“Healing” is our November theme
The miracle of healing can’t be rushed, because as we are healing, we are re-forming, like a broken bone knitting back together. We have undoubtedly experienced a sort of battlefield healing, where there is not the safety, or the time, or the compassion to stay open, and so we become smaller and more heavily defended after a break, bound up by the scar tissue that saved our lives.
Let us shine compassion on these tight places, and strive to create a world where everyone has the safety, the time and compassion they need for their healing.
– Rev. Darcey Laine
Next Service
November 8 at 11:00 am
“Native Traditions and the Teachings of Jesus”
Led by: Guest Pastor Michael Peters
There will be some smoke involved with a pipe ritual.
In person at UUCEL or live on Facebook.
Announcements
FINAL WEEK! Books & Puzzles Sale:
Be sure to visit the Schoolhouse after service THIS SUNDAY, November 15: A special fundraiser sale of books and puzzles will be held in the schoolhouse after service. There are so many to choose from!
Carole Hartsuff Memorial: This Saturday, November 14, is the memorial for Carole Hartsuff at UUCEL. Visitation begins at noon, with a service at 1:00pm. There will be a light luncheon following the service, at Cascades Manor House on Kibby Road in Jackson.
New Drum Circle Forming! The new Drum Circle, led by Ben Brue, will have its first gathering TONIGHT – Wednesday, November 11 at 6:30 at the church. No drumming experience required, and extra drums will be available if you need one to use. Come and explore the spiritual and communal benefits of group drumming, whether you think you have rhythm or not!
Lunch With the Minister: November’s Lunch with the Minister gathering will be on Friday, November 13 at noon at Red Lobster in Jackson. Come and hang out with Rev. Dan and enjoy casual conversation and great food!
Love At the Center Book Group: The Love at the Center Book Group’s next meeting will be on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30pm via Zoom. If you didn’t participate in the first meeting, you are still welcome to join the group. See Rev. Dan for details.
Choir Rehearsal: Choir practice will be held on November 22nd, starting at 10:00 am. All Singers Welcome!
Harvest Potluck: There will be a Harvest Potluck after the service on November 29 immediately following the service. There is a sign-up sheet in the social hall. If you have questions, contact Patty Brue 517-740-1684
Study Leave: Rev. Dan will be away on Study Leave from November 23 to 27. He will not be available to respond to emails, phone calls, or texts except in an emergency during this time.
Connecting With Our Faith: UUA & Mid-America News
Faithful Dissent: A Conversation with UU Advocates for Justice: Two leaders in resistance work will join UU World for a special live online conversation about the power and purpose of taking action grounded in Unitarian Universalist values. On Wednesday, November 18, at 3:30 p.m. ET, UU World Senior Editor Elaine McArdle and Unitarian Universalist Association President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt will talk with Rev. Sara LaWall and Charlene Walker, both Unitarian Universalists who have recently been engaged in active protest against unjust practices of the state. The event is free and will be held via Zoom. Advance registration is required. Click here to learn more and register to participate!
Braver/Wiser – A Weekly Message of Courage and Compassion:
This week’s offering is Flowers on Prison Fences by Adam O’Dell.
“…Local police forced us to protest inside a fenced area called the “free speech zone.” From this spot, a few weeks in, we Unitarian Universalists led a Flower Communion ritual. Juxtaposing the murder of Norbert Čapek by the Nazis against the inhumane conditions inside the facility, we led a crowd of protestors in singing and the exchange of flowers… When I showed up to demonstrate the following week, those flowers had been used to decorate the fence that restrained us. That tool of separation was now covered in a symbol of beauty, individuality, and love…” Click here to read the full message.
Prayer:
Spirit of Life, witness my tired spirit staying awake, waiting for the sun to rise on a just world.
Spirit of Life, witness the tired spirit of my neighbor, and how it does the same.
Spirit of Life, witness the tired spirit of the oppressor, how it holds onto hatred, lest it give way to pain.
Give us the persistence of love. Help us break the cycle.
Give us the serenity of love. Free us from the exhaustion of hatred.
Give us the courage of love; to use the broken pieces of our hearts to build a world we have yet to witness.
BONUS – A 100% Unauthorized Addendum to Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch by Gordon Bernstein:
And just like Farmer John said, families started coming to the pumpkin patch! Children ran up and down through the patch until they found the one they liked the best. The parents would have to come get the selected pumpkin and carry it to their car. The pumpkins noticed that the farther from the car, the more likely a pumpkin would be picked and carried back.
The days continued to get shorter and colder. The pumpkins didn’t do much until the afternoon sun had them warmed up enough to talk. Then one day suddenly no more people came to the patch. No children running. None of the other vegetables were there and about half of their pumpkin friends were gone. The patch was very quiet.
After a few days Farmer John came out to the patch. He was wise enough to wait until afternoon so the pumkins would be more awake. “My pumpkins” he said, “I wanted to wait until after Halloween to tell you that there’s another holiday coming.” “What now?” said the pumpkins. “Thanksgiving will be here soon. People will be coming to pick you for their celebration meal. You will be made into a wonderful pie and be the second most important part of the meal, after the turkey of course.” The pumpkins complained, “Seriously ?! I think I would rather have had eyes to see the stars and see the children running around on Halloween night than to be cut up and turned into a pie.” Trying to calm them, Farmer John said, “I know this is a big change but trust me. The joy you will bring to these people on Thanksgiving will make it worth it.”
And just like Farmer John said the people came back to the patch. The people that came were mostly the parents and rarely children. The pumpkins thought it was odd that closer to the car, the more likely the parents would pick you.
The days got even shorter and colder. A couple of nights a little snow fell and in the afternoon most of the snow melted. Then suddenly again no more parents came to the patch. It was far too cold to talk about it, but the pumpkins that remained all noticed it.
Again after a few days one evening Farmer John came out to the patch. He said, “I wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving to talk with you.” The pumpkins all thought to themselves, now what? He went on, “You pumpkins still here have the most important job of all. You get to sleep here in the patch, in the quiet of winter under the snow. In the spring your children will come and refill the patch with next year’s pumpkins. Like all living things, children come from their parents and so will your’s. For now just sleep.” As Farmer John walked to his house a few pumpkins sleepily mumbled “Good night, Farmer John.”
And just like every year before and every year since this story repeats.
Reminders
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 our 2nd Quarter is Grow Jackson. Please give by using the donate button on our website or by contributing with a check with Grow Jackson in the memo line.
Minister’s Schedule:
- November 11 – Off
- November 12-13 – UUCEL
- November 14 – Off
- November 15-17 – Elkhart
- November 18 – Off
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