Happenings – May 9, 2024

MLUC Worship Team & MLUC Dancers led by Donna Feltman

Join us in person or on our livestream on Sunday, May 12, at 10 a.m.

This Week's Sunday Service

Many Flowers, Same Garden

Please bring a flower with you to lay upon the altar during our Flower Communion, a ritual created to celebrate the relationship between the individual and the community. Extras will be available for anyone who needs one!

Board Member: Nancy McDowell

Worship Associate: Chris Cavalieri

Music: MLUC Choir; David Brown, violin; Kaitlyn Waterson, soprano; Jodie Brown, piano

From the Staff

Minister's Minute

There comes a time when we must lend our voice to the moral issues of our time. The war in Gaza is a tragic outcome of cultural and political conditions that have lasted for millennia. While we abhor the war in Gaza we also condemn the rising tide of antisemitism and acknowledge the need for Hamas to release the hostages who are still being held.

As UUs we can no longer remain silent about the rise of hate and the loss of life this war is causing innocent women, men, and especially children. The UUA has issued a statement condemning the killing and treatment of innocents. You can read it here:

UUA Condemns Violence Against Gaza, Urges Immediate and Total Ceasefire | Press Releases | UUA.org

The violence in Gaza, in all its forms, must stop. The antisemitism must stop. We can no longer accept violence as a form of national self-defense. As a minister to our faith, I stand with the UUA in opposition to our nations policy of supporting this war. This is fundamentally a moral issue to which we should all stand. I found these words from my colleagues at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC, to be prophetic:

"As Unitarian Universalists, we condemn hatred and violence in all its forms. We affirm the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and protest as indispensable means to confront injustice and violence. We commend the students and faculty at educational institutions across the nation for courageously advocating for peace, justice, and liberation.

"We also know the dangers here. There is the antisemitism just below the surface and out in public on our campuses. There is the encouragement for all of us to take our tribal sides and close our ears to other voices. There is our own tragic history of times in living memory when police/military have been deployed against student protesters and students have died. There is also the ongoing history of police brutality against Black and Brown and Trans bodies.

"Every police department seems to have unlimited supplies of riot gear. Tear gas and rubber bullets are never in short supply. We spare no expense to police our people and control protest, but feeding programs for children from poor families, mental health outreach and affordable housing are never adequately funded.

"The protests and the response to the protests can also call up the demons and deep flaws in our culture rather than our better angels. May our religious voice be clear about what must change. And may our religious voice also be clear that making different choices is still possible. Brown University agreed to consider the protest demands for divestment and violence was avoided. Northwestern agreed to disclose its investments and the protest encampment was taken down."

—Revs. Bill Sinkford, Rob Keithan, and Louise Green

Music Notes

Did any of you see Maestro, Bradley Cooper's recent biopic about Leonard Bernstein? It's hard not to be moved to tears by the choir scene, where Cooper's masterful portrayal of Bernstein rehearses "Make Our Garden Grow from Candide." With our Flower Communion on the horizon, it occurred to me that Bernstein's optimistic message to " do the best we can," whoever we are—through a garden metaphor, no less—was the perfect selection for the Choir this week. Extending the flower theme, we will sing James Mulholland's setting of the famous Robert Burns love poem " A Red, Red Rose"; and I will recruit Kaitlyn and Jodie to join me in performing Louis Spohr's exquisite homage to nature, "Abend-Feier" (Evening Celebration).

And then, there will be dancing! Vivaldi's ubiquitous, intrinsically cheerful "Spring" from The Four Seasons will accompany our Flower Communion Dancers. In addition to our hymns—No. 1000: Morning Has Come, and No. 76: For Flowers That Bloom about Our Feet—we will learn and sing together the English tune, "The Cuckoo's Nest," set to Kate Brown's (no relation) adorable poem, "The Little Plant". And don't panic . . . we won't be learning Hungarian verses this time!

See you Sunday!

I was very pleased to introduce the Rev. Dr. Bill Cluley as our new Interim Minister for Congregational Care. Bill is a member of our congregation and assumes this role as a volunteer. He will be working with our pastoral care team in developing a strategy for congregational care.

We have several ongoing opportunities to reach out for care. Our newest is the "Check-in Circle" which meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. The link can be found on our calendar and here:

https://zoom.us/j/99907953788pwd=d2VwTFcxa3JBdmtQSDBOOGRFMVB1UT09

Please join us!

You can reach out to the care team at any time by email revjohn@mluc.org or by phoning our confidential line 610-688-8332 extension 9. Please leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Rev. John

Dearest MLUC Community,

It has been just about a month into my “retirement” and, I miss you ALL.

I want to thank you for all the Sweet Sendoffs: the surprise lunch, gifts, plants, COFFEE, jewelry, and heart-felt tributes. It has been a grand adventure. There are moments over the past four years that are memorable for the love and courage I witnessed in many of you.

May you DISRUPT, with care for one another.

Nominating Committee

At the 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting, we will elect candidates for the Board of Trustees, the Nominating Committee, and the Moderator. There are three nominees for the Board of Trustees, two for the Nominating Committee, and one for Moderator. The necessary 20 signatures for each candidate have been recorded. Photographs and biographies of all the nominees will be displayed in the Atrium through May. To view them online, Click here. Please vote for these candidates at our Annual Congregational Meeting on June 9 at 11:30 a.m.

You Had Me at Hello

Can you share a smile and a hello?

You can make all the difference to a family or any guest visiting MLUC in person for the first time. First impressions matter, as we all know. From the entrance to our grounds to the paths to our front door, from the visuals and feelings in the lobby, worship, and Coffee Hour, we shape visitors' first impressions of MLUC. How we care for our MLUC home and for them speaks a lot about our community. Our personal warmth and welcome begins at our front doors and at the Welcome Table. A smile and a friendly hello, good morning, and welcome can go a long way in making someone feel accepted. All of us can give a warm welcome and hello to visitors and each other. Please share your warmth and smile and sign up to greet guests and your friends at the front door and Welcome Table for a few Sundays. We are all part of the welcome team at MLUC!

Memorial Service

Ken Gross Memorial Luncheon

Saturday, May 11, from noon to 2 p.m.

The lunch will be held in the Fireside Room.

(No YouTube link because the luncheon will not be streamed.)

Joys & Concerns Reminder

If you want to submit a joy or concern to be read aloud on Sunday during Joys and Concerns, please fill out this form, which is always available on the MLUC website.

May Offering Outreach

Thank you to the MLUC for welcoming T&E Care and allowing me a few minutes of your time. I thought I would write a follow-up note of thanks to you all, and to include some helpful information about our organization. T&E Care’s mission to provide short-term assistance to local people in need is fulfilled on the selfless contributions of neighbors just like you and me.

Your support will pave the way to cover some critical resources, such as:

Rent to keep families from facing evictions
Utility bills to keep the lights on
Car repairs so our neighbors can continue to get to work
Mental health counseling so those overcome with life challenges can better handle their despair
College assistance so select students can limit the loans needed to better their future
Food gift cards, so our neighbors don’t go hungry during these cold winter months

We extend our deepest gratitude to you for considering this call to action. If you have already sent in a donation to T&E Care, we are very thankful! We can’t do it without our community, and we are so grateful for your much needed support.

T & E CARES — Families Helping Families has asked if we would like to gather 24-count packs of Crayola crayons. They outfit 255 families with school supplies each year and they start collecting in the spring to be ready for fall. This is a specific item they never have enough of. Please look for the basket in the Atrium to make your contribution!

TAG Updates

Now showing in the Fireside Room, the art of Fiona Morehouse. Look closely and think about how each of these paintings speaks to you. The exhibit will be up until June 9.

Twenty-five percent of sales go to the church. Image: Home in Your Arms by Fiona Morehouse.

Coming Up

Nerf Dart Adventure

Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

As UUs we seek a fair and peaceful world . . . but we know that conflict is a real part of life. Join us to explore conflict through play in a Nerf dart adventure around the church building. For ALL AGES. How do we stay in right relationship with each other through teamwork, despite competition, and by creating covenants around how to treat each other? (And also have a great time running around, firing soft darts, and keeping score!) No registration required. You may bring your own Nerf toys, but we will have a selection to choose from, too, and plenty of darts. Bring a drink or snack to share!

Jazz 'n' Joe

Wednesday, May 22, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Main Meeting Room

This is a secular and free performance by the Jazz Sanctuary Quintet. All are welcome. Free coffee, soft drinks, and snacks will be provided. You are welcome to bring wine to share.

Folk Sing

Saturday, May 25 at 1:30 p. m. in the Fireside Room

Everyone is welcome to join our informal group sing, no matter what your skill level, age, etc. Research has shown that group singing is good for mental health and improves general mood and reduces stress. This is a fun opportunity to test that out!

Please come and bring a friend and a snack or nonalcoholic beverage to share.

Save the Date

MLUC @ Pride!

Help us support the queer community and get our name out by marching in the DelCo parade AND tabling at both Phoenixville and Narberth Festivals.

EVERYONE can make Pride Rocks after the services in May, and then there are a variety of other jobs from making signs to sitting at the table or walking in the parade. Sign up here.

DelCo Parade on June 1, 12–2 p.m. in Media

Chester County Pride Fest on June 8, 12–5 p.m. in Phoenixville

Pride at the Park on June 15, 12–5 p.m. in Narberth

Last Weekend at the Derby Party

Summer Children’s Faith Development

We are very happy to welcome back Kelly Nastasi as our Summer Teacher this year! Kelly has taught summer multi-age classes for the past several years; she is a former MLUC member who now attends Wellsprings with her family but she is also a professional Montessori teacher who brings creativity and caring to our more free-form, play-based summer program for ages 3-12. Kelly will base her sessions this summer on sessions from We’re On Our Way, a Unitarian Universalist diversity, equity, and inclusion curriculum.

Volunteer helpers are needed! If you’d like to help with summer RE, a fall faith development class for children, youth, or adults, please reach out to re@mluc.org and we’ll see if we can find a good fit for you to serve.

Recurring Events

Meditation I: Meditation I: Rethinking Climate Change

Sundays, 8:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.

Meeting ID: 813 7503 7090

Our talk this week is entitled "Despair to Possibility: Rethinking Climate Change." We will listen to an interview with Rebecca Solnit, author, activist, spiritual leader, and inspiration. She is working to change our stories about climate change, encouraging greater positivity, hope, and action. This Sunday we'll present the first of a three-part series that explores the topic "Redefining Hope." Please join us for an inspiring talk, discussion, and group meditation.

If you come in person to Room 208, please bring a laptop or other device.

All are welcome: new and experienced meditators, church members, and guests. Facilitated by Katrina Ogilby

Meditation II

Sundays, 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Room 208 or Zoom Meeting ID: 871 0669 1309

We meet for a short reading followed by 20 minutes of silent meditation. All are welcome: beginning and experienced meditators, church members, and guests.

Monday Evening Book Group

Mondays, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting

All are welcome to join the Monday Evening Book Group as we continue our reading of Ten Percent Happier by Dan Harris. Our format includes a check-in and introduction, a five-minute centering meditation, and discussion.

Monday Morning Meditation and Book Group

Mondays, 7:30–8:45 a.m., in person or via Zoom

The MLUC Monday Morning Meditation and Book Group will discuss a book chosen by the current members. The subject is usually Buddhism and other philosophies that explore the mystery of life and universe through discussion and meditation. After we finish a book and before we select a new one, we ask other MLUC members to join the group. Our goal for each new group is to have between 10 and 12 members, of whom two or three are new.

The group is now reading In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying, by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and Helen Tworkov.

If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Dilip Kumar, dilipkumaro29@gmail.com.

Theology Explorers

2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., Zoom Meeting ID: 299 356 228

This group discusses spiritual topics and materials in search of truth, meaning, and spiritual growth. On May 22, we will continue onto Chapter Six of the book Life Worth Living and on June 12 we will talk about emergent phenomena. You can find more information on Theology Explorers at this link.

Evening Meditation

Thursdays, 7:00–7:45 p.m., Zoom Meeting ID: 924 2484 7584

We will have a brief check-in, a short reading, and meditation.

Candles of Community

We light a candle of support for . . .

Nuala Carpenter, who is mourning the death of her dear friend Pat Bullis.

Deirdre Gordon, whose sister, Sheila Gordon Ulrich, died on May 3 after a lengthy illness.

Diane Kyker, whose nephew Kevin recently suffered a major stroke at age 43. He is currently in acute rehab and has a long road back to recovery, helped by the strong support of his family.

E-mail: joysconcerns@mluc.org to submit joys, sorrows, milestones, or celebrations to this week's Worship Associates.

How to Submit a Joy or Sorrow for Sharing on Sunday:

https://mainlineunitarianchurch.org/joys-and-concerns