June… Summer officially arrives!  Although there are no solstice celebrations announced as yet, you could probably rouse some celebrants if you ask around!  You will receive this newsletter at about the time of our Annual Meeting the last weekend in May.  Please dig deeply into your pockets and hearts to support our church for the coming year.  We need your contributions of time and money to make the most of an exciting year in the planning.  Our minister arrives in just a couple of months and plans are already in the making.  Invite your friends and come yourself, as your summer plans allow.  We tend to scatter more during the summer months, many of us, even now retired, operate on the school calendar we grew up with, parented our children with, and worked on.  We play in the summer when we can.  To quote Mary Higgins, our District Director: “I urge you to take extra time this summer to restore yourselves and your families.  The pace of our lives, even for those retired among us, seems to move at a very rapid pace.  We cannot do our work well if we are not rested and ready to move our congregations ahead deliberately and peacefully.  Have a wonderful summer.”

Sunday Services

June 6 Diane Holliman will lead us in a service “Honoring Our Animal Companions (aka pets).”  As UUs we often talk about the joy, friendship, and humor that our animal companions bring to our lives.  For this service Diane invites you to bring pictures of and stories about animal companions past, present and maybe even future.  If you do not have an animal companion or have never had an animal companion, she hopes this service illustrates the love and companionship that pets have given us.   Even though our animal companions are terribly special to us, she asks that you please do not bring your animal companion. Some of our members/friends/visitors may have allergies and there are pets who do not get along with each other.  Diane is a member of our congregation and teaches in the Social Work Program at VSU. 

Sheila Harty, guest speaker from St. Augustine, FL, will speak at our service on June 13. Her topic will be "Civil Religion in America: Church and State.”  Ms. Harty has spoken at our service before.  She is a theologian, lecturer, and author educated in theology at the University of South Florida and Florida State University.  As an undergraduate her major was in Catholicism and her minor in Islam.  Her Master’s thesis was in biblical Judaism.  She says her own beliefs more closely resemble quantum physics and the enigma of chaos theory.  She has spoken at a number of UU churches as well as many national and international venues.  Welcome her back to our pulpit.   Click here for Sheila Harty's webpage of titles and topics, which includes links for downloading a print version of this presentation.

On June 20 Andy Phillips, one of our members, will speak on "An Exploration of the Movie "Harvey" and Other Expressions of Faith."  Andy has shared his thoughts with us before.  Come hear what he has on his mind this time.   

"The Rewards and Cost of a Spiritual Journey" is the title of a homily from Charles Judah on June 27.   Charles is a longtime member of our church who always has something interesting to share with us.  It has been a while since Charles spoke, so come and welcome him back to the pulpit. 

 Meet & Greet Coffee after the Service: Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in friendly and interesting conversation and particularly to greet visitors and newcomers.  Volunteers are needed to host particular Sundays. 

                       

 Childcare is available during the Sunday service. The nursery is now equipped with new furniture. UUA policy recommends that it is prudent to have two people providing childcare for each age group on any given Sunday.   Sarah has agreed to be a provider every Sunday for the nursery. One additional volunteer is needed each Sunday.  Please consult the two-month schedule available at the church and sign up for the dates you can help. This could help our church grow! 

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Dear UU Fellowship of Valdosta members and friends:

You either have received, or will be receiving in the mail shortly, the annual request for your pledge to our church. The pledge will cover the fiscal year which runs July 2004 through June 2005.

A member of the church asked me on Sunday for the proposed spending for the coming fiscal year as a guide for the pledges needed. Thus, I am sending you all this e-mail so you can see what I expect the church to spend this coming fiscal year. I caution you that this spending has not yet been reviewed by the Board of Trustees and must be approved by the BOT and ultimately the membership at the Annual Meeting before it is our official budget. There may yet be changes in the proposed spending as we go through this process.

I expect total expenses to be about $37,000 for the year. The most significant item is the salary of our new part-time minister, Rev. Barbara Child, who begins her work with us in September.

We have a total of 35 pledge units. A pledge unit is a household with one or more members. (e.g. Randy and Betsy Thompson equal one pledge unit). In order to cover these expected expenses we must average $1,057 per pledge unit. I know every person/unit is not in the position to pledge this much, but this is what we must average to break even for the year based on what I expect we will spend.

Following are the major categories of expense. I hope you find this information useful in determining your pledge amount for the coming year.

Minister Salary             $20,000

Mortgage payments          6,000

Utilities                             2,300

UUA dues                         1,700

Insurance                           1,250

Pianist                               1.400

Postage and Supplies        1,150

Other (Travel, Repair & Maintenance, Child care, Advertising, Miscellaneous)  

       3,200

Total Expense                $37,000

 

Your Treasurer, Randy Thompson

 

                       

Religious Education Program

·         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.

·         Adult RE – This group is currently meeting every Sunday at 9:30AM. After examining the early history of the Unitarian Church in the United States, the discussion will move into a deeper exploration of the writing and teachings of Emerson and then Thoreau. Contact: Hue Jacobs         

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with Betsy Thompson, Membership Ministry Committee Chair, or any of our church officers. We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.

 Welcome New Members! 

On May 2 we held a special recognition service for new members from the past year.  Welcome to Anna Hall, Michelle Massengill, Doug Tanner, and Anne Zipperer, all who have been active members for some time now.   Welcome also to Jenny Glapion and Stephanie Kiyak who signed the membership book on May 9th. We’ll be featuring  these new members in this and future issues so that we can all get to know them better. 

Congratulations!

v      Andre Asbury completed his first year at Georgia Tech, maintaining grades to keep his scholarships.  He is leaving today, May 16th, for summer school (which will last for 10 weeks) at the Georgia Tech campus in Metz, France. In addition to earning full load toward his computer engineering degree, he will have an opportunity to travel on weekends. 

v      Congratulations, to Fred and Kathy Howard on the marriage of their middle daughter, Melissa on May 15. The couple will live in Valdosta and she will continue her college education at VSU.

 v      Congratulations to Kevin and Sean for participation on the Lowndes Middle School Math Team. Sean qualified for State Competition in the individual category of the MathCounts competition. He also tied for first place in the regional Math League competition and won second place in VSU Middle School Math competition.  Kevin also received state-level  recognition for a high score on the SAT as part of the Duke University Talent Identification Program for seventh graders.

 v      Our pianist, Ming, hasn't been available lately as he is studying hard and collecting honors. He recently attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. He also was first runner-up in the state for spelling.

 v      Congratulations to Joan Cline who has been recognized nationally for her RSVP volunteer service.  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a part of the Senior Corps of the Corporation for National Service.  Each year all of the programs send in descriptions of their services and highlight two volunteers.  Our state-level coordinator chooses just two volunteer highlights from all of the programs to be included in the Georgia Senior Corps Profile that is published in the national profile of the Senior Corps programs.  Joan was chosen as one of two Senior Corps volunteers to be highlighted in the 2004 Georgia Profile.  Here is what will be published:

Joan Cline serves with the South Central Georgia RSVP in Valdosta.  Ms. Cline is a retired middle school teacher and, as an RSVP volunteer, she returned to the school where she taught to tutor children in reading.  She has been an active recruiter for the RSVP literacy initiative and represents the program in community meetings and events. She coordinated development of the Widow's Network, a social and support group, helps seniors find prescription assistance and participates in a telephone reassurance group.  This busy woman also finds time to serve on the RSVP Advisory Council and is helping plan the project's fundraising and recognition events in 2004. 

The newsletter will be featuring one of our recent new members from time to time sharing the biographical information they provided at the Welcoming Service. 

v      Doug Tanner says: I was born and grew up in south Georgia near the small town of Alma.  It’s north of Waycross and east of Douglas.  After dropping out of college and working for a few years I joined the US Army in 1983.  My first duty station was on the East/West German border.  After returning to the US I finished my time on active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was discharged in 1987.  After leaving the Army I moved to Valdosta, returned to college and joined the Georgia Army National Guard.  In 1992 I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with emphasis in Economics and began graduate school at Georgia State University.  In 1994 I received a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Decision Sciences.  In November 1994 I returned to Valdosta to take a position in the Office of Financial Aid at VSU and in 2002 was chosen as Director of Financial Aid for the university.  In February 2004 I retired from the Army National Guard with more than 20 years of military service, the last six as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant.  The high point of my service was a six and a half month tour as a peacekeeper in Bosnia Herzegovina during 2001. 

v      Anne Zipperer tells us: I was born in Oxford, MS to Emory and Sylvia Warrick.  I have 4 children, Jonathan, Mary Scott, Leona, and Benjamin.  I moved to Valdosta in 1972.  Kathy Tait was one of the first people I met here and she and her family have remained close to me for over 30 years.  I attended Valdosta High School and Valdosta State College in the 1970’s, but got married and had children before returning to complete my degree.  I received my Bachelors in 2000.  I majored in pre-law with minors in sociology and journalism.  I am now returning to school for a Masters in English.  I want to learn to teach high school literature.  I was raised in the Methodist and Episcopalian churches and now attend both the Unitarian and Episcopal churches which I guess makes me a “Unipalian.”  My mother has always called me an eternal hippy, and I do hold fast to a lot that came out it of the hippy culture—peace, love, environmental and social concerns and activism.  I guess in many ways it should not surprise those who know me best that I would gravitate to the community of Unitarians. 

v      Michelle Massengill says she was born in Atlanta, but spent most of her life in Griffin, GA.  She has graduated from Griffin High School, Gordon College, and will be a VSU graduate in December 2004.  She plans to work in television and travel when she can.  Her hobbies include astrology, movies, gardening, and cross-stitching.  Her favorite quote is “Do what you fear and the death of fear is certain.” 

v      Anna Mitchell Hall says I am a south Georgian, primarily from Moultrie, then Valdosta, then Quitman for the last 2 years.  I hold degrees in philosophy and public administration from VSU.  I am a social worker for adults with developmental disabilities at Lowndes Service Center.  My husband, Jim, is a social studies teacher and head golf coach at Thomas County Central High School.  I am chair of the Social Action Committee and help with music during worship services at UU Valdosta.  My husband and I also attend St. James Episcopal Church in Quitman.  I hope to begin seminary in 2005 to study Christian theory and practice.  Jim and I are Christians, and I describe myself as a postmodern pantheist progressive Christian mystic.  Postmodern means that I believe our experiences of truth and the divine cannot be separated from our cultural context.  Pantheist means that I believe the divine is in everything and can be experienced as a connection between everything.  “Tuning into” this connection has enhanced my life.  I do not believe there is a God “out there” somewhere manipulating things.  I believe there is a divinity, or Holy Spirit, or energy, or force “in here,” in everything.  I believe the trinity was an attempt to explain the divinity found in everything, including Jesus.  Progressive Christian is best defined by The Center for Progressive Christianity, www.tcpc.org. For me it means that I have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus, and that everyone has to approach life and faith in the way that is best for them.  The Bible is the writings of people trying to describe experiences of the divine and has changed many times to serve the purposes of the powerful.  I like to read the stories and get what I can out of them.  I enjoy research into the historical roots of Judaism and Christianity.  Mystic means that I believe direct experience of the divine is possible.  I have experienced God through music, nature, philosophy, studying world religions, math, quantum physics, other people, and “a still small voice” in me that urges me to do the moral thing or pursue  certain paths, even when that is not the easiest or most socially acceptable thing to do.  From now on I will wear a button that says “Ask me about being a Postmodern Pantheist Progressive Christian Mystic!”: seriously, if you want to know more, just ask, talking about religion is my favorite thing in the world.  My Christianity has made me a pacifist, an environmentalist, and a supporter of civil and human rights for all regardless of race, gender, sexuality, class, income, or disability.  I express my Christian belief that people and the universe should be treated as we treat ourselves through political positions, social action , and the way I treat others in my daily life.  I consider my faith integral to every area of my life, and there is no action that I take that is not affected by my beliefs, even when I find myself regretting that  I have not treated myself and the rest of the world as if they are sparks of divinity just waiting to be “tuned in.” 

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v      News from Gainesville:  Carol will be the speaker at the June 13 gathering of the Interweave chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville.  The evening will begin with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m.  (for more details, contact Carol).  After dinner, Carol will give a presentation entitled "Check-out Counter Stories," a light-hearted look at daily interactions, with some reflections on the importance of diversity and the challenges of finding community. This will be an adaptation of a service Carol gave for our congregation last summer.  Interweave is a UUA-affiliated group that provides opportunity for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender persons and their heterosexual allies to celebrate differences and similarities, and to strive for elimination of all oppression by providing spiritual, political, educational, and social activities. The Gainesville group meets once a month, on a Sunday evening.  All are welcome! 

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Social Action Activities

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday of each month.  If you can deliver meals on this day beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Dee Tait.

Social Action Committee

Contact Anna Mitchell Hall if you are interested in current activities of this committee.  The committee will meet again regularly in the fall. 

Resources on prisoner abuses:

http://www.uua.org/news/2004/040511.html

Newsletter Staff

Editor:  Betty Derrick

Production/Mailing:  Virginia Branan

Website:  Carol Stiles

June 15: deadline for the July newsletter.  

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President’s Portion

Dee Tait

            Sunday, May 30, is the day for the annual congregational meeting    Please mark your calendar right now if you haven’t already, so that, if possible, you can be present and take part in the approval of next year’s budget and selection of the new slate of officers. 

 

                We have come through another church year together, difficult in some ways, but a good year after all.  Thank you each for your dedication to this church, for your contributions of work and your pledges of money to keep things moving along.  Your volunteering has helped to make everyone’s job less difficult than it might have been.

 

We are proud of our new members who are bringing us new energy and added enthusiasm. Our new minister, Rev. Barbara Child, will be here September 8 to begin her year with us.  We are in a good place now.  Let’s keep the momentum.

And here are some ways to do that!    Also see the UU Activities Column elsewhere in the newsletter.

UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY – I received the message below from Reverend Child encouraging us to send representation to UUA General Assembly in Long Beach CA June 24-28 (June 23 if you want to take the tour of Pasadena).  The official deadline for funding requests to the UUA has just passed but if you can get away, let me know now and I will still send the request in.  Otherwise, we will have to pay, with the exception of the $200 registration fee for presidents being absorbed this year by the UUA.  

10TH ANNUAL FLORIDA LEADERSHIP SCHOOL -  Reverend Child will be one of the instructors for this week of training at the Canterbury Retreat Center at Ovieda FL September 26-October 2.  Who in our congregation would benefit from a week of learning, leadership practice, development and inspiration?  Can you get away for this one?  Yes, it is not until September, but our deadline for requesting funding for this one is June 30, so let me hear from you now.  

MANAGING DIFFERENCES - October 16, 2004 - The Northeast Cluster presents Rev. Mary Higgins at the Community UU Church in South Daytona.  Mary will be leaving at the end of June, 2005 as the UUA has a two-term limit on the time for all district executives  to serve.  

CHECK THE BOARD OFTEN AS YOU ENTER THE SANCTUARY TO SEE THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO YOU.  PICK THE ONE(S)  OF INTEREST TO YOU AND CONTACT YOUR PRESIDENT. MARK YOUR CALENDAR.   WE WILL CHECK FOR ANY FUNDING AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER DETAILS YOU NEED.

Dee, I just read with pleasure the April issue of your newsletter, and I was pleased to see the note about Florida District Leadership School in the Fall. As I may have mentioned to you, I will be teaching in the Leadership School, and I would like to encourage the congregation to send one or more budding leaders.  I wanted to mention this to you well ahead of the deadline for registration, which I believe I read will be sometime in June. 

PS Also, it will be grand, of course, if the congregation has representation at General Assembly in Long Beach

My best to each of you and thank you for your daily involvement in the UU Church of Valdosta.  We have the opportunity for a great year coming up! – Barbara Child 

Rev. Barbara Child will begin her ministry with us with her first visit September 8-19.   Mark your calendar and plan to welcome her and join in what promises to be an exciting year. 

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Board of Trustees News 

The Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting May 11, 2004 in the Religious Education Building.  In attendance were:  Dee Tait, Virginia Branan, Randy Thompson, Lars Leader  and Rosie Asbury.

Treasurer Randy Thompson gave a detailed monthly financial report, which is attached to the record copy of the May minutes.  Randy also presented to the board the proposed budget for the year 2005, which the board discussed and reviewed for additions/changes.  The board adopted the budget to be presented to the congregation for approval during the annual congregational meeting on May 30, 2004. (Attached to this newsletter.) 

Vice President/Program Chair Virginia Branan said that Sunday programs until June are set.  The board also discussed possible topics/speakers for Sunday services.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at 5:30 P.M. in the Religious Education Building.

 

Fellowship Activities

    Games Night!

Join in this fun evening the first Friday of each month at the church at 7:00 pm.   Bring along some refreshments and your favorite game.  Contact: Hue Jacobs.

 

Last Saturday Supper

(which sometimes isn’t actually on the last Saturday!)

Watch your Sunday bulletin for further information.   Let Betsy Thompson know if you could host an event this month.  This month’s volunteer had a sudden change of plans just as this newsletter went to press.

 

Did you know that  the roots of our Unitarian Universalist traditions in the Judeo-Christian heritage date to the time of Jesus and the teachings of the earlier Hebrew prophets.  Jesus was “a reformer and a seeker;” the admonishments of the prophets included “social teachings and a universalizing vision.”  When Jesus died his early followers were in conflict about their faith.  An orthodoxy developed such that by the fourth century “the church was based on orthodoxy and authority rather than liberalism and freedom.”   “Many peoples and movements called for a more simplified understanding of Christianity.  They were leaders of a series of progressive movements to liberalize Christianity.  Even today in books of theology, Unitarianism is often referred to as Arianism, and Universalism is traced back to Origen.” The Council of Nicea met in 325 AD to resolve these issues.  Bishop Arius, who held a unitarian view that “God was one, unknowable, and separate from every created being” and that “Jesus was a created being and not divine in the fullest sense,” represented the losing  side  in the arguments, which ultimately came to represent the official church position   The Arians were ultimately banished from the Roman Empire.  Origen, who lived from 185-251 AD, “has been called the first Universalist.”  Among other teachings he “rejected the concept of Hell; believed in the benevolence of God, who would offer salvation to all mankind; emphasized the humanity of Jesus; and minimized the importance of miracles.” He has been viewed as “the greatest scholar of the Early church.”  His work was quoted by Arius.  Origen  was “later declared a heretic” and “since the seventh century has received the eternal condemnation of the papacy.”  From: G. N. Marshall, “Challenges of a Liberal Faith”

Treasurer’s Report

April 2004  - Treasurer: Randy Thompson

 

OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

                                                                April              Ten Months

Receipts:                                                                          

  One-time Ministerial Pledge              $0.00                $17,500.00

  Pledge                                                  991.00                 12,808.12

  Plate                                                       80.57                   1,245.97

  Rent                                                     240.00                   2,600.00

  Other                                                        0.00                      435.00

  TOTAL RECEIPTS                         1,311.57                 34,589.09

                                                                                           

Disbursements:                                                               

  Mortgage                                            500.00                 5,000.00

  Speaker's Fees & Expenses                  0.00                 1,683.41

  Utilities                                                182.20                 1,761.67

  Pianist                                                    35.00                    770.00

  UUA Annual Dues                                0.00                 1,495.00

  Postage                                                   0.00                    270.16

  Supplies                                              135.00                    700.39

  Insurance                                            985.00                 1,238.00

  Repairs and Maintenance                    0.00                    613.55

  Congregational Travel                      206.75                    206.75

  Child care expense                               30.00                      30.00

  Other                                                      85.00                 1,140.52

  TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS         2,158.95               14,909.45

                                                                                           

NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)                          ($847.38)                          $19,679.64

 

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UU Activities and Announcements

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

June 24-28  UUA General    Assembly – Long Beach, CA

August 13-14 R.E.Teacher’s Retreat, First Unitarian Church, Orlando, FL

September 26-October 2  Florida District Leadership School,  Oviedo, FL  (Note deadline for registration and fee, June 30)

October 16 Managing Differences led by Mary Higgins, Community UU Church, Daytona, FL

 

At the Church-in-the-Woods

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.

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UU Fellowship of Valdosta Budget 2005 - Proposed