Meditation continues Wednesdays
Meditation is available on Wednesdays from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. in Haehnle Hall (the foyer) beginning Jan. 4, 2023. Even if you’ve never meditated before, come join us. For more information or questions, contact Erna at erna.olafson@gmail.com or Alicia at 513-807-9902.
“Building the World We Dream About” started Jan. 10
- Have you wondered how to help St. John’s become more welcoming and inclusive across diverse ethnicities, races and cultures?
- How might we educate ourselves to better address racism – to become better anti-racist UUs?
- What positive impact could this have within our congregation and when working in interfaith and community coalitions?
- Are you curious about the concepts of identity and difference? What do people mean when they talk about having privilege based on identity?
- Would you like to meet other UUs who are invested in promoting racial justice?
Offered by the UU Council of Greater Cincinnati’s Anti-Racism Circle.
“Building the World We Dream About,” runs on Zoom 7-9 p.m. on the second, third and fourth Tuesdays from Jan. 10-April 25. Participants are not required to attend all sessions although it helps to benefit fully from the curriculum that builds from week to week.
See this page for more details on the program, including specific curricula themes.
Sanctuary and Immigration Team, 7 p.m. virtually 2nd Wednesdays. Next meeting Feb. 8
Learn with our St. John’s UU Sanctuary and Immigration Team (SIT) about the region’s immigrants and refugees and how to support them. SIT meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. by Zoom.
Several members of St. John’s distribute food contributions through the Willows Project, with which we are associated. We are members of the Cincinnati Immigrant Dignity Coalition, and are involved with community organizations in our Cincinnati area, Butler County and Northern Kentucky. Join us to discover the many things that we do.
Visit us, come to observe, or find a niche for yourself. Contact: Sarah Loar Seibert, SIT coordinator, at seibertcs@zoomtown.com.
Compassionate Communication (aka NonViolent Communication) starts Feb. 8 for beginners; Jan. 9 for practice group
Many of us long to discover and deepen skills to help strengthen our relationships with family, friends and colleagues, as well as ourselves. If this describes you, consider joining one of the upcoming Compassionate Communication opportunities at St. John’s. We will learn, practice, and integrate skills and concepts based on NonViolent Communication (NVC) as developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. Some examples include:
- Deep Listening: Understanding others from head and heart
- Creating Inner Peace: Converting judgments and resentments into human needs
- Authentic Self Expression: Speaking honestly in a way that leads to connection
Two opportunities:
- If you are new to NVC or want a refresher on basic concepts, the Foundations of Compassionate Communication series is for you. This is a 4-session zoom class on Feb. 8, 22 and March 15, 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sessions build on each other so attendance at all sessions is requested for optimal learning experience, but not required.
- If you have some prior experience with NVC, you may want to consider the Practice Group where we will explore concepts in more depth and practice using skills more extensively. This is an in-person group and meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. on 2nd and 4th Mondays.
All sessions will be facilitated by Pamela Wilz, CNVC Certification Candidate. For planning purposes, advance registration is requested and can be done by emailing pamela.wilz@fuse.net.
Movie Night! Feb. 10
It’s the second Friday of the month already, and it looks like the M
ovie Club will have good selections to choose from this time. BTW, it’s only called a “club” because reliable information about titles and times can’t be verified until late Wednesday so details aren’t available until Thursday.
You don’t have to be a member of the club or of St. John’s to join us, but you won’t know where and when unless your name is on the email list or you call us.
It’s fun! There’s no obligation, no RSVP – just come. Meet us in the lobby and join us for ice cream and discussion after, if you like.
UUA Article II Presentation, Sunday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m.
Please join after the service and a light snack. This multi-platform presentation in the sanctuary and on Zoom offers info about the UUA (what it is and what it provides for St. John’s and other member congregations) and the current proposed revision of Article II of the UUA Bylaws. See full article in E-news.
Sunday, March 5 Talk, “A Case for the Afterlife”
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5. St. John’s member Rick Mitts, a retired engineer and educator, will share his fact-based theory of existence which includes an afterlife, with discussion to follow, in the Gandhi Room (downstairs). Please register by emailing Rick at charlesmitts@live.com. Coordinated by St. John’s Adult Faith Formation committee.
“Global Stews,” Potluck Dinner and Celebration for immigrants, refugees, allies, and advocates at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church in February
We plan to cook with some immigrant friends on Saturday and dine together on globally-themed stews on a Sunday in February. The event will include music, activities for children, delicious food choices, and a celebratory atmosphere. Hopefully, it will create opportunities for building new friendships and grow connections among all in attendance.
Volunteers are needed in many areas.
Here are some of the ways to help:
- Saturday cooking team
- Saturday set up team
- Sunday welcoming team
- Sunday kitchen organization team
- Sunday transportation team (Remember that many immigrants and refugees do not
- have vehicles or driver’s licenses.)
- Sunday entertainment team to plan music and perhaps other offerings.
- Sunday children’s activities team (Think face painting, simple games, tabletop
- activities)
- Sunday language facilitators
- Sunday cleanup crew
St. John’s and Mt. Auburn Presbyterian are members of the Immigrant Dignity Coalition. This event will only succeed if many people contribute time, energy, and love. For more information or to volunteer, see this sign-up sheet or contact Linda Ford, lford6529@gmail.com, who is coordinating the event, or any member of the Sanctuary and Immigration Team.
Men’s Group Dinner and Meeting March 5
The next men’s group meeting will be on Sunday, March 5. Please contact Tony Potochnik by Friday, March 3, if you will be joining the group for dinner, at tonypotohnik63@gmail.com. Questions? Contact Tom Darner at tdarner43@aol.com.
Upcoming Partner Church Lunches:
- March 12. The Soup and Bread Lunch will precede the presentation about UUA General Assembly.
- May 7. To finish Soup and Bread season with a flourish and usher in spring, we will have a Soup and Bread and SALAD lunch!
The sign-up will be up in the lobby three weeks before the lunch date. Please contact Mary Lynne Schuster (marylynne7@gmail.com) with any questions. Thank you!