Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

Friday News Update          September 17, 2010

Services at 9:15 AM & 11:15 AM

September 19, Sunday: Sermon - Hospitality as Radical Practice. Rev. Dr. Janet E. Newman. How do we practice hospitality? A book titled Radical Hospitality inspires Rev. Dr. Newman to talk with you about the meaning and implications of what it means to be hospitable. Also, a brief ceremony of installation of the Interim Ministry will help us make our relationship “official.”

Religious Education Classes for Children and Youth Begin Sunday!

For more information or to register, contact our Director of Religious Education,

Leia Durland-Jones at leiadj@embarqmail.com

Church This Week

September 19, Sunday: Social Action Collection - African American Teaching Fellows. The African American Teaching Fellows (AATF) organization provides forgivable loans (tuition, books, and fees) to African Americans (AA) preparing to teach in the Charlottesville/Albemarle School Divisions. This program supports the schools’ goal of increasing the numbers of minority teachers. For African Americans, the 2009-2010 ratios were: Albemarle, 6% AA teachers to 13% AA students; Charlottesville, 13.6% AA teachers to 43.3% AA students. Studies show that more balanced ratios contribute to improved student achievement.

September 19, Sunday: Artist Reception, 12:30 PM, Social Hall. Chris Rowland has shown his work extensively in the Santa Fe Gallery system. It draws upon his Native American traditions. This show both represents this history and his reach to create more spontaneous work, rooted in his experiences living in Albemarle County. 

September 19, Sundays: Covenant Group, One-shot-deal Samples, 1 PM, Summit Room 2. You will have the opportunity to sign up for an ongoing Covenant Group starting this fall, on a day or evening of your choosing, if you like what you experience in your sample session. For details contact Christine Gresser at 760-0690 or christine@deercottage.net.

September 19, Sunday: Peace Action – United Nations, 3 PM, Social Hall. Helena Cobban will speak on her recent book Re-Engage! America and the World after Bush, the latest of her seven books on foreign policy. She will discuss changing U.S. policy from one based on a control paradigm to a policy of global inclusion. Sponsored by the local chapter of the United Nations Association and TJMC’s Peace Action-United Nations. The public is invited.

September 21, Tuesday: Personnel, 7 PM, Summit Room 2.

September 21, Tuesday: UUppity Women, 7 PM, Parlor. Gayle Floyd, a former tour guide in our nation’s capital, will share her experience in An Insider’s Guide to Washington, D.C. She will give tips for getting around, what not to miss, and what to avoid, as well as some of her experiences dealing with the public in a major tourist city. She will bring handouts. Newcomers are encouraged to come. For information, email uuppities@uucharlottsville.org.

September 22, Wednesday: UUGuys, 7 PM, Summit Room 1.

September 23, Thursday: Adult Choir, 6:45 PM, Parlor.

September 23, Thursdays: UU Christian Fellowship, 7 PM, Summit Room 2. Led by Eleanor May.

September 24, Friday: Open Labyrinth Walk, 5:30 PM, Outdoors. This walk will take place on the outdoor labyrinth behind the Social Hall instead of indoors as previously announced. Nadine Roddy will offer Native American flute music from 5:30-6:30 PM. Rain cancels the event.

September 25, Saturday: Pastoral Visitor Training, 9 AM, Social Hall.

September 26, Sunday: Sermon - We Are the Promises We Make & Keep. Rev. Dr. Janet E. Newman. This is the week following the end of the High Holy Days observed by our Jewish neighbors. Judaism is founded on promises offered and kept, promises known generically as “covenant.” This sermon will explore how as UUs we live in covenantal religion with one another – and it is part of this year’s plan to make that covenant explicit. This is a STARS Story Sunday. Children 4 years-old through 5^th grade are in the sanctuary for the first part of the service.

September 26, Sunday: Greeters’ Luncheon, 12:45 PM, Parlor.

September 26, Sunday: 3 PM, Social Hall + September 29, Wednesday: 6:30 PM, Social Hall. IMPACT listening meetings now scheduled and open to all! We will welcome the St. Thomas Aquinas, Chavurah, and Islamic Society members at the interfaith meeting. Refreshments provided at both. This is your chance to have input into what direction IMPACT should move towards this year and help pick its next social justice issue. Sign ups in the Social Hall after services on Sunday, September 19, or contact Bob Gross or Trish Foley.

Church Notes & Requests for Help

WVTF Fall Fund Drive gives you the opportunity to support two of your favorite causes if you contribute through TJMC. Instead of sending your contribution directly to WVTF, make your check out to TJMC, with fund #1050-WVTF on the memo line and put it in a collection plate. Questions: Ellen Pratt at ellenwpratt@gmail.com.

UUSC-TJMC Holiday Card: Send a greeting card to TJMC friends and members during the end of the year Holidays by contributing to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) no postage needed. The deadline is Sunday, October 31. UUSC advances human rights and social Justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive polices. For more information contact Edith Good at 293-4044.

Greeters Needed: Again it is greeter recruiting time, and we are in need. Being a greeter is such an easy job. Your purpose is to welcome all people to church, especially newcomers. Does this sound like something you would like to do? Please contact Jenny Gaden at 293-6275 or jgaden@embarqmail.com, or Jean Newland at 971-4996 or kipandjean@gmail.com.

Do you love children and music? If so, our children’s choirs need you! Due to the reduction in hours this year for the Director of Music, these two choirs need volunteer directors and coordinators. The children are truly delightful and talented to work with! If you are interested in leading these fine young people, please contact KaeRenae Mitchell, Director of Music, at 293-8179 or krmitchell@embarqmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon!

Helpers need to clean/sanitize church nursery and toys in preparation for the start of the church school year. To volunteer, contact Leia Durland-Jones, DRE, at 293-8179 x 3# or leiadj@embarqmail.com

RE Wish List: Krylon, Rustoleum or other enamel-based paint (not latex or water based) for our new Bingo Machine (new to us - needs refurbishing, that is why we need the paint). All colors/all types. Containers should be at least half full. Please leave in box near Edgewood Lane entrance. All unused supplies will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. Please note: This wish expires Monday, September 20, so please bring in donations before then!

Religious Education volunteers desperately needed! Come visit with Director of Religious Education, Leia Durland-Jones, and other members of the Children’s RE Committee in the Social Hall after Sunday’s service to learn about how you can help. Classes for children and youth begin Sunday, September 19. Short term commitments available!

Challenge/Coming of Age Class Marketplace open for business! Help our ninth graders raise the necessary funds for their class pilgrimage in the spring. “Attractions” coupon books, 2010-2011 Academic Planning Calendars and flash drives with chalice logo available in the Social Hall after the service on Sunday. Fall flower bulb orders will soon be taken. Come see!

Portable labyrinth: Did you know that we have a lightweight labyrinth that is easy to set up and can be used outdoors? Church groups are welcome to borrow this labyrinth for their functions, either on or off site. To schedule, contact Jane Ellis at 249-2621 or FrogLady@toast.net.

Greeting Cards - Collection for FWCC: The Labyrinth Ministry has begun collecting stationery items (greetings cards of all kinds, writing paper, and especially stamps) for our annual holiday donation to the Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Center. At 23 cents an hour, it takes almost two full hours of inmate employment for them to afford a single first-class stamp. Please help by placing your donations in the FWCC Collection Box located in the Jefferson Foyer under the black table. Deadline is the end of October.

ShopWithScrip! Attention sports aficionados and fashionistas! We have two lonely $25 GiftCards at the scrip table that need to be purchased and used before December, one for Dick’s Sporting Goods and one for Old Navy/Gap, so if you patronize these retailers, please stop by the Scrip table on Sunday to give them a home. And remember, Scrip GiftCards make great gifts, and we can order GiftCards for hundreds of national retailers. With each GiftCard you purchase, you earn money for TJMC. We will keep a signup sheet at the scrip table through the fall for you to place special orders.

Church Upcoming Dates

September 27, Monday: Administrative Council, 7 PM, Social Hall.

September 27, Monday: Green Sanctuary Field Trip, Appalachia Rising, Eco-Justice Action, DC.  

September 27, Mondays: Twenties and Thirties, 7:30 AM, Parlor.

September 28, Tuesdays: UU World Discussion Group, 6:30 PM, Green Room.

September 30, Thursday: Bulletin Folding, 9 AM, Summit Room 1.