Home of the UU Church in Sioux Falls

LOCAL UU NEWS
& EVENTS OF THE MONTH!
President's Notebook

. . General Assembly last summer in Boston was an incredible experience. This year as congregational president, I received communications from the UUA encouraging me to come again to the 2004 General Assembly to be held in Long Beach. This GA was designed with a special component to include congregational presidents in the conversation about UU growth and vitality and setting priorities. Again, as in Boston, GA in Long Beach was intense and even more incredible.
. . The UUA is encouraging all congregations to send their president to GA to do the business of the association. I was proud to be from a small congregation who contributed to the cost of my attending the conference. In a special first-time effort to include congregational presidents, the UUA reimbursed my registration. Thank you to All Souls and to UUA for making it possible for me to attend two such significant General Assemblies.
. . Consider this “RADICAL HOSPITALITY”. From the Board of Trustees, from Rev. Sinkford, from our Moderator, Gini Courter, and from workshop facilitators at GA, these strong words were a mantra urging us to “...let our light shine...” and to “...be a beacon to the larger world.” We were encouraged to become truly welcoming, not self-satisfied, and to be outwardly focused. We, as Unitarian Universalists, have something important to share and we need to let our community know we are here.
. . Now, consider this: YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. As we move into a new church year, we can look back with pride at what we have accomplished. More important, we need to look ahead and make personal and congregational commitments to the work that needs to be done by all of us. We have decided to sell our building and have begun negotiations with our renter, God Is Love. That was the easy part. Many people have already worked diligently to repair, clean, and inventory. Much work remains and everyone’s help is needed. Let our Building & Grounds person know when you can help and she will let you know what needs to be done. After you have worked to clean up our building, volunteer for a committee and become involved in creating a strong healthy UU identity in our community.
. . Bobbie Goodyear, President
“Imagining Our Future” Workshop - in Retrospect
. . Because it is important to remember relationships and why we are together as a UU community, an identity workshop “Imagining Our Future” was held on Saturday, July 17 at Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet. The workshop, facilitated by Nancy Heege of PSD, replicated an identity workshop developed for congregational presidents at the General Assembly in Long Beach.. Power rests in coming together and building relationships. The first activity of the workshop was for each participant to write one “burning question” related to his/her congregational experience to be discussed at the close of the workshop. For each step I will share some examples from the index cards we used to record responses:
1-Do we have the courage and faith to move forward and grow?
2-Can/will we support ministerial services?
3-Can we afford to move? Can we afford not to move?
4-Is our leadership up to the challenge of guiding us / balancing our three new directions of change (building, minister, RE director)? How do we “get the word out” about our congregation?

The second was for each person to create two lists – one representing the special gifts or strengths of our congregation and another to represent what values are most strongly demonstrated in the life/activities of our congregation. Examples from remarks.
1-Active membership.... Excellent children’s programming
2-Genuinely kind, loving people...People with gifts they willingly share
3-Lay leaders committed to congregation... Electronically connected.... Intellectual stimulation

The third question was: What is the central purpose or mission of your congregation? Examples from member remarks:
1-to help people seek answers to life’s big questions – by reason, by spirit, by questions, and by helping each other.
2-to provide a place for people to explore their spirituality and belief and value systems within an open, accepting, and stimulating environment.

  1. Fourth : Describe your vision of what you want us to look like at some future time – 5, 10, 25 years from now. Three year vision: clean building, minister part time, membership solid 100, representation in SF religious community Five year vision: visible to potential members, a physical home that is safe and welcoming, great music and a choir. Ten year vision: busy hub of joyful activity, visible minister, visible social action arm known to the city, color or memory garden, better known in the city for being futuristic and innovative.

    Final activity: Imagine your vision for the future has become reality. How did it happen?
    1-Financial commitment by all members
    2-Commitment to growth-welcoming environment for visitors
    3-Publicizing who we are
    4-A bright, safe, accessible building for use all week
    5-Emphasis on interdependent web that is our fellowship
    6-Sold present building -ran a successful capital campaign for new one
    7-Strong leadership
    8-Greater communication awareness

    . . If you were unable to attend this participatory workshop, take a few minutes and reflect to the five activities. Following an interesting discussion and sharing time a wonderful lunch was enjoyed.
    . . This coming year will continue to be intense as we study, struggle, and make decisions about the building and a minister and assist our first RE Director. We must continue to take care of our relationships and nurture our talents and strengths. ~Bobbie Goodyear

    All Souls could use a large screen TV. If you or anyone you know is upgrading to a bigger, thinner, better TV, consider us for your old one. There are many times a video is part of RE or a Sunday service and a larger screen would be more effective. “How large?” I hear you cry ! Well, the one we have is a 25-inch screen and we definitely need larger than that! Anything bigger would be an improvement over the status quo. ~Bobbie G
    TOY DONATIONS: Do you have toys laying around the house that you are not using? We are looking for donations for the children at UU. Please call or E-mail Kathleen P.
    UU World Discussion
    . . When?: 3rd Tuesdays, 7:30 pm
    . . Where?: Sanderson/Randall residence.
    . . Who to contact for questions: Mark S. All are welcome. Dialogue is respectful. Please join us. All are welcome. If you have further questions, contact Mark. If you have read your current issue of the UU World, please drop it off in the church entry for someone else to use.
    Please help us find missing songbooks

    . . The number of "Singing the Living Tradition" Songbooks in the pews has been diminishing, and the supply is almost to inadequate levels. After checking the book numbers against the original list, it has been determined that there are approximately 15 books missing from the pews. It would be helpful for anyone who may have borrowed a book to check your bookshelves and report what number book you have so the "lost" books can be accounted for, or, if you are finished with the book, bring it back to church. ~Marie P
    We are still looking for an Archivist. If you think you have an interest in putting your name behind a title, let the chairperson know.
    Below are the repeated items...
    Who Open/Greets/Cleans next sunday? . Look in your mailed & emailed newsletters only.

    .
    Gatherings
    Repeating schedules:

    Newsletter Deadline: the 15th of the month.
    *Generally the second Thursday: Program Committee meeting at a residence, 7:30 PM. / Generally the third Thursday: Board Meeting at the church.

    GENERAL CLEANING DAY The first Saturday of every month from 9 to 11am. Just show up for a fun morning! Call or E-mail Kathleen P for more info.
    Members and friends who are interested in sharing their personal journey at an All Souls service may contact one of the members of the program committee.
    Circle Suppers 2004

    . . One of the social sides of All Souls is the Circle Supper.
    . . It's a once-a-month PotLuck hosted by someone from All Souls at their home. The host provides the place, dishes and the other All Souls people bring the food! It is up to the host or hosts the number of people they can accommodate, child friendly house or adults only, the date and time. If you would be interested in hosting a circle supper in 2003, please call the chairperson. You can even do a theme!
    Your name-tags let visitors know you are open and willing to talk, and makes approaching you easier. Find your tag and wear it. Or, make your own imaginative one. If you need a new one, someone will be happy to oblige.
    The Program Committee is looking for at least three additional people to help make All Souls services happen! Duties include (you can specialize or mix and match):
    • -find and invite speakers and provide them with orientation to our church
    • -plan and laylead services (training provided)
    • -schedule musicians
    • -provide other skills. For more information, contact the chairperson.
    . If you know of an All Souls member or friend who is ill or in a hospital, or who has lost a loved one, please pass the info on to the Membership committee so we can make sure they receive a card, a visit, or other indications of our concern. This is part of caring for our community, and we fear that we may miss someone. The relaying of information needs to be improved. If you have any information or suggestions, or want to help, contact the chairperson.

SUNDAYS & EVENTS!

UU EVENTS OF THE MONTH
Skip down to the meeting schedules.

. . 9/19/2004 - "On a Mission - How and why I became the voice of reproductive rights" Kate Looby has been the SD State Director of Planned Parenthood, Minnesota and South Dakota for 17 months. Coordinator: Kathy Coughlin. Deb Reid plays piano.
. . 9/26/2004 - A UUnique Perspective on Home Schooling: Homeschooling as a UU family, Homeschooling in our UU History, and Homeschooling with UU Principles. Coordinator: Diana Jenner. Deb Reid plays piano.
OCTOBER:

. . And a link to Rev Knapp's address of Sept 12th!)

. . October 3 - "Evolution of the Christian Bible" by Rev. Bill Holden. A segment of contemporary religion holds the Bible to be absolute truth and the final revelation of God. This justifies those who believe in a "chosen" religion to claim a monopoly on truth. As a "choosing not chosen" religion, we need to educate ourselves about the error of a literal interpretation of the Bible while celebrating its role in the moral and ethical development of values in Western Civiliation.
. . Religious influences by the Enlightenment period of history have historically held "revelation is not sealed". This means that religious insight is never finished growing. Thus the Bible is properly seen as a "stepping stone" in the evolution of Western religion, not the final produce. We will review the evidence from the text. Rev. Holden is a Unitarian Universalist Community minister, and was formerly a prison superintendent, a reform school superintendent, and a social worker. He currently resides in Edina, MN. Ann Esse coordinates. Deb Reid plays piano.
. . October 10 - "Johnny Cash for President: 2004" with Rev. Don Rollins. This service is part homage to the ultimate "wounded healer", and part lamentation on the state of American political leadership. Don Rollins has been a UU religious educator and parish minister since 1985. Originally from Ohio, Don has served several congregations in that state, as well as Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, New Mexico and Ontario. He is blissfully rooted as the settled parish minister to Nora Church, Hanska, MN. Mark Sanderson coordinates. Marya Manfred plays piano.

October 17 - "Persistence: Companion to Faith" with Lois Janzen Preheim. Lois will use the following Biblical texts to help share her thoughts: Luke 18:1-8, II Timothy 4: 1-5, and Psalms 121. Reconciling perpetrators and victims, the work she does, is a difficult task. Lois will give us some insight into this difficult, yet rewarding work. Lois has been director of Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) in Sioux Falls since 1991. She has been a teacher, pastor, and a free-lance writer. She lives east of Freeman with husband Lyle who farms 450 acres. Diana Jenner coordinates. Madlin Feragen plays piano.

October 24 - "Exploring The DaVinci Code" with Richard W. Swanson, Professor of Religion/Philosophy/Classics, Augustana College.
. . But is it true?
. . Readers ask at the office, everywhere. One person even flagged me down in a parking lot. I rolled down the window and he asked, "But is it true?" People ask about Mary Magdalene, the Holy Grail, and DaVinci's Last Supper. Dan Brown spins these elements into a large galloping yarn that is fun to read and interesting to think about. Ponder Brown's accomplishment. He has woven 2000 years of history and conspiracy theory together with the Gnostic gospels, the Knights Templar, Opus Dei and notions of the divine feminine. The result? A best-seller read avidly by people who have never heard of Gnosticism. In this session we will explore some of the intriguing oddities that grow out of The DaVinci Code. Bring your questions (and your books, if you like). Questions about gender and the divine feminine especially welcomed. Kathy Coughlin Coordinates. Deb Reid plays piano.
. . October 31 - "Religion and Politics: The Truth About the Truth" with Dr. Jerry Freeman. Dr. Freeman is the chair of the Neurology Science Department at the USD School of Medicine. He is also the Executive Director of the Center for Ethics and Caring at Sioux Valley Hospital. Peter Holland coordinates. Deb Reid plays piano.

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Childcare activities will be planned during the summer Sunday morning programs and talkback/social time. Mark Sanderson has agreed to coordinate volunteers for this purpose. If you would like to help out a sunday this summer, please contact Mark for more information... or you might even expect a call from him. Our kids are worth a little extra effort!
CHILDREN'S RE PLANS

. . There will probably be the same five age groupings as this past year: preschool, lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school/junior high, and high school. The exact divisions will be decided soon, as we look at logical breaks in the ages of our kids and their grades in school. ~Romy K, Chairperson, Children’s R.E. Committee.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
. . The All Souls Lifespan Education Committee will offer a "Compassionate Communication" class, taught by Dr. Paul Rentz, beginning Thursday, September 16, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. This is an eight week class, meeting each Thursday evening (2 hr. sessions) from September 16 to November 4, at All Souls Church. The cost for the class is $160, which includes training books, payable at the first session.
. . "Compassionate Communication" uses the tools of nonviolent communication as developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg to enhance our personal, business, and family communications. Nonviolent communication is a simple yet powerful 4 step method for communicating in a way that equally values the needs of both parties resulting in natural giving from the heart. See the following web pages for full description of the NVC model and training: http://www.cnvc.org/
. . The instructor, Dr. Paul Rentz, a friend of All Souls Church, is a licensed psychologist and a registered NVC trainer candidate. He has 20 years experience in the field of teaching and psychology with: 3 years U.S. Army, 5 years U.S. Air Force; 6 years University Professor (SDSU). Currently: Volunteer Chaplain at SD State Penitentiary; & Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, USD School of Medicine. If you have further questions about this class, feel free to contact Dr. Rentz at 336-1974. ~Mark Sanderson
UU BOOK GROUPS

. . The "ORIGINAL" UU Book Group: Every reader is welcome to the UU book discussion group. The meeting will be, as usual, the 4th Monday of the month. The Group will resume meetings this month. The first meeting is on the 27th of September at Valerie L's home at 7PM. Call Valerie for directions. The book up for discussion is Dan Brown's THE DA VINCI CODE. Anne Esse will lead the discussion. In addition, we will choose books for the months ahead, so bring titles and or books for suggestions. If you are new or a long time member of the All Souls community and would like to join us, come to the meeting or contact Sally S to be on the list and receive information of last minute changes and book list.
. . October's book will be The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. Following the discussion of September's selection, we will choose the next four months reading list.
. . Bring your suggestions (in hand if you have a copy). If you wish to sign up for a reminder e-mail notice of any last minute changes i.e. place, time, book, or announcements - contact Sally S or Pat L
Note from a New UU Group at Okoboji, IA
. . A new UU group is starting up in the Okoboji Lakes area. At the Lakes Art Center, 2201 Hwy 71 N., Okoboji (just north of the Okoboji Summer Theater). We plan to meet on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. If anyone is interested they can email or call Sara Koepp" --see your printed newsletter for addresses.
Chalice Lighters Call
. . All Souls Church’s request for help to support stable funding during the first two years that a new RE Director is employed has been identified as Prairie Star District Chalice Lighters Call #3 for 2003-2004.
. . Please give generously to this Chalice Lighters Call. The Chalice Lighters program provides opportunities for all individuals in the Prairie Star District to participate in the growth of existing and emerging congregations. Contributions can still be made to Call#1 for UU Fellowship of Eau Claire, WI, and to Call#2 for UU Fellowship of Salina, KS. All donations directed to Call#3 will go to All Souls Church of Sioux Falls. Send your donations to: Prairie Star District Chalice Lighters, 122 W Franklin Ave., Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55404 ~Submitted by Maryanna M
REPORT OF THE SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE 2003-2004
. . PEACE AND JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT:
. . Mark S is the SAC leader when it comes to Peace and Justice action. He is primary in leading the Good Friday Vigil against the Death Penalty around the flag pole in the SD Prison parking lot.
. . Mary, John and Perry P, Romy K, Janelle L and other members take part. Mark is also the convener of the Sunday vigil for Peace at the Government Building from 3:00-4:00pm. Mary and Perry P attend as often as possible. It is good meeting with a group of five to eight like minded persons from different denominations and sometimes from out of town. Mark sometimes reads from our hymnal and we all finish by singing ¯Let There Be Peace On Earth.©˜ Passing drivers often wave, give the thumbs sign and/or honk. We do what we can.

. . SERVICES PERFORMED BY ONE OF THE LAY LEADERS 2003-2004
. . The very welcome responsibility of the All Souls Lay Leader is to perform services ordinarily carried out by a Minister: weddings, unions, funerals, child naming ceremonies, and representing the members of the congregation in community meetings. The weddings, unions and funerals are very often requested by people from out of town and not members of this congregation. They are usually carried out in locations other than this church building.
. . For example, one wedding was performed for a couple and their children at Falls Park. Another was performed in a picnic shelter in Yankton Park, also including children.
. . On the other hand, the All Souls church building has been the site of several beautiful Unions, attended by families, friends, musicians and beautifully decorated. Our congregation would have been pleased to attend. The couples were of other denominations which would have refused to cooperate. It is at times like these that one is very comfortable being a Unitarian Universalist.

. . OTHER ACTIVITIES
. . Representing the All Souls congregation, Mary P is a member of the IPC Task Force Committee on Diversity and also the Task Force on Inter-Faith Dialogue in Sioux Falls. As a result of the former, she composed a poem, "A Child is Born.©˜ This poem has been translated into eighteen different languages, including Lakota, by first language speakers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and around the nation. The cover page of the poem packet states that the project is dedicated to the first Unitarian Universalist Principle:
. . “To affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” The Principle is repeated at the bottom of each page of translation. The packet has been requested by and sent to some fifty persons including many teachers, administrators, members of other denominations and, of course, each of the translators. This is the First Edition. Several translators are still working on their contributions so a Second Edition is in the works. Making valuable contributions were the Unitarian Universalist musicians Eleanor May-Patterson, Seth and Dan Patterson, members of the UU Church in Sioux City, Iowa. The First Edition was gotten out in time for the graduation of several translators. They were very proud to see their efforts and names in print.
. . This is, indeed, an UNCOMMON DENOMINATION!
Respectfully submitted by Mary P, Chair, Social Action Committee

The Auction has been postponed until October. We really need volunteers, so call Valerie if you can help.
Front page story in Boston Globe Highlights Unitarian Universalist Commitment to Supporting Marriage Equality.
. . (May 10, 04) Writer Michael Paulson focuses on the UUA commitment to supporting marriage equality. The article, (available online) states, "At a time when many of the major religious denominations of the United States are riven by divisive debates over homosexuality, a small Boston-based denomination ...is preparing to supply ministers to officiate at large numbers of weddings of same-sex couples."
. . In the article, UUA President Sinkford is quoted as saying, "We have been hard at work on this for 30 or 35 years. This issue is one which actually helps to bring us together, and helps us to understand our religious identity, rather than tearing us apart." The Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie, Senior Minister of Arlington Street Church, who will marry her partner on May 20th, was quoted as saying about the coming events, "It's just exquisite to be alive right now...we've worked really long and hard for this."
. . The Globe article relates plans for celebrating same sex unions which are unfolding in Boston, Cambridge, Provincetown, Brewster, Lexington, Marblehead, Littleton, and a number of other cities and towns throughout Massachusetts. Celebrations will begin at church services held on May 16 as congregations recognize the historic events which will take place on May 17 at City/Town Clerk offices throughout the Commonwealth. On May 17th, most if not all of the seven lead plaintiff couples in the landmark suit ruled on by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court united in legal marriage. (See the file for the legal opinion)
. . Also on May 17, the Rev. William Sinkford co-officiated the service joining the lead plaintiffs, Julie and Hilliary Goodridge, in a marriage ceremony to be performed at the UUA's Boston headquarters in Eliot Hall. Another of the UU plaintiff couples, Gloria Bailey and Linda Davies, will be married the same day at the Brewster UU congregation. Later that same evening, ABC's Nightline carried the wedding of another of the plaintiff couples, David Wilson and Rob Compton, as they married at Arlington Street Church by the Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie.
. . For a summary of the struggle to achieve marriage equality in Massachusetts, go to the page.)
. . Also, uua.org is carrying continuing coverage of celebrations of same sex marriage in Massachusetts.
. . Deborah Weiner
. . Director of Electronic Communication
. . Unitarian Universalist Association
. . 25 Beacon Street
. . Boston, MA 02108
. . FAX: 617-742-7025
. . Voice: 617-948-6104
. . http://www.uua.org
This post in the Yahoo UU group recommends changes toward more democracy within the church "gov't". "TOWARD A MORE OPEN UUA."
For those of you who may be interested, the UUA has a link outlining its 30 year history of support for freedom to marry. The page is here. and: another here.

Gay Boy Scout decision

A statement by the Rev. John Buehrens, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Boy Scouts of America.

"For the Scouts to turn their back on an entire class of people, it's shameful." A longer press release: here.

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