All Church Email July 23, 2020
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UUCL
UUCL| Dear UUCL Community, In this Thursday All-Church Email, please find the schedule of staff-led activities, followed by notes and announcements from this community. SUNDAY July 26: “When Words Fail and Presence Feels Woefully Insufficient”Elizabeth Haralam Shuba This week Elizabeth Haralam Shuba shares her struggles with blind spots, how to best use her voice, and the grace filled gift of a dear friend. Elizabeth Haralam Shuba is a life-long UU who has been attending UUCL of and on since the early 1980s. She is a minister in formation with the UUA and a chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital. Elizabeth resigned the book in 2018.Worship Associate Marian Caroselli has been a Unitarian for over 20 years and has been attending UUCL after having recently moved to Lancaster. In previous congregations she has been involved with the Latin American Task Force; has founded a retreat team which planned single and multiday retreats and was the church liaison with Chester County Futures to recruit and train mentors for academically promising disadvantaged youth. Link to join: https://zoom.us/j/96623739683?pwd=UWFMQzF5OFR2V05idUJVSVNwYzBVdz0 Or join by phone: (301) 715-8592 Meeting ID: 966 2373 9683 Password: 71717 Children’s worship at UUCL: 11-11:45AM This week, we explore what it means to be a community and introduce some summer activities at home! Children (especially ages pre-K through 5th grade) with their caregivers and whole families are invited to join Suz Boyle and other families for children’s worship. We invite you to make a little space in your home for sacred time: getting a chalice ready (finding a candle, cup, Lego sculpture…), finding a stone for joys and sorrows, and getting a blanket, mat, or cloth to sit on. If you have come before, or if this is your first time: welcome. (Note that we will have a more infrequent rotation of Children’s Worship this summer, so please watch the All-Church Email.) Join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/120250912?pwd=d3RiU0ZuZlRUOGkySHlhbzZFQTFudz09 SUNDAY EVENING RED ROSE SANGHA: 6 P.M. See this weekly sitting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/419185030 See also this backpack project: https://zenpeacemakers.org/2020/05/35-backpacks/ Every evening: 7 p.m.: We invite everyone to create a home chalice, and to light the chalice every evening, knowing that others from this congregation are doing the same. Every Day: Reach out to at least one other person in this congregation.May we continue to look for moments of gratitude. May we remember to take deep breaths, to laugh, and to send regular virtual hugs to all whom we love. |
| Staff “Off” Time: As staff define vacation time in the coming weeks, we will post that information here in this ACE. Lenore will be on vacation on Monday, July 20, as well as July 24-28. See below for Rev. Barbara’s scheduling. Note from Rev. Barbara: Most of you know that there is transitioning going on in ministry here at UUCL….. I am beginning to connect with the UU congregation in Muncie, where I will next serve. Similarly, Rev. Israel is looking forward to moving here to Lancaster. We officially “pass the baton” August 15. Through mid-August, I have remaining vacation time for important rest and renewal before beginning a new ministry. From now through August 15 please note that I have designated several congregants and staff who are contacts for three areas of ministerial responsibility — worship, pastoral care, and staffing. If you have any questions about coverage or need assistance in any of these areas, please contact:- For Worship: Heather Gehron-Rice, gehronrice@gmail.com,- For Staffing: Bev Geib, financialmanager@uuclonline.org,- For Pastoral Care: Steve Jones, stevenjones@comcast.net, Garry LeFevre, lefevregarry@gmail.com,(calling preferred); Elizabeth Haralam Shuba, ehshuba@gmail.com. Note: these ministers who are also members of this congregation are available to triage pastoral concerns to appropriate parties: they are not available for hands-on pastoral visits. Know that this congregation is in good hands through the summer and the arrival of your next minister. Summer Congregational Activities: As we are in a summer schedule at UUCL, let us return to more intentional maintaining of an all-church calendar, accessible on the UUCL website. Please submit all events via the virtual calendar. [CLICK HERE] not for purposes of reserving space in the building, instead for helping one another know of activities and events to join in on. This includes Soul Matters groups, book groups, work-out sessions, and more. Get creative: start a new activity which others can join in on! Join together in reminding members, friends, and visitors that, while the UUCL building is closed, the community remains open and active, the calendar is busy. Updates on calendaring will follow in subsequent ACE. |
| The all church calendar is now live. Please consider following this link [CLICK HERE] to schedule all virtual events. This form is similar to the space reservation form, but has been customized for virtual meetings. If you have any questions please email me at publications@uuclonline.org I am available 9-2 Monday- Friday.-Quin Martin |
Mark your calendars for the UUCL Summer TalentShow & Art Showcase! When? Friday, July 31, from 6:30-8:30PM. Where? Zoom! Who: Hosted by the choir and children’s faith development programs (Eli & Lenore). Featuring Robert Close as Emcee…and YOU as viewer! Come share summer fun with your church community, featuring music, dance, jokes, poems, pet tricks, magic, and visual art from talents of all ages. The time has passed to sign up to share an act, but you can still RSVP to join (appreciated but not necessary) and, you still have time to send in your visual art for an intermission slideshow! Email Lenore directly at Lenore@uuclonline.org by this coming Tuesday, July 28. |
| Children’s Faith Development: This Sunday, the service will have a Time for All Ages (10AM). Children’s worship afterward will be led by Suz Boyle. (Watch this All-Church Email weekly for what to expect each week.) You’ve Got Mail! Children pre-K through 5th grade should have received a surprise in the mail this week! The packet from UUCL includes a few fun activities, as well as some surprise invitations and exciting opportunities to connect with the UUCL community in a socially distanced way. If your family is not registered in the program, we may not have your information; if you have not received a packet and would like to sign up, contact Lenore (Lenore [at] uuclonline.org). |
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| Calling all MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: Registration is live for our regional CommUUnity Creek Online Middle School Adventure! A week of challenges, games, virtual campfire, “cabin” meetings with a your small-group, and a mix of Zoom and on-your own activities, led by fantastic UU adults from our region of the UUA. This virtual camp experience is open to all youth who were in grades 6-8 in the school year: bring a friend! Registration is on a sliding scale of $25-175, and some funds are available from UUCL to participate. When you register, please notify Lenore.Register now: https://www.uua.org/central-east/events/youth/middle-school-virtual-summer-camp-experience-820 This coming week, Lenore Bajare-Dukes and Michele Capobianco will hold space on Zoom for parents and other caregivers of children to discuss how your family has been engaging with – or not yet engaging with – conversations on racism, police violence, and the latest protests for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, and so many more. Look for an email to registered parents with date and joining information; email Lenore if you would like to join and are not registered (all are welcome). And if you haven’t seen it yet: I highly recommend listening together with your kids (about 8+) to the Kojo Nnamdi Show: “Kojo for Kids: Author Jason Reynolds Talks About Racism and the Protests.” Adult Faith Development: Book Discussion:Over the next few weeks, we will delve deeper into the topics raised in this worship service by reading our guest speaker’s book The Little Book of Racial Healing: Coming to the Table for Truth-Telling, Liberation, and Transformation together. This is a short, story-filled, accessible book that offers readers powerful tools for listening; building authentic, accountable relationships; and taking action. Over the next few weeks, we invite you to read and then to join in a two-part online discussion facilitated by Lenore Bajare-Dukes, UUCL’s Director of Lifespan Faith Development: • Thursday, August 6th, 7PM (Part 1: Understanding & Growing–Chapters 1-7) • Thursday, August 20th, 7PM (Part 2: Dreaming Action–Chapters 8-9). You canwatch the book launch video by clicking here. The book costs just $5 (all proceeds go to Coming to the Table) and is available as a print or e-book. Order itthrough this link. Let us know you’re participating by July 31: Email Lenore@uuclonline.org to register and receive the Zoom link. Co-sponsored by UUCL’s Racial Justice & Healing committee. Your weekly spiritual noticings reading:From Braver/Wiser, a UUA blog that offers a weekly short reflection and a prayer: • “Testimony and Truth:” May we as a nation stop turning from the truth of who we’ve been and who we are. May we find the courage to step into the horror and grief that will arise from that knowledge. And may we allow it to turn us toward repentance, reparations, and a collective demand for justice. |
| From Your Board of Trustees At the June Board meeting, the following resolution was passed: “The church building will be closed to all programs and services at least through the end of February 2021, unless a program/service receives a Board-approved exception which is contingent upon having a suitable safety plan.” In addition, officers for 2020 were elected. They are: President Carole Campbell Vice President: Darcy Pollock Secretary: Fred Foster-Clark Treasurer: Jonas Kauffman |
| Church Life & Announcements |
| A Call to Public Witness for Racial Justice and Healing! When we stood in public witness last month, so many people asked, “Could we do this again?” The answer is, “Yes, again and again!” Though our church building may be closed, the people of this congregation are filled with energy. If there ever was a time to offer testimony of our UU Principals to our Lancaster community, this is it. And so, another public witness of action has been planned– one which will enable us to express our truths and stay physically safe. Where: in front of UUCL When: Friday, July 24 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. How to sign up: Click on this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAE23A5FD0-uucl2 UUCL Public Witness Action for Racial Justice and Healing This link will take you to Sign Up Genius. Please enter your name(s) in one of the 1-hour time periods (Friday 4:30-5:30 pm or 5:30-6:30 pm or 6:30-7:30 pm). There are 25 openings for names in each period. The goal of 25 people per time period is based upon having a noticeable presence in the space along Chestnut Street while maintaining social distancing measures and wearing masks. Who is invited: Friends and allies of UUCL are most welcome to take part! (We may have people joining us from Community Mennonite, Friends Meeting, and Red Rose Sangha.) This witness action will also be announced to the Chestnut Street neighborhood through Facebook and leaflets one week before the event. Our neighbors will know the time and intention of this action and will be cordially invited to join us. What to bring: in addition to a mask, water bottle, and sun screen, please bring a sign expressing your UU-inspired truth for these times to share with our Lancaster community. (We also have signs left over from the last public witness which will be brought to this event.) Poster boards and markers are easily and cheaply available in any dollar store. Create a sign with a simple, clear message in large letters. This may take some time, for sign-making is both is both an expressive and spiritual act. If you have any question or problems with Sign-Up Genius, please email Brad Weaver at bradden_r_weaver@yahoo.com |
Leaders’ Circle Meeting Minutes have now been posted for the meeting held in June 2020. Please read these to stay informed with the activities of your church.Click here to read on website How to Contribute to the Minister’s Discretionary FundThis is a difficult time for all of us. So that we can help members who are affected financially, we are inviting those who are able to contribute to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. A donation can be made on line by going to the church web site, www.uuclonline.org and clicking the Contact Us drop down menu, then Donate. Again click the Donate button and you will be taken to our on line donation page. Complete the requested information, making sure you indicate your donation is for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. If you prefer, you can send a check, indicating “MDF” on the memo line. Thank you in advance for your support. Stay Connected with Realm!We are in the process of building our on-line directory, and your input is vital! All members for whom we have an email address in the church data base have received an invitation to create a log in. Simply stated, it is a way to stay connected to other members of UUCL, keep your own information up to date, and keep track of your own pledge and contributions. Several volunteers are in the process of calling members to verify the information we currently have, as well as give a short introduction to Realm. It can be accessed on a computer or through the mobile app, RealmConnect. Please don’t hesitate to contactBev Geib if you have any questions about the program Groceries for ReemGroceries for Reem Update We have a team of volunteers from UUCL taking turns food shopping for Reem in July. We need more people to buy Halal (Kosher) meats at Tabarek in Lancaster once in July. To volunteer contact: Naomi naomi.levine@verizon.net for further instructions including how to be reimbursed for the food. A big THANK YOU to our UUCL Grocery Team: Marianne Smith, Gina Hart, Brad Weaver, Holly Williams and Diane Toigo UU NEWCOMER ORIENTATIONThe UU Newcomer Orientation workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 9 AM-11:30. This will be a ZOOM workshop and once we receive your request to attend, the ZOOM invite will be sent to you. Those of you who expressed interest in the March 2020 class will receive the Zoom invite automatically. Looking forward to being “with” you! Membership@uuclonline.org. Nature is CompassionMother Nature has the whole world in Her hands and Her compassion is for our benefit. Compassion looks to healing as the true mode for survival. The natural processes of chemistry, biology and physics combined with earth’s raw materials become the engine and energy that becomes natural selection. All life strives to survive and thrive by caption to their environment so their DNA is insured. Mother Nature rewards those who respect this power that the only way to win is to adapt. We are victims of our actions, so if we aim to reopen communities, it demands coordination based in the science and logic of Mother that has worked for 4.5 billion years! Her power of compassion is deep and wide as we open to the way forward with the laws of Nature. Compassion through Nature is empowering. –submitted by David Dobbins RIP Medical Debt Elimination UpdateOur reaching out to local churches to join us in our effort to eliminate local medical debt was extremely successful. We can be very proud of Tom Barninger, Norm and Dottie Saunders, the Walters Committee and Parish Resource Center for leading the charge in organizing these churches. Our initial goal was far surpassed by the generous fund raising of twenty local churches.The original goal of our RIP medical debt fund raising effort was $31K. At the end of the campaign the group had raised $51K. Medical debt was eliminated in Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster,Lebanon and York counties, with the debt in Lancaster being the highest, $744K. Of the $31K initially purchased only 14K was used. There was not enough medical debt in Lancaster so adjoining counties were purchased as well. Still not having used all our money, RIP Medical will continue to buy up medical debt in the future until the total sum equals our initial 31K. 1697 people in our area have received letters informing them that their medical debt of between $500 and $1500 has been erased. Those recipients will remain anonymous unless they choose to reach out and tell their story.The 20k remaining of the money raised will be used for local food banks and to help those seeking asylum to get a start with clothing and lodging. The churches participating are as follows: (Mennonite churches will be listed as MC)Akron MC, Alive Church, Bethany UCC, Blossom Hill MC, Church of the Apostles UCC, Community Mennonite of Lancaster, Faith UCC, First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Forrest Hill MC, Grandview UMC, James St MC, Mountville Church of the Brethren, Landisville MC, Marietta Community Chapel, Mt. Joy MC, Pilgrims MC, Rosmere MC, Sunnyside MC, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF LANCASTER, and the Worship Center. |
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Share The Plate: The Lancaster County Food HubMission:Rooted in Faith & Compassion, The Lancaster County Food Hub (“the Hub”) provides services that honor the dignity of all by striving to meet basic human needs. Vision:1. Serving Anyone in NeedThe Hub believes that everyone has the right to have their basic needs met.2. Dignity of the IndividualThe Hub believes in the dignity of all individuals.3. Inclusive FaithMotivated by faith, the Hub welcomes all in our community to join us as we provide for those in need. |
| Please submit all ACE announcements to publications@uuclonline.org by 9am Monday. Support for Using ZoomWatch this video from our UUA Central East Region for a tutorial on logging in and joining a meeting online (Zoom). If you need a tutorial or some practice, we’re here to help! Please email Lenore Bajare-Dukes (Lenore@uuclonline.org) and Amanda Maher (ajmaher96@gmail.com) to set up a time with a UUCL volunteer or staff member. |
