MUUC’s Next Step Journey: Charting a Course for the Future
—Over the past month, the Board’s Next Steps Core Team has started its initial work with consultant Liz Coit and various church committees to sketch out an 18-month Action Plan of activities and projects planned for January 2024 through June 2025.
(more)MUUC’s Next Step Journey: Learning Teams
—The Board is pleased to share the Next Steps Process Final Report submitted by Stewardship for Us consultant Liz Coit on December 1, 2022. The report, based on her research and analysis from three months of working with us last fall, is extremely comprehensive with a lot of information to think about and discuss.
(more)Look Up, Step Up: Interactive Talk by John Burkhardt
—Please join Green Sanctuary on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary for an interactive talk by John Burkhardt from Extinction Rebellion Boston (this month’s Giving Beyond our Walls recipient.) This is an in-person only event, and is free and open to the public.
(more)Member Directory Updates Needed
—Please take a few moments to review the church directory (updated as of 6/15/2021). Contact the office as soon as possible with any changes that need to be made.
(more)Rethinking Thanksgiving Toolkit
—The MUUC Anti-Racism Team (ART) is sharing a resource from the SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) organization. The Indigenous Solidarity Network has developed this Rethinking Thanksgiving Toolkit geared for white folks to discuss settler privilege and Thanksgiving with family, friends, and the broader community.
(more)Texas Freedom Network: September Giving Partner
—Founded in 1995, the Texas Freedom Network is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of more than 150,000 religious and community leaders who support religious freedom, individual liberties and public education. Based in Austin, TFN acts as the state’s watchdog for monitoring far-right issues, organizations, money and leaders. The organization has been instrumental in defeating initiatives backed by the…
(more)MUUC Dressed Up for Pride
—Melrose Human Rights Commissioner (and MUUC member) Liz Ticcioni decorated our church with the colors of the Progressive Pride Flag. Melrose Pride started on June 17. Read more about Melrose Pride activities happening over the weekend here.
(more)Rev. Susanne Receives Full Fellowship
—By completing evaluations over Rev. Susanne's first two years at MUUC, members here supported her bid to earn Full Fellowship with the UUA. Click "more" below to get a link to watch the service where she was awarded this distinction.
(more)Quilters Donate 30 Quilts to Tufts Children’s Hospital
—This week the quilting group delivered more than 30 quilts to Kim Smith of Tufts Children’s Hospital (formerly named Tufts Floating Hospital Pediatric Care). Kim was very grateful, telling us, “Your quilts really mean so much!“ Here is a picture of Kim with Martha Borkan and one of the quilts.
(more)Nourishing Our Asylum-Seeking Family
—With the generosity of the faith communities that make up RIM's Metro North Cluster, we have been providing Saturday night meals for M+4 since January. The last meal was delivered on May 22, and we are asking anyone who'd like to provide a meal during the summer months to sign up here.
(more)Do You Care about Policing?
—ART Asks You To Sign the Pledge! We see that a lot of people from MUUC have already signed Fighting for Black Lives in our Neighborhood's "Alternatives to Policing" policy statement.
(more)“Opening Doors” Debut a Big Success
—At least 140 people tuned into the debut broadcast of "Opening Doors: Race, Conversation, and Song" on Sunday evening, with 800 views total by Thursday. Viewers donated over $1400.
(more)Landmark Series on PoC History in Melrose Mentions Our Church
—To honor Black History Month, Bennett published an amazing series, both in the Melrose Weekly News and on Facebook, which includes both positive and negative mentions of the Unitarian church.
(more)MUUC Votes To Give Money to Bread of Life
—On March 3, Board President Dan G. and Rev. Susanne met with Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, Executive Director of Malden's Bread of Life, to hand over a big check, the equivalent of the $33,900 we received from the PPP program last year.
(more)Melrose Mayor Creates Anti-Racism Force and School Committee Votes to Rename Columbus Day
—Thanks to pressure from a citywide antiracism group cofounded by Alastair Moock, Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur has created a task force to work on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the city. Also, the school committee and the mayor recently voted to replace "Columbus Day" with Indigenous People's Day.
(more)Fix the MA State Flag and Seal Now
—Tell Gov. Baker to remove racist images and text from the Massachusetts state flag. Legislators finally approved the change. Now the bill sits on the governor's desk. Massachusetts Peace Action asks you to send a message in support, to get those images removed forever.
(more)A Thank You from the UU Urban Ministry
—We were floored by the support we received for the survivors we work with through Renewal House and Believe in Success. We are so grateful to Melrose UU Church for hosting this collection drive.
(more)Do You Care About Policing in Melrose?
—The AntiRacism Team invites conversation. Want to make a personal pledge to reduce the chances of police misconduct leading to unnecessary death or injury?
(more)Sermon Talk Back: Let’s Talk about Worship
—Join in a lunch-time online chat with Rev. Susanne and friends from the Worship Committee on Wednesdays, 12-1pm.
(more)Christmas Day Video Worship Service
—If you're looking for UU inspiration on Sunday December 25, you can watch a brand new Christmas Day worship service created by the ministers in Winchester and Reading. Or, you can attend a live watch party at Winchester Unitarian Society, starting at 10:30am. Wear your pajamas!
(more)60 Folks from MUUC Stand Out for Racial Equity
—On June 7, in our masks, with our homemade signs and our new Black Lives Matter Banner, we showed up in droves to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and all those unlawfully killed by police.
(more)MUUC’s Next Steps Process Update
—The Learning Teams formed in January are working as hoped. They are now researching and interviewing resources to create a list of ideas for MUUC to consider. The Governance Team is exploring other models we might use. The Wider Community Team is supplying the teams with demographic data. A report of ideas and recommendations will…
(more)Vote now on Jubilee 3 Class: Questionnaire Available
—The Anti Racism Team would like to gauge your interest in taking a weekend-long course in anti-racism. For more information on the on the “Jubilee Three” anti racism class click "more" below. It will be a shared effort with the Follen Church, First Parish of Lexington and other UU Churches. Questions? Contact Josh.
(more)Food Is First – Every Sunday!
—Every Sunday, we collect shelf-stable food donations which we then bring to our neighbors-in-faith at the Pantry of Hope at First Baptist Church. We also collect non-food items such as toothpaste and tin foil and grocery gift-cards. Click MORE for details.
(more)Men’s Potluck and Yankee Swap – Monday, Dec. 4 @6:30 pm
—All men of the church are encouraged to attend for fun, fellowship and food. After feasting on the wide variety of food from salads to desserts, the Yankee Swap provides hilarious memories for the coming year. Sign up to let us know you're coming!
(more)“White Lies”: NPR Podcast about the Murder of Rev. James Reeb, UU Minister
—The Anti-Racism Team invites you to listen to this important podcast series. In 1965, the Rev. James Reeb, a UU minister, was murdered during the civil rights events in Selma, Alabama. Although his murder has never been officially solved, NPR has in uncovered new information about this tragic incident. A "must listen" for all UU's.
(more)Soul Matters Monthly Themes
—MUUC participates in Soul Matters. The Soul Matters Sharing Circle is a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations who follow the same monthly themes so we can more easily share small group material, as well as worship, sermon, music and religious education resources. Click for more information.
(more)Trans UUs Respond to UU World Article
—From Our DRE: In response to a UU World Article, the staff is wondering what steps MUUC can take to provide a more welcoming community. If you’re wondering this too, let’s talk and get started.
(more)UU’s Mentioned in NPR Segment About Comprehensive Sexuality Education
—UU's Mentioned in NPR Segment About Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Click here to find the link to the NPR "Cognosenti" Segment.
(more)
