UUMTAIRY NEWSLETTER:
SERVICES & UPCOMING EVENTS
Updated: Monday, February 9 —
Sunday services begin at 11am in the sanctuary immediately followed by refreshments and conversation in our Fellowship Hall.
Both spaces are air conditioned in the summer for your comfort.
We are Accessible for those with Disabilities!
Restoration features a ramp to the main sanctuary level and a recently completed wheelchair lift and accessible restrooms on both the main and lower levels. Check here for photos.Words of Inspiration |
Upcoming Worship ServicesSunday, February 15 - "Restorations' Resilience"
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From our Minister
 UUs,Blessed Imbolc to all those who observe, as we move from St. Brigid's day into the last part of the winter. Ol' Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of this cold for the Northeast but, in a stunning turn of events, young up-and-comer Prairie Dog Pete of West Texas has declared that warmer days are coming soon, that spring will be a time of transformation and renewal, and that groundhogs are liars. May it be so! On a more serious note, we've also moved from our spiritual theme of "Practicing Resistance" to "Embodying Resilience." Apt themes for what's going in our world, and I remind myself and us that both "resistance and resilience" are not synonyms for "overreact and panic." Rather, they're calls for us to do what we do best: breathe, listen, sing, pray, share food, laugh, hug, and be. This month we'll have time to organize justice work. We'll have time to analyze what might happen between now and midterm elections in this swing state. We'll have time to write letters and make calls, to get trained and to learn new skills. But we don't have to do all of that this week. We don't have to do it all right now, or all by |
ourselves, or all at once. My friend and colleague
Rev. Rob Keithan reminds us: "We are not a justice organization. We
are a spiritual community that does justice work."
Our call in this moment is to be spiritual people... (and remember, beloveds, I believe ALL people to be spiritual people – it's in our very DNA)... and our call is to be a community. Nothing more, nothing less. Let us be us – a place that welcomes newcomers, shares authentically and vulnerably, creates moments of joy and wonder together, and helps one another practice being human. If we can do that, navigating our conflicts with each other, restoring our covenantal promises when we make mistakes, singing with gusto on Sunday mornings... then we are headed for a time of transformation and renewal, regardless of what that rodent in Wester PA says! Let us do the work of our community, and help build resilience in ourselves and each other by embracing one another, nurturing wholeness in one another, and by building this Beloved Community, one step at a time. May it be so! Love, |
Important Announcements |
Change for Change: February
Each month the Justice Council chooses an organization to support using the following guidelines: "...organizations led by and primarily serving Black, Indigenous and Other People of Color (BIPOC) in our surrounding community as well as periodic, special Justice- related appeals or projects from UUA associated organizations such as Side With Love, UU Service Committee, UU the Vote, and UU Ministry for the Earth."
Men Who Care (MWC) of Germantown is an anti-violence and youth mentorship organization
committed to providing young people with safe, supportive, and empowering spaces through
these programs/services:
- "Real Talk": a youth advocacy mentorship program. Creating a safe zone in schools where positive constructive conversations can take place between at risk students and reps of MWC.
- Food Program: a weekly food distribution program in partnership with SHARE.
- Anti-Gun Violence Program: providing services and resources to areas of Germantown that have become gun violence "Hot Spots"... going directly to these affected areas to embrace and engage residents who live there.
- ARCS Day Camp: designed to nurture children, K-12, towards full cultural, social, emotional, physical, vocational, and intellectual competence intellectual competence in an environment based on the principles of restorative justice.
- Community Resource Center/Computer Lab: computers available for use... Center also offers after school program for local students to provide educational enrichments, mentorship, and constructive free play.
- Community Outreach: includes beautification projects at schools, organized community cleanups and food distributions to special populations, a Pop-Up Resource Community event to provide resources for Jobs/Job Training, Expungement, Financial Literacy, and Anti-Gun Violence Gaming Tournaments.
Do you know of a nonprofit organization in our community that is doing good work and and could use some support? If so, please contact Rita F.
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‘Tis the Season … for Mischief!
Malicious Emails are making the rounds this time of year! Bogus party invitation emails are actually designed to capture your contact lists if you open them.If you receive an email party invitation, follow this security step first. Text or phone the person it comes from to confirm that it is valid.
Linking to the Worship Service
Reminder that there are two ways to watch worship:- Click the blue "Live Streaming" arrow on the homepage.
- The Zoom link has been changed because security protocols on their end. If you are a congregant of ours, check the weekly eNewsletter for the link and password.
Are You Following UUs of Mt Airy on Social Media?
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uumtairy/
Upcoming Events |
View Social Justice Events Here...
| Friday, February 13, 5:30-7:30pm — |
Valentine Potluck for New Members and
UUs of Mt. Airy’s Anniversary
Friday, February 13, 5:30-7:30pm, Fellowship Hall
Come for supper to welcome our new members and celebrate
UU’s of Mt. Airy's anniversary. You are welcome to bring an
appetizer, main dish, side dish, salad, drinks, or dessert. We'll
be in Fellowship Hall. Friends and family are welcome!
RSVP for Congregational Potluck on Friday Feb. 13. Please let us know whether you plan to attend. We'd love to connect and find ways to support each other, partner with each other, and to love on each other. We'll also be sharing some stories and history of our congregation.
| Sunday, February 15 — |
Sunday Coffee Hour
Come down to Fellowship Hall following the church service for coffee and conversation... a great way to hang out with old and new friends!Curious about how hospitality works at UU Mt Airy? You can still join one of the 3 teams (serving a month at a time in sequence) and get the inside scoop on what we do. Just use this Google link to sign up for a team or look for team coordinators Steve, Rita, or Jill at coffee hour.
| Thursday, February 19 — |
Soul Circle
Thursday, February 19
7:15pm in Hale Lounge
Join Linda H. and Annabel G. as we learn about the chakras, our vibrational energy centers, and engage in several practices and exercises relating to them. Linda will lead a sounding of the chakras, and Annabel will lead exercises to tune up and clear our chakras.
| Sunday, March 1 — |
Let's Make the FIRST SUNDAY of each Month
a Souper Sunday!
Bring a can of soup (healthy and not expired) to our wonderful community fridge. If we all did this, we would really be helping our neighbors. Thanks!
| Sunday, March 8 — |
Second Sunday Potluck
The next UUs of Mt. Airy Second Sunday Potluck will be held in Fellowship Hall following our worship service. The Second Sunday Potluck is a popular tradition now in its sixteenth year. On the second Sunday of each month throughout the church year (September to June) we gather for a sit-down meal where we can socialize and get to know one another.
If you’re preparing a dish, choose one that’s quick, easy to make, and easy to transport. Whether you've been attending for many years or are new to UUs of Mt. Airy, this is a great way to connect with friends and members, and to welcome newcomers.
Questions? Call Steve W at (215) 514-6662.
Recurring Events |
| Every Day — |
The Community Pantry & Fridge Needs You...
| Every Wednesday — |
Soul Line Dance Classes
| Every Thursday, 6pm — |
Black Lives Matter
Take a stand against racism and white supremacy by centering the importance of Black lives every Thursday, rain, or shine. Join us in lining Stenton Avenue with anti-racist signs (and get tons of supportive honks) from 6:00-6:30pm. Afterwards we’ll meet to meditate, light candles, and share from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Those at home are welcome to join us on Zoom at 6:30.News & Information |
UPCOMING NEWSLETTER DEADLINES:
| Submission Deadline: Friday, February 6 @ 5 pm Friday, February 13 @ 5 pm Friday, February 20 @ 5 pm |
Publication Date: Thursday, February 12 Thursday, February 19 Thursday, February 26 |
Please send questions about submissions to .
Building SecurityHello folks. Because of the amount of activity throughout the building we are reintroducing a log-in board. It will help folks know where others might be inside and lessen the likelihood of setting the alarm prematurely when leaving. Simply move a magnet from out-to-in indicating where you’ll be when entering and the reverse when leaving. If you notice that another magnet has also been used you only need to check that area before setting the alarm. |
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Spirit Matters
“Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold, built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. It is also a metaphor for resilience: embracing your wounds as part of your path of evolution. Your scars show the path travelled, and you are more beautiful and stronger for having been broken.” — Paige Bradley
Seeking That Which Unites Us — Reverend Sara Eileen LaWall
| Spirit of Life and Love, In this time of uncertainty Of fear and angst… Our nation holds its collective breath In this time When rhetoric blusters about And words are used as weapons Our nation clenches its fists Tightens its shoulders Eyes squeezed shut Some are preparing for a fight May we remember we are a people of resilience |
And we will again We the people May we remember our shared humanity In this time of uncertainty |
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Question for ContemplationWhat helps you remember our shared humanity amidst the divisiveness of our society? |
Just for Laughs
Hospitality Teams
For all who have enjoyed a weekly coffee hour or a second Sunday potluck, know that these don’t miraculously happen. We have three hospitality teams that rotate throughout the church year (beginning in September) to coordinate the tasks needed to ensure that hospitality is provided seamlessly:- Team 1 (Steve’s team): September / December / March / June
- Team 2 (Rita’s team): October / January / April / July
- Team 3 (Jill’s team): November / February / May / August
- Bring food to share each week (can be store bought or homemade)
- Make coffee and heat water for tea
- Set up food and beverage tables
- Set out plates, mugs, utensils, napkins
- Usher and welcome people as they arrive
- Pass the plate at the offertory
- Account for offertory donations (change for change, pledge contributions) after the service
- Clean-up
Many hands make these tasks easy to accomplish. If we can boost the number of volunteers, we’ll propose adding a fourth hospitality team so that each of the teams will be on duty three months each year instead of four.
Openings for New Participants in Covenant Groups!
A Covenant Group (small group ministry) is a group of usually 6-8 people in a congregation who get together to get to know each other and talk about themes that relate to the theme for the month of our Sunday worship services. We currently have a couple of active covenant groups. If you think you might be interested in joining an existing group or being part of a new group, please contact Rev. McKinley!Pastoral Care Update
| Each one of us can use some help and support at times in navigating life's ups and downs. Now there is an easy way to contact the Pastoral Care Team if you or someone you know needs a helping hand.
UUMtAiry has a convenient request/referral form that goes directly to Rev. McKinley and Care Team Coordinators. Within 24-48 hours a Care Team volunteer will acknowledge your request and have either the minister or a team member contact you. Before contacting the Care Team, please keep the following in mind: |
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Looking for the Latest Congregational Directory?
Find all this by clicking the DIRECTORY & CONTRIBUTIONS button at the right. From the ICON homepage, you can edit your own information (illustrated below on the left) or change your password on the Settings page (circled on the right).
If you attach a photo to an email and send it to either the Office or the Webmaster, we will be happy to add it to your profile.
Email the Office and request a new one.
Have You Seen our Google Calendar?
We're working on making this ultra-functional. Soon, group leaders will be able to add their classes, meetings, and notes to this calendar for easy access. Office hours, RE times, and maybe even worship topics will be listed as far in advance as we can make them. You can find the Monthly Meeting Calendar link at the bottom of every web page.Or go to it directly below (bookmark with Ctrl+D or CMD+D):
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=minister@uumtairy.org&ctz=America/New_York
Ministerial Discretion Fund
Any one who would like to donate to the emergency fund that goes towards our most vulnerable members can do so by sending in a check earmarked for "Min. Disc. Fund" or contacting McKinley directly to donate electronically. Your donations go a long way, and offerings are always greatly appreciated.General Announcements |
Hale Hall Doors
It is imperative that we remember that both front and back doors to Hale Hall remain locked at all times. This means even during meetings and Sunday services. Please do not prop the doors open or let anyone into Hale Hall that you do not personally know is safe at any time. During services, all members, friends and congregants should come in the sanctuary door. Thank you for your cooperation.
Work Request Forms
If you are requesting work to be done, please complete the appropriate colored work request form located on the office door. Once your form is completed, place it in the bin labeled Administrative Assistant also hanging on the office door.
For those who do not frequently visit in person, you can send your request via email to the Administrative Office.
Pink - Request for Administrative Assistant
Yellow - Request for voucher check
Blue - Request for the sexton