The Flaming Chalice - UU Valdosta

What’s going on.…April 2003

Sun	April 6	10:45 AM	Service –“Thinking About Religion: from Carl Sagan to George Bush," Eleanor Bowman Daylight Savings Time (set your clock one hour forward and come on time!)
Fri	April 11	7:00 PM	Teen Bowling Night
Sat	April 12	3-5:00 PM	Appreciation Party and Baby Shower for René
Sun	April 13	9:30 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM	Youth and Adult R.E.: Service – “Leading The Parade,” Rev. Al Boyce Intergenerational Egg Hunt and Second Sunday Potluck
Mon	April 14	11:00 AM	Break Bread delivery
Th	April 17		First Day of Passover
Sat	April 19	11: 00 AM	Memorial Service for Miriam Hope at her daughter’s home
Sun	April 20	10:45 AM	Service – “Easter, New Beginnings and New Members,” Rev. Al Boyce Easter
Sat	April 26	6:30 PM	CANCELLED! To be re-scheduled....Bring-A-Dish Dinner at Mike Carmichael’s place
Sun	April 27	9:30 AM 10:45 AM	Youth and Adult R.E. Service – "Reflecting on Life's Connections," Dean Poling Orthodox Easter

April…Much that is good is happening at and through our church these days, but there is more that we need to do. Rev. Al has been with us now some months and has done much to make us more visible in the community and has provided the spiritual guidance and professional leadership we need. It is time now for our congregational leaders to inspire the membership to bring the potential we have in this community to fruition. Volunteer, pledge, agree to lead, attend our functions as you are able.

“So when I heard that young man [from the US peace movement] shouting ‘Go home and defeat the American aggressors,‘ I took several deep breaths to regain myself and I said, ‘Sir, it seems to me that many of the roots of the war are here in your country. That is why I have come. One of the roots is your way of seeing the world. Both sides are victims of a wrong policy, a policy that believes in the force of violence to settle problems. I do not want Vietnamese to die, and I do not want American soldiers to die either.’” Thich Nhat Hanh on “The Roots of War” in Peace In Every Step

“Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everyone is busy. I am very aware that in our contemporary society a myriad of demands are placed on our lives as we do our best to be good spouses, parents, friends, siblings, employers, employees, and volunteers. It is with this realization that I still remind us all that church remains a volunteer organization. I applaud every one of you for your dedication and yeomen hours of time and heart that you give, often not seen by most folks, to keep our growing congregation vital and active for the sake of our liberal religious voice in the city of Valdosta. These past few months have been a wonder to behold as I see us moving from the pew into the streets of our city standing for liberal causes that demand not only conscience but participation as well.

We are now about to embark on another church year as we prepare for our annual meeting and election of officers for another church year. With this one nearly 3/4 the way complete (hard to imagine how time has flown, huh?) we now must set our sites on another year beginning July 1, 2003.

For many churches leadership is also voluntary but the final decision-making lies with the minister and he/she is ultimately responsible for final decision-making and tasks of care of the facility, policies and procedures. That is not so in our very democratic UU congregations. The minister's role is the spiritual overseeing of the church and acts only as consultant to the BOT at its request. This means that though I may, at times, wish to take on tasks that are outside my scope of labor, I must remind myself that would not be appropriate behavior. I must trust that the BOT and the dedicated committees will do their work because they, like me, are committed to a vital liberal religious voice in the community and to represent the members who placed the sacred trust of service in them. So, when the Nominating Committee gives you a call and asks if you would like to serve the church in some particular ministry, be it on the BOT, grounds, membership, outreach etc...what will you say? I hope that you will carefully consider the opportunities that await you on a new adventure to grow your soul and make a difference in the world. I also hope you will enter that ministry with a determination to do your best for the few months or years for which you commit. A church is not a minister, a particular person, a BOT but it IS you and I, doing our best, day-by-day, to live caring and authentic lives. I thank each of you for laboring hand in hand with me these past months.

It feels so good to be on this journey with you. Life's journey is all too short. May we make it rich and joyous.

Thank You! Thank You!

For keeping our building clean: Joan Cline, and Frank Asbury

For keeping our grounds neat: Jim Ingram

For delivering Break Bread Together meals: Chris Tait and Virginia Branan

For staffing the church nursery: Virginia Branan

For hosting the March End-Of–The Month Dinner: Randy and Betsy Thompson

For planning socials and taking care of coffee at the church: Joan Cline

For publicity and helping with the church grant application: Dee Tait

For hosting a teen gathering in March: John Tait and Rev. Al

For keeping your editor well informed on news of the congregation: Virginia Branan and all the rest of you who faithfully e-mail your reports

Special Membership Sunday

During the service on April 20 there will be a recognition and welcoming of new members to our congregation. If you have been considering joining the Valdosta Unitarian Universalist Church and are ready to make that commitment, let Randy or Betsy Thompson, co-Chairs of the Membership Committee or Rev. Al know so that you can be included in the service. We welcome our new members. We look forward to our pilgrimage as we search together for meaning in our lives through a commitment to the liberal religious principles of our faith.

Sunday Services

Rev. Al Boyce will lead the services on April 13 and 20. April 13th Rev. Al’s sermon is entitled “Leading The Parade.” He asks why is it that many of us have the "Drum Major Instinct" and we want to lead the parade? Is it healthy to have a sense of self-importance.? Is it healthy to always defer leadership to others? As we enter the time of year when leadership is sought within our faith community perhaps there are lessons in this thought for us to ponder.

On Easter Sunday, April 20, Rev. Al’s topic is “Easter, New Beginnings and New Members.” Easter reminds us that spring is bursting forth all over the place. This is a very special day for the congregation as we will not only celebrate spring but the newness of life that fresh faces in membership bring. We are hoping to have ALL member and friends be with us on this very special spring Sunday as we are introduced to our new members and celebrate our growing community. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP IT IS NOT TOO LATE JUST SPEAK TO RANDY OR BETSY THOMPSON OR AL.

On April 6 Eleanor Bowman will speak on "Thinking About Religion: from Carl Sagan to George Bush." Eleanor has been a frequent visitor since January and added much depth to our congregational reflections portion of services. She holds a BA in English from Rhodes College (1963), an MA in English from VSU (1972), and a Master's in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt(2000), with a focus on ecofeminist theology. As to experience, she says that she was a wife for 15 years and is the mother of two sons, Nelson, 26, and Shaw, 24. In addition, she taught English at the secondary and college level off and on for about 20 years; She says she then recycled herself into a marketing writer and consultant for a computer graphics company for 10 years. She was born in Little Rock, grew up in Memphis, and spent the last seventeen years living in Huntsville, Al. She is currently living on a farm in Brooks County, learning about tree farming and putting her somewhat varied experience and theological education to work by writing a book on the nexus between our dominant religious symbol -- God the Father -- and our cultural value system.

On April 27 Dean Poling, columnist for Valdosta Daily Times, will speak on "Reflecting on Life's Connections." No doubt you are familiar with his newspaper columns. He is Features Editor for the newspaper. Come and welcome him to our congregation.

Youth R.E Youth religious education meets on the second and fourth Sundays at 9:30 AM. The group is continuing the unit “The Application of Our UU Principles Through Projects and Crafts.” Adult volunteers for work with the young people are welcome. Contacts: Lars Leader, Virginia Branan.

Adult R.E. Adult religious education meets on the second and fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM. In April the group begins a topic based on a curriculum, “Vision and Values in a Post-9/11 World,” prepared by the UUA’s Washington Office for Advocacy. Last June General Assembly delegates voted to make civil liberties a “Study/Action Issue” for UUA member societies. This curriculum is designed to facilitate this discussion. For further information about the class, contact Lars Leader.

About Our Members

v André Asbury who was named Valdosta High School STAR student for 2003. The award is based on highest SAT score and GPA. André also was one of ten students in the state to make a perfect score in the Georgia Mathleague Contest.

v Ming Lin, our pianist, who had his picture in the Valdosta Daily Times as one of the newly appointed high school students for the paper's advisory board.

All members and friends, men, women, and children, are invited to show our congregation’s appreciation to René Kerr for her 7-year tenure as our church treasurer and to shower her with baby gifts in anticipation of her new baby to join our church family soon. Thanks René for doing your part to help us grow! This celebration is co-hosted by John and Virginia Branan and Joan Cline. René has served us as our UU treasurer since her election in May 1997. She has been an invaluable part of our Board and a tireless worker on many projects from the Coffee House and Christmas Parade to the Women’s Group to planning budgets, keeping track of our money and sending pledge notices. In the last several years she has been the one who saw that repairs were done and light bulbs replaced. Now that René’s priorities are changing, with her baby due very soon, come celebrate her contributions to our church and extend best wishes to her and her baby. Thank you René and best wishes!

(If you would like to know what René and her baby can use, she is registered at Super Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and Target.)

Teen Bowling Night

Friday, April 11, 7:00 PM

Last month Rev. Al and John Tait hosted the first teen gathering for several years. Eight teens were in attendance and the event met with overwhelming positive responses, so much so that another event is now being planned. The next teen gathering will be a bowling event with refreshments afterwards. All teens of the church are urged to attend and to bring friends. For more info contact Rev. Al or John through the church at 229-242-3714. See you all then !!!

Sunday, April 13

Immediately after the Sunday Service

Kick off Easter Week with an Intergenerational Egg Hunt after the Sunday service. Everyone is asked to bring a couple of eggs for hiding--either the "old-fashioned," hard boiled kind or "new-fangled," candy-filled plastic eggs. Prizes will be awarded and it should be a fun time for all to pull out old memories and make new ones.

Saturday, April 26

These monthly events are designed to introduce our visitors of the month to each other and to some of our long-standing members. This is a very important part of acclimating our new comers to our congregation. Plan to come and bring a favorite dish. Sign up for the dinner with Joan Cline or with Mike. Mike lives in Brooks County. Please see the printed newsletter for the invitation or call for directions.

Carol Stiles, who posts our newsletter, says it looks great - thanks, Betty! And thanks to everyone for all of their reports....the newsletter is full of news! Also, note this new feature on the web page - one of Rev. Al's sermons (Feb. 9) is now posted, linked from the main page: http://www.oocities.org/uuvaldosta/

President’s Column

A recent PBS presentation caught my attention. The speaker was describing a relationship with a spouse whereby the trust and space is created for the spouse to have ‘free rein’ on his/her life decisions with the knowledge and confidence that the other half of the relationship will consistently support the partner’s actions. Right or wrong... Full support... Unconditional support...

This seems idealistic but a powerful format to approach life. I use my current employment as an example. The firm where I am currently employed provides a ‘space’ or environment conducive to being ‘worry free’ and ‘highly productive’. We live and work in a world that is very complicated and small. The opportunity or ‘space’ to focus is often the difference between floundering and succeeding.

I believe that the ‘church’ lesson learned here is simple and clear. I find similarity to the UU principles. The ability for us to provide an open mind and accepting attitude to issues or opinions different from our own is essential to succeeding. This accepting attitude can be powerful. The key is for those around us to feel they have a ‘safe place’ for them to be honest and dynamic. This will allow them to focus on the issue and not be encumbered by fears of ‘looking weak’.

My father would tell me, “son, always surround yourself with people who are smarter and more successful that you are…”. From inexperience, I thought this meant people with money. More recently, I read this advice to mean those who will provide you the space to be dynamic. Empowerment for others is born with supplying others with the ‘room’ to be the best they can be. By acknowledging the value of those around us, (at home, work, church, play, etc.) we allow room for growth by all members of our family/team. The space we make for others is the foundation for trust and key to continued success in any area of our life.

We have a new face in town, Rev. Al Boyce. I have spent several challenging hours of discussion with him. The latest meeting last Thursday, we talked of measurement our success and extending the second year of his contract. I feel we have extended an open window toward Al, earned by his past successes and obvious traits. I believe this open mind has lead to success. My evaluation of Al is very positive. Not only has he provided a new high water mark in several playing fields for the recent history of our fellowship, he has provided leadership for developing new committees and personal growth for many members. He has made me believe: “Do not worry, you are not alone.” This message and ‘space’ reminds me to appreciate the extended family support I feel from many of our fellowship members.

We face turning points this spring. We need a new vision for our financial projections. A financial committee needs to be formed and active in preparing projected fiscal stability. We need to be proactive in providing a support system for Rev. Al in his second year. This foundation is a financial commitment to expand our budget and pledges. We have new members, true. We need a high commitment to keeping these new members. We also need to focus on retaining the members we have. We all need to come together and provide the space for this fellowship to be dynamic in the future.

There was a discussion of a good time for the Board to meet regularly; however no decision was reached at the meeting. Rev. Al Boyce presented his report, which follows in part. Aspects of the grant were discussed, but no decisions were made. Items on the Board’s agenda, which were not reported as being discussed: assessment of progress, coffee hour, appointment of a Nominating Committee, summer programming (Rev. Al is absent in summer), membership, RE, appointment of a Financial Committee for 03-04 budget to create budget and survey membership regarding pledges for next year (aka. Every Member Canvas Committee), training, Iraq, future financial commitment, extension of second year of minister’s contract, and old business’s which was listed as building repairs (roof leak), visitor sign, lights in breezeway, visitor parking designation and sign light.

Charles Green has appointed Virginia Branan to Chair the Nominating Committee. Betty Derrick has agreed to serve on the committee. Charles has asked for volunteers for the Financial (Every Member Canvas) Committee. René Kerr and Randy Thompson are already at work on the budget-planning job of this committee. These committees have a critical role to play in setting the stage for the second and last year of Rev. Al’s time with us. Rev. Al has been providing the spiritual and professional leadership we need. We need to do more from our end though. Volunteer for these committees now and then say yes to providing important leadership for the church at this critical time. Pledge what you can to make our vision for the future for our church possible. We began this effort with a generous contribution from Josette and Jim Ingram and a deficit budget. We thought that growth would make meeting the budget this year and next year possible. Help make that vision true.

MINISTERS' REPORT February was another very productive month here at the congregation. Certainly one of the bigger events has been the large percentage of our members who have participated in the Anti-Iraq war stance shared by the South Georgia Coalition for Peace. I applaud the decision last month by the BOT to allow the coalition to use our meeting space as needed. This act of living our faith through action has influenced not only our members but also many in the greater Valdosta area and especially the faculty and student population at the University level. R – report; A - need BOT action

R The new Membership Ministry is fully active and continues in an organized and mission oriented manner. A New Member Introduction Ceremony is now being planned for April. Any friend or visitor of the congregation who may be interested in membership please see Al or

R I joined the board of the South Georgia HIV Consortium and hope to contribute what I can and make a clear presence for our church in that area.

R The Memorial Garden was dedicated on February 9th. Much praise goes to Jason Halter for his stellar efforts. I sent as letter of thanks to him per the request of the BOT at last months' meeting.

R I am now a full-fledged member of the Sunrise Rotary. I had the privilege of being a featured speaker on the topic of our UU history. There is no doubt that it was an opportunity to educate and inform.

R The final third of the New U has been completed and I will assess the best way to repeat it for the next wave of interested folks.

R I accepted a position of the Steering Committee of the South Georgia Coalition for Peace. This avenue of ministry offers me opportunity to express my moral conscience on the issues that surround the potential war with Iraq. The presence also helps put our congregation on the map religiously and morally as we seek to live the complex questions surrounding the troubling affairs of war.

A The lighting issues still need attention. I have chatted with Charles Green about this and am confident we are underway of getting it resolved. Thanks Charles

A It is time for us to write up an assessment of how the first year of my time with you is going. I would like to see this done by the next BOT meeting if possible. We are soon entering the final quarter of the church year and we agreed to have it done by the half way mark.

A Next Year Contract is needing to be firmed up. The agreement requires a 90-day notice if either church or minister do not wish to continue for another year. Since I will be away at GA in mid-June then, going on to my home in Maine and not returning until late August, I feel we need to get this finalized by May. By doing so I will be here and available to discuss anything that may arise that needs mutual input. Also, April and May are the months Interims are chosen, for the most part.

A Discussion of the grant application for our mass mailing is needed. Dee Tait has helped me with the preliminary draft. The deadline is March 15th. If we do not get it in by then we will not be able to apply again until next September and funds would not be dispersed until December or January of 2004-5.

A I have on going questions regarding the pledge drive, Nominating Committee, election procedures and offices that need to be filled for the next church year. I am hoping that at this BOT meeting I can gain a clearer understanding of how you envision our proceeding and any way that I can support or facilitate that happening within the confines of my pastoral role and limitations.

Treasurer’s Report

A note for future budget preparation and pledge consideration: The Florida District at its Annual meeting this month will consider raising District dues from $15 to $17/member. This will affect our budget for the coming year. The District has not raised dues in many years. For newcomers to our church, the church pays dues per member to the UUA and the FL District. These are reflected in the Treasurer’s Report.

Newsletter Staff

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 Virginia Branan.

Since their rally at the Lowndes County Courthouse, the coalition has continued efforts to make the public aware of the dangers that a war in Iraq would bring. Rallies continue at noon every Friday in Drexel Park, and vigils have been held Sundays at 2:00 PM at the courthouse. All who are interested in participating are welcome. On Sunday, March 16, a special vigil was held at 7:00 PM at the courthouse. This was organized to coincide with other such vigils, beginning in New Zealand, that were a rolling wave of candlelight gatherings crossing the globe. It was publicized as “a gathering of souls for a communal observance of the power of peace and for quiet individual reflection in the company of others who share our concerns and values.” As another coalition effort, a series of public lectures on the war was held at VSU during March, sponsored by the Center for International Programs. Lars Leader delivered one of the talks, “Alternatives to War”. The coalition presented a request to the Valdosta City Council at one of its meetings asking that the council pass a resolution opposing the war with Iraq. Members of our congregation attended the meeting. Rev. Al and several UU members addressed the council in support of the resolution. On Saturday, March15, the coalition had a booth in the Azalea Festival at Drexel Park. Members of our congregation helped at the booth to answer questions, hand out literature, and sell T-shirts. We also provided passers-by with the opportunity to send a “rice letter” to the White House or write a letter to our Georgia senators and representatives in Washington. To express our support for the U.S. troops overseas, we provided postcards on which well-wishers could write their own messages to deployed American military men and women. The South Georgia Coalition for Peace is a grassroots social activist organization in Valdosta, GA, dedicated to promoting peace and to raising awareness about alternatives to war with Iraq.

April 12 – “More Than Numbers: Paths to Growth in UU Congregations,” Workshop, UU Church of Tampa, Tampa, FL

April 24-27 – 10^th Annual Embracing Our Lesbian Identity Retreat, The Mountain, Highlands, NC

May 16 – Presidents Leadership Forum, Orlando, UUUS Let’s plan to send our presidential nominee(s)

HEMLOCK SOCIETY of ASHEVILLE, NC: SPECIAL AREA-WIDE PUBLIC MEETING! Sunday, April 27^th, 2:30 P.M., Derek Humphry, Founder of the Hemlock Society in 1980, and currently president of the Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization, Eugene, OR will present "The Future of the Right-To-Die Movement." Place: Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville.

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings. 6:00 PM. Beginner’s Group taught by Eric Nielsen Saturday, 10-12 AM. There are plans to start an eight week class at VSU taught by Karin Addis and Dennis Bogyo if there are at least ten students. Contact Dennis Bogyo if you are interested or need further information.

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

South Georgia Coalition for Peace The Board has given this grassroots community group permission to use our building for its meetings as needed.

Conrad Aiken: Unitarian Prodigy Poet
Melvin Arnold: Publisher
Wendell Berge: Trust Buster, Washington D.C.
William David Coolidge: Inventor, Physicist, Research Director
Thomas Bradford Curtis: U.S. Representative from Missouri
Charles Rhind Joy: International Humanitarian
Rowena Morse Mann: First Woman Doctor of Philosophy
Robert Millikan: Scientist
Margaret Moseley: Mountain-Moving Civil Rights Activist
Kenneth Leo Patton: A Religion for One World
Albert Schweitzer: Exemplar of Life (Friend of Unitarianism)
Willis Rodney Whitney: The Father of Basic Research in Industry
William Carlos Williams: Physician and Author
Theodore Paul Wright: Aeronautical Engineer and Idealist

Did you know that, in education, UUs initiated the first public library, the first public school, the first normal school, and provided an amazing succession of 9 presidents of Harvard? Contact the website for more information.

A Report from the District President, March 2003

Dear Congregational Leaders,

You will soon be receiving a Call to Meeting for our Annual Assembly. Each year we gather to renew friendships, renew our spirits, and renew our commitment to keeping our Unitarian Universalist community lively and growing. Plan to join us, it's fun!

District Annual Assembly

This year's theme "Means and Meaning" addresses money.   What makes money seem to be the overriding importance in our lives?   What does money mean to us as individuals? as a religious community? How do I use money to enrich my life and the lives of others? How do I choose where my money goes, and to whom? These questions are good to ask as we consider together a vision of Florida Unitarian Universalism. Come find your own answers at the District Annual Assembly at Canterbury Retreat Center.

The Florida Fund and Money Matters

A historic moment occurred in signing the endowment fund for the Florida District into being at the February 22 meeting of the Board of Directors in Tallahassee. The enabling document creating the Florida Fund was thoughtfully and carefully crafted by a task force of the Board including Steve Helle of Orlando, Ed Porteus of Ft. Myers, Marg Sanders of Orlando, and Bud Murphy of Buckman Bridge in Jacksonville. Rev. Mary Higgins and I sat in as ad hoc members. The task force wisely sought legal counsel and that of Marcy Bailey-Adams (UUA Office of Charitable Gift and Estate Planning) to critique and advise during the formation of this highly technical and legal document, finalized after four iterations.   Congratulations to this hard-working and visionary group! Their good work will be visible for years to come as the new Florida Fund moves UUs further into this new century.

An information session will be presented at the business meeting of the District Annual Assembly regarding the structure, management, and use of the Florida Fund to grow Unitarian Universalism. An in-depth discussion session with Rev. Terry Sweetser is also planned for Saturday evening to hear your questions and ideas about the Florida Fund.

A dues increase, the first in many years, is being sought to cover additional personnel and governance costs. The request to increase dues from $15 to $17 has been approved by the Board of Directors and will be up for approval by your delegates at the District Annual Assembly. (Remember to sign and send in the credentialing form so they can vote!)

Trustee Election

The ballot for the Florida District's first Trustee election is already in your congregations at this writing. Remember to vote at a congregational meeting and to report your decisions. You have as many votes as you have delegates to General Assembly.

By-Law changes: Revisions and Deletions

Our by-laws need updating! The current by-laws governing trustee elections were written to accommodate an election process that included both Mid-South District and the Florida District and culminated in a vote at GA. The revisions are of the housekeeping-type, changing references to two Districts to one and including language from the UUA by-laws that clarify qualifications and term of office without having to find a GA program, UUA directory or UUA website, where the UUA by-laws can be found. Approved by the Board of Directors in February, two versions of the revisions will go out in the packets to delegates, one with before/after text, and one with revised text only.

Section 3.c, Section 6, Section 7, and Section 8 of the by-laws regarding the nomination and representation of the district to SUUSI, SWIM, and UU in the Pines boards will be deleted, pending approval of the delegates. Each of these organizations exists independently of the Florida District with organizational administrations, budgets, and accountabilities outside of the district. Recognizing these realities seems prudent and reasonable. As president of the district, I have communicated with the leaders of each of these entities and received positive responses to the proposed changes.

The Ends

February's board meeting focused on the End of the district touching on how congregations will be grounded in our living tradition and history. What a rich discussion! (A living UU tradition.) From community activism to family support to religious services (to name a few of the areas touched on) the board worked to define what is most essential to living tradition in our district. It became apparent that further thinking and exploration is needed before any refinements or specifics are spelled out for implementation in this fundamental area.     Your thoughtful input as congregational leaders clarified the importance of the ideas before us and deepened our discussion.

With gratitude for Florida UU's and hope for peace,
Kathy Converse, President
Florida District Board of Directors

Thank you for reading our newsletter!
The Newsletter Team (click here to meet us!)

The Parson's Piece	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
President's Column	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Social Events!!	Board Notes
Sunday Services	Special Note! - Special Membership Sunday