What’s going on... July 2009  

Sunday Services

Sunday, July 5 - Rev. Fred Howard, “Choosing One’s Self”

Freedom in the personal realm is not automatically bestowed on us by simply being an American.  It requires courageous self honesty and a deep understanding of the world around us.  I thought it would be interesting to explore the realm of psychological freedom as we celebrate Independence Day weekend.      

 Sunday, July 12 – Watch for announcements.

Sunday, July 19 – Dr. Ann Marie Smith,  “The Search for Truth, Identity, and Family”

Applying feminist theology, Dr. Ann Marie Smith will analyze gender and UU principles in two adolescent novels for girls published by the UU press.   Ann Marie is a member of our congregation.  Welcome her to our pulpit this Sunday.

Sunday, July 26 –   Rev. Fred Howard,  “The Question of Guilt”

Many people have gravitated toward Unitarian Universalism because we do not seem to have all that guilt that many other faith traditions seem to emphasize.  Guilt seems to be a much maligned word in liberal religious faith.  But have we thrown the baby out with the bath water?  Is there a need for a certain sense of guilt for human beings to live well?  This morning I will explore this question.  

 

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Religious Education for Children

During this spring the RE children worked on Earth Day lessons and continued learning about the similarities and differences between a variety of religious traditions.   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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Governor’s Honors Program

As in past summers, the Governor's Honors summer program for gifted high school students will be held at Valdosta State University .  And, as in the past, our church has been asked to host students for Sunday services.

                We may have 12 or more students who want to attend our services, beginning in mid-June.  We'll need volunteers to pick them up and take them back.

                As in the past, they will be able to stay for the service, and the discussion if they wish.  But they must return to VSU for lunch.

                Directions: Pick up will be at Georgia Hall at 10:20 AM.  To get there, go north on Oak St to the university.  Pass the end of Baytree, then take the first right, just past the new construction of the Student Union, keep right on the road inside the campus and go to near the end of the road, to the circular drive in front of the tallest building (the residence hall).

                If you can volunteer to transport students, let Lars Leader know.   

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Let’s Have Some Fun!!

Games Night

Saturday, July 18

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 

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Book Discussion and Potluck

Friday, July 31

At the church

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

The book, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides.  The books cover states: “[The book] tells the story of Calliope Stephanides and three generations of the Greek-American Stephanides family, who travel from a tiny village overlooking Mount Olympus … to Detroit, witnessing its glory days as the Motor City, and the race riots of 1967, before [moving] … to suburban Grosse Pointe… . To understand why Calliope is not like other girls, she has to uncover a guilty family secret, and the astonishing genetic history that turn Callie into Cal … .”  We have been selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Come prepared with your recommendation for the next discussion.  Contact: Betty Derrick.

 

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.

 

 

President’s Corner

Doug Tanner

Another summer has arrived in full force the temperature has reached the extreme and vacations are in full force.  As you go about your busy summer remember that this is only temporary and in a couple of months summer will give way to cooler weather and all of the possibilities that it brings.

                Speaking of Fall, another thing we have to look forward to besides moderate weather is an increased connection with Rev. Fred Howard and hopefully a more prominent presence and connection to our community during the upcoming year.  Rev. Howard and the board came to an agreement in June to have him serve as our half time minister for 2009-2010.  In his role as our half time minister Rev. Howard has agreed to conduct two services each month, provide ministerial service to congregation members and represent the congregation in community and UUA activities.

                Please join me in officially welcoming Rev. Howard to our congregation.

MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

       Rev. Fred Howard                 July 2009

Mary Turner was an African American woman who, along with her unborn child, was brutally murdered in 1918 as a part of a lynching rampage in the Valdosta area in 1918 that resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people.  The incident has been described as one of the most gruesome acts of racial violence in the history of our country.  Yet until last month this horrific event had never been publicly acknowledged.  Mary Turner and her unborn baby had never received a memorial service.  This awful silence, lasting for 91 years, finally ended on May 16 when about 300 people gathered at the Hahira Community Center and later near the site of the murder of Mary Turner and her baby to begin the process of healing.  The event was the culmination of at least two years of effort on the part of the Mary Turner Project, a diverse collection of VSU students and faculty and local community members committed to racial justice issues.

                During the memorial ceremony, descendants and relatives of Mary Turner gave emotional testimony to the far reaching legacy of pain and scars that this family bears from this act of terrorism.  One family member rose to speak but was too overcome with emotion to continue.  Another young man recited a rap style poem that was an eloquent and forceful act of self definition in the face of this and other demeaning actions against African Americans.  Others sang spirituals of hope in the midst of despair.  It was so moving for me to be there to witness the beginning of a catharsis that has been so needed for 91 years.

                In any system, whether it is a family, or a community, or a nation, when we try to forget the truth of the past and move on, the secret is still there, causing all manner of pathology, or disease, in our relationships.  It stays there hidden under the surface and festers, like a slowly growing boil or abscess.  When a community has the courage to come forth and acknowledge the truth of past injustices we can lance this boil that has festered just underneath the surface of our collective lives and has prevented us from being together in healthy ways.  Crude as it is, that is the best metaphor I can use to describe what I was a part of in this memorial service for Mary Turner.

                May the truth of what happened to Mary Turner be told again and again, so that we remember, and resolve to be reconciled with each other, black and white.  May we have the courage to face the horrors of our past together, so that we begin to be together in new and respectful ways in the present.  The members of the Mary Turner Project will be planning another commemorative service this fall to dedicate the permanent historical marker to be put in place at the site of her death.  I would encourage all members and friends of our congregation to join us and be a voice for the work of this project that is making real strides in improving race relations in South Georgia .        

 

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Happy Birthday  in July to

v Anyone with a birthday this month

Congratulations to

v Lars Leader’s sons.  Kevin is a recent honor graduate from high school, headed to college in the fall.  Sean has just finished his first year at Georgia Tech and is in China this summer on a special program.

Keep in your thoughts

v Members and friends who have recently lost loved ones…

 News from

v Marcia Bauer, a former member, who we see occasionally at our services.  Dee Tait recently heard from Marcia and learned that she is in the process of moving to Florida . 

v Carol Stiles who has just been employed by Georgia Military College here in Valdosta .  Carol is a botanist.  It has been great to have Carol back at the church more often.   She is a member of our congregation who lived for a while in Gainesville , FL.   She maintains our church website and edited our newsletter before she moved to FL.  Great going Carol!

Good Bye to

v Pete Mahan who has just moved to Montgomery , Alabama .   We will miss Pete, who says he will really miss us too.  Best wishes to Pete and his wife as they settle in a new home. 

 Welcome back to

v Helen Gerhardt who is here for the summer.  Helen was a very active member of our congregation until she left several years ago for graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh where she will be returning in the fall.  She is living in Pavo this summer where she will spend the summer writing.  She has already volunteered to help out at the church while she is back.   Great to see you again!

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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

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Continuing Class: 6:00-7:30 PM.  Watch for a new Beginners Class probably beginning in mid-August.   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

 

Special thanks to Eva Rucker!

Eva Rucker, a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society which meets at our church, has been taking care of our plants for some time.  She waters them when they look neglected,(often the case) and recently has planted scheffleras from her home in the large pots which once housed palm trees.   Many thanks to Eva for helping keep our sanctuary green!

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Social Action Activities

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday (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.  

Project Harvest Hope:    Fred Howard has been elected to the Board of Directors of Project Harvest Hope (PHH.)  PHH works for a sustainable rural life in the Unitarian homelands of Transylvania .  The organization facilitates pilgrimages to the historical birthplace of Unitarianism; trips which also give American Unitarian Universalists a chance to visit our fellow religionists in Transylvania .   PHH  is also involved in several leadership development initiatives in the area to support the renewal of democratic process, volunteerism, and community action.  PHH is a ministry of presence, conversation, and transformation.  Fred is very honored by this election and excited about the prospects for the work of PHH.   

Community Thanksgiving Service:Put this event on your calendar!  This year the Community Thanksgiving Service will be on Sunday afternoon, November 22, 2009 at 4:00 P.M. at Iglesia Christiana Getsemani, located in old Theatre on Bemiss Road at Castle Park .  Representatives of many faith traditions will be taking part in the service.  Come out and enjoy this service of gratitude and thanksgiving and show your support for our community’s interfaith initiatives. 

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UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors

June 3, 2009

Attendance: Doug Tanner, Sue Bailey, Kari Wells and the Search committee: Pat Wells, Ann Marie Smith and Dee Tait

Old Business:

·         Voting from Congregational meeting  on May 24 was confirmed. We will not need to have another Congregational meeting.

New Business:

·         Board approved contract for Fred Howard.

·         Discussion of a pledge drive to raise additional funds for ministerial expenses.

·         Membership Board Member needed for upcoming year.

Next meeting with be July 8 at 6:00 PM.

Note from President Doug Tanner:  Unfortunately, Lars Leader has had to resign from his position Director of Membership on the UU Valdosta Board of Directors.  We are grateful for the service that Lars has provided to the board and the UU church and we will miss his participation in Board Meeting.

                I am pleased to report that Mya Story has agreed to step in and take over as the Membership Chair for 2009-2010.  We look forward to Mya joining us for the upcoming year.

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

 

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UU Activities and Announcements

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

July 19-24- Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute(SUUSI), Radford , VA

See www.uusi.org for information. Rekindle the Flame Within is the theme this year.

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

August 29-District Wide Congregational Teacher Training, UU Congregation of Lakeland , Lakeland , FL

Sept. 4-7 – Labor Day Weekend at The Mountain  Note: July 4 registration deadline!  Recently reduced cost. 

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Treasurer's Report – Rosie Asbury, Treasurer

May 31, 2009

Receipts                 May 2009                             July 2008-present

  Plate                     $  113.00                               $  1387.17

  Pledge                      945.00                                 13665.00

  Rent                         240.00                                   2780.00

  Misc. donations        0.00                                        500.00

Total Receipts   $ 1298.00                             $ 18332.17

Disbursements

  Speakers’ Fees   $  900.00                               $  9750.00

  Repairs&Maint.       0.00                                      1710.16

  Newsletter                 0.00                                        69.92

  Insur&PestCtr        35.00                                      1586.00

  Postage                      0.00                                      556.48

  Supplies                   33.75                                      238.32

  Donations                 0.00                                        500.00

  Membership Prog.   0.00                                         127.00

  UUA Dues                 0.00                                    1422.00

  UU Conference        0.00                                      1232.78

  Utilities   210.08                                                    2570.65

  Advertising                0.00                                       495.80

  Others                        0.00                                      176.00

Total Disburs. $ 1178.83                               $ 20435.11

Net Receipt     $   119.17                                 $- 2122.94

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

July 2009

It would seem reasonable to write about the General Assembly in Salt Lake City having just occurred at the end of last month. But the column needs to be in the hands of your newsletter editor before GA. In addition as stated in last month’s column I intended to devote two columns to the proposed changes to the UUA Bylaws relating the nomination and election of our UUA President and Moderator. By the time you read this the changes will have been introduced to Article IX, Section 9.5 at GA.

                Last month I wrote about the proposed terms of the President and Moderator changing from four years, with the possibility of serving two terms, to one six-year term for each office. There will be a Presidential Search Committee (PSC) who will submit at least 2 nominations for UUA President at the end of a presidential term or when a vacancy occurs in the office prior to October of the year before the election. The report of the PSC will be announced at GA one year before GA at which there is to be an election, except in the case of an election to fill a vacancy occurring after that date.

                For the election of the Moderator the Board of Trustees (BOT) will submit one or more nominations for the office at the end of the Moderator’s term or when a vacancy occurs in the office prior to October of the year before the election. The report of the BOT will be presented at GA one year before the GA at which there is to be a Moderator election, except in the case of an election to fill a vacancy occurring after that date.

                To run by petition for the Office of President or Moderator, or to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term which occurs prior to December 1^st of the year before the election the petition may be signed by no fewer than twenty-five certified member congregations, including no fewer than five certified member congregations located in each of no fewer than five different district. The proposed change in Section 9.6 is in the word “may”. The Bylaws currently states “shall”.

                Certainly the proposed Bylaws changes for President and Moderator are significant and important ones which should prompt much discussion. I hope each Florida District congregation will devote time and energy to debate/discussion concerning the changes. Please know I look forward to hearing from you at jlund@uua.org. I wish a relaxing summer to you all!

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Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto , Florida District Director

Journey Toward Wholeness Team Forms

"Florida District congregations, working together to become more welcoming, transform themselves and their communities to achieve racial, economic, and environmental justice."

Florida District End “E”

                As this statement suggests, our Florida District is committed to an inclusive, justice-focused ministry. Accordingly, we have organized a Journey To Wholeness (JTW) team to implement this challenging goal. The team met for the first time at the Miami congregation last month. We worked with our UUA JUUST Change Consultant, Paula Cole Jones, of the All Souls Church in Washington , D.C. We reviewed recent efforts on the part of our UUA and Florida congregations regarding racial justice. We also discussed how we might best go about our work to help our congregations to become intentionally "racially inclusive and multi-cultural." We learned that Florida is among 5 of our UUA's Districts actively pursuing this goal.

                Our deliberations led to identifying seven over-all goals for the team:

·         Identify Tipping Point Congregations:  We are seeking 1/3(15) of Florida 's congregations to become proactive with ministries of racial Justice and inclusion.  

·         Collect Congregational Summaries: Working with the JTW team, these congregations will set goals and conduct an annual self-identification audit to track institutional change as they move toward becoming multicultural and inclusive in their ministries. 

·         Compile a District Summary: 

·         Hold Annual JTW Team Retreat: 

·         Host an Annual Multi-Cultural Conference: 

·         Become Active Participants at the District Annual Meeting:  The team will take the lead in ensuring the annual Assembly provides support and encouragement to broader engagement in racial justice & multi-cultural ministries.

·         Encourage JTW Sundays & Sermon Contests: The team will ask all Florida congregations to hold one JTW Sunday per calendar year with a special gifts offering for anti-racism work. Ministers and lay members are invited on those Sundays to participate in a sermon contest on the theme. The winner will give his/her sermon at the District Annual Meeting.

What does this mean for you and your congregation? Immediately, we hope you will raise the question with your Board of Trustees and/or Minister to consider volunteering to be an identified JTW congregation. What that entails will be forth-coming. It will help, however, to have early interest so we may include self-identifying congregations in the shaping of just how we'll go about this ministry.

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