May 15, 2020
East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church 10848 Chillicothe Rd. Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Church Building Remains Temporarily Closed Until Further Notice
 
The church building will remain temporarily closed to all until further notice except church staff, facilities chair and vendors, Board members, the Assistant Treasurer, and those involved in the production of electronic
Sunday services.
 
Exceptions by the Board of Trustees
will be made on a "one off" basis for
restrictive opening.

Rev's Reflections

I do not fear death. I resent it. Everything must die, apparently, and I am no exception. But I want to be consulted. You know what I mean? Death is impatient and thoughtless. It barges into your room when you are right in the middle of something, and it doesn't bother to wipe its boots. I have a new passion, my darlings, a passion for being myself, and for being more than previously has been manifested for a single lifetime. I am determined to die at my own convenience. Therefore, I journey to the east, where, I have been told, there are men who have taught death some manners.
—from Jitterbug Perfume, by Tom Robbins
 
Last week, during a Beverages and Banter discussion via Zoom, we were talking about some of our favorite books.  It’s a regular topic lately.  Shirley talked about how much she likes Tom Robbins, and was a bit surprised when I said that the only book of his I’d ever read — Even Cowgirls Get the Blues — bored me so much I couldn’t finish it.  Of course, I was 22 then, and a different person, so she suggested I try Jitterbug Perfume, which I promptly bought for my e-reader.
 
When I read the passage above, a brief monologue by Alobar a king-turned-itinerant-worker in the last days of the Roman Empire when it embraced Christianity and what Robbins described as a new understanding of the individual as distinct from the community, it struck a chord with me. I’m not done with the book yet, but clearly Alobar is intent on creating his own destiny.
 
I can totally relate to what he says about death.  I don’t fear it at all.  I feel like I’ve made peace with my life, live with no significant regrets, and am comfortable with my own mortality. My dear husband Joe always jokes that he knows how I will die: doing something unsafe, like falling off the top of a stepladder or bleeding out after misusing a power tool.  Both of us are sure that I will be riding shopping carts through parking lots until the day I fall off and break a hip.  (My father is 76 and he still does it, sure that his muscular physique will save him from everything.) I’ve always felt like if death barges in while I’m doing something I love doing, I’m okay with that.
 
But right now, it’s hard not to look at death through the lens of COVID-19, and the struggle between the individuals wishing to live unencumbered by state and mask, and those choosing to err on the side of caution in deference to others even if the costs are high.  If I’m honest about it, I feel stupid wearing a mask into the grocery store.  I felt really stupid wearing a mask in the parking lot for Beverages and Banter last week.  After all, if I won’t use the safety guard on my table saw, even after cutting off the end of my left index finger on the darn thing 14 years ago, why should I wear a mask to protect myself from some silly little virus that I would likely survive?
 
The answer is simple: It’s not about me.  Wearing a mask — and being bored at home — are two tiny little things that I can do that could save other people suffering.  Not just the elders whose health is already poor.  Not just the young folks with chronic respiratory conditions that put them at higher risk.  Not just the people who survive COVID-19 then suffer strokes afterward.  Everyone.  The people I know, and the people I don’t know.  A little discomfort, or even embarrassment frankly, could save lives. 
 
I’m sure some among us don’t agree with me.  We never all agree about anything.  After all, the most beloved part of our congregation is the Bond of Union, and the phrases “individual religious freedom,” and “not to think alike.”  I’ve been saying since March 14, when your board of trustees decided to close the building and suspend in-person gatherings, that this page of history will surely test our commitment to that Bond, and our attachment to personal liberty.
 
My hope is that we are all asking “what can I do to prevent the suffering of another?”  And that everyone is comfortable with their own answer, secure in their understanding of Unitarian Universalism really is: living in the tension between the worth and dignity of the individual and the interdependent web of which we are only a part. 
 
In Peace,
Rev Denis


Upcoming RE Events

 
 
HELLO, IS ANYBODY OUT THERE…
I have always enjoyed the album “The Wall” by Pink Floyd.  Yes, it is crazy and some of it is quite depressing in some spots, but the music is amazing.  And right now, a lot of us are wondering if anybody is out there.  I have ALWAYS needed my alone time.  It is what recharges me.  At the beginning of stay at home I was trying to find ways to be alone.  I never thought I would come to a point where I was in desperate need for being with other people.  Both Maxon and I go for long walks and talk with neighbors we have never really spoken with just for that socializing.  I have purposely dropped things off at peoples houses just so I can see them and say hi.  What all this rambling is about is that…
 
Hello, I am out here, and I miss you, I can’t wait to hug you, chat in person with you, and worship together NOT from a Distance.
 
Smiles,
Halcyon

The UU Deathly Hallows by August Zelch
 
 WEEKS TO COME
 
Classes on Zoom:
COA Class: every Sunday at 12:30 on Zoom.
I will send everyone a link before the class each week.  I will also tell you what physical items you may need in order to do the class.  These items will be simple and things you have around the house. 
 
RE Faith Development Class: every Saturday at 3pm on Zoom
I will send everyone a link before the class each week.  I will also tell you what physical items you may need in order to do the class.  These items will be simple and things you have around the house.  This Class is for all children, teens, COA teens, and adults that want to hear and share in the wisdom of our younger generations.
GATHERINGS ON ZOOM
Virtual FWN: 1st Wednesday of every month 6pm on Zoom
Unfortunately, we can’t cook for everyone.  We can sit down at the virtual dinner table together.  So have dinner ready and join Zoom.  If conversation gets to confusing, we can separate everyone out into smaller groups, just like you would only speak with the people around you not all the way down at the end of the table.  I will send everyone a link before the gathering each month.

Theme Thursday: 2nd Thursday of every month 6pm
Each month we will continue to explore our monthly theme. In this class we discuss and delve deeper into the meaning of the monthly theme and how we express it in our spiritual lives. This class is for everyone 16 years and older.  I will send everyone a link before the class each month.  I will also tell you what physical items you may need in order to do the class.  These items will be simple and things you have around the house. 
 
Circle of Mom: 3rd Thursday every month 6:30pm
I can’t supply the chocolate or the flowers, but we can still come together for conversation.  I will send everyone a link before the gathering each month. 
 
Virtual Spirituality of Art: 3rd Saturday every month at noon
Gather any art supplies, it can be as simple as a pen and a piece of paper, it could be what you are knitting, sewing, sculpting or whatever.  We will connect on Zoom and create art in our own space together.  We can still talk and share and listen to music or just share the moment in quiet.  I will send everyone a link before the gathering each month.
LETTER EXCHANGE
Are you writing each other?  Even though this has gone past the time we set up to have this exchange I am asking you to continue to write each other until we can once again be together and have our party.
PERSONAL NOTE
Due to the radical changes in our world, I just want to let everyone know that if you need someone to talk to, give me a call.  I will listen if you need.  I will joke if you need.  I will share if you need.  My phone number is 440-708-4596

TEENS

The current schedule for CER Youth and Adult Cons (YAC): https://www.uua.org/central-east/youth/districtyouth 
 
   BEVERAGES & BANTER
              ONLINE


Before each online gathering, Rev Denis will send out a reminder with the links:

MAY
Friday 5/15 @ 9:00 am
Sunday 5/17 @ 10:45 am
Tuesday 5/19 @ 2:00 pm
Thursday 5/21 @ 2:00 pm
Sunday 5/24 @ 10:45 am
Wednesday 5/27 @ 9:00 am
Saturday 5/30@ 2:00 pm
Sunday 5/31 @ 10:45 am

JUNE
Wednesday 6/3 @ 6:00 pm
Friday 6/5 @ 2:00 pm
Sunday 6/7 @ 10:45 am
Thursday 6/11 @ 7:00 pm
Sunday 6/14 @ 10:45 am
Thursday 6/18 @ 2:00 pm
Saturday 6/20 @ 12:00 pm
Sunday 6/21 @ 10:45 pm
Wednesday 6/24 @ 1:00 pm
Sunday 6/28 @ 10:45 am

UPCOMING LOOSE OFFERING


Every year we decided to donate 50% of our loose offerings to local organizations that our members support.  With the online services, a collection plate is no longer passed.  The Board at the April 11, 2020 meeting decided instead to direct individuals to donate directly to the organizations.  Any amounts sent to the church that is not part of a pledge  will be posted to our operations account.
 
May:  Ministers Discretionary Fund, ESUUC
10848 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland 44094 
Put "Discretionary Fund" in your memo line
 
June: Old South Food Bank
Old South UCC
9802 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, OH 44094
Put Old South Food Bank in the memo line.
 
Thank you for your support of East Shore and our organizations.  
Shirley Hairston, Treasurer

East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church

10848 Chillicothe Rd.
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul, Development Minister
We are a welcoming congregation!

Sunday service at 10:30 am
Please stay for our coffee hour right after the service. 

Quick Links: 

Calendar
RE Corner 
Birthdays 
Mission & Board 

Worship

Services @10:30 am, unless noted
 
Sunday Worships
Facebook/EastShoreUUChurch


Wednesday Morning Prayer Circles
6:15 AM
Facebook/EastShoreUUChurch
 
Both audio and written sermons are available online. To access go to www.eastshore.org, click on “About Us” and scroll to “Past Worship Services” and click on the service name.

Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul 

Office Hours: 

Tuesday:  12:00 – 4:00 pm
 

Rev. Denis’s schedule

for 2019-2020:  Click here 
 

Church Office Hours:

Tuesday thru Friday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 BEACON issue archive
Click HERE.  
To find out what's going on in our region, see the
Central East Region Website HERE.
See photos posted on our web site HERE

Calendar




Full Calendar

Happy Birthday!


May
  7 - Marie Nightingale  
  8 - Jen McAnlis-Harvey
16 - Andrew Rysko  
20 - David Simmerer
25 - Rhonda Austin
27 - Mark Guizlo
 
Need a birthday added? Email Linda at mail@eastshore.org

Don't Forget!

Food Collection is on the First Sunday of each month. 
 
Odd months are donated to the Salvation Army in Painesville

Even months are donated to the Food Pantry at Old South Church in Kirtland

Cash donations are also accepted.
CLEANING OUT THE CLOSET?

Remember to use the Clothing Bin in the back parking lot.
Items Accepted: Clothing, shoes, belts, purses, linens, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, & stuffed animals.
East Shore receives funds based on the donations.




Prayer Circle

Currently online at
Facebook/EastShoreUUChurch 
Wednesday Mornings,
6:15 to 6:45 AM.
Box Tops for Education 
 
Don’t forget to bring in your box tops and drop them in the convenient box in the Narthex.


All money earned goes to support RE programs.
Getting your news into the ESUUC BEACON
You can email your news to mail@eastshore.org.  
 
Please include your text in the body of your email, OR attach a WORD document (.doc or .docx). 
If you have pictures you would like to include, attach them separately as .jpg /.png /.gif, etc. files.
Submit your news at least 3-4 days prior to publication (before the 1st & 15th of each month)
 
Have questions? Contact Church Secretary, Linda Work. All BEACON submissions are subject to the
Beacon Policy, which you can find here:  http://eastshore.org/beaconpolicy

IT IS THE MISSION OF EAST SHORE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH:

  • to offer a loving, joyful, accepting religious community where the right to freedom of belief is unfettered by any prescribed creed, and where our liberal religious tradition is made accessible to all;
  • to provide support for the individual in a free and disciplined search for religious and ethical values that enrich our lives;
  • to provide religious education for children and adults, which enables self-knowledge, respect for others, and awareness of the interdependent web of existence of which we are but a part;
  • to celebrate together rites of passage through the great and profound moments of life;
  • to affirm Unitarian Universalist principles by reaching out to the greater community to promote truth, justice, responsibility, and love in the world. 

Board of Trustees Members 

For a Complete list of all Committees and Chairs:  SEE HERE

The Covenant of the East Shore Unitarian Universalist Board of Trustees

UPDATED for 2019-20

We covenant to:                                  
Love, Revere, Discover and Connect
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