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THIS WEEK AT EMERSON – JANUARY 14, 2016 Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel -- A welcoming congregation of the UUA
Sunday – January 17, 2016
10:00 AM - Worship Service
17815 Wild Horse Creek Road (Barat Academy)
Rev. Dawn Fortune
Children’s Chapel follows the Story for All Ages
The Nursery is staffed from 9 AM to 1 PM – Room 142
Barbara Persch, Nursery Care Worker
Music: Todd Painter Song Leader: Kylie Kirkpatrick
Liturgist: Nancy Belt Board Members: Jake Lyonfields and Victor Paglisotti
Greeter: Greg Hungerford
Our Outreach Partner: International Institute of St. Louis
If you have a pastoral care request, please contact Rev. Dawn Fortune at [email protected] or by
calling the office 636-256-7393.
Midyear Congregational Meeting
11:20 AM in the Sanctuary
No RE – Childcare Available
Special Thanks
A warm Thank You to the following for decorating and setup this Sunday, January 17,
2016:
Hospitality: Diane Brecker
Sound:
Curtains, Tables, and Chairs: Jim and Shawna Lyonfields
Chalice Guild/Signs: Becky Myrick
Scrip Duty: Victor Paglisotti
Children’s Chapel: Diana Toler Irizarry and Greg Hungerford
No RE
From the Interim Minister
Rev. Dawn Fortune
A week of loss
I awoke this morning to learn of the death of magnificent bad guy actor Alan Rickman. Earlier this week,
musical chameleon David Bowie died, as did a gentle ministerial colleague and seminary chum. All three
died of cancer. All three died too young.
Moments like these are when it can be hard to see the divine – however we know it – in the events of the
week or the world. As a skeptic, I struggle with the notion that our planet spins along in space, with no
rhyme or reason, all events happening at random in a system of order-less chaos. If that is the case, then
how do we find meaning in our lives? What is there to live for, if our individual lights are mere sparks that
flash and fade in the grand timeline of the eons?
Faith communities are where people gather to find (or make) meaning of the things in our lives. We look
beyond the physical to something deeper – to how people make us feel, how they move us, inspire us,
make us laugh or weep, dance or despair.
We are made of stardust – the same elements that make up the universe. When we speak of an
interconnected web of all creation, this is what I imagine: that each of us shares the same pool of resources
of oxygen and carbon and the rest. We use our own assemblage of those chemicals for a period of time
and they are returned to the larger pool to serve the next group. The recycling does not happen
immediately, but over decades, even centuries. Each of us breathes the same oxygen atoms that were on
the planet at the time of the American Revolution, at the time of the Middle Ages, at the time of the great
civilizations of Rome and Greece, at the time of the evolution of bipedal humanoids in the Mesopotamian
Valley.
Breathe in now and consider that. We are connected, deeply, to one another. When one of us feels loss,
we all are affected. When one of our number dies, our bodies and our hearts react to the empty space that
person once occupied in our lives – whether the departed is a member of our immediate family or a distant
figure whose work affected us in some way. It is normal to feel these ripples in our consciousness as people
enter and leave it, even if we were not close personal friends.
Artists and the arts – and I would argue that theatre, music, and ministry are all arts – touch us in ways that
go beyond our intellect and into the part we sometimes identify as our heart or soul. This is the place
where we feel loss and joy; the place where our emotions are born.
This week we return to the cosmic pool those resources that have been used to shape the people we knew
as David Bowie, Alan Rickman, and my friend Rev. Connie St.Hilaire. I take comfort in knowing that I have
been blessed to live in the same times as them on this earth, and inspiration from the idea that their
physical presence is returned to the earth, where it will serve as resources for generations to come.
Blessed be.
Peace,
Dawn
~ A Note from Nicole Nichols to Parents
Hi all - asking JR high parents (grades 6-8) if anyone would be interested in taking the kids to a
junior high con. I am willing to chaperone and drive, but would need a second adult. Please let
me know if there are any junior high youth, and or parents interested in attending.
Middle School Northern Cluster CON
From Friday, February 19, 2016 - 08:00pm
To Sunday, February 21, 2016 - 09:00am
Location People's Church of Kalamazoo 1758 10th St N Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Contact Shannon Harper, [email protected]
Age Group: 6th - 8th grades
Registration handled by Congregation
Scholarships available: Yes
Scholarship contact: Shannon Harper
Fees
$40 youth
$30 adults
$5 discount per person if registering more than one per family
~ We are still searching for a Nursery Worker. Thanks to Barbara P. for filling in while we find
someone new. The position is for $10/hr from 9a-1p every Sunday. Contact Dawn French-Bell.
~ The Senior Youth have begun collecting items for their service project, making and
distributing Blessing Bags for the Homeless. The collection bin will be near the Welcome
Table at Barat on Sundays. The items they are collecting are listed below or on a list from a
Senior Youth. If you would prefer to make a donation, please make check payable to Emerson
Chapel "youth group”.
Quart size Ziploc bags Regular sandwich bags
Plastic silverware Soap
Toothbrush and Toothpaste Deodorant
Hand Sanitizer Period Supplies
Diapers Jerky
Tuna (pop tops) Jelly Packets
Canned Fruit (pop tops) Peanut Butter
Goldfish/Other Snack Crackers Snack Foods
Gloves Hats
Scarves Slightly Used Coats (Must fit in
bag)
~ Thank you to Lauren Mackey for volunteering to be our OWL assistant for the 7-9th grade
OWL workshops beginning this Saturday. If you would like to be an assistant to fill in for Lauren
in case she needs a sub, please let us know!
~ We are in need of one additional RE teacher assistant in each of our three classes. Spirit
Play (Pre-K thru 3rd), Junior Youth (4th - 8th) and Senior Youth (9th-12th). Please consider
volunteering and help us uphold our safe congregation policy for our children and youth.
Contact Dawn French-Bell.
~ RE Winter Retreat Saturday Jan 23rd 9:30-1:30p at First Unitarian Church St. Louis. All who
have volunteered in our RE programs this year are invited and encouraged to attend. Please
RSVP to Dawn FB.
~ Coming up on January 24th, JY field trip to the Hindu Temple of Saint Louis 9am.
The offertory collected during January and February will go to The
International Institute of Saint Louis. It’s an agency that helps settle and support
refugees in the greater St. Louis area. For more information, you can visit their
website http://www.iistl.org/Syria.html.
Congregational Meeting January 17th:
Continuing a long tradition, Emerson’s board of trustees has called a special midyear meeting of the congregation
from 11:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in the Sanctuary at Barat Academy after the worship service.
A major item on the proposed agenda will be a presentation and discussion on the “State-of-the-Chapel.” This
agenda also will include a financial report; a vote on whether to approve the minutes of the annual meeting of the
congregation held on May 17, 2015; and a vote on whether to approve the agenda provided by the board. (Copies of
each will be provided in advance of the meeting.) There also will be a vote on whether Emerson should publicly
support the West County Community Action Network ("WE CAN").
We encourage each voting member to come to gain better understanding of our religious community, to vote, and
to express opinions. Any voting member unable to attend the meeting may download the form from the members
portal on Emerson’s Website. Prior to the meeting, please give your proxy form to the voting member of your choice
who will be at the meeting and will cast your vote in your stead. If you’ve forgotten the password for the members
portal, please contact Sandy Otto at [email protected].
We welcome all voting members, associate members, youth members, and friends to participate in the meeting.
Childcare will be provided.
Board of Trustees
WE CAN Group Meeting: Saturday, January 30th
The West County Community Action Network's (WE CAN's) first large group meeting in 2016 will take place on
Saturday, January 30th at 9:30am on the 2nd floor of Lucky's Market. Coffee and light breakfast items will be served.
Children are welcome.
We'll hear from our organizing teams, which are focusing on reducing suspensions of black and brown youth in West
County schools, improving regional public transit resources, and addressing systemic racism in policing.
This will also be a chance to plug into these groups' efforts, help plan next steps, and connect with like-minded folks.
A #BlackLivesMatter vigil will follow at the intersection of Clarkson Rd & Clayton Rd.
Black Lives Matter Vigil continues every Saturday,
11:30am-12:30pm at the
intersection of Boone's Crossing
and Chesterfield Airport Road.
Rain or shine! We stand vigil for 1
hour, then we meet at the Kaldi's
next to the vigil location in order to
build community, talk current
events, and attempt to further
develop our understanding of how
to pursue racial justice.
Circle Supper News: The
next Circle Supper is this
Saturday January 9th. There’s
still time to sign up if you’re
interested. Send email to
In Case of Inclement
Weather: We will post
worship and event cancellations
due to inclement weather on
KMOV.com, KSDK.com and
Fox2Now.com. If you are
scheduled to serve on that
Sunday, your team leader will
contact you by email.
Recognizing Our Calling
with Reverend Kate Braestrup
February 5th thru 7th, 2016
First Church in Hyde Park, Chicago
Kate, our keynote speaker, knows intimately what unexpected change means. In a
second’s time her life was turned upside down; one day she was a married mother of four and the
next she was a widow raising four children under the age of nine.
Come join a community of like-minded women for a weekend exploring what change can
bring us. On Saturday afternoon, Kate will lead an all-conference workshop that examines how we
can make sense of those sudden shifts.
WomanSpirit is a reprieve in the midst of winter -- a chance to nourish your soul with
workshops and worship, good food and a little shopping with woman-centric vendors.
Join us. http://www.womenandreligion.org/event-registration.html
Email any questions to: [email protected]
Regional Assembly April 29th through May 1st in St. Paul:
Painless Fundraiser for Emerson Chapel: Besides Dierbergs and
Shop ‘n Save cards which are available every Sunday, many other cards can be
ordered to pick up the following Sunday.
Over 700 participating retailers are available for ordering. See the complete list
at the scrip table after services. Here are just a few of the cards available, along
with the percentage of return to Emerson:
Applebee’s 10% Amazon.com 3% AMC Theaters 8%
Barnes & Noble 9% Toys ‘r Us 3% Walgreens 6%
CVS 6% Whole Foods 3% Marshall’s 7%
Panera Bread 9% Starbucks 7% American Girl 9%
Home Depot 4% Bed Bath & Beyond 7% Bath & Body Works 13%
Macy’s 10% Bass Pro 9% Cracker Barrel 9%
Olive Garden 9% Payless 13% Pier One 9%
Whole Foods 3% Walmart/Sam’s 2-1/2% Kohl’s 4%
You don’t pay extra for these cards; the retailers pay us!
CIRCLE OF CONCERN
Thank you for your support of the food pantry during this holiday season! Please place your donated items in
the red wheelbarrow in the entry. Current needs:
Cereal Green Beans
Canned Stew and Chili Tomato Products
Spaghetti Sauce
Canned Corn
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Saturday, Jan. 16th: OWL Meeting @ office – 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, Jan. 17th: Worship Service – 10:00 a.m. – Barat Academy Followed by Midyear Congregational Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 19th: Journaling Covenant Group @ office – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23rd: RE Retreat – First Unitarian Church – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 24th: Worship Service – 10:00 a.m. – Barat Academy
Sunday, Jan. 24th: Jr Youth field trip to the Hindu Temple of Saint Louis 9am
Meetings are held at the Chapel office, 16233 Westwoods Business Park, unless otherwise indicated. **
Chapel office hours this week:
Monday and Friday from 8 to 11 am; Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 2:00 pm
How/Where/When to find us:
Sunday Morning 10:00 AM
17815 Wild Horse Creek Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005
(Barat Academy)
Mailing & Meeting Address:
16233 Westwoods Business Park Drive, Ellisville, MO 63021 Phone: 636-256-7393
ev
Emerson UU Chapel 2015-2016
Board of Trustees:
President: Pat Baker
Immediate Past President: Nancy Belt
Vice President: Mark Fish
Vice President-Elect: Karyl Howard
Secretary: Karyl Howard
Members-At-Large: Jake Lyonfields and Victor Paglisotti
Interim Minister, ex-officio: Rev. Dawn C. Fortune,
Officers:
President: Pat Baker
Vice President: Mark Fish
Secretary: Karyl Howard
Treasurer: Jake Lyonfields
Assistant Treasurer: Melissa Grizzle
Interim Minister – Rev. Dawn Fortune- [email protected]
Affiliate Community Minister – Rev. Julie Taylor - [email protected]
Director of Religious Education – Dawn French-Bell – [email protected]
Office Administrator – Sandy Otto – [email protected]
