[UUAA news] UUAA Weekly News | April 21 - 27, 2022

[First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor]

All you need to know about UUAA this week.  This Week at UUAA April 21- 27, 2022 If you are unable to view this entire email, scroll down to the bottom and click "view entire message." The email ends with a "contact us" button and our address. The Weekly News is distributed each Thursday. Deadlines for submissions are Tuesdays at 5:00pm. The deadline for the Weekly News April 28 - May 4 is Tuesday, April 26 at 5:00pm Eastern through this form. The deadline for the May Monthly Newsletter is Thursday, April 21 at 5pm Eastern through this form. Questions? Watch this video on how to submit to the Weekly News, or email Hannah at communications at uuaa.org.  Support the ministries of UUAA: Make an online offering. Sunday Worship “Our UU Interdependence with Planet Earth:  An Earth Day Multi-Generational Service” Sunday, April 24, 9:30am & 11:30am In person and online at uuaa.org/service   Unitarian Universalism holds as one of its core principles our human interdependence with our planet, the environment, and other living beings. We invite you to celebrate our relationship with the planet we call home through our first Dirt Communion. Please bring a bit of dirt from a place that is special to you to share with the community. All ages are invited to join us for this multi-generational service, as we celebrate and honor Earth Day.   Please note: SGD classes for Kindergarten through 7th grade will NOT meet. 8th/9th Grade OWL will have class as usual. YRUU youth have the option of meeting in the Harper Room or attending the worship service. Nursery and preschool care will be available for both services.    After the Sunday Service  Social Hour is back. After each service (10:30am and 12:30pm), refreshments will be served in the Social Hall. You may now remove your mask while eating or drinking in the Social Hall. Please watch or read our updated Covid protocols below. There will be a limited number of group display tables to browse, also.    Please note the UUAA’s updated Covid Precautions Policy and Protocols: Anyone entering the UUAA building for activities/business is expected to be fully vaccinated and boostered, as eligible, and must remain properly masked at all times. A video of our updated policy is available here.   *Exception to the mask requirement: Members of the worship team who are actively speaking may remove their masks. All unmasked speakers on the chancel have tested negative in the preceding 24 hours. Members may remove their masks in the Social Hall while eating and drinking.  Click here to download and read this week's Pastoral News. Upcoming Events & Announcements For a full list of events, visit the UUAA Calendar. UUAA’S ACTING DIRECTOR POSITIONS: AN UPDATE FROM THE UUAA PERSONNEL WORKING GROUP Dear Members & Friends of our UUAA Community, As previewed in our March 2022 update, Personnel Working Group member Leigh Robertson has now completed an assessment process related to our community’s two Acting Director positions, the Acting Director of Spiritual Growth and Development and the Acting Director of Music Ministries. The analysis of the feedback that our community provided is now complete, and this email contains a high-level summary of the qualitative data that was gathered. Based on this data, UUAA is now able to share how we will be proceeding with regards to these two positions. Finally, this message contains some additional reminders and updates that you might find helpful. Read more here. Sunday Services “Snapshot” Survey Results By Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister On February 13, 2022, a “snapshot” survey was conducted, both virtually and in-person, during our Sunday morning services soliciting feedback from that morning’s attendees on UUAA’s Sunday services. Attendees were given the opportunity to offer open-ended written feedback, and were encouraged to name their most significant point(s) of appreciation and/or their most significant point(s) of suggestion regarding our Sunday services. The level of participation in this survey was broad, with 132 adults responding to the snapshot survey. As a reference point, UUAA currently has 598 adult members. As such, the data obtained represents a significant sample of our UUAA community. We’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the insights that emerge from this survey. Click here to read more. Building and Grounds Support Needed   If you would like to contribute to the life of our congregation in an active, hands-on way, I invite you to join our Building Care or Grounds Care teams!   Recent staff restructuring has created the need for lay-led teams to help keep UUAA the welcoming, safe, and beautiful place we love.   Sunday Building Care There are two shifts—8:00am to 11:00am and 11:00am to 2:00pm—so team members can attend one of the services. You can also partner with someone to share the work. Some specific tasks include: unlocking/locking doors, putting out/bringing in UUAA sandwich boards and flags, moving/putting away tables, etc.   Grounds Care UUAA owns a riding lawn mower, but it needs a small team of drivers! We can also use more help with maintaining our beautiful gardens and trails.    Training will be provided. Interested? Fill out this Google Form and let me know how you’d like to help—I’ll be in touch!   Thank you! Lissa Oliver Building Care Team Volunteer Farewell Gathering for Don Hackney Sunday, May 1, Social Hall following both services   Please join us on Sunday, May 1 after either the 9:30am or 11:30am service as we honor Don Hackney with cake and fellowship. Don came on staff in the fall of 2018 as the Building and Grounds Manager and will be dearly missed as his time with and service to the congregation comes to an end. If you feel moved to more tangibly express your gratitude to Don for his service, there will be baskets available for financial contributions of cash and checks. (Please make out checks directly to Don Hackney and not UUAA.) Benefit Concert for Refugee Ukrainian Relief Featuring Tret Fure Saturday, May 21, 7:00pm - 9:00pm   Please join us in person for acclaimed award-winning contemporary folk artist Tret Fure in a benefit concert to support the Ukrainian Relief Fund at FemFund.PL. This is an in-person performance at UUAA, 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor. Admission is free – donations are requested, 100% of which will go to the Refugee Relief Fund.   Space is limited, so registration is required. This link takes you to the registration form.   Please read UUAA's Covid-19 and health and safety policies for in-person events.   Can't come but want to donate to the Ukrainian Relief Fund? Use this link and scroll to "Tret Fure Benefit Concert" Humanist Discussions Thursday, April 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Monday, April 25, 7:00pm - 9:00pm   Topics for Thursday: ”Give me that Old Time Atheism”; “Why there is no afterlife”; and more. Topic for Monday: Climate change   Lively groups of Humanists have been meeting for over 20 years at UUAA, gathering on the second and fourth Monday evenings and/or first and third Thursday afternoons to discuss topics relating to Humanist philosophy, theology, morals, ethics, reasoning, science, and more. All are welcome. All meetings are still virtual. To get on our email list, get the login information, or get answers to any other questions, send a query to humanistgroupinfo at uuaa.org. TrUU Hope Meetups (with snacks!) Friday, April 22, 7:00pm - 9:00pm (Earth Day! Walk the land) Friday, May 13, 7:00pm - 9:00pm (Friday the 13th! Spooky crafts) Sunday, May 22, 1:00pm - 3:00pm    TrUU Hope is a UUAA group for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and similarly identified) youth. We aim to grow community and to provide social, support, educational, and activist programs and opportunities for our youth to explore their identities and interests.   Questions? Want to be added to our email list? Send an email to TruuHopeInfo at uuaa.org.  Regenerative Agriculture Friday, April 22, 6:30pm - 8:00pm In person at the Ann Arbor District Library Westgate Branch   Regenerative Agriculture: What is it, how can it save the planet, and how are local farmers putting it into practice?   Five area farmers will come together to discuss how they practice regenerative agriculture, and why doing so is important to them and to the planet.    The panel features:  Alex Ball, Old City Acres, Romulus  Shannon Brines, Brines Farm, Dexter  Hannah Rose Weber, Green Things Cooperative, Ann Arbor  John Cox, Baseline Farm, Dexter  Dan Gannon, Community Farm of Ann Arbor   Co-sponsored by the Food Justice Team and the Ann Arbor District Library Green Corner: 20th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival Friday - Wednesday, April 22 - 27   Looking for a fun way to celebrate Earth Day, get inspired, and support a good nonprofit? Watch the 20th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, presented online by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.   Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. The link you receive will be active April 22 - 27. Films will be broadcast live on April 22, or watch the recorded films at any time during the five-day period.     Tickets: $25 ($15 for students). Enter code CCLAA for a five-dollar discount.   Watch a trailer here.  Sunday FunDay: Earth Day Celebration Sunday, April 24 after 2nd Service, 12:30pm Join us in the courtyard outside the Social Hall for "earth sundaes," followed by Earth Day activities on the lawn or in the Social Hall. Sign up here to help with this event or email Welcome Ministries Coordinator Hannah Hotchkiss at hannah at uuaa.org. YOUTH v GOV – Watch It / Talk About It Sunday, April 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm   Join other climate-concerned UUAA friends to watch the documentary YOUTH v GOV, the story of the Juliana v. The United States of America constitutional lawsuit and the 21 American youth, ages 14 to 25, who are taking on the U.S. government over the climate crisis. This film is the featured film of Interfaith Power and Light’s Faith Climate Action Week, April 22 - May 1. Their theme is Sacred Trust: Our children’s right to a livable future.”    UUAA Zoom viewing opportunity Sunday, April 24, 2:00pm – Get the link here.   Then come together for a Zoom discussion of the documentary:  Sunday, May 1, 2:00pm – Get the link here.   Climate Action | Climate Justice Team: Jeannine LaPrad, Ruth Mohr, Sandy Simon, Ed Lynn, Kate Hutchens Information Sessions on Proposed Bylaws Changes Sunday, April 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Monday, May 2, 6:30pm - 7:30pm   The community is invited to attend one of two information/comment/question sessions on proposed bylaws changes that will be voted on at the UUAA June congregational meeting.    Proposed changes involve the Leadership Development Team, including the number of members on the committee, and increasing the number of committee members decided by congregants.    There will be two opportunities to attend a Zoom session on bylaws proposed changes. The sessions will be identical in presentation, so attendance is according to availability.    Sunday, April 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Register here to receive the link. Monday, May 2, 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Register here to receive the link.     In the meantime, congregants are invited to become familiar with the proposed bylaws changes and the rationale for them by clicking the following links.    Proposed Revisions to UUAA Bylaws - June 2022  Rationale for 2022 Bylaw Changes Congregation  Bring Your Shoes Sunday, April 24, Social Hall following both services   S&D PJ Housing, a Wayne County organization that provides support services for women transitioning out of prison, is holding a shoe collection fundraiser. Just drop off your gently used women’s shoes at the Restorative Justice table in the Social Hall on Sunday, April 24. S&D PJ Housing was founded by Voting Access for All member, E.B. Jordan, who was once incarcerated for two years. She’s had hands-on experience facing transitioning back into society and has founded several businesses including S&D PJ Housing. For more information, go to their website or email s.an.d at pjhousing.org, or contact UUAA representative Carolyn Madden at cgmadden at gmail.com. Community of Writers Zoom Meeting Sunday, April 24, 1:00pm - 3:00pm    Pauline Loewenhardt will coordinate the readings of the Community of Writers’ responses to her suggested prompt, “Did your writing begin in childhood or appear later in life? What are your aspirations as a writer? When did you dare to call yourself a writer?” Members may choose to read their writing on an alternate topic in any genre. Readings are limited to five minutes and are followed by appreciative comment.    Contact Kathy Friedrichs at kamf at umich.edu or Anne Ramsey at anneramsey2910 at comcast.net for more information and the Zoom link.  Support Voting Access for All Friday, April 29, 12:30pm -1:30pm, via Zoom   Join a vibrant group of justice-seekers and barrier-breakers to help mobilize voters in their communities. The Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC), a UUCivs partner, is hosting a voter outreach kick-off event.   Learn skills and strategies from people with experience and connect with others to help inform and inspire voters. Commit the time you can—hang posters, drop off voting materials at jails, or engage people at community events.    RSVP here. Questions? Email uucivs at uuaa.org.  Warrior Lawyers: Defenders of Sacred Justice Friday, April 29, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, via Zoom   Join Restorative Justice of UUAA and co-sponsors Michigan UU Social Justice Network, Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration, Friends of Restorative Justice, and Detroit Justice Center in the viewing and panel discussion of this powerful documentary of Sacred Justice through "the examination of Tribal Sovereignty ... as well as Restorative Justice practices such as Peacemaking and Healing.” The panel includes the film’s director, Audrey Geyer; Chief Judge Joanne Cook, chief appellate judge of the Michigan Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; and Chief Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, chief judge of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Harbor Springs.   Register here.  May Sharing the Collection Sunday, May 1   On Sunday, May 1, we will share our collection with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).    Mission: "UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Our work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity." Visit them online at www.uusc.org,    Questions? Contact Jan Duncan at janetdunc at gmail.com.  Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group Wednesday, May 4, 3:00pm - 4:30pm, via Zoom   Are you concerned about or caring for a friend, partner, spouse, or parent who is experiencing memory loss? If so, you are invited to share your story, ask questions, and receive support on your caregiver journey in a safe and confidential space. Join fellow travelers at the next meeting of the Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group. The group is jointly sponsored by the UUAA Pastoral Care Team and the Alzheimer's Association. For information or Zoom link, contact Joan at joburleigh at aol.com, Priscilla at paspencer44 at yahoo.com, or Sandy at sandykunkle at gmail.com.  Vision 20/50 Reflection Session  Wednesday, May 4, 7:00pm - 8:30pm   What have we learned this year in our Vision 20/50 efforts? What worked? Where can we improve? Please join the Vision Steering Committee for our first annual Vision 20/50 Reflection session on May 4, 7:00pm - 8:30pm on Zoom. We’d like to hear from YOU—no matter where you fit into this diverse congregation. RSVP here to receive the Zoom link. If you cannot attend, we’d welcome your input by email at vision at uuaa.org. Garden Party—Help Improve Accessibility in the Memorial Garden Saturday, May 7, 10:00am - noon   Garden Stewards seek three to six persons with strong backs to assist us with improving accessibility by spreading pea gravel in the Memorial Garden and on the walking paths surrounding it. No previous experience needed! Beverages, snacks, singing, and fellowship provided! Questions? Contact Kim at kimclugston1973 at yahoo.com. UUAA Fiber Arts Group Saturday, May 7, 11:00am - 1:00pm, Young Room Wednesday, May 18, 7:00pm - 9:00pm, via Zoom   Come knit, crochet, embroider, or engage in some form of fiber arts together. UUAA Fiber Arts Group meets on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of the month for fellowship and sharing of knowledge and ideas. If you are a beginner looking for support or an experienced crafter, all are welcome. We also have quilters that have joined us.   If you would like to make comfort shawls or baby blankets for Pastoral Care, arrangements can be made to supply you with the yarn and pattern.    We meet on the first Saturday of the month, 11:00am - 1:00pm in person at the UUAA Young Room, and on the third Wednesday of the month, 7:00pm - 9:00pm on Zoom. For a Zoom link or questions, send us an email at crafters at uuaa.org. Mindful Aging Saturday, May 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm   Join other UUs for a Zoom discussion of the UM Healthy Aging lectures given during April. The topic “Brain Health” included presentations on dementia, treatments, exercise, sleep, caregiving, and more. To view the recorded lectures, click here. For the Zoom link for UUAA’s discussion on May 14, email Sandy Breck at sbreck at umich.edu. Newcomer Chalice Circle | Covenant Saturday, May 21, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, via Zoom Register here by Sunday, May 15 (Link Here)   If you are new to UUAA and want to get to know others who are new while exploring a basic tenet of Unitarian Universalism, join us for a discussion of what it means to be a covenantal religion. How does this differ from a creedal religion? What inspirations or challenges are presented with a covenant? You will receive short reflections and questions in advance; we will practice a deep listening format during the discussion. We ask that when you sign up that you commit to attending and to log into the Zoom room by the start time. Register here. Questions? Email Welcome Ministries Coordinator Hannah Hotchkiss at Hannah at uuaa.org.    You can register through the link here in our Weekly News, by filling out a paper registration on Sundays, or by emailing Hannah at uuaa.org.  Monthly Women’s Breakfast Resumes in June Saturday, June 4, 8:30am   Early risers—join other women from UUAA for breakfast and conversation on the first Saturday of the month starting in June. It’s been a long, lonely, and isolated pandemic. We hope you’ll feel safe gathering in person once again.    The first breakfast is June 4 at the Alpha Diner (new name for the former Classic Cup Café, where we met pre-pandemic; 4389 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor). Check the menu at www.Alphadiner.com. Contact Judi Marks or Joan Wells at womuunscouncilinfo at uuaa.org.  General Assembly (GA) 2022 Wednesday - Sunday, June 22 - June 26 Portland, OR   Ware Lecturer (featured speaker) at GA this year will be Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist.  GA Theme: “Meet the Moment: Reimagining Radical Faith Community.”  General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. GA can be attended in person or online.   Housing and registration are now open. Go to uua.org/ga to learn more and register.    We need delegates to represent UUAA at GA. If you’re interested in being a delegate or have questions, email denomination at uuaa.org by April 30. Women’s Retreat Friday - Sunday, October 7 - 9, 2022   Two co-chairs and many committee members are needed to immediately begin planning our Women’s Retreat to be held in October 2022. The retreat will be held in person at YMCA Camp Copneconic in Fenton, 40 minutes north of Ann Arbor. Meetings will be about twice a month for about an hour. Tasks relate to promoting the retreat, recruiting session leaders, planning sessions, and talking with camp staff about meals, lodging, and session locations. Contact Amy Thomas or Judi Lintott at womuunscouncilinfo at uuaa.org. Sharing Radical Welcome Learnings from the Gathering Table    Over 70 congregants participated in the April 3 Radical Welcome Gathering Table. The common refrain at the end was, “We need more time for this conversation!” Here is the summary of responses to the post-event evaluation with lots of ideas for Radical Welcome priorities for next year and beyond.    If you would like a link to the recording of the April 3 Radical Welcome Gathering Table, email RadicalWelcome at uuaa.org. (This recording is in the process of being edited, so we ask for your patience.)    To view the April 3 worship service, Living into Radical Welcome, click here.       Individually, there are so many ways—big or small—to support Radical Welcome. What works for you? We are at RadicalWelcome at uuaa.org if you’d like to connect and discuss. Quiche Family Settles In   UUAA welcomes the Quiche (kee-chay) family to our community. Mom, twin nine-year-old girls, and the boys, twelve and sixteen, arrived from Guatemala at the end of March. An inviting apartment with a peaceful view and well-stocked cupboards awaited them. The family’s first few weeks here have been busy with papers to fill out, things to discover, and new friends to make. Many thanks to all the UUAA family resettlement volunteers and financial contributors. For more information, contact resettlement at uuaa.org.  Scrip Mechanics 102   “Did you know you can purchase SCRIP (gift cards) in Realm? No checks, no cash, just a few clicks in your account under the ‘giving’ tab on Realm! I found myself at church on Sunday without my checkbook AND needing gas cards. Carolyn told me I could do it through my Realm account, and within 30 seconds I had my gas cards in hand. The process was super easy and convenient. If you are not on Realm yet or need help, I’d be happy to walk you through it!” —Beth Hospadaruk Habitat Build Season Is Almost Here   The Habitat for Humanity annual on-site build is almost upon us. The Good News House committee has chosen our build dates—you can find them on our website.   While you’re on the website, you can volunteer to work on specific dates, to help provide lunches, or to donate to help us meet our goal of $7,000. Join in this fun and rewarding project.   Questions? Email h4h at uuaa.org.  Links Request a Room, Request an Outdoor Space | View Past Services Log in to Realm | Make your pledge ‌ ‌ ‌ UUA.org | MidAmericaUUA.org Side with Love | UUCSJ | DRUUMM | BLUU Contact Us First Unitarian Universalist Congregation Of Ann Arbor  4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-665-6158 communications at uuaa.org First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor | 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Unsubscribe news3 at uuaa.org Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by communications at uuaa.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!
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