Congregational Self Assessment Workshop & Light Potluck

Sunday, May 22,  noon – 3 p.m.

                The response to the Congregational Self Assessment was exceptional - well over 100 self assessments were returned!   The results have been tabulated and a summary has been prepared.  The summary is included in this issue of the Lighted Chalice.  If you wish to read the complete results, with all comments included, copies are available: 

·  Ask any member of the Congregational Self Assessment Team (see below)

·  Request a copy to be emailed to you from the church secretary: uuc@uulafayette.org

·  Request that a copy be mailed to you by the church secretary: 742-0460

 

                Now, we begin Step Two: a Congregational Self Assessment Workshop, from noon until 3 p.m. upstairs at church where small Focus Groups can discuss more fully the topics that have emerged from the responses that were given to self assessment questions.  Those topics are: 

 

·  Enhancing Sunday Service

·  Streamlining Church Governance

·  Presenting Ourselves to the Town: Inventing Social Outreach

·  Making Connections  . . . . .   Adult Religious Education, Small Groups, Social Actions

 

During the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to participate in two of the Focus Groups.  It is hoped that, as a result of the Focus Group discussions, tangible ideas for moving into the future will be suggested. 

Please plan to attend; we need compassionate and constructive discussion among all of us as we plan the future of our congregation. The participation of each and every one of you is vital if we are to help the congregation achieve the goals we want to reach.  Let’s work together to take responsibility for the continuing creation of our church community.

Immediately following the service, we will have a potluck light lunch.   Please bring food to share that is easy to hold as we will not be seated at tables.  Some favorites at our recent light/lunch included:  fruit, veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, pretzels, pita and hummus, and small sandwiches.

 

Congregational Self Assessment Team,

Dianna Poindexter, Chair

Ruth Ann Ferris, Amy French, Liz Grauerholz, Herschel Lewis, Joan Marshal, Ernest McDaniel, Rev. Hilary Krivchenia

 

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Clean Out Those Closets!

                Mark your calendars for our clothing collection Saturday, June 11 in the church parking lot.

                Goodwill gives us a $5 voucher for each bag of clothing donated. These vouchers are given to LUM, Cary Home, and the Women’s Shelter to be distributed.

                Last year we were successful in collecting a few slightly used men’s and women’s business clothing on hangers and covered to be distributed to individuals needing clothing for interviews, funerals, etc.

                Also keep in mind that Tippecanoe County Child Care can use dress up clothes or jewelry when you are sorting your give away clothing.

                                                —Sue Robinson

 

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This Saturday is the Big Sale!
 

             The annual UU Rummage Sale will be held May 21, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. upstairs at the church. Please bring your rummage donations on Friday between noon and 8 p.m.
 

             Volunteers are needed to set up tables Thursday evening, receive and price items Friday, wait on customers Saturday and clean up afterwards.
 

             To help, call Beth Misner.         

                            

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Invitation to May 24 Discussion at Meditation Group/Mindfulness Practice Meeting

The Meditation Group/Mindfulness Practice Group of the UU Church of Lafayette invites you to discuss how we can improve our spiritual practice.

Our group has been ongoing now for two-and-a-half years. We remain a core group of 4-8 people. We chose our time and structure based on the original group and have not changed much since.
Perhaps our time of meeting is not convenient for you? Perhaps we are not offering what you seek in your meditation practice?

Here is what we hope to provide:
--a regular meeting time to practice meditation/mindfulness within the context of our congregation
--a supportive environment for your practice
--wisdom/readings for your ongoing practice
--openness to many different styles/schools meditation (our practice is to sit for about 20 minutes at each meeting).

Here is what we probably can’t offer:
--a teacher. There are many schools and ways of meditation. While we encourage people to seek instruction according to their desires and spiritual path, what we practice is fairly broad and reflects the experience of those sitting.

Come share with us your thoughts and ideas about the meditation/mindfulness practice group. We will meet Tues. May 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. We will do some meditation before our discussion.
We will also host a meeting after the service of Sunday, May 29th (12:00-12:30) for the same purpose. If you can’t join us either time, please let us know your interests and desires for this practice within our congregation.

—Mark Krivchenia

 

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UU Book Club

Enjoy a book this summer and share the experience with friends! New members are welcome anytime.

7 pm, Monday, June 13    Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

7 pm, Monday, July 11  One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

7 pm, Monday, August 8     Julie and the Dream Maker by P.J. Fischer

The Book Group meets the 2nd Monday of every month at Borders Bookshop in Wabash Landing in the lounge area where it joins with Panera’s.

For more information contact Dagmar Murray.

 

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The All Church Picnic ... a community time for all ages to enjoy food, play, and conversation ... will be held Sunday, June 5, at the River Shelter at Fort Ouiatenon.

Hot dogs and drinks will be provided. There is a large grill available. Please bring a covered dish, vegetables, or dessert to share and your own place settings.

Activities include canoeing and playing outdoor games and with pets. Please bring outdoor game equipment for softball, volleyball, Frisbee, etc., for group fun.


—Lynn Richardson
                                                                                                         

 

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CARING CANS SUNDAY

THE FIRST SUNDAY

OF JUNE

BRING ITEMS FOR LUM

COFFEE, SUGAR, SALT AND PEPPER, SOCKS, COMBS, PAPER TOWELS

JUNE 5^TH

COLLECTION UPSTAIRS AS THE CHILDREN LEAVE FOR RE CLASSES

THE UU SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE

THANKS YOU!

 

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Thank You from St. John’s Food Pantry

 

             Jim Hess and Jackie Paar recently sent a note on behalf of the food pantry and its clients thanking our church for the generous food donation. “You have assisted in helping many families,” they wrote.

    

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Religious Education Happenings

RE Co- Directors Sarah Boulac and Michele Tomarelli
RE Committee Co-Chairs: Beth Misner, Cheryl Fowler

 

A handful of Sundays every year are what we call Intergenerational Services. This means that we welcome our children who normally go downstairs to remain upstairs for the service. (Our nursery stays open and our preschool class is held as usual.) Much work always goes into planning these services as worship leaders seek to create an experience that appeals not only to the various ages in the congregation, but also to the various aspects of ourselves. Various elements including skits, stories, interactive pieces, music, and meditation are carefully crafted, coming together to offer a worship service that contains seeds of inspiration and reflection.

For our children who normally go downstairs to Religious Education classes, it might feel like a challenge to sit through a whole worship service, listening to what is being spoken, and being attentive to how their spirits respond. But, it is an opportunity to nurture families in a way that is different from the usual; a way for children, usually segregated, to come together with parents and friends and worship together.

Our principles state that we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, in acting with justice, equity and compassion in all we do, and that we accept one another, encouraging spiritual growth in our congregations. Parents, please talk to your children and remind them that one way we can live these principles is to show our respect to worship leaders, fellow congregants, and ourselves by having quiet hands, voices, feet and bodies during intergenerational services. By doing this, we are
acting in a worshipful, reverent way that allows us to be open to hearing the message of the service and ensures that we are not disrupting the experience of those around us.

On May 22nd, we have an Intergenerational Service coming up. It is “RE Sunday” when our classes share what they have been learning this year. This will be a great opportunity to show our support and encouragement to fellow RE students in other classes by focusing on what each group has to offer. Please join us on this day with your body, mind, and spirit and be open to experiencing this special worship service!

                               ~Sarah



Upcoming Events

• RE Sunday is May 22nd! During this intergenerational service, classes will share what they have learned this summer with the congregation. Please join us for the special event!
• Our summer RE classes will begin on June 5th. If you are interested in teaching RE, write you name on the list on the green poster on the RE bulletin board downstairs, or speak to Sarah Boulac or Michele Tomarelli, Co-DREs.

Wanted: Nursery Assistants

Do you enjoy and have experience working with young children? Are you in ninth grade or older? Looking for a way to serve our congregation
and make money at the same time? We are looking for individuals to provide care for the youngest of our congregation in the Nursery on Sunday mornings. Individuals in this role are needed beginning in the fall, and some Sundays over the summer. If you are interested in applying, please contact Sarah Boulac.



Wanted: Co-Nursery Supervisor

The RE Committee is seeking an adult to share our Nursery Supervisor position to begin in early summer. This role, shared with our current nursery supervisor, involves supervising the Nursery on Sunday mornings and occasional mid-week work. If you are interested in applying, please contact Sarah Boulac to see a copy of the job description.