October ……. Hallelujah!!! And THANK YOUs all over the place for Josette and Jim Ingram!  As Jim has often chastised us, when we thought the impossible could not happen---“the Lord doth  provide” and provides even for those of us who are unsure about “the Lord” !  She hath provided!  Welcome Rev. Albert Boyce!  Now the really hard work “beginneth.”  Remember our goal was a minister to help us grow.  Remember too our discussions about seeking leadership and help in this endeavor, not a substitute for our own hard work.  This is indeed an exciting time and promises major changes for our small congregation. Come when you can and participate in the excitement that bringing a Unitarian Universalist minister to our congregation to live in our community promises.

Welcome Reverend Al Boyce

This month welcomes the Reverend Al Boyce to our congregation as our newly hired minister.  Rev. Boyce will serve our congregation on a part-time basis, presenting services at our church twice a month.  He will live in Valdosta, providing our congregation and the Valdosta community, for the first time ever, with a Unitarian Universalist minister of our very own.   Rev. Boyce has served UU churches in Miami, FL and Plainfield, NJ.  He has also worked as a medical researcher at Harvard University.  He will be coming to us from Maine where he has been most recently.  Rev. Boyce has strengths in community building, social action, preaching, spiritual guidance, and congregation and membership growth, all areas of action we in our Valdosta congregation have sought in a ministerial leader for our community.   See Rev. Boyce’s own comments about his October sermons in the column on Sunday services and something more about himself in his column, The Parson's Piece.  Welcome Rev. Boyce.  Valdosta UUers are truly excited about the future of our congregation with your spiritual guidance and leadership advice to guide us to a larger presence in the Valdosta community.

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 Welcome, new members!

Welcome, new members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta: Richard Blume, Rhonda Crawford, Lisa Hamilton, David Hill, Karen Jacobsen, Andy Phillips, Albert Roesel, and Betsy Thompson.  We have welcomed your visits and participation in our programs and now welcome you as a member. As is our custom we will extend a special welcome as part of a Sunday Service soon and you will also be invited to participate in a new member orientation program in the near future.                                                                          

The Parson's Piece

Al Boyce

Colleague Elizabeth Tarbox wrote in her work entitled Untried Wings:

"Birds, let go of their grasp on safe perches at the tops of trees because something calls to them.  They unfold their untried wings and feel an unimagined power.  They soar out, up, and through the winter sky because an ancient longing pulls them home...."

As I prepare to leave my beautiful perch here, on the crown of Maine, I do so sensing the call to explore new territory in ministry and vision with you the members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta.  Thank you for choosing me to travel with you as your minister for these next two years.  I so agree with a member of the Search Committee who said at one point: The match is almost "uncanny".  I believe the journey will offer us great opportunity to learn from each other and share the joy of ministry wherever it may lead us.

I express my sincerest gratitude to members of the Search Committee and Board of Trustees for their great diligence in arranging my weekend with you and attending to so much detail both before my call, and, even now as I prepare to travel to you.   I also want each of you to know I greatly appreciated the times of honest interaction and questioning shared during my whirlwind Candidating  Weekend.  I pray that the candid openness continues.

I anticipate arriving October 4th or 5th, following the wedding of my son, Robbie, here at my lake home.  It will be my goal upon arriving to make time with each of you, if you feel comfortable, and if you wish, to get to know each other.  I would be very pleased to accept invitations to have coffee, take a walk, have dinner or attend a social event.  Any excuse to hang out together for a bit of informality would be great.  Just call the church after I arrive and I will be real pleased to set time with you.

Again, thank you for your vote of confidence in me and the ministry we will create together as we explore those untried wings together.  

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Sunday Services

Rev. Al Boyce will lead the services on October 13 and 27.  The title of his October 13 sermon is “Glue Progress.”  He comments about this sermon that we come from all walks of life: socially, politically, economically and spiritually and asks what is that special "something" that keeps us united and coming back?  He will explore that reality in this service. On October 27 he will speak on “Can There Be True Religion? “ He says that this sermon has its foundation in some of the wisdom found in Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress".  He asks can this story, found in the life of this illiterate mender of pots and pans, speak to humanity today as it did to generations for over 300 years?

The remaining services will be lay led.  On October 6, Leonard “Fred" Howard, MD will speak on "Physician, Heal Thyself - Reflections on Twenty Years in Medicine."  Fred Howard is an internist from Douglas, GA.  Fred and his wife Kathy have attended our services through the years.  He is the emergency room physician in Douglas and is seriously considering enrolling in Candler School of Theology next year.  The Howards have one daughter at the University of Alabama at Birmingham studying to be an optometrist.  Another daughter is at VSU and their son is a high school senior.  October 20, Andy Phillips shares his thoughts with us in a presentation entitled,  “Personal Reflections on Faith.”  Andy has been attending our services for some time and has just signed the membership book.

 

Keep in Your Thoughts

v   Our members and friends experiencing health concerns and sad times.

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A Plea for Help from Cindy Roesel

Your church leaders are working to find a pianist for two Sundays a month.  However, that still leaves times that something else is needed.  I have enjoyed leading songs a cappella on those occasions when the worship leader wants assistance.  One of the nice things about singing is that it just gets better with each new voice that joins in.  I want to make it easier for you to add your voice to the choir.  Let's plan on coming together for about fifteen or twenty minutes, after Sunday services, to sing through the songs for up coming services.  We will meet in one of the Sunday school classrooms at five minutes after the close of the service.  This is for fun - all voices are welcome.  If you are planning a program and would like Cindy’s (and the rest of her voices’) assistance contact her while you are planning the service.

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 Religious Education

 Youth R.E   Youth religious education will be meeting on second and fourth Sundays at 9:30 AM. Our youth are exploring their creative talents in accord with UU principles 1, 3, 4, and 7.  Adults who enjoy teaching crafts or leading field trips should contact Lars Leader or Virginia Branan. Adult R.E. Adult R.E. meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM. The group is continuing it study using  Robert Anton Williams, "Quantum Psychology". The class is led by Hue Jacobs using the activities and discussions in Williams' workbook.

The next adult topic will be led by Lars Leader, also using a workbook/decision making planning guide format. The topic is "Final Health Care Decisions." The planning guide and workbook is free, but we will need to order them. Please see Lars  to reserve a copy.

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!!!Social Events!!! 

Saturday, October 12,   7:00 PM

Movie “The Last Temptation Of Christ”

 At the church

Put this event from last month back on your schedule for October. (Rescheduling was necessitated by Al Boyce’s Candidating Visit.) The Last Temptation of Christ, is a controversial, critically acclaimed, Martin Scorsese film about the final days of the life of Jesus Christ and his temptation by the Devil, based on the 1951 novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. There are more details in the September newsletter.  Come watch the movie and enjoy a lively discussion.

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Halloween Party and Potluck

Saturday, October 26, 7:00 PM

René Kerr’s House

Call for directions.

Bobbie Dixon and René Kerr would like your company at their Halloween Bash.  If you want to know the deepest secrets of your friends, hear what others have to say about you (including your dead grandmother) or JUST find the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything...you can't miss it!  If you have any talent in any of the following, please bring it with you to share.  We Need Tarot Readers, Ouija Surfers, Ghost Hounds, Séance Seekers, Moon Worshipers, Palm Readers, Tea Leaf Watchers, Fortune Tellers, Mind Readers, and just plain people that like to have fun!  Special Note:  If we missed listing your talent don't voodoo us...just show up and tell us.  COSTUMES WOULD BE GREAT...but I guess they are optional.  ALSO DON'T FORGET FOOD!!!!!!  POTLUCK...you can make it interesting! Looking Forward to spooking with you.

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Newsletter Staff

Editor:  Betty Derrick

  Production/Mailing:  Sharon McKenzie, Charles Green,

Website:  Carol Stiles

October 15: deadline for the November newsletter.

 

 President’s Column

Charles Green

“UU is a demanding faith.”

July 2, 2002

I’ve been preparing for  the October newsletter and I received inspiration from Rev. Sink ford’s article in UUWORLD/October’02.  The words of inspiration were:

1.        …”we value the faith of all great traditions”

2.        …”we know that each person’s spiritual path is unique”

3.        …”we are committed to living as a religious community that honors and celebrates differences”

4.        …”we believe are differences are blessings, not curses”

5.        …”our commitment to growth must flow from that place where our love for this faith encounters the aching needs of the world.”

We are on the threshold of hiring a new minister. We have empty seats in our “church in the woods”. I see these seats as opportunities to fill, not a negative void. A new minister can help visibility in our community, but he cannot grow this extended family unless we participate and continue to reach out our hand and ask: “Why don’t you join us next Sunday?” We need to join together to make the acceptance found at our church, reach out to our members and beyond. We have the opportunity to reach out our hands and voices to the “aching needs” we see around us in our community and world.

As the opportunities that arise this fall of ’02 are apparent, let’s join hands and participate in the challenges. Let’s start by honoring and celebrating the worth of all of us. Let’s recognize and confirm our differences as a blessing; and focus on our similarities rather than dwell on our differences. We should be accepting, (not just tolerant) that each of us is searching for the truth on a different path.

There has been much written recently about creating “a living wage” for everyone. Perhaps the way to attack this problem is on the backside of the problem rather than a frontal approach. John Dewey is quoted:  “Education is not the preparation for life; education is life itself.” John was probably addressing a religious education rather than the traditional “reading, writing and arithmetic”; but, I believe the same could be said for both. I believe the way to break-out of the grips of poverty is to elevate our skills, not force a ‘minimum income’. I do not feel financial independence should be mandated, rather it should be earned with hard work.

Recently, I spent a Friday at Wild Adventures with the local United Way’s ‘Day of Caring’. My day was spent holding the hand of a second grader and sharing his stories and concerns. We had fun, and more importantly, I feel we blessed each other. During breaks I shared myself and he returned the same. We had several differences, but it was obvious to us both that we had many similarities to build a successful friendship. It must start by having an open attitude to grow a relationship. We must perceive all people as having worth.

Finally, I would recommend a higher visibility for our religious community. There are adequate issues and obstacles locally to demonstrate our love for this faith. We should show our faith through our own actions and mentoring. There are many spots to volunteer our time and knowledge to the community; and by our deeds, we are honoring the faith of all traditions.

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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 Virginia Branan.

VSU Diversity Week

Diane Holliman reports that Diversity Week at Valdosta State University is in the planning stages.  It is scheduled for later this fall.  Watch for more details.  Our participation in the past has brought a much needed religious diversity to this program at our local university.  Virginia Branan and Dee Tait have suggested that we might want to tie this participation in with a UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday campaign, which they learned about at General Assembly.

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Treasurer’s Report

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta would like to thank Steven Horowitz for a special donation.  It is greatly appreciated!

August

Outstanding Debts

            Mortgage:          $35241.74

            UUA:                 $ 1058.00

                                    $36299.74

 

Savings:  $3076.93

 

Income:

            Pledge:             $ 720.00

            Plate:                $   68.75

            Rent:                $ 240.00

                                    $1028.75

Expenses:

            Mortgage:          $ 500.00

            Utilities:            $ 188.94

      Speakers:         $ 241.77

            Maintenance:    $ 150.00

            Stamps:            $  29.60

            UUA:                $ 118.00

                                    $1228.31

 

Your Treasurer, René Kerr

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A Little News abut our members

• Best wishes to Marcia Bauer's granddaughter who was recently married
• Welcome home to Jason Crawford who has returned from duty in Afghanistan--He's a cargo plane pilot and Rhonda's husband.    Rhonda Crawford is one of our new members.  Both Crawford’s are at Moody Air Force base.
• After a six week absence, a much needed rest, traveling from the west coast to the northeast and back again, Betty Derrick will be back to Valdosta for a couple of months before heading to Atlanta for next year.

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New Church Directory in the Works

Change can be exciting.  The addition of a minister, committed to our congregation, is bound to lead to new faces and the return of old friends.  It is the prefect time for a new church directory.  Having pictures, in addition to addresses and phone numbers, will make it easier for those new to the group to put names to faces and feel more at home.  Thanks to Jerry Jones, who has agreed to be our photographer, we can get started on this project right away.  Sunday, October 6, Jerry will be available to take pictures before and after the service.  He will be ready to start at 10:00 am so come early and avoid the wait.

Hopefully we can take care of retakes and those that could not make the first shooting on the following Sunday, October 13.  Another option is to provide us with a picture.  Either bring it in or mail it to Cindy Roesel.  If you want the photo returned, please, enclose a stamped self addressed envelope.  For lay-out reasons we will need to limit the pictures to one per household so have all your clan present.

If you have a question you can call Cindy.

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Small Group Ministry

The board has given Charles Judah permission to move ahead with investigating and possible implementation of a "Small Group Ministry" (SGM) for our congregation. Five people have indicated an interest in forming an implementation team, which will meet biweekly for 2-3 months, beginning in October, after which they will present a program about their success.  The concept has been used successful in UU churches throughout America with astonishing results. The model that seems to be most appealing is from the UU church in New Gloucester, Maine See http://members.mint.net/uuccaug/ and click on Small Group Ministry for more information. Charles says the group will be guided by this quote from Rev. Glenn Turner in Transforming our Churches.  "Let’s begin with why you or anyone joins a Unitarian Universalist society.  It’s not because you want to be on the Building and Grounds Committee, keep the books, canvass, or teach a church school class.    You join with others in what you hope is a common search for truth, love, and justice.   When people are asked what they seek in a church these reasons are the most common: religious community, inspiration, intellectual stimulation, friends, shared values, support for their spiritual journey. “

UU Activities and Announcements

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

Oct.4-6  UUA Florida District Consultation on Youth: Getting From “Them” to “Us,” First Unitarian Church, Orlando, FL

Oct.4-6  “MountainScape Rock Climbing Adventure,” The Mountain

Oct.4-6  “The Retreat You Don’t Have to Plan,” The Mountain

Oct. 26  Advocacy with Karen Judd, Northeast Cluster meeting, Community UU Church, Daytona Beach, FL

Nov. 1-3 “Go With the Flow Workshop,” The Mountain

Nov. 7-8  UUA Florida District Training Workshop for Committees on the Ministry, Orlando UU Church

 

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At the Church-in-the-Woods

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings.  Beginner’s group-5:30 PM; Continuing group-6:30 PM.  Saturday Beginner’s Group taught by Eric Nielsen 10-12 AM.   A Seniors in Retirement session led by Bobbie Dixon will begin soon. 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.   This month the group will POSTPONE  its regular gatherings on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday until further notice.  Contact Rene Kerr or Betty Derrick for more information.