Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hamburg www.hamburguuchurch.org
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Hamburg is located on the corner of Union & Center Streets
in the Village of Hamburg. Sunday Services begin at 10:30 a.m.
Religious Education and child care are provided during the service.
Our mission:
To be a welcoming spiritual community, encouraging lives of integrity, service and joy
October, 2018
Sunday Services
October 7, 10:30 a.m. – Reverend Frances Manly and Doug Yeoman – Mary Guathier’s song “Mercy Now” – will accompany the sermon dealing with the differences and connections between grace, mercy and justice – and the deep longing for mercy for ourselves and others. Some jazz as well as music by Woody Guthrie will augment the service. The Rev. Francis Manly served as our consulting minister for several years after serving for eleven years at the First UU Church of Niagara. She is an active member of the UU Church of Buffalo, sings in their choir, and is studying guitar with Doug Yeomans. Doug Yeomans is a well known WNY singer, song writer and guitarist. He plays and sings a variety of musical styles. In 2004, he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
October 14, 10:30 a.m. – Reverend Donald J. Reidell – “Ever-changing Morality”
The question put before us is “Should morality be absolute?”
October 21, 10:30 a.m. – John Snodgrass – “The Eve of Hallows” With Halloween approaching, we’ll be looking at ancient traditions of staying in touch with deceased relatives and ancestors. Mexico’s Dia de Muertos and Northern Europe’s Samhain celebrations are both about bridging the gap between the living and the dead. And some elements of Pagan tradition are alive and well, when we dress our children for trick-or-treat. J. Snodgrass teaches Religious Studies at Buffalo State, and Native American Religions at Canisius college. He is the author of “Genesis and the Rise of Civilization,” “Romancing the Minotaur: Sex and Sacrifice and some Greek Mythology,” and other books. He has been a freelance Unitarian preacher for six years, and lives in Buffalo with his wife and their four children.
October 28, 10:30 a.m. – “Trick or Treat of the Soul”– Susan M. Frawley Practices of asking for things that we want can find us with treats or tricks. Responding to what we receive has a lot to do with what we hold as grace. Soul work is what we are about today. Children ( and adults ) are invited to wear their Halloween costumes if they like.
Our Monthly Potluck Luncheon will follow this service –
Note from our Board of Trustees:
In light of the departure of Rev Michelle Yates as our consulting minister, our congregation met with Rev Renee Ruchotzke on 9/16 following church. Rev Renee is the Congregational Life Staff for the Central East Region. She will help guide us through the process of assembling a search committee and exploring options that fit our church. We established that UU Hamburg is currently in a period of “discernment”–figuring out what we want and need in a consulting minister or other arrangement. Many thanks to Jerry Sauberan and the program committee for filling in our speakers calendar for much of this upcoming year. Stay tuned, and as always, your opinions and comments to committee members is welcomed and appreciated.
Our Board is encouraged to attend the October 6th Board Development Day at Pullman Memorial UU Church in Albion. Wendy Pond has offered to drive from Hamburg. Lunch is provided with the $15 fee. Link to register is:
https://www.uua.org/central-east/events/region/western-ny-board-development-day
| Western NY Board Development Day at Pullman Memorial UU Church in Albion – a day for congregational teams (board members and clergy – to explore and learn together
www.uua.org |
Monthly Potluck for a Cause will commence in October —first Wed of the month being 10/3, at 6:00 pm at church. Please bring a friend, a dish to pass and a few bucks for charity! Each month we help support a new cause. This year we will try to support social activism. Your suggestions and enthusiasm are most welcome.
News on the accessibility project: Access Elevator and Lift will be installing a lift between our Alliance Room and the basement before the end of November. A hole will be cut into the floor before that time by Greg Emerson of Commonwealth Construction. Please be aware and extra careful as this work is being done over the next few weeks. The homeschool group and Yo-Chi groups will be using our building, and should be extra careful around these areas. The Chalice Lighter Committee has received our six month update on our project. We must update them again in one year, and continue to be a congregation that promotes the Chalice Lighter Grant program. Thanks to all who made that commitment! Wendy Pond
Note re Family Promise: We will again serve as hosts from October 5 – 12. It looks like we will have 3 families totaling 14 people. Please mark your calendars and plan to serve as a host, bring a meal or volunteer in some way during the week. Thank you to the following volunteers for spending time with the families the last time we hosted, bringing delicious meals and offering hospitality to our guests: Colleen Kumiega, coordinator, Denise Johnson, Marta Rizzo (and Chloe Steffenhagen), Cher Hall, Marieanna Elliott, Edallia Jakobsche, Kristin and Emma Braun, Karen and Nick Reinagel, Jill Barrile, Janet
Siulc, Fred Harrington, Diane and Bill Agate, John Ortner, Colleen Vail. This is a truly worthwhile and important ministry for St. James UCC and Hamburg UU. We can only fulfill our mission with the generous, caring efforts of our volunteers. Thank you for volunteering. Yours, Jill Ortner
Note from Renee Ruchotzke for congregational leaders:
Fall Online Courses at the UU Leadership Institute – First Module is available August 1, but registration is open until mid-November and you can start any time. Centered Leadership Part 1, Centered Leadership Part 2, Strategic Leadership, Adaptive Leadership – ($30/person/course) In faith and service, Rev. Renée Ruchotzke (ruh-HUT-skee) | Congregational Life Staff | Central East Region Phone/Text (330) 554-0828 | rruchotzke@uua.org | Zoom vitalleaders | Twitter @vitalleaders
ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH
Wednesday, October 3 – 6 p.m. – Community Potluck for a Cause – Join us for good food (bring a dish to pass), good company, and some conversation. See Wendy’s “note from the board” above.
Friday to Friday, October 5 – 12 – Family Promise Week – Together with St. James Church of Christ, we will be hosting some homeless families. You can volunteer to bring a dinner, or volunteer to co-host overnight (from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.) or for several hours during the day on the weekend. If you have never volunteered, you can talk to someone who has, i.e., Bonnie Collins, Marieanna Elliott, Edallia Jakobsche, Jeanette Kankowski, David Persons, Janet Siulc, or call Jill Ortner (796-4130).
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 9a.m. – 5p.m. WESTERN NEW YORK BOARD DEVELOPMENT DAY – in Albion at Pullman Memorial. This being a “transition year”, we as a board can benefit from a workshop like this one to keep our church going. It’s a day for congregational teams (board members and clergy) to explore and learn together. Cost is $15 per person.
Tuesdays & Thursdays – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Yo-Chi/Yoga classes with Uma Goggin: Contact her if you plan to attend or have questions. umagoggin@yahoo.com
Sunday, October 21, 7 – 9 p.m. – Sing Along with Marieanna. Join us for a relaxing evening of song and conversation.
2018-2019 Board of Trustees: Note: If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, or if you have an article you would like to submit for publication, please email the editor at marijack@msn.com, or call the church at 649-8637.
Kelly Rockwell 992-9360. kbrockwell@yahoo.com, Marieanna Elliott 648-0827 marijack@msn.com,
Nan Cobb 649-2393 Douglas129@verizon.net, Wendy Pond 982-4754 wendypnd5@gmail.com,
Unitarian Universalist Church of Hamburg
PO Box 157
Hamburg, NY 14075