September 1998

What’s going on....

Board meeting notes

The UU-Valdosta Board met Sunday, Aug. 23, to discuss the following items: 1) A committee to investigate the options for future UU ministry here in Valdosta was established at a meeting last summer. Volunteers to serve on this committee are needed - if you would like to participate, please contact Steve Andersen. As Jack Ford completes his internship, this committee will investigate our options, which may include continued support of current minister, requesting a new part-time or Extension minister, and/or other options. The committee will also check into the possibility for outside funding for these options. 2) Church cleaning: Volunteers are sought that can assume responsibility for a specific area in the church. 3) Membership survey: The possibility of holding a membership survey for direction for the congregation was discussed. 4) Committee for increasing membership was established, contact Steve if you would like to serve on this committee. 5) Availability of the church for rental (either on a regular basis or one-time event, such as weddings or other special events) was discussed.

September Games Night!

First Saturday of each month.

Saturday, September 5, 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend, a game, a snack to share if you wish, and a dollar donation. The games begin around 7:00 p.m. and will continue until….? Call René or Julie for more information.

Break Bread Together

If you can deliver meals the 1^st and 5^th Tuesdays of each month beginning about 11:00 a.m., please contact Carol Stiles. Actual delivery only takes about an hour of your time, and is rewarded by the appreciation of those receiving the meals. If everyone does this once a year, that’s all it takes to keep our participation active in this very worthwhile program!

A Note from our President

Dear U.U.`S,

I hope that you all had summers that were rewarding, fun, relaxing, active...perhaps all of the above, but whatever kind of summer you had, I`m looking forward to seeing all of you again and sharing some memories as we plan for our new U.U. year. I`m not surprised, but at our Board meeting today, there were lots of creative ideas from everyone in attendance concerning our church and its activities and operations. Of course, the vital ingredient in whatever we plan to accomplish is ...you guessed it… you! I`m counting on all of you to pick area(s) that you have a particular interest in and/or feel you could help, and that you`re not too bashful about letting your church know that you`re ready to start! Our church family isn`t a large one; to be effective, we all have to do our parts. I`ll be looking forward to seeing you soon. Cheers! Steve

Women’s Group

Women’s Group meets the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. We gather for good food and company and sharing, in the presence of women, various activities such as reading a book (suggestions welcomed!) or writing activities. Join us, Sept 1 and Sept 15, 7:00 p.m. Open for suggestions for fall activities!!

Religious Education news

Adult R.E. will begin meeting this fall on Sunday, September 6, 9:30 a.m., with a video and discussion of Bill Moyer’s series on World Religions. Contact Janet Andersen or Hue Jacobs.

Wanted!! (No, needed….)

a VCR and TV, to show videos for Religious Education programs and discussion groups, at the church… If you know someone who would like to donate a VCR and TV for use at the church, please contact Janet Andersen.

Committees

The Internship committee for Jack Ford’s internship will meet Oct. 11 for the final evaluation.

Tai Chi - Beginner’s class

The Taoist Tai Chi Society-USA, GA, announces the fall beginners Tai Chi class, starting Thursday, Sept. 10, 1998, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Thereafter, the beginners’ class will be held Monday and Thursday, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., with the continuing class following at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Registration fee, $15.00. Call or (Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin) for more information.

Newsletter deadline:

Sept. 15

Jack-in-the-Pulpit
	Wow, summer. I forgot how to read and write. It has been exciting here in Florida. We have been smoked out, sizzled out, dried out. It has been a James Taylor summer: "I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end…. But I always thought that I’d see you again." Now it will not be long until the appointed day arrives, and I look forward to returning to my favorite church and swapping summer stories with all of you. This will be a busy and significant year for me in ministry. I am on the final stretch of this journey toward U.U. ministry, as I prepare to go before the Ministerial Fellowship Committee in Boston in the Autumn of 1999. I hope and trust that episode will open the door to a more expanded ministry for all of us in Valdosta. My six years of ministry with you have been the most rewarding of my life. Let us make this a year of service and commitment as we grow in faith, understanding, and compassion. Unitarian Universalism is the greatest religious movement of our era, in a country which desperately needs our power to change and influence lives for the higher good. Blessings to all of you, until we meet on the third week of September.
		Love and peace,

UU Activities and Announcements

Check the bulletin boards in the church and R.E. building for information on the following events:

• Sept 19, The topic is FUNdraising! Northeast Cluster meeting, UU Society of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, FL, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Oct 2-3, Fall Leadership Conference, "One Strong Body: The Anatomy of a Healthy Congregation." Rev. Anne Heller, leader, First Unitarian Church, Orlando, FL.
• Oct 16 - 18, Women and Religion Retreat, UU-in-the-Pines.
• Oct 24, Endowment and Planned Giving Workshop, UUC - Tallahassee, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Oct 31 - Nov 7, 1998, The Florida Leadership School, Canterbury Retreat Center, near Orlando.

What’s Your Viewpoint?

In the summer of 1997, several of our young people completed the "Religion in Life" award which is given to Boy Scouts who complete the program provided by their chosen church. Recently, conflict has arisen between the Boy Scouts of America and the Unitarian Universalist Association, as described briefly in the following excerpt from the UUA’s main web page, http://uua.org/.

Boy Scouts of America Seek to Exclude UUs from Full Participation

The Boy Scouts of America has ordered the Unitarian Universalist Association to stop awarding the "Religion in Life" award to UU scouts. The Scouts letter said that the UUA's "version of Religion in Life contains several statements which are inconsistent with Scouting’s values," including a reference to the "'trouble that some Unitarians Universalists may have regarding the duty to God." It also complained that the UUA disapproved of "Boy Scouts’ membership policies relating to known or avowed homosexuals."

In a letter of response, UUA President John A. Buehrens called the Scouts' action "untenable," and said that most people will see the Scouts action as "blatant discrimination against children on the basis of their religion."