The Flaming Chalice - UU Valdosta

What’s going on.…December 2003

Sun	Dec. 7	10:45 AM 12: 15 PM	Service – "Love, Wine, and Stalin: Two Years in Caucasian Georgia," Dan McBrayer Lunch and the Third Annual Giving Party
Mon	Dec. 8	11:00 AM 6:00 PM	Break Bread delivery Board of Trustees Meeting at the church in the R.E. wing
Sun	Dec. 14	9:30 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM	Adult R. E. Service – "Guest at Your Table," Social Action Committee Second Sunday Potluck
Mon	Dec.15		Newsletter deadline
Wed	Dec. 17	5:00 PM	Social Action Committee meeting at the church
Sat	Dec. 20		Happy Hanukkah!
Sun	Dec. 21	10:45 AM	Service – “Holiday Customs Around the World,” VSU International Students
Mon	Dec. 22	~ 2:00 AM	Winter Solstice
Th	Dec. 25		Merry Christmas!!
Fri	Dec. 26		Kwanzaa begins
Sun	Dec. 28	9:30 AM 10:45 AM	Adult R. E. Service – “"New Year's Resolutions, Both Personal and For Our Church," Lay Lead Discussion

December… As the days shorten and the nights grow longer, we approach the holiday season,

celebrated in one way or another in all the cultures of the northern hemisphere at this time of year. Although all of us are not Christian, most of us have fond memories of the meaning of Christmas in Christian churches… the birth of a child in the dark of winter and the giving of gifts, and the voices of angles bringing celebrations of peace on earth and goodwill to all people. In this time when our country seems bent on creating ill will in that part of the world where the birth of a child heralded the Christian celebrations, may we continue to celebrate and work toward the possibilities of PEACE ON EARTH. As many of us scatter during the month to visit family and friends, come to celebrate in our special place when you can and carry our community in your thoughts throughout this season into the new year.

Sunday Services

The first Sunday this month, December 7, Dan McBrayer, a native of Lenox, Georgia, will speak on his Peace Corps experiences in the former Soviet Union (now independent) nation of Georgia. He returned last June to his native Georgia after teaching English and working in community development with Peace Corps. Dan is a graduate of Queens University in Charlotte, where he received a B.A. in history. His topic will be "Love, Wine, and Stalin: Two Years in Caucasian Georgia.

On December 14 the Social Action Committee will present a program, "Guest at Your Table," to kickoff the holiday campaign to advance human rights worldwide.

VSU international students will share with us the ways that holidays and celebrations at this time of year are celebrated in their countries in a program entitled, "Holiday Customs Around the World." Join this international celebration on December 21.

The December 28 service will be an informal, lay lead discussion on the topic, "New Year's Resolutions, Both Personal and For Our Church." Due to the unknowns of holiday plans the Program Committee was still looking for a lay leader volunteer for this service when the December newsletter went to press. When you get your holiday schedule settled, if you will be in town and are willing to volunteer, contact Charles Judah or Dee Tait.

Ÿ Youth R. E.: We are seeking a leader for this group and more participants! Get in touch with Lars Leader if you have some ideas. Planning is on-going, but for now this group will not meet until further notice.

Sundays at 9:30 AM. Adult RE – Theresa Thompson is continuing to lead the discussions on the Native American religion, with the focus on Hopi traditions. Readings are from Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters. This paperback is available at Borders Books. Bring the book with you, if you can. Contact Lars Leader for information.

President’s Portion

What if Unitarian Universalism were a dying breed? What if the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta were no longer here? Would it matter? And to whom? And are we doing all we can to ensure that this never happens?

I was really attracted to a headline in the InterConnections UUA publication for lay leaders recently. It reads, “High Expectations Help Create Committed Members.”

Right about now, you are probably thinking, “I certainly hope nobody is expecting one more thing from me, I’m already on overload.”

I have an idea. Let’s all invite somebody to church. This might be a good time of year to do that. If they came and got their needs met, intellectually, morally and spiritually, they would probably stay and maybe become a member. If we have high expectations for membership, then we could share our load with them. See, it’s a fair exchange.

The article addresses the questions: When people join our congregations, how much do we ask of them? Are we so grateful they’ve chosen us – and so fearful they might leave – that we ask little? Do we create the impression that our congregation is a place where they will be served without having to do much?

That’s not true here at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta, is it? Isn’t it that we are so few and consequently are asked to do a great deal? Either way, it appears that we have to continue to DO A GREAT DEAL or GET MORE NEW MEMBERS TO BE DEDICATED ALONG WITH US.

After all, we are a church that offers much to anyone who wants to be involved intellectually, morally and spiritually, so why shouldn’t we also be a church of high expectations? Let’s expect our church to grow and start by inviting someone to join us.

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.

December 7, after the service, we will have our third annual giving party. This is the Sunday when we decorate the church and bring gifts for a Valdosta family. The party will be immediately after the church service. Lunch will be provided, but bring a dessert if you wish! Contact Diane Holliman if you have questions, and for details about gifts needed for the family we are sponsoring.

In November, the Social Action Committee presented a display about the School of Americas, and several members attended the vigil and protest at Fort Benning on November 21-22.

In December, we will be sponsoring a family by collecting presents for them at the Christmas Party. See the Christmas Party announcement for more details on their needs. We will also be presenting the service on December 14 to kick of the Guest at Your Table (GAYT) program, which collects spare change to help children and families in need. This program is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Please try to be there if at all possible to get your GAYT box and forms. If you can't be there, contact Anna Hall to get your box and forms.

The December meeting of the Social Action Committee will be on December 17th at 5:00. Please be there if you are interested in social action or have any ideas for future social action projects. Contact: Anna Hall

Fran Phillips, who left Valdosta in late November to move to Minnesota to be near his son and daughter. We will miss Fran and wish him well.

Thank You! Thank You!

For hosting the party for Doug and Molly in November: Theresa and Steve Thompson

For formatting and finishing a tri-fold church brochure for mass mailing: Julie Halter.

For lending assistance with the brochure: Virginia Branan.

For working on procuring non-profit status for the church mailing and handling preparation for the printing of the color brochure: Dee Tait

For formatting and finishing a flyer included in the Chamber of Commerce mailing in November: Virginia Branan.

For getting the 1500 flyers printed and delivering them to the Chamber: Dee Tait.

For paying the $140 for the printing of the flyers: Charles Judah

For monitoring the slogan contest for the church’s bench ad, now located on Norman Drive at the entrance to Pier I and Target: René Kerr

For working with the youth to plan the church’s entry in the local Christmas parade December 6: René Kerr and John Tait.

For handling the paperwork for the parade entry: Dee Tait

For presenting programs and providing us with social actions opportunities: Anna Hall and the entire Social Actions Committee

For keeping a church calendar for scheduling purposes: Rosie Asbury

For checking into effectiveness of church signs: Mike Carmichael

For working with Valdosta Daily Times on church publicity: Virginia Branan

For building cleanliness and maintenance: John Tait and Jim Ingram

For continuing to offer copying of the church newsletter at his office: –Jim Ingram

For taking photographs for the mass mailing brochure: Dave Gibson.

For coordinating with Dave: Virginia Branan

For continuing to do a super job of maintaining the church’s website: Carol Stiles

For layleading services in October: Dee Tait, Lars Leader, Carol Stiles, and Diane Holliman

For organizing lunch after the service with Molly and Doug: Carol, Julie, and Pat

For teaching the Adult R.E. discussions: Theresa Thompson

For delivering meals in November: René Kerr and Dee Tait

For art gallery of School of Americas set up in the R.E. Room: Laurel Hahlen

For taking part in the School of Americas protest at Fort Benning: Jim and Anna Hall

For printing and mailing the newsletter in November: Dee Tait

The committee has posted an announcement at the UUA Web site for ministerial searches. The posting announces that we are looking for a UU minister willing to live in Valdosta and serve in a contracted part-time position. We are also currently searching for a UU minister to serve temporarily while the more comprehensive search continues.

Treasurer’s Report

December 7 Pines Drumming Circle, The Pines Conference Center, Brooksville, FL

December 19 Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa At 7:00 p.m. the young adult group will host a celebration of the season. This gathering will be a time for young adults to come together in celebration of peace, love, and community. There will be a brief interactive worship including spoken word and drumming followed by a potluck dinner. If you are between 18 and 35 or feel a part of the young adult community please join us! Bring food, beer and/or wine if 21 or older, soda, juice, drums/percussion instruments, and/or holiday music. Non-perishable food items will be collected at the door for those in need. Please contact Katie Culbert for more information or to see how you can help. Call 988-8188 or visit www.uutampa.org for directions to the UUCT dome.

Vacation with UUs in South Florida!
S.W.I.M., the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Winter Institute, Inc., in Miami, is all about having fun in the warm Miami sunshine! S.W.I.M.'s annual intergenerational retreat for UUs and like-minded kids of all ages happens every year from Dec 26th through Jan 1st. Play, laugh, sing, and celebrate New Year's Eve at S.W.I.M.! S.W.I.M. offers outdoor adventures (including tours, hikes, rides, hot tubbing, and sailing), workshops (including crafts, spirituality, and personal growth), programming for youth, teens, and young adults, fantastic food, and a close-knit community of friends. Join UUs from all over North America for a week of fun in the sun! For more information, please visit us online at http://www.swimuu.org S.W.I.M. is a member in good standing of CU2C2, the Council of Unitarian Universalist Camps & Conferences,
an affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

January 10, 2004 Fall Leadership Conference, “Show me the money$$$$” canvassing workshop, Bradenton, FL

The monthly meeting of the UU Board of Trustees was held on November 6, 2003 at the Unitarian Church. In attendance were: Dee Tait, Charles Judah, Randy Thompson, Lars Leader and Rosie Asbury.

Treasurer’s Report: The detailed financial report is attached. The treasurer suggested that we put a portion of the money from our savings account into a money market investment. Ford Motor Company seems to offer the highest interest, which is 2.5%. The board approved and passed a motion to authorize the treasurer, Randy Thompson, to open a money market account. The resolution form was signed by the president, treasurer and the secretary.

Restoration Fund: The Social Action Committee had started looking into community involvement activities, which will be partly funded by the Restoration Fund. One suggestion that was brought up was to bring consultants to area schools, who will provide training about dealing with hate/crime and diversity conflicts.

Roadside Pulpit/Wayside Pulpit: Lars Leader presented the information he gathered on how to build a bulletin board for the UU sayings. Each series of about 12-18 poster-size sayings, which would be ordered from the UU Beacon Press, costs $25.00. There was a discussion on whether there is enough traffic near the church for the sign to be noticed.

Church Sign: It would be good to put up church signs with directions at Park Ave./Forrest St. and at Lakeland Highway entrance, but Dee Tait found out that we cannot put any church sign outside our property. There was also a suggestion to make our church sign more visible, and perhaps include the title of the sermon each Sunday. The visitor parking spaces also need to be marked. The board is looking for a volunteer to head an advertising and sign committee.

Bench Advertisement: We will be starting soon a slogan contest for our bench advertisement now located on Norman Drive at the turn-in to Pier One and Target. Each bench costs $150 a year. We have had feedback that people notice the sign.

Bulk Mailing: The board decided that our target audience for the bulk mailing of a UU Church brochure would be from the registered voters list in Valdosta/Lowndes. Charles Judah will provide the list. Deadline for the mass mailing project to be completed is January 31, 2004.

Use of our Church by Non-Members: The board decided that a $50 contribution will be standard for non-members using the church for special events such as weddings.

Come experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while being taken care of like royalty. The UU Church of Niagara is conducting a four day UU Niagara Experience which is a lifetime opportunity to encounter the Falls up close from every prospective, even safely riding beneath a tethered balloon. Spend four days with us exploring the rich historical and natural wonders around the Falls. For information visit our web site: http://www.uunex.net/ Email:info@uunex.net Telephone : (716) 791-4453

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings. 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.

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS

This is my second effort at staying in communication with Florida UUs through individual congregation newsletters. There is much on which I could write about the fast-paced, challenging, and important October Trustee Board meeting in Boston, some of which you will read in future columns but this time, due to recent conversations with UUs, I think it might be germane to write some information about the role of UUA President and our UUA Moderator.

The President, at this time Rev. William Sinkford, is the chief executive officer of the Association and is an ex-officio, without vote, of all standing committees of the Association, except the Nominating Committee and the Ministerial Fellowship Board of Review. The President is also a member of all standing committees of the Board except the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. The President of the UUA is elected every four years by the delegates at General Assembly, and is eligible to serve two terms. Rev. Sinkford’s first four-year term ends in 2005. The President is a paid officer of the Association. The Association President is our national spokesperson and is the voice of our denomination “stand” on important social and justice issues. His role and activities are so varied and important that they are impossible for me to summarize adequately and I suggest looking at the UUA website, www.uua.org, where it is easy to find his speeches, letters, travels etc., and photos.

The Moderator, also elected by the delegates at General Assembly, serves a four year term and is eligible for two terms. The Moderator presides at General Assemblies and meetings of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee. The Moderator represents the Association on special occasions and assists in promoting its welfare in various ways. The Moderator has the top volunteer position in our Association. In October, 2003, the Moderator, Diane Olson, resigned for personal and health reasons thus leaving an approximate two-year unfulfilled term. In the case of a Moderator resignation the Board of Trustees fills the position until the next regular General Assembly at which time an election is held. We, the Board, interviewed five declared candidates with carefully prepared questions, cast secret ballots, and filled the Moderator position by electing Gini Courter, who will serve until June, 2004, when an election will be held for the one remaining year of Ms. Olson’s term. I hope this is not too confusing and encourage you to go the UUA website, www.uua.org, for comprehensive information about the resignation and the process the Board used to fill the Moderator position.

In an historical note the only other Moderator to resign was the UUA’s first moderator, Marshall Dimock. He saw his role as a virtual co-president, demanding office space and a staff. According to what I have learned, Dimock interfered in the appointments of department heads, tried to get people fired, and actively opposed the President. After three years, frustrated by his inability to have his way, he resigned and disappeared from UUA affairs.

Perhaps you are reading this as a column in your December newsletter. I wish you a wonderful and warm holiday season. Again, it is an honor to serve as your UUA Trustee. Contact me with your questions and thoughts.

Newsletter Staff

Thank you for reading our newsletter!
The Newsletter Team (click here to meet us!)

Sunday Services	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
President's Portion	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Social Events!!	Board Notes
	Ministerial Search Update


FUND BALANCES AT OCTOBER 31, 2003
General Fund		13,908.39
Restoration Fund		12,426.36
UUA Grant Fund		3,000.00
Total (Cash in Bank Accounts)		29,334.75
OUTSTANDING DEBT
Mortgage		31,332.22
		31,332.22
OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:		October	YTD
Receipts:
Pledge		860.00	4,487.12
Plate		79.00	365.00
Rent		280.00	1,120.00
Memorial contributions for Horowitz		0.00	155.00
Contributions to Al Boyce fund		0.00	380.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS		1,219.00	6,507.12
Disbursements:
Mortgage		500.00	2,000.00
Speaker's Fees & Expenses		300.00	726.00
Utilities		154.33	848.31
Pianist		70.00	315.00
UUA Annual Dues		0.00	1,104.00
Chamber mailing		100.00	100.00
Postage		37.00	37.00
Supplies		0.00	414.01
Al Boyce		0.00	380.00
Repairs and Maintenance		0.00	613.55
Other		15.00	65.00
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS		1,176.33	6,602.87

NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)		42.67	(95.75)
RESTORATION FUND

Receipts thru October 31, 2003	Contributions	15,612.55
	Insurance	22,217.00
		37,829.55
Disbursements thru October 31, 2003 -
	Contractor	25,403.19
	Program	98.00
		25,403.19

RESTORATION FUND BALANCE		12,426.36
UUA GRANT BALANCE		3,000.00