This Sunday Jan 8, 2023
“The Burning Bowl” with Rev. Karen – We have begun our next circle around the sun together. During today’s multigenerational service, we’ll participate in a fire communion to ritually center ourselves, seal our intentions, and lose our hesitations as we move into the New Year.
Children and Youth – This week: all ages in the service, activity table will be staffed by Genevieve and she will be available after the service to chat with children and youth about the Burning Bowl.
Donate to Share the Plate – Neighborhood Food Solutions brings agricultural and business training to communities where it is needed the most. It is organized and operated exclusively to conduct charitable and educational activities related to urban agriculture, healthy food, and skills related to growing, distributing, and processing fresh produce.
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Events Calendar (click for complete calendar)
Music Notes
The Sacred Breath Choir will gather on Thursday, January 5 at 7:00 pm to prepare special music for this Sunday’s service, and to look ahead to the rest of the month. Please send an email to music@jruuc.org with any questions or thoughts you have about music ministry at JRUUC.
Shared Music this week:
- Hymn #362 “Rise Up O Flame”
- Hymn #389 “I Know This Rose Will Open”
We have started the search for a new Music Director! Please share with your networks.
Click here for more music and choir information…
Meditation Group Online – Wednesday Jan. 4th at 6:30 – Newcomers welcome
Octavia’s Parables Reflection Group – Sundays 1:00-2:00
Minister’s Availability
Rev. Karen is working remotely on Wednesday, January 4. Her next in-person office hours will be at Reeb on Friday at noon until 3:00 pm. Regular office hours will resume next week. Click here for Rev. Karen’s office hours.
Inspiration
Our January theme: The Path of Finding Our Center
Our January theme invites us to cultivate calm and peace- and to invite unrest and discomfort in our work to create calm and peace in the world. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection on our monthly theme every week.
Check-in question: What three things most moved you toward your center this past year?
Minister’s Musings Last week, I shared some writing from the Soul Matters team about how the work of finding our center isn’t just about finding that calm and peaceful place inside of us, but that it’s also about finding our way through the discomfort that comes with learning and growth… – Read the most recent post here
We do not become writers… dancers…
musicians…helpers…peacemakers.
We came as such. We are.
Some of us are still catching up to what we are.
RE & Family Ministry Update – Burning Bowl and Youth
- Sunday January 8th will be an all ages service where the congregation will share a fire communion ritual. Genevieve will be at the busy hands table to assist youth in this ritual. Genevieve will also be available after the service to discuss the purpose of fire communion after the service during coffee hour.
- Starting in January “Youth in Session” has been moved to third Sundays.
- As we plan on beginning a Coming of Age program in the new year, parents with youth interested as well as adults interested in assisting should contact Genevieve so we can begin planning.
Click for more about DRE Genevieve McPherson-Shambarger and Religious Education & Family Ministry
Justified Anger’s Black History for a New Day Course Begins Feb. 6th
“I thought I understood and had learned about slavery, Jim Crow and segregation, but this course taught me, without any blame or guilt, how much I never knew about the history and lives of Black people around me, and how to get involved in improving the lives of our Black community and families in the Madison area.”
This course will be offered at 7:00-9:00 pm on Monday evenings, February 6 through April 17. Please contact Leila Pine for details, and to participate in a group with other Reeb members. Registration Deadline is January 15th.
Social Justice Update – click for details all in one place and signup for emails and zoom links for our Justice Leadership Team Meetings
How was the audio and video last Sunday?
We’ve been trying out our new AV system during Sunday worship, and would like to hear about your in-person or virtual experience. Please email Rev. Karen with your feedback.
Snow Lottery Season!
Here is the link to sign up for our “Snow Lottery” – Sign up for a week at a time and if it snows, clear our sidewalks with provided shovels and sand/salt. You “win” the lottery when it snows, if you like shoveling, or when it doesn’t snow, if you would prefer not to shovel. Either way, we are grateful for your willingness to serve. Many thanks to the folks who helped clear snow already!
8th Principle Team – Racial Justice Meetings & Events
Rev. Karen and the 8th Principle Project Team are facilitating a number of activities in the near future to help us learn more and take actions to dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institution. We hope you will find something in these offerings to engage you in this critical justice work.
- “Racial Justice at JRUUC- a Facilitated Discussion” Sunday January 22 at 4:00-6:00 PM on Zoom
This activity will utilize a structured tool for analyzing the state of racial justice within our congregation.
- Book Discussion: Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad on Zoom
A 4-week series on Sundays at 1:00-3:00 pm, February 12 through March 5
This is a powerful tool of self-reflection and deep sharing – please commit to all four sessions. Please contact Jeanette Clawson if you’d like to join or have questions. The book is available at “A Room of One’s Own” at 2717 Atwood Ave. or on the internet.
- “Building Our Racial Awareness” – a monthly open discussion on Zoom
Fourth Sundays of each month at 4:00-6:00 pm, starting on February 26
Participants will be invited to bring news items related to racism in our local community to facilitate discussion and to sharpen our awareness of the inequities surrounding us here at home.
If you have questions or comments on these offerings or the 8th Principle Project, please contact Team members Randy Coloni, Erik Gunn, Eva Wingren, and Jeanette Clawson by using this form. Or talk with us during coffee hour!
We look forward to working with you on this important effort.
JRUUC Is Hiring…
We are currently accepting applications for an Office Aministrator, and a Music Director.
All posted positions are part time, and per JRUUC policy, “employment with the church is not open to members of the congregation except in rare and unusual circumstances.”
Please share this link with your networks! Applicants should send their resume with a cover letter to Rev. Karen.
Click here for job descriptions and to learn more…
Courtesy Parking Reminder
Please leave the parking directly next to the building (across from El Sabor and Milio’s) for those with mobility issues, small children, or things to carry into the building. Thanks!
Small Group Ministry – See your weekly newsletter for Zoom links
- Wednesday – Meditation Group 6:30-7 on zoom
- Thursday – Sacred Breath Choir – 7pm – Next meeting is Jan. 5th
- Sunday – Octavia’s Parables Reflection Group 1-2 (on zoom)
- Monday – Journaling Group – every other Monday, 7-8 on zoom or in person. Next meeting is 1/16, contact Jean Skinner.
Click here for group descriptions
NOTE: Deadline for Announcements is Tuesday at 10 p.m. Submit announcements for the website any time. Please send your announcement to office@jruuc.org and specify where you would like it listed by writing Sunday Announcement and/or Weekly and/or Website in the subject line of your email
What’s Happening in Unitarian Universalism – Click Here for More About…
- New President nominee
- 8th Principle Work at the national level
- Revising the Principles and Purposes (Article 2)
- UU the Vote
- Side With Love – social action
- UUA News
Upcoming Services – Recent Past Services