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

Phone:  229-242-3714 

 

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Sunday Services	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
President's Portion	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Social Events!!	Board Notes
	Special Announcement!   At a congregational meeting on Sunday, March 7, the UU Church of Valdosta congregation confirmed the recommendation of the Ministerial Search Committee to hire Rev. Barbara Child as interim consulting minister.  Reverend Child will serve the Valdosta church from September 2004 through May 2005.

 What’s going on.…April 2004  

THANKS, FROM BARBARA

Dear Congregation of the UU Church of Valdosta:

What a fine weekend you gave me in early March!  Thank you so much for your warm hospitality.  I appreciated the chance to sit down with the Board and Search Committee for an introductory conversation on Saturday afternoon and also the chance for conversation with the entire congregation after the delicious low country boil! 

That Sunday was a very special day for me.  I was deeply touched by your Sunday morning service.  It showed me what a truly caring community your church has brought to Valdosta.  It was great fun to have so many of you with me for lunch when the word came of your unanimous vote to invite me to join you in ministry next year.  It will be an honor for me to do that.  I am very much looking forward to our time together.   

You might like to know that the message in my fortune cookie that Sunday said:  "An opportunity today is to be seized!"  Happily, I believe that is what we did.   

I send you all my best wishes for the coming months until we see one another in September, and again my thanks for the warm welcome you have given me.  

In faith and anticipation, Rev. Barbara Child

 

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Sunday Services

On April 4  Virginia Branan will lead a three member panel discussion entitled "Our Personal Religious Odysseys."  Panelists will  discuss how each of them evolved into an Unitarian Universalist.  These types of programs through the years have provided an opportunity for us to know each other and something about our personal pilgrimages. 

On Easter Sunday, April 11 Diane Holliman, one of our members, will share "A Celebration of New Beginnings."  In a recent email discussion, when one of our members shared his discomfort with Easter and the hypocrisy of Christians who show up at church this one Sunday of the year, Diane chimed in to say:  “To tell you the truth, I've always liked Easter. It symbolizes the beginning of spring to me. It is not as commercial as Christmas.  I always liked the Easter egg and the bunny and the Easter dress thing growing up.”  Diane is thinking of using some recent Garrison Keilor tapes.  She says Halim first learned of UUs from “Prairie Home Companion” and Keilor's jokes. 

Dr. Richard Amesbury, Professor of Religious Studies at VSU, will bring us “Religion and Politics” on April 18. Dr. Amesbury says that many philosophers have argued that it is inappropriate to bring religion into the public sphere of political deliberation and policy-making. Generally speaking, their objections to bringing religion into politics fall into two categories. First, it has been argued that to do so is to fail to show one's fellow citizens the respect they deserve. The argument goes something like this: (1) all governments -- including liberal democracies -- must exercise coercive power over their citizens; (2) liberal democracies are invariably characterized by a high degree of diversity, including religious diversity; (3) if everyone is forced to obey the same laws, but those laws are grounded in religious commitments that not everyone shares, some citizens will invariably feel left out and resentful. The conclusion is that the price of religious liberty is the exclusion of religion from politics.  The other kind of argument might be termed the "argument from divisiveness." It suggests that introducing religion into public debate puts a stop to otherwise fruitful dialogue.  My view is that neither of these arguments is successful, and that it is not necessarily inappropriate to bring religion into politics. Indeed, I will suggest that it is important for liberals who are also religious believers (of whatever stripe) to actively integrate their religious beliefs and their politics.

This is Dr. Amesbury’s first year at VSU. He received his PhD from Claremont Graduate University in California, and previously taught at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont.   Welcome him to our pulpit for what sounds like a really provocative discussion. 

 On April 25 Hue Jacobs  will discuss " Do UUs have Faith?"  Hue is one of our members.  He is currently leading discussions in Adult Religious Education on two transcendentalist writers.

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Meet & Greet Coffee after the Service: After each service, except when there is a special lunch planned, there will be coffee and other beverages along with snacks available.  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.  See the list on the refrigerator and sign-up for your choice of Sunday(s) to make coffee and bring a snack.  Please note, those of you who have been missing a before service cup of coffee, this will also be available on a regular basis. 

Childcare is available during the Sunday service. The nursery is now equipped with new furniture. UUA policy recommends that it is prudent to have two people providing childcare for each age group on any given Sunday.   Sarah Tait has agreed to be a provider every Sunday for the nursery. One additional volunteer is needed each Sunday.  Please consult the two-month schedule available at the church and sign up for the dates you can help. This could help our church grow!   

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President’s Portion

Dee Tait

            Home is what it felt like when I found the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta in the building on Ashley Street.   Ah! That old building had character with its old-church features, high ceiling beams, rows of windows round at the top as I recall, and old, shiny,  beautiful church pews.  But it had other features, too – no kitchen, just a cubby hole kind of spot where we had a coffee pot and a table, one makeshift restroom, which we all shared, a not-so-fancy loft where the youth group met, another couple of very small spaces where children’s and adult RE met, with adults sitting on children’s chairs.  We didn’t have much parking space, either.

That first morning I did show up early, but  things didn’t appear very  organized about handing out nametags, for instance.  I have asked myself many times why that didn’t bother me.  I recall that a friendly person, who was also fairly new,  talked to me right away, as she looked into a drawer for nametags -- Verilette Parker.  I still miss her, with her encouraging and optimistic attitude and the way she opened her home to the group. 

It wasn’t long before I decided I really wanted to be involved, so I joined.  Nine years later, I have concluded that people make up for a lot of insufficiencies, as long as they genuinely care about the welfare of themselves, each other and the world around them.  That’s really what our principles are about, anyway.

About two years after that first Sunday morning for me at the Ashley Street Church, we moved into our lovely new building, with a kitchen and three bathrooms, plus an office, a nursery and three Religious Education rooms.   We have certainly had our ups and downs.  People have come and people have gone, but I believe we are still basically the same  -- a group with a liberal voice,  trying our very best to live our principles.     

In church service this morning, I looked up at our beautifully crafted ceiling where you can see part of the sky, and I thought how blessed we are to have this sacred space to meet.  I am optimistic about the upcoming church year.

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Religious Education Program

·        Youth R. E.: We are seeking a leader for this group and more participants!  Get in touch with Lars Leader if you have some ideas.  Planning is on going, but for now this group will not meet until further notice.

·        Adult RE – This group is currently meeting every Sunday at 9:30AM.  A new topic, started in late March, has begun by exploring the early history of Unitarianism in the United States.  Initial discussion will include the "Unitarian controversy" that arose as Unitarian congregations embraced aspects of the transcendentalist movement. This conception of the divine set the Unitarian church at odds with Trinitarian Christianity. The group will explore this background history of our church as the foundation of Emerson and Thoreau's careers.  After examining our history the discussion will move into a deeper exploration of the writing and teachings of Emerson and then Thoreau. Contact: Hue Jacobs 

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CONGRATULATIONS

v     Joan Cline – Joan has recently received special recognition by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.  She received the "Most Versatile RSVP Volunteer" award for serving at the greatest number of volunteer sites. This was a regional award for South Georgia. 

v     Bobbie Michelle Dixon – Bobbie is now serving as Database Manager for 2-1-1 of South Central Georgia. 2-1-1 SCG has set up the system so she can work from home. 

v     Virgina Branan – News from the American Association of University Women’s State meeting in March congratulates patriarchs of the Valdosta Branch whose names were continuously mentioned throughout the meetings.  Congratulations Virginia for your work with AAUW and for its recognition.   (Surely  though you are matriarchs!) 

v     Sean represented south Georgia in the Middle School Mathematics State competition in March.

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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

"The Social Action Committee's March project was a continuation of our non-partisan campaign to encourage church members and friends to "get out the vote". We created a display at the front of the sanctuary about voting and made voter registration forms and instructions available.  In fact, several UU members and friends were spotted helping with poll watching and transportation to the polls during the March presidential primary.  Those on the UU Valdosta email list also received a series of emails outlining how members can take action to increase voter registration and turnout in our community.  There was not enough interest to do the Azalea Festival this year, but hopefully we can do this activity in 2005.   The Social Action project for April will focus on reproductive choice.  In conjunction with the April 25th March for Choice in Washington DC, we hope to partner with a local or regional women's group to raise awareness of reproductive rights in our community.  We are still looking for ideas and potential partners for the April project, so please let a member of the Social Action Committee know if you can help.  Watch the email list and orders of service for further information on the April project.  The next meeting of the Social Action Committee will be April 28th at 5:00 in the RE wing.  Please come if you are interested in participating in social action or have any ideas for future social action." 

 

Social/Fellowship Activities

    Games Night!

Games Night Returns to the Church in the Woods! Hue Jacobs is reviving the long dormant tradition of Games Night. Join in this fun evening the first Friday of each month at the church at 7:00 pm.   Bring along some refreshments and your favorite game. 

Retirement Party for Betty Derrick Wednesday, April 14 Former VSU President’s House on Georgia Avenue across from the campus 4:00-6:00 PM Friends of Betty’s at VSU are planning the party and members of the UU congregation are invited.  Contact Dr. Jane Elza for details about the party.

 

Last Saturday Supper

Saturday, April 24, 6:30 PM

Betsy and Randy Thompson’s Home 

Welcome our newcomers to this monthly social occasion where we can enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other better.  Give Betsy and Randy a call so they know to expect you and find out what you can bring to round out the meal.   

If you are considering joining our congregation, please let one of our officers know of your interest.  When you are ready to make this decision, we invite you to sign our membership book.   When you become a member of our congregation we hope you will also make a commitment of your time, talents, and money to the work of our congregation.

Keep in Your Thoughts**

.....members and friends experiencing difficulties this month.

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News from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta March Board of Trustees Meeting

The Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting March 9, 2004 in the Religious Education Building.  In attendance were:  Dee Tait, Randy Thompson, Lars Leader, Mike Carmichael and Rosie Asbury.  After discussion on how the Restoration Fund money should be spent, the Board passed a motion to approve a process for inviting proposals from members of the congregation and prioritizing these proposals.  See elsewhere in the newsletter about this process. Vice President/Program Committee Chairperson Mike Carmichael stated that he would appreciate volunteers to serve as lay leaders for Sunday services.  He volunteered to draft a pamphlet with some guidelines to be approved by the Board.  Some Board members expressed concern about the need for discretion when using e-mail.    In the case of the Yahoo group e-mail, some users may not be aware that some addressees on the list may be people the sender does not know.  Also, when using the group list, unless a reply is addressed to someone in particular, the reply goes out to the entire list.     

The Board reiterated that all regular monthly Board of Trustees meetings are open.  Members of the congregation are invited to attend.  Members are encouraged to bring any  interest or concern to the Board’s attention by contacting any Board member prior to the next scheduled meeting to have their interest or concern added to the meeting’s agenda.  The date and time for all Board meetings are announced in the monthly church newsletter. 

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at 6:00 P.M. in the Religious Education Building.

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At the Church-in-the-Woods

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings.  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. 

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Treasurer’s Report

February 2004  - Treasurer: Randy Thompson

				YTD
OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:	February		YTD	Eight Months
Receipts:
One-time Ministerial Pledge	0.00		17,500.00	17,500.00
Pledge	1,455.00		8,867.12	10,322.12
Plate	242.80		807.72	1,050.52
Rent	240.00		1,880.00	2,120.00
Other	0.00		535.00	535.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS	1,937.80		29,589.84	31,527.64
Disbursements:
Mortgage	500.00		3,500.00	4,000.00
Speaker's Fees & Expenses	0.00		1,026.00	1,026.00
Utilities	170.21		1,357.79	1,528.00
Pianist	35.00		665.00	700.00
UUA Annual Dues	0.00		1,495.00	1,495.00
Postage	20.72		220.95	241.67
Supplies	20.00		487.89	507.89
Insurance	0.00		253.00	253.00
Repairs and Maintenance	0.00		613.55	613.55
Other	565.52		110.00	1,055.52
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS	1,311.45		9,729.18	11,420.63
NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)	626.35		19,860.66	20,107.01

Newsletter Staff

Editor:  Betty Derrick

Production/Mailing:  Virginia Branan

Website:  Carol Stiles

April 15: deadline for the May newsletter. 

Suggestions for Use of Restoration Fund 

As most of you know, the money received from individuals and other churches to assist us in the expense of restoring our church after the vandalism last year has exceeded the cost of the physical restoration of the building.  As of February 29, 2004 the balance in our Restoration Fund is $14,108.  The Board has received many suggestions from members of the congregation on how to spend this money.  In order to consider and select projects, the Board is asking all church members with proposals to do the following: 

Submit your proposal in writing to the Board. Include a description of the project, what you expect the project to accomplish, the sponsor or person responsible for implementing the project and an estimated dollar amount requested from the Restoration Fund for the project.  Support the dollar amount by estimates of the various components of the proposal.  For example, if the proposal is to bring in speakers for church services, include the number of speakers and cost per speaker.  Give as many details as possible.  Sponsors of requests for funding may come to a Board meeting to present their written proposals in person. 

The Board will work with appropriate committees on the proposals.    For instance, if your proposal is of a social action nature, the Board will ask the Social Action Committee to assist in prioritizing all social action proposals.    The Board invites your proposals between now and the end of the calendar year, but will receive them as soon as you have completed them.     

Our UU symbol of the chalice was first created and used by the Unitarian Service Committee during World War II as an official stamp on papers for refugees. Read the full story and symbology at www.uua.org and search "chalice."

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UU Activities and Announcements

 Further information is posted on the bulletin board at the church.

April 3 Southeast Cluster Risk Management Workshop, N. Palm Beach, FL

April 4  Pines Drumming Circle, Pines CC, Brooksville, FL

April 16-17  Florida District Annual Assembly, Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo, FL.   This will be a celebration in music and words.  Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, minister of the First Unitarian Universalist church of Nashville, TN and Jason Shelton, Music Director of the UU Church in Nashville are presenters at this annual meeting of the district.  Mary Katherine visited us here in Valdosta when she was at the UU church in Macon.  She will be moving to Washington, DC this summer.

April 23-25  The Florida Women and Religion's Annual Spring Retreat at UU in the Pines, Brooksville, FL.   "A Story Telling Retreat" with Lynn Carol Henderson.  More details at:  http://www.floridawomenandreligion.org/ Registration is due April 9 and is limited to 70, so it may fill up quickly!

April 30-May 1  Young Adult Leadership Retreat, Clearwater, FL

June 24-28  UUA General Assembly – Long Beach, CA - UUA will pay the registration for congregational presidents or presidents-elect.  Registration opened March 1.

September 26-October 2  Florida District Leadership School,  Oviedo, FL  (Note deadline for registration and fee, June 30)

Congregational Directives Ballot on Study/Action Issues:  By April 15 our congregation must return its vote on the two of four issues we want chosen for two years of study and action  by the UUA.  The topics on the ballot are: 1) Civil Marriage Equality 2) Oppression of Women World Wide 3) Stopping Mass Extinction 4) Threat of Global Warming

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