What’s going on... October 2009

Sunday Services

 Sunday, October 4 – Rev. Fred Howard, “Beyond Boundaries – Dwelling Together in Covenant”

What does it mean to be a covenant people?  The question really defines who Unitarian Universalists are as a faith community.  This question should give new members a glimpse of what they are getting into as we welcome them into our midst.  Long time friends and members may also find new meaning through revisiting this inquiry.  

New Members Ceremony - We will welcome new members to our congregation during this morning’s service.   If you have been attending and are considering membership, please speak with our minister Fred Howard or one of our officers.  We would like to include you in this ceremony to welcome you to our congregation.

Potluck Dinner after the service.  Susan Bailey is coordinating the meal.  Watch for announcements from her.  Bring enough to include our new members as our guests today and any visitors we may have.

Sunday, October 11  – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “Friedrich Nietzche: The Revaluation of Values”

Nietzche is one of the most controversial thinkers in the entire history of Western thought.  He is also easily misunderstood.  We will investigate his critique of Christianity, his approach to morality, and his quest for tragic optimism.  Nietzche just might help us figure out how to live a meaningful life in our own unique way by spurring us to cultivate a revaluation of values.

Sunday, October 18 – Rev. Fred Howard, “The Time of Your Life”

The Danish Philosopher Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backward, but must be lived forward.”  This morning we will see if Kierkegaard was onto something, with some help from the book of Ecclesiastes and the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  It is not necessary to read the book or see the movie to derive meaning from the philosophical quest of this morning’s sermon, but I would encourage you to do so, as both pieces give us great insight into the meaning of life.

Sunday, October 27 – Dr. Cristóbal Serrán-Pagán y Fuentes, “The Mystical-Prophetic Witness of Thomas Merton: Contemplative Ruminations on the Mary-Martha Story.”

The most well known Catholic monk of the twentieth century Thomas Merton struggled all his life to find the right balance between all apparent pair of opposites presented to him through tradition and society, to name a few: contemplative-activist, mystic-prophet, solitude-solidarity, monk-writer, male-female, black-white, etc…. On many occasions Merton was told by ecclesiastical authorities to be a good monk and a contemplative but they censored his prophetic voice and his activism, especially on social justice issues like war and peace. In this talk I will address how Merton was able to integrate his mystical and prophetic stance in the world through the rich Christian narrative story of Mary and Martha. All in all, Merton’s approach to the Mary-Martha story can be interpreted as a universal archetype found in all religions and in all cultures at all times.

                We welcome Dr. Cristóbal Serrán-Pagán y Fuentes as our speaker this morning. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Valdosta State University . He received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Boston University. The title of his doctoral dissertation was "Mystical Vision and Prophetic Voice in Saint John of the Cross: Towards a Mystical Theology of Final Integration." He also holds a Masters degree in Sacred Theology from Boston University, a Masters degree in Philosophy from Boston College, a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and a Bachelor in Business Administration from St. Thomas University.  Before joining VSU, Dr. Serrán-Pagán taught at Goucher College, at Illinois Wesleyan University, and at Coker College. He is a member of The International Thomas Merton Society and Advisor to the Robert Daggy Scholarship Program.  

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Religious Education

For Children: The RE program for children meets at. 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  The children are studying what it means to be UU and learning more about our roots and history. Volunteers to help in the classroom are needed. Contacts: Mya Storey; Susan Bailey..   

Infants and Toddlers: Sue Bailey wants to be sure that new members or visitors know that infants and toddlers are welcome in the RE room during services.  They may be too little to participate, but we do have someone available to watch them so the parents can enjoy the service.  

Kids’ RE Overnight Retreat - Saturday, September 26 – Sunday September 27

We look forward to hearing about the retreat the held at the end of September from the kids and from adults who attended the cookout on Saturday night and the  breakfast on Sunday morning.  Thank you to Susan Bailey and others who helped out.  

For Adults: A new Adult RE class will begin October 4 at 9:30 AM and continue through the month of October.  It will be led by Al Hunt and Fred Howard.  The group will discuss select issues of concern to Unitarian Universalists using John Shelby Spong’s book, The Sins of Scripture.  Check with Fred Howard if you have not yet been able to obtain a copy of the book.  At one point he had several copies.  The book is available thorough Amazon.com also.  Here is the class schedule:

Oct. 4 – The Bible and the Environment, Read sections 1&2

Oct 11 – The Bible and Women. Read section 3

Oct 18 – The Bible and Homosexuality. Read section 4

Oct 25 – The Bible and Religious and Racial Bigotry, Read sections 6,7&8

This book should prove to be an effective springboard to a lively and edifying discussion.  Bishop Spong speaks with the voice of an insider of the Christian church, but with a voice that most Unitarian Universalists should find resonance.  Please join us.

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New and Renew UU Class

Fred Howard will begin a small group experience called “New and Renew UU” on the evening of October 19.  There will be three sessions – Oct. 19, 26, and Nov.9.  Each will begin around 6:30 PM and we will covenant to finish at 8 PM.  This experience is open to all, whether or not you are new to our faith.  There will be dinner, followed by both an informational and a personal sharing component.  These will be focused on three general themes:  what brought you to Unitarian Universalism, who we are and what you hope to gain from our movement, and how to identify and engage you time, talents, and resources in service locally and globally.  The experience will be limited to the first 10 people who sign up and you must commit to attend all three sessions.  You may sign up by emailing me.  There will also be a sign up sheet in the sanctuary beginning the first Sunday in October.

                Kathy and Fred Howard will be hosting the first session at their condo at Rolling Hills.  Volunteers are needed to host the second and third sessions.  Our meal will be a potluck. We will furnish the main course and beverages.  The others will be decided by the group, but we will focus on making it easy on the host. (delivery pizza perhaps?) 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to the RE children for painting Stephanie’s chalice.  Be sure to notice their work in bright colors when you are next at the church!

 

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Let’s Have Some Fun!!

 

Games Night

Saturday, October 17

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: These Friday night gatherings will resume in November.  We will let the new Adult RE discussion book be our October “event.”  See details about the RE discussion elsewhere in the newsletter.  Contact Betty Derrick with your book suggestions.   

Fred Howard is our part time minister.   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.

MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Rev. Fred Howard                                      October 2009  

One of the things that makes our Sunday morning worship experience unique is the discussion period following the service.  A period of reflection on the thoughts and ideas expressed in the sermon changes the dynamics of a religious community from one of passive indoctrination to one where each individual is encouraged in freedom of thought and expression. Besides, it keeps the speaker on his/her toes and I have found the spirited exchange to be quite enlightening, often expanding my own thinking and emotional processing of the subject matter into different and challenging areas.  Another benefit is the impression visitors may get of our community as being one where we live our values.  That is, as we listen to each other respectfully, we are honoring the worth and dignity of each other, we are affirming the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and we are accepting each other and encouraging each other to grow spiritually in healthy ways.  Of course, we are only modeling these things when we conduct our discussion civilly and respectfully.  I thought it might be helpful as we begin our new church year to list some guidelines that foster open, healthy discussions:

·         Keep the focus on understanding and learning from one another

·         Listen with an ear to understand the other person’s point of view rather than merely listening to formulate a rebuttal.

·         Use this time to question old assumptions, especially your own.

·         Suspend judgment until a point has been fully made.

·         Ideas that have resonance within your own mind and heart are the more interesting and persuasive

·         Everyone should be treated not only as a person of worth and dignity, but as an equal.  Some people will always be more articulate than others; that doesn’t necessarily diminish what the others have to say.

·         It is not a mark of weakness, but spiritual maturity, when someone is capable of changing his/her mind

·         Express disagreements in terms of ideas, not personality or motives

·         Honesty and brevity usually carry the day

  I think we do a good job of keeping our discussion period interesting, civil, and lively.  We can always do it better.  Let us forever be striving to be the positive changes we wish to see in the world.

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ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Happy Birthday to

v Betty Derrick

Keep in your thoughts...our members and friends experiencing the loss of loved ones.

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Presidents Corner:  

After a one week rain delay VSU’s “The Happening” finally got under way September 3.  The weather was warm and sunny and the students were out in droves this year.  Fred, Sue, Dee, Mya, Lars and I all enjoyed hanging out and talking to the students who stopped by our tent.  We talked to one student who attended the UU Church of Savannah and was surprised to hear that there was a local fellowship. 

At Mya’s suggestion we are now offering rides to Sunday Services for students who don’t have transportation.  We passed out fliers at “The Happening” telling students how to contact us to let us know they are interested.  It is a challenge to get young peoples attention these days but if we can get a few students to start attending they can spread the word on campus.  If you hear of any students, or others, who would like a ride to a Sunday Service, just let any board member know so that we can arrange to pick them up and drop them back off after the service.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in the Happening and a special thanks to Sue who transported everything to the VSU front lawn.

I’ll see you all on Sunday.  

Doug

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Social Action Activities

 Accepting Difference Project  

Our members, who have been actively involved in this project and who also have been coordinating our congregation’s social justice activities, and Fred Howard met September 21 for lunch at Hildegards to discuss future and continuing projects for our community.  Lars Leader has agreed to assume the leadership of this group this year.  Betty Derrick will step down from this role, but will continue as a member of the group and as the church’s contact person for the UU Service Committee(UUSC).   Dee Tait, Carol Stiles, and Susan Bailey are actively involved with these activities.  The group welcomes all in the congregation who are interested in congregational and community social action to join in this ministry.  The Accepting Difference Project is considering several activities including support for the Change Minifilm Festival we supported last year, a possible grant for community organizing, and invigoration of a regular community prayer vigil proposed by the Accepting Difference Project several years ago.    The Accepting Difference Project is funded through our Restoration Fund.   It is intended to be a community project with community funding with two purposes: 

 a. To support and sustain members of the Project in their individual social justice work in our community, and

 b. To support/sponsor as a group efforts to improve the diversity climate in our community.  

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.  

Habitat for Humanity:  The board is discussing the possibility of participating in a Habitat build event again this year. The dates would be the week of Nov 14-21.  Watch for more information.

 

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse!!!

Our 7^th Principle- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part-begs that we make our environmental footprint minimal and gentle.  Recently we seem to have drifted away from reusable service ware in our kitchen and towards more paper plates and cups and even some Styrofoam plates.  Some items such as paper napkins and towels may be necessary, but reusable cups and plates and flatware are available and we ought to use them.  Your editor is watching for a good deal on plates, saucers, and bowls so that we have a few more to use.  Thanks to Julie Halter, we have additional flatware.  Let’s make a commitment to good environmental practice and minimize our use of throwaways.  (There’s a practical reason too.  We don’t have garbage pickup so the more you throw away the more you have to lug home! Perhaps there is a reminder there too about the problem landfills have!)  Just something for all of us to consider.  J MED  

Renewal DVD - eight stories about faith communities and the environment

The (UUA) Office of Congregational Stewardship Services (CSS) Green Sanctuary program has shipped copies of the interfaith film Renewal and "Renewal: A Guide for Screening and Using the Documentary" to all UUA congregations free-of-charge. Please check your congregational mailbox for your copy. 

 Doug Tanner, Mya Storey, Dee Tait, and Lars Leader (approaching on the right) at The Happening on the VSU campus this fall.  Fred Howard participated also.  Thanks for the picture Fred!  

Volunteers Needed at the Church

Our church depends on each of us to volunteer for all that goes on at the church from preparing food to cleaning up to even taking out the garbage, all those things that each of us must do in our own homes.  In addition all of the Sunday service layleading, some sermons, all of the music, the printing of programs, teaching our children in the RE classes is done by our members.  Some really enjoy doing some of these tasks but it takes all of us.  Bill Webster says we really need some more volunteers to laylead.  He is more than willing to show you the ropes if you will be willing to give it a try.  We have lots of support materials for newcomers to lay leading for example a notebook of service materials and stacks of CDs for music.  If you are nervous about doing this particular task, just remember we are your friends and we are a friendly audience!  Please volunteer!!!

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UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors

September 9, 2009

Attendance: Doug Tanner, Sue Bailey, Mya Storey, Rosie Asbury, Bill Webster, Fred Howard, Jim Ingram and Kari Wells.

Phone: We have a new answering machine, but now there is a problem with the phone line. (Has been fixed, although there are still problems with the message on the answering machine.9/20)

RE Report:  Overnight retreat for kids Sept 26th and pancake breakfast Sept 27th. Kids will also do a presentation for the Day of the Dead on Nov 1st. They are also going to be working on an "Art Museum" to display some of their projects done throughout the year along with any works of art from our adult members.  Mya was going to make up new visitor cards.

Fred is going to write a follow-up letter to send out to visitors.

We are going to work on getting some sort of church directory available to members of the congregation. Possibly talk to Carol about an on-line directory that has a pass code for members.

Talked about scheduling a Fall cleanup at the church.

Next meeting will be Oct 7th, 2009 @ 6:00.

Note that some matters discussed by the board appear as separate items in the newsletter and have been omitted from this report.

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Treasurer's Report – Rosie Asbury

August 31, 2009

Receipts                 August                     July –present

  Plate                     $ 208.00                                     $   377.00

  Pledge                  1319.00                                        2029.00

  Rent                        240.00                                          380.00

Total Receipts    $1767.00                     $  2786.00

Disbursements  

  Speakers’ Fees      200.00                           200.00

Minister Expense    350.00                         1050.00

Repairs & Maint.         0.00                              0.00

 Newsletter                    0.00                              0.00

 Termite/Pest Ctr.       35.00                            70.00

  Postage                        0.00                              0.00

  Supplies                     45.15                             58.22

  Utilities                     233.77                          418.80

  Advert./Website        0.00                              0.00

  UUA Dues               392.00                          392.00

  Others                          0.00                             70.00

Total  Disburs.   $  1255.92                    $   2259.02

Net Receipt        $    511.08                  $     526.98

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Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait Photography: Fred Howard, Susan Bailey, Betty Derrick  October 15: Deadline for the November newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UU Activities and Announcements

Oct. 3- Southeast Cluster Workshop-Compassionate Communication with Rev. LoraKim Joyner, “Healing for Our Lives and Our Congregations,”  UU Fellowship of Boca Raton , FL

Oct. 4- All FLD Congregations: UUA Association Sunday. “Growing Our Diversity.” Details: http://www.uua.org/giving/associationsunday/index.shtml. 

Oct. 10-11 Washington , D.C. “National Equality March.” Details: http://equalityacrossamerica.org/. 

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

October 31-November 1- UU celebration at the Pride Festival in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA.  Contact Tricia Page at wrknprogrez@yahoo.com, or (404) 374-6922

November 13-15- “Jubilee Workshop,” co-sponsored by UU Florida District Racial Justice Council  and the racial justice task force of the Gainesville congregation, Gainesville , FL  

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund     October 2009  

Perhaps you are feeling cooler, crisper weather where you are in our beloved District but it remains mighty hot in humid in Tampa . Luckily, as this column is being written we have been experiencing a quiet “h” season. Let it continue to be so. Many of you realize there have been some major transitions in our ministry to youth and young adults, following the 2007 Summit on Youth Ministry and the Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth. Both of these events can be found by linking to them on our UUA web site. The re-organization at our UUA Office of Youth and Young Adult ministries, the topic of this month’s writing.

                The UUA Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries exists to support all UU youth and young adults. It is a part of the Lifespan Faith Development staff group, and helps support the development of curricula and resources for lay and professional religious educators. One of the more prominent resources is Our Whole Lives, the sexuality education curriculum. The Youth Ministries Office also supports multi-faceted ministry through the Chrysalis Training Program, General Assembly Youth Caucus, advocacy for the needs of youth in our faith, and consultation on youth programming.

                Part of the mission of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is to advocate, educate, train, and develop resources for those involved in campus ministry. Often young adults face educational and career choices, relationship and family issues, and sometimes just the struggle of living life independently. The Office wants to support and help these young adults to feel at home within our young adult movement and help build a vibrant, sustainable, and accountable community. If your congregation is near a higher learning institution please consider developing a campus ministry initiative there.

                As a faith it will be difficult for us to survive if we do not grow and nurture our children, youth, and young adults. For further information and assistance you can contact Erik B. Kesting, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at ekesting@uua.org, Rev. Dr. Monica Cummings, Program Associate for Ministry to Youth and Young Adults of Color at mcummings@uua.org, or Nancy DiGiovanni, Bridging and campus Ministry and Associate at ndigiovanni@uua.org. Of course you may always contact me at jlund@uua.org with your UUA thoughts and concerns. Happy Halloween, one and all.

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Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto , Florida District Director  

"Risk Management" is not a phrase likely to elicit much excitement in any quarter. Yet, for congregational leaders, this is an important notion.

                We come into the hurricane season with its attendant anxiety and the scolding lectures of officials to have our evacuation or ride-it-out plans in place. In addition to your personal plans, have you any idea of how ready your congregation is? Do you know if your leaders can lay their hands on the "emergency preparedness" document? Is there one?

When it comes to wind and rain issues, leaders think of the congregation's properties, as they should. But is someone charged with the caring community dimensions? Is there a plan to provide support to your shut-ins or others unable to evacuate? Do you have a telephone tree to do a post-storm check-in? A phone-tree is a simple and good idea for any congregation, any time you need to get word out on any matter. I urge you to set one up before you need it!

                Risk management is not only about emergencies: it also includes the dull, even boring work of ensuring fire extinguishers have been inspected and charged in the recent year or that exit doors have the appropriate panic bars in working order. It includes a decision-tree of who is in charge if the President and/or Minister become unavailable. It includes proper money-handling, conflict management, grievance procedures, an annual insurance audit, and ensuring the physical, emotional, and moral safety of any who come to the congregation's events.

                Sadly, it also includes having someone monitor congregational events with a watchful eye, having been trained to deal with any unwelcome intruders. After the shootings at our Knoxville , Tennessee congregation last year, several of our Florida congregations have instituted procedures for having someone in a "watchers" role who knows how to implement safety procedures quickly. As I say sad, but this, too, is part of that boring "risk management."

                Let me encourage you to ask your leadership to invite the local police and fire to come walk through your facilities with an eye for safety. They'll be glad to do it.

                We hope and pray our risk exposure is always low and coping policies gather dust, unused. Yet, one of the ways we care for one another is to pay attention to such questions long before they might ever occur. That's the "management" part.

                If we in the District can help you further, let us know.

 Meanwhile, have continuing safe and effective ministries.

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Coming Out on the Side of Love
Once a year since 2006, First Unitarian of Denver, has gathered on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol building instead of in our sanctuary. We are joined by members of the wider community to bless the unions of same gender couples on state property. We pray and celebrate, sing and worship, all in order to end marriage discrimination in Colorado .
Can you join my congregation by hosting a Coming Out on the Side of Love event in your community on October 11th?
                I cannot describe what a powerful and energizing annual event this has become for our church. At any point in the year, the mere mention of this witness brings loud cheers, applause, and oftentimes tears of gratitude from the congregation. This year, on October 11th, we will be joined by members of Jefferson Unitarian and expect to have 500 people gathered.
                As a faith and pastoral leader, I witness inequality daily. I minister to dozens of fine and faithful couples who are prevented (by law!) from rights and responsibilities granted to other couples.

                As a citizen, a voter, and a believer in democracy, I say to my government, "You can make discrimination legal, but you can't make it right!"

                As a father of two children, I teach them that America is founded on equality, freedom, and fairness. How do I explain to them that under current law, some are more equal and free than others?

                For all of these reasons, I will continue to bring my congregation to the Capitol Building every year. We will sing, praise, worship, protest, and stand on the side of love.
                This year we will be gathering the signatures of all who assemble for the Petition for Full Equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We will share those signatures with our local legislators and fax them to the Standing on the Side of Love campaign for inclusion in national efforts.

                Please consider what YOU can do next month to join us in body, in spirit, and in solidarity. Let us know that we're not alone! Let everyone know what you stand for!
                Please host a Coming Out on the Side of Love event in your community on October 11th.
If we stand together, our love will win.
Love, Rev. Mike Morran

  Denver , Colorado  

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Once upon a time, two Unitarians were having a heated theological discussion.

                One said, “UUs are so badly educated when it comes to the Bible.”

                “We are not,” the other argued.

                “Oh yeah?” said the first UU.  “I’ll bet you can’t even recite the Lord’s Prayer.”

                Each one slammed down five dollars, and the second UU said,

“Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

            And the first UU said, “you win.”

From “The Church Where People Laugh” by Gwen Foss  

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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of  Unitarian Universalism

October 30-31, 2009

"It Happened at Syracuse " - A District Conference celebrating the Birth and Growth of Unitarian Universalism is coming to Syracuse , NY on October 30-31, 2009

                Fifty years ago, shortly before noon on Saturday, October 31, 1959, a very important vote was taken in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Syracuse, in Syracuse , New York .   After years of discussion, representatives of what was then the American Unitarian Association (AUA) and the Universalist Church of America (UCA) overcame the final obstacle and voted to adopt a common statement of purpose and a formal Plan for Consolidation, creating the new "Unitarian Universalist Association."

                Exactly 50 years later, we will gather in the very same Ballroom that they did to examine what they accomplished, how far we have come since 1959, and how far we have yet to travel.

The 2009 Conference at Syracuse will:

  • Relive the music, liturgy, faith practices and actions of that historic period.

  • Revisit significant events leading up to the Conference at Syracuse .

  • Explore the growth of the UU movement in the past 50 years.

  • Consider the nature of our faith and the threads that weave our theological diversity into a common identity.

  • Help us embrace the challenges we face in working to advance our future as a unique religious people with something to offer the world.

In conference general sessions, workshops, and worship, four questions will guide our quest:

    1.  Where did we come from?

    2.  What has happened since the 1959 Conference at Syracuse ?

    3.  What do our principles, purposes and practices say about our identity?

    4.  What is our future?

                Four prominent UU scholars will be on hand to share their insights and perspectives about the meaning of "What Happened at Syracuse ." The Revs. David Bumbaugh, David Parke, Richard Gilbert and Elizabeth Strong have each played important leadership roles in the growth of the Unitarian Universalist movement. They will bring a considerable body of experience and great insight to bear on these four questions.

 

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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: 5:30-7:00 PM; Beginners Class: 7:00-8:00 PM new class began August 27.   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