What’s going on... September 2009  

Sunday Services

 

Sunday, September 6 – Rev. Fred Howard, “ When Friend Became a Verb – Relationships in the Age of Facebook”  

High speed internet, e-mail, chat rooms, Wi-Fi, I-pods, texting, blogging, and now Facebook.  Electronic media are transforming the way we build and maintain relationships with each other.  Are we creating a way to be connected more closely with the people and the issues that we care the most about, or are these media dumbing us down, complicating our lives unnecessarily, and making our ties with each other  shallow?  This morning I will take a philosophical as well as a whimsical look at this question.

 Sunday, September 13  – Rev. Fred Howard, “Our Life Flows On”  

Unitarian Universalists are developing a tradition of beginning the church year with an Ingathering/Water Communion service to ritualize the flow of our lives as we have perhaps travelled to oceans and mountains during the summer and now return to mingle in the common channel we have as a congregation.  Please bring a small vial or jar of water that you have collected from a special place this past year, or bring some from the tap that can represent some geography or recent history of your life’s journey as we regather our beloved community.     

Potluck Dinner after the Water Ceremony Service today. Susan Bailey is coordinating the meal.  She asks that you contact her to let her know what you would like to bring.  She will make sure there is sweet and unsweet tea. She has several volunteers already who have agreed to bring a meat or veggie main dish.  Others need to bring deserts or sides as they choose.

 Sunday, September 20 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “Aung San Suu Kyi:  Spiritual Revolution”  

Throughout the Burmese/Myanmar struggle for freedom, Aung San Suu Kyi understood that her country needed a spiritual revolution more than a political revolution.  She won the Noble Peace Price in 1991 for her nonviolent efforts to transform Burma from a military dictatorship to a democracy rooted in human rights and freedom of movement and speech.  We will discuss Aung San Suu Kyi’s life, Burma’s recent history, and the ongoing quest for nonviolent spiritual transformation.  

Sunday, September 27 – Rev. Kenn Hurto, UU Florida District Director  

We are delighted to have Rev. Kenn Hurto, the Unitarian Universalist Florida District Director, speaking from our pulpit this Sunday.   He will be in Valdosta to participate with the leadership of our congregation in a "start up" conversation regarding our decision to bring Fred Howard as our minister.   Board members will be participating in that conversation Sunday afternoon after the service. 

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Religious Education  

For Children:  RE is studying what it means to be UU and learning more about our roots and history. 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.   

For Adults:  Mark your calendar for a new Adult RE class which will begin in October.  Fred Howard and Al Hunt will co-facilitate a four week course using select chapters of John Shelby Spong’s book The Sins of Scripture.  The discussion of sections on Reading Scripture as Epic History, The Bible and the Environment, The Bible and Women, The Bible and Homosexuality will directly address some social justice issues of concern to UUs and indirectly cast light on many others of contemporary concern.  The class will begin on October 4 at 9:30 AM and will run on successive Sundays in October.  The book is available online and Fred Howard has a couple of extra copies as well.  Reading the selected chapters is strongly suggested to get the most from the discussion but is not mandatory to be a part of the class.  Fred and Al hope to see you there!  

Fred Howard discusses this new Adult RE class:  I do not believe we can constructively and forcefully speak to contemporary American society on issues such as women’s rights, racial and religious bigotry, homophobia, and environmental degradation unless we have a reasonably well grounded education in how our Western culture developed its understanding of who we are and how we came to hold the values we hold.  Whether you “believe” in the Bible or not, I think you have to concede that it has shaped us as a people in indelible ways.  Few scholars or social commentators of reputation would dispute this.  So if we are to join the modern, liberal voice that is being heard on these issues, we need to have a better grasp of the overarching message of the Judaeo-Christian scriptures, and how to counter the prejudices that still permeate our society and culture because of problematic texts within that body of literature.

            John Shelby Spong, author of the book for the Adult RE discussions, had a career within the Episcopal Church that spanned 45 years.  He speaks with the voice of an insider to the church, but also speaks with integrity and authority to contemporary issues such as equal rights for women, gays, and minorities – issues that he is quite passionate about.  His writings are not meant to be “Bible bashing, per se,” as he still confesses a deep love for the Christian scriptures, but what he intends to do through his writing is to take back those scriptures for more positive and constructive use in combating the prejudices of our day.  I think his book also makes an effective springboard for a lively and edifying discussion about some of these issues.  

                                                       

New UU Class Watch for an announcement of a New UU Class in the October Newsletter.  The classes will begin around the middle of October and will run on three successive Monday evenings.  They will be open to all, whether or not you are new to our faith.  They will be both an informational and a personal sharing component around three general themes:  what brought you to Unitarian Universalism, what you hope to gain from being a part of our movement, and how you might engage some of your own gifts and graces in service locally and globally.  If interested, you will need to sign up in advance and commit for all three sessions.  If Mondays are not good for you, don’t despair.  There are plans for another class soon that will meet at another time.    

 

                    

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

 

 

 

 

 Let’s Have Some Fun!!

 

Games Night

Saturday, September 19

7:00 PM at the church

Bring a snack to share, the kids and yourself, and your favorite game and be prepared to have a fun fellowshipping time!  Contact: Susan Bailey

   

Book Discussion and Potluck

Friday, August 28

At the church

Potluck: 6:00 PM – Discussion: 7:00 PM

"Feathers"  by Jacqueline Woodson will be discussed.  This is a book chosen by Susan Bailey and her daughter Emily.  Emily asked a while back that we choose a book that she, as well as the rest of us, would enjoy reading.    The book is a Newbery Award Winner.  It's title comes from an Emily Dickinson poem  "Hope is the thing with feathers ..." .  It is described as a "journey into a young girl's heart."  We have been selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Contact Betty Derrick with your book suggestions; Susan Bailey will be coordinating this August potluck and discussion.

Watch for announcements about the next book and date for this group.  We may let the new Adult RE discussion be our October “event” and schedule our next potluck/discussion for early November.  Watch for announcements!

   

                    

 

d Howard is our part time minister.  You may contact Rev. Howard by email (preferable) at fredhoward435@hotmail.com or by cell phone 478-361-6305.  He is available for consultations on Monday and Wednesday afternoons on most weeks from 2-5PM by appointment.  Fred welcomes any questions you may have about membership in our congregation.  He is also available for weddings and rites of passage ceremonies by prearrangement.

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Happy Birthday to

v Bill

 

News from

v Pete Mahan who recently moved to Montgomery, AL.  He says he has attended the UU church there several times and that it is a “little” bigger than our church! 

MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Rev. Fred Howard                                      September 2009  

What exactly is it that Unitarian Universalists do when they worship?  I have been asked this question several times over the years as people have sought to understand our religious movement.  It is an excellent question, and really gets to the heart of who we are as a community of faith.  The difficulty in answering the question has to do with the common perception of worship as a transitive verb; that is, a verb that has a direct “object” as the receiver of the action of the verb.  Because of the diversity that we foster in our religious communities, there is no shared object, such as God, which we can commonly point to as the recipient of our acts of reverence or devotion.  God is sometimes invoked in our services, sometimes not, but I daresay that very few Unitarian Universalists who use that word as an expression of their faith would do so while imagining God as a being who relishes being regaled with a lot of flowery language or genuflection.  

The word worship actually derives from two Middle English words meaning “worth” and “shape.”  So the etymology of the word actually suggests that it is meant to be a time of worth shaping.  And that might be the best description of what it is that we do during our formal community worship time on Sunday mornings.  In and through our music, words, rituals, and sharing, we reflect on and are reminded of what is important or of worth, and we renew our intention and commitment to shape our lives in accordance with these values.  Good worship is meant to give form and meaning to our existence, to shape our worth as human beings.  That worth may take the shape of inspiring music for some of us.  For others it may be the need to hear a challenging or thought provoking sermon.  For yet others it may be the desire to share some burden of personal loss during joys and concerns and to hear words of comfort.  Many are compelled to be there just to rekindle the spirit of community that gives them the strength to face another week in a soul devouring world.  It is my hope that we are given the gifts and graces to provide these things and more for each other.  

Worship can be solitary or communal, and the best worship services invoke both.  When a person gazes at a sunset or a star filled sky and is moved to say, “Aahh,” I would say that this person has worshipped in one of the deepest senses of the word.  But there is also another transcendent mystery, that being the great need that we have for sustenance one from another.  Worship can be a time for us to meet that need, and provide each other with solace and strength to meet the challenges that we all face.  As a community, I hope that we can reach a point where each of us can come together on Sundays and receive a blessing even if the sermon topic on a particular Sunday is not something we are particularly interested in, because we know that it may be meeting a need in others.  May just being with that and being in community give us the inspiration we need to create and shape worth both in our personal and in our corporate spiritual life.  

 

            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.    

UU Florida District Racial Justice Council  Over the summer, our newly forming Racial Justice Council — A Ministry of Integrity, Inclusion, & Reconciliation, began its initial planning. Please add to your calendar two Council initiatives: “Jubilee Workshop,” co-sponsored by the racial justice task force of the Gainesville congregation, November 13-15; and, tentatively, “Why Racial Justice Is A Ministry,” at the Boca Raton congregation, March 13. Additionally, the RJC will publish monthly e-news noting events within our congregations and resources for worship and education in anti-oppression ministry.  

Where is YOUR Pride?  We invite you to participate in the upcoming UU celebration at the Pride Festival in Piedmont Park, Atlanta the weekend of October 31-November 1.  Whether you’re interested in showing your smiling face as a volunteer at the Georgia UU booth, marching in the Pride parade, working the event to raise money for 2010 UU Pride, or simply lending your support by buying one of our very cool T-shirts, WE NEED YOU!   There’s room for all!  UU Pride organizers will be available at an after service table for details on ways you can help out and get involved in 2009 Pride Festival.  Or contact Tricia Page at wrknprogrez at yahoo.com, for more information on any of the upcoming festivities!  This is your chance to affirm the inherent dignity and worth of ALL!  

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Are You Getting All the News?!

Thanks to the folks who maintain our communication efforts:  Carol Stiles , website and e-mail list; Dee Tait Valdosta Daily Times; Betty Derrick, newsletter and its mailing list; Mya Storey, new member and visitor information; Sunday Order of Service announcements are provided by the layleader for that Sunday.  Let the appropriate person know if you are not receiving the information you would like to receive OR if you have news that needs distributing.

   

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

 

 

 

 

 

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

September 2009  

In Tampa we have the good fortune of having Ron Hammerle as a friend. He has done much research on mega-churches, including attending Sunday services at several of them. He has come to a number of conclusions about what is universal with all of them and may be useful to us as we work to welcome guests and grow. This month I share some of Ron’s findings. Thank you, Ron.

            The single most effective step in growing a congregation is to bring a friend to church for either a topical interest group or a planned service. Mega churches are comprised and sustained by small, special interest groups. These small groups serve as leadership training places as well as provide fellowship. Most guests who become members do so because of their participation in small groups, rather than attendance at the regular service. Hymnals are not used; the words are projected on a screen and state of the art sound and video is present. The choirs of these churches consist of talented, well-prepared, semi-professional singers who are dressed casually. These churches feature contemporary, upbeat, melodic music and they use contemporary musical instruments, specifically not an organ. Although there is emphasis on making guests feel welcome it is not overdone…no proselytizing.

            From Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church, which perhaps many of you have read, Ron has gleaned pearls of wisdom. It is important in leadership to be able to distinguish what is essential and what is not. In Warren’s church each first-time guest receives a welcoming letter and an enclosed pre-paid postcard which contains three questions: 1) What did you notice first? 2) What did you like best? 3) What did you like least? Nearly 90% of the thousands responses to the first question received say the guest noticed the warmth and friendliness of the people. In addition Warren believes the church can drain the life out of people by committee work. There are no committees in his church, just different lay ministries. He says the difference is committees discuss it, ministries do it; committees talk and consider, ministries serve and care; committees discuss needs, ministries meet needs.

            I visited one “mega-church” in August, Without Walls International in Tampa, totally devoted to the love and gospel of Jesus, led by a dynamic, charismatic woman. But the atmosphere was more like what I know of early evangelical revivals so perhaps attendance at another “more representative” church is in order. According to Ron, who also attended that Sunday, WWI is not a good representative mega-church. To be sure I learned little; it was loud, the congregants wandered in and out as the “spirit” moved them, and I observed no encouragement from the pulpit for congregants to think or question.

            I wish all of you in our Florida congregations a good and meaningful year as you pursue excellence and your work in social justice. You can reach me at jlund@uua.org or  I look forward to hearing from you.

Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto, Florida District Director

When I first moved to Florida, I asked parishioners, "When is the beginning of the new program year?" This reflected my northern ways. I assumed that the Sunday after Labor Day was for "Ingathering" or "Home-Coming" Sunday -- replete with special "glad you're back activities." No one had mentioned it. Rather, my question elicited a puzzled, "Well, late October, early November. That's when the snowbirds begin arriving." I soon learned that Florida schools opened in August [still an amazing idea to me!]; Labor Day weekend was not "end of summer" ritual at all.

            Now I was puzzled. When is "First Sunday?" How do we have a sense of new beginnings here in Florida? I remain puzzled years later. There is  no clear pattern among our District congregations. Rather than the crack of a starter's gun or a launching of the program year, our congregations awake gradually, rather like the dawn, from summer's rest. No rapid start, just a stretching of limbs and quiet acceleration of energy and service.

            Which I suppose is more congruent with nature's timings in any event. In life, things emerge, evolve, come into being, often barely noticeable let alone noticed. Then, of a sudden, it is the dawn of a new day and the start of another church year.

            It is typically Unitarian Universalist, however, to see the arrival of fall as the time to devote renewed exploration into matters of the spirit and of our best values. Even though most of our congregations are "full service, full time and year 'round, late summer, early fall is when we show up and the beloved community renews itself. Whatever your pattern, may your congregation's ministry rouse itself in these weeks. The summer may have been restful, but life's challenges persist. Time's a wasting. Let's get back in the game, stand on the side of love, work for justice, and be the model of peace. Be Unitarian Universalist.

All blessings whenever your ministry begins!  

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UU Activities and Announcements

Sept. 4-7 – Labor Day Weekend at The Mountain, Highlands, NC

Sept. 26 -  Northeast Cluster Workshop - One Generation From Extinction with Rev. Kenn Hurto, St. Augustine, FL

Oct. 3- Southeast Cluster Workshop-Compassionate Communication with Rev. LoraKim Joyner, UU Fellowship of Boca Raton, FL

Oct. 18- 25^th Anniversary Celebration, UU Fellowship of Marion County  

 

President’s Corner

Doug Tanner

Fall has always been my favorite time of year and this year I am especially looking forward to the change of season.  It has been a hot humid summer and a busy one for many of us.  Personally I am looking forward to a little peace after one of the most hectic semester starts in VSU history.  If you haven’t noticed the larger crowds this year you have obviously not been anywhere near campus.

            This year I am also looking forward to a new era for the UU Church of Valdosta.  On September 27 Rev. Kenn Hurto, the Florida District Executive, will be joining our congregation to celebrate our new relationship with Rev. Fred Howard.  I hope that everyone will be there to help us celebrate this new partnership.

            This truly must be a partnership.  We need Rev. Howard’s vision and leadership and he needs our support and energy to build a beloved community right here right now.  And it can’t stop at the church door.  It must be spread to the entire community to meet our vision of a just and loving community for all.  See you Sunday!        

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UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors:  The board did not meet in August.  The next meeting is scheduled for September 9.  

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 Treasurer's Report – Rosie Asbury

July 31, 2009

Receipts                  July                           July -present

  Plate                  $ 169.00                                169.00

  Pledge                  710.00                                710.00

  Rent                      140.00                               140.00

Total Receipts            $1019.00                $  1019.00

Disbursements  

  Speakers’ Fees              00.00                            0.00

  Minister Expense          700.00                        700.00

  Repairs & Maint.              0.00                            0.00

  Newsletter                        0.00                            0.00

 Termite/Pest Control        35.00                          35.00

  Postage                            0.00                            0.00

  Supplies                          13.07                         13.07

  Utilities                          154.82                       154.82

  Advertising/Website          0.00                           0.00

  UUA Dues                       0.00                            0.00

  Other                            7 0.00                          70.00

Total  Disburse.       $   972.89                   $    972.89

Net Receipt    $     46.11                    $      46.11

Note that the church’s new fiscal year begins July 1, which explains the smaller totals in the second column if you are comparing this report with last month’s report.

 

 

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

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Continuing Class: 5:30-7:00 PM; Beginners Class: 7:00-8:00 PM new class begins August 27.   Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin (247-2450)

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

This Summer’s UUA General Assembly

(from the FL District e-newsletter, Rev. Kenn Hurto)

The summer’s highlight was our General Assembly in Salt Lake City this past June. This was an election year. The delegates present and absentee elected by a wide margin the Reverend Peter Morales of Jefferson, Colorado as our President, succeeding the Reverend William Sinkford. Gini Courter was elected to a full term as Moderator. [Gini will be our guest at the Florida District Assembly next April 9-11 in Miami.]

            President Morales is committed to growing our faith and is expected to challenge our congregation’s to create a sense of urgency in broadening our ministries. See http://www.uua.org/ for the latest developments at our Association.

            Our District congregations were well represented with nearly 100 delegates attending. The Reverend Abhi Janamanchi [Clearwater] offered a powerful sermon “Faith in the Borderland: A Journey of Identity, Faith, & Belonging” at the public worship on Sunday, June 28. Regrettably, this wonderful moment was tarnished when the Janamanchi family returned to Florida to find their home had been invaded and ransacked. Our condolences to them. You can see/hear Abhi’s sermon at www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2009/141864.

Amy Carol Webb [Miami] led the rousing closing hymn that Sunday, with her “Will You Stand With Me?” The Reverend LoraKim Joyner [Gainesville] offered a workshop on Ethical Eating: Talking with Mouths Full of Compassion. District Lifespan Program Consultant, Connie Goodbread offered a workshop, “Out Teaching Elders,” for DRE’s. With my colleague, the Reverend Ian Evison, District Executive in the Central Midwest, I offered a workshop, “Leadership in Tough Times” [posted under “Church Tools” on our website].

            Next year’s GA is in Minneapolis, June 23-27, 2010.  

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Letter to UUs on Health Care Debate

from UUA President Peter Morales

Friends,

 The current hysteria and rancor in the debate over health care policy are profoundly disturbing. The issues here go far beyond normal public policy debate. Religious principles central to our shared Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith are involved.

 

The first religious principle at stake is compassion. We must be a strong, persistent voice that reminds our nation and our leaders that compassion is central to all major faith traditions. We must insist that health care reform protects those without political clout: children, the poor, the disabled, the elderly. To stand on the side of love is to stand with those who are on the margins.

 

The second principle of our faith we must affirm today is our commitment to the democratic process. We are witnessing cynical demagoguery that plays on fear in order to defend privilege. There is no place for intimidation in our public discussion. Demagogues foment fear and panic that lead to violence. As religious people we must oppose intimidation.

 

True democracy can only exist where each voice is heard, where debate is open and civil, where people can disagree without being threatened. Good people can and do disagree about health care policy. However, we must all join together to demand open, respectful debate.

 

As religious people, let us insist on two things: We must create a health care system that protects the most vulnerable, and we must insist on a democratic process that is open to all.

 

Faithfully,   Peter Morales

 

[The complete text of Rev. Morales' letter is at http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/145341.shtml .

 Rev. Morales comments on the health care debate:

http://www.uua.org/videos/index.php?movie=peter_morales/0908_peter_health_care_debate.mp4 ]

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You're invited to visit Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg: http://uusp.magnify.net/  
This is the channel of the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, Florida, located at 719 Arlington Ave. on Mirror Lake Drive in beautiful downtown St. Pete. Here you will find videos on Unitarian Universalism beliefs and programs. Enjoy!

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Travel Opportunity - Would you like to take a European River cruise with fellow UUs from the Marion County Fellowship?  For complete details see http://www.uufmc.org/TravelwithUUFMC.html  

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Summer Reading Recommendations from the UUA Bookstore (from the UUA website)

·         “Confessions of an Eco-Sinner: Tracking Down the Sources of My Stuff” by Fred Pearce

Where does everything in our daily lives come from? The clothes on our backs, the computers on our desks, the cabinets in our kitchens, and the spices behind their doors? Under what conditions-environmental and social-are they harvested or manufactured? In Confessions of an Eco-Sinner, Fred Pearce shows us the hidden worlds that sustain a Western lifestyle, and he does it by examining the sources of everything in his own life.

·         “Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth”  by David C. Korten

Korten identifies the deeper sources of the our recent economic failure: Wall Street institutions that have perfected the art of creating "wealth" without producing anything of real value: phantom wealth. Our hope lies not with Wall Street, Korten argues, but with Main Street, which creates real wealth from real resources to meet real needs. He outlines an agenda to create a new economy-- locally based, community oriented, and devoted to creating a better life for all, not simply increasing profits.

·         “Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals”  by Temple Grandin

Drawing on the latest research and her own work,Grandin identifies the core emotional needs of animals.Then she explains how to fulfill them for dogs and cats, horses, farm animals, and zoo animals. Whether it’s how to make the healthiest environment for the dog you must leave alone most of the day, how to keep pigs from being bored, or how to know if the lion pacing in the zoo is miserable or just exercising, Grandin teaches us to challenge our assumptions about animal contentment and honor our bond with our fellow creatures.

·         “Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future”  by Margaret J. Wheatley

"I believe we can change the world if we start talking to one another again." With this simple declaration, Margaret Wheatley proposes that people band together with their colleagues and friends to create the solutions for real social change, both locally and globally, that are so badly needed. Such change will not come from governments or corporations, she argues, but from the ageless process of thinking together in conversation.

·         “Beyond Tolerance: Searching for Interfaith Understanding in America”  by Gustav Neibuhr

In this insightful, deeply felt examination of the nature of community and religion, former New York Times religion reporter Gustav Niebuhr traces the roots of religious freedom in America and the setbacks and triumphs it has encountered along the way. From Hindus and Quakers in Queens to Catholics and Jews in Baltimore, to black Baptists and Catholics in Louisville, to Catholics and Buddhists in Los Angeles, Niebuhr focuses on the ways people build ties between groups. He looks at why this movement is a particularly American endeavor and how it can save us all. Beyond Tolerance is a handbook for religious cooperation in our fractured times.