What

What’s going on.... October 2001

Tues	Oct. 2	7:00 PM	Women’s Group at the church
Sun	Oct. 7	9:30 AM 10:45 AM	Youth R.E. Service – “Report of the U. N. World Conference Against Racism, Dunbar, South Africa in September 2001,” Charles Green
Mon	Oct. 8	11:00 AM	Break Bread delivery
Sun	Oct. 14	9:30 AM 10:45 PM 12:15 PM	Youth and Adult R.E. Service –-“Racism,” Lynn Conley 2^nd Sunday Potluck and Board Meeting
Tues	Oct. 16	7:00 PM	Women’s Group at the church
Sun	Oct. 21	9:30 AM 10:45 PM	Youth R.E Service – “Dorothea Dix (b.1802): U.S. Social Activist , Mental Health Reformer, and Unitarian,” Diane Holliman
Sun	Oct. 28	9:30 AM 10:45 PM	Youth and Adult R.E. Service – “Broken Walls and Burned Gates,” Laronnia Williams

“The living traditions, which we share, draws from many sources: Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and transforming power of love.” UUA

“One who would guide a leader of men in the uses of life will warn him against the use of arms for conquest… Force is not the way at all: deny the way of life and you are dead.” Lao Tzu

“Some nights, stay up till dawn, As the moon sometimes does for the sun, Be a full bucket pulled up the dark way of a well, then lifted out into light. Something opens our wings. Something makes boredom and hurt disappear. Someone fills the cup in front of us. We taste only sacredness.” Jalal ad-Din ar-Rumi

“What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independence? It s not our frowning battlements, our bristling sea coasts, our army and navy. Our reliance is in our love for liberty; our defense in the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and we have planted the seeds of despotism at our own doors.“ Abraham Lincoln

Although planned some weeks ago, the services for Sunday mornings in October are especially timely after the events of September 11. As UU congregations this is a time for focusing on our principles, which, among other things, promote “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations,” “acceptance of one another,” and “the goals of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.”

Beginning with a report from the UN Conference Against Racism held in Dunbar, South Africa in September, we will consider and discuss issues of racism in our world. Lynn Conley, who is our UUA Trustee for the Florida and Midsouth Districts, will visit our congregation on October 14. Her topic will be on racism. On October 21 Diane Holliman will lead a service, which centers around Dorothea Dix, a Unitarian who was a social activist and mental health reformer in the 19^th century. Laronnia Williams, a Valdostan who has previously visited our congregation, will speak on racial harmony. Laronnia is on the national American Association of University Women’s Diversity Board.

Although here in the southern United States we often think of racism in terms of black and white, the events of September have raised our concerns about the acceptance of difference throughout our multicultural communities and our nation as we seek to build a global community of shared responsibility for our one world. We hope you will join our faith community as together we seek to understand and respond to events we all find beyond our comprehension.

Religious Education

Youth and Adult R.E.: Youth have begun meeting again after a summer break. They will be considering “Life in the Universe,” “Learning and Living our UU Principles,” and “World Religions.” Virginia Branan is coordinating the Youth R.E.

Adult R.E.: Adults will be meeting on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. A discussion of world religions began in September. The group plans also to view and discuss the videotapes, "The Power of Myth," by Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell. Joan Cline is coordinating the Adult R.E.

President’s Column

The famous mystic Abu Bakr Shibli died in Baghdad in 945 AD. After his death he appeared to one of his friends in a dream. "How has God treated you?" the friend asked.

And, Abu Bakr replied, "As I stood before God's throne, God asked me 'Do you know why I have forgiven you?'

I said, "Oh, God, these deeds are the deeds that lead to salvation and these I have placed above everything else, and I thought that because of them you would forgive me."

And God asked me, "Do you remember how on a cold winter day you were walking through the streets of Baghdad, and you found a kitten that was exhausted from the cold and ran from corner to corner to find shelter in the icy wind, and you picked it up and put it inside your fur and protected it from the bitter cold?"

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.

Give the Gift of Life! The week of October 8-12 is our week as a church group to donate blood. The American Red Cross Donor Center is located on Bemiss Road. If you haven’t already given blood recently in response to the terrorist attacks and can donate, please contact the Donor Center. Identify yourself as from our congregation.

Over the next several Sundays the church will take a special collection for the joint UUSC/UUA "New York City Humanitarian Relief Fund." Consistent with our UU principles and the missions of the UUA and UUSC, all donations will be used in collaboration with colleague agencies in the disaster areas that are focusing on humanitarian relief and follow-up human rights programs for the families of victims of the disaster.

Thank You! Thank You!

For delivering meals in August: Virginia Branan, Dee Tait

For organizing Adult RE: Joan Cline

For cleaning and purchasing supplies for the church: Julie Halter, Bobbie Dixon, Sharon McKenzie, Frank and Andre Asbury, René Kerr, Virginia Branan, Dee Tait

For assisting with the Florida District OWL training sessions held at our church: Virginia Branan, Charles Green, René Kerr, Sharon McKenzie

For taking care of the building and grounds: William Atkinson, Jim Ingram, Charles Green

To the newsletter staff: Betty Derrick, Sharon McKenzie, Charles Green, Virginia Branan

Board Highlights

The church Board met for its regular monthly meeting on September 9, 2001. Board members present: Diane Holliman, presiding, Joan Cline, Sharon McKenzie, René Kerr; visitors, Betty Derrick, Virginia Branan. Minutes as they appeared in the September Newsletter were approved. René Kerr reported that she is ready to transfer $500 to savings and that the air conditioning repair bill has been paid. The Board voted to grant Holly Smith’s request to rent space at the church on Oct. 20 for $25 for the day; to allow MCC, as a regular renter, to use the facility at no additional charge for an extra meeting on Sept. 29; and to rent to the Women’s Group at $25/month for two meetings on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays. The Board also accepted the proposal of the Women’s Group that it, beginning in October, become a renter of space at the church and establish itself as a group open to any person who self-identifies as female. The group will continue to provide a safe space for women to discuss issues of interest to the group. The Board agreed to discuss and develop a general policy on the defining characteristics of church groups and renters over the next months. R.E. information reported elsewhere in the newsletter was reported by Joan Cline and Virginia Branan. Diane Holliman reported: she is still looking for an attorney who would be interested in working with the church as needed; working on the church insurance packet ;and that Shannon Hennessey may be able to help with Sunday music. Charles Green was to be approached about attending the Conflict Resolution Conference in Gainesville.

Treasurer’s Report

Bench Advertisement Contest Continues: The Board would like your ideas for a new slogan for our advertising bench. René Kerr will post your suggestions on the Sanctuary’s bulletin board. Vote during the next few months for the slogan you want to put on the bench when it’s renewed. (If you ever wanted to buy votes here’s your opportunity! The vote will be tallied on the basis 1 vote = 1 cent.) The money will go toward paying for the bench itself and if we have extra, the treasurer will pay a few bills with it. There will be containers under the bulletin board or just designate a check for a certain slogan and give it to René.

Vacuum Cleaner Needed: We need a vacuum cleaner to use at the church. If you have one you would like to donate, let René Kerr know. It would be appreciated and would save us having to purchase one.

Postponed for now due to busy schedules, check with Charles Green for more information.

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. The group provides a safe space for women to be supportive of each other. During the next several meetings the group plans to discuss ethical expectations for group participants. Bring a snack or potluck dish and other ideas for discussion, or just yourself! Contact René Kerr.

Join in this weekend of women circles: walk a labyrinth, with your feet or with your finger;design a mandala, a dreamcatcher, or a kaleidoscope; create a “Dreamgroup” or a “PeerSpirit” circle; write, take pictures, meditate, dance, chant; explore cycles and circles of nature; share in a “Trust Walk.” Join in a weekend of possibilities.

Thank you for reading our newsletter!
The Newsletter Team (click here to meet us!)

President's Column	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
Social Opportunities!	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Board Notes!	Sunday Services consider racism issues this month....