Please consider printing one (or more) large-print copies of these announcements to bring with you on Sunday morning. Cut and paste all of this from here into your word processor, and then increase the font size to 16 or 18 pt. This will help our members and friends who have vision challenges.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
Worship will begin at 10:15
Religious Education Classes will resume for children and youth.
Sepember 15: One worship service at 10:15 am. “Sources, Seasons, and Mystery“ How has your religious identity changed during the seasons of your life? Even as one might label oneself as agnostic, atheist, or with a spiritual faith, how can that label make space for the mysteries beyond naming?
Rev. Alexandra McGee will lead worship along with Bob Gross and our music leader.
Register for the 2019-2020 Religious Education program for children and youth. Paper copies of registration forms are available in the social hall at the Religious Education table on Sunday mornings or throughout the week at the table in the Edgewood Lane hallway. Electronic registration can be accessed through this link: https://forms.gle/NcCgpehjMcLbdKvH8
IMPACT Social Action Collection, September 15. IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together) is a unique organization of 25 congregations working together to promote positive changes in our local community, despite having different religious traditions and beliefs. IMPACT explains that the individual congregations all “do charity” by providing direct services to individual community members to address an identified need, just as we do with most of our Social Action Collections. IMPACT is unique in saying “we do justice,” because we work to change the systems that tend to perpetuate the problems we see. TJMC is a founding member of IMPACT and in 2018 our congregation voted to reaffirm our membership in IMPACT. Last year we had 18 Justice Ministry Network Members working to support IMPACT last year. Three members served on the IMPACT research team, identifying ways to promote “Affordable Housing For All.” Additionally, we brought 100 members and friends to swell the crowd of over 1000 attending the Nehemiah Action in April. On September 15 we will all have the opportunity to donate funds to the Social Action Collection which will pay our membership dues for the coming year. Let’s hope that this year we can pay our full dues of 1% of our annual budget.
Congregational Meeting following worship Sunday September 15
Congregational Meeting Update: Budget Vote Postponed, rest of the meeting is a GO!
Unfortunately, we have been unable at this point to determine to my satisfaction the correct amount of the FY20 pledge commitment. I no longer have confidence in the amount used to create the budget we are due to vote on this Sunday. The consequences of passing a budget with an unrealistic income could be dire. Accordingly, I will move on Sunday that we postpone the budget vote until the Finance Committee and the Board are able to produce a budget with a more accurate income estimate. I sincerely regret that this has occurred. We are working as quickly as we can on a revised budget. I hope to be able to present it to the congregation in just a few weeks. There will still be a Congregational Meeting this Sunday as scheduled. There are other issues and decisions that need to be voted on including confirming new Board members and beginning the process of determining whether to change our name. Please do still plan on attending the meeting.
Stan Walker
Treasurer
THIS WEEK
Contemplative Worship Wednesday 11:30-12:30PM. All are welcome to enjoy a nourishing midweek pause. You are invited to walk the outdoor labyrinth, stack stones in the rock garden, sit in the sanctuary, enjoy the music and readings or bring your own materials for your spiritual practice. Questions? Speak with Maggie Ober (ober1621@comcast.net,) Cindy Mick (cindymick@comcast.net,) or Leia Durland-Jones (leia@uucharlottesville.org)
Wednesday Wonderings, 12:15-1:15 PM, Church Parlor. Join us for thoughtful readings and discussions in an open-minded and open-hearted atmosphere. Take a mid-week break to feed your mind and spirit. Contact: Lou Centore (loucentore@gmail.com)
SAVE THE DATE
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 14 at 5 pm at TJMC for Steven Rubin, whose wife, Gail Rubin, has been a long-time member of our congregation. Steven died peacefully on August 10 after a long and fruitful life, with deep love for his family, a history of civil rights activism and teaching journalism and literature. Gail appreciates the support she has received from friends and the congregation, and is grateful for the years she shared with Steven. Volunteers will be needed for set up and clean up at the funeral. To volunteer, please contact Carol Saliba: caroljuniper@gmail.com
Tom Michie, long time member of our congregation, died on August 27. He was a president of this congregation and a leader in state politics, helping establish laws for children’s safety, and many other policies to assist future generations. At a time when integration was opposed, his family was active in starting and supporting the racially integrated Molly Michie preschool that occupied this building for many decades. His sister, Dee Plunkett, is a member of this congregation, and his son, Ned, and his wife, Karen, have been active leaders in past decades. His memorial will be held on October 5 at Westminster Canterbury.
During social hour after the Sunday service, you are invited to sign a card for another member of our faith community who is going through a difficult time or can’t come to be together. A table will be set up on the second and fourth Sundays. Thanks to the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make this possible. Questions? Contact Gayle Floyd, Cathey Polly, or Patty Wallens.
Join the Living Legacy Pilgrimage, October 19-26, 2019. The October 2019 Living Legacy Pilgrimage (LLP) through Alabama and Mississippi offers participants an opportunity to discover the history, courage, and commitment of the struggle for civil rights in this country. This is a spiritual journey, one that invites you to become a pilgrim, examining your commitments as together we carry the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement veterans into today’s racially unhealed world. It is an experience you will not forget. Click HERE for more information, or contact livinglegacypilgrimage@gmail.com
“Be the Change”: a daylong gathering for UUs hosted by the First UU Church Richmond, Saturday October 12, 9AM-3:45PM. Keynote Speaker is Dr. Charlene Sinclair. Workshops on a variety of topics including Reducing our Carbon Footprint, Prison Ministry, Working for Environmental Justice in VA, The Sanctuary Church, Identifying & Recruiting Top Candidates, Centering Practices, Qigong, Dances of Universal Peace, Attracting and Sustaining a Multicultural Congregation, Developing Leaders, Exploring ChoirFest 2020, Drumming Circle, Protest Choir and more. Cost is only $25! Register at https://tidewateruu.org/2019-tidewater-cluster-assembly/
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
If you are going through an illness, loss, or transition, and want the ministry staff to know, please tell us. Contact Alex McGee at (ma@ucharlottesville.org), 293-8179 ext. 2#, or Leia Durland-Jones (leia@uucharlottesville.org), 293-8179, ext. 3#.
NPR – WVTF Does listening to public radio go hand in hand with being a Unitarian Universalist? It does when your donations to public radio fund outreach announcements for UU churches in central Virginia. As we have done for many years, donations made to public radio by TJMC members are pooled with donations from the Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Blacksburg churches to purchase underwriting announcements. You can participate by writing your check to TJMC and putting “public radio” in the memo line. Your contribution is tax deductible and helps get the word out about our community. This fund drive starts September 25, and our donations need to be collected by October 4. Thanks for supporting both TJMC and WVTF! For more information, contact Maggie Ober at ober1621@comcast.net
Community Appeal
The African American Piedmont District Baptist Association in partnership with Charlottesville High School, is currently seeking Sponsors and prospective High School Students to provide Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT) preparation to our area students. For more information please read the event flyer. Please contact Pastor Lehman Bates (batesld@comcast.net ) if you have any questions, or any interest.
Do you have family or UU friends who need a place to stay while visiting in the Charlottesville area? Encourage them to inquire about the TJMCUU Bed & Breakfast program, which provides comfortable, friendly, affordable accommodations with fellow UUs. Proceeds help support TJMC. For details: bevandjim5@comcast.net, bandb@uucharlottesville.org or call Bev Thierwechter at 434-205-4087.
Active Minds, Thursday 1:15-2:45 pm in the Church Parlor. We are a group of warm-hearted Elders that meets to share interests and stories from our lives and to discuss the issues of the day. We open with a poem, followed by personal check-ins, and then a discussion – often free-wheeling, sometimes with a topic to bring focus. We close with another poem or reading. If you are interested, come to one of our meetings and introduce yourself and let us introduce ourselves. We’d love to meet you! For more information, contact John Shackford at jstc3@icloud.com
Light a chalice at home Wednesday evenings. The Religious Education/Family Ministry Team asks everyone in our congregation to light a chalice on Wednesday nights as a shared spiritual practice and symbolic way to unite our church family.
Subscribe to the weekly church e-newsletter with all this information and more by contacting the office (office@uucharlottesville.org.)
Church office hours are Wednesday-Friday 9AM-1PM. Church office phone number is (434) 293-8179.
ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Short Story Book Group
Join others to share and discuss short stories. All are welcome. Thursdays (ongoing) from 10-11:30AM in the Church Parlor. Free of charge. For more information contact Phil Vitielo (vitiellos001@gmail.com)
Seeing with New Eyes: What Does it Mean to Be White?
Does all the church talk about racial justice make you feel tired and detached? Or maybe bewildered, especially when you hear people talk about “white supremacy culture”? Despite this, are you a person who is willing to go deeper into understanding this conversation? Especially if you could find a group that could talk about all this without fear of judgement or divisiveness? Then this a workshop for you…We’ll explore what it means to be “white” in a culture that establishes “whiteness” as synonymous with and the standard norm for “American.” We will also reflect on our own experiences and identity, which connects us to noticing and experiencing racial difference. True understanding of racism begins with self-reflection, questioning and discussing in community the complexities of this issue. We will present readings and videos and then process with small and full group discussions. We aim to create a braver/safer space for a deeper understanding of self and others that is crucial work for social/racial justice. When we do this in community we can expect to learn a lot, have fun (a sense of humor is important, especially in exploring serious issues) and create meaning that benefits us all. If you are dedicated to — or just curious about — social and racial justice, please join us in learning how to “see with new eyes!”
Leaders: Diane Ober & Linda Dukes.
Dates: Mondays September 30, October 7, 21, 28
Time: 7 – 9 PM
Location: church parlor
Fee: $10 to cover class materials
Number of participants: 7 minimum
Register by contacting Leia (Leia@uucharlottesville.org)
Tai Chi
Wednesdays in the church Social Hall: September 4 – December 18. No class November 27.
3:15-4:00PM Tai Chi for Health, 4:15-5:00PM Beginning Tai Chi Form (B1)
5:30-6:30PM Tai Chi Rounds
For more information contact:
Vicki: vickishackford@gmail.com John: jstc3@icloud.com
Carl Jung and the Soul’s Journey
A Questpoint course adapted from The Centerpoint Education Center for Carl Jung Studies
Who was C.G. Jung? How do his ideas affect our lives today? What can we learn about ourselves, and our own lives, from his lifelong passion for the Soulʼs journey? If these ideas intrigue you, please join us for Carl Jung and the Soulʼs Journey. All levels of interest are invited, no previous knowledge of Jung is required.
Leader: Denise Horton EdM, PhD
Dates: Sundays September 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20
Time: 2-4PM
Location: Summit House Room 1
Fee: $45 materials fee
Number of participants: 4 Maximum
Register by contacting Leia (Leia@uucharlottesville.org)
Spirit in Practice
Spirit in Practice provides opportunities for both new and longtime UUs to deepen their experience of spirituality. During each of the five sessions, we will reflect, share, and grow together, exploring a myriad of ways to nurture our connections with the sacred in everyday life. Participants are asked to attend all five sessions.
Leader: Leia Durland-Jones
Dates: Wednesdays September 18, October 16, 30, November 20 and December 11
Time: 6:30-8:30PM
Location: Church Parlor
Fee: $10
Number of participants: 5 minimum, 15 maximum
Register by contacting Leia (Leia@uucharlottesville.org)
Black Lives of UU–Awesome learning opportunities (no matter the color of your skin.) Check out their website for more information and to subscribe to BluuBox. You can also sign up to receive (free) daily meditations. These materials are available to all UUs! http://www.blacklivesuu.com/
Love Is Our Greatest Purpose
We affirm that love is our greatest purpose.
Accepting one another is the truest form of faithful living.
The search for truth is our constant star.
We pledge our hearts, minds, and hands:
To challenge injustice with courage;
To find hope in times of fear;
And to live out our Unitarian Universalist values every day as a beloved community.
Thus do we covenant with each other and with all that is sacred in life.
By Jay E Abernathy, Jr Source: UUA Worship Web