We at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church believe that there's more to congregational life than just attending services on Sunday mornings. Below is a listing of several ongoing special interest and affinity groups at PBUUC. They welcome your participation, and you do not need to be a member to participate in these groups. Please check the church directory or call the office at 301-937-3666 for further contact information, and keep an eye on the Sunday bulletin and monthly newsletter, Branches, to learn about other ways to be involved at Paint Branch.
Bridge Group
Contact: Ellen Cotts
The Bridge Group meets once a month on a Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at members' homes to play "social" bridge. They play four rounds, four hands per round, and change partners after each round. Each person contributes $1 to the homeless and $1 to the kitty. The lowest and the two highest scores get prizes. Following the game, they enjoy desert and lively conversation. Usually, they have three or four tables of players (12-16), who come with or without partners. It is a friendly game--they welcome players of all levels of expertise.
Chalice Dancers
Contact: Deb Rubenstein
The Chalice Dancers rehearse under the direction of choreographer Sharon Werth on Saturday mornings. They perform at several services each year. Anyone who is interested may contact Deb Rubenstein, Jennifer Grant, or any of the dancers for further information. Dance experience is not required.
Choir
Contact: Music Director David Chapman
The PBUUC choir rehearses for two hours every Thursday night during the church year and performs at about two services per month, arriving early on those Sundays to rehearse. They also sing several works at the annual music service in June and at the Holiday music service in December, as well as on Christmas Eve. The choir welcomes new members who can commit to the rehearsal schedule. Interested singers should talk to David Chapman after the Sunday service.
Creativity Circle
Contact: Beth Lyons
This Enrichment Hour group, just begun in February 2008, meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in Room 4 of the RE Building. Each session will include a creative expression activity (i.e., we'll make something), plus some time for reflection and discussion of our own creative process and journey. Consistent participation is appreciated but not required; drop-ins and newcomers are welcome.
Diversity/Anti-Racism Transformation Team (DARTT)
Contact: Tricia Most
DARTT (Diversity/Anti-Racism Transformation Team) is an open group of people who meet in Room One of the RE Building on the second Thursday of the month to plan adult education classes, occasional worship services, and other activities for the congregation. The mission of the DARTT is to raise awareness about racism and promote personal transformation and spiritual growth that will intentionally move our congregation toward the vision of a truly welcoming, multi-racial, multi-cultural community. We occasionally have to change our monthly meeting time (due to weather concerns or other reasons), so please contact Tricia Most (patricia_most@msn.com or 301-445-2821) for more information or to confirm the meeting date.
The Handcraft Circle
Contacts: Marj Donn and Marie Gore
The Handcraft Circle meets during the Enrichment Hour on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, in the back of the Sanctuary, to knit and crochet together and teach skills to anyone who wants to learn. They make mittens, hats, and scarves for the traditional December sale in the foyer and also participate in the annual church auction with a Handcraft Boutique.
Men's Fellowship
Contacts: John Bartoli and James Alexander
PBUUC supports two Men's Groups. The first Men's Group has been in existence for over seven years and the second Men's Group for almost three years. Both groups meet every other week at one of the members' homes. The groups work on growth issues like developing and practicing leadership skills or challenging ourselves to take a new perspective on our lives. We take turns selecting and leading exercises that help us become more aware of ourselves and our relationships with other men as well as with our families, our work, and our community. We also serve as a support group when one man is confronting a complex or troublesome, ongoing or immediate personal issue. We share what's going on of significance in our lives in a supportive and non-threatening environment.
To assist the church and model men's roles in a spiritual community, we have presented Sunday services, worked on the deck and parking lot, prepared meals for Warm Nights guests, sponsored Enrichment Hour programs, and organized Sunday potluck dinners and fellowship programs. If you would like to learn more about the two Men's Groups and possibly join one of the groups or are interested in other men's issues and activities, please contact either John Bartoli, Group One, or James Alexander, Group Too.
Paint Branch Nature Spirituality Circle
Contact: Cory Carter
PBUUC Nature Spirituality Circle is under the current leadership of Cory Carter, Charlie Winter, Paul Richards, and Tina Van Pelt. The NSC maintains an actively moderated email listserv with about 90 members: pbuuc-nsc@yahoo.com. They have also hosted family friendly spring equinox, winter solstice and other seasonal events. .
Paint Branch Women's Community
Contact: Tish Hall
The third annual PBUUC Women's Retreat was held at the church on February 23, 2008. It looks as though we are settling on the last weekend in February or the first weekend in March as our regular retreat date. Over 30 women have attended each retreat, including guests from the Goodloe (Bowie) and Silver Spring congregations. A few families were represented by several generations - one teen participant told us that she had discovered a community that she didn't know existed!. Workshops are planned and led entirely by women from PBUUC; activities include dancing, singing, knitting, writing, play, discussions, and a jigsaw puzzle. Many PBUUC women are now proud owners of beautiful fused glass jewelry of their own design and manufacture, thanks to tireless Tina Van Pelt, who brings her glass kilns and makes her supplies available at cost. All of this, plus two meals, are provided for a modest registration fee of $20 per person (2008), plus some materials fees.
The Women's Community has no official leaders. The retreats have been organized by Julie Dahmer, Tish Hall, and Carla Miller, and many others who provided help, suggestions, and inspiration. Any person who is or wishes to be a part of the community of women at Paint Branch UU Church may at any time plan a social, spiritual, educational or nutritional event for us to share. If you plan it, we will come. We also have a yahoogroups email list. Please email Tish to join: lbhall@comcast.net.
Poetry Out Loud
Contact: Barbara Fairfield
This group meets on the fourth Sunday of each month during Enrichment Hour, usually in the RE Building kitchen (Hospitality Room), to share in reading and listening to poetry. Poems may be on any subject and from any period. Original verse is also welcome.
Religious Quest Book Discussion Group
Contact: Lowell Owens
This long-running group consists of about a dozen or so people who meet each Sunday during Enrichment Hour to discuss books, articles or videos of a broadly religious, philosophical, political, anthropological or sociological nature. Preferring a leisurely pace, we discuss only a chapter or two per week--a pace that permits full exploration of the authors' offerings.
Our interest is to discover what these offerings have to say about "being human religiously"-- the title of a book by UU theologian John Luther Adams that inaugurated our series some years ago--and what ethical guidance they may offer for these times.
Newcomers and diverse points of view are always welcome--we trust we will learn from them.
Spirituality Circle
Contact: Amy Steiner
Spirituality Circle participants explore spirituality and deepen connections with other PBUUC members in a small group setting (5-15 people), meeting on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month during Enrichment Hour in room 4 of the RE Building. Members volunteer to lead the sessions, offering ideas to help each other on our spiritual journeys in a confidential group setting. In 2006-07, we spoke of connecting spirit to courage, threw away our regrets with a UU version of Tashlich, experienced the light of Johrei, meditated while walking and shared how our views of god or lack of god has changed during our lives. We let Stillness Speak, walked a labyrinth, learned of Native American culture and spirituality, and discussed what the central tenet of Unitarian Universalism might be for each of us. New participants are always welcome.
TWedHULK
Contact: Larry Lates
TWedHULK is the Third Wednesday Hyattsville Unitarian Lunch Klub. This venerable institution (as indicated by its "U" only name), for which Minister Emeritus Rick Kelley was responsible, started in the early 1970's and has been going strong ever since. Attendance averages about 12 people. The restaurant is announced in the newsletters and the Sunday bulletins. With a loosely operating reservation system, we've enjoyed sharing our lives in a monthly gathering. TWedHULK invites all PBUUCers who are free at our meeting time to join in whenever possible.
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