May…  We have an opportunity this month to exercise our commitment to democracy by participating in the annual meeting of our congregation. Indeed it is a responsibility of our membership, along with our responsibility to support its work financially and with our time.  We are making some significant decisions which need our commitment and support for the coming year.   We will also be saying farewell to Rev, Jane Page as a regular minister in our pulpit, but hopefully not good bye.  We also have a wonderful opportunity to participate in the National Day of Prayer in our community to exercise our respect for all and our acceptance of difference throughout our community.

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Sunday Services  

Sunday, May 3 – Rev. Fred Howard, “What Kind of People Shall We Be?”

 What is to be our relationship with other faith traditions, including mainstream Christianity?  This morning I will explore some larger questions of tolerance and inclusivity that confront us as Unitarian Universalists.  These questions seem especially germane at a time when I have been invited to participate in the local National Day of Prayer event with the encouragement of some members of the congregation.

On Thursday, May 7, I will be participating in an inclusive National Day of Prayer (NDOP) event to be held on the steps of the Lowndes County Court House.  The event is being organized and conducted by the Valdosta Area Ministerial Association.  I will also take part in the planning session to be held in lateApril, and I am excited to be a part of such an inclusive event, where people from various faith traditions are encouraged to join together in a public display of unity.

A NDOP is not a new concept.  The Continental Congress declared a “national time for prayer” as we were in the process of forming a new nation in 1775.  The occasion was made an official annual event in 1952 when President Harry Truman signed into law an act passed by both Houses of Congress.  In 1988 Congress amended the law and it was signed by President Reagan, decreeing that the NDOP should be held on the first Thursday of May.  Subsequent presidents have reiterated the non sectarian intent of the occasion, as in President Clinton’s statement, “In every city, town, and rural community across our country, people of every religious denomination gather to worship according to their faith.  In churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques, Americans come together to pray.”

Controversy is not new to the NDOP.  President Jefferson, who opposed declarations of national days of prayer, wrote, “Fasting and prayer are religious exercises.” “Every religious society has a right to determine for itself the time for these exercises, and the object proper for them according to their own particular tenets; and right can never be safer than in their hands, where the Constitution has deposited it.”  More recent controversy has emerged with more and more public NDOP events after the establishment of an officially designated NDOP by the legislation signed by Reagan and the founding of a National Day of Prayer Task Force concurrently in 1988 by a private non-profit organization with close ties to conservative evangelical organizations.  At this time more and more public events began to appear on the scene and the inclusivity of these events became an issue.  Also various groups opposed to the use of tax money and public property to promote particular forms of religious devotion began to emerge, and in response 2003 was marked by the first observance of the National Day of Reason.

I firmly believe that the best response we as Unitarian Universalists can give to the NDOP phenomenon is to support public celebrations of faith that reflect that ours is a nation with multiple faiths and divergent opinions and that our hope as a nation resides on being accepting and inclusive of the many faces of the Divine in our midst.  So as I participate and invite you to join us on May 7, I will be mindful that the enormous power we have as a community when we come together in a spirit of cooperation to celebrate both our similarities and differences and lift our voices together in a call for more compassion, peace and a better world.     

  Sunday, May 10 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “Buddhism:  Spirituality and the Middle Path”

Building on last months discussion of Aristotle’s mean between extremes, we will investigate Sakyamuni Buddha’s spirituality of the middle path rooted in combining wisdom, compassion and concentration in the midst of the present moment.  Buddhism teaches that the middle way can lead to an enduring spiritual and moral fulfillment or happiness.  

 Sunday, May 17 – Rev. Al Hunt  

The Annual Congregational Meeting will follow after the service.  See details about this important  meeting elsewhere in the newsletter.   Because of this meeting we forego our usual after-the-service-talk-back at the church.  Plan to join those going to lunch after the business meeting for further discussion this Sunday.

 Sunday, May 24 – Dr. Keith Johnson, “The Canonization Process and the Gnostic Gospels”: Part IV”

The discussion includes selections from the Gnostic gospels and their place in early Christian perspectives that help inform us today.  This includes a few excerpts that do not need to be considered radical teachings.  In the history of Christendom these texts help to demonstrate diverse understandings concerning Joshua Ben Josef (Jesus son of Joseph) as Christianity developed.  Though the Gnostic texts may not add directly to Christological arguments indirectly they inform us that the community was not monolithic.  Keith says this is part IV of this four part series  Watch for something new from Keith later this summer.  

Sunday, May 31 –  Rev. Jane Page,  "The Question Box"
Many UU ministers have a tradition of having at least one sermon a year called, "The Question Box."  Congregants may provide written questions in advance (via email) or bring them to the service and put them in the Question Box.  These questions can relate to Unitarian Universalism, theology, ethics, or just about anything you may want to ask the minister.  Rev. Jane will "attempt" to provide an impromptu answer to each question.  Get your questions ready and pass them on to Rev. Jane. 

                This will be Rev. Jane Page’s last regular service with us.  Watch for announcements about celebrating her time with us when she is here on the 31^st.  Rev. Page is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro, GA.  She has been providing ministerial services for our congregation one weekend a month for several years.  We will miss her regular visits with us and extend best wishes to her and her congregation in Statesboro. 

Goodbye Jane!  

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Religious Education for Children

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

 

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MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS Rev. Jane Page

May 2009

When my children were very young, their dad and I made the trip to Valdosta about once a month to see “Auntie.”  “Auntie” was what we all call Miss Elizabeth Coffee.  She was my sons’ great, great Aunt and had been like another grandmother to their dad for many years. Those trips to Valdosta with two young boys in the back seat were long and I quickly realized there was NO good way to get from Statesboro to Valdosta.   However, it was worth it to maintain that relationship and to see her eyes sparkle when we arrived.  When Auntie died we continued to visit other relatives in Valdosta occasionally, but the monthly trips ended and I, frankly, was thankful.  Little did I know that I would be repeating that monthly journey for three years with my two grandsons in the backseat.  And folks, there is STILL no good way to get from Statesboro to Valdosta!  But it, again, has been worth it.  Being here has provided an opportunity for my grandsons to be with their dad at a time in his life when it may have been difficult for him to travel to Statesboro.  And it has also provided me with the wonderful opportunity to serve as your monthly UU minister.    I recently realized, however, that I was trying to do too much and really needed to change some things in my life.  Fortunately, my son is now in a better situation and can more easily travel to Statesboro to see his sons.  So I shared with your leadership that this would be my last year with you.  And this month, May 2009, will be my last month.  Certainly, I shall keep in touch and hopefully visit occasionally.  And I will always treasure the time we had together. 

                I’ve been keeping a log of sermons preached here (to make sure I didn’t repeat myself).  I thought you may like to review the topics as we end this formal relationship so I’ve copied them below.

2006

February 12 – “What Time is It?  A Post-Menopausal Reading of Ecclesiastes 3”

Sept. 10 – “Imagine: The Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All”

October 8 – “Marry, Marry, Quite Contrary”

November 12 – “Can You Say GOD?”

December 10 – “Just Living Simply”

2007

January 14 – “The Sacred Depths of Nature”

February 11 – “Can You Say UU EVANGELISM?”

March 11 – “Can You Say GRACE?”

April 1 – “Easter is Coming:  Resurrecting the Resurrection”

May 13 -- “The Church as Mother”

June 1 – “Can You Say AMEN”

July 8 – “In Democracy We Trust?”       

August 12 – “The Embodiment of Spirituality”      

Sept. 16 – “The Almost Church”
October 21 – “The Freedom to Marry”
Nov. 18 – “The Theology of Hospitality”
December 16 – “Living with Privilege”

2008

January 20 – “Can You Say ATONEMENT?”

February 17 – “Thank Heavens for Evolution”

March 16 – “Tending the UU Flame”

April 20 – “The Cost of Iraq:  Who Pays the Price.”

May 18 – “A Visit from Elizabeth Cady Stanton”

June 15 – “The New Atheists”

July 13 – “Jesus, UU, and You”

September 21 – "White in America: Can I Get a Witness?"

November 2 – “Love and Death”

December 21 – “The History and Theology of Santa Claus”

2009

January 18 – “Wrestling with God”

February 1 – “Can You Say HOPE?”

March 15 – “Shall We Pray?”

April 19 – “Dance of the Seven Veils”

May 31 – “The Question Box”

Note:  If you missed any of these, you can read them on my “sermons” page at the UUStatesboro.org website.

I will be looking forward to hearing about your continued good work in this congregation and in your community.  And I will always hold you in a special place in my heart.

In Faith, Hope, and Love,  Jane

 

Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday May 17 after the Sunday Service In May each year our congregation holds its Annual Congregational Meeting to discuss and vote on church business.  The Board of Directors has placed three items on the agenda for this year’s meeting: 1. Election of the members of the Board of Directors for the coming year which begins, July 1; 2. Approval of the Budget for 2009-2010; 3. Report from the Ministerial Committee and possible vote on their recommendation Information about each of these items is available elsewhere in this newsletter.  We encourage all members to attend this meeting.  “The use of the democratic process with our congregations” is in our 5th Principle.   “A member, who is at least seventeen years old, who has been a member for a minimum of thirty(30) days prior to the vote and has made an annual monetary contribution of record to the congregation, is eligible to vote.” (UU Valdosta Bylaws)

 

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our President, Doug Tanner, or Membership Director, Lars Leader.  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.          Rev. Jane Page and Rev. Fred Howard also welcome your questions about UU membership.

 

 

 

 

Let’s Have Some Fun!!

 

Games Night- At the church, usually the 3^rd Saturday at  7:00 PM, but watch for announcements about this month’s plans. 

 

Book Discussion and Potluck- Watch for announcements of the book and the next gathering, probably in late May or early June.  The newsletter went to press before the April gathering when the decisions were made. 

We have been selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Let us know your suggestions.  Contact: Betty Derrick.

 

 

   

Social Action Activities

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday (and 5^th when there is one) of each month.  If you would like to help deliver meals beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Frank or Rosie Asbury

Accepting Difference Project  

National Day of Prayer-May 7

The National Day of Prayer Event will occur on Thursday, May 7, 2009 on the Lowndes County Courthouse steps at 12 noon.  It will conform to the National Day of Prayer as suggested by President Barack Obama.  George Bennett, President of Valdosta Area Ministerial Association, has organized the event. Prayers will be given by local Christian ministers, as well as leaders from Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Native American organizations in our area. Fred Howard will represent our congregation at the event.   Thanks go to Lars Leader for bringing this event and the need to make it a more inclusive event in our community than it has been in recent years.   Plan to attend and support this inclusive event for our community and our country.

What is our Accepting Difference Project? (Betty Derrick) Recently Joan Lund, our Florida District UUA Trustee sent me an e-mail indicating that Rev. Kenn Hurto, our Florida District Executive, had recommended that she contact us to learn about the UU Fellowship of Valdosta's work in the anti-racist/anti-oppressive arena. She was headed to Boston for the  April UUA Trustee Board meeting and was looking for positive information relating to AROM endeavors in the Florida District. 

                I sent her the paragraphs that follow explaining a little about our Accepting Difference Project and thought some of you, especially newer people, might be interested also.  Joan Lund replied to my response: “Thank you so very much. You are much appreciated.  I will be proud to note Valdosta's work to the entire UUA Board, plus Rev. Sinkford and others.”

                My response to her query: To respond to your question, as you may have noted in our monthly newsletter, the Valdosta UU Church has for several years now had an on-going project which we call The Accepting Difference Project.  We obtained a Just Change “grant” from the UUA to facilitate this project and profited from the advice of a consultant, Sue Lacy, who helped us develop this project. 

                The project is intended to address systemic causes of injustice in our community, addressing the acceptance of difference in all its many guises---racial, religious, economic, gender, life-style, etc.    This project was initiated in response to the vandalism our church experienced in 2003, vandalism which may have been the result of a hate crime.   Our goal has been to develop a diverse community group to focus on issues of difference in the community. 

                Although we have a small group of interested community members in our Accepting Difference Project, the project so far has mostly been carried on by the UU Church.  We remain hopeful and watchful for opportunities to move away from a UU directed project and toward a community directed project.  Over the last several years we have provided funding for a Mini-film Project on problems of injustice in the community that need to be addressed which is sponsored annually by an activist faculty member at Valdosta State University.  Just this past month we provided a small amount of funding for an American Association of University Women Sister to Sister program for rural south Georgia middle school girls held in the community.    We also recently held at our church, in response to one of our Accepting Difference community members who heads up a Hindu Ashram in Pavo, GA (near Valdosta), a candlelight vigil after the violence in Mumbai, India.  There are plans in the future to hold inter-religious community vigils on a regular basis at the UU church as part of the Accepting Difference Project. 

                All of our Accepting Difference Project community members, who themselves represent a diverse group of community activists, have spoken at the UU Church providing an opportunity for our members to broaden their own perspective of our community and its needs.  We reactivated a

moribund book discussion group at the church about a year and a half ago which meets about every 6 weeks.  We have consciously been choosing books to read and discuss which address aspects of difference.  The current book for discussion in April is “Prayers for Bobby: A Mothers Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son.”    Our last book was “Inheriting the Trade” a book that addresses one northern family’s coming to terms with its historic involvement in the slave trade.  We hope to reprise this discussion in connection with reading a book on slavery one of our Accepting Difference Project members has written.

                I hope some of this will be useful to you.  I could go on but perhaps this gives you some idea of what we in our small congregation have been doing.  We are both pleased with what we have addressed and discouraged that the community participation we had hoped for has yet to fully blossom.  We will continue to make that effort though.

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ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Congratulations to

Our members and friends who are celebrating the arrival of new members of the family!

Keep in your thoughts

v Our members and friends experiencing health difficulties.  

 

. Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait Photographer: Mya Storey May 15: Deadline for the June newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

President’s Corner

Doug Tanner                                           May 2009  

For those of you who have not heard yet, May 31^st will be our last regularly scheduled visit from Reverend Jane Page.  She will be spending this extra time with her family and we all wish her well and thank her for her invaluable service to us over the last few years.

                Reverend Page’s absence will leave us with the challenge of filling the schedule for our Sunday Worship Services but it will also gives us the opportunity to try and hire a part time minister who can serve our congregation in a broader capacity.  With this in mind the congregation on April 5^th voted to create a ministerial committee to investigate the possibility of hiring a half time minister for 2009-2010.  Dee, Pat and Anne Marie have agreed to serve on the committee and I look forward to the results of their search.

                A special thanks to Rosie, Frank and Dee who joined Kimberly and I at the Valdosta Pride Festival to support acceptance and equality for the GLBT community.  Hundreds for students and community members came out and supported the students from the brand new SOAP “Student’s Out And Proud” VSU student organization who organized the festival.  I think everyone who attended had a great time.

                See you Sunday!  Doug

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 UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors

April 8, 2009

Attendance: Doug Tanner, Rosie Asbury, Sue Bailey, Lars Leader and Kari Wells

Old Business:

·         Renter’s agreement still being updated.

·         Congregational meeting still planned for May 17.

New Business:

·         National Day of Prayer is still being planned for May 7^th. There was discussion about the Accepting Differences project helping pay for advertising.

·         Existing Board members agreed to serve another year on the Board unless someone else from the church is or wants to be nominated for a position.

·         Ministerial Committee for new half time minister will consist of Ann Marie Smith, Dee Tait and Pat Wells.

·         Treasures report:  Budget proposal for next year approved by Board

• Programs report: All Sundays are filled through May.

·         RE report:  Planning to discuss spring holidays and there will be an egg hunt on Sunday the 12^th.

Next meeting with be May 6 at 6:00 PM.  

April Congregational Called  Meeting: The congregation met following the service on April 5 and voted to create a ministerial committee to investigate the possibility of hiring a half time minister for 2009-2010. 

Ministerial Committee: The Board has appointed a committee of Pat Wells, Dee Tait, and Anne Marie Smith to deal with matters related to the employment of a part-time minister for the coming church year. 

 Nominating Committee: Dee Tait (Chair), Josette Ingram, and Charles Judah are on the committee.   All members of this year’s Board of Directors agreed to be nominated to serve the next church year.  The committee sought the names of other interested members of the congregation by email and at the services.  The slate of officers from the Nominating Committee is as follows:

President          Doug Tanner

Co-Vice Presidents        Bill and Valerie Webster

Treasurer           Rosie Asbury

Secretary          Kari Wells

Our bylaws allow members to make nominations from the floor at the Congregational Meeting May 17.

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Treasurer's Report

Rosie Asbury - March  2009

Receipts                   March                     July -present

  Plate                    $ 181.17                     $ 1206.1

  Pledge                  3025.00                     12500.00

  Rent                       160.00                       2200.00

Total Receipts      $3366.17                    $16481.17

Disbursements                        

  Speakers’ Fees        $ 900.00                    7050.00

  Repairs & Maint.   750.00                       1710.16

  Newsletter                 44.43                           69.92

  Termite/Pest Control                 35.00                           377.00

  Postage                  340.00                           556.48

  Supplies                      20.73                       204.57 

  Utilities                  255.17                         2107.82

  Advertising/Website                   0.00                            495.00

  UUA Dues                722.00                     1422.00

  Others                          0.00                          176.00

Total  Disburse.    $ 1595.33                   $16929.53

Net Receipt          $- 1770.84                  $-   448.36  

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At the Church-in-the-Woods

New Hope Christian Community Church- Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 4:30 PM. Service at 6:00 PM.  http://internationalchristiancommunity.ning.com

Taoist Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Beginners Class: 5:30-6:30 PM; Continuing Class:6:30-8:00 PM  Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin 

PFLAG Meeting – 4th Tuesday each month, 7:00PM

Contact: Doug Tanner. The web page for PFLAG Valdosta:
http://pflag-valdosta.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

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UU Activities and Announcements

May 15-17-UNIVERSALIST CONVOCATION 2009: Celebrating the religious heart of Unitarian Universalism, UU Church of Birmingham , Alabama  www.nmuc.org/Convo

June 24-28- UUA General Assembly, Salt Lake City, UT

July 5-10- RE Week at The Mountain, Highlands, NC

July 19 – 24-Southland Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience, The Mountain 

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

May 2009

Our UUA has three categories of ministry and one stands out as a most visible part of the larger world and that is community ministry. These ministers are called to reach out beyond our congregational walls to the larger public community and have been an essential part of our UU ministry since their beginnings. Community ministry was formally recognized as a specialization within UU ministerial fellowship in 1991. It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of all ordained UU clergy are community ministers. In Florida we have five Community Ministers.

                Community ministry remains misunderstood by some congregations, seminaries, students, and other ministers and there have been significant challenges affecting this worthy calling. Community ministers may work independently or in an organization, outside a congregation. They generally are employed outside a church setting, and typically are involved in healing or justice work, being employed as chaplains in a medical setting or working in a wide range of social service and justice organizations. Some work to bridge the gap between congregations and secular organizations; and some work part-time within congregations or in community organizations. They are required to have a relationship with a UU congregation, district, or UUA-associated organization, in order to remain in fellowship with the UUA. Having a relationship with a UU congregation is beneficial for both the minister and congregation by providing support spiritually and socially. Community ministry is sometimes undervalued and can be underpaid. The UU Veatch Program at Shelter Rock has been generous and instrumental in assisting with funding because Veatch believes strongly in the importance of community ministry.

                Rev. William Schulz, past President of the UUA, past Executive Director of Amnesty International, and a global community minister said, "Part of good ministry is helping people confront the ultimate elements of existence, including the most painful. Staying engaged with these very painful issues takes great courage, which is a matter of religious faith in some measure. Community ministers help people engage the world's most difficult realities in a way that allows them to remain whole and hopeful. They help us look on the abyss while remaining whole and emotionally and spiritually healthy. They break through our outer exteriors to touch our hearts, without letting our hearts be ripped apart."

                In closing please know how much I enjoyed meeting with some of you at the District Annual Assembly in March (the April column was written before the Assembly). Thank you for attending; hope the event was a good one for you. I can be reached at jlund@uua.org

 

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  Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto, Florida District Director

As you may recall, last August our Unitarian Universalist congregation in Knoxville suffered the tragedy of gun violence in its sanctuary. Subsequent to that, several of our congregations reviewed their risk management policies to be more alert to possible safety and security needs. I had asked Richard Cannarelli to share the work his congregation had done on this matter, to share with you this spring.

                Then on Sunday, March 8, the pastor of the Maryville, Illinois Baptist Church was killed by a gun-wielding assailant. This suggests yet again we need to talk sooner than later about the matter. So, here it is, notes from steps our congregation in Venice has taken. I urge you strongly to see that this issue is place high in your congregation's on-going work. Thank you. Be safe. Pray for the grieving. Work to put an end to gun-violence. 

Security Precautions for Congregations: Richard Cannarelli, Trustee UU Congregation of Venice, Florida

                This past summer, every UU congregation was shocked by the incident at the UU Church of Knoxville, Tennessee. As members of a liberal faith, many of us live in communities that are not tolerant of our beliefs and we are therefore vulnerable to mindless attacks

such as the one in Knoxville.

                With that in mind, the UU Congregation of Venice, Florida, (UUCOV) asked a member of the Venice, FL Police Dept. to meet with the Board and make suggestions about what should the members of the congregation do if such an attack occurred, and secondly what general security precautions should we take to prevent such an occurrence? The following is a summary of recommendations made by the officer and some other measures that our board has adopted:

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE ENTERS THE SANCTUARY AND THREATENS THE CONGREGATION:

1. If someone enters the sanctuary with a gun and attempts to hold the congregation hostage, the members of the congregation should resist the impulse to get down or hide. Instead, everyone should immediately try to exit the building.

2. If members of a congregation are in an adjoining room or classroom and they have no safe exit, the door should be

secured to prevent entry if possible.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

1. Ushers or greeters should each have a cell phone and be on the lookout for strangers who might be acting suspiciously.

They should immediately call the local police department or 911 if a serious event were to occur.

2. If religious education classes are being held in a building apart from the main sanctuary, than someone should be assigned to routinely check on their safety.

3. Many UU ministers receive hate mail. The board should routinely review them to determine if a realistic threat exists. If the board even suspects that there might be a threat, than the police should be contacted immediately.

4. The topic of congregational security should be on the agenda of every board meeting and the congregation should be educated about security measures.

                No UU congregation can adopt measures that will give it a 100% chance of safety but we can adopt reasonable and prudent safety precautions that do not disrupt congregational life and minimize the possibility that a serious incident will occur. Realistically, we have no choice.