Church Building Remains Temporarily Closed
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.
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Rev's Reflections
This month’s theme for worship and religious education classes is deep listening.
Deep listening is one of those things that’s hard to describe and even harder to practice. We all have so much going on in our world, in our bodies and in our minds, that sometimes it’s really hard to turn off the inner chatter and really listen to what is going on around us.
As we are listening to someone speak, even if we really want to hear them, we’re often thinking about how we feel, or more likely, how we want to respond. How often have you found yourself in that position, trying not to interrupt with the brilliant thought you just had? How often have you failed?
David Rome, a teacher of mindfulness and the author of a book called Your Body Knows the Answer, describes poor listeners as being frequently unable to separate their own needs from those of others. They’re often thinking instead of listening: “What does this have to do with me? What can I say next to further my agenda? How can I show this other person how I am right and they are wrong?” You can usually tell that they aren’t really listening. And when people are really poor listeners, you can tell that they don’t really care what you have to say.
The truth is, we are all poor listeners sometimes. There are things that we feel so passionately about it’s hard to hold our opinions, even for a little while. In times like these, rife with rancor and discord everywhere we turn, it’s so easy to label other people “wrong” and dismiss them. But most of us at least try to listen to our opponents, especially when the stakes are high.
Our shared values as Unitarian Universalists call on us to listen. Even though the word “listen” doesn’t appear in our principles, listening respectfully is the only way to put them into practice.
Rome says that good listening, deep listening, is being open-minded, and genuinely giving your full attention to others, instead of the chatter in your mind. Deep listening is paying attention not just to the “surface” meaning of the words the other person is using, but reading between the lines for a deeper meaning, and hopefully a better understanding of where the other person is coming from. Good listening, he says, encourages openness and honesty.
My experience is that in any conversation, if one person, even in a large group, is not listening, it’s hard to get below the surface. Worse, if that person is constantly interrupting, it’s impossible to find common ground or even the essence of the disagreement. Without deep listening, no honest exchange will take place. Nobody learns anything.
Good listeners are good communicators. Ronald Reagan, often called the “great communicator,” owed his success to two things: being honest and being in touch with his audience. He listened. Even if you disagreed with him, you have to admit that he communicated well.
May this be a month in which we can listen deeply to each other, especially as November 3 draws closer.
In Peace,
Rev Denis
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Upcoming RE Events
Hello Everyone,
We have three field trips planned for October and November. The first is at the LGBTQ Center of Cleveland on Saturday, October 17th at 11 am. The second is a Haunted Cemetery Tour at Chagrin Falls Cemetery on Saturday, October 24 at 4:30 pm. The third is at Holden Park on Saturday, November 14th, the time TBA. We will also be celebrating Halloween on Saturday 31st at the Church in the evening (look for more details in this newsletter). There will also be a Thanksgiving gathering on Sunday November 22 (again look for details in this newsletter). All other weekends class will be on Zoom at noon on Sundays. All these things are open to both children and adults. It is especially important to encourage your children and your self to join these events. In all this chaos we need to put that extra effort into our spiritual wellbeing. We are working hard to create ideas and activities that help us to connect and grow. But all our efforts are for nothing if you do not participate. I hope to see you at several events each month. And please, please stay safe body, mind, and soul.
Smiles,
Halcyon
Social Justice Project
The foodbank at Old South Church needs volunteers. Especially strong backs on Thursdays when deliveries happen. If you would like to help, please contact Halcyon.
Faith Development is working with BLM Lake County to create a project for all youth.
Classes:
October:
- Sunday, October 4th at noon– class on Zoom
Sunday, October 11th at noon – class of Zoom
- Saturday, October 17 at 11am – LGBTQ Center of Cleveland Fieldtrip
- Saturday, October 17 at 3 pm - Art of Spirituality-Zoom
- Saturday, October 24 at 4:30 pm - Field Trip: Haunted Cemetery Tour @ Chagrin Falls Cemetery
- Sunday, October 25th at noon – class of Zoom
- Saturday, October 31st at 4pm – Halloween Service and Celebration
November:
- Sunday, November 8th at noon – class on Zoo
- Saturday, November 14 time tba – Holden Park Fieldtrip
- Sunday, November 22nd 10:30 noon at church – Bread Communion and/or at noon class on Zoom
- Sunday, November 29th at noon – class on Zoom (planning Christmas pageant)
GATHERINGS
FWN: 1st of every month 6pm in Church parking lot
Unfortunately, we can’t cook for everyone. We can bring our own dinner and eat together separately. So have dinner ready and come to the church parking lot. Bring a chair or a blanket to sit on. Let us meet and share the joy of seeing each other in person.
PARKING LOT CIRCLE OF MOM: 2nd Tuesday every month 6:30pm at church
I can supply the chocolate and the flowers, and we can come together for conversations. This event will continue as long as weather permits
ZOOM CIRCLE OF MOM: 3rd Thursday every month 6:30pm on Zoom
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.
SPIRITUALITY OF ART: 3rd Saturday every month at noon on Zoom
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.
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
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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
Church Gatherings
Knowing we cannot have a Halloween Ball or Haunted House inside the church and that we can not have a Halloween Costume Parade in the Sanctuary or soup lunch in the Narthex, some fine people came together and asked, “How can we keep our sacred traditions in this time of physical separation?”
Well, these great minds came up with some fun and loving ways to come together safely and carry on our joyous (or scary...BOO) traditions. We looked at each upcoming holiday and/or tradition and discussed the myriad of ways we could come together safely and meaningfully. We have strong outlines for almost all these events, with more details on the first upcoming happenings. As we go along, we will focus on each festival as it approaches.
Here are the holidays/traditions we are working on: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chalica, Christmas Pageant, Christmas Candlelight Vigil, and New Year’s Eve. We will focus on the Spring festivals in January. If you know of any we have forgotten or would like to join the group, then please contact Rev. Denis or Halcyon. Guidelines for each gathering will be shared as we get closer to each event (and we iron them out) but here is what we have put in place so far.
Guidelines
Everyone over 5 years of age must wear a mask and it must be over your mouth and nose.
Stay 6 feet apart from those not in your family grouping.
Stay home if you are feeling sick in any way.
We will meet in the back (west) parking lot.
Cars will be parked every other parking space in a designated area
Your parking lot is your space to be in, though you are welcome to move around, appropriately distanced.
The drive in between the cars will be a walkway for people to traverse and visit.
Up to 50 people will be allowed to join each event.
Everyone must sign up beforehand or let Rev. Denis or Halcyon know you are coming.
Everyone will need to dress and pack in accordance with the weather.
Anyone not willing to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave.
Events - Everyone is encouraged to do the following to the best of your ability and desire. The only requirement is that you meet the guidelines above.
HALLOWEEN – 4pm to 7pm
Saturday, October 31, 2020
- We will have a distant trunk or treat for BOTH adults and youth.
- There will be a Mask Parade, so get that COVID-19 mask decorated. And yes, you can dress in costume if you so wish.
- There will be first-place prizes for adult and youth based on the best Mask
- We encourage everyone to bring a treat for BOTH adults and youth. Everything must be individually packaged. (i.e. candy in its own little bag.) The treats will be set up on a table at the end of your parking space. That way tricksters can select their treat without personal contact.
- To facilitate contact tracing and ensure space for members and friends, NO outside guest will be allowed to attend.
- Coffee, hot cider and snacks will be provided under COVID-19 guidelines.
- We are encouraging you to decorate your car, space, or self as scary/silly/bootasticly as you can or want.
- As it gets darker, we will start a bonfire.
- As we get closer to the event, we will let those who are coming know how many treats they will need for BOTH adults and children.
Things to Bring:
- Chairs, tables (or you can borrow a church table), tent (if you have one), decorations (for your car, table, tent, self), dinner (if you need to), treats for BOTH adults and youth (I am and adult and I want a treat). Also, blankets, umbrellas, or whatever you need to enjoy yourself no matter what the weather brings.
- Examples of adult treats to consider; sweet or savory homemade items, pumpkins or gourds, fresh produce, pens or pencils, notecards or stationery, handmade items, Jell-O shots, beer or nips.
THANKSGIVING BREAD EXCHANGE
10:00am Sunday, November 22
- From 10:00 to 11:30 we will have a drive through bread exchange (bring a loaf, get a loaf)
- Up to 20 are invited to stay for the Facebook Live portion of the service and up to 50 for the gathering afterward. Sign up in advance if you plan to stay for one or both.
- We ask that you add the story (i.e. your family’s tradition or history) to the loaf that you bring
- Those who come will gather in the back (west) parking lot.
- We ask that you bring your own picnic brunch/lunch.
- More details will be coming as we get closer to the event
Things to Bring:
- Bread with description of tradition. Chairs, tables, tent (if you have one), decorations (for your car, table, tent, self), brunch/lunch, Also, blankets, umbrellas, or whatever you need to enjoy yourself no matter what the weather brings.
CHALICA
During First Wednesday Night
6:00pm, December 2, 2020
- In the back (west) parking lot (weather permitting) or on Zoom.
- More details will be coming as we get closer to the event.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
10:30am Sunday, December 20
- We are asking any and all people with photos and/or Video to please send copies to Halcyon at eastshoreuuchurchohio@gmail.com
- We will also be having a meeting (date TBA) to plan a virtual pageant
CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
4pm to 7pm Sunday December 20
- We ask everyone to bring dinner for yourself and/or your family
- Decorate your car, table, tent for Christmas with lights or other decorations.
- Christmas service and candlelight vigil will take place. In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed to Christmas Eve, in place of the planned event.
- More details will be coming as we get closer to the event
Things to Bring:
- Chairs, tables, tent (if you have one), decorations (for your car, table, tent, self), Dinner, Also, blankets, umbrellas, or whatever you need to enjoy yourself no matter what the weather brings.
CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00pm Thursday, December 24
- If the 12/20 event is postponed, that will happen as planned (see above). If the 12/20 event has not been canceled, there will be a Dusk Ritual on Zoom that will take us from the light of the day to the dark of the night
- More details will be coming as we get closer to the event
NEW YEARS EVE – TBA
- More details will be coming as we get closer to the event
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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
SECRET SANTA
We are now asking for donations to our Secret Santa project. For those that do not know, Secret Santa is an opportunity to help those that are struggling to have an easier time of it during the winter holidays. We are asking people to send checks addressed to ESUUC with a memo saying it is for Secret Santa to the church before December 1, 2020.
Once we know how much we have we will then distribute the monies to our ESUUC families that can use the help.
Thank you in advance for your help and keeping this generous tradition going on.
MITTEN TREE
We are still going to try and have a mitten tree of sorts this year. We will place a tupperware container with a lid under the eves by the back door. Please, stop by the church and place your items in the tub. We are asking for mittens, hats, scarves and new toys. Faith Development will then deliver the items to Forbes House and Women's Safe before Christmas
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Faith Development is asking EVERYONE to send in photo and video of past Christmas Pageants to be used in this years online Pageant Service. send them to
eastshoreuuchurchohio@gmail.com.
HOMELESS STAND DOWN - waiting on information
HOLIDAY EVENTS - Keep an eye out for upcoming details in Holiday Events at ESUUC.
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Our Sisters' Keepers
October 4 Meeting
Our Sisters' Keepers, our interfaith, inter-cultural women's group, will meet virtually on Sunday, October 4 at 2:30 p.m. Contact Jerie Green, jgreen@lakenetwork.net, or Lynne Killgore, lynnekillgore@gmail.com, for the Zoom link.
Topic for this Sunday's meeting is:How We Are Surviving the Month Before the Election?
So much going on! Are you voting absentee or in person? Are you involved with any issues or candidates? What is most important to you? How do these issues or candidates affect your own life - or women in general - or persons of color - or your religious beliefs - or your place as a citizen?
As always, we will make sure that everyone has a chance to speak. This meeting continues our search for mutual respect and common ground among our women friends in the Muslim, UU, Jewish, Christian and other communities. Our Sisters' Keepers was started in September 2017 by women from East Shore and the Muslim Association of Cleveland East.
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BEVERAGES
&
BANTER
October Gatherings
Wednesday, Oct 8 at 2 pm, Zoom
Saturday, Oct 10 at 11 am, Memorial Garden
Wednesday, Oct 14 at 7 pm, Zoom
Wednesday, Oct 21 at 2 pm, Memorial Garden
Saturday, Oct 24 at 10 am, Zoom
Thursday, Oct 29 at 7 pm, Zoom
Links to the Zoom meetings will be sent out via listserv a few days prior and just before each gathering. If you need a link, please contact Rev Denis, minister@eastshore.org
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October Loose Offerings
In October, half of the Sunday loose offering will be do nated to programs against domestic violence. This month the offering goes to Forbes House in Lake County and our Silent Witness Program. Forbes House provides emergency shelter and resources to survivors of domestic violence. The Silent Witness Program, started in Minnesota, was taken up here in 1995 by East Shore members, partnering with Forbes House. We created 10 figures representing people who died in Lake County as a result of domestic violence. Now there are 22 of the free-standing, life-sized red wooden figures on East Shore's front lawn which remind passersby on Route 306 of their stories during October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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