Events & Activites , Folk Factory, Greater Philly UU Cluster, and Social Justice pages.
Updated: Monday, April 15 —
Sunday services begin at 11 am in the sanctuary immediately followed by refreshments and conversation in our Fellowship Hall.
Both spaces are air conditioned in the summer for your comfort.
We are Accessible for those with Disabilities!
Restoration features a ramp to the main sanctuary level and a recently completed wheelchair lift and accessible restrooms on both the main and lower levels. CHECK HERE for photos.WORDS OF INSPIRATION |
Upcoming Worship ServicesSunday, April 21 - "If They Weren't, We Wouldn't Be" A Shared History |
From Our Intern Minister
sometimes... as it did this week... when the tragedies of the world are so profound and the struggles in my inner circle so heartbreaking... my resilience... my ability to recover from or withstand difficulties or to spring back into shape begins to wane... and my internal resistance... my defense mechanisms which pull me inwards and short circuit my vulnerability begin to wax... and this sometimes leads to thoughts which are so helpful when you want to transform self and to be a part of the wave of Liberating Love that transforms the world... the "yeah, but," the "will it?" and the "i don't know."
when i was younger, i used to try to argue with these thoughts, thinking that i could change or reshape them. nowadays, i continue to practice the skills i learned when i was an acting student... "thank you so much for sharing," i say to the part of my mind that is churning out these thoughts, setting down the concern of having these thoughts or battling with them. and then, i shift my energy, my attention, and my intention. i've learned that, for me, battling with these thoughts gets me nowhere fast. what brings me back to Liberating Love is a recommitment to interdependence. a rededication to the "covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploration." to expand and foster my practice and ability to move through the world with awareness and presence so that I may co-create "and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice." thus embracing our tradition's vow "to work to repair harm and damaged relationships." i draw inspiration from songwriters, writers, activists, scholars, and documentarians whose calls demand that they be truth tellers, that they illuminate the hidden or the obscured. and i draw inspiration from those around me who have dedicated their lives to changing and being change-makers, daring themselves to remain open-hearted and vessels for Liberating Love. i lean into all of this energy, this embodiment of our tradition's principals and values, and i am renewed.
warmly, and with gratitude,
shaie
RE Corner with Elizabeth Ann
THEME OF THE MONTH: THE GIFT OF INTERDEPENDENCE
I am at Finding Our Way Home, an annual retreat for UU Religious professionals of color. Ordained and lay ministers, religious Educators, administrators, musicians, and UUA are gathered in Puerto Rico for 6 days ll. The retreat is rich with worship services, including a Borican service with Bomba drummers and dancers. The lovely folks in Loiza, a historic African community welcomed us with open arms, a tutorial about Bomba, and more dancing! Their welcome reminded me of this month's theme: The Gift of Interdependence. This close-knit |
community, that was not expecting us, quickly got ready to welcome us. One person arrived with chairs for us to sit, tapped coconuts so we could drink coconut water, and jewelry for us to buy. To show our appreciation, we danced we sang, we shopped, and made a "love offering". This week as we explore The Gift of Interdependence in the classroom, we will learn how we connected to one another, with Love at the center. We are ONE and interdependent. All of this reminded me of a Jon Batiste song, "Worship". See you on Sunday! Elizabeth Ann |
Hello from Loiza. Puerto Rico!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Forgot to make your Pledge to UUs of Mt. Airy?
Do it now to be able to be included in the Budget!
Our Stewardship Campaign (Pledge Drive) officially ended April 7, but there is still time to make your pledge for next year's activities at UUs of Mt. Airy. We need to know all pledges to make our budget for next year, so please do this this week if at all possible, if you haven't gotten around to it yet. The easiest way is to go to our "Pledge Online" webpage. Or look for a paper form in the vestibule just before you enter the Sanctuary (or that you got in the mail). The more pledges we get, the more activities that we want to do will be possible!
Mark Your Calendar: Budget Meeting Sunday, May 19,
Annual Meeting Sunday, June 2
Please mark your calendar for Congregational Meetings coming up in the next two months.
- On Sunday, May 19, we will have our Annual Budget Meeting, where we will vote on our budget for next year (2024-25). We will also present proposed amendments to our Bylaws (mainly reflecting our name change and changes suggested by our Finance Committee), which will then be voted on at our...
- Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 2. At the Annual Meeting we will also vote on a slate of candidates for our Officers, Board, and Nominating Committee. Both of these meetings will involve congregational votes. Only those who have signed the Membership Book to join UUs of Mt. Airy as a Member are able to have their vote be counted.
Sunday Coffee Hour
Join us this Sunday for Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall following worship service. Catch up with old friends or meet new ones.
Hospitality
Thank you!
Brenda R
Change for Change: April
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Tomorrow’s Girls & Women is a youth-based mentoring/enrichment program created to provide a positive and supporting environment for young girls by helping them develop self-esteem and life skills using cultural and visual arts. The program serves girls from Germantown, Mt. Airy, West Oak Land and Olney and runs weekly from June - September as well as holding special sessions, events and trips throughout the year. The program is entirely free of charge to the young ladies.
Going by the motto “ One Girl Can Change the World” Tomorrow’s Girls mission statement states, “ We believe in teaching every young lady in the program that she can indeed be “that girl”. TOMORROW’S GIRLS is a learn-by-doing program created for young ladies, to help them better understand who they are and why they think, feel and behave the way they do. |
 Once youth know these things about themselves, they will be more empowered to take responsibility for their actions. The program is designed to involve the youth in enjoyable learning experiences. Over the years, the program grew beyond just mentoring girls and developed into a community organization serving women and girls of all ages.
Tomorrow’s Girls was founded by Pat McLean-Smith and was referred to us by UUs Mt Airy member, Karen Smith (no relation), who participates in their programs. To nominate an organization for future Change for Change designation: Contact: Rita F, 215-407-0576 |
Linking to the Worship Service
Reminder that there are two ways to watch worship:- Click the blue "Live Streaming" arrow on the homepage of this website: www.uumtairy.org
- The Zoom link that will be opened after the service has been changed because security protocols on their end. If you are a congregant of ours, look at the weekly eNewsletter from our Admin Administrator for the new link and the new password.
Are you following UUs of Mt. Airy on Social Media?
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uumtairy/
UPCOMING EVENTS |
| Thursday, April 25 — |
Folk Factory People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
both in-person and on Zoom
The Folk Factory will have its fourth and last in-person/hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle of the 2023-24 season on Thursday, April 25th, from 7:30-10:30pm, in Fellowship Hall. In the first half, performers sign up for slots to perform (music, spoken word, or whatever) on the stage. For this part, the audience gets to vote on their favorite acts (top vote-getters get invited to perform in the June People's Choice concert!). The second half is a more informal sharing in a circle, usually involving a lot of singalongs and songs people are trying out for the first time. Admission is $2-5 per person, on a sliding scale, half for low-wage or no-wage folks, with a $1 discount if you mention you are a UUs of Mt. Airy member or friend. There will be snacks and beverages, for a free-will donation. If you or someone you know are an aspiring performer, the Open Stage is a great opportunity to perform for an audience who will actually listen to you, and get a chance for a gig in the June People's Choice Concert! If you just like to listen to good music, and maybe sing along occasionally, you are also welcome! Our motto is "Music and progressive social change".
| Sunday, May 5 — |
Let's Make the First Sunday of Every Month
be a Souper Sunday!
Bring a can of soup (healthy and not expired) to our wonderful community fridge. If we all did this, we would really be helping our neighbors. Thanks!
| Sunday, May 13 — |
2nd Sunday Potluck
RECURRING EVENTS |
| Newsletter Deadlines — |
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Deadline for the Weekly eNewsletter4:00 on Wednesday for insertion in the weekly eNewsletter. Deadline for the Summer
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| Every Day — |
Mt. Airy Pantry
If you are interested in joining the team, fill out the VOLUNTEER FORM. We will keep you posted on new developments. You can
or call Courtney at 610-731-9452. Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram @mtairyfridge. CLICK HERE for more specific information about contributions.
For more information, please visit our WEBSITE
| Every Thursday — |
Line Dance Classes
| Every Thursday, 6 pm — |
Join Us at Our Weekly Black Lives Matter Vigil every Thursday
Please join us to show our concerns about racism and white supremacy every Thursday. We line Stenton Avenue with our signs (and get tons of supportive honks) from 6-6:30pm, then join electronically with our vigil keepers at home from 6:30-7pm. During the second portion we light candles, learn about black history and share inspirational readings, music, and concerns. history.NEWS AND INFORMATION |
Fundraiser Update
The Carnaval in Rio fundraiser was a success! Many thanks to those who contributed services and events, and to all those who bid on those offerings so generously. Although the event has officially ended there are still a number of items that are still available to bid upon. If you're interested in bidding, please contact the person who has offered the event or service or email Stephen W for additional details. All proceeds will benefit the treasury of UUs of Mt. Airy Here are some items you may want to consider: and to see all the events...
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Reflections on “Heeding God’s Call” Tee Shirt Memorial to Victims
of Gun Violence Displayed on UU of MA’s Lawn in March
It was a privilege to work with our congregation members and friends who helped put up and take down this very moving memorial Great thanks to Laurie and Molly D, Jane H, Tina K, Linda and Bruce P-J, Angela Cato L, Maryellen N, Jane Z... as well as the deeply committed Pat and Warren Shuey from “Heeding”. We sloshed through mud and cold and got the job done! “Dressing” each frame with a tee shirt emblazoned with the name, age and date of death of each person was chilling and intimate. The 170 on our lawn were just a fraction of Philly deaths to gun violence in 2023 : what a stark and horrid truth. One of our volunteers later shared with me that she found herself wondering about the potential trauma seeing such a display could trigger in the young people who walk by our church... often after school, sometimes stopping to pick up some nourishment from our community fridge. I am struck by how I didn’t consider that... is it because I have not lost someone I love in this tragic way? I also reflect on how many acres of lawn it would take to display the people who have been killed in Gaza and the West Bank. — Deb G
Long-Range Planning: Want to Help Organize our Process?
The Board has decided it is a good time to do some long-range planning as a congregation, since it's been a while since we last did it. We are hoping to set up a process that will begin this coming year, probably in September. If you are interested in helping organize that effort, please contact Bruce P-J - we will probably try to have an initial meeting soon.Pastoral Care Team Update
Each one of us can use some help and support at times in navigating life's ups and downs. Now there is an easy way to contact the Pastoral Care Team if you or someone you know needs a helping hand.UUMtAiry has a convenient request/referral form that goes directly to Rev. McKinley and Care Team Coordinators. Within 24-48 hours a Care Team volunteer will acknowledge your request and have either the minister or a team member contact you. You can find the link to the request form below. Before contacting the Care Team, please keep the following in mind:
- Pastoral Care contact is not counseling or therapy, nor should it be used for emergencies.
- Requests for Care Team support is voluntary. If you are referring another person for follow-up, please speak to them and obtain permission to contact the Care Team.
- If you prefer to contact Rev. McKinley directly, please call for an appointment at (806) 786-9733, or send email to him. to read more...
Have You Seen our Google Calendar?
We're working on making this ultra-functional. Soon, group leaders can add their classes, meetings, and notes to this calendar for easy access. Office hours, RE times, and maybe even worship topics will be listed as far in advance as we can make them. For now, you can find it on our homepage: (Click on the Monthly Meeting Calendar at the bottom of the page!)Or go to it directly below (bookmark with Ctrl+D or CMD+D):
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=minister@uumtairy.org&ctz=America/New_York
Ministerial Discretionary Fund
Any one who would like to donate to the emergency fund that goes towards our most vulnerable members can do so by sending in a check earmarked for "Min. Disc. Fund" or contacting McKinley directly to donate electronically. We have helped ease the strain of Covid-19 for some of our most directly impacted folks. Your donations go a long way, and offerings are always greatly appreciated.Looking for the Latest Congregational Directory?
Find all this by clicking the DIRECTORY & CONTRIBUTIONS button at the right. From the ICON homepage, you can edit your own information (illustrated below on the left) or change your password on the Settings page (circled on the right).
If you attach a photo to an email and send it to either the Office or the Webmaster, we will be happy to add it to your profile.
Email the Office and request a new one.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Hale Hall DoorsIt is imperative that we remember that both front and back doors to Hale Hall remain locked at all times. This means even during meetings and Sunday services. Please do not let anyone into Hale Hall that you do not personally know is safe at any time. During services, all members, friends and congregants should come in the sanctuary door. Thank you for your cooperation. Another Way to Stay In TouchIf you use Facebook, please join the congregation's group page. You can learn more about what's going on in our community and you can post your own thoughts, poems, prayers...https://www.facebook.com/groups/39131276017/ |
Work Request FormsIf you are requesting work to be done, please complete the appropriate colored work request form located on the office door. Once your form is completed, place it in the bin labeled Administrative Assistant also hanging on the office door. For those who do not frequently visit in person, you can send your request via email to the Administrative Office. Pink - Request for Administrative Assistant
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