What’s going on...October / November 2006

Sunday Services

October 1 -  Rev. Mary Louise DeWolf, "Coming Home."   

You Are Invited to Celebrate the  40th Anniversary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta Sunday, October 1, 2006 Celebration at the church 10:45 AM Sunday Service with Rev. Mary Louise DeWolf, UU minister and one of the original founders of the congregation 12:30 PM(approx.) Dinner on the grounds following the service. RSVP by September 15 by calling or e-mailing the church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 8 – Rev. Jane Page, “Marry, Marry, Quite Contrary”

As we fight for the right for all to participate in legal marriages, there are many couples and single folks, straight and gay, who have decided marriage is not for them.  Jane explores marriage, the reasons some folks choose to stay unmarried, and ways we can support those who do not participate in this institution.

            Jane Page is the UU minister of the UU Fellowship of Statesboro, GA.  She is visiting our congregation on the second Sunday of each month this year.  Not only does she bring a UU ministerial presence monthly to our congregation but she is sharing her singing and piano playing also.  Welcome her this month for her second visit this year.

October 15 -  Dr. Michael Stoltzfus,  “Martin Luther King:  Poverty, War, and Transformation”

Most of what people know about Martin Luther King ends with the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights Bill.  King transformed his social and religious message considerably during the last three years of his life.  We will trace King’s ongoing transformation through what he called his “Poor People’s Movement” and his vocal critique of US involvement in the Vietnam War.  The more mature King was saying things that many would prefer to forget.  Dr. Stoltzfus is on the Philosophy and Religion faculty at VSU and a regular speaker in our services.

October 22 – Rev. George Bennett, “Death of Ego” Matthew 5:13-16

The ego is so afraid of death and what it feels will be the loss of self were it to surrender control.  In truth it is completely safe to surrender the self to God.  The unconditional love of God guarantees mercy. The surrender of the self to God is an act of our free will.  By prayer we request, and choose to allow God to be our guide. By God's grace the transformation to enlightenment is possible for each of us.

The talks on the fourth Sundays by George Bennett are reflections on the Sermon on the Mount  found in Matthew 5-7.  I am convinced the Jesus Christ was Enlightened and that his core teachings are a path to Enlightenment. I believe that chapters 5-7 in Matthew contain his core teachings. Recently I have been studying the three major works of David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. In his books “Power VS. Force,” “Eye of the I,” and  “I Reality and Subjectivity” (Veritas Publishing).  I was startled to discover that a new way for me to understand Jesus! is seeing him as an enlightened teacher whose ordinary consciousness was replaced by an Infinite Awareness. It is strange to me that it has taken me this long to come to this understanding but this is how it seems to me now.

October 29 - Pete Mahan , “My Way To Be Thankful: An Expression of Thanksgiving,” 

Pete Mahan, who regularly attends our services, will share some of his personal ideas about thankfulness and Thanksgiving.  In 1995 he had a stroke and could not talk, read, write, or understand things.  Last spring he shared with our congregation some of his struggle to recover which involved work in The Adult Learning Center—PALS Lab at Valdosta State University.        Welcome Pete as he once again challenges himself with more public speaking on a timely topic for the season.

Pete Mahan was born in Montgomery , AL .  He went to college at Samford University and received a masters degree at the University of Alabama .  He was a high school coach for six years after college before he became an Air Traffic Controller for the Federal Aviation Administration.  After two years, he became a Training Officer with the FAA and moved to the Washington , DC headquarters.  In 1970, he began working with the US Secret Service as a Training Officer and became the Chief of the Training Resource Branch.  Retiring in 1987, he bought two used book stores in Northern Virginia near DC.  In 1992 he sold those stores and bought a new one in Valdosta .  In September 2004 he sold The Book Rack and says he is now 100% retired.

November 5 – Dr. Susan Wehling, "What I Can Learn from a Migrant Child" 

Dr. Susan Wehling is one of our community contacts for the JUUST Change Grant.  She participated in discussions with our consultant, Sue Lacy this past April.   She will discuss her work with migrant workers in our community as part of our on-going discussions about addressing difference in our community.    Dr. Wehling is Director of Foreign Language Education and Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Valdosta State University .  Susan holds a PhD in Latin American Literature and an MA in Spanish Civilization and Culture from the University of Cincinnati .  Her Bachelors degree is in  Sociology from Arizona State University .  She received a Georgia Humanities Council grant for, “Hispanic Heritage Month: Focus on Farm Workers,” in  2003, serves on the Georgia Farm workers Clinic Board of Directors, as an AMIGOS of South Georgia Committee Member, and as a Community Liaison for Migrant families.  Dr. Wehling served in  the U.S. Peace Corps in Costa Rica and Ecuador 1982‑84. 

November 12- Rev. Jane Page, “Can You Say God?”

 “God-talk” has received a lot of attention in Unitarian Universalist congregations since President Bill Sinkford first encouraged Unitarian Universalists to consider an expanded use of a language of reverence.  In this sermon, Jane explores the word “God” and the perceptions of her congregation and others to the use of that central word as well as other “god-talk” in worship services.  

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¯¯Happy 40^th to Us UU

Brief History of UU Valdosta: The idea for a Unitarian Universalist society in Valdosta was conceived by Harold M.(Bud) Evans and his then wife Mary Louise DeWolf.  Names of three local members of the Church of the Larger Fellowship were obtained and others were contacted through newspaper ads, publicity and personal inquiries.  An organizational meeting was held in the Old Daniel Ashley hotel on December 12, 1965.  Thirty people attended that initial meeting.  In January 1966 the UUA officially accepted the congregation with fourteen charter members.  Jim and Josette Ingram , who continue as active Valdosta UUs, were among that number.  The group initially met in member’s homes and then in various rented spaces.  A house on the corner of Mary and Oak Streets was purchased in October 1971.  In March 1982 the congregation moved to a more visible location when it purchased the old Catholic Church building on Ashley Street .  Jim Ingram designed the church’s current building where the congregation moved in June 1997.  Several UU ministers have served the congregation on a part-time basis: Rev. Angie Theisen (1980s), the first minister to visit the pulpit on a regular basis; Rev. Richard  Lee (beginning in 1981 for several years), the church’s first official minister; Rev. Jack Ford (1992-1999); Rev. Al Boyce (2002-2003); Rev. Barbara Child (2004-2005); and currently Rev. Jane Page.  

 

Religious Education for Children

R.E. for children began meeting again last month at 9:30 AM each Sunday in the RE building.  The children and their leaders are participating in a “Getting To Know You” period and then make some decisions about the UU curriculum with which they will continue.  UU Florida District policy is to have two adults at all times with the children.  If you can volunteer from time to time to be the second adult, let Mya Storey or Susan Bailey know.  You could volunteer as a helper or as a teacher, whichever is your preference.  Contacts:  Mya Storey or Susan Bailey.

 

Meditation Group

The Meditation Group is meeting regularly in the sanctuary every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM.  You are welcome to participate.  If you would like to know more about the group speak with Dee Tait .

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.

 

 

 

About Our Members and Friends

v   Meet Mya Storey: I am 29 yrs old and have lived in Valdosta all my life. I am married to Jeremy Storey and we have 4 kids (two of which I acquired through marriage). My two step-daughters are Juleah age 15 and Zoey age 8. I also have twin boys age 6 ½ named Nathan and Taylor. My husband, his father and brother own a machine shop in town called Storey Machining Services where I work running the office. I grew up in a Church of God Church and went to a Methodist church for a while in high school. However I have spent most of my life feeling frustrated and disliking organized religion. I have now found the right path for myself, which happens to be paganism, and I am very proud to be a part of this church and its open and loving principles. I was drawn to Unitarian Universalism because I believe that it is one of the few religions that truly tolerate and embrace differences and each individuals right to freedom of religion.  I look forward to getting to know you all better and to seeing your kids in Religious Education.

Editor’s Note:  If you are a relative newcomer to our congregation, please send a short essay about yourself and how you came to our congregation for publication in the newsletter.  I would like to continue to publish these over the next several months.  You can say as much or as little as you are comfortable with.  We would like to know you better.  See address elsewhere in the newsletter.

Keep in your thoughts …

Our members and friends caring for loved ones or experiencing health concerns….

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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 Frank Asbury.

 JUUST Change Grant Project

As part of the UU Valdosta “Accepting Differences” project chaired by Betty Derrick, our congregation sponsored a Writing Workshop for south Georgia teachers on Saturday, September 16.  The workshop was part of the Wiregrass Literacy and Literature Festival of the Deep South .  Helen Gerhardt, a UU Valdosta member who has just started her MFA writing program in Pittsburg , organized the conference.  Through Helen’s efforts and UU Valdosta sponsorship, the festival brought Marita Golden to Valdosta to provide a workshop for local teachers.   Marita is the Writer in Residence at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington , D.C.   A small group of local community college teachers attended the workshop.  Ms. Golden led them through a series of activities that focused on incorporating student experiences into the writing process.  She stressed the importance of students writing about their own values and expanding their knowledge by better understanding those values and the values of others expressed in the classroom.UU Valdosta funded the workshop through our Restoration Fund.

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Newsletter

Editor:  Betty Derrick

Website:  Carol Stiles

October 22: This later than usual deadline for the November newsletter is just for this month!  Your editor will appreciate your sending thank yous and news since she will not be around to do the reporting herself. 

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 UU Board News: September 11, 2006

In attendance were Lars Leader, Dee Tait , Doug Tanner, and Sue Bailey.  Plans for the RE program, which begins on September 17, 2006 were discussed and the Board approved a $25.00 spending limit for RE supplies. The church’s 40^th anniversary celebration was discussed. Dee reported that Betty Derrick had sent out as many invitations as she could. Dee is still working on locating contact information for number of people on the list. Only one RSVP had been received as of this meeting. She plans to put a sign-up sheet in church to determine who in our congregation plans to attend. Dee also reported on the music for the celebration: Karin Addis was contacted regarding playing viola during the service. The Board settled on an amount to pay her for her services. Dee may also contact a pianist.  Lars reported he is still looking for someone to sew the new church banner, and plans to contact someone in the VSU Theater Department who can direct him to a student or someone else who we can hire to complete it. The designer of the new banner has requested only a letter for her resume as compensation for her services. It was agreed that the Board would have to investigate the cost of labor and materials before making a commitment to having the banner sewn.  Dee reported that the order of service for the 40^th anniversary celebration had still not been fully decided.  Other issues such as having enough chairs and tables were addressed. It was decided we should inventory the number of chairs and tables we have at the church. Dee suggested asking Jim and Josette if they felt what we have is adequate since they are in charge of food. Lars suggested that during an upcoming Sunday service we ask people if they would be willing to loan tables. Other issues raised include having a cake made, the number of copies of the order of service that will be needed, and parking arrangements.  Doug read the treasurer’s report. He reported that Waller had serviced the A/C and still have found nothing wrong with the unit. He suggested in the future we examine our A/C needs, as the problem may be the A/C unit isn’t big enough for the church. Doug also reported that donations have been up recently, and if this continues as in August we will exceed our pledge amount. Doug will also take care of paying district dues. Lars reported the Tai Chi group would continue to rent from us. Dee gave the program report, indicating who our speakers would be through December, and discussed including the children’s RE class in several programs, including Thanksgiving and the Christmas/New Year holidays.  Lars asked if anyone would like to attend the Advanced Leadership Conference, and suggested putting an announcement in the newsletter to see if anyone in the congregation would be interested.  Doug asked if we should have a clean-up day before the 40^th anniversary celebration. It was decided that basic cleaning on Saturday, September 30^th would be sufficient.  Lars mentioned the Guest At Your Table campaign, suggesting we initiate it around Thanksgiving. Dee asked if we should use that campaign as our service activity this year rather than adopt a family. Dee also talked about the practice of delivering gifts to the Break Bread delivery recipients. It was decided this would be done on Sunday, December 17 after service, and that the RE children would be included.  The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next Board meeting will be held October 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the RE building.

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Treasurer's Report

Doug Tanner

FUND BALANCES at August 31, 2006

General Fund                                          $19,337.27             

Restoration Fund                                    $13,965.64             

Total (Cash in Bank Accounts)              $34,381.60         

                    

OUTSTANDING DEBT                                                      

 Mortgage                                                $19,797.20 

OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:

                                March                     Year to date

Receipts:                                                                                           

  Plate                         149.00                    306.00

  Pledge                    1,435.00                 2,070.00

  Rent                         240.00                    480.00

  Interest Income            0.00                        0.00

  TOTAL                1,824.00                 2,856.00

 

Disbursements:                                                                                        

  Mortgage                  500.00                 1,000.00

  Speaker's                  275.00                    275.00

  Reprs &Maint.          99.00                      99.00

  Insurance                      0.00                        0.00

  Postage                         0.00                        0.00

  Supplies                     19.63                      19.63

  UUA dues                    0.00                        0.00

  UU Conf. Att.             0.00                        0.00

  Utilities                     176.84                    353.68

  Advertising                  0.00                        0.00

  Other                          15.00                      30.00

  TOTAL                  1085.47                 1,777.31

 

NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)                   

 $738.53                 $1,078.69

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                            Joan Lund

Welcome to the October column. Hopefully your congregation is prospering and enjoying an active fall season. This month’s column will be devoted to Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Many investors, be they a religious group or an individual, wish to invest their money without sacrificing their values. This is especially true for UUs because of our ethical and moral principles. The way we invest matters and it is now relatively easy for us to invest in ways that do not violate our integrity while still receiving a competitive return.            

There are several main components of SRI. Negative screening means avoiding stock ownership in corporations that make harmful products such as tobacco and weapons, or that have patterns of harmful or flagrant behavior such as polluting substances and abusive labor practices. A second form of SRI is called positive screening which means proactive investment in businesses known for corporate responsibility or positive contributions to the environment and/or society. These corporations have progressive policies concerning equal opportunity, affirmative action, employee ownership, and have beneficial environmental standards. A third form of SRI is shareholder advocacy which seeks to influence corporate behavior through proposing/representing resolutions. These highlight the need for diversified boards of directors, non-discriminatory employment practices, and ending predatory lending programs. Proxy voting is important because we must have the right and responsibility to understand critical aspects of the challenges facing the corporations in which we have invested, and to express our views and concerns to the management through an annual proxy voting process. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) uses a proxy voting service called Institutional Shareholder Services which votes our shares by proxy according to our strict SRI criteria. Community Investing is financing that creates resources and opportunities for economically disadvantaged people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions. This financing supports development initiatives in low-income communities both in the U.S. and developing countries and includes programs which provide capital/technical expertise to persons and groups often under-served by traditional lenders. Community Investing Institutions include community development banks, credit unions, loan funds, and other institutions which offer investment products that support community development. Community Investments are offered by community investing institutions.

It is important for all of us to express our values in all facets of our lives. If you or your congregation is interested in further information about socially responsible investing contact me at jlund@uua.org or seek out appropriate links on the UUA web site. There is much to learn and assistance available through the UUA.

At the Church-in-the-Woods

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

Taoist Tai Chi – Beginners Class 5:30-6:30 PM, Dennis Bogyo , instructor. New Beginners Class begins October 5 7:00-8:00 PM, Luana Goodwin , instructor.  Continuing Class 6:30-7:00 PM.  Betty Derrick is a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society and would be glad to answer questions if you have them.  If you are interested in the classes all you need do is show up at the church

 

 

Click here for more information on SWIM '06

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. 

October 1 Drumming and Spirituality Workshop, Vero Beach , FL

October 6-7 Campus Ministry Training, Orlando , FL

October 14 Second Annual West Central Cluster Picnic, Odessa , FL

October 14 UUs of Clearwater Colossal Book Sale Clearwater

October 28 Florida District Board Meeting, Oviedo , FL

November 4 Northeast Cluster Programs and Meeting, Ormond Beach , FL

“Religious Challenges To our Constitution” with Rev. Richard “Bud” Murphy, Minister at hosting Ormond Beach UU & “Everything you need To know Scientifical” with Michigan University System retired Biology Prof. Jim Strayer

November 11 Fall Leadership Conference with Rev. Kenneth Hurto, Oviedo , FL  

Heads-up for a UUA Fund Raising Phonathon!  As a supplement to periodic mailings, Friends of the UUA will be conducting a fundraising phonathon beginning the week of October 9 and continuing through mid-November.  Outreach Associates, a telemarketing firm located in Pittsburgh , will be phoning members who are currently active Friends of the UUA to ask them to renew their support and to consider becoming Sustaining Friends.  (As you may know, Sustaining Friends agree to provide recurring monthly contributions, which increase the efficiency and effectiveness of donations as we reduce the frequency of solicitations to that group.) Our contract with this firm requires that all callers must be courteous, respectful, and succinct as they offer identified Unitarian Universalists an opportunity to support our Association directly.  Your feedback about the calls will help us to monitor their quality. We have established a Friends Phonathon Hotline to facilitate that feedback:  Members may call (617) 948-6525 to leave a message to ask to be placed on the "no call" list or to share a comment directly with UUA staff.  Your willingness to support the UUA enhances our ability to provide services and programs to member congregations and presents avenues for future growth of Unitarian Universalism throughout the country.