What’s going on...June 2006

Sunday Services  

June 4 - Dr. Jerry Hardee: "Building Community Coalitions Designed to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Isolation"   Part of the UU “Just Change” Lecture and Community Discussion Series:

    Dr. Hardee is one of a group of community leaders that has accepted our congregation’s invitation to address ways in which we might help carry forward just change on the local level. Having served as the chair of the board of Valdosta Project Change for the first ten years of its existence, Dr Hardee had a unique opportunity to work through the many challenges associated with this controversial initiative.  The board’s efforts resulted in developing several non-confrontational activities and programs with the goal of reducing incidences of racial and ethnic isolation while empowering the average citizen to action.  These included training sessions for individuals, community groups and local governmental agencies to include educational systems. Dr. Hardee will now share some of his many "lessons learned" from this work as our own congregation develops plans for putting our ethics into practice in cooperation with our wider community.

    Dr. Hardee has been involved in teaching and educational administration for more than 30 years and in 2002 was recognized by the Levi Strauss Foundation in honor and appreciation of his years of service and leadership with Project Change. Under Hardee's leadership, the Valdosta chapter of Project Change not only sponsored the multicultural educational workshops discussed above, but also worked with banks to promote home ownership among low-income families and helped increase minority enrollment in upper-level high school courses. Dr. Hardee holds a doctorate degree in education and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from Northern Illinois University , a master's degree in science education from Fisk University and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Clark College . Before being named president of Sherman College , Hardee served as vice president for academic affairs at Albany State University in Georgia . Prior to that assignment he served as assistant to the president and professor of educational leadership at Valdosta State University .  

June 11 -  Michael Stoltzfus: “Islam: Devotional and Social Practices”

Dr. Stoltzfus, VSU Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, will highlight the disciplined life of orthodox Muslims by exploring the five pillars of Islam.  He will also present the core social teachings of Islam, particularly as they relate to racial tolerance, the status of women, and the use of violence.  Our congregation is very glad that Dr. Stoltzfus has recently agreed to continue his series of talks on world religions for another year.  

Volunteers Needed:  There are several Sunday service jobs including lay leader, flowers, greeting guests, greet and meet host after the service, and music director.  In addition we do our own cleaning inside and out of our facility.  See the sign-up book in the foyer and volunteer.

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our President, Lars Leader .  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.

 

 

 

 

An Appointment With Oneself

Six-week Guided Meditation Series with Sadhvi Vrndaji Chaitanya

9:30-10:00 AM

Sundays: June 4 and 11; July 9, 16,  23, and 30

 At the UU Church

 Bring Yourself and an open mind

During the course of each day, we keep a number of appointments. In fact, the whole life seems to be lived from appointment to appointment --One keeps appointments at our place of work, with employers and co-workers. Then one has appointments with doctors, dentists, etc. One also keeps appointments with family members, colleagues, and friends. But when was the last time one had an appointment with oneself?

                What would an appointment with yourself look like? What would one wear to greet oneself? Or, what might one need to "take off" to meet oneself, to recognize oneself in and through the various roles one plays in the course of one's life?  Come and find out in this six-week guided meditation series with Sadhvi Vrndaji Chaitanya

The meditation session will also be available through an online classroom environment for up to 12 people. Preference will be given to people who are elderly, or not very mobile due to chronic conditions, and for those who do not live in the immediate vicinity of Valdosta . If you wish to take the sessions.  All sessions are free of charge, regardless of whether one takes it in person, or online. If you would like to contact Sadhvi Vrndaji, please contact her through a member of the board.

Did you know. . . .

¬ That meditation is known to mitigate hypertension, and a host of other  related health complaints?

¬ That meditation can significantly reduce stress and anxiety?

¬ That meditation can aid in improving your sleep, and all-round energy and vitality?
¬ That meditation can improve focus, clarity, memory, and concentration by freeing the mind to harness its full potential?

Give yourself the present of your presence!

Acharya Sadhvi Sri Vrndaji Chaitanya is a Vedic Monk, and the disciple of Pujya Sri Dayananda Saraswati Swamiji, a world-renowned teacher of Vedanta and Sanskrit. Vrndaji has taught Vedanta at several institutions of higher education including the University of California , Berkeley , University of Oregon , Eugene , and Valdosta State University . Vrndaji has participated in several UN and international NGO initiatives for world peace and social justice, and is the convener of the Global Diversity Coalition, an international non-profit organization that is engaged in organizing interreligious dialogues between indigenous spiritual traditions and mainstream religions.  The Global Diversity Coalition also strives to preserve religious and bio diversity by supporting the practitioners of indigenous cultures, and traditional ways of being that are endangered by globalization.

---

Annual Meeting

UU Valdosta 's Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 21, immediately after the discussion time following the service.  Three important items will be presented to the congregation for their approval by majority vote:  (1) nominees for Officers on the Board of Directors for the coming year (July 2006 to June 2007), (2) the Annual Budget for the coming year, and (3) proposed programming for Sunday speakers, to include two regular monthly speakers and a monthly visit with Sunday service and ministerial functions by a UU ordained minister.

This meeting is an annual obligation and privilege of membership in this democratic congregation.  Those eligible to vote must be members and must have made a contribution of record earlier this fiscal year to the congregation.  If you have any questions about this, please contact Lars Leader .

Nominees for UU Valdosta Board of Directors:

President -- Lars Leader; Vice President/Program Chair -- Dee Tait; Treasurer -- Doug Tanner; Secretary -- Rosie Asbury; Membership -- Sue Bailey; Building & Grounds Chair -- Jim Ingram; (The R.E. Board Position is open.)

The Board reports several programming possibilities for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.  Dr. Michael Stoltzfus has committed to another 12-month series of talks focusing on world religions. The two ministers presented below are willing to speak at our church once a month for a year. If the congregation votes to accept this proposal, this would leave one Sunday a month that the next programming chair would need to plan to arrange a speaker or lay-led service.

Jane Page:   The Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) has jurisdiction over all phases of ministerial credentialing. Candidates for ministerial fellowship are interviewed by the Committee before fellowship is granted. On a 1-5 scale, with 1 being the best, Jane Page received a rating of 1 for her performance as a ministerial intern, and so is now in preliminary fellowship and eligible for ordination. The board at the Statesboro church has met and recommended to their congregation that she be called to serve as their minister at least half time. She will graduate with her Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard on June 4 and will walk with other new ministers at the Service of the Living Tradition at General Assembly.  Jane is willing to pay half the mileage costs of her 257 mile trip here to Valdosta once a month, so the congregation would pay her a total of $326.64 each month -- $200 plus mileage at current IRS rates of 48.5 cents a mile. Her son lives here, so she would come on Friday nights, and on Saturdays perform weddings, make hospital visitations, preside over potlucks, and offer other ministerial services. She could start in August, or September if we prefer, and would like to come on every second Sunday of the month.

George Bennett:  Reverend George Bennett was ordained in the United Christ of Christ and has served both Disciples of Christ and UCC congregations over the past forty years.  The son of Lee Bennett, local artist and professor at VSU, and Harold Bennett, retired business person and active community leader, George grew up in Valdosta , attended VSU, and is a graduate of FSU and Boston University .  Bennett is also the Chairman of the Board of Better Neighborhood Housing Corporation that builds low income housing in Valdosta .  George would speak for our church for $200 once each month, would act as an interfaith connection, and is interested in working with us on our social justice/community service efforts now in progress. He would begin his series of talks in September.  Karen Costlow-Nolan, former Executive Director of the United Way , speaks very highly of his work with local non-profits. George’s philosophy is pluralistic and ethics-focused, presenting healthy religion as the practice of mindful contemplation, responsible behavior, and active compassion.

 About Our Members and Friends

v   Jason Halter will be graduating from Lowndes High on May 27 as an Honor Graduate.  He has earned both the College Prep and Tech Prep seals on his diploma and has been recognized as a Presidential Scholar. He will also wear the stoles for Spanish Honor Society and for BETA Club in recognition of his service to the community within these programs. In the fall he will enter Valdosta State where he has been awarded an academic scholarship and has been accepted into the Honors Program. He will begin the Regents Engineering Transfer Program, specializing in Aerospace Engineering, in conjunction with Georgia Tech.  Jason is Julie Halter’s son.

v   Julie Halter’s daughter, Dorelan Miller, was just notified by the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta of her acceptance into their program beginning this fall, so she will be headed there instead of Macon .  Dori was also accepted through an early acceptance program to the Mercer Medical School .

v   Sean Leader was the highest scoring high school student in  south Georgia in the annual Math League contest

Keep in your hearts....

v   Our members and friends experiencing difficult health situations or the loss of a loved one...

---

 UU Board News:  

May 7, 2006  In attendance were: Lars Leader , Helen Gerhardt, Doug Tanner, Jim Ingram and Rosie Asbury.

There was a little confusion with the insurance company regarding our church insurance policy, but Doug will call them again to settle this.  The slate of officers for next year was approved by the Board and will be presented to the congregation for approval during the annual meeting on May 21, 2006.  Lars expressed that it will benefit our church if he would attend the UU General Assembly, which will be held  this coming June in St. Louis, MO.  The Board approved to pay his expenses, which will probably be around $900.00.  Doug reported that, so far, he has received approximately $10,000 of congregational pledges for next year, which is less than budgeted.  However, he expects more pledges to come in, moving the total to around $12,000 or $13,000.  The Board approved presenting the proposed budget to the congregation for approval during the annual meeting.   Helen will write up a Sunday service programming proposal that will be presented to the congregation for approval. The program proposal will include three paid speakers every month: Jane Page, a UU minister from Statesboro, Michael Stoltzfus, VSU professor, and Rev. George Bennett, retired UCC minister.

The next board meeting will be on June 18 at 9:30 AM at the church.

---

Treasurer's Report

Doug Tanner

Proposed Budget Fiscal 2007 - Projected Balances

FUND BALANCES              June 2006               June 2007

General Fund (See Note)     $21,963                   $15,464

Restoration Fund                 $15,215                   $15,215

Total (Cash in Bank)            $37,178                   $30,679

 

OUTSTANDING DEBT                                     

Mortgage                              $20,529                   $15,912

OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:

            Fiscal 2006 Projected      Fiscal 2007Budget

Receipts:                                                                                               

  Plate                                     $  1,000                   $  1,000

  Pledge                                  $12,500                   $13,000

  Rent                                      $  2,880                   $  3,000

  Interest                                $     960                   $     600

 

TOTAL RECEIPTS              $17,340                   $17,600

Disbursements:                                                                                   

  Mortgage                            $  6,000                   $  6,000

  Speaker's Fees&Exp.         $  4,500                   $  9,000

  Utilities                                $  2,200                   $  2,310

  Music                                   $      0                      $      0

  UUA&FLDist.Ann Dues  $  1,960                   $  1,960

  Newsletter Cost                                                                                 

     Printing                             $     400                   $     400

     Postage                             $     250                   $     250

     Supplies                            $       0                     $       30

  Other Postage                     $     114                   $     114

  Supplies                               $     300                   $     315

  Insurance                            $  1,200                   $  1,200

  Repairs and Maint.            $     326                   $     750

  UUA events attendance                                                  

        UUA Regist. Fees        $     300                   $     320

        Travel to UUA events$     750                    $     800

  Donations                           $     150                   $     150

  Advertising                         $       85                   $     250

  Other                                    $     200                   $     250

 

TOTAL DISBURSEMTS    $17,874                   $24,099

NET RECEIPT (DEFICIT)($   534)      ($ 6,499)

               

 

 

 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. 

May 24 West Central Cluster - Third Annual All Cluster UU Renewal Service with Rev. William Sinkford, Clearwater

May 27-29 The Leading Edge: Leadership Intensive for Experienced and emerging UU Congregational Leaders, Deadline for Registration is May 15, 2006 to Florida UUA District Office, Canterbury Retreat Center , Oviedo

June 2-3 District Board Retreat,   Oviedo

June 9-10 Leadership Council Retreat, Oviedo

June 10 SE Cluster Workshops – Earth Changes and Universal Health Insurance,  Ft. Lauderdale

Awareness of Earth Changes & how they affect you! Because they are concerned about Mother Earth, Dr. Harold Koning, Ph.D., and his meditation group want to increase awareness of changes to the Earth, such as Global Warming and strange weather patterns, and discuss practical solutions. They will use meditation to connect with the energy of the Earth, music to honor Mother Earth and discussion to help you become more aware of the changes and to move through them. Information:  dynamicwellness@bellsouth.net

Medicare for All: Single Payer Universal Health Care Some day, financial barriers to health care in America will be removed, and we will have health care for all. Every resident will have affordable, high quality comprehensive single payer health care. Health care will be separate from employment, freeing millions of health care hostages to pursue jobs they want, rather than jobs they take for health benefits.

June 20-21  BEFORE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT AMERICA’S CENTER IN ST. LOUIS, St. Louis , Missouri

The first biennial gathering of congregational leaders dedicated to increasing their knowledge and capacity to serve their congregations! For Current and Future Congregational Presidents, Financial Leaders, and Membership Leaders.  More information at www.uua.org/uuuniversity

June 21 UUA General Assembly. St. Louis , Missouri

---

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                   Joan Lund

This month I am writing about an important initiative that is forthcoming from our Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations: a proposed health plan. In 1998 the major medical plan serving about 200 enrollees was cancelled by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Since that time our UUA has contacted all the major national health insurance carriers in the U.S. in search of an insured health plan for the eligible staffs of our over 1,000 congregations. In addition an insurance partnership with other religious denominations was sought without success.

The most rapidly growing type of health plan in the U.S. today is one that is self-funded. A prominent actuarial firm identified the specifics of a self-insured plan that would be workable for the UUA. It has been concluded that a financially viable self-funded plan can be operative and financially viable effective January 1, 2007, if 500 eligible ministers and other employees (not dependents) enroll by October 15, 2006. The success of the program assumes a standard cross section of all eligible enrollees, reflecting typical health situations and utilization patterns of health care services.

Eligibility will be open to persons who work at least 1,000 hours per calendar year for UU congregations and related organizations such as camp and conference centers, urban ministries, self-employed community ministers, and to recent retirees age 65+ who have Medicare as their primary health insurance. Enrollees will be able to select coverage for an individual adult, two adults, one adult with children, or two adults with children (a family), with no discrimination based on marital status or affectional preference. Enrollment will not be open to persons who are members of congregations unless they also serve 1,000 hours of paid employment per year. One of the most attractive features of the plan will be its portability, the opportunity for ministers and others to continue their current coverage when relocating to serve another UU congregation in a different location.

Two types of plans will be offered. 1) A basic preferred provider plan (PP)) using the Blue Cross Blue Shield nationwide network as administered by Highmark BCBS of Pittsburgh, PA. 2) A high deductible PPO Plan featuring similar benefits as the basic plan, although with higher front-end deductibles and lower annual premiums. The provisions of the plan will permit enrollees to purchase and contribute to a tax sheltered Health Savings Account (HAS) if they wish to do so. Individuals can obtain HSAs through Blue Cross Blue Shield.

There is much information available to all interested UUs by going on the UUA website and/or you may contact me at lundjb@uua.org. I urge every congregation who has employee(s) who qualify to research this offering. It is imperative that we make this work. The Board of Trustees will vote final approval of the plan at out October, 2006 meeting if the enrollment target has been reached. Finally, I look forward to being with many of you in St. Louis at General Assembly later this month.

---

SWIM - Sacred Space: Plan now to attend SWIM (Southeast UU Winter Institute Miami) 2006 at the beautiful Everglades Youth Conservation Camp on the grounds of the J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area in West Palm Beach. We will gather there from December 26 to January 1. Since we’ll be a little more centrally located, this year it’s a good opportunity for more Floridians to check us out. For more information visit our website at swimuu.org.

---

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.

---

5th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser - June 6, 2006 – 6:00-9:00 PM            James H. Rainwater Conference Center

Tickets: $30 donation per person (includes a buffet dinner, dessert, and drink prepared by the staff at America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia, Inc.)

One-of-a-kind pottery by VSU art professor Michael Schmidt will be available  during a silent auction beginning at 5:30 PM.

Ambling Companies, Inc. and America ’s Second Harvest of South Georgia, Inc. are proud to present this annual fundraising event to benefit the Kids Cafe program. Through Kids Cafe, we provide more than 1,000 meals plus a serving of milk and an hour of homework assistance and enrichment activities for children enrolled in after-school programs. We currently operate 11 sites in 4 counties. During summer months and school holidays, the children receive up to 3 meals per day plus a snack. All meals are provided free-of-charge to children under the age of 18, regardless of family income. America ’s Second Harvest of South Georgia, Inc. is dedicated to ensuring that our children do not go to bed on an empty stomach. This year’s celebrity guest is George Stella from the Food Network’s “Low Carb and Lovin’ It.”

For information and tickets, please contact Shannon Zapf at (229) 244-2678 x237.

---

STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE:  2006 Action Alert from the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy  UUA Launches "Standing on the Side of Love 2006: No Discrimination in the Constitution" Campaign Dear Readers,

In the coming months Congress will once again consider an amendment to write discrimination into the US Constitution. S.J.  Res 1, officially  misnamed the "Marriage Protection Amendment," would not only impose a single, religiously biased definition on the nation, but it would also  override many state and local laws that extend benefits and protections to same-sex couples and families! The Senate has scheduled a vote for the week of June 5th.  Since defeating this amendment is one of the UUA's highest advocacy  priorities for 2006, we've decided to make a campaign of it. We know that many congregations have already done some work on marriage equality. Indeed--individual UUs and UU congregations play leading roles in virtually every state that has an organized effort for marriage equality. Working together, we can help to ensure that the federal marriage amendment is soundly defeated.

Our campaign website has all the info you need to get started, from background info and talking points to sample letters and lobbying guides. We've even got a resource on "Framing" that gives advice on how to approach talking about the issue.  I hope you'll visit

http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?list=type&type=142, our campaign headquarters, and make plans to join. In particular, we're asking activists to: 1. Send individual letters of opposition to their Senators 2. Rally your congregations in May, ideally with a "Standing on the Side of  Love Sunday" 3. Consider organizing an in-district lobby visit for members of your congregation during the week of May 29-June 2, while Congress is on recess. This is the week preceding the Senate vote!!!  Don't forget to let us know about your lobbying activities!  We can help you coordinate with other interested groups from your area by working with our national coalition partners, like the HRC, Union for Reform Judaism, and PFLAG.  Already going on a lobby visit against a discriminatory amendment?  Remember to identify yourself as a person of faith-and let us know how it went! Share your info with Elizabeth Bukey, Legislative Assistant for Civil Rights and Religious Liberty, at ebukey@uua.org or 202-296-4672 x22.

Last but certainly not least, we're also asking gay and lesbian UU couples to share their stories of discrimination.  Sharing personal stories is probably the single best way to mobilize opposition to the marriage amendment and support for marriage equality. Those who are willing to share their stories can choose how much information about them will be made public. If you're willing to share your story,  please visit

http://www.uua.org/news/freedomtomarry/yourstory.html.

In Faith, Elizabeth , Meredith, and Rob in the UUA Washington Office

---

New Book by UU Minister - Rev. Matt Tittle, minister of Bay Area UU Church in Houston , TX , has just published Taking Back Faith: Heretical Thoughts for a New Century. This book is a collection of 25 bold sermons on social justice, progressive theology, UUism, and being our best selves. All of Rev. Tittle's proceeds will support his congregation's current Capital Campaign. Individual and bulk copies are available at www.iuniverse.com. 

---

At the Church-in-the-Woods

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings: Continuing Class 6:00-7:30 PM.  Contact Dennis Bogyo. 

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

 

 

Newsletter

Editor:  Betty Derrick

Website:  Carol Stiles

June 15: deadline for the July newsletter

---

UUA SIGNS ON INTERFAITH LETTER TO MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HEAD OF HOMELAND SECURITY OPPOSING RECENT ARRESTS OF UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS: LETTER TO MICHAEL CHERTOFF

Religious Statement Opposing Immigrant and Customs Enforcement Crackdown on Undocumented Immigrants

As people of faith, we believe that all people are created in the image of God and deserve basic human rights and human dignity. The book of Leviticus is clear that we have a duty to welcome immigrants with love and respect: "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:  33-34)."  In Matthew 25, Jesus, too, lifted up this value: "I was a stranger and  you welcomed me." 

We are concerned that our nation is not living up to its sacred duty to welcome the stranger. On April 19, 2006, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials apprehended over 1,100 immigrants as part of a new, aggressive strategy to crack down on undocumented immigrants announced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on April 20.  This is an unjust and immoral attack on immigrant workers' rights. The past weeks have witnessed a productive national dialogue on how to address the immigration question, and immigrants' rights groups have held a series of massive rallies with turnout of tens and even hundreds of thousands in over a hundred cities. Immigrants rights groups are planning another national day of action on May 1.

In that context, this new enforcement strategy looks like punishment for immigrants who have come together to stand up for their rights and an attempt to intimidate workers planning to attend rallies on May 1.

We call upon the Bush Administration to respect immigrants' rights and stop this crackdown. America deserves a more just and democratic immigration system that protects the interests of all workers, both  immigrant and U.S.-born. These interests are best served by a realistic solution involving earned legalization for immigrant workers already in this country, as well as labor law reforms that will better protect the rights of all workers.

---

WINE COUNTRY EXCURSIONS: UU’s of Napa , California , announce the second season of our UU Wine Country Excursions, a delightful way to tour the scenic Napa and Sonoma Valleys .  These small tours are customized to your interests, e.g. wine tasting, art, history, gourmet dining, or exploring the beauty of our hills and valleys.  The tour includes private room/bath and breakfast in the homes of congregation members.  Special places include COPIA (the American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts),  Jack London’s home, the Francis Ford Coppola winery and movie museum, fine restaurants, many museums and galleries, miles of bicycling and hiking trails, etc.  We offer Excursions from April through October.  Plan for two days of touring and two or three overnight stays.  Home hospitality without tours is available.  All proceeds benefit our small fellowship.  We have limited openings, so contact us now for details.  Tom Wilson twilson9@sbcglobal.net.