UNIverse Weekly February 19-25, 2021

February 19-25, 2021

WORSHIP

Sunday, February 21 “Not Worth the Risk”

Our February theme is Risk. Rev. Misha discussed love and its associated risks worth taking on the first week of the month. But what about risks NOT worth taking? Here at the intersection of our ongoing despair over COVID-19 and our hope that vaccinations will reunite us soon, we will pause to remind ourselves and each other that saying NO to unnecessary risks is sometimes the most loving act of all.

The login for Zoom is https://nwuuc.org/zoom/ or follow the service on our Facebook page. Stay tuned in afterwards for our Coffee Hour at 11 am.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Pi Day

The RE program will be celebrating Pi Day on Sunday, March 15th. RE families are invited to participate by sharing a video clip explaining how your family celebrates Pi Day followed by sharing a fun math fact and/or enjoying a slice of your favorite flavor of pie! We are voting on the best type of pie, so please don’t forget to cast your vote and include in your video what you think is the best flavor of pie. Please upload your favorite photos from previous Pi Day events to the following folder by February 28th.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sXz7Alm7rz0wjBHlUjwn51Pu02SrkFpU?usp=sharing

Call for Chalice Lighters

We are seeking chalice lighters for February and March. NWUUC welcomes participation in the weekly Sunday service. Options to participate include lighting a chalice via Zoom during the service or submitting a video to re@nwuuc.org that can be played during the service. LED lighting options can be used instead of a flame. Please use this link to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F4AAEAC2F4-chalice

Card Shower for Sydney Kahn

Please join us in supporting Sydney Kahn as she begins her journey as a college student. Our Northwest family is invited to participate in a card shower in her honor. We will shower her with UU love and support by sending her a card with a positive message and words of encouragement as she adjusts to college life. Her mailing address has been updated in Realm. Please consider participating as she could use our support during this exciting time in her life. You can also contact our DRE, Adia Fields-Udofia, at re@nwuuc.org to receive her mailing address.

RE Zoom Class K-5

Children and youth in the RE program in grades K-5 are invited to participate in a virtual RE class with High Street UU Congregation entitled CartUUns on Saturday, February 28th at 12:00 noon. CartUUns uses short animated clips from Disney and Pixar to explore UU values.

MUSIC MINISTRY

“Amazing Grace” by John Newton: An Historical Account by Wintley Phipps
Shared by Philip J. Rogers

            After my arrival to Atlanta in 2002 I was introduced to Dr. Alma Blackmon, a dynamic pianist, choral musician and retired music theory educator. She invited me to join her select reading choir and it was there that she shared many of her black music history narratives. One such story regarded the essence of the Negro Spiritual and how the majority of them are based on the pentatonic scale via the black notes on the piano, such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”

            At one rehearsal Alma shared the history of John Newton and his introduction to slave chants as the captain of a slave ship. It is believed that after his conversion to Christianity he recalled one of the slave melodies and used it to compose “Amazing Grace,” a story that you will hear on the attached video link presented by one of Alma’s former Oakwood University students, Wintley Phipps. In Wintley’s presentation he mentions an old black woman who shared the story with him. That black woman was Dr. Alma Blackmon whom he thanked for the account during a concert in Atlanta.

Watch, listen and enjoy bass vocalist Wintley Phipps as he takes us on this dynamic journey through music history.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=1312

            Video liner notes:
Amazing Grace by Wintley Phipps

At Carnegie Hall, gospel singer Wintley Phipps delivers perhaps the most powerful rendition of Amazing Grace ever recorded.

He says, “A lot of people don’t realize that just about all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano. Probably the most famous one was written by John Newton, who used to be the captain of a slave ship, and
many believe he heard this melody that sounds very much like a West African sorrow chant. And it has a haunting plaintive quality….And we feel it. We feel it. It’s just one of the most amazing melodies in all of human history.”

After sharing the noteworthy history of the song, Mr. Phipps delivers a stirring performance that brings the audience to its feet!

OUR NWUUC FAMILY (CARE CORPS)

Would you like to schedule a private meeting with Rev. Misha? Please call the main number, 770-955-1408, to set up a time.

Rev. Joan
Please keep in mind those in our congregation who are ill, hospitalized or recovering, as well as those grieving a loss. Your prayers, healing thoughts, cards and emails are welcome.

Hugh Fordyce
Ryan Wilson, nephew of Marti Wilson
John Weinert
Kathy Frost

As always, mailing addresses for all of the above can be found in the REALM database.

If you have a joy or sorrow you would like to have shared in the UNIverse please call or email Rev. Joan Davis at 404-275-0236 or joanarmstrongdavis@gmail.com.

If you are going through difficult times and would like emotional support or are in any situation where support and caring are needed contact:

Rev. Misha Sanders, Senior Minister, 770-955-1408
Rev. Joan A. Davis, Community Minister, 404-275-0236
Maria Drinkard, 678-644-6480
Karen Edmonds, 770-851-1354
Ashley Fournier Goodnight 903-278-1923
Linton Hopkins, 678-938-8858
Valerie Johnson, 470-209-9864
Lil Woolf, 404-276-6189

(770) 955-1408 Office Hours M-F 9 am to 5 pm office@nwuuc.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

General Assembly:
The UU Association’s Annual Meeting
Theme this year:
Circle ‘Round for Justice * Healing * Courage

This year, like last year, will be a 100% virtual GA, held June 23-27, 2021. Attending in person is, of course, the most fun way to attend, but last year’s virtual session was phenomenal, and we expect it will be even better this year. Northwest is allotted four delegate positions, based on our membership size, and in addition, our minister also is automatically a delegate. But you can attend and not be a delegate—you just don’t get to vote. If you are interested in attending as a delegate please submit your name to the Board at board@nwuuc.org. If you want to register ($200) or check out the entire program, click here. Registration is open now!

Zoom Documentary Discussion
9to5: Story of a Movement
7pm on Friday, February 19th

Watch the documentary 9to5: Story of a Movement on your own and then join a virtual discussion on Zoom!

This film is about the labor movement that started with a group of secretaries in the early 1970s. Their goals were better pay, more advancement opportunities and an end to sexual harassment. Here is a link to where you can watch it for free. https://www.pbs.org/video/9to5-the-story-of-a-movement-1ljxcl/

This discussion is organized with the collaboration with Emory University’s Students for Social Justice.

This event is open to all who are open to all and is not restricted to Atlanta or the United States. Feel free to invite anyone you think may be interested in joining our discussion. Please allow others to get their full thought out and that any disagreement is voiced in a civil way.

Please email Adam Hicks bryantadamhicks@gmail.com to be added to the email list. That way you will be able to receive updates on future events as well as the zoom link and password, which will be sent out the morning of the discussion.

Zoom Documentary Discussion
Sicko
7pm on Friday, February 26th

Watch the documentary Sicko on your own and then join a virtual discussion on Zoom!
This film is Michael Moore’s Oscar-nominated 2007 film on America’s broken healthcare system. Moore examines America’s health-care crisis and why millions of citizens are without coverage. Here is a link to where you can watch it for free. https://www.documentarymania.com/player.php?title=Sicko

This discussion is organized with the collaboration with Emory University’s Rollins Mobile Health Collaboration.

NWUUC Book Groupies
Tuesday, March 9 at 7 pm

We will discuss Girl, Woman, Other – the 2019 Booker Prize Winner by Bernadine Evaristo, the first black author to win this award. The multiple characters are all black British women dealing with what it means to be alive in a fragmented modern world in which racial, tribal and class divides have complicated issues of identity from age to race to sexuality and class.

If you would like to join us for the discussion of this book, please call Penny Raney to be included on the Zoom list – 770 551 8817. Also, if you would like to purchase this book from our bookstore 100% of the profits go to NWUUC and the book can be ordered through the same telephone number.

Zoom Documentary Discussion
7pm on Friday, March 12th
The Origami Revolution

Watch the documentary The Origami Revolution on your own and then join a virtual discussion on Zoom!

This documentary is about how the art of origami is reshaping the world, affecting drug development and future NASA space missions. Here is a link to where you can watch it for free. https://vimeo.com/250448152

Covid Vaccine Information Update

The Covid Vaccine information has a new number, 844-554-4024. Text VAX to this number, or visit https://discodroid.ai/vaxapp/, and the system will alert you when appointments open up in the following counties: DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton.

IT Help Desk

If you need help using Zoom to log into the service or a church online meeting, logging into Realm, our webpage Nwuuc.org or into our Facebook Group page, we have a team of experts who can help. This desk is managed by Cameron Moore, Katy Lockhart, Kuru George, David Morgen and Russ Martin. To reach one of them email your questions to techhelp@nwuuc.org. One of them will respond with answers.

Shop NWUUC Merch

Check out Northwest’s new merchandise shop at Zazzle for T-shirts, polos, and now, masks!

If you’re interested in submitting merchandise designs, please email Cameron Moore at stewardship@nwuuc.org.

Looking Toward Mountain Camp 2021
Hello parents, campers, families, and all
treasured affiliates of The Mountain,

My name is Hannah Leeper, and I am the new director for MountainCamp, having recently taken over for Megan Quattlebaum Van Der Linde.

This summer, I will be co-leading MountainCamp with Brennan Cain-Nuccio, who many of you know well from her work with MountainCamp in summers past.

I am writing today to share the exciting news that…

Camp staff, CIT, and ASCENDER Applications are now open!

You can find the link to apply on our website, under the Youth Programs > MountainCamp tab. This summer, we will be hiring for the following seasonal positions, as well as accepting applications for high school-age CITs and ASCENDERs:

–          Cabin Counselor
–          Outdoor Adventure Lead
–          ASCENDER Mentor
–          CIT Mentor
–          Health Center Coordinator
–          Programs Coordinator

If you know any outstanding young people who would like to get involved with MountainCamp this summer on staff or as a CIT/ASCENDER (or anyone with a medical background who would be interested in serving as a Health Center Coordinator), please encourage them to apply!

*Of note, we will be accepting seasonal staff applications on a rolling basis, and applications for both the CIT and ASCENDER programs will close on March 15^th.

If you have any questions, please direct inquiries to youthcamp@themountainrlc.org.
Follow us on the MountainCamp Facebook page for updates as well.

We thank you in advance for your support as we plan for this coming summer, and your patience as we receive applications and conduct interviews. We are looking forward to safely bringing Camp back this summer!

All the best,

Hannah Leeper
MountainCamp Program Director
828.526.5838
www.themountainrlc.org
hannah.leeper@themountainrlc.org

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS AND
JOINING ANNIVERSARIES 2021

Birthdays

02/02 John Reeves
02/03 Penny Raney
02/05 Elizabeth Hickman
02/07 David Benoy
02/07 Sharon Cameron
02/07 David Stewart
02/15 Dave Zenner
02/17 Bruce Niedermeyer
02/18 Judy McKinley
02/19 Jordan Dale
02/20 Allan Sanders
02/20 Dominic Stewart
02/22 Sebastian Stewart
02/25 Ella Morgen
02/25 Larry Wallis
02/28 Deborah Ross

Anniversaries (by year joined)

02/08/1975 Hugh Fordyce
02/05/1995 Chrissy Haddad
02/13/2005 Laura Hall
02/15/2009 Karen Reagle
02/15/2009 Allen Rider
02/08/2015 Barbara Dondiego
02/08/2015 David Stewart
02/14/2016 Danny Sample
02/14/2016 Gina Sample

CALENDAR

Sunday, February 21, 10 am Worship
Sunday, February 21, 11 am Coffee Hour

NORTHWEST LEADERSHIP

Board of Trustees 2020-2021

President Lil Woolf president@nwuuc.org
President-Elect Lynne Dale
Finance Trustee Pam Freeman finance@nwuuc.org
Secretary Sandy Davis board@nwuuc.org
Imm. Past President David Stewart
Trustee at Large Larry Wallis
Trustee at Large Grier Page
Trustee at Large (youth) Chloe Morgen

Ministries Team Leaders
Communications: Jenn Meunier Miller
Community: Brian Freeman
Gardens & Spaces: Beryl Grall-Petty
Justice: Dave Zenner
Adult Learning Lead: Marilyn Matlock, Co-Lead: Sally Mitchell
Stewardship Lead: Cameron Moore, Co-Leads: Gwen Kahn & Melissa Niedermeyer

Staff
Rev. Misha Sanders, Senior Minister
Rev. Joan Davis, Community Minister
Adia Fields-Udofia, Religious Education Director
Dr. Philip Rogers, Music Director