E-mail UU-Valdosta at uuvaldosta@yahoo.com  

Phone:  229-242-3714 

 

Page down or click the links to go to specific sections:

Sunday Services	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
President's Portion	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Social Events!!	Board Notes
	Rev. Child's column!  "Child's Play"

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Rev. Child Visits Three Sundays in November  

Our minister, Rev. Barbara Child, will be in Valdosta the following  Sundays in November.  Here are her comments about her sermons.

November 7  --  “In Honor of Heroes:  What We Live For, What We Die For”   We have heard a lot lately about what it takes to be a hero.  In the wake of terrorist attacks and hurricanes, we have found many to lift up for their heroism.  Unitarian Universalism has its share of heroes too, both historical and contemporary.  As we put this month’s election in perspective, and as we approach Veterans Day, let us today celebrate more than one kind of hero. 

November 21 --  “Sitting at the Welcome Table”  This church is spiritual or religious home to people of many ages.  We will gather today for some stories of hope and justice told in a variety of voices as we give thanks for the church, each other, and so much more. 

November 28 --  “What Path Do You Travel?”  A number of us have been giving some new attention to what happens here on Sunday morning and why.  Some have said what they come for is a “spiritual experience.”  Others have said either directly or in so many words that they have no idea what the word “spirituality” means.  I suspect that differences in preferred worship style may turn out to be more significant for many than differences in belief.  This will be an unusual Sunday service.  Come prepared for some surprises, even about yourself.

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Other Sunday Services

Jennifer Glapion, one of our members, will speak on Sunday, November 14.  She has entitled her presentation “Someone Else’s Kingdom”  She says it is a brief look at how kingdoms have shaped our democracy.  Then she will examine the hard sell of monarchy to children through film, television, and advertising.  Jennifer is the mother of the three lovely children, Gresha, Ana, and Matilda, who have been regulars for Children’s R.E. and in Childcare during the service over the last year.  Jennifer and her husband, Raymond, home school their daughters.  

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Meet & Greet Coffee after the Service: Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in friendly and interesting conversation and particularly to greet visitors and newcomers.  Volunteers are needed to host particular Sundays.   

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Childcare is available during the Sunday service. Sarah Tait and  Emily Segrest are providing this service to the church.  

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our minister Rev. Barbara Child.  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.

 

 

 

 

Religious Education

Adult and Young Children Religious Education meet on Sunday at 9:30 AM in the R.E. wing.  Contact: Anne Zipperer.  

R.E. for Young Children: The lessons taught each Sunday during R.E. are from Chalice Children, a UU curriculum. The lessons include material about our planet, imagination, and the interdependent web in which we live. Along with the lessons children will make crafts, read stories, sing songs, and play games.  Our teachers/childcare givers Emily Segrest and Sarah Tait want to take this opportunity to invite all children to join in.  Emily and Sarah will alternate teaching the R.E. class.  

R. E. for Adults: Please watch the Sunday Bulletins in November for announcements about Adult R. E. or contact Anne Zipperer, our  R.E.Director.  

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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service  

Barbara Child will take part in the Valdosta Area Ministerial Association’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Sunday November 21 at 3:00 PM at First Christian on Patterson Street .   Barbara hopes people from this congregation will come to the service.  This is an important way for us to let our community know about us and meet our minister.

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Get in the habit!  Check the bulletin board in the R. E. building regularly.  Postings there announce activities at the church with sign-up sheets and advertise Florida District activities.  You’ll find interesting information about Unitarian Universalism and about our members too.

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 about our members  

v      Welcome June Fisher when you next see her.  June joined our congregation October 13. 

v      Keep in your thoughts our members and friends who may be experiencing illness or concerns about family members.  

CHILD’S  PLAY

Rev. Barbara Child  

When I think about my mid-October week with the congregation, I realize how different it was from my September time here.  In September I was steeped in getting to know you.  I was delighted to have you come and see the newly refurbished minister’s study and to sit down with you for conversations in small groups, or in some instances, one or two of you at a time.  I remain grateful for how you opened yourselves to me and shared the stuff of who you are – even as I know that there is much more to learn and love about you than I have discovered so far.

I did get to know you better during our October week, but it was a different kind of week too.  We really went to work in October.  That first Sunday afternoon, October 10, at the Leadership Retreat, priorities began to take shape – commitment and involvement t of and to the people in the congregation, outreach to people beyond our doors, and the role of Sunday services in the life of this church. 

            In the days following the retreat, I began to follow up on these priorities with the leaders who had particular interest in one or another of them.  First,  we had a grand Wednesday evening that we called “Getting to Know UU,” complete with an hour’s conversation over a delicious potluck supper and then a conversation circle around a flaming chalice where we began to think in new ways together about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. I was delighted that by the end of the evening, people were asking for more, and I commit to you all that after the holidays we will have a follow-up gathering.  There is so much more rich UU treasure to share! 

            But first the Board and I agreed that we want to move on those priorities that were identified at the leadership retreat.  I’ve learned so much now about this church, your history, your present ways of doing things, your hopes and fears and dreams.  It’s powerful stuff, my friends.  You have been through so much.  And you have so much to be proud of.  Now it’s time to talk about your future. 

So here’s the scoop.  I invite you come spend the evening with me at church on Wednesday, November 3.  That’s the night after the election.  I figure that might give us something to talk about over potluck supper at 5:30.  Then at 6:30, we will move into a circle, light a chalice, and get down to some plain speaking about the church.  If you want a name for this evening, here it is:  “Barbara Talks Turkey about the Future of Our Church.”  I hope you’ll come and join the conversation.  

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UU 101: A Success:  The UU 101 “Getting to Know UU” workshop held in October was quite a success.  About 10 of our members gathered with Barbara Child for a delicious potluck supper and afterwards gathered in a chalice circle.  Barbara discussed the development of the Unitarian and Universalist traditions and how these historical traditions influence Unitarian Universalist churches today.   All present agreed that another similar session, dubbed UU 102, would be welcomed.  Watch for a follow-up event early in the new year.  

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Social/Fellowship Activities  

Barbara Talks Turkey about the future of our church

Wednesday, November 3

5:30-8:30 PM at the church

Rev. Barbara Child’s column this month introduces this event.  It will begin with a potluck.  Watch for a sign-up sheet on the R.E. Bulletin Board.  Barbara says this will be the night after the election, and the Membership Committee figures people may want to come and have a chance to cheer or blow off steam over dinner. Afterwards we’ll move into circle as we did several Wednesdays back for UU 101.  (Barbara reminds us that this is not “UU 102” though.  That will be scheduled later, after the holidays.)

Saturday(First not Last!)Social

November 6 at 6:30 PM

Betsy and Randy Thompson’s Home  

Members and long-time friends of the Unitarian  Universalist Church of Valdosta will be treating our recent visitors and their guests to a delicious potluck dinner. This is always a FUN evening that gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better in a relaxed and casual setting.  Please RSVP by phone or email by Monday, November 1 if you are planning to attend. We hope to see lots of new faces!!  BYOB (soft drinks will be provided), a dish to share, and plans to have a good time.  

This month’s “Last” Saturday Social  is a postponement of the announced October event and with the approach of the holiday season will be the last member-visitor-guest potluck and social of the year.  Ask Randy or Betsy for directions to their house.  

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Day, November 25

2:00 PM at the church  

There will be a potluck Thanksgiving dinner at the church on Thanksgiving Day at 2:00 p.m.  Watch for a sign-up sheet for who is bringing what for the dinner.  Although this has not been an on-going tradition at our church, it is a tradition in a number of congregations.  Barbara Child  would like  you  to know that this event is not just for folks who happen not to be with family on Thanksgiving -- but for everyone.  Perhaps you can start a new tradition in your family and share your family dinner and family with everyone!

 

President’s Portion

Dee Tait     (guest columnist this month is your editor, Betty Derrick)

Ever felt so overwhelmed you didn’t think you could keep going much less get done what is routine in your schedule?  Thought so!  We’ve all been there.  Well as the deadline approached for this newsletter our president, who usually writes those encouraging and upbeat columns, just couldn’t do it this month.  Without her permission, and I hope I’m not stepping out of line Dee , I have decided that I have a few words to say.

Since I’ve been out of town for much of recent months, I hesitate to say what is on my mind, but here goes.  We are a volunteer organization.  We are a small group.  All of us in addition to our own family and job have many other commitments in this community and elsewhere.  Bet you already knew that! 

We are also all committed to the future of this congregation in Valdosta and share a belief that we do make a difference for ourselves and for this community because we are here.  I think we all know that too.

As a volunteer organization things get done only if we do them.  That may be esoteric, like speaking and organizing a lay led service.  It may be very mundane like washing the dishes and taking out the garbage.  (By the way a reminder:  we do not have garbage service.  If the garbage is taken out one of us has to take it home!  If it is not taken out after the Sunday service, in the bathrooms and the kitchen, it sits there until is smells up the place until the next Sunday.  The same thing goes for dirty dishes and food left around!  We don’t have janitorial service either so the vacuuming and cleaning and replacing of items in the bathrooms doesn’t happen unless we volunteer to be responsible.)  We probably should keep in mind that visitors and newcomers may judge us as much on those mundane things as on the service or program they attend.  The people who rent our building are a cross-section of the community and their judgment too may be on the way our facilities are kept and our materials organized.

I see our President as someone who should be leading and organizing what we do.   She simply cannot also do everything.  And yet this past Sunday I found our president cleaning, gathering garbage, checking to be sure the church was locked up and ready for our Sunday evening renters and also trying to arrange the bulletin board.  Everyone else had already left.  She knows she can’t do all of this. 

My impression is that our president is a pretty good delegator. Perhaps the problem is that too many of us have not been willing to say yes to a job or two which need doing and not only do the job but also shoulder the responsibility for the job.    If you are like me, you are so busy that you wait for someone to ask you to do something and even then you hesitate to shoulder the responsibility.  You may just say yes to one time responsibility. 

Perhaps it is time for each of us to look around at all we know needs doing and think about what, perhaps mundane responsibility, we could assume, and call Dee to volunteer.  Then follow thorough!  Be responsible for that task! 

We hired Barbara Child to help us grow.  One pragmatic aspect of growing is that there will be more people to help with all that needs doing.  Don’t forget though, there is work in growing also.  We have made a commitment through Barbara to ourselves this year to give growth a try.  Can you find a way to assume perhaps one mundane responsibility, one “growth” responsibility, and one leadership responsibility?

Barbara will be sharing with us what she sees about our church and its future path when she “Talks Turkey” this month.  Participate, as you are willing and able.  We have a lot to offer this community.  We can find the energy to do what needs doing.  And many thank yous to everything everyone is already doing!!  

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Restoration Funds

Any member who has submitted a written proposal for use of the Restoration Fund by the deadline of November 1, 2004 is invited to make a verbal presentation to the Board at a special Board meeting on November 4, 2004. All members are invited to come to the meeting.  A copy of the written proposals can be requested from Dee Tait.  There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday November 7, 2004 immediately following the service, to consider the proposed budget for the Restoration Fund.  

November 1 – written proposal deadline November 4 – Board meeting presentations and discussion November 7 – Congregational meeting to vote on Board proposal

Additional Board News:

The board met on October 14. Items discussed included fees for building rental, workshop dates, the Restoration Fund, upcoming district activities, and job descriptions for board positions, Barbara's participation in the Community Thanksgiving Program, and the Thanksgiving Meal at the church.  The board decided to charge $50 for half-day and $100 for full day one-time rental of the building and to give the President or Minister discretion as to whether to waive the fee if the intended use furthers our congregational outreach to the community.  The board decided to hold a workshop on Sunday Services on Sunday, October 31 after the service, to postpone the stress workshop until further notice, and to schedule a workshop on Membership as a potluck dinner on Wednesday, November 3 at 5:30 PM.  These workshops will be advertised through newsletters, orders of service, email, and the church bulletin boards.  The board reviewed the procedure for budgeting the Restoration Fund that was shared with the congregation in the October newsletter and is on the church bulletin board for review.   Barbara, Dee, and Anna will attend the District workshop on Managing Differences on October 16 in Daytona, and Barbara suggested that someone attend the District Leadership Conference on November 12-13 in Orlando .  Board members decided to attempt to write a description of their position in order to be better organized and help future members of the board understand what a position entails.  The board will hold its next regular meeting on November 4 after the hearing on Restoration Fund proposals as time allows. 

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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 of each month.  If you can deliver meals on this day beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Dee Tait.

Social Action Committee

At its meeting September 29, the committee decided on social action opportunities for the upcoming months.  The committee helped with the effort to declare our congregation a hate-free zone along with other Georgia congregations to oppose the Georgia Marriage Amendment, which will be on the ballot in November.  To honor this effort, the congregation wrapped a rainbow colored ribbon around the church during the service on October 10.  The Social Action Committee also created a display board with information about the marriage amendment to help educate our members and friends about this important human rights issue.  The ribbon and board will remain up until Election Day. 

            The committee decided that our November project would be to participate in the Guest at Your Table Program, which raises money for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to further human rights in the US and around the world.  Barbara Child will kick off this program during the service on November 21.

            Watch the Sunday Bulletins for an announcement of the next meeting of the Social Concerns Committee.  Contact: Anna Mitchell Hall. 

Act for Election Integrity!  Following up on the Action of Immediate Witness on Electronic Voting passed at General Assembly this June, www.UUvv.org  has suggestions for how UU's concerned about the integrity of the 2004 election can act to promote a fair election. There are two focuses: 1) to demand verifiable election equipment, creating intensive pressure on legislators via phone calls and faxes asking for paper ballots this November 2) to have sufficient technical and legal observers, as well as ordinary poll workers, to monitor the election in November.  Contact Heleni Thayre by e-mail Heleni@uuvv.org if you have questions.

 

Greeters and Meet and Greet Volunteers needed:  Betsey Thompson, Chair of our Membership Committee, asks for helping hands and happy hearts for the following:

·        Greeter:  arrives before 10:30 on Sunday morning to stand in the breezeway and greet visitors and members for the Sunday service. Gives a nametag, visitor information card and visitor "goody bag" to first time visitors.   Requires about 15 minutes of your time and a smiling face.

·        Meet & Greet Host:  makes coffee and provides a small snack for the after service Meet & Greet. It is best to make the coffee before the service so that it will be ready immediately after the service. The snack can be a simple pastry-type, easy-to-serve finger food snack. It doesn't have to be homemade. Also helps tidy the kitchen after the Meet & Greet.

Betsy is specifically looking for volunteers for the next two months now.  Respond to her e-mail or check the bulletin board for a sign-up sheet.

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UU Activities and Announcements

 Further information is posted on the bulletin board in the R.E. wing at the church.

Nov. 13 Fall Leadership Conference facilitated by Wayne Clark, UUA Congregational Fundraising consultant

Nov. 20 West Central Cluster First Ever Art Show, Crafts Bazaar & Auction Sat., 1:30 to 6pm at UU Clearwater – 2470 Nursery Rd (2 blocks west off U.S.19) UU artists are to have an art show in the UU Clearwater Octagon Gallery, from Oct 15 to Nov 20, and viewers will offer written silent bids for the 50 paintings.

Dec. 26-Jan. 1 – SWIM 2004  The theme for the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Winter Institute (SWIM) this year is “Everything Possible.”  Further information is available at www.swimuu.org.  

At the Church-in-the-Woods

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings.  Beginner’s Class 5:30-6:30 PM; Intermediate Class 6:30-8:00 PM.  Contact Dennis Bogyo.

New Hope Christian Fellowship - Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 5:00 PM. Service at 6:00 PM. 

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS-Joan Lund

What a time our beloved peninsula suffered in August and September! The hurricanes affected all of us when they slammed into Florida over a six week period and took a heavy toll on communities and individuals. UUs from all over our country have connected with us by sending their prayers and money. This overwhelming display of care has reminded us of the healing power of human connection and love, and the Florida District Disaster Relief Fund is being wisely administered and used for Florida ’s “injured” UU congregations by our dedicated, hard working District Executive, Rev. Mary Higgins. In addition, Florida UUs have been helping the hard-hit congregations. I do not know many of them, but wish I did, so that they could be personally THANKED with the sincerest of words. There is a letter to all Florida UUs from UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford at www.uua.org, addressing our weather disasters and I hope all of you have, or will read it.

I would like to be writing a column on the UUA Board of Trustees October meeting but unfortunately because of the mid-month timing of the meeting I cannot get it to some editors to make the deadline. So perhaps I will comment in the December column.

November is often the time when congregations hold their annual canvass and determine the budget for the next year. I am not one to tell folks how the congregational canvass should be conducted but I do have some strong thoughts about fiscal responsibility. Revenue should be budgeted conservatively, not optimistically, and it is very important that the budget includes a contingency fund for a “rainy day” or catastrophe, perhaps 1% of the annual operating budget. Sometimes the first thing that gets cut if the canvass comes up short is funds for preventive maintenance and the “rainy day” happening. We have learned from our recent “weather experiences” this is not a good idea. I recommend a congregational bylaw be created that mandates money be set aside for preventive maintenance. Fund balances or reserves must be sufficient to absorb unanticipated financial setback.

Periodic projections of revenue and expense, based on timely and reliable information, should identify problems early enough to be remedied before deficits occur. I know of one congregation that, after replacing a roof, went a step further. It developed a 10-year preventive maintenance plan and then added a preventive maintenance line item to the budget. Each year at the annual meeting the congregation votes on a list of proposed projects for the coming year. Another group (UU Church of Las Cruces , New Mexico , with a membership of 135), after paying off its mortgage continued its savings habit by putting $150 a month into a building contingency fund.

We need to take care of ourselves. I always enjoy hearing from you at jlund@uua.org.  May you enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving with loved ones.  

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Newsletter Staff

Editor:  Betty Derrick

Website:  Carol Stiles

November 15: deadline for the December newsletter

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