MVUUF is currently closed to in-person events, but we are glad you are connecting with us! Many events are held online. For information about our policies around sheltering in place, see our COVID-19 Updates page.
It is a special pleasure to welcome visitors! We invite you to join our online services. Information about the service this coming Sunday is provided further down this page.
For more personalized information, we invite you to contact Lathe Snyder at lathe.snyder @ gmail.com. He would love to talk with you about our community and help you connect to our events and activities. You may also communicate with us by completing our Visitor Form located here .
Please also note that you can stay current with us by subscribing to our monthly newsletter and weekly email notices via the tan button that reads, “Yes, keep me informed”. You will find it at the very bottom of each page.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Public Statement, and Programming Around Anti-Racism
In light of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police on May 25, Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is issuing a public statement to the community, and we offer resources to assist us in the processes of mourning, learning, and action.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. We believe that we are all connected to one another: what affects one of us, affects all of us. Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to commit our time, resources, and hearts to the important work of ending police violence and all other parts of our country’s systemic anti-Blackness. Our faith calls us to do this today—not tomorrow or some distant someday.
PUBLIC STATEMENT
- As people of faith, Unitarian Universalists affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all persons and work for social justice to embody that dignity.
- We condemn racist police practices that deny Black people in this country human rights and, in the case of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and so many before them, the very breath of life.
- It has gone on far too long.
- We side with the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in love and we side with all impacted by murder and other violence as a tool of oppression by people of power.
- We urge the greater Dayton community to reflect deeply on our criminal justice system and how to transform it into one of restorative justice that is safer for everyone.
- This is the time to join with others to raise our voices and stop this oppression by police and by white vigilantes.
- Holding police accountable is an essential step.
- Recognizing that racist police practices are a symptom of pervasive and systemic racism in our national culture and institutions, we re-commit ourselves to anti-racism work.
Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Rachel Feltner, Board President
Rev. Kellie C. Kelly, Called Minister
Alice Diebel, Affiliated Community Minister
Anti-Racism Ally Group
Thursday, September 24th 7:00 pm
Are you a white person with questions, ideas, concerns or just want a place to have discussions about what is going on? Then please join our Anti-Racism Ally group, newly revamped. Each meeting will allow for learning, actively practicing being allies, open discussion, and creating actions we can take to follow and support Black, Indigenous and all People of Color (BIPOC) in our congregation as well as residents in the larger community. This group normally meets on the 4th Thursday evening of the month. If you have questions, would like meeting access information, or would like to provide input before a meeting, you are welcome to contact the group Co-Leaders, Kristen at KristenBeireis @ gmail.com or Bill at rossviva @ hotmail.com
Da Group (a group for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color congregants only)
Tuesday, September 8th 6:30 – 8:00 pm
If you are new, let us know of your interest and we can provide you the information for Zoom video or phone access. This group meets monthly, usually on the second Tuesday of the month.
Worship
Worship for the Weary
A shorter, more reflective service, that is in addition to our Sunday services
Thursdays, from 6:30 – 7:00 pm
We have designed this service for people who are looking for emotional and/or spiritual nourishment during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Whether you are experiencing anxiety or fear, isolation or loneliness, unemployment or financial strain, grief over the loss of a loved one, exhaustion from working on the front lines of the pandemic, despair and hopelessness, we hope that our service will be a safe place for you to lay your burdens down and rest, even if only for a short time.
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
1. Online link (computer, tablet, or smartphone)
uuma.zoom.us/j/223741274
2. Phone Dial-in
A. One tap mobile
+13126266799,,223741274# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,223741274# US (New York)
B. Traditional Dial-in*
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
*At prompt, enter Meeting ID: 223 741 274
This Sunday’s Worship Service
Sunday, September 27th, 11:00 AM – Noon
Yom Kippur: Learning to Make Amends
with Rev. Kellie
Please join us for our Worship Service, on Zoom!
If you are on a computer you may simply use the button at the top of this page. Otherwise, details are below if you are using some other device, such as a landline.
11:00 AM – Noon Worship Service
(Tech assistance available from 10:30 – 11 AM if needed)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 852 938 388
1. Online link (computer, tablet, or smartphone)
uuma.zoom.us/j/852938388
2. Phone Dial-in
A. To use your cell phone, call:
+1 312 626 6799,,852938388# US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923,,852938388# US (New York)
B. To use a flip phone or land line, call: *
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
* Make sure to enter Meeting ID: 852 938 388 when requested.
Please note the following:
- This service will be recorded and/or live-streamed to Facebook. If you do not want to be included in the recording, please turn off your camera, mute your microphone, and change your name to “MVUUF” (these are all Zoom options once you join the meeting).
- If you would like to submit a joy or sorrow for the service, please email Rev. Kellie by 10:00 PM on the prior Saturday evening (minister @ mvuuf.org).
Religious Education — Updates for Fall!
All summer we’ve been meeting on Zoom for class, which is what we’ll continue doing as we start our curriculum year this fall. This year our young children’s programming will be split into two classes, PreK-1st grade and 2nd – 5th grade. These classes follow the Soul Matters curriculum which has been adapted specifically this year to teaching in the online learning environment. Our middle school youth will be exploring different religions in the Neighboring Faiths curriculum and the high schoolers will continue with their youth-led discussion group format.
All children and youth attending CYRE classes must register. Registration helps us learn names, track attendance, plan for activities, and accommodate any special needs. Please complete the registration form here.
We’re also looking for adult volunteers to join our PreK-1st and 2nd-5th grade teaching teams, and a co-teacher for the middle school class. The curriculum year will start on Sunday, October 4th this year, which is a little later than it has been in previous years to allow everyone some extra time to get settled into their new fall routines. All classes will be held on Sundays (PreK-1st grade from 9:00-9:30 AM, 2nd-5th grade from 1:00-2:00 PM and MS/HS from 2:30-3:30 PM) such that in this online environment, you can volunteer to teach religious education without missing any of the worship services! We will provide you with all the tools you need in a Virtual Teacher Training Retreat on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30 PM.
Ask any of our congregants who have volunteered as teachers and you will find that it is one of the most rewarding ways to become more engaged in our community and grow in your own understanding of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Please contact our Director of Religious Education, Somaya Bernard (re @ mvuuf.org), or our Children and Youth Religious Education Volunteer Coordinator, Gail Saugstad, to volunteer or if you have ANY questions.
