the chairing responsibility this year with each youth serving a three month role as co-chair.

Look to the newsletter and other media contacts to keep in the loop with the inclusive programming and activities that this group is creating.  Thank you to David Oakes, Roald Wilson and Ben Oyer for serving as adults on this valuable committee!