FUN-D RAISING UCN STYLE
In the constant struggle to get the church on more solid financial ground, the Board of Trustees had asked Janet Turner Hampton and Judy Welp to co-chair our FUN-D Raising Team for the upcoming Church year. People who have been in the church for some time will remember many of the FUN-D Raising events of the past (Dances, Concerts, Coffee Houses, July 4th Celebration, Yard Sales and on and on). By re -forming the committee we hope to bring back some of the energy and financial success of those events.
The Vision for the team is:
- Support the financial needs of the church
- Enhance the feelings of community in the congregation
- Offer opportunities for full congregational participation
- HAVE FUN!
To that end we will be looking to everyone in the church, members and friends alike to help and support us in the upcoming year. We anticipate that everyone will not only support the events, but will find at least one event to help plan and organize.
So contact us with your ideas, come to our meetings and when we come looking for volunteers please say yes!
Our motto: Let's put the FUN back in Fundraising!
You will be hearing more. Check the Announcements section of the web site for information about upcoming FUN-d events!
Contact: Janet Turner-Hampton
UCN Young Adults Group, Sunday Mornings and Monthly Events
The Young Adults Group is intended for those UCN members and friends between 18 and 35 or who self-identify as young adults. We meet for monthly worship gatherings, and we organize regular social events. You can also join us at 9:45 every Sunday in the Social Hall for BYOB - Bring Your Own Breakfast. Bring a bagel and some coffee, and join us to chat and commune before the 10:30 UCN service.
Information about additional activities is available on Facebook. (Note: the Facebook site is not an officially sanctioned UCNuu cyber presence but is deemed a "safe" location by UCNuu Web Administration.)
Contact: Reannon Branchesi
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), First Sundays
Time and location: 2 PM in the social hall.
Contact: Vivian Walker
UCN CUUPS, Second Sundays
Time: 12 Noon
The Covenant of Unitarian-Universalist Pagans, or CUUPS, meets to discuss and plan various Earth-centered celebrations and observances. Consult the UCNuu Calendar for additional CUUPS events.
Contact: CUUPS Coordinator
UCN Buddhist Group, Every Monday
Time and location: 7 PM in the Curtis Room. All interested adults are welcome.
Contacts: Pat Metzler and Dan Sandlin
Exploring Liberal Christianity, Third Mondays, 7 PM
This circle in our free and diverse church is a respectful engagement with liberal Christianity, a major source of our living tradition and a rich path within our common Unitarian Universalist faith. Come and explore with us ways in which Christian perspectives might provide meaning and direction in your life, your connections with others, and with what lies beyond.
All are welcome. Child care is available. To ensure child care, please sign the sheet in sign-up section of bulletin board in the social hall near the back door and the rest rooms, or advise me on child care needs, preferably at least one week in advance.
Contact: Will Frank
Social Justice Committee, Second Tuesdays, 7 PM
In addition to researching and selecting the outside groups who receive the proceeds of our second Sunday collections, the Social Justice Committee has a number of projects:
- We have agreed to join the UU Partner Church Council by helping to pay for the education of a Unitarian child in India. We will pay $126 per year, which covers tuition, books, uniforms and exam fees, for the three-year high school course. Our child's name is Bankyrshan Khongjoh. He is 13 years old and is a student in Class VII in Mawlatbah Unitarian Upper Primary School. We should be receiving more information about him soon.
- With the weather changing, our friends who visit our Sandwich line on Tuesday mornings are shedding their heavier clothes and shirts and light jackets would be appreciated. Socks are always in demand. this summer we will try to distribute water when necessary.
- We sponsor a family through the "(Norfolk) Mayor's Project to End Homelessness". A single mother has two adopted teenagers and needs help. We originally donated to the project $1000, which she used to pay outstanding utility bills. Since then we have helped with monthly food donations, occasional school supplies, clothes and a Christmas donation. Recently we learned that the 16-year-old daughter is expecting a baby boy in June. One Covenant Circle is having a "shower' to provide some essentials, but any help would be put to good use - even diaper coupons.
- There is a grocery cart in the Social Hall in which we collect nonperishable food for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Over the past 6 weeks, we collected 85# of food. Our usual donation has been 50-75# month. Thanks to all of you who are remembering to donate each Sunday.
- Every Monday (except the Monday after the 2nd Sunday) at 3:30, a loyal group of UCNers make over 250 sandwiches to be passed out in a Food Line for the homeless on Tuesday morning, in conjunction with the Catholic Worker. Each Tuesday, UCN also has a good representation in the distribution line.
- We continually donate meals for ACCESS, an organization supporting AIDS patients. See someone at the Fair Trade booth to get containers to put your extra food in. At Thanksgiving we also made up 34 dinner packages with the left-overs from our UCN Thanksgiving dinner.
- We're naturally busy around the winter holidays. We had an Angel Tree to get presents for the children of one or two needy families sponsored by St. Columba. We also distributed our Guest at Your Table boxes then to collect money for the UU Service Committee - they will be collected in January..
- Throughout the year we might set up an information table for various causes which we feel need attention. Sometimes, this might involve a letter-writing campaign, usually to our elected officials.
- We sponsored a musical duo, Emma's Revolution, who performed at SUUSI a few years ago and also at G A for the past few years. They sing great social action songs.
- Recently we paid for three ads about UCN in the Fair Trade Festival brochure, the Hampton Roads Men's Chorus program and the Empower Hampton roads Annual Dinner program.
- For the first time in several years, UCN had an information booth at Out in The Park. Many interested folks came to us for information. Remember to keep greeting visitors when they come to Sunday services.
Contact: Marcia Slosser, Chair
Choir Rehearsals, Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM (September to Mid-June)
Location: sanctuary
The church choir, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Cook, who also serves as choral director for the Governor's School for the Arts, sings a variety of music, generally twice a month.
Contact: Choir Director
Tai Chi Group, Every Thursday, 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Location: varying - consult the Calendar of Events
Tuition is $12 per class session, a portion which will go to the general fund of the church. Visit the Bending Tree class registration web page or call their office at 318-WELL (9355) to sign up.
Women's Dream Group, Third Thursdays
Our meeting place is in Norfolk away from the church. If you are interested in participating, please contact Angela Conant or Barbara Cheney.
UCN Women's Book Group, Third Saturdays
Time and location: 12:30 PM in the social hall. Enjoy a potluck lunch and discuss the book for the month. Newcomers are always welcome.
Contact: Vicki Caminer
UU Men's Dream Team, Third Sundays
Time: 7 - 9 PM New members welcome. Come with a dream to share for a deeper understanding of your inner life.
Contact: Skip Earl
Rainbox Potluck, Varying Sundays of Most Months
The locations vary as well from the social hall to participants' home to restaurants. It is an opportunity for people from our diverse church community to enjoy good food and fellowship.
Contact: Buddy Rau