What’s going on... July 2008  

Sunday Services

Sunday, June 29 – Dr. Keith Johnson, "Liberation Theology and the Seven UU Principles"

Keith Johnson says that the themes he has selected in the service topic, hymns and readings are consistent with the UU General Assembly occurring this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale . Keith has been attending our services regularly this past year and always has interesting questions and comments in our discussions.  He holds a PhD. in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Florida State University .  He is interested in the relationship between theology and science and other disciplines.

Sunday, July 6 - Rev. Fred Howard, "Creating Remembrance"
Memorials are about the impulse deep within the human psyche to record a human existence as significant.  They are also about who we are as a people.  An examination of the ways memorials have changed through the years gives us glimpses into the very character of our civilizations.  The choice this congregation has made is no different - it reveals our identity as a people of faith even as it commemorates two stalwarts of our tradition.  Join us for an exploration of this interesting and touching subject.

            At the close of the service Rev. Howard will assist in the dedication of the Branan Memorial.  A potluck lunch will follow.  Members of the Branan family are planning to be present.

                 Fred Howard is a UU minister, recently completing his theological study at Emory University .  He served the Macon UU church during this past year.  He is also a medical doctor.  There are plans for him to speak regularly over coming months.  In his presentation later this month he will be sharing some of his personal story.  

Sunday, July 13 - Rev. Jane Page , “Jesus, UU, and You!”
Rev. Jane will explore our liberal Christian heritage and possibilities for affirming that heritage while also affirming those among us who identify as Christian.

 Sunday, July 20 – Rev. Fred Howard,  "Who are you?" Who are you?  It is a simple question.  Since I have been gone from this congregation for about three years, I wonder how you have changed.  You may be wondering the same about me.  The question of identity can also be a profound spiritual question.  It is basic to all the world's great spiritual traditions.  In this morning's sermon we will reflect on this question that can launch us on a new spiritual pilgrimage.  I will also offer a personal story that helped shape who I am and, in retrospect, seemed to be influential in my decision to enter ministry.

Sunday, July 27 – Dr J. D. Checkett,  “LUGHNASAD” The next festival on the wheel of the year is Lughnasad which celebrates the harvest.  The wheat god has provided the harvest and now it is time to bake the bread for the coming winter.

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 .  Contact information:

 

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. Contacts: Mya Storey; Susan Bailey.

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

RE LAMP Food Collection Project:  Add some non-perishable food items to the box in the entranceway and help the children with their project.

---

UUA General Assembly

Fort Lauderdale , FL

As the July newsletter goes to press Dee Tait, Betty Derrick, and Carol Stiles are off to the UUA General Assembly June 25-29 in Fort Lauderdale with the Florida District as its host.  Dee and Betty will be our delegates to the meeting; Carol will be an alternate delegate.  All three will serve as ushers at the meeting.  Watch for a report on their experiences in the August newsletter.

Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait July 15: Deadline for the August and September newsletter. Please note that because of travel in early September your editor will publish an August/September newsletter this month.  Please send calendar information for both months by July 15.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Some news from

v       Anna Hall, a former active member of our congregation who writes: “I love reading the newsletter from Valdosta UU every month, but we have moved again, and in order to save you some postage, I decided that rather than change it to the new address, I would be happy to just access it on the internet.  I am trying to recover from my seminary experience and am starting a PhD program in adult education at UGA in the fall. I hope you are doing well, and I do enjoy following the activities down there, even if I never seem to see that corner of the state any more. Hopefully some day soon I can come back and visit, all the programs you have been having look great.  Also, one thing I will be working on is developing and consulting on curriculum for adult religious education in the liberal and progressive streams of faith that include Unitarian Universalism, so if y'all ever need any help in that area, let me know and I would love to help out.”  

Congratulations to

v   Nature Coast UU at 7633 N. Florida Ave.   
Citrus Springs , FL 34434 , their new address where they held their first service in their brand-new building Sunday, June 1, 2008 !!!!

v   And Best Wishes to Adrienne Young and her husband who are being married soon in our church.

 Keep in your thoughts

v   Steve Andersen and his sons

In Memory of Janet Andersen Janet Andersen, who had been diagnosed in recent months with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), died this past month.   Not too long after she and Steve recently visited here in Valdosta , aware that her condition was worsening, Steve called to say Janet was in the hospital at Ft Collins in intensive care and on the respirator.  Steve and Janet were active members of our congregation for a number of years while Steve served on the art faculty at VSU.  Janet was a nurse in the community.  They both have been very active outdoor people their whole lives, organizing hiking, canoeing, and bicycling trips at the church as well as social gatherings in their home.  One of their three sons, Leif, had been staying with them during Janet’s illness.  Those of us who knew the Andersens have missed them since their move to Colorado and share in Steve’s loss.

 

Branan Memorial dedication ceremony

July 6 

The dedication ceremony for the Branan Meditation Trail in memory of John and Virginia Branan, longtime faithful members of our congregation will be held just after the service on July 6.  Rev. Fred Howard will conduct the Sunday service that day, followed by the dedication ceremony.  The Branan’s son, John Branan Jr., and his family will be here, as will John’s brother, Roger and his wife.  It is hoped Virginia 's sister Jean and brother George will also be able to attend.  If you would like to say a few words about the Branans during the ceremony, please let Frank Asbury know.  A potluck dinner at the church will follow the ceremony. Please bring a favorite dish.  We hope everyone will come for this special event. 

---

Governor’s Honors Students at VSU and UU Valdosta

Summer in Valdosta brings heat, mosquitoes, and Governor’s Honors high school students.  This program of 44 years has been sited at VSU for the past 27 years.  The Georgia Department of Education describes it as “a six-week summer instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year.”  At least three high-schoolers from our congregation have attended in past years.  This year we’ve already had some Governor’s Honors students attend our services.  We expect to have them with us through the service on July 13.

                They sign up to attend church services (their only time away from VSU except for field trips and one weekend back home).  Lars Leader is coordinating drivers to pick up the students at VSU and take them back after our service.  These students always have something to contribute to our Sundays, so offer to transport them if you can.

---

Let’s Have Some Fun!!

Games Night: This activity is on summer hiatus and will resume in August or September.

 

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 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.

---

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.

Pride 2008 Atlanta 

Greetings to UU Congregations throughout Georgia !  I am writing on behalf of four UU Congregations in the Metro Atlanta area (UU Congregation of Atlanta, Emerson UU, UU Metro Atlanta North, and UU Congregation of Gwinnett) to invite your support and involvement with UU activities during the 2008 Atlanta Pride Festival.  Representatives from our congregations are working together to plan UU participation in the Festival, and we need your help! Information outlining our plans for the 2008 Pride Festival and the ways that your congregation can get involved.   T-shirts with our UU Pride message: "Inherent worth & dignity of every person" can be ordered.  We look forward to having all 20 of Georgia 's UU Congregations represented July 4-6 when we participate in the 2008 Pride Festival!  Contact: Joetta Prost, for the UU Pride Committee and Co-Chair of  UUCA's Interweave Chapter.

---

  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.  A Beginner’s Class will likely start in August or September. Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin.  

---

President’s Corner

Doug Tanner

The wheel of the UU year turns again and a new board takes office.  I believe that we have a great Board of Directors lined up for this year and I look forward to working with everyone.  We will have our first Board Meeting on July 9, 2008 and I hope that everyone can make this initial meeting.

                While I think for the most part we are all quite happy with our little church in the woods we can always improve.  The Board of Directors is here to serve the needs of the members and friends of the church.  But we need your help.  If you have ideas which would improve services or the way we operate don’t hesitate to make suggestions to any of our board members.

                I hope to see you on a Sunday very soon.  And feel free to invite a friend.

---

Visitor from Transylvania !  Fred and Kathy  Howard are sponsoring a Unitarian student from Transylvania to attend VSU this fall.  Her name is Noemi Gergely and she just graduated from high school in Transylvania and will be entering VSU as a freshman majoring in Theater Arts.  We are very excited about her presence among us American UUs as this will provide opportunities for cultural exchange.  Since she attends church regularly in her home town of Szekeudvarhely , they suspect she will be a regular presence at the church in Valdosta as well.  She has been accepted at VSU.    Please make her feel welcome in Valdosta and at our church.

                Fred Howard is a former member of our congregation, a medical doctor who after attending theology school at Emory University in the last several years is now a UU minister.  He will be speaking regularly in our pulpit over the coming months.

 Some of you may be interested to know that there is a many centuries long history of Unitarianism in Transylvania .  Perhaps through our visitor this year we can learn more about our religious history.

---

UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors: The Board did not meet in June. The next official Board meeting is scheduled for July 9.

   

Treasurer's Report

Rosie Asbury

May 2008

Receipts                                May                        YTD(11 mo.)

  Plate                                 $   70.56                          $     946.39

  Pledge                                 205.00                               9277.00

  Rent                                     240.00                               2640.00

  Memorial donation               0.00                             10000.00

Total Receipts                  $   515.56                        $22863.39

Disbursements  

  Mortgage                        $  500.00                           $ 5500.00             

  Speakers’ Fees                 1019.00                              8266.99

  Repairs & Maint.                   0.00                               1260.84

  Newsletter                              0.00                                420.68

  Termite Ctrl/Insur.                 0.00                               1704.00

  Postage                                    0.00                                   39.17

  Supplies                                   5.39                                   92.50

  Utilities                                187.37                               2571.51

  UU Dues                                  0.00                               1500.00

  Advertising                             0.00                                 400.00

  Others                                      0.00                                 321.65

Total  Disbursements                        

                                $  1712.75                                     $22077.34

 Net Receipt          $ -1197.19                                     $    756.05

---

 

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.

July 6-11  RE Week The Mountain, NC www.mountaincenters.org 

July 20-26 The Mountain School for Congregational Leadership Highlands , NC

---

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

By the time you read this I, and over 450 Florida UUs, will have returned from General Assembly but the column must be written and sent before leaving for GA so it cannot be written about our big annual gathering. For July… sometimes called the doldrums of summer, I am writing about encouraging generosity, a topic of interest each year when our congregations embark upon the annual stewardship drive and/or whenever a congregation is involved in a capital campaign.

                It has been said the first rule of raising funds is that people give when they are asked to give by someone to whom it would be embarrassing to say “no”. What this says to me is the person who makes the solicitation is as important as the solicitation itself. In our canvass/stewardship drives never should an ungenerous giver be sent to ask for a generous gift. People give to causes they care about and which address needs or programs important to them and generous giving is a learned behavior pattern.

                Also of importance is to remember that generosity increases over time as gifts effectively support social and religious values, and when donors feel they are supporting higher values rather than lesser ones. Also persons give to support successes, not to make up for failures. They feel more inspired in giving to growth than to maintenance of the status quo. Religious liberals do not like to give to support congregational budgets but rather commanding visions, well-articulated missions, realistic plans that can be achieved, and campaigns where they participate with persons they admire and like.

                Whether stated or not, givers expect something in return for their contributions, for instance: recognition, respect, perks (like being asked for an opinion), and handwritten thank you notes specifying the amount of the gift, signed by the president of the congregation, the canvass committee chair, and the minister. There are many ways to conduct canvass campaigns but none are likely to remain effective for more than three years in a row. And there are certain canvass activities that should continue throughout the year: ongoing solicitations of new members, solicitations of friends and supporters who are not members, personal solicitation of potential benefactors in the community, and written appeals and follow-up phone calls to benefactors who live far away.

                Successful campaigns do more than just raise money. They also build loyalty and commitment to the congregation, develop positive relationships among the participants, and they implement an important accomplishment. The objective all canvass/campaigns is not just to raise money. The objective is to change the culture of giving in the congregation so that the membership defines itself as a “congregation of generous givers”.  

For more thoughts on generosity or other thoughts you may have for me I can be reached at jlund@uua. Continue to enjoy your summer and stay cool.

---

Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto , Florida District Director

The most immediate thing on every Unitarian Universalist leaders’ minds this month is the 47th Annual General Assembly of our Unitarian Universalist Association — a Meeting of Congregations, held this year in Fort Lauderdale. We have five very full days of educational and informational programming, business plenary’s, reports on the state of Unitarian Universalism from our President, the Reverend William A. Sinkford and Moderator Gini Courter, and others, as well as many opportunities to worship [23 by my count] and deepen our faith.

• Come expectant. Your heart will be moved, for the spirit is alive and well among Unitarian Universalists today and vibrant at GA!

• Come thinking. Your head will have plenty of opportunity to be inspired and challenged by some of the dozens of sermons and lectures found every day.

• Come ready to serve. You’ll be invited to join the GA Interfaith Community Witness, “Valuing All Families,” and to support the work of Hispanic Unity of Florida, the GA service project.

• Come to have fun! GA is a great opportunity to meet like-minded and loving-hearted Unitarian Universalists. Each evening, there is a social gathering of music, food, even dancing! Our own Amy Carol Webb hosts a concert Thursday evening.

                I hope to see many of our Florida Unitarian Universalists in Fort Lauderdale . Do let us know if you’re coming and how we might be of service to you during the GA. Our Life-Span Program Consultant, Connie Goodbread, and I will be on hand all week. Do not hesitate to look for us [see the GA People-Finder if you don’t run into one of us].

                Meanwhile, the needs of the heart and soul, the challenges of creating justice continue. Continue with your good works of loving ministry to one another and our communities.