This Sunday 11/27/22 –
- Decolonizing Thanks Giving –This virtual worship service, intentionally crafted by centering Indigenous people and cultures, is an invitation to come together in that spirit. This service was presented last November by many Indigenous Unitarian Universalists in collaboration with Relations from local Tribal Communities, the UU Ministry for Earth & Side With Love.The service will be shown in the sanctuary for folx who would like to be together in person and streamed over Zoom at the link below, and coffee hour will follow in both platforms.
- Children & Youth: Activity table will be available this Sunday. Please contact Rev. Karen if you would like to help with future Sundays.
- Donate to The Share the Plate As part of our work to begin reparations to the Ho-Chunk people, the original residents of this land, our Share the Plate will be the Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Development Agency. The nonprofit provides members with quality, affordable housing, and offers programs to meet the Ho-Chunk Nation’s social, cultural, and community needs.
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Welcome New Members!
We added three new members at our November 20 service: Kevin McAllister, Rhonda McAllister, and Michael Nunley. Welcome!
Worship & Music News
Music Director Transition
You may have heard by now that our Music Director, Heather Yonker, is leaving us on December 8. We’ll have a ceremony of release with music offered by our Sacred Breath Choir during our December 4 service, followed by a celebration of Heather’s time with us during coffee hour. We hope you’ll be there!
Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 17 at 5:00 pm
We’re so grateful that Heather has provided the leadership that Rev. Karen and our Sacred Breath Choir need to create a Winter Solstice Celebration- our first in-person Celebration since 2019! The service will also be streamed via Zoom.
Sanctuary Improvements
Our worship tech team is working on streaming services directly from the sanctuary instead of through a Zoom host who works from another location, which will help reduce the load on our hard-working volunteers. To support this work, we’re hanging microphones over the chancel, mounting the camera and monitors on the ceiling to get them out of the middle of the room, and putting a Zoom/AV desk in the back of the room. It will be wonderful to have the sanctuary feel less like a production studio!
New! Quarterly Listening Circles:
Talk with Rev. Karen and your Board of Trustees
Please join Board representatives and Rev. Karen to talk together about our congregation. We’ll be asking you to share what’s going well for you and what concerns you have, as well as any questions you have for us. There are two options coming up:
1. Virtual Option: Wed 30-Nov-22 from 7:15-8:15
2. In person Option: Sun 04-Dec-22 after coffee hour (11:30 ish-12:30 ish)
If you are not able to attend either meeting, please feel free to send your thoughts the board.
We would like to hear your thoughts on how things are going for you at JRUCC. We are planning to have listening circles quarterly going forward, so if you are not able to attend, please watch for a future announcement.
A Gathering of Greeters: Sunday, December 11 after Service
If you are currently on our Greeter List, or have a desire to be, please join us in the multi-purpose room at 11:30 on Sunday, December 11. We’ll spend a little time getting to know one another, provide an orientation (or re-orientation) on our greeting protocols, and for those who are comfortable, we’ll share a simple lunch of soup and salad prepared by the Membership Team in gratitude for your service. If you are uncomfortable sharing a meal at this time, you’re welcome to some “soup-to-go”! Direct questions or RSVP to Peggy Haack.
Porchlight Holiday Wish List & Just Dane Winter Clothing Drive
For over a decade, JRUUC members supported Porchlight, a non-profit organization that provides services and shelter to Madison’s homeless population, by preparing a monthly meal. COVID changed things and churches could no longer provide safe shelter or meals. But we can still help!
Let’s fill a laundry basket or two with much needed items on the Porchlight Holiday Wish List. These are items you regularly shop for: cleaning supplies, household supplies, and typical hygiene items. Pick up a list from the foyer (or check the list here online) and add something to your shopping list. Drop off by Dec. 21st or earlier.
In addition, we will be helping Just Dane to collect warm hats, gloves, socks and long underwear for adults and children. These will be taken to the Just Dane office in time for the annual Longest Night Homeless Persons Memorial Service on Dec. 21. Please bring those items to JRUUC by Dec. 18.
And if you’re looking for gifts to give, check out PorchlightProducts at porchlightinc.org .
Click here for a .pdf of the Porchlight & Just Dane wish lists. – Deliver to Reeb by Dec. 18th
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. 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.
From Heather Yonker, Music Director:
- Sacred Breath Choir does not meet this Thursday. Happy Thanks Giving!
- See you for the next rehearsal on December 1st at 6:15pm! Please note this one time change of start time.
Click for more about music at Reeb…
JRUUC Is Hiring…
We’re accepting applications for these part-time positions. Please share with your networks!
- Director of Religious Education
- Office Administrator
- Cleaner
Click here for job descriptions and to learn more…
Small Group Ministry – See your weekly newsletter for Zoom links
- Wednesday – Meditation Group 6:30-7 on zoom
- Thursday – Sacred Breath Choir – no meeting this week, meet 12/1 at 6:15
- Sunday – Octavia’s Parables Discussion Group 1-2 (on zoom) – Next meeting is 12/11/22
- Monday – Journaling Group – every other Monday, 7-8 on zoom or in person. Next meeting is 12/5
Click here for group descriptions
Minister’s Availability
Events Calendar (click for complete calendar)
Snow Lottery (Removal) Sign-up
Social Justice Update – click for details
- Porchlight Wish List & Clothing Drive for Just Dane
- OM Village Holiday sale Dec. 3 & 4
- Longest Night 12/21
- JRUUC Works for Justice! – Signup for emails and zoom links – next meeting is in November
Music and Choir Update – click for details
- Transition news from Heather Yonker, Music Director
- Check your email about special upcoming choir rehearsals and Winter Solstice
Religious Education and Family Ministry Update – click for details and our monthly schedule
Thank you to isaac gadient for sitting at the table in the Busy Hands Corner this past Sunday, and to Jeanette Clawson for finding and sharing a children’s book about racism and whiteness that truly spoke to all ages.
There are several RE and family ministry related tasks that could use your energy as we transition to a new DRE:
- Helping to plan and co-lead our Coming of Age program with Elliott
- Leading the class for our younger children after worship on the first Sundays
- Sitting at the table in the Busy Hands Corner during worship
- Offering the Time for All Ages during worship
Please contact Rev. Karen if you’d like to offer your time and talent in these roles.
Thank you!
Membership Gatherings – click for details, invitation for new greeters
Inspiration
| Our November theme invites us to be intentional and aware of all the ways change happens within, between, and around us. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection on our monthly theme every week. |
| Our November Theme: The Path of Change |
| Check-in question: Sure, “they” need to change. But how might you changing something about yourself enable that? |
| When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else’s oppression, we’ll find our opportunities to make real change. — Ijeoma Oluo |
Minister’s Musings – I promised last week to share a little bit about the Prairie Group’s topic of scholarship, “Theologies of Climate Resistance.” Five papers were presented over the course of three days, and they moved us into discussion about these general themes… Read more
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.
Looking For People To Be Buddies With New Members
We would like to match new members each with an existing member. The ‘buddies’ would act as a contact person and personal connection for the new members. The buddy would be expected to reach out to their new buddy on a regular basis, perhaps monthly at first. If you are interested in being a buddy, please contact Kelly Kearns
What’s Happening in Unitarian Universalism – Click Here for More About…
- 8th Principle Work – Seeking Feedback
- UU the Vote
- Side With Love – social action
- UUA News