Solstice Ritual Dec. 19 with EarthSpirit

EarthSpirit will observe the Winter Solstice at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at St. John’s. We will hold a ritual based on The Council of All Beings (created by environmental activist and Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy) outdoors (weather permitting), followed by crafts, music, and food in Krolfifer Fellowship Hall. This is a family-friendly event—everyone is invited!

The beings that co-exist with us in the web of life are profoundly affected by our actions, yet they have no hearing in our human deliberations and policies, no voice to call us to account. The Council of All Beings gives them a voice—and because it is our own as well, it can change the ways we see and think.

For the ritual, you are invited to be the voice of one of these nonhuman, beloved beings and to wear something that represents them (it could be as simple as a twig pinned to your coat or a card with the name on it). Everyone willing will be asked to step forward to speak for the animal, plant, or other nonhuman they feel called to represent. How does your adopted life-form struggle in this world? Is it being hunted to extinction, destroyed by acid rain, felled to provide shelter for the ever-growing human population? As the life-form, you’ll also be invited to talk to the humans and help them understand how they can help.

Come, participate in the ritual (or just watch), and join us for food and crafts afterward! Parking in the lot will be limited, so if you are able, please use the school lot. Questions? Contact Ravensong at earthspiritcuups@gmail.com.

Men’s Group Meeting Jan. 7

Please join the men’s January potluck dinner and program where the group will review and laugh at our predictions for 2023 and create new predictions for 2024. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with our program starting at 7 p.m. For more info contact Tom Darner at tdarner43@aol.com.

Partner Church Lunch Jan. 21

Mark your calendars – the next Partner Church Soup and Bread Lunch is Sunday, Jan. 21. The sign up board goes up in the lobby three weeks ahead, Dec. 31. Since it might get a little lost in the holiday shuffle, please go ahead and make plans to donate food or help, or to join for lunch on Jan. 21 after service. Watch for the sign up board, or email marylynne7@gmail.com and let me know what you would like to bring.

Thank you!
 
 ~ Mary Lynne Schuster, Partner Church Program

Anti-racism Programs in January

The UU Council of Greater Cincinnati (UUCGC) Anti-Racism Initiative urges you to consider attending either or both of these. And there’s also an opportunity to help fund scholarships for local UUs to participate in this program.

1. Jubilee Three: Learning Together about Systemic Racism
This nationally recognized program facilitated by a group of UUs who are Black, Indigenous, People or Color (BIPOC) takes place online January 12-14, 2024 (Friday evening, all day Saturday, Sunday afternoon and evening). This 2 ½ day intensive program is a deep dive into anti-racism work, with these goals: develop a shared analysis of racism and its individual, institutional, and cultural manifestations; begin to apply this common understanding to the history, culture, and institutional structure of our society; and envision the next steps to take. Click for more information and registration. 

This program requires individual registration; the cost is $170 per person and for a second person in the same household the cost is $85. UUCGC has set up a scholarship fund, with the hope that those who are able will make a contribution, thereby enabling interested Cincinnati-area UUs to receive financial support to attend Jubilee. To be considered for a scholarship to attend Jubilee Three, apply at Jubilee Scholarship. 

To make a contribution to the UUCGC scholarship fund, go to this:Donate to Jubilee Scholarship, or go to the Paypal website/app and send your contribution using this UU Council email:UUCouncilCinci@gmail.com.

You don’t need to have attended last year’s UU anti-racism program to take advantage of this one; it will be informative for anyone with any level of anti-racism understanding.

Please email Joetta Prost,joettaprost@gmail.com, if you plan to participate in Jubilee Three so that we can connect those in the Cincinnati area who are attending. Questions about the scholarships can also be addressed to Joetta.

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2. UUA Mosaic National Learning & Practice Gathering

Here’s a free one-time evening gathering sponsored by the UUA’s new initiative, The MOSAIC, where UUs from around the country will meet online 8–9:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Designed to support congregations’ long-term commitment to carry out Anti-racism/Anti-Oppression/Multicultural (AR/AO/MC) transformation work, this Zoom gathering will include a mix of facilitated learning from trusted voices in the movement for AR/AO/MC transformation as well as opportunities to be in conversation with fellow UUs from across our movement.

Whether you are a seasoned racial justice leader or just curious to learn more, this is a great “one-time” free opportunity to get involved. Register here. And please let Joetta Prost know if you plan to participate.

Two springtime events:

• Save the Date: Join us in a celebration of St. John’s on April 28! More information to follow.
• Save the Date: Deeper Than Skin (https://deeperthantheskin.com/) will offer a city-wide workshop on May 4 at St. John’s. This workshop will be followed by a city-wide worship service on May 5 at First Unitarian Church.

Meditation on Wednesdays

Meditation is available 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, contact Erna at erna.olafson@gmail.com or Alicia at 513-807-9902. If you plan to come for the first time, please contact one of us beforehand so that we can look for you and let you into the building. 

Tai Chi and Chi Gong, done for December

Brown bag lunch with Rev. Jenn Thursdays

Bring a lunch and let’s chat Dec. 21, but not Dec. 28 nor Jan. 4.

Sanctuary and Immigration Team, virtually 2nd Wednesdays. Next meeting Jan. 10

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.

All are welcome at the meetings. Contact: Sarah Loar Seibert, SIT coordinator, at seibertcs@zoomtown.com.