Redwing Blackbird
by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Blackbird pours her liquid song
in a stream down my hair and face.
I look up and experience her music
as a Beatitude of Peace,
a feathery sonnet that rings
of grace and hope, of finding amidst loss
and the way love shapes itself to both
of us, human and avian, like water held
in a holy vessel.
Next Service
July 12 at 11:00 am
“What’s Important to You?”
Led by: Elissa Alden
In person at UUCEL or live on Facebook.
Announcements
UUCEL Outreach: We have a couple of opportunities to reach out to our community in festive settings:
Saturday July 18th from 9am-2pm: The Community Resource Fair and Farmer’s Market at the old Prison at 137 W North St.
Saturday July 25 from 11am-6pm: Southside Festival at the Exchange Club Playground 300 E. Mansion St. features entertainment, food, and fun.
For both events we need volunteers to put up/take down our tent and table and to be at the table, talk to people and offer church info. Please contact Ann Green greenannm517@gmail.com or in person!
Jackson County Immigrant Coalition: Many members of the congregation have expressed interest in joining the JCIC. Due to the nature of the coalition’s work with vulnerable people, the first step to getting involved is to fill out a secure vetting form. Please visit the JCIC linktree to access that form: https://linktr.ee/Jackson_County_For_Immigrants (the form is the second link from the top). Feel free to explore the other helpful links on the page. If you have any questions, reach out to Megan (in person or email meganmonkey@gmail.com).
A New UU Hymnal! Our two printed hymnals have old favorites, but the UUA has a new hymnal and it’s not printed; it’s online! Sing Out Love is a collection of music for services that includes some old favorites and many new selections, with more being added all the time. And you have access to it. Go to singoutlove.org/song-library, log in with the ID uuliberty@gmail.com and the password Eliberty1856. Make a suggestion for what you’d like to sing at church!
Resources from June 28th service: For folks who want more information and resources regarding the presentation by Elysia from the Ruth Ellis Center, please click here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V2AdnFJB5fVuRBLHnBBI4HmsNkUWnXtx
These materials can help allies be more supportive of our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors by increasing our understanding of gender identity, expression, and orientation. You can learn more about the Ruth Ellis Center and their amazing work at their website here: https://www.ruthelliscenter.org/
Worship Committee seeks speakers: Do you have an idea for a service, or a willingness to take us on your spiritual journey? Or do you know someone in the community who would? Please contact Darrin Palmer or another member of the Worship Committee. They are happy to help create a Sunday Service!
Social Mission Designee:
The Social Mission Designee for the 1st quarter is the Jackson County Immigrant Coalition (JCIC). JCIC are friends, families, and neighbors united in protecting & supporting our Jackson County immigrant community through allyship, education, and activism. Please give by using the donate button on our website or by contributing with a check with Jackson County Immigrant Coalition in the memo.
Minister’s Schedule:
- July – Vacation
Rev. Dan is available for 1:1 emergency pastoral care regardless of his days off. If you are in need of immediate pastoral care, please contact him right away. Please refrain from texting Rev. Dan after normal work hours unless it is a critical issue that needs immediate attention; if not, email him the next workday. If you need an immediate response to an email on a day off, type “URGENT’ in the subject line.
Please submit items for this weekly email by Tuesday afternoon at WednesdayChimes@gmail.com. Please include the date(s) you would like the announcement published in the subject line of your email.
Sunday Announcements
Please submit items to be announced on Sunday to the Worship Committee at uuliberty@gmail.com
Joys and Sorrows
Please submit items for inclusion in our Sunday service to the Worship Committee at uuliberty@gmail.com