The Flaming Chalice - UU Valdosta

What’s going on.…April 2002

Sun	April 7	10:45 AM	Service –“Faith-based Public Social Services: April Fool” (Jack Donovan) presented by Charles Green DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS !!!
Mon	April 8	11:00 AM	Break Bread delivery
Weekend	April 12-14	Fri PM- Sun AM	Florida District Annual Meeting at the Canterbury Retreat Center, Ovieda, FL
Sun	April 14	10:45 AM 12:15 PM	Service – “Religious Community and the Secrets of Life” (Jack Donovan) presented by Charles Green Second Sunday Potluck
Sun	April 21	10:45 AM	Service – "Is There Not a Cause” (Jack Donovan) presented by Charles Green
Sun	April 28	10:45 AM	Service –“Deconstructing Diversity” Halim Faisal and Dianne Holliman

April ……. Ah Spring! Charles Green will be filling up the slack this month with some of his wonderfully presented read sermons. If you are missing our usual visiting UU minister, we’ll have two next month. We’ve been missing some of you recently. We hope you’ll be back soon. It seems like a lot of our members are dealing with illness themselves or within their families. You are in our thoughts. Let us know what we can do to help you through this period of time in your life. This is the season of rebirth as we delight in the blooming of flowers and warmer weather. Celebrate this most lovely of seasons here in the south and come and share your spring with all of us! See you when you can be here.

As spring is beginning I have been thinking about what the liberal community means to me in Valdosta--especially the Unitarian Universalist community. ...... All of these changes [and concerns about members] have made me realize how precious and fragile life is.

As a liberal community we need each other in so many ways. As Unitarian Universalists the commitment to the principles of our Association may bring us together. However, we may often have differences about philosophical and spiritual issues as well as how to get things done within our church. During this past year, I have spent time reflecting on how to promote unity within our church, and how to use difference and critique for positive change. During this month the nominating committee will meet to select a slate of officers for the 2002-03 year. Let us support them and each other during this time. Let us continue to reach out to each other and to grow. We need each other!

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME SPRING FORWARD! Don’t be late Sunday, April 7. Before you go to bed Saturday night, set your clocks ahead one hour.

Religious Education

Temporary adjustments may be made in Youth and Adult R.E. in April. Both groups usually meet on the second and fourth Sundays, 9:30-10:30 AM, but the editor suggests that those interested in Youth R.E contact Virginia Branan about the April schedule. Joan suggests that anyone interested in coordinating the Adult R.E. would be welcome to do so. The group will meet in April only if a leader steps forward. Watch for further announcements at church.

Treasurer’s Report

Florida District Congregational Membership Surveys are due back by April 29 BUT(!) René Kerr would like to return them sooner! If you have not received (or lost) yours please let René know and return it to her completed ASAP. If you mailed yours directly to the District let René know. Thanks.

Social Action Activities

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday of each month. If you can deliver meals on this day beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Virginia Branan.

All our members and friends as several are facing health concerns or the loss of a loved one.

Did you know that many view William Ellery Channing (1780-1842) “as one of the few authentic religious geniuses of America?” During his life-time contemporary scholars around the world discussed his ideas and quoted his work. In later generations his words affected Tagore and Gandhi in India and Tolstoy in Russia. His writings resonate even today. Channing was educated at Harvard and was ordained as a Unitarian minister. He served the Federal Street Church in Boston from 1803. During his life “he dealt with such broad concepts as the moral dignity of human nature, one’s kinship to God, the religious life as both internal and external, a universal human family, the evils of war as betraying human dignity and respect, and the moral law that applies to nations and politics. “ A sermon, he preached in Baltimore in 1819, “Unitarian Christianity,” in which he argued for liberal reform in Christianity, may be his most influential work. Watch for quotes from Channing in our hymnal and other UU literature.

Dianne commented in a church discussion the Sunday after the Women’s Studies Conference at VSU that she had heard some of us talk about the same small number of Valdosta liberals who are always at such events. I think she was saying that we were all there again this time and that she was glad to be part of that group. I know I always enjoy seeing my friends from all over Valdosta at these events. These are the people who turn out for human rights rallies; who get incensed about environmental degradation; who worry about the current welfare “reform;” who get disturbed about scientific creationism and teaching the Bible in public schools because it threatens separation of church and state; who in some cases are antiwar advocates and support peace groups. Some of this group are members of our UU congregation; others belong to a variety of other congregations or are “unchurched.” I think all in this group recognize the value of an active liberal congregation in Valdosta. They are our friends who would miss our absence.

Someone at Tai Chi the other night asked me about our congregation, how many people attended and so forth. I think the person was surprised at how few we were. I think the person was amazed that we had the place we have and maybe more importantly the influence we have through such a small group. Margaret Mead observed some time ago that change is brought about by a small number of committed people. She observed that that was not only possible, but the only way change ever occurred. Our outspoken liberal members do have an influence on our community.

I think it is important for us to be here for ourselves and for our community.

I was talking with someone about our involvement from its inception with LAMP. (In fact we probably need to reactivate our activity with this important community resource.) I commented that the first Director of LAMP was especially anxious that all religious voices in our community be a part of that effort. He was afraid that if we were not represented at board meetings along with the synagogue that well-meaning people in the community would not even think about issues, which needed to be addressed. Our liberal religious voice was needed.

I think it is important for us to be here for ourselves and for our community.

Think about what your Valdosta world would be like if we did not exist. Think about what our community would be like if we did not exist. Are we, and our community, better for our existing? Where would our voice come from if we did not exist?

I think it is important for us to be here for ourselves and for our community.

All of us lead busy lives. We are involved in attending and working for those other liberal organizations and causes. If we don’t show up for whatever meeting or rally there might be, no one shows up! Most of us feel that our spiritual lives are nurtured by nature, in solitary meditation, in reading a book, in attending a lecture, in visiting with friends, in travel to new places, in participation in meetings and rallies. We don’t have to be in church to feed our “souls.” This is one of the truths of the liberally religious. There are times though when we crave the fellowship of like-minded friends to help us through difficult times or to celebrate the good times and life’s passages. Where do those who are searching for that fellowship find it, if we are not some times just there so there is a place for them to find their way and be with us?

Attendance has dropped off dramatically on recent Sundays. Several people have been ill or have had ill family members. Several of our regulars have moved this year. This has happened before, but it is some times hard to remind oneself that we will grow again. We will! Think about whether just having a liberal congregation in Valdosta is important to you and to this community. Do we need to be sure we are here and look healthy for those who indeed will wander in our doors searching for spiritual meaning in their lives? Do we have a responsibility to meet those needs? Can you help? We need you to help and besides that we miss you if you have too long been away. Think about visiting us, again. Think about serving in a leadership position. Think about coordinating a Sunday program. Think about supporting our efforts with your money. Think about how important we are for you and for others.

I think it is important for us to be here for ourselves and for our community.

April 12-14 Florida District Annual Assembly, Canterbury Retreat Center, Keynote speaker, Rebecca Parker, President of Starr King School for Ministry

April 19-21 9^th Annual Lesbian Retreat Weekend-Staying Power, The Mountain Retreat and conference Center, Highlands, NC

April 27 FL District Council on Social and Racial Justice and NE Cluster will sponsor workshop “Grassroots Organizing”

May 3-5 Mother/Daughter Spring Retreat, The Mountain Retreat and conference Center, Highlands, NC

May 9-30 VSU May-mester intensive course the Fundamentals of Islam. Local religious leaders are encouraged to take the course. Contact Dr. Linda Bennett Elder, VSU Philosophy Department.

June 30 deadline for registration for September 21-27 FL District Leadership School. Some scholarship funding available from the district.

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings. A new beginner’s group to be held during the summer is under consideration. If you would be interested contact Dennis Bogyo.

Metropolitan Community Church - Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 5:00 PM. Service at 6:00 PM

Women’s Group Those who self-identify as female are invited to join this group for good food and great company, the 1^stand 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Bring a snack or potluck dish and ideas for discussion, or just yourself! Contact René Kerr.

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President's Column	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
Did you know?	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Board Notes!	Special Note - Does Valdosta Need a Liberal Religious Congregation?