This Sunday Jan 1, 2023
“Centering Within and Around Us” with Susan Podebradsky – In our annual service about meditation and mindfulness, we’ll practice finding our “center” within us, and around us, wherever we are. This service will include guided and silent meditation, as well as the meditative art practices of spiral-drawing while listening, and neurographic art as a way of finding clarity.
Children and Youth – This week: all ages in the service
Donate to Share the Plate – Yahara House – a community mental health program that focuses on recovery through social connection, meaningful activity, and reintroduction to community employment. This collection is in honor of Eric Lindblom who was a member of our community and lived with schizophrenia.
Sign up here for our Weekly E-news including zoom links
Events Calendar (click for complete calendar)
Music Notes
We have started the search for a new Music Director! Please share with your networks.
Shared Music this week:
- Opening Song – Hymn #16 – ‘Tis a Gift to Be Simple
- Middle Song – Hymn #1009 – Meditation on Breathing
- Closing Song – Hymn #1031 Filled with Loving Kindness
The choir is taking a couple of weeks to rest before preparing special music for the January 8 Burning Bowl service. Next rehearsal will be on Thursday, January 5 at 7:00 pm.
Click here for more music and choir information…
Minister’s Availability
Rev. Karen will be on vacation from Monday, December 26 through Monday, January 2, and will be working remotely on Tuesday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 4. On January 3, she’ll hold only her evening virtual office hours. Her next in-person office hours will be on Friday, January 6 at 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm, at Reeb. Click here for “usual” office hours.
Meditation Group Online – Wednesday Dec. 28th at 6:30 – Newcomers welcome
Journaling Group – Monday Jan 2nd, 7-8 in person – contact Jean Skinner
Inspiration
Minister’s Musings I’m on vacation until Tuesday, January 3, and I offer you these words from the Soul Matters Team about “The Path of Finding Our Center.” Happy holidays! – Read the most recent post here
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?
I believe that deep wisdom resides within each of us. Some call this voice by different sacred names—Spirit, God, Jesus, Allah, Om, Buddha-nature, Waheguru. Others think of this voice as the intuition one hears when in a calm state of mind… Whatever name we choose, listening to our deepest wisdom requires disciplined practice. The loudest voices in the world right now are ones running on the energy of fear, criticism, and cruelty… But I must not lose myself at the feet of others. My most vigilant spiritual practice is finding the seconds of solitude to get quiet enough to hear the Wise Woman in me. — Valarie Kaur
RE & Family Ministry Update – Schedule Change & Coming of Age
- As a note for parents, 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.
- Any adults in the congregation who are interested in assisting with our Coming of Age Program should also contact Genevieve.
Click for more about DRE Genevieve McPherson-Shambarger and Religious Education & Family Ministry
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 from 7-9pm on Monday evenings from Feb. 6-April 17. For details, contact Leila Pine. 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
12/20/22 – 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.
- On Sunday January 22nd from 4:00PM-6:00PM we will host “Racial Justice at JRUUC-a facilitated discussion” on zoom. This activity will utilize a structured tool for analyzing the state of racial justice within our congregation.
- An 8-week group where participants will read and discuss the book “Me and White Supremacy”, weekly starting on Sunday February 12th from 1:00PM -3:00PM and running weekly through April 2nd on zoom. This is a powerful tool of self-reflection and deep sharing – please commit to all sessions. Please contact Jeanette Clawson if you’d like to join or have questions. The book is Me And White Supremacy – LAYLA F. SAAD and is available at “A Room of One’s Own” at 2717 Atwood Ave. or on the internet.
- A monthly open discussion on Zoom- “Building Our Racial Awareness” will occur starting February 26th and then on the 4th Sunday each month from 4:00PM -6:00PM; 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 contact 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. 6
- Sunday – Octavia’s Parables Discussion Group 1-2 (on zoom) – Next meeting is 1/8
- Monday – Journaling Group – every other Monday, 7-8 on zoom or in person. Next meeting is 1/2 in person, contact Jean Skinner for location.
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