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A Message from Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer

I was very glad to learn that the Transition Team had multiple applicants for the Interim Minister position.  They are busy interviewing and reference checking now and should have some news to share before long.  For the last few weeks I’ve been taking every opportunity to sing your praises to my colleagues, especially those seeking a new opportunity for ministry.  I’ve been telling them about your successful capital campaign and the building expansion, of course, and about how you are looking forward to growing more connected to the larger community once you have adequate space to host events. I’ve been telling them about your incredible music ministry featuring singers and tone chimers and the multitude of instruments included in the folk orchestra and about your robust ministry with children and youth and all the creative and committed volunteers who work to make sure this is truly a multigenerational community. 
 
I’ve been talking about your excellent and hardworking staff team and the depth and commitment and maturity of your lay leaders.  I’ve been telling them about how whoever follows me here will get to work with an awesome Affiliated Community Minister and not one, but two (and before long, hopefully, four) Commissioned Lay Ministers.  I’ve highlighted your commitment to being a healthy congregation and all the good work and learning that has gone into making it so, as well as your commitment to maintaining your identity as a fair share and fair compensation congregation.
 
Perhaps of greatest interest to my colleagues thinking about pursuing new ministries, I’ve lifted up the ways in which you respect, value and support professional ministry. Of all the reasons I remained as long as I did, this is one of the most important.  You let me into your lives.  You embraced my leadership.  You welcomed my desire to experiment, knowing that those experiments wouldn’t always result in awesome new programs or ways of doing things.  You trusted that exploring and innovating is part of how I, and we, would learn together.  You formed a partnership with me and that is how we practiced ministry.  You recognized that renewal is part of what keeps professional ministers healthy, and you supported me in seeking that renewal with adequate funds and time for professional development.  And you honored my time off very well.  Rarely did I receive phone calls on Mondays or on my vacations, and when I did, they were almost always a real pastoral emergency.     
 
I’ve been naming all these wonderful things about you to my colleagues because these are among the ways that you have blessed me.  I will ever be grateful.  You taught me to be a minister.  You let me grow into my particular ministry.  You partnered with me in service to the holy, without arguing about the multiple ways we name that which is greater than our own lives.  You cared for me, just as you allowed me to care for you.  Thank you, deeply and sincerely, thank you.  You have been a blessing to me and to my family and to my ministry.  I love you and I will miss you.  And I’ll be quietly watching your developments on-line and cheering you on.  I wish you every blessing as you move into the next chapter.  I’m so grateful to have been part of your story.
 
Love, 

Upcoming Sunday Services
9:45 and 11:30 AM

Please note special time and location
for our November 20 service.

 
6 November 2016    Stories of Spiritual Discovery
Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer with Brad Bolton and Jo Fatchet-McGee
 
What kinds of circumstances lead to opportunities for spiritual discovery?  This morning, as we introduce our monthly theme of story, I have invited two members of the congregation to share one of their own stories of spiritual discovery.  Come join us as we listen together for what the stories of others can teach us about our own.
 

 
13 November 2016    What Now?
Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Worship Associate Justin Czekaj
 
The election is over.  What now?  No matter who wins, we have important work before us as a people, most especially the work of restoring civility to public life.  Come reflect together on the stories we need now and the spiritual practices that can sustain us in our work together.
 


20 November 2016    The Story Continues
Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer, Worship Associate Andrew Rome, Commissioned Lay Minister Lori Fatchet-McGee, Director of Religious Education Lily Rappaport, Music Director Hal Walker and others
 
One service only at 10:00 AM at the Kiva at Kent State University*
 
For this last worship service I will share with you, I hoped to have just one service so we could all be together.  Our service will be held at 10 am at the Kiva at Kent State University, with a reception to follow in the meeting rooms above the Kiva.  The service will be multigenerational.  Little ones who are too young to make it through the service will receive care from Michelle Bores, Sandy Bowers and Vivien Hogan in the upstairs meeting rooms.  Parking in the lot outside the student center is free on Sundays.  Please reserve the accessible parking near the building for those with mobility limitations. 
 
Come celebrate our shared ministry. Come celebrate Thanksgiving.  Come together with me one last time to say goodbye and to look forward to the next chapter of this wonderful congregation. 

     * The KSU Kiva is located on Risman Drive next to the Student Center. 
        Click here for the location on Google maps   Risman Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242


27 November 2016   TBA
Intern Minister Dave Clements and Worship Associate Carolyn Schlemmer
 
 
It's time for the 4th annual UU've Got Talent concert! Come check out all the musical talent of the members of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Kent. $15 donation at the door. $5 for under 21. This concert is a fundraiser to benefit the lively music program at our church - specifically toward the funding of a choir accompanist. Please spread the word and bring a friend!

Meet the Committee on Ministry

The Committee on Ministry meets monthly to address congregational concerns and to discuss problem solving that is consistent with the 7 principles of our faith.  The responsibilities of this committee are even more significant as this congregation goes through multiple transitions, including personal changes and the construction of a new building.  Significant transitions can be incredibly complex and challenging for a congregation and good communication can help to resolve issues that could, otherwise, become major problems.  If you have any concerns about the church, its activities, behavior of individual members, or our many transitions, please direct them to one of the members of our committee:
If you will be attending the annual church auction this year and need childcare please read this announcement! 
 
This year we will be doing childcare differently. Instead of using the teeny tiny room at the UCC, we will hosting the children here in Fessenden Hall for games, movies, crafts and fun! Pizza and snacks will be provided.
 
Because childcare is off site this year, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! There will be no exceptions. Children need to be registered for childcare not later than Friday Nov 25th. To Reserve a spot for your child, email Colleen at reassistant@kentuu.org 
 
Many more details coming soon!  
 
Thanksgiving Dinner will once again be served at the Church
Thursday, November 24, in Fessenden Hall  
(Dinner Time TBA -- keep watch in the e-nUUs and Sunday Thread.)
 
Once again, our hosts will be Lori and Jo Fatchet-McGee!
 
All who attend are asked to bring a favorite Thanksgiving dinner side dish or dessert to share – please sign-up and let us know how many of you there are and if you are vegan or vegetarian.  A variety of alcohol-free drinks will be provided.  If you plan to come, consider bringing your favorite game to share if you’d also like to enjoy time relaxing with others after the meal.  In order to prepare, please let us know if you are coming.  There will be no charge for anyone; however, we will take a free will offering to help cover the cost of a few supplies and beverages. 
 
A sign-up sheet has been posted in Fessenden Hall.  Alternatively, you can email your reply to the church office.  At least 2 volunteers are needed to help set-up and several to help clean-up -- remember, many hands make light work!   If you do reply via email, please let us know whether you are free to help with set up or clean up. Thank you.

Recent Simple Gifts Received . . .

from R. Madly,
in appreciation of
Gene Wenninger and Cheryl Casper
 
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Unitarian Universalist
Church of Kent
228 Gougler Avenue
Kent, OH 44240

Phone: 330.673.4247
Email: churchoffice@kentuu.org
Web: https://kentuu.org
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