What’s going on... August / September 2008  

Sunday Services

Sunday, August 3 - Keith H. Johnson, "The Radical Jesus

Keith will address the idea that Jesus was radical for his times.  The ideas will focus on his relationship to his culture politically ( Rome ), religiously (his likely Jewish community), and socially (not an ardent feminist but certainly very open to women).  This is not an historical discussion as the historical Jesus cannot be found.  Contextually, the primary sources will be the four gospels (more than likely only Matthew, Mark and Luke).  He says he may bring in John but his work is problematic.  He will also refer to the gnostics but only briefly.   Keith Johnson has been contributing such interesting comments to our discussions over the last year.  He spoke last month.  Come hear what he has for us to consider.

Sunday, August 10 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “The Spirituality of Breath”

Watch for further information on the church website if you would like to know more about Mike’s presentation.

Sunday, August 17 – TBA   (check back!)

Sunday, August 24 – Rev. Fred Howard,  "When was the last time you had a conversation?"
Have we lost the essential meaning of the word “conversation?”  Sometimes I get the impression that a lot of people around me talk, but seem to remain in isolation.  Perhaps it has something to do with the ability to listen.  That is, listening beyond merely paying attention so that we can prepare a response or wait for our opportunity to jump in and refute an idea.  This morning’s sermon will focus on gaining a better understanding of what it means to be present to and hear one another, things that I feel are vital to our world if we are to better live in community with each other.  
Fred writes that he is so glad that you all are a part of our community. As you know from Fred’s presentation  last month, he in some ways began his continuing pilgrimage in the UU ministry in our congregation.  It is good to have him back with us.

Sunday, August 31 – Dr. Bill Webster,

"The Unitarian/Transcendentalist Controversy"

Bill will be speaking on "The Unitarian/Transcendentalist Controversy" of the early nineteenth century.  As you probably know, many of the first generation Transcendentalists were second-generation Unitarian ministers, who eventually broke with the church.  Although later Unitarianism embraced many of the Transcendentalist ideas, Bill finds the controversy interesting for the way in which each perceived the other's view on the nature of the human being.  That, he thinks, could lead to an interesting discussion. At least, it will bring up some issues to consider in regard to the "sanctity of human life."  What makes it so special?   

Editor's Note for September:  The schedule for September has been changed from the print version of the newsletter - Fred Howard and Michael Stotltzfus have traded dates in the speaking schedule.  The information below (and in the calendar above) is current as of August 31, 2008.

Sunday, September 7 - Dr. J. D. Checkett, “Mabon”

Mabon is the name used by some Wiccans and in some forms of Neopaganism for one of their eight annual primary holidays. It is celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere occurs this year on September 22. Also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, Thanksgiving, or simply Autumn Equinox, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.   Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three harvest festivals, preceded by Lughnasadh  and followed by Samhain. (from Wikipedia)

Sunday, September 14 -  Rev. Fred Howard, "That Inviting Darkness: Partnering with Transylvania Unitarians"
When the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 made travel between Transylvania and the United States possible, a grassroots movement began to bring Unitarian Universalists and Transylvanian Unitarians together.  The Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council was officially established in 1993 and has touched many thousands of lives. American UUs have called personal contact with the oldest continuing Unitarian movement in the world "transformative."  I have just returned from my third pilgrimage to Transylvania this summer, and I would like to share some stories of my experiences there.

Sunday, September 21 – Rev. Jane Page, "White in America: Can I Get a Witness?" 

Rev. Jane will explore what it means to be white in a country dominated by whiteness and how we might provide effective witness in confronting issues related to racism and white privilege

Sunday, September 28 - Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, "Taoism: Water as Virtue"

The natural phenomenon that Taoists see as bearing the closest resemblance to Tao is a moving body of water. Flowing water supports objects and carries them effortlessly on its tide. Water is beneficial to all, non-competitive, continually flowing, transparent, flexible, has no shame and makes abundant life possible. Our question will be: How might human virtue bend and flow like moving waters?

Update:
 
You may recall from an earlier newsletter that Fred and his wife had expected to sponsor a Transylvanian Unitarian student at VSU this fall.   Unfortunately, she was denied a student visa.  The Romanian government is fearful of the continuing loss of  its youth, and has virtually stopped issuing visas to anyone this age.  Fred and Kathy want to give thanks so much to Dee Tait and others for attempting to help with housing for this student. 

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INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our President, Doug Tanner, or Membership Director, Lars Leader.  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.          Rev. Jane Page also welcomes your questions about UU membership.

Religious Education for Children

                The RE program for children meets at 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  Volunteers to help in the classroom are needed.  

Collecting Recyclables for RE Projects: Please bring your recyclables to be used for arts and crafts projects in RE.

 

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MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Politics and Religion - Rev. Jane Page

·         Can our congregation invite candidates for office to speak in our services?

·         Can we provide voter guides to our members and friends?

·         Can the minister endorse a candidate for office or put a political bumper sticker on her car?

·         Can our congregation lobby political bodies concerning matters of concern to us?

·         Can we provide links on our website to information about candidates or announce political meetings on our listserv?

These and other questions often arise, especially during an election year.  And, indeed, one must be cautious.  Our congregation, like other charitable organizations, has tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501c(3).  Some believe that disallows any “political” involvement.  However, religious groups and individuals have historically played a “prophetic role” by calling attention to concerns in our society and have encouraged change by holding our political leaders and institutions accountable for their policies and actions.  There are many activities that we can participate in as a 501c(3) organization without jeopardizing our non-profit status.  However, there are rules that must be followed and sometimes these can be confusing.  For example, this past year, the United Church of Christ invited one of their members, Senator Barack Obama, to speak to them at their annual meeting about his spiritual journey.  The IRS took them to task over this because Senator Obama was a candidate for president.  Similarly, ministers have received a great deal of attention in recent months from words uttered from their pulpits in support of or in opposition to candidates.  What are the rules?  And how do we avoid breaking them while lifting up our values during an election year?

                To assist ministers and congregations, the UUA’s Washington Office for Advocacy has published a resource entitled, “The Real Rules.”  The following information is quoted from this resource and provides some clarification.

The Three Point System:

The IRS regulations on the activities of congregations can be summarized as follows:

Rev. Jane A. Page, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro, serves our congregation in Valdosta each month.  She is available for conferences and special services when she is in Valdosta .

1.        Issue Advocacy:  Without limits on time, effort, and expense, congregations and their representatives may engage in issue advocacy through activities such as educating and mobilizing congregants and the general public.  For example, by encouraging the public to show concern for global warming by reducing carbon emissions.

2.       Lobbying:  Within narrow limits on time, effort and expense, congregations and their representatives may engage in lobbying – defined by the IRS as advocating for or against specific pieces of legislation – as an “unsubstantial” portion of an organization’s activities.  Courts and the IRS have ruled in the past that lobbying activities constituting 5% or less of total activities is acceptable.

3.       Political Campaign Intervention:  There is a total limit on partisan activity.   Congregations and their representatives can do nothing that advocates for or against candidates for public office or political parties.  This includes fundraising on behalf of candidates and donating meeting space, among other things.  Election-related activities such as candidate questionnaires and forums are acceptable so long as all major candidates are invited to participate and they cover a broad range of issues. 

Please Note:  The restrictions on lobbying and political campaign intervention described here apply only to a congregation as a legal entity, or to a person or group speaking in the name of a congregation.  A minister or congregation member may freely engage in these activities as an individual. 

Example (from an IRS publication):  Minister C is the minister of Church L, a section 501c(3) organization and Minister C is well known in the community.  Three weeks before the election, he attends a press conference at Candidate V’s campaign headquarters and states that Candidate V should be reelected.  Minister C does not say he is speaking on behalf of Church L.  His endorsement is reported on the front page of the local newspaper and he is identified in the article as the minister of Church L.  Because Minister C did not make the endorsement at an official church function, in a official church publication or otherwise use the church’s assets, and did not state that he was speaking as a representative of Church L, his actions do not constitute campaign intervention by Church L.  

“The Real Rules” publication is 19 pages long and includes many other guidelines and examples.  Although it’s all “down in black and white,” there is much that appears “grey” to me., for example, the guideline related to speakers would seem to favor the United Church of Christ’s invitation to Senator Obama.  It indicates that you can invite a candidate to speak if the reason for speaking is not related to her/his candidacy.  However it also states that the organization must maintain “a nonpartisan atmosphere on the premises or at the event” where the candidate is present.  Perhaps the IRS felt that the “atmosphere” was partisan, indeed.  

                My view is to err on the side of caution related to politics when I speak from the pulpit or at an official church function.  At the same time, I will continue to provide a prophetic voice and speak out from the pulpit and elsewhere on issues like our failed and costly occupation of Iraq .  And while I may not endorse a candidate in this newsletter, we all can promote the candidates of our choice in other forums.  I encourage you to study the issues and the candidates and do just that!

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UUA General Assembly

Dee Tait, Betty Derrick, and Carol Stiles attended UUA General Assembly June 25-29 in Fort Lauderdale hosted by our own Florida District.  Dee and Betty represented our congregation as delegates.  Carol was our alternate delegate.  All three of us volunteered to serve as ushers at the meeting.  Following are some recollections of our experience.  Special thanks to Dee for authoring most of what follows.  We all share her enthusiasm.

More than 3,000 Unitarian Universalists gathered in one place – Ft Lauderdale FL at UUA General Assembly!! Everywhere, people were wearing UUA General Assembly badges, with ribbons as Delegates, Volunteers, District Congregation Membership, Honor Congregation for the UUA Annual Program Fund, and many more.  Shuttles displaying UU ads on the side and "UUA" on the front were running every 15 minutes all day and evening to and from the hotels to the Ft Lauderdale Convention Center. In addition to the convenience, this was a great time to meet and talk with large numbers of other UUs.

                Off the top, some things I learned:  If I thought UUs couldn’t sing, I changed my mind during the Opening and Closing Worship Ceremonies and the ones in between.  If I thought we couldn’t get excited and inspired, I changed my mind about that, too.  The musically talented groups and speakers consistently had the place from a meditative mood to rocking.  If I thought, UU youth have little to say, I found they have a lot to say and are as excited and verbal about what Unitarian Universalism has to offer as they are about politics this year.  And they want to be heard!!

Some of the many highlights of the Assembly were:

·         The Banner Parade Wednesday evening, with the long line of people from so many churches carrying their church’s banner, including Carol proudly carrying the one representing UU Valdosta.  After the parade, along with all the others, our banner hung in the entrance hall of the convention center for the rest of the week.  Thanks to Jim Ingram, who designed our banner when Betty went to General Assembly in Atlanta back in the 80s, it is highly visible, which is not true of some of the more ornate ones.

·         Friday afternoon we gathered at Stranahan Park across from City Hall in downtown Ft Lauderdale for An Interfaith Community Witness Event valuing all families and supporting those facing discrimination and legal barriers to keeping their families together.  Wearing our “Standing on the Side of Love” T-shirts, we heard comments from UUA President Rev. William Sinkford and testimonials and information on what we can do, from UUs and members of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Equality Florida, Fairness for All Families, and Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT & Friends Interfaith Clergy – and the River of Grass Band. 

·         Then, Saturday evening at the Ware Lecture, we were inspired by Van Jones, Yale law graduate, who is working to combine solutions to two of America ’s problems:  social inequality and environmental destruction.  He co-founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, which promotes positive alternatives to violence and incarceration.  The Center’s work is responsible for helping to reduce California ’s overall youth prison population by more than 30 percent.  In the aftermath of Katrina, he helped to found ColorOfChange.org, the nation’s biggest e-advocacy organization tackling Black issues.  Read online about this and his work as a national environmental leader.  Carol has posted on our website:  http://geocities.datacellar.net/uuvaldosta/ access to a video of the Ware Lecture which all of us found highly inspirational, challenging, and energizing! You might want to look at it yourself.  You’ll find other videos and information about GA on the uua.org site as well.  Jones challenged us to be ready to govern in January, no matter who the winner is.  He suggested we have been doing a good job of bringing the shortcomings of our society to the fore, but no matter which party wins the election he suggests we are likely to have an opportunity to do something about our complaints and we need to be ready.

·         In addition to the Ware Lecture, we also listed the Cantata, “Sources: a Unitarian Universalist Cantata” with words by Kendyl Gibbons and Music by Jason Shelton, performed at the Ingathering following the Banner Parade among our most significant experiences at GA. This highly energetic music with choir, soloists, and instrumental music is based on the UU Principles.  The music and lyrics varied from classical to the Bronx based Heritage OP drumming group to Hip Hop and everything in between and before and beyond

Betty also attended several other outstanding social justice lectures.  Rev. Dr. William Schultz, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, former Executive Director of Amnesty International, and former UUA President, gave the John Murray Lecture, “The Future of Human Rights.”  Dr. Schultz admonished us: “We’ve seen America at its worst; most Americans want us to return to our best.  It’s time now to try decency and virtue--- America at its best.”  Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) gave an impressive presentation along with Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director of the National Lawyers Guild at a workshop on Civil Liberties and the “War on Terror.”  At the Starr King School ’s President’s Lecture, Dr. Eboo Patel and Rev. William Sinkford, UUA President, shared their personal stories and discussed the urgent need for interfaith youth outreach.  Dr. Eboo is the author of “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim” and “The Struggle for the Soul of a Generation.”

                In addition to attending as many workshops as we could we worked as volunteer ushers this year for everything from the worship ceremonies to the intergenerational dance and things in between.  We learned a lot and we saved the cost of General Assembly registration. 

                We attended all the plenary sessions, where the crowd debated and we delegates voted on Congregational Studies/Actions of Immediate Witness.  We will be sharing further information about these issues and you can read on line the results and details of each.   A few specific things we brought back from GA include:

·         A renewed sense of the broader UU community.

·         Some suggestions and ideas about how we might pursue a connection between our congregation and the chaplain at Moody Air Force base in order to contact Moody personnel who identify as UUs.

·         Looking into the UU Diversity Of Ministry Team (DOMT) Applications for a Minority Minister.

·         Explore ministry to youth and young people initially by using the checklist available on the UUA website. We thought conversations with some of the youth and young people who attend, or have attended, our congregation would be useful also.

·         Pursue some ideas used by other congregations to determine if we are welcoming to visitors.  We might each imagine, when we arrive at the church for an event, we are a newcomer and critique our facilities and  hospitality.

                It was not the intention of General Assembly planners for attendees to be volunteers as well as delegates at the plenary sessions.  Somehow, we didn’t get that information when we applied online, so there we were, doing double duty.  We did it, learned a lot and lived through it.  Ideally, however, enough of our congregation would be able to go next year, some to serve as delegates and maybe some as volunteers, in addition to all attending worship ceremonies, entertainment and as many workshops as possible.  You just can’t get the full benefit without being there!

                The three of us shared living space at the Embassy Suites, free breakfast and Publix nearby, and we carpooled the trip to Ft Lauderdale and back.  Of course, the carpooling wouldn’t always work because of distance.  But, at least this time, we saved money, and had great discussions and camaraderie.  The July newsletter, literally, was folded, addressed, stamped and mailed enroute to Ft. Lauderdale , so that you could have your copy on time while we enjoyed GA!.

                Thank you for sending us this year to proudly represent the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta.  

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Let’s Have Some Fun!!  

Games Night

August 16 and September 20   7:00 PM

At the church

Bring some finger foods and munchies to share, libations if you’d like, the kids, a friend, a favorite game and let the games begin.  See Sue Bailey for further details.  Come enjoy the fun! 

 

Book Discussion and Potluck

Friday, August 1   6:30 PM

At the church

Bring a dish to share.  Coffee and tea will be provided.  You are welcome to bring other beverages.  We’ll plan to wind up by around 8:30 PM if you have other end of the week commitments.  The book for discussion is "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. This was one of the “Big Read” books this past fall.  If you’ve read it before, reread it, or read it for the first time and come join in the discussion and fellowship. It’s a book that reminds us of what a future without books might be like.  During the evening we will select our next book or maybe a movie for discussion. We are selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Betty is keeping a list of suggestions.  Let her know your recommendations.  Contact: Betty Derrick

 

 

 

 

How many skeptical UUs does it take to change a lightbulb?

None.  They aren’t sure if we are really in the dark!  

 

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Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait September 15: Deadline for the October newsletter. Please note that there will be no separate September newsletter.  Watch your Sunday bulletin and our website for updates as needed.  Board members and speakers please mark your calendar to send your information for the October newsletter! Thanks from your editor.

 

 

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Some news from

v   Carol Stiles has accepted a biology instructor position (temporary, but full-time) at Valdosta State University beginning in Fall Semester and is moving back to live in the Valdosta area for this next year.  Welcome back, Carol.

 

Congratulations and Best wishes to

v   Fred and Kathy Howard and their daughter Misty and her husband who have brought them two new grandsons in recent months.

 

Keep in your thoughts...

v   Our members and friends dealing with personal or health issues.

 

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 Frank Asbury.

 Accepting Difference Project

PFLAG Meeting:  The new Valdosta Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will hold its first official meeting on August 19, from 7-9:00 PM at our church.    This will be an organizational meeting that you are welcome to attend.  Some years ago an active PFLAG group met in our facilities.  Some of the founding members of PFLAG of Valdosta were at the church for the Marc Adams presentation.  It is good to see a renewed interest in activating this support group.  If you are interested in more information you might look on the web at: 

http://community.pflag.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=194  

FREE CLINIC EXPANDS HOURS AND NEEDS VOLUNTEERS  The Partnership Health Center is a non-profit, free medical clinic that opened in November 2007. It provides primary healthcare to the working, uninsured people in Lowndes County who meet the eligibility guidelines. It is staffed by volunteer physicians, physician extenders, and nurses who offer their time to provide healthcare.  It is located on Woodrow Wilson Drive , across from the public library. The clinic needs office volunteers to answer the phone and help with paperwork during the week (Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30-4:30 PM. The clinic also needs volunteer physicians and nurses on Tuesdays from 6-9 PM and Wednesdays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Donations are accepted and important to our non-profit organization. We also need donated medical equipment that will be used to help the patients in our clinic. Please call if you can help with either of these needs.  For additional information about the clinic, contact 229-245-0020 ext. 3.

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Kids Are People, Too!!! Fair - August 9

11:00 AM-4:00 PM at Drexel Park

South Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness Case Management Team is hosting this event to support kids by offering school supplies, clothing, shoes, diapers, and community resources. Back to school supplies, clothes, diapers and other items to donate to children are being sought from donors.  Contact Crystal Roberson at 229-245-8064, ext 105 if you want to help. Resource providers will be present to offer information on Pre-K and after school programs, Employment for teens, Valdosta Technical College , VSU, Babies Can’t Wait, DFCS, and Pregnancy Support Center , Kids Chance, Child Advocacy Center and much more. 

 Step Up for Kids Day: Every Child Matters (ECM) is pleased to announce that organizations from 40 states have signed on to partner with ECM to make a national event to remember!  Led by famed pediatrician, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Every Child Matters will kick off this non-partisan, nationwide event at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on September 16, 2008.  In each of the states coalitions are forming to draw attention to issues affecting America 's children.  For more information on these issues, such as poverty, health care, juvenile incarceration, early care and learning, child abuse, and after-school programs, download your free copies of Homeland Insecurity… Why Children Must Be a Priority in the 2008 Presidential Campaign and Geography Matters: Child Well-Being in the States.  More data to share with your legislators about the poor levels of child and family wellbeing in Georgia from Jane Osborn: The Annie E. Casey Foundation website has the Kids Count data. This report points out that the lower the tax burden a state has, the more likely the children in that state are to be born without prenatal care, not graduate from high school, die at an early age, or live in poverty.  Should children be more at risk just because of where they live? Please share this information so that more people will help make children a priority.

 

☼      ☺     ♫      ☼      ☺     ♫

 

 

UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors July 9 Meeting: 

 In Attendance: Doug Tanner, Valerie Webster, Jim Ingram, Sue Bailey, Lars Leader, Rosie Asbury and Kari Wells.  Doug started the meeting at 6:05 by welcoming the new board members.

Old Business:

·         Jim Ingram is waiting to hear back from the roofers regarding the replacement of some panels.  He will follow up with another phone call.

·         Mortgage for the church has been paid off!  

·         Table in RE needs to be adjusted so it is more functional.

·         Memorial Service for the Branan’s went really well.  The family was very pleased.

New Business:

·         In the RE report, there was discussion of permanently adding a “message for all ages” to every service.  Also, RE is working on an art exhibit to be displayed in the next few months.  RE is always looking for volunteers to help in the class room/work in the nursery.  If you are interested, please let Sue Bailey know.

·         Discussion of having a table at “The Happening” (http://www.valdosta.edu/stulife/TheHappening.shtml) at VSU (usually held 1^st or 2^nd week of classes) If anyone has any suggestions on a theme for our church to use at this event, please contact Doug Tanner.

·         We are looking for ways to “grow” the congregation.  If you have any thoughts or suggestions please let a member of the Board know.

·         Next meeting August 6 6:00 PM at the church.

Watch the Website and the October newsletter for information from the August and September Board meetings. The date (usually the first Wednesday of the month) for the September Board meeting will be announced on the website and in the Sunday bulletin. 

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Treasurer's Report

Rosie Asbury

June 2008

Receipts                June                              July -present

  Plate                 $  138.75                               $ 1085.14

  Pledge                  1215.00                              10492.00

  Rent                        240.00                                2880.00

  Mem. donation         0.00                              10000.00

Total Receipts $ 1593.75                               $24457.14

Disbursements  

  Mortgage         $  500.00                               $ 6000.00    

  Speakers’ Fees     750.00                                 9016.99

  Reprs & Maint.          0.00                                1260.84

  Newsletter                  0.00                                    420.68

  Termite Control         0.00                                  1704.00

   Postage                      0.00                                      39.17

   Supplies                   22.86                                    115.36

   Utilities                  181.14                                  2752.65

   UU Dues                    0.00                                  1500.00

   Others                        0.00                                     321.65

Total  Disbursements                        

                           $  1454.00                               $23531.34

Net Receipt      $    139.75                               $    925.80

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UU Activities and Announcements

Further information is posted on the bulletin board in the R.E. wing at the church.  Also check your Sunday Order of Service for announcements.

August 1-6 Peace & Privilege Week at The Mountain, Highlands , NC

August 2 Spirit Play Training, Jacksonville-Buckman Bridge Church

August 17-22 Small Group Ministry Institute at the Mountain, Highlands NC

August 22-24 OWL Facilitator Training (All Levels), Hampton , GA

August 31 Deadline for Florida District Congregational Growth Grants

September 13 UU Legislative Ministry of Florida Meeting, Orlando, First UU Church

September 20 RE Visioning/Faith Development Workshop, Sarasota , FL

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FL District Congregational Growth Grants: The Florida District Unitarian Universalist Association is pleased to announce a matching grant program to stimulate congregational growth in our District. Thanks are due in advance to generous District Unitarian Universalists who are loyal supporters of our faith with their time, talent, and treasure.

Grant Process: Applications are to be submitted on congregational stationery, signed by the President, President-Elect/Vice-President, and Minister [where there is one]. The project must include at least two District congregations, linked either by geography or similarity in size. This is a competitive process as funds are limited. A grant will be given only to congregations that provide matching monies on a 1:1 basis

Deadlines: Applications must be sent to the District electronically FloridaDistrictUUA@cfl.rr.com or post-marked by US mail no later than 31 August, 2008. Awards will be announced on 1 October, 2008. Project Accounting is due in the District Office no later than 30 June,2009.

For information about what the application must provide: See the Florida District Website for detailed information.  This is a project funded by the Now Is the Time Campaign to grow Unitarian Universalism.  Please contact the District Executive, the Reverend Kenneth Gordon Hurto, for additional guidance.

 

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At the Church-in-the-Woods  

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

Taoist Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Continuing Class, 6:00-7:30 PM (beginning August 18: 5:30-7:00 PM).  New Beginners Class will begin August 18 7-8:00 PM  Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin.

 PFLAG Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 7- 9 PM

 

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

A good UU friend suggested since I frequently travel and seem to be refreshed and renewed following being away from home, I write about the benefits of taking trips. So I offer thoughts, some mine, and some from others regarding what travel offers for my soul. Travel has given me an opportunity to relax and de-stress, and has decreased burnout. Travel is much more than walking among the monuments and ruins found around the world. It continues to be an opportunity to connect and discover what is best about the world. Travel has enriched my life; spread prosperity a bit, helped dissolve political barriers, promoted in some small way international good will, and has brought excitement and change to my life. Hopefully travel has religiously broadened my perspectives, erased boundaries I think I don’t have but probably do, and has encouraged diversity. Travel has opened me up to values and ways of living that are at once unfamiliar and illuminating.

                Each travel experience is unique in itself, and a powerful engine of change. There are discoveries to be made, be they personal, cultural, geographical, or enriching knowledge of our world. Encountering persons of different cultures is exciting and has helped widen my horizons. I offer some quotes from fellow travelers, my favorite is the final one:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” – Mark Twain

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar that it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

You may be asking where personal travel fits in to our UU congregational community, and how it relates to UUA Trustee work. May not, in the latter but what if all of us who have the good fortune to be able to visit places others cannot, shared our experiences with the children and youth in our congregations as part of the Religious Education program. We need great RE content in the summer, too. Even though the tempo shifts summer Sundays are a great time to organize activities for which there isn’t time during the rest of the church year. My experience in working with children as a teacher for many years found their curiosity always present for learning about children of different cultures and places. Having congregation members share travel experiences, with discussion and activities that relate to them might be a good way to structure the summer program.

No matter what your summer life may be I wish you well and hope you are finding time to relax in whatever mode you find enriching and desirable. I look forward to hearing from you at jlund@uua.org with your thoughts and comments.  

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 Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto , Florida District Director

When I lived in Iowa some years ago, July was the farmer's pray for rain, fix equipment, but otherwise sit back to watch the miracle of a growing field season. Although we Americans are ever less tied to the agrarian culture, summers retain the air of sitting back to just let life do its thing. Certainly, most congregations go into a much lower gear at this time.

                Still, it does not mean nothing's happening. Indeed, among your leadership, now is the time to be thinking of the next season of ministerial harvest. I call to your attention in this rather lengthy E-news(July 11 edition) that much is going on in the Unitarian Universalist world. I particularly lift up the  "Congregations Grow" - our new grant program.

                Some weeks ago, we began digesting the survey of our District Leadership. As previously noted, morale is high among most of our congregations, with 2 of 3 reporting increasing worship attendance and children's participation. Many are anxious about money - no doubt likely to increase as we all cope with the changing oil economy. Not insignificantly, a mere 30% offer any guidelines for giving, reflective perhaps of Unitarian Universalists general inability to speak confidently to the link between faith, congregational purpose, and commitment.

                Happily 95% of our congregations have a special gifts or share-the-plate offering at least monthly. And Florida congregations remain among the most steadfast in their support of the Unitarian Universalist Association Annual Program Fund [better than 90%!]. The challenge is to translate that generosity into our own ministries - and that is tied to knowing and celebrating our unique ministries.  In these polarizing times, the Free Church is a genuine religious alternative to the myriad of self-absorbed and closed-minded orthodoxies pandering to fear and hopelessness.

                I'll have more in our next E-news, but I do encourage greater intentionality of planning among our leaders [1 in 3 boards do not have an annual planning retreat!], especially vis a vis growing our faith. The survey indicates growth is not high on anyone's agenda. My hope is the "Congregations Grow" might change that some. Now Is the Time to grow Unitarian Universalism in the District!

                Have a grand summer.  

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            A little four-year-old girl, the daughter of UUS, was meeting some girls on her block.

            “What religion are you?” the youngsters asked each other.

            All the kids easily declared their religions, but the UU girl kept silent for a long time.  Finally she answered, hesitatingly, “Well, I’m not sure, but I think we’re MoveOnDot Org.”

 

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More News from GA

Final Versions of New AIWs and CSAI online: A Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) was chosen, with which UU congregations will engage for the next four years. The CSAI for 2008-2012 is Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice.

Six Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) were ratified. They are:

• End Present-day Slavery in the Fields
• Extend the Tax Credit for Wind and Solar Power
• Oppose a U.S. Attack on Iran
• Oppose the Florida and California "Marriage Protection" Initiatives
• Raise the Federal Minimum Wage to $10 in 2010
• Single Payer Health Care  

RESOURCE: What's Ethical Eating?

Delegates at General Assembly 2008 voted to make "Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice" the issue on which UU congregations and groups will be studying, acting, and reflecting for the next four years. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of Ethical Eating, check out these cool resources as a starting point:

• a 2007 article from UU World
• a Jan 2008 article in the New York Times
• and this website: www.sustainabletable.org

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President's Message CUUPS Newsletter, June 2008

Those of you who are interested in pagan sources and rituals may be interested in this report on General Assembly from the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS). CUUPS has a website, if you are interested in learning more about this group.  You may also be interested in learning more about the review of UU Principles and Purposes mentioned here.  Rev. Barbara Child who served our church several years ago serves on the review committee.

So here we are, for the first time ever, attending a General Assembly where most of the CUUPS National Board was not in attendance; where for the first time ever we had no merchandise to sell; and where, for the first time ever, our Booth in the Exhibit Hall was less about selling things and meet-and-greet activities, and more about actually giving people "A Taste Of Paganism".  So, what were we trying to accomplish here, how did it go, and what did we learn and discover from this year's General Assembly that is relevant to the future of CUUPS-Continental and the Pagan strand of the UUA Sources?

Many of you might already be aware that the UUA is having meetings to re-examine the Principles and Purposes of the Organization. This review is mandated by the bylaws, and was begun by a Special Commission in 2006. The Commission presented a report on this topic at this year's GA. Many who are aware of this review have been wondering if the UUA might be going to change its statement of Principles and Purposes to do such things as delete the Sixth Source or in other ways make some kind of judgment about the Pagan branch of Unitarian Universalist thought. It is apparent from having listened to the report that no such action is contemplated, and that this re-examination is a healthy way of looking at what we think and believe, and why we do so, and deciding if there are nuances we need to address. However, looking at this focus on the Principles and Purposes, combined with the disaffiliation of all the theological interest groups preceding last year's GA, a message had been taken prior to General Assembly 2008, by not only CUUPS but other theologically-based groups, that we need to reaffirm the context of our beliefs, and be willing to further elucidate where we fit into the fabric of Unitarian Universalism, and how our theologies interact with the message of enlarging the Spirit and healing the world. So…at General Assembly, in our booth and in our offsite activities, we were attempting to do that.

We shared a booth with the UUJA, at their request. I am delighted to model assistance and interdependence with the friends I have made in the Jewish theological groups I have encountered, and I was able to engage in some fantastic discussions while sharing a space in which to present our various messages to the attendees. We had several discussions about the Shekinah, the Kabbalah, the Jewish concept of the afterlife, and other theological points that I believe are wonderfully compatible with certain areas of Pagan thought. One of my deepest impressions from this experience is that it would do us good as Pagans to engage in dialogue with members of other faith traditions, and attempt to focus on similarities rather than differences. I hope many of you are doing more of that lately.

In our half of the booth, we had a regular schedule of planned activities, some of which repeated themselves for the benefit of the schedules of attendees. I scheduled discussions and question-and-answer sessions, as well as a daily mini-ritual. We discussed "Altared States", as in "what is all that stuff on the altar and what is it for", with the assistance of a marvelous visual aid, a fully-functional altar space facilitated by Spelcastor of MoonPath CUUPS in Ft. Lauderdale . Other discussion topics included Pagan worldviews; The Pentagram and other Pagan Symbols; Who is the Goddess, Who is the God?; What is a Sabbat?; and a question-and-answer session. The mini-rituals included a self-blessing, a healing ritual, and a circle-casting and quarter-calling.

Booth visitors were also treated to the first year of CUUPS' "Green Brochure Project", as all the tri-fold brochures and handouts we had to offer were on a DVD which was free to booth visitors, obviating the ecological impact of paper copies. Visitors to the Booth were  also able to renew or initiate a CUUPS Chapter or individual membership, although that idea was negatively impacted by the unusual practice of there being no wireless Internet access at the Booth unless one had arranged it beforehand and paid $350.00 for the privilege. I did take the information for individuals and groups, and will be processing those memberships next week.  As well, it was lovely to renew connections with people I had met at prior General Assemblies, although I must say this was the most sparsely-attended GA in my experience.

Our Summer Solstice ritual was facilitated by MoonPath CUUPS, and I was privileged to HPS the rite with Spelcastor in the role of HP. We had, according to the people who did the counting, between 28 and 32 attendees, depending on whose view of the circle you accepted. Our ritual concerned itself with giving offering to Mother Earth and Father Sun, as well as an intention offering in the Cauldron and a "webbing" of the chapters and locations of the attendees. A full report with photos will be posted on the CUUPS web site update at the beginning of next week.  …

This GA was a wake-up call for me. More people who were not Pagans visited our booth than I have experienced in prior GAs.  Many of them, surprisingly enough, had Pagan leanings and were UUs who had no experience with CUUPS. We are not as well-known, after twenty years, as we think we are. I think we need to reaffirm our interest in and our commitment to being a "welcoming organization" in every sense of the word. I was able to attach some names to faces, hear personal stories, find out some details about what your "meditation" has brought forth, and in other ways made some lasting and real connections to those who had traveled to Ft. Lauderdale in order to be a part of CUUPS activities at General Assembly. I was honored to be there. Maureen Duffy-Boose Aisling the Bard, President,  CUUPS-Continental