Sunday Services

 

Sunday, January 6 – Doug Tanner,  “New Beginnings”

This week’s message is dedicated to all those who wish to begin the year and rededicate themselves to serving the church and community.  Come join us in preparing for a new beginning for a new year and new dedication to service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta.

Remember to return your Guest at Your Table boxes which were distributed in December at this service.  

Sunday, January 13 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus,  “Forgiveness as Religious Virtue”

In a world without forgiveness, evil begets evil, hate generates hate, and there is no way short of exhaustion or forgetfulness of breaking the sequence.  Forgiveness breaks the chain.  It represents a decision not to do what instinct and passion urge us to do.  Forgiveness means that we are not destined endlessly to replay the grievances of yesterday.  It may not be an exaggeration to say that forgiveness is the most compelling testimony to human freedom and human redemption.  We will explore forgiveness as the quintessential religious virtue from a variety of faith traditions. 

Sunday, January 20 – Rev. Jane Page , “Can You Say ATONEMENT?”  

The New Year is a time for many of us to make resolutions, to make amends, and to try to start anew with many aspects of our lives.  The Jewish and Christian concepts of atonement have been used traditionally to provide a spiritual basis for this renewal.  What can we learn from these traditions that can be meaningful to Unitarian Universalists in our efforts to resolve our shortcomings?  Rev. Jane will explore these ideas in one of her “Can You Say …” sermons designed to reclaim religious language from a hopefully more enlightened UU perspective. 

Sunday, January 27 – Rev. George Bennett

Rev. Bennett will share his thoughts at this service.  He is a regular monthly speaker at our services and retired former minister to the First Christian Church here in Valdosta .  He is a Valdosta native.

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Religious Education for Children

            The RE program for children meets at 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  The current curriculum comes from We Believe: Learning and Living Our UU Principles. The book is designed for single, all-ages religious education classrooms. The curriculum is being supplemented with stories by Dr. Seuss. Volunteers to help in the classroom are needed. Contacts:  Mya Storey; Susan Bailey

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our President, Mya Storey, 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.

 

 

 

 

 Ministerial Muusings  Rev. Jane Page

Living with Privilege: I was traveling with fellow UU minister Joan Kahn-Schneider to our ministerial retreat at The Mountain last Spring.  As we journeyed, I shared with her my feelings of joy about my upcoming marriage that were juxtaposed with feelings of guilt and frustration with my decision.  How could I take advantage of a privilege that my gay and lesbian friends did not have?  Joan looked over at me with great wisdom in her eyes and said, “Jane, you have LOTS of privileges that you take advantage of every day.  Just look at those shoes you are wearing that you paid so much for because you had heel spurs.  There are lots of other folks with heel spurs that could never afford those shoes.  But that didn’t stop you from buying them.” 

                Joan was right.  I am tremendously privileged.  When one studies groups that historically have privilege in the United States , I fall within most of those categories.  As one who carries the identification (by myself or others) of being white, heterosexual, able-bodied, well-educated, and financially secure, I have opportunities and possibilities that come easily to me.  As a Unitarian Universalist, I have become more aware of these privileges and have therefore, questioned the fairness and justice of it all.  It’s not that I’ve never felt any kind of oppression.  Most of us have to some degree.  But overall, I’m what most would consider to be blessed with having advantages that are extremely valuable in a world in which people make judgments based on categories of identity.  So how do I live with privilege in a world in which so many are suffering?  The only way I can reconcile this is to attempt to use those privileges in working with others to make some positive contribution. 

                I became aware of even more privilege one weekend when we had a church picnic at our home.  Greg and I live in a wonderful place that is becoming even more wonderful with the addition of the labyrinth that the Statesboro congregation helped to build.  After our dedication of the labyrinth, one of our members commented about the beautiful place.  I thanked her but then added, “You know, I didn’t do anything to deserve this place.  This was part of my dad’s farm – and before that, part of my granddad’s farm.”  And I felt a twinge of guilt.  But then I added, “I guess the least I can do is to figure out some ways to share this place with others, and that is what I’m doing.” 

                Perhaps that’s not enough.  And perhaps that is just a rationalization for holding on to something that, in reality, I probably don’t deserve.  But I’ve decided not to shave my head and take a vow of poverty.  After all, the Buddha gave up his life of extreme asceticism for a middle way.  And Jesus gratefully accepted Mary’s sweet (and expensive) perfume foot bath.  So, I will enjoy my home and my marriage.  And hopefully, the joy that these bring will make me a better minister.  And what a privilege that will be!   

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 .

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Keep in your thoughts …

v     Members and friends experience difficult health concerns

 

Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait January 15: Deadline for the February newsletter.

 

 

 

 

Let’s Have Some Fun!!

 Games Night  

Saturday, January 12 at 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, January 18 at 6:30 PM

Bring a dish to share.  Coffee and tea will be provided. You are welcome to bring other beverages also.   We’ll plan to wind things up by around 8:30 PM if you have other end of the week commitments.  The book for discussion will be “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. One source states: “The boyhood friendship of social opposites and the strong father-son relationship of two Afghan émigrés form the heart of this story of Afghanistan at peace and war.”  This discussion offers the opportunity for us to better understand Afghan culture and the conflicts in that country.  Betty Derrick is collecting titles for books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  E-mail her if you have suggestions.  During the evening we’ll select a book from this list for our next discussion.  

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  UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors Meeting:

December 5, 2007

Attendance: Mya Storey, Doug Tanner, Chuck Giese, Rosie Asbury, Lars Leader, Sue Bailey, Jim Ingram , Frank Asbury.

The Board approved the minutes of the November meeting. Treasurer Report: Pledge revenues are lagging, this is normal for this time of year. UUA dues are due, and will be paid.

Religious Education Report: Attendance is up. The rest of the year will be covering the various religious holidays clustered around the winter solstice. Building and Grounds: Jim Ingram will investigate and instigate repairs on the leak in the kitchen ceiling.  The Board approved expenditure to light the entrance sign. Preliminary estimate, $700.   Jim Ingram will coordinate.  Board approved an expenditure of up to $100 for a new Christmas tree and stand. Doug and Kimberly Tanner will purchase it before the tree decorating night.  Frank Asbury proposed using the Branan Memorial Fund to build an entryway to the trail, and naming the trail the “Branan Meditation Trail.” Board approved the idea, and Frank was appointed chair of the Branan Meditation Trail committee and Jim Ingram was appointed to the committee. Board discussed Sunday services, and recommended that: Lay Leaders should help steer and moderate the discussions after services. Goal is to wrap up discussion by 12:30 PM. We also need to have a place in the order of service and verbally cue children to go to RE classes.  The next board meeting will be on Wednesday, January 9 at 6:00 in the RE Building.

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Treasurer's Report

Rosie Asbury

November  2007

Receipts                November                              July -present

 Plate                     $ 103.00                                  $   477.83

 Pledge                      620.00                                     4260.00

 Rent                          240.00                                     1200.00

 Interest Income          0.00                                           0.00

Total Receipts      $ 963.00                                  $ 5937.83

Disbursements  

 Mortgage             $  500.00                 $ 2500.00               

 Speakers’ Fees        750.00                    3010.00

 Repairs & Maint.       0.00                                          70.00

 Newsletter                   0.00                                       289.40

Termite Control           0.00                                       278.00

 Postage                        0.00                                         33.43

 Supplies                     15.45                                         27.50

 Utilities                      80.25                                     1289.19

 Others                        50.00                                        131.00

Total Disbursements                         

                                $ 1395.70                                $ 7628 .52

Net Receipt           $-  432.70                                $-1690.69

 

Branan Memorial Fund Frank Asbury is chairing the committee to use this funds. Financial contributions to the fund can be mailed to Rosie Asbury, Treasurer of the Valdosta UU Church , P.O. Box 2342 , Valdosta , GA   31604 .  

Christmas Parade: We enjoyed being part of the Valdosta Christmas Parade again this year. More than a dozen of us decorated Charles Judas' big red truck.  Both the grownups and the kids spent most of the route behind the truck, walking, waving, singing, and wishing the crowds "Happy Holidays", "Joyous Kwanzaa", "Merry Christmas", "Happy Hanukah", and "Festive Yule".  Our sign, displaying the name of the church and the UU first principle, was read by many as we passed by.  One onlooker asked us for more information and came to the service the following Sunday.  Our outreach can take many forms.

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: Early January the group will meet 6:00-7:30 PM; Beginning January 14, 2008: new Beginner’s Class, 5:30-6:30 PM; Continuing Class, 6:30-8:00 PM.  Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin  

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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 Frank Asbury.  

Guest At Your Table Boxes: Donations to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) collected in your Guest at Your Table Box will be collected at the service on Sunday, January 6.  Consider joining the UUSC with your contribution.   If you did not receive one of the boxes in December, you can still contribute at this service designating your donation to the UUSC.  The contributions we collect will be forwarded to the UUSC.  Let’s win a banner again this year with a high percentage of our members and friends participating.  

Martin Luther King Day Celebrations: The annual Martin Luther King Day march will be held January 19 starting from the Valdosta Schools District Office, next to the football stadium on Williams St .  Lineup is at 10:00 AM.  Our church has usually had a presence in the parade, holding our banner and singing along with the other marchers.  Come join us!

Green Ideas:  When you replace light bulbs consider purchasing fluorescent bulbs which are longer lasting and cooler burning.   

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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. 
December 26 –Jan. 1 Southeast Winter Institute Miami (SWIM),  The Pines Conference Center, Brooksville, FL
January 5- Hospitality, Inclusion, and Transformation Workshop, St. Petersburg, FL
January 1-2 Celebrated Speaker Series, Michael Beschloss Vero Beach, FL
January 20- Installation of Reverend Roger Peltier, Sarasota, FL
January 26- Workshop with Carolyn McDade, Orlando-First Unitarian, Orlando, FL

 April 11–13 Florida District ANNUAL ASSEMBLY, Gainesville , FL

Conference theme: “How Strong Is Our Faith — Spiritual Growth in a Multi-Cultural World.” With Paula Cole Jones, of All Souls Unitarian Church , Washington , D.C. She is a lead consultant for JUUST Change.

June 24-25 UUUniversity, Fort Lauderdale , FL

Dr. Nick Carter, President of Andover Newton Theological School, will be the keynote program as congregational leaders work on what Dr. Carter calls “interfaith border crossing skills — the ability to communicate with, work with, and care for people who think differently and pray differently.”

June 25–29 47^th UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Fort Lauderdale , FL

Niagara Falls Experience: Hear the roar! Feel the mist! See the mighty Falls! July 20-23, 2008 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 For information:  http://www.uunex.net/ 

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

Hopefully each of you enjoyed a fine holiday season and are looking forward to a wonderful 2008. It seems the older I become the faster time flies. This month I write of good news. As you know our UUA began a new health plan in 2007, which belongs to the UUA itself. The UUA Employee Benefits Trust owns and operates the plan on a non-profit basis to benefit the participants. When our UUA first announced the intention to create a UUA Health Plan, the importance of owning and operating our own plan for the benefit of our congregations, affiliated organizations, and self-employed community ministers was emphasized. One of the goals of the plan was to create enough financial stability to be able to offer a better rate predictability than the broader market. This year solid progress has been made toward creating a rate stabilization fund. With that fund in place the plans will only experience a 4% increase over the 2007 rates. This was achieved as the plan was improved for 2008 to meet expectations in some important benefit and eligibility areas.

                For 2008 the plan will be bigger and better. Based on the feedback received from plan members, three significant and valuable improvements will be in place for 2008. An annual comprehensive routine eye exam with no deductible has been added. Adult immunizations will be covered without a deductible. And outpatient mental health visits will increase from 20 to 40 per calendar year.

                Your UUA Trustees also approved improvements to all three PPO plans and expanded eligibility to reach more staff in our congregations. The threshold has been lowered for participation to 750 hours worked per year from the current 1,000 hour requirement. It is hoped the eligibility reaches many who still do not have coverage. Responding to input from seminarians the eligibility of all interns in candidate status and working at least 750 hours per year for a UU congregation, paid or unpaid, or as a community minister will be specifically recognized.

                Your Trustees and UUA encourage all congregations to contribute at least 80% of the cost for this plan for employees and at least 50% of the cost for additional family members. Contributing to the cost is a concrete way for a congregation to demonstrate commitment to UU principles of social justice and a life with dignity for all persons. Sharing the cost is also a good way to enhance plan stability for the future.

                To find out more about our UUA Health Plan go to the website and Google the Health Plan. Much information is at your fingertips. If you have questions and/or concerns for the UUA Board of Trustees or me, email jblund@uua.org. I always enjoy hearing from individuals and congregations. Happy New Year!

Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Rev. Kenn Hurto

District Executive for the Florida District UUA

 

"Whenever we feel pessimistic concerning the future of humanity upon this troubled planet, we can always remember this: that with all (its) fears and failing, (humanity) has yet somehow managed to put the brightest of his festivals in the darkest part of the year. Not at mid-summer but at mid-winter, (we) celebrate most universally (our) hope and joy."  A. Powell Davies, 20th ct Unitarian Universalist Minister

                Each winter holiday season, I struggle with the pressure to be joyful when my heart weighs heavy with the woes of the world. Yet, some magic pulls me back to give thanks, to count blessings, and to be of good cheer. A favorite aphorism has it that it does not matter if some supernatural messiah ever comes to save us, so long as we treat each and every person we meet as the long-awaited child to save humankind, needing only a word of kindness to change the world.

                Thank you, good leaders of the Unitarian Universalist congregations in Florida . You minister well and ever better. May you now take a moment to be with family and friends and let winter's magic happen to you. Discover hope again, and deeper. Turn toward the light, not the dark. Let love enter into your heart as you have so given love to others. And, if you struggle a bit to be of good cheer, recall these lines from Albert Camus: "In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

                All blessings to you this holiday season. And may we all have a truly happy new year.

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Discrimination and Free Speech Issues:

 

From: the Rev. Dr. Randolph W.B. Becker
Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Key West:

General Assembly 2008 will be the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, which is inside a port security zone in Port Everglades, Florida . Every person attending General Assembly will have to produce a current, valid, government-issued ID in order to enter the site!  In addition, once beyond the security checkpoints, all attendees will be afforded reduced First Amendment rights: the rights of free speech and assembly are curtailed within the secure zone.  Employees in the Convention Center are instructed to report, among other things, Un-American sentiments expressed. Why is this an issue?  Our UUA bylaws call us to a better standard: Article II, Section C-2.3. Non-Discrimination. “The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member congregations and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.” The UUA leadership, after exploring the situation, is recommending to the UUA Board of Trustees that General Assembly NOT be moved, but to use the situation as a teaching moment.  (For the full text see uua.org.)  Some members are suggesting that the site be changed or that members boycott the meeting.  What do you think about this controversial issue? 

Response FROM: Beth McGregor, Chair, General Assembly Planning Committee

Gini Courter, Moderator

William G. Sinkford, President 

We are writing to you because many of you recently received an email with the subject header “IMPORTANT GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECISION” concerning our upcoming 2008 General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale , Florida .  We want to assure you that this email did not come from the elected leadership of the UUA, our Board of Trustees, or the General Assembly Planning Committee, and we do not endorse its call for congregations to consider not sending delegates to the 2008 General Assembly. 

As we acknowledged in our recent memo to the UUA Board of Trustees and the GA Planning Committee (see http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/60305.shtml), the situation in Fort Lauderdale is not ideal. Legitimate concerns about the site and the security measures have been raised, concerns that we share, and we are working hard to address those concerns. We continue to be in dialogue with officials at the convention center, and we are following up on the other steps mentioned in the memo to make the Fort Lauderdale General Assembly as warm and welcoming as possible for our congregations. 

There are two new steps to note. Because there has been a good deal of rumor and speculation concerning the security measures at the Fort Lauderdale site, our GA Planning Office has developed a new Frequently Asked Questions list that will provide factual information about this issue.  

http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/61425.shtml

 We are also actively searching for a meeting space in Fort Lauderdale to establish a satellite site where GA delegates who cannot provide the necessary government-issued ID to gain entrance to the convention center can assemble to participate in the business of the Association via a video connection to the plenary hall at the convention center. Our worship services and opening and closing ceremonies could also be transmitted to this satellite site.  

This issue is important to all of us, and we are committed to doing all we can to fulfill our responsibilities as elected leaders in our faith community. Now is not the time to create divisions among us, but rather a time to work together for solutions. The unique challenges of this GA site make it clear that UUs have important matters to discuss, including the erosion of civil liberties, support for undocumented workers, and what it means to be inclusive. Let's gather at GA in Fort Lauderdale so we can have these, and other, important conversations.   

This letter is available on the UUA website at http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/61436.shtml