Dear Church,
First, this is a Soup and Bread week! See below for more information. Now onto other things: Our community is made up of lots of different people at lots of different ages. It seems easier to plan for little children and grown-ups than it is for teens. I am wondering if there are grown ups who can offer to lead one time gathering of middle school and high school youth?
Can you:
Cook with the kids?
Guide a visit your exciting work place?
DJ a Disco Dance party?
Take them on a hike – or go bird watching?
Teach a new board game?
Lead a trip to the movies or a historical site?
Something else?
Of course, we expect all safe congregations policies will be observed and Ashleigh, Alice, and I will help that happen.
We will put up a brainstorming board at church next Sunday. I suspect that many of you have wonderful things to offer. Even if you have just a slim idea, please share and we will journey forward together.
Looking forward to new adventures!
-Rev. Mitra
SOUP & BREAD LUNCHEON
Although the weather is dreary, next Sunday's soup & bread luncheon will brighten your spirits. There will be 9 hot soups to choose from including vegetarian roasted corn chowder, split pea with ham, and vegan and gluten free Moroccan lentil. Join other St. Johners for this hot lunch, $6 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under. Oh yeah, we can always use some help with clean up.
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD HOSTS!
For International Women’s Day this year, the Young Activists Coalition will be holding an event honoring women. The date is Friday, March 8th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at St. John’s. We would like to have a few members act as hosts for this group and are seeking volunteers. If you would be interested in helping to welcome the Young Activists to St. John’s, please call the office. Thank you!
DOHN SCHOOL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The Dohn School, located at 608 E. McMillan in Cincinnati, is a Drop-Out Recovery public charter school. St. John's has been volunteering there for the past six months.
The director of the young women's academy would like help from St. John's women to work with the young women to learn some basic life skills: table etiquette, conversation skills, dress for success shopping spree, finance for teens, and all ending with a nice meal. We need at least three women for each of the following weeks, meeting from 2:15-3:15:
Finance for teens: March 19, 20 or 21
A real meal: March 5, 6 or 7
Conversation skills: February 19 or 21
Table etiquette: February 5, 6 or 7 (We will bring dessert and the place settings)
We might also participate in a Dress for Success shopping spree on a date to be determined. They would also like our help putting together care packages for the homeless.
Finally, if you are interested in committing every week, please let me know. On Fun Fridays, we work with about 3-5 girls on a craft project during the lunch hour. We would like to begin as soon as possible.
Please contact Alice Diebel as soon as possible by email at adiebel@stjohnsuu.org or by phone at (937) 350-7763 or (937) 305-4694.
PROPOSED UPDATES TO CONGREGATION'S BYLAWS
Two teams have been working to review and update St. John’s bylaws. After careful consideration, the Board has approved proposed changes to two sections of our bylaws. One proposal addresses Board Structure and Governance. The second proposal concerns Membership. There will be a special congregational meeting after service on Sunday, March 10 to vote on these proposed bylaws changes.
All members are encouraged to learn more about the proposed bylaws changes in advance of the vote on March 10. The proposed bylaws and additional supporting information are posted on St. John’s web site https://stjohnsuu.org/about-us/our-governance/ and in Krolfifer Fellowship Hall.
Due to the weather and cancellations in January, the organizing committees have scheduled two additional meetings to share the proposed bylaw details. Please attend to discuss and ask questions:
Sunday, February 17, after service in library: Board
Structure and Governance Bylaws
Sunday, February 24, after service in library:
Membership Bylaws
MATTHEW25: MINISTRIES UPDATE
On Feb 9 the St. John's volunteer group worked an Arts & Crafts-type of activity. We used squeezy bubble paint to mark out corporate logo on shirts donated by Cintas. These shirts will go to disaster areas in the US or abroad.
Please join us for our next St. John's volunteer shift on Saturday, March 9th from 9 to 11 am at Matthew 25, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242.
MARCC Annual Meeting, Tuesday, February 26th
St. John’s, through its membership in the UU Council of Greater Cincinnati, is a member of the interfaith organization, Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati. You are invited to join delegates, friends, and advocates at the 2019 Annual Meeting! Topic: 'How Our Court Systems Works'. Speaker: The Honorable Judge Fanon Rucker, Hamilton County Municipal Court. Location: Truth & Destiny Covenant Ministries, 2645 W. North Bend Rd., 45239. Time: 5:30 PM. Parking is free. RSVP is required. To do so, go to or marcc@marcconline.com, or call (513) 721-4843. There will be a charge for the meal that precedes his presentation.
Regional Assembly Conference in St. Louis
See the poster near the back door or in Krolfifer to learn more about this April 5-7 meeting of UUs from our MidAmerica Region.
ART GALLERY NEWS
Attention all painters, photographers, and mixed media artists from St. John's, Cincinnati, and neighboring communities! Gallery space is still available for the months of July, August, November, and December. This is a great opportunity to share your artwork and vision with others. If accepted, artists may also arrange a gallery reception by contacting Nancy Greenlee in the office at 513-961-1938. Please contact Sandy Geiser at sgeiser13710@fuse.net or 513-751-2005 for information.
IHN NEWS
Homelessness: With static wages, a threadbare safety net, and limited affordable housing, more and more children and adults in the greater Cincinnati area are at risk of homelessness. Interfaith Hospitality Network (http://ihncincinnati.org/ ) helps families transition from homelessness to home, intervenes with at risk families to keep them in housing, and joins with other agencies to advocate for increased affordable housing. We have partnered with IHNGC for more than a decade. We have worked as a team with several other congregations to provide food and shelter, in a loving environment, to four homeless families, one week at a time. Because the need is so great and we believe we have the volunteer base, we are adding a 5th hosting week in 2019.
If you are already part of St. John’s IHN team: Thank you and big hugs! What do volunteers do? They prepare and serve a homemade meal. They bring games and activities after supper. They stay overnight to maintain a safe environment. They mop floors, do laundry, and set up cots. They provide hugs, encouraging words, and lots of smiles. It takes at least 50 volunteers each week to do this, and kids are as welcome as adults! Will you join us?
If you would like to learn more, please contact Wanda Crawford (513-373-8895 or crawford@nku.edu) or stop by the IHN table during coffee time after the worship service. Roles and time commitments are described in the sign-up links below. The hosting site is First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati (536 Linton Street, 45219).
Our 2019 dates are: Feb. 17-23 (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4ca9af2aa4fd0-february) , April 14-20 (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4ca9af2aa4fd0-april), July 7-13 (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4ca9af2aa4fd0-july), November 10-16 (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4ca9af2aa4fd0-november), and December 22-29 (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4ca9af2aa4fd0-december).
WINTER IS DEFINITELY UPON US!
and look for the school/business closing information. http://www.local12.com/ As a reminder, In case of closing due to weather conditions, information will be posted on the front page of our website. You may need to refresh your page to see the update, We will also send out an email and Channel 12 will be notified as well. You can access Channel 12 at the following address;
FLOWER DONATIONS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING MONTHS!
If you would like to donate flowers for an upcoming Sunday please see the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board just outside the office door or contact the office at 513-961-1938. The cost is $35 and the flowers can be taken home with you after the service.
