Sunday Services

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Sunday, October 7 -  Dr. Michael Stoltzfus,  “Christianity and Buddhism: Practical Similarities amid Speculative Differences”

 

Christianity and Buddhism have quite similar practical teachings but quite distinct theoretical and theological teachings.  Practical teachings speak to issues like how to relate to one’s neighbor, raise one’s children, create a just society, and live a disciplined life rooted in service and compassion.  Theoretical teachings in religious studies address issue like God, creation and what occurs after death.  We will compare and contrast the traditions on both the practical and theoretical levels.  In the process we will try to address a basic question:  How should we live with and for others who hold worldviews different from our own?

 

Sunday, October 14 - Dr. Bill Webster, "Good Days Bad Days: The Quest for Transcendence"

 

Dr. Bill Webster is Associate Professor of English at South Georgia College in Douglas .  He will discuss the 19th century Transcendental movement and leaders in this spiritual revolution.   Some of these transcendentalists were Unitarians.

 

Sunday, October 21 - Rev. Jane Page , "The Freedom to Marry" 

 

Is civil marriage a civil right?  Why does marriage matter?  Rev. Page will explore the history of marriage, the benefits of marriage, and the present day struggle for marriage rights for all loving couples.  

 

Rev. Page, our visiting UU minister, serves our congregation one weekend per month, and is also the minister at the UU Fellowship of Statesboro.  Join us for music and hospitality.

 

Sunday, October 28 - Rev. George Bennett

 

George and Martha Bennett will be returning from their home on Prince Edward Island September 25. For several months the Bennetts have been at their Canadian home "La Joya." George hopes to bring cooler weather with him when he arrives.  In early August he reported the temperature that day was “hot at 75 and will cool to 65 tonight.  It is so much the same every day.  So sad.”

 

His first message for this church year will be on October 28^th.   He is sure to be full of stories of the beautiful and peacefully Canadian Summer.   Welcome George and Martha back to our congregation.

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

 

 

 

Religious Education for Children

We recently concluded our study of World Religions. Our new curriculum comes from We Believe: Learning and Living Our UU Principles. We will explore the seven principles in depth using stories, songs, crafts, and games and activities. This book is designed for single, all-ages religious education classrooms. In addition, we will supplement the curriculum with stories by Dr. Seuss. Why use Dr. Seuss stories? Because they are not only fun and engaging, but they are all about life experiences and situations that children can relate to, and offer an opportunity for discussion and reflection in the context of the principles of Unitarian Universalism.

            The RE program for children meets at 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  Volunteers to help in the classroom are always welcome. Contacts:  Mya Storey  or Susan Bailey.

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Let’s Have Some Fun!!

Mark Your Social Calendars

Several of our members would like to see us all get together once in a while for some fellowship. We also think it would be good for visitors and new regular attendees to see activity in our church.   Here are two activities, one for October and a heads-up for another in early November.  Both are revivals of fun activities, which once were regularly on our social calendars.  Come join in these fun events and get to know our members and friends.  

Games Night is Back!

Saturday, October 20

6:00 PM -  Potluck; 7:15 or so – Games

At the Church

We are kicking off the resurrection of this monthly activity with a Pot Luck supper.  People should bring a dish to share, entrée, salad, side dish, or dessert, and their own beverages if they would like to have wine or beer. Sweet and unsweet tea will be provided. Families and children are welcome.  Bring your favorite game. Contact Susan Bailey if you have questions.

 

“The Big Read” Book Discussion

Saturday, November 3

7:00 PM

Potluck and Book Discussion

At Betty Derrick’s Home

Valdosta is one of several communities selected to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read event this year.  Book discussion groups in Valdosta are all reading and discussing Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God” between October 14 and November 10.  Plan to read the book and come to Betty’s home for a discussion.  Books are available at area bookstores and the library.  If you haven’t read this book, it’s worth reading, or rereading.  Watch for directions and more information in the November newsletter.  Betty will be inviting the Accepting Difference Project participants to join in our discussion.  We will be considering whether we might continue this discussion group over coming months with an emphasis on books, which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  If you have suggestions or questions contact Betty Derrick.

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Rev. Jane A. Page, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro, serves our congregation in Valdosta each month.  She is available for conferences and special services when she is in Valdosta .  Contact information:

Jane’s Jottings: That’s A Family?!

For many years, I prepared college students for careers in teaching. Some of the courses that I taught were related to preparing curriculum and instructional materials for elementary children. As my teacher-education students selected books and other materials, I always encouraged them to be careful to provide visuals and stories which acknowledged the diversity of family structures present in our society. I also attempted to challenge the stereotypes regarding family structure. I felt strongly about this and soon the word spread among the students that they better not have just “Ozzie and Harriet” types in their curriculum units. So they made sure to include families that looked different and had different types of relationships – single moms, single dads, step families, grandma raising the kids, inter-racial families, single folks and couples without children, people and their dogs or cats, and, yes, even families with two moms or two dads. I’m not sure why I developed this passion for family diversity. It was certainly not affected by personal experience. My mom and dad were both white, middle-class working folks who married young and had the expected two children while in their early twenties. And my own life had followed their example. I’m sure as I entered the church sanctuary each Sunday with my husband and two children we exemplified the perception most had of the traditional family. Yet, I continued to push my students to honor and uphold diverse and alternative family structures. Thank Goodness!! For now I find myself right, smack dab in the middle of one.

The night before our recent wedding, Greg’s children and their cousins sat around with my grandchildren and explored how everyone would now, step by step, be related to each other. It got a little confusing, of course, but it was a fun activity. The end conclusion was that we were all going to be related – some way. After all, there was a lot of love to spread around. And LOVE makes a family!

                The next day we were fortunate to have so many of our relatives present with our wonderful UU fellowship family to celebrate our wedding. We sang, we shared wonderful words, we hugged, and we danced. And though we acknowledged that we are all unique individuals, we shared the experience of being FAMILY – together in the spirit of love. What a blessing!
 

Peace, Love, and Joy!     Rev. Jane

  

 

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.

 

Accepting Difference Project:  Watch for announcements about this group reactivating itself after a summer hiatus.  Members of the group will be invited to the November Book Discussion (early announcement in this newsletter) with the possibility that for the next several months there will be continued contact with our congregation and members of this group through book discussions which deal with cultural, religious, and lifestyle differences.  Talk with Lars Leader or Betty Derrick if you are interested in this project.

 

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day - Interfaith Fast for Peace:   Looking For UU Peacebuilders!  The UUA's Washington Office for Advocacy, in relationship with the Peacemaking Congregational Study Action Issue Core Team, is looking for volunteers who are interested in enriching and elevating the UUA's organizing and activism for peace, focusing first on organizing around an October 8th day of interfaith fasting, witness, and advocacy against the war. If this interests you contact Alex Winnett at awinnett@uua.org.

 

25,000 for Peace—Join Rev. Sinkford's Call to End the War: On September 6, I faxed a message to every member of Congress telling them, "Not another dollar. Not another life." To make sure they heard me, I am headed to Capitol Hill with my colleague Rev. John H. Thomas, the United Church of Christ's General Minister and President. On October 10 we will be walking into your representatives' offices to tell them to end the war and I want to bring you with me!

                I invite you to sign the petition [below] calling for an end to our reliance on violence as the first, rather than the last, resort and an end to the arrogant unilateralism of preemptive war. Join me in speaking truth to those who have run from it. Please sign this petition and add your voice to 25,000 other Unitarian Universalists who say that security is found in building beloved community, not by dominating others.

Sincerely, Rev. William G. Sinkford, President, UUA

(The petition can be found on the UUA website.)

 

IRAQ MORATORIUM BEGINS!

AN APPEAL FROM THE GEORGIA PEACE AND JUSTICE COALITION  Starting on Friday, September 21, and continuing the third Friday of each month, Iraq Moratorium is an opportunity for millions of people to oppose the war where they are.  We are asking everyone to take a few simple steps and encourage their family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to do the same.  On Friday, September 21, wear a black armband or ribbon, don’t buy gas, call a radio talk show -- above all, be creative, do something where you are, and get a few others to join you!

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   ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Keep in your thoughts …

v   Our members and friends experiencing difficult health and family concerns.

 An update on and good luck to

v   René Kerr and Jerry Jones who both now have found jobs and are living in Commerce, GA, between their two work locations.    René was a very active member of our congregation for a number of years, serving diligently as our treasurer at one time.  Its good to hear from her family.  Madison, their daughter, must be really growing these days.

 

In Memory of Mary Jane Murphy Mary Jane Murphy who joined our church within the last year, shortly after she moved to Adel, died August 28, 2007, after a sudden illness.  She had not attended often this summer because of visiting family and friends.  Her death though was quite sudden.  She had volunteered several times for Meet and Greet and was a quiet participant in our services.  She was a life-long UU.  You may be interested to know a little about her.  The following appeared in the newspaper obituary: “She was born May 17, 1934, in Brockton , Mass. to the late Rovert Tracey Rogers and Shirley Marie Lewis Rogers Morrisette. She lived most of her life in Palmer, Mass. She was retired from Palmer Journal as editor after 25 years; member of Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Memorial Hospital of Adel and was a member of St. Paul ’s Universalist Church in Palmer, Mass. She is preceded in death by Harry Louis Murphy.  She is survived by her son, Michael Tracey Murphy of Winder, Ga.; three daughters, Cindy Jo Swain, Palmer, Mass., Kristin Marie Bradway, Bondsville, Mass., Valjeanne Pilcher, Stockbridge, Ga.; six grandchildren; and one sister, Joanne Barnes, Rockland, Mass.” Funeral services were held at Sparks Baptist Church with the Rev. Ricky Pilcher, a family member, officiating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors Meeting:

September 5, 2007 - Attendance: Mya Storey, Chuck Giese, Sue Bailey, Lars Leader, Doug Tanner (Note that some business discussed is addressed elsewhere in the newsletter.)

Old Business: The Board approved the minutes of the August meeting.  There was a discussion with New Hope relaying our concerns. This has been resolved.

New Business: Treasurer Report: Approved.  Mission statement: During discussions with Rev. Kenn Hurto, he suggested that we look at our mission statement to make it more concise. Doug will contact Jane Page to get her input on this and to see if she could help us with this.  We also need to get a consensus of the congregation that this would be a worthwhile activity.  Association Sunday: This is a special annual service and collection to support national UU marketing and growth outreach projects. We will not be participating in October.  There was a message on the answering machine about a termite contract coming due. Mya will investigate with Jim.  The next board meeting will be on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 6:00 in the RE Building.

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Treasurer's Report

Doug Tanner/Rosie Asbury

 

FUND BALANCES at August 31, 2007                           

General Fund                                        $20,010.31             

Restoration Fund                                 $11,715.64             

Total (Cash in Bank Accounts)         $31,725.95   

         

OUTSTANDING DEBT                                     

  Mortgage                                            $15,102.03                             

 

OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:      

                                                                YTD/2 mo              August

Receipts:                                                                   

  Plate                                                     $ 200.00                 $ 325.00

  Pledge                                                  1,095.00                 1,800.00

  Rent                                            240.00                   480.00

  TOTAL RECEIPTS                            1,535.00 2,605.00

 

Disbursements:                                                   

  Mortgage                                               500.00                 1,000.00

  Speaker's Fees & Expenses                 550.00                    960.00

  Repairs and Maintenance                        0.00                      70.00

  Utilities                                                   261.29                     473.49

  Other                                                         39.00                      65.00

  TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS             1,350.29                 2,568.49

 

NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)     $184.71                  $   36.51

 

Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles  October 15: Deadline for the November newsletter.

 

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

By now many of you have your church year programs underway and hopefully your congregation is well and thriving. The column this month is about one of the several Unitarian Universalist funding initiatives: the Fund for Unitarian Universalism.  

The Fund for Unitarian Universalism grants are given to UU organizations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that are perceived to strengthen UU institutions and community life, nurture and celebrate our liberal religious heritage, and encourage a generosity of spirit among UUs that is reflected in commitments of time, money, and energy. These grants are available to congregations who are given to innovative, challenging or experimental programs that will have impact beyond the doors of the congregation, or that address needs unmet by the institutional structure of the denomination. Preferred projects usually have plans for income from diverse sources, including contributions from the members of the group applying.  

Grants are not made to individuals and activities that are considered to be part of the ongoing work of the congregation or organization. They are not generally given for equipment, capital campaigns, endowments, or congregational studies. The maximum grant is $20,000; the average grant is $7,000. “Challenge” or “matching” grants are common, in keeping with our UU mission to encourage generosity. Grants are for one year but second-year funding is possible upon submitting a final or interim report and anew proposal.  

As with all UU funding grants The UU Fund for Unitarian Universalism takes into consideration congregational commitment in meeting the UUA Annual Program Fund Fair Share contribution.  

Further information can be found on the UUA web site: uua.org. Please contact me at jlund@uua.org , if I can be of assistance in your congregational work or answer questions or just to stay in touch. I look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy October and happy Halloween.

              

 

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. 

October13- West Central Cluster – Third Annual Cluster Picnic,  Odessa , FL

October 13- Spirit Play Training,  Fort Myers , FL

October 14- UUA Association Sunday

October 27- Light the Fire! Growing Our UU Presence in Florida Workshop, Rev. Kenneth Hurto facilitating, Lecanto , FL

November 3- Best Practices Workshop, presented by the West Central Cluster, Clearwater , FL

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  Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Rev. Kenn Hurto

District Executive for the Florida District UUA

 

It feels inelegant, but I say often, “Our congregations get plenty of guest/visitor traffic. The problem is our flypaper doesn’t seem to have enough stickum.” I believe a reason most of our congregations do not grow has little to do with whether people find us — although we do a quite good job of hiding ourselves from our fellow seekers.  No, the problem has to do what happens after they arrive. Far too often, we are simply graceless or rude when it comes to hospitality. Guests come in the door and revolve right back out, untouched by our faith and rejected by our people.  I’ve been in many a congregation where even a perfunctory good morning from a greeter was absent.  Once, I wandered around the social hall after a service for a ~ hour and not a soul said, “hello.” I left vowing never to return. I’ve been embarrassed to be asked to stand up in a service, in front of dozens of people, to introduce myself to people who failed to introduce themselves to me. Even as an expected guest speaker, I am often ignored by congregants chatting away in meeting house hallways. The message: “Go away, you’re not wanted here.” 

 Has this happened to you? What must it be like for the shy, or the “I’m not sure I belong here” seeker coming the very first time? Or for a person whose appearance is other than white and middle-class? Or for the sincerely interested who return for several Sundays to be barely acknowledged? Perhaps it’s not a matter of enough “stickum.”  Could it be that we’re afraid of strangers? Or: that we’ve turned our congregation into a private club for the already included? 

 Fall is the time when congregations gear up, so to speak. A “new” year has excitement and good intention. So, let me again urge you to try to remember how it is to be a guest at a party where you don’t know anyone, or how it felt to you to go to your first Unitarian Universalist congregation.  Then ask yourself: “How do I want our guests to feel when they walk through our doors? What am I doing to open that door and my heart to this stranger? Can I, we, do a better job of being hospitable?”  People who come to us are in spiritual transition, even in crisis in some way. It is an act of ministry to ensure they are lovingly received, acknowledged, and welcomed. Shame on us that we so often fail to serve.

 Now, I’ll be practical. First, good news: The Unitarian Universalist Association has chosen the Tampa Bay area for its next regional marketing initiative, commencing early in 2008. Past experience has shown the need for congregations to prepare for a rising number of guests. Thus, all the area congregations are asked to do an assessment of how well they welcome the stranger — including receiving feedback from a mystery “worshiper” who will come and take notes on her/his experience.  I think this a good challenge for all our 44 Florida congregations to do this assessment. Here’s what you do. Head to the Unitarian Universalist Association web site, at: http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/congregationscount/index.shtml  There you will find “Congregations Count” tools to help you study your congregation's strengths and weaknesses in reaching out to seekers, welcoming guests, and including new members. Linda Laskowski of the Berkeley , CA , congregation has there an excellent analysis of what you should be counting and what numbers mean to your overall growth.  You’ll find as well the link to the Congregational Assessment.  The Assessment will be most revealing. It’s easy, doesn’t take long, and will stimulate considerable conversation among your leadership.   

Theologian Paul Tillich remarked that a beloved community is one that notices when you’re there and when you’re not. Noticing one another as companions on the journey to love, truth, peace, and justice is the first and continual steps toward growing a vital Unitarian Universalist congregation.  May it be so. Blessings to you on your ministries.

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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 – Monday and Thursday: Continuing Class: 5:30-7:00 PM; Beginner’s Class: 7:00-8:00 PM Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin.  

Continuing Education Class – Tuesday evenings  

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A message and invitation from Sadhvi Chaitanya:

 Dear Sadhakas,

OM  

From the 27th of September to the 11th of November, we have fortnight (pitr paksha) devoted solely to ancestor worship. It is a time for honoring of the lives of those who have crossed, it is a time for silence, for inner purification, and contemplation. Pitr paksha affords opportunity for renewing our connection to being and purpose on this earth by conscious and deeper understanding of and connection to our roots.  To mark this fortnight, we are having a celebration and puja at the temple in the Arsha Vijnana Mandiram.  Please do join us.

Details are given below:

Guided Ceremony with Vedic Chanting of the Navagraha and Purusha

Suktas: 12:00-12:30 pm (individual puja altars and offerings of water, sesame seeds, cooked rice and flowers will be provided)

Japa (Meditation): 12:30-12:40

Silence: 12:45-12:50 pm

Arati: 12:50-1:00 pm

Lunch: 1:00-1:30 pm

What to Bring: You can bring a small photo or object belonging to a loved one that has crossed.

 

    

 

The Second Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina  - UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Program

Leaders and partners of the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Program marked the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by praising the work of volunteers and the dedication of grassroots partner organizations in helping survivors rebuild their shattered lives and return to their homes in New Orleans and southern Mississippi .

                UUSC’s Gulf Coast Response Coordinator Quo Vadis Breaux said more than 1,000 volunteers organized by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and UU churches in New Orleans and Baton Rouge have helped survivors to return to their homes. She said UUSC and the UUA have worked with over 40 community organizations along the Gulf Coast “to bring a measure of justice to this process of rebuilding homes and communities.”

                Join UUSC as we support the efforts of those affected to respond to this crisis. And join with us as we raise our voices to demand that the government response to this tragedy respect and protect the basic human rights of those who are enduring the nightmare. However you decide to act, do so now!  

Visit www.uusc.org/katrina for more information about what UUSC and the UUA are doing, and what you can do.

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NOBEL LAUREATES PRAISE BOLD NEW BOOK BY UU EVANGELISTS   Rev. Michael Dowd and his science writer wife, Connie Barlow, are America 's UU evolutionary evangelists.  They have spoken in more than 250 UU churches and fellowships over the past 5 years and were recently featured on the cover of the UU World.  Rev. Dowd's forthcoming book, "Thank God for Evolution!", has been ENDORSED BY 5 NOBEL LAUREATES AND 120 OTHER LUMINARIES, INCLUDING PROMINENT UU MINISTERS.  Advance copies can be purchased for $15 each (40% off retail) from Dowd's website: http://www.ThankGodforEvolution.com 

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Holiday Cards:  Note that UUSC holiday cards will be available later this fall. Once they are available, you'll be able to view the cards and place your order at www.uusc.org/holidaycards . Proceeds help UUSC advance social justice and work for basic human rights.

JustJourneys opportunity!  

Choose justice! Journey to the Coffee Lands of Guatemala with UUSC and Equal Exchange, January 12- 20, 2008.  

Does your congregation participate in the UUSC Coffee Project? Do you want to learn firsthand how fair trade changes people’s lives and their communities? Join UUSC and Equal Exchange for this Fair Trade JustJourney and experience the coffee harvest as you learn from the experts: the small producers that grow it!  To apply or for more information visit our web page at www.uusc.org/justjourneys, e-mail justjourneys@uusc.org, or call 800-388-3920.

 

 

Meadville Lombard Position Advertisement:

Meadville Lombard is committed to offering academic excellence to Unitarian Universalist ministers throughout the world.  Our English Teacher and Program Coordinator will live in Transylvania and teach English to Unitarian seminarians at the Protestant Theological Institute in Cluj/Kolozsvar, Romania .  Details about the position, including the requirements, are listed below. More information is available at our website:  www.meadville.edu.

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English Teacher and Program Coordinator for Transylvania

Entering its eleventh year, the English instruction program in Transylvania supports English language teaching for Unitarian ministry students at the Protestant Theological Institute in Cluj/Kolozsvar, Romania . The program is sponsored and administered by Meadville Lombard Theological School and is partially funded by the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council.

Meadville Lombard is seeking a half-time, permanent English Teacher/Coordinator to ensure English language proficiency among Unitarian ministerial students.  S/he will also work with ministerial interns from North America who will assist in the work.

An ideal candidate will either be a native speaker of English or a non-native speaker who has studied the language at the highest level possible. This candidate should have several years’ experience teaching, have excellent communication skills and be able to delegate responsibilities effectively.

The position opens January 2008. Review of applications will begin immediately and will be considered until October 31, 2007. For more information or to apply, please send a letter of interest and a CV to Steven Mitchell.