The Flaming Chalice - UU Valdosta

What’s going on.…March 2002

Sun	Mar. 3	10:45 AM	Service –“Stem Cell Research: the Words and Wisdom of Unitarian Universalists," Carol Stiles
Sun	Mar. 10	9:30 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM	Youth and Adult R.E. Service – “A Communion for Religious Liberals," Diane Holliman Second Sunday Potluck and Board meeting
Mon	Mar. 11	11:00 AM	Break Bread delivery
Sun	Mar. 17	10:45 AM	Service – "To Pass Her By” (by Jack Donovan) presented by Charles Green
Sun	Mar. 24	9:30 AM 10:45 AM	Youth and Adult R.E Service –“Passion, Palms, and Penance,” Charles Judah
Fri	Mar. 29	Early Evening	Reader’s Theatre and potluck dinner
Sat	Mar. 30	10:00 AM 8:00 PM	Spring Renewal and Renaissance at the UU church (aka Spring Cleaning) David Clark Concert
Sun	Mar. 31	10:45 AM	Service - "Renewal of Life and Living," David Clark

March ……. The pine pollen is already here! Easter is only weeks away. The Japanese magnolias, redbuds, and narcissus have already bloomed. The azaleas have been trying to bloom for months. Can the dogwoods be far behind? Here in the deep south this is the month spring arrives, but watch out too for that last breath of winter that some times shows up! Our members are planning a number of interesting services for our Sunday gatherings. Note the very special programs for Easter Weekend at the end of the month. Please keep some of our members dealing with various health issues in your thoughts. If the Nominating Committee asks you to serve, help out if you can, especially this next year after too many of our active members seem to have moved from Valdosta at the same time! Invite a friend to the exciting programs on our agenda for this month and celebrate together the coming of spring!

Sunday Programs for March

Carol Stiles, a biologist who helps maintain our website even after her move to Gainesville, Florida, where she is on the faculty of the University of Florida, will help us understand the controversies surrounding stem cell research. Her presentation on March 3 is entitled, "Stem Cell Research: the Words and Wisdom of Unitarian Universalists." Diane Holliman, our President, will lead a service on March 10, which she calls "A Communion for Religious Liberals." She will discuss Passover and the Christian concept of communion. She says the service will include a type of sharing; however it will not be a Seder or a Christian communion or a flower communion. She says it will be a service about religious liberals and sharing in a community. Charles Judah, another of our members, will also present a service this month and Charles Green will share one of his excellent readings of a UU minister’s sermon, this one from Jack Donovan. For those of you who don’t like to be “read to,” Charles’ presentations are more like performances. You likely will find these presentations more meaningful than you might have thought. At the end of the month we will have a visitor who will present not only our Easter Sunday program but also a concert on Saturday night. There are more details below about David Clark. He says that his presentation, "Renewal of Life and Living," will emphasize a spring/renewal theme, rather than the traditional Christian Easter.

Religious Education

Youth R.E.: Youth meet on second and fourth Sundays, 9:30-10:30 a.m., which is the same schedule as Adult R.E. Lead teacher: Virginia Branan.

Adult R.E.: Adults meet on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Joan Cline is coordinating the Adult R.E.

Spring Renewal and Renaissance otherwise known as spring-cleaning! Clean up will be at the church on Saturday, March 30 starting at 10 AM. There will be Easter Candy and other goodies to share. Come help get ready for the evening events and get our building and grounds in shape.

David Clark will be performing a combination of songs and stories about life and living at our church Easter weekend. If we have enough people at the concert he has agreed to split anything beyond his fee with the church as a fundraiser. Plan to come and bring your friends. Tickets will be available from Board members ahead of time and at the door on the night of the concert. Refreshments will be available at the intermission.

David Clark has toured UU churches in New England, the Mid-west and the South. He lives in Cochran, GA and has been on GA Public Radio dozens of times with his guitar playing, folksy stories, songs, and images of rural life with philosophy and life-probing questions thrown in. His weekly newspaper column runs in papers in 10 Southeastern states. If you would like to hear David Clark¹s work check out: http://www.mp3.com/dclark and for his essays, http://www.outofthesky.com

Clark spent the better part of three months on a tour, which began on Sept. 7 and took him to almost every state east of the Mississippi. He says: "It was fascinating, after the events of September 11, to watch America changing in front of my eyes. I've been riding the back roads and listening to people everywhere I go. People are very open to coming together and hearing songs and stories that contain a message of hope and peace."

President’s Column

This past year I have been privileged to work with so many wonderful, talented and committed people in this area through the UU church and through other community organizations. A few weeks ago, a newer colleague asked me about the rewards and demands of community involvement and leadership. This allowed me to reflect upon my own involvement in the Unitarian Church of Valdosta. First, I think that it is terribly important to have a liberal, religious alternative in Valdosta--a community of love and acceptance that may or may not be a Christian community. Being involved actively in the UU church has given me many opportunities, but it

has also taken time and energy. Relationships with others have taken time to nourish and the democratic process is not always a quick process, but it is certainly part of our principles.

In this message, I want to thank William Atkinson for serving as Building and Grounds Chair. William is unable to continue to do this at this time, but he sends his love to us and we appreciate him, and his service and care for our community.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Eric Ingram and his bride who were recently married in Atlanta. Eric is Jim and Josette Ingram’s son.

Murray Dabby and Rachelle Moore from the Atlanta Center for Social Therapy will be at the church for a Reader’s Theatre, which Diane Holliman has arranged. Both are social workers, who will be presenting at the Valdosta/South Georgia National Association of Social Workers conference that day at Val Tech. They are students of Lois Holzman and Fred Newman of the Eastside Institute in New York and see that growth, change and development can happen through psychodrama. We will be reading the play "What it is Like to be Dead" by Fred Newman. The Readers' Theatre is open to all Unitarian Universalists, NASW members, and interested others. Bring a dish to share for a light dinner. Hope to see you! Watch for an announcement from Diane about the exact time or call her for more information.

Did you know that the Florida District has a Healthy Congregation Consultant Program? This is an exciting new initiative of the Florida District. The District invited the consultants to serve and has provided them intense training. They were chosen for their skills in organizational development, group facilitation, congregational systems theory, and community building. They can provide workshops which include: Strategic and Long-range Planning, Mission and Covenant Development, Congregational Goal-setting, Managing Transitions in Leadership, Lifespan Religious Education Programming, Board Retreat Facilitation, as well as other areas of interest to congregations or groups of congregations. The cost is $150.00 per consultant for a full day (two 3-4 hr sessions). The FL District bears the cost of travel, food and lodging if necessary. The Valdosta UU Church has taken advantage of similar workshops over the years: a Growth Workshop some years ago and a Mission and Goal Development workshop under Jack Ford’s leadership. Are we “ripe” for a workshop which would optimistically spur us to recovery from the recent loss of key persons in our church community and help us address the future, perhaps including a part-time or full time minister? Now that you know, what do you think?

Board Notes

The next board meeting will be Sunday, March 10 after church. Because several members of the Board have had trouble meeting after church in recent months the Board is discussing changing its meeting time and day. The first or second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM at the church is under discussion. Our President would like feedback on this from board members and others. She wants to remind everyone that the board meeting needs to be before the newsletter deadline of the 15^th of each month.

The Board agreed on members to be requested to serve on a Nomination Committee for 2002-03. This committee will be seeking members to serve on the Board for the coming year.

The Board discussed establishing an endowment fund for the church and the possibility of having a fundraiser to pay off the building (Rene's idea). The Board also discussed approaching one of the members to co-sign a note for the remaining balance on the mortgage, which comes due soon.

The Board has discussed purchasing 125 car tags at $1.29 each. They would be sold for a profit as a fundraiser. Charles Green has agreed to come up with a design. They are still discussing colors and are wondering if there are UU colors.

Virginia Branan sent an e-mail report on membership. She has sent welcoming letters to all visitors since October who left an address. Sharon McKenzie has made sure they received newsletters. At lunch one Sunday Bobbie Dixon mentioned the need for an "official greeter" each Sunday. Dee Tait, Bobbie, and Virginia volunteered to be on the committee. Bobbie volunteered to get three others to serve and to remind people when it is their Sunday to serve, if the Board approves. It is suggested that board members not have this duty added to their other duties. Let the Board know if you are interested in being a greeter.

The Board has a number of other matters under consideration. Speak with board members and/or attend the next meeting if you have interests or concerns.

Best wishes to William and Lea Atkinson who have plans to move to Augusta to be closer to their granddaughter. (Good news for the granddaughter--bad news for us!) William has resigned from the Board and as Building and Grounds Chair. William indicated that it has been an honor to serve the church and that it has been enlightening to watch disagreements discussed and negotiated, and that even though he did not agree with all decisions he liked the approach of discussion and voting. He sends his love to everyone!!! He also sent a list of building and grounds needs for the church. Many thanks to Lea and William for all they have done for us!! We have missed you in recent months and regret you will be leaving us.

Social Action Activities

Break Bread Together

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

Florida District Congregational Membership Surveys are due back by April 29 BUT(!) René Kerr would like to return them sooner! If you have not received (or lost) yours please let René know and return it to her completed ASAP. If you mailed yours directly to the District let René know. Thanks.

Seventh Annual Interdisciplinary Women's Studies Conference 2002 at Valdosta State University, March 14-16. This very successful conference is presented this year in conjunction with The Southeast Women’s Studies Association Conference 2002. Kim Gandy, President of NOW, Marge Piercy, Lynn Weber, Rosemary Daniell, and Janice Daugharty will be keynote speakers. The Albany Freedom Movement will be featured in the Thursday Sessions. Saturday features sessions of particular interest to community activists. See www.valdosta.edu/women/sewsa2002 or contact Dr. Viki Soady at vsoady@valdosta.edu for the full schedule.

***March 12 Deadline for nominations for FL District Annual Awards including: Unsung UU Award, Lifetime Achievement, John DeWolf Hurt Levity Award, Communications Award, and many others***

March 18 SW Cluster meeting, Ft. Meyer, FL, UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford will keynote. His topic will be “A Brighter Coming Day”

April 12-14 Florida District Annual Assembly, Canterbury Retreat Center, Keynote speaker, Rebecca Parker, President of Starr King School for Ministry

April 27 FL District Council on Social and Racial Justice and NE Cluster will sponsor workshop “Grassroots Organizing”

June 30 deadline for registration for September 21-27 FL District Leadership School. Some scholarship funding available from the district.

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings. A new beginner’s group to be held during the summer is under consideration. If you would be interested contact Dennis Bogyo.

Metropolitan Community Church - Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 5:00 PM. Service at 6:00 PM

Women’s Group Those who self-identify as female are invited to join this group for good food and great company, the 1^stand 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. . Bring a snack or potluck dish and ideas for discussion, or just yourself! A video is planned for the first gathering in March. Contact René Kerr.

Treasurer’s Report

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The Newsletter Team (click here to meet us!)

President's Column	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
Did you know?	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Board Notes!	Special Event!! - David Clark concert - March 30