A story from our Universalist history, and what it might mean for us today.

To attend by Zoom, click on this link: uuberks.org/zoom-worship. (If this is the first time you’re using zoom, you may be prompted to download a launcher app). To connect by phone (audio only):
1) Dial the phone number: 1-646-558-8656
2) When prompted for the “Meeting ID”, enter: 921 4271 5512#
3) When prompted for the “Participant ID”, enter: #Please plan to arrive or log on by 10:20-10:25 am to establish a connection before worship is
scheduled begins. Zoom participant mics are muted throughout the service.

SUNDAY

9:30 AM: Adult RE 

• Meets in Person: back of the chalice house meeting room.

• This week will conclude our conversation on “The Social Contract and Freedom” and we will choose our new topic

• email Ginny Chudgar for more info (see directory for address)

9:30 AM: Children’s RE:

Elementary Ages: 

• Younger Elementary: kids space cozy room

  • Bluey explores: Mum School – Friendship

  • Activity: Balloon Games

• Older Elementary: Kidspace front room 

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: No Two Teammates are Alike – Talented You

  • This week we will talk about the kids’ talents that make “You – You!” Kids are welcomed to bring something in that helps display their special talent. Something like an instrument, or an award? Uniform item for sports team? If they have nothing to bring art supplies will be available 

10:30 – 12 Youth Group:  

Grades 7th – 12: The Gifts of Reclaiming our Roots

Meets in Chalice house upstairs classroom

Please check our Facebook Page for events and activities to continue your Religious Exploration at home 

Weekly posts on our covenanted RE Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/UUBerks.RE.page/?ref=share

Please check out our Remind classroom.
If you need to signup link here: remind.com/join/refuucbc

Register for 2024-2025 learning year: each year we need a new registration – fill yours out today www.uuberks.org/registration

On 10/27 we’ll be making our Ofrendas in RE, please help children to gather photos and most loved items of those dearly departed they want to remember on their ofrenda.

October 25, 6-9pm
Come along my little ghouls and goblins, bring your creepy crawly kids to enjoy our family friendly spooky movie night. Appear in costume or 3 piece suit – either way it will be a hoot! We will have snacks and pizza, bring a friend, blankets and pillows, or favorite stuffies so we can take over the sanctuary!

Sign Up here

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4EADA62DA1FD0-52062483-spooky

1. December 8th will be the next Congregational Meeting
2. Reviewed a target budget for the Stewardship Committee
3. Reviewed their portfolio of responsibilities

Please make checks out to FUUBC with Safe Berks in the memo line. Checks can be left in the collection plate or in the wooden box in the Gerber room. Cash can be donated in the collection plate on the last Sunday of the month.

CROP Walk activities coming Sunday at Gring’s Mill!

Our biggest-ever First UU team is gearing up for the Reading-Berks CROP Walk, a
humanitarian aid fund-raising event, this Sunday at Gring’s Mill Park. All are welcome to come
along to walk along the Tulpehocken Creek in support of the effort or to help with other activities
outlined below
The walk steps off at 1:15 p.m. but registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. and there are some new
opportunities to make a difference:

• Writing advocacy letters—We’ll offer guidance for letters to Congress to urge support for the Farm Bill that could serve more families in need.
• Putting together disaster kits—Put together a kits to be shipped to the national CROP Walk sponsor, Church World Service, and shared with those struggling after recent disasters, including Hurricane Helene.
• Collecting non-perishables—Bring a canned or other non-perishable food item for

Helping Harvest, the regional food bank that supplies First UU’s monthly food pantry. Also, please consider a donation to the team as a whole or one of the First UU folks who’ve signed up. You can find them at the URL,
 https://events.crophungerwalk.org/cropwalks/team/first-uu-berks-county

We did such a good job collecting items for Hope Rescue Mission last year that they have asked us to do it again! Starting in October, we will be collecting coats, hats, scarves, gloves, belts, and purses. They are very much in need of new men’s underwear in all sizes from small to 3x.
Donations can be left in the bin that will appear in the Gerber room in October.
Thanks for your help!

Hello Friends!

With the heartbreaking devastation from Hurricane Helene many of us are wondering how we can help.

You may have seen the CER blog post earlier this week about how our Disaster Relief Fund was low. Since then, donations have been pouring in, but the need is still great.

Our UUA staff has been focusing on communicating with impacted congregations and communities this week and will continue to do so.

Here are some direct links if you would like to give, and instructions on how your congregation can use your special collection to benefit the fund.

How can people give?

Individuals can:

• Contribute online using this link. https://www.uua.org/giving/disaster-relief.
• Mail checks to UUA,  24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210. ATTN: Gift Processing. Donors should note the DRF in the memo line of their check.
• Text-to-give by texting DISASTER to 51555
• Initiate a gift of securities by contacting Gift Processing Manager Tom Klein at tklein@uua.org.

How can congregations give?

• Congregational collections are a critical source of support for the DRF. Please direct colleagues and constituents to this page for all the resources they need: https://www.uua.org/giving/areas-support/funds/disaster-response/disaster-relief-fund-collections
• Congregations that elect not to hold a special collection can add an announcement in printed orders of service and electronic newsletters, including giving links or text-to-give instructions.
  • Text DISASTER to 51555.
  • Give online at https://www.uua.org/giving/disaster-relief

How can a congregation (or UU entity) apply for a Disaster Relief Grant?

• Congregations and other UU entities may apply here: https://www.uua.org/finance/grants/disaster-relief-grants

We are indeed a generous people. Thank you for your help!

In faith and service,

Sana

Sana Saeed :: she/her/hers
CER Congregational Life Staff

UUBerks has decided to push its UU Climate Justice Revival programming to February  1-2 2025.  This time frame provides more lead time for congregants to mark their calendars for the event and it allows leadership ample time to plan.  Please mark your calendars and watch this space for more information!

Special Plate Nominations Being Accepted

The Special Plate Program aims to promote the well-being of our broader community in a collaborative manner that demonstrates the principle of the sacred interdependent web of all existence and our value of Generosity through the sharing of faith, presence, and resources. In 2023, we donated over $4800 to eight local organizations .At our May Congregational  Meeting, we resolved to add TWO more organizations to our Special Plate Program (for a total of ten). This is your opportunity to nominate other community partners. We will compile the list of candidates for a vote at the December Congregational Meeting.

You may email your nominations to g.social.justice@uuberks.org or use this form to submit as many organizations as you’d like. So far, folks have suggested Habitat for Humanity, Connections Works, Spotlight PA, Healing Garden (under Cafe Esperanza), NAACP Reading Branch, and the GRIP Dreamer Scholarship Fund.
Special Plate NOMINATIONS    Please respond by Oct 1, 2024.

REV. JOHN’S MINISTERIAL START UP WORKSHOP & LUNCH POTLUCK

Join our UUA regional representative Lenore Bajare-Dukes (bio), Rev. John, and UUBerks leadership on Saturday, October 26th from 10 am to 1 pm in the Gerber Room for a start up workshop and lunch potluck! This event is a key stepping stone to our path to successfully transitioning to having a new minister, and our UUA rep will guide us on this journey. This is a time for all members to gather to discuss hopes and expectations for the year ahead with our new minister and engage with each other on who we want to be as a congregation.

Stay tuned for the potluck signup and childcare details.

The Building Keepers are excited to announce a new, streamlined way to submit maintenance requests! Now, you can easily report any issues using a convenient Google Form accessible from your smartphone or laptop. This digital system will help us track and resolve projects more efficiently.

Here’s how to submit a request:

1. Look for QR Codes: Scan the QR codes posted around the building using your smartphone’s camera app.
2. Direct Link: Alternatively, you can access the form directly by visiting this link on your laptop or phone’s browser:  https://uuberks.org/bk-ticket

We appreciate your cooperation in using this new system. It will allow us to better serve you and maintain our facilities effectively.

We need you and your gifts to make next year’s RE program all it can be! How will you help our RE Children and Teens Grow this coming year? Share your level of interest with us so we know what we can plant in our learning garden and who will be tending it
 www.uuberks.org/interest

FUUBC is part of the Giant charitable grocery scrip program that gives 10% of all gift cards sold back to our church. You can purchase cards as needed or sign up for a monthly gift card order that will be sent directly to your home the first week of each month.

When you receive your order you will also receive a return envelope to mail your check to the church. Checks can also be dropped in the Gerber room drop box or in the plate collection. Checks should be made out to FUUBC with giant card in the memo line.

If you would like to purchase Giant cards please return the form below to Melissa at office@uuberks.org. One time cards can also be purchased from Melissa at coffee hour twice a month.

Giant cards are available in $50 and $100 increments.

Giant Card Form

by nadine j. smet-weiss
spiritual director

shhhhh
listen
for the sound
of your own
breath
settle in
to the experience
of life
flowing
through you
be
with your
being