Sunday Services 

Our services this summer are lay lead services.  The speakers are from among our own members and members of the Valdosta community. Charles Judah, our Vice President, who is in charge of Sunday service programming, will speak on August 3 and again at the end of the month.  Charles’ first topic will be “Pseudo Science or Voodoo, Hoodoo and You Do Too.”  Charles always brings a provocative message about something he has been thinking about.  This message will no doubt be such a message.

            On August 10 Dr. Fred Howard, formerly from Douglas, Georgia , and a regular participant in our services will speak on "Healing and the Mind."  Fred has recently closed his medical practice in Douglas and moved to Atlanta to attend Emory University.  Welcome him back to our pulpit and learn more about his mid-life career change.

Patrick Stanley’s presentation on August 17 is entitled “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.”  He will speak on his spiritual journey into activism, his recent protest and arrest at the School of the Americas (SOA) in Columbus, GA and his 90-day sentence in a federal prison from which he will soon be  released.  Patrick, who grew up in Valdosta, is a college student at Fordham University in NY.  He involves himself in social justice issues such as working in Catholic Worker soup kitchens, Urban Plunge, a ministry at Fordham, teaching catechism, and protests against war, including the protest at SOA against civil rights abuses by the school’s trainees in Latin America.

Theresa Thompson has returned from Russia where she was an exchange faculty member at the University of Syktyvkar during the spring semester.  Welcome her back on August 24 when she will share some of her Russian experiences. If you were fortunate to share her e-mails while she was gone you know she will have some experiences to tell!  She has titled her talk "Spirituality in Syktyvkar, Russia."  Theresa is a faculty member in the English Department at Valdosta State University and a member of our congregation.

Charles Judah, will wind up the month of August on August 31 speaking this time on “Defending Humankind to God.”

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President’s Portion

Dee Tait 

President John F. Kennedy, once said that we should not think about what our country could do for us, but of what we could do for our country.  In reality, we ARE our country, as we ARE our church, and I like to think, in the latter instance, it is a two-way street. 

Actually, for most of us, I believe we come to the church in the beginning looking for something the church has to offer us.  For example:

(1)    camaraderie, friendship, togetherness, love or whatever word we use to describe that feeling of acceptance

(2)   people with whom we can have meaningful dialogue 

(3)    a place to be involved in social action 

(4)   a place to celebrate life’s passages whether it be a birthday, anniversary, special achievement time, or maybe just getting older,

(5)   support in times of loss – a job, a relationship – or whatever that loss might be

(6)    a comfortable place on one’s own personal journey, at one’s own pace, in that free and responsible search  for truth and meaning.

The list of possibilities for reasons that we come to church goes on and on.  Each person probably has a different list.  The list is so important that if we don’t get some of the items on the list met by coming to church, we probably don’t come back or stop coming before long.   

Here we are on another two-way street!  Each one of us has to take responsibility for getting our needs met within the church and at the same time, help to create an atmosphere that makes that goal not only possible, but a probability, for each person who walks through our doors.  How are we doing? 

 

 Due to continuing safety issues in the nursery as a consequence of the vandalism to the church in late May, childcare during services remains unavailable.  Children are welcome though in our services.

Religious Education Program

Youth R.E  and  Adult R.E.

 Ÿ Both Youth and Adult RE will meet again on a regular schedule in September. Suggestions for topics and activities are welcomed. Call Lars Leader  or Virginia Branan.

ŸWednesday night discussions at the church.  Hue Jacobs is leading an adult R.E. group in discussing the book Theory of Everything by Ken Wilber.  Every Wednesday at 7:30 pm, the group will discuss a chapter from this book.  Please bring a copy of the book with you to the discussion.  For further information, contact Hue. 

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Keep in Your Thoughts****

v     Our members and friends experience health concerns or the loss of loved ones….

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 Healing With Art

In the fall at the beginning of the new church year we have traditionally rejoined in a commitment to our special community, after many have been away during the summer, through a special “water communion service.” This year, as you travel on vacation, instead of collecting water, think of buying a piece of pottery or other art work to donate to the church as a way to replace, in a very personal way, our ceramics and paintings, which were recently destroyed. A special service is planned.

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End of the Month Bring-A-Dish Visitor’s Dinner

Saturday, August 30 ð   6:30 PM

Home of Charles Judah

Charles plans to show Roger Moore's film, "Bowling for Columbine," about guns in America, followed by a potluck dinner. This excellent film won an award at this year’s Academy Awards.  If you thought it was last month’s dinner that was at Charles’ house, you would be almost right.  After the July newsletter went to press, Charles had to switch the party at his home to August. (Thank you Eleanor Bowman for agreeing to host the July dinner on short notice.) Give Charles a call to let him know if you will be coming and to get directions if you need them. 

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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 Dee Tait.

Social Action Committee

The Social Action Committee will meet at 6:30 pm on Monday, August 25.  All interested members are invited to attend.  The committee is planning activities designed for congregation-wide involvement.  Also, Sunday morning programs with a social action topic are planned.  Mary Ann Hand’s talk last month on desegregating the Valdosta High prom and Patrick Stanley’s talk for August 17th on his reflections of being a prisoner of conscience were both planned by the committee.  For more information, contact Anna Hall.

At its May meeting, the committee decided that Hue Jacobs would work on a mission statement for the committee. Lars Leader will discuss the creation of a discretionary fund with the Board. A social action will be chosen monthly beginning in September.  The congregation will be informed when actions are scheduled, and encouraged to participate.  The possibility of getting T-shirts that would let people know that we are acting as representatives of our congregation was also discussed.  One suggestion for social action was hosting a candidate’s forum for the upcoming Valdosta mayoral race. 

At the committee’s meeting on June 30, the group discussed further ideas for social action throughout the upcoming year.  In July  items were collected for the Haven yard sale on August 2.  If you still have items you would like to donate, small items (clothes, etc.) are being collected at the Redirect office located on the second story of the downtown branch of Regions Bank next to the new arts center.  Call and ask for Debra or Lisa for times to drop items off. The social action for September has not yet been scheduled, but several good ideas are under consideration.  There was discussion about having a Caring Committee, which could be contacted when church members are in need, and would visit members, make phone calls, and send cards to members in appropriate circumstances.  Anyone desiring to take part in such a committee is asked to contact a member of the Social Action Committee. 

            The Social Action Committee meets on the last Monday of each month.  Let Anna Hall, Lars Leader, Laurel Hahlen, or Hue Jacobs know if you have any ideas for social actions for the coming church year.

 

Lamentations

My church

Why?

We are so just.  So reflective.

Why?

 

People are more important than things.

 

My parents

Not letting go.

Not right

Always in my heart

 

People are more important than things.

 

My job

Making my job less

Making myself more

Making my job smaller

Making myself stronger

 

People are more important than things

 

Diane Holliman

 

Memorial Service for Martha Horowitz Martha’s son Stephen and his family are planning a memorial service for Martha at our church on Saturday, August 16 at 3:00 PM.  Martha, who for a number of years was a very active member of our congregation, died recently.  You are invited to join Martha’s family in remembering and celebrating her life.

From the Board

UU Board of Trustees Meeting  · July 14. 2003

In attendance:  Dee Tait, Randy Thompson, Lars Leader, Charles Judah, John Tait and Rosie Asbury.

The meeting was called to order by President Dee Tait.

Treasurer’s Report: (See elsewhere I the newsletter for the details.)

Religious Education:  There are no planned programs for August.  Lars Leader welcomes any suggestions for RE which will start in September.  Dee suggested a discussion on some of the articles found in the UU World.

Programming:  Charles Judah would still welcome a volunteer for the last Sunday of August.     Regarding the order of service, Charles suggested that the Hands of Friendship should come after the Doxology since everyone is standing during that time. He also suggested that when we invite a speaker, we need to ask that speaker if he/she is comfortable with congregational reflections or not. Dee volunteered to be in charge of contacting the piano players every Sunday.  She has the list of piano players, which Virginia Branan developed. There was a discussion on having a visiting minister come to speak once a month. Volunteers will be needed to be in charge of contacting ministers.  Dee suggested that for now, if we cannot find a local speaker, then we will try to find ministers to come.

Building and Grounds: John Tait will be asking for volunteers to help in cleaning up the church.  The lay leader for a particular Sunday will be responsible for getting someone to blow off the walkway before the service, depending upon who is there and available.  Charles suggested that all the certificates and awards that have been given to the church and members should be framed and hung so that everyone can see and appreciate them. Volunteers will be needed. Alarm System:  Randy reported on alarm system quotes given to him by the contractor.  Alert Tech and Action Alarms cost almost the same amount and both include glass breakage, keypad, and motion detector. There was a discussion on these alarm systems, whether we really need one, or whether it will only cause more trouble since there are so many different groups using our building.  Randy made a motion to get more information about alarm systems and will also ask the insurance company if an alarm system affects the insurance rate. Motion was passed by the board. Anti-Hate Crime Program: Carol Stiles and others have suggested that some of the Restoration Fund money be used to invite speakers or conduct workshops in cooperation with other community groups, perhaps to bring in anti-hate crime and diversity awareness speakers or for  community outreach programs to eliminate hate crimes.  The board decided to table this issue until the next meeting, when it would have a better idea of how much money might be available.  Carol had suggested that the board might investigate whether grants might be available to partially underwrite such programs.  The suggestion will be passed on to the Social Action Committee for consideration. Taking Care of Our Own: The board discussed the fact that there are several members who need assistance.  The creation of a Caring Committee was discussed.  The Social Action Committee will be discussing this issue.  Bulk Mailing: The UUA awarded our church a $3000.00 grant to use for bulk mailing membership initiative. The funds must be used by January 2004.  Dee will contact UUA to determine what may be available which would be appropriate.  Charles will be in charge of getting a list of addresses and Action Printing can do the copying and mailing.  This grant is part of a membership plan developed by Rev. Al this past year. By-Laws Revision:  Randy, Charles, David Hill and Lars have volunteered to be on a Bylaws Committee to look at the by-laws and make recommendations to the congregation for change. Ministerial Search:  There was a discussion on hiring a part-time minister-whether we can afford it and why we need a minister. Randy, Dee, Lars, and Rosie volunteered to be on a Ministerial Search Committee.  Others were suggested as possible members of the committee.

Submitted by: Rosie Asbury, Secretary

 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Payments to Al Boyce during the month totaled  $6,000 as payments for his services in June, July, and August.  The funds were paid in June and as required by our cash accounting method it was recorded as a June expense. Unless, and until, the membership decides on hiring a new part-time minister, money designated for ministry cost in the fiscal year 2004 may need to be recategorized to handle changed situations. Given that we will not make any further expenditures in the category of minister salary in July, the Board voted to reclassify $2000 of FY04 ministry salary to ministerial programs to cover cost for guest speakers or other programming. This change leaves the F/Y 2004 budget for a minister's salary at $28,0000 and the budget for ministerial programs at $2,200. 

Contributions and expenditures for church restoration are being reported as a separate fund.  The construction is nearly finished and we hope to meet with the insurance adjuster in late July to discuss a final pay out of our claim.

June Report

Bank Balances

Checking                                          6,861

Savings                                            4,098

                              Total               $10,959

Outstanding Debts:

Mortgage                                     $32,840

Receipts:

Pledge                                           $1,780

Plate                                                   224

Rent                                                   280

Ministerial                                     4,500

Ministerial housing                        500

                                Total         $6,784

Disbursements:

                                                                               Valdosta Chamber of  

                                                                                    Commerce dues                         $85

Mortgage                                           500

Utilities                                               127

Minister salary                              6,000

Minister housing                             500

Pianist                                                    35

Postage                                               103

Bank fees                                              15

                                    Total       $7,365

NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)

                                                   ($581)

RESTORATION FUND           $8,325

Disbursements                           $11,456

           Current Fund Balance     ($3,131)

Note:  We have a receivable from our insurance claim for the funds paid to the contractor less a $1,000 deductible.

 Special Thanks to our Additional Restoration Fund Contributors:

The First Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, Kathleen M. Allred, Reno, NV, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples Inc., John Demming III, UU Bay County P.C., FL, UU United, St. Pete, Bud Evans, St. Pete UU, Boone N.C. UU, UU Fellowship of Northern Nevada, Col. Ohio UU, Naples UU, Christ Episcopal, UU of Palo Alto California,  Mid South District of UUA - President's convo, Cindy M. Brown, Stephen D. and Kim L Lynn, Carolyn R. Conley, John D. Czachurski, Richard D. Bird, Jr, Arthur E. Elsner, Harrriett E. Myers (These contributors are in addition to those published in the July newsletter.)

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UU Activities and Announcements

 Further information is posted on the bulletin board at the church.

August 15-17 YRUU CON, Orlando, UUUS

August 17-23 UU Week at The Mountain

August 22-24 YRUU Advisor Training, Vero Beach, FL

Sept. 20 Supper Saturday 4-seminars for church leaders, UU Society of Daytona Beach Area, Ormond Beach, FL

Oct 11-18 Florida Leadership School, Oviedo, FL

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Newsletter Staff

Editor:  Betty Derrick

Production/Mailing:  Virginia Branan (Dee Tait for August)

Website:  Carol Stiles

August 15: deadline for the September newsletter

Electronic Newsletter: The question of e-mailing the newsletter to various individual members has come up from time to time over the last year or so.  While your editor would be willing at some point in the future to revisit this idea, it is not something she is willing to pursue now.  As simple as this may seem, it is not likely to be as straightforward as it might seem.  The newsletter is in part content and in part presentation (formatting). As e-mail the newsletter's formatting, and hence appearance, would vary with how the computer of the recipient is configured.  The recipient could read the material, but fonts and paging etc would vary. Carol Stiles has to reformat when she receives the e-mailed copy before she puts it on the website.  Your editor and your webeditor take pride in trying to publish a print and a web version that not only contain information but are also pleasingly formatted.  Since the newsletter is available on our website, your editor suggests that this be the source of the newsletter for those who want an electronic copy for the near future.

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Reviewing Our Progress in 2002-2003

As we approach the beginning of a new church year perhaps it would be worthwhile to remember our progress this past year, despite our recent setbacks. 

o        Rev. Al began his ministry with us in October, 2002.  He became the first UU minister, living in Valdosta the church has ever had. 

o        We had a UU minister in our pulpit twice a month, something which the church had not had in recent years.

o        We had a UU minister with regular office hours and provision for counseling for members and potential members for the first time ever.

o        Rev. Al’s professional leadership and training in church organization helped the Board begin the move from a family size church to a pastoral size church.

o        The monthly church newsletter regularly carried a UU ministerial column, "The Parson's Piece," by Rev. Al.

o        Rev. Al conducted classes for new and potential members.

o        The church was featured in the Valdosta Daily Times several times this past year making us more visible to the community.  Although most recently this was in connection with the vandalism at the church, earlier in the year Rev. Al was interviewed for a feature article on himself and the UU church. Rev. Al also had several of his own articles published in the newspaper.

o        Rev. Al introduced the idea of a Transportation Assistance Coordinator to meet needs of members. 

o         A Special Needs Ministry with a discretionary fund for the minister to use for church members was discussed with the board.

o        Rev. Al and church members met with Rev. Mary Higgins, District Executive, for a "Start Up" workshop to determine how Rev. Al's experience in ministry could best serve the congregation.  Two areas were clearly dominant: Public Awareness and Membership.

o        Rev. Al constructed a Phase I Plan, "Structure for Growth."  He later, along with the Board president, made pancakes for church members on a Saturday morning and provided a two-hour presentation and discussion on this plan.

o        A new committee for Membership Ministries was established.

o        The church's new Meditation and Memorial Garden, a project, which had been discussed, since the church moved to its new location in 1997 was finally realized as an Eagle Scout project.

o        A Social Action Committee was established.

o        Rev. Al organized a teenage group and held the first discussion meeting in his home.

o        Rev. Al and members decorated and rode on the UU Church float in the Valdosta Christmas parade.

o        Rev. Al introduced the idea of a monthly potluck/social in the homes of members for the purpose of welcoming those who had visited the church that month.

o        The church has received a grant for mass mailing to every household in Lowndes County and possibly into surrounding counties for which Rev. Al and Dee Tait gathered necessary information and completed an application.

o        Rev. Al's pastoral presence in the community has been outstanding progress for our congregation. He regularly attended a local Rotary Club where he spoke at one of their meetings on the UU faith, and has participated in their charity fundraisers.

o        Rev. Al is a member of the Aids Consortium and attends their monthly meetings.

o        Rev. Al was an active member of the Valdosta Area Ministerial Association where he was diligent in introducing new ideas and formed a comfortable and supportive relationship with other ministers. He gave a program on the mission of South Georgia Peace Coalition at one of the VAMA monthly meetings.  This is the first time a UU minister has participated in this group.

o        Rev. Al was a member of the steering committee for the South Georgia Peace Coalition. Regular steering committee meetings and public meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist church. He regularly participated and spoke at public demonstrations for the newly formed coalition. He also spoke at a Valdosta City Council meeting in support of the coalition's efforts to have a resolution opposing the war in Iraq.

o        Through Rev. Al we were more visible in the community than perhaps ever in the past. He was regularly invited this past year to participate in community events. He was on the program for the community Thanksgiving service. He gave the opening prayer at a Valdosta City Council meeting. During diversity week at Valdosta State University, he facilitated a workshop for students, faculty and the greater Valdosta community.

Many wonderful things have occurred during this past year, much of it due to the presence of a UU minister living in our community.  We can build on this progress and need to be sure we fully appreciate Rev. Al’s contributions to that progress.

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Interesting Website found by Diane Holliman:  http://www.emode.com .  She says the site has a number of fun personality tests.  One of the new personality tests is "What religion best fits your belief system?"  She’s sure no one is surprised that the religion that fits her belief system is Unitarian Universalist!  There is a fee if you want a detailed report.        

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At the Church-in-the-Woods 

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings. Beginner’s class 5:30- 6:30 PM.  Continuing class 6:30-7:30 PM.  Contact Dennis Bogyo if you are interested or need further information.

New Hope Christian Fellowship - Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 5:00 PM. Service at 6:00 PM.

South Georgia Coalition for Peace  The Board has given this grassroots community group permission to use our building for its meetings as needed.