BoaSocial Responsibility News

Thank you for your continuous support of the Social Responsibility Committee projects.  The Committee realizes we are asking for many contributions, but this is our congregation's pledge to "help one another."

We sincerely thank each of you for your many contributions. Your support of Jubilee Christmas was overwhelming. January brings additional needs from our community.  Please support children's needs, caring cans, and the mitten tree.

 

Blanket Collection

Please bring donations of new or slightly used blankets in January for children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.  These children often have no personal possessions and a blanket can be very important.  Thanks for your support!

 

Caring Cans for January

Please bring a box of your family's favorite cereal and place them in the designated basket in the sanctuary or the box downstairs under the coat rack.

Mitten Tree

Our mitten tree will be put up soon. Donations of new or slightly used mittens and hats can be placed on the tree.  Single mittens are also welcomed. The Social Responsibility Committee will give our donations to community child care centers.

 

Child Abuse Summit Broadcast

Re-broadcast of the Community Summit on Stopping Child Abuse held on Nov. 16 will be shown on Cable Channel 13 on Saturday, Dec. 17 at noon.

Sue Robinson

Saturday, December 17th:   Bach Chorale presents Handel's Messiah with the

Hallelujah Chorus. LUM receives half the proceeds for each ticket purchased through them. See Mary Finley if interested in purchasing tickets.

 

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Change for Change

The Social Action Committee is excited to introduce a new initiative: Change for Change.

The Change for Change initiative has three primary goals:

• Educate our UU community on the various local service agencies in our community: Who are they, what do they do, what are their needs financially and are there volunteer opportunities?  We will accomplish this with monthly highlights of various agencies in the newsletter and order of service.
• An easy opportunity weekly for you to give your change/coins to make changes for many individuals and worthy causes in our community. Each Sunday the coins that you place in the offering plate will be collected and after four weeks the accumulated change will be given to the agency that has been highlighted for the month.   
• Let our community know that the Unitarian Universalist church is an active, supportive, presence in this community! Our donations may be small but we will become more of a visual presence and a voice of support!

The Social Action committee and the Worship and Music committee will be working together to have guest speakers on Sunday mornings to additionally educate us on the needs of our community. Our change for change collection for the month will be collected for the speaker’s agency. 

These committees will also work with RE to educate our children on the needs of our community and how they can make a difference. We will have the joy of seeing their proud faces as they place their collected coins in the offering.  

The Social Action Committee, with the approval of the board, will choose the agencies to support.  This year we will focus on agencies that support our families and children.

With the success of this initiative, future years will bring other focuses to reach all agencies that we as a UU community hold dear in our hearts to support. 

This initiative has been a success in many congregations.  I have no doubt with the hearts and generosity I have seen from this UU congregation, this initiative will be a success and make changes with our change!

Lynn Richardson

Social Action Committee member
Social Action Family and Children Subcommittee, chair

 

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Head Start and Early Head Start

Our first “Change for Change” organizations are Head Start and Early Head Start.

Without question, the first five years of a child’s life have a tremendous impact on his or her overall development as a person.

For children from families with limited incomes, the time leading up to their first day of school can leave them void of self-confidence and a will to learn.

The Lafayette Head Start and Early Head Start Programs give pre-school children the support they need to meet their emotional, social, educational, health and nutritional needs so they can succeed in school and in later life.

The Lafayette Head Start/Early Head Start Center educates and provides tools for parents so they can succeed at being their child’s most important teacher.

Volunteer opportunities:  Reading to children.  Share your experience to mentor a young parent.

 Material needs:    Money to purchase Parent Reading Kits so each child can have their own kit.  Currently families share these kits. Also, gently used books.

Contact Number:  449-0487     phoulton@cfrc.org

 

Religious Education Happenings

 

RE Co- Directors Sarah Boulac and Michele Tomarelli

Many of you are aware that my husband has been working in Indianapolis . Though we weren't looking, an opportunity offered itself to relocate closer to his office. So, for the past few weeks we have been boxing and moving and unpacking.  It has happened very quickly - we went from having no plans to move to beginning to move in over the course of one week. Now we are beginning to get settled here in Fishers, and also enjoying some nice fluffy snow!

I plan to continue to work with the church, commuting a couple of days a week for the time being.  However, I know it is not something that will be possible in the long term.  I will be talking with Michele, the RE Committee, Hilary, and our Personnel Committee about how to make the smoothest transition.

I am excited about new possibilities, both personally and for the church.  I see so many great things in the works and know this congregation has great things ahead.  I also feel sad that my time with this work is coming to a close.  The good news is, I am not too far away and will look forward to visiting special events like the Art Fair, the Music Service, the Christmas Pageant, and so many others that are such meaningful traditions.

I'm still available by phone, by email, and will be at church most Sundays. I look forward to the coming days and to the excitement of the season!

                                          Sarah Boulac

Upcoming Events/Announcements

Snacks and Juice – RE is in need of unsweetened fruit juice and non-perishable, low-sugar snacks for Sunday morning classes. Please mark your donations “RE” and leave them on the counter in the kitchen. Thanks!

Pageant Rehearsal – Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 5 p.m.!  Plan to come if you are in the pageant!

 

December 18th – Our intergenerational pageant “A UU Christmas Carol.”  Support our children and youth and enjoy this holiday treat.

 

NO Religious Education Classes– We will not have Religious Education Classes on December 18 (our Christmas Pageant will be in the Sanctuary), December 25 (our family holiday service), or January 1 (New Year’s Day).