Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

Friday E-Mail News           October 29, 2010

Ministerial Search Committee: The written material describing our congregation and our church is complete! The Congregational Record, which is the basic material available online for candidates to view, has been uploaded and we are now ready to go ‘live’! This is so exciting for us, as it should be for everyone, because the next step is to actually get a glimpse of actual candidates! We continue to meet weekly and our plan for next week is to spend our evening exploring Beyond Categorical Thinking. This exercise will help us push ourselves to think ‘outside the box’ in ways that we might not otherwise - a challenge and an opportunity to prepare us for the next phase of this adventure.

Services at 9:15 AM & 11:15 AM

October 31, Sunday: Sermon: How Does UU Theology Relate to All Souls’ Day? Chaplain Alexandra McGee, Transitional Ministry Associate. The early Universalists had doctrines that gave them hope when they considered an afterlife. Some Latin American cultures relate to Hallowe’en as Dia de los Muertos, day of the dead, to give them hope as they honor their deceased loved ones. What do we modern UUs do with the inescapable fact of death?

Religious Education

Religious Education for children nursery through fifth grade is offered at both services.

Classes for sixth through twelfth grades are offered at the 11:15 AM service.

All Hallows Eve Observance on the outdoor labyrinth today!

Our children (four years-old through fifth grade) are learning about and celebrating the season this morning with stories, face painting, apple eating, acorn decorating, and by creating a photo frame to hold the image of a deceased loved one. We are also building a structure out of bamboo poles!

Adults are invited to come see what we are doing and walk the labyrinth after the services.

Church This Week

October 29, Friday: Labyrinth Walk, 5:30 PM-8:30 PM, Social Hall. From 5:30 PM-7 PM an open, unstructured walk will be offered. From 7 PM-8:30 PM, live acoustic music with ritual will take place (including some American Indian singing and drumming), to observe a theme of All Souls’ remembrance. Chaplain Alex McGee, Transition Ministry Associate, will be participating. Join us!

November 2+16, Tuesday: UUppity Women, 7 PM, Parlor. Hard to believe, but the countdown for the holidays will soon begin. We will have a book swap on Tuesday, November 1, so we can curl up in a cozy corner and relax when stress threatens to over whelm us. Bring one you are willing to part with. On the Tuesday, November 16, please bring copies of a recipe for holiday entertaining - an hors d’oeuvre or dessert. Quick and easy ones are especially welcome. A sample for tasting is optional. We welcome newcomers to our gatherings. Contact: uuppities@uucharlottesville.org

November 2, Tuesday: Worship Associates, 7 PM, Green Room.

November 3, Wednesday: Finance Committee, 7 PM, Down Stairs Kitchen.

November 4+11+18, Thursday: Active Minds, 1 PM, Parlor.

November 4, Thursday: Adult Choir, 7:30 PM, Parlor. Please note change in time.

November 5, Friday: Food Pantry, 9:30 AM, Social Hall.

November 5, Friday: Cottage Conversation, 6 PM, Parlor. How much is TJMC worth to you in time and money? What if members were required to give their time and money to the church every year? Congregational Conversations and Cottage Meetings have been scheduled to discuss the answers to these very important questions. Sign-up sheets will be available at the Membership table next to the bookstore in the Social Hall. Everyone, members and non-members alike, are invited. Please do not miss this chance to have your voice be heard.

November 6, Saturday: Fall ChiliFest & Silent Auction, 4 PM, All Church. How can you resist? Bring the whole family to eat chili with all the fixin’s, play games, and enjoy a children’s talent show (speak to Elizabeth Breeden to get on the roster). And most importantly, bid-bid-bid on the 177 dinners, services and gift items offered by your generous and talented fellow TJMCers. See you at the Auction!

November 6, Saturday: Children’s Talent Show! 6 PM, Social Hall. We are putting together a little talent show to give our kids an extra chance to shine. Where? Social Hall. When? 6 PM on Saturday, November 6, during the Fall ChiliFest and Silent Auction. What? Pretty much any kind of talent goes. How? Sign up with Elizabeth Breeden at brs@cstone.net.

November 7, Sunday: Daylight Savings Time Starts.

November 7, Sunday: Sermon - Remembering Our Liberal Martyrs. Rev. Dr. Janet E. Newman. At a time when we celebrate All Souls we recognize those religious liberals of the past who have helped make us modern UUs who we are. Are their sacrifices relevant to our lives? The choir will sing.

November 7, Sunday: Activity Fair, 10:30 AM+12:30 PM, Social Hall.

November 7, Sunday: Artist Reception - Nancy Nerem, 12:30 PM, Social Hall.

November 7, Sunday: Lifespan Faith Development Committee, 12:45 PM, Summit Room 2.

November 7, Sunday: AFD: Building Community Resilience in Response to Peak Oil, Climate Change, and a No-Growth Economy, Mini-green Workshop: Rainwater Harvesting, Parlor, 3:30 PM. Garnett Mellon and Martin Johnson (of the Thomas Jefferson Water and Soil Conservation District) will offer an overview of issues facing our local watershed, then share their expertise on setting up rain barrels, tanks, cisterns, etc. to capture water for your yard and garden. Those wishing to build a rain barrel should pre-register by contacting Nancy Hurrelbrinck at nhurrelbrinck@gmail.com by Wednesday, November 3, (limit ten, first come, first served; cost: $55). The workshop is free to everyone else. Sponsored: Green Sanctuary Task Force.