What’s going on.... January 1999

What is Unitarian Universalism?

For our new members, recent visitors and friends who may be asking this question, the Membership Committee brings you an introduction to UU: a little history, discussion about our principles and sources, ample time to ask questions. Everyone is invited - new members, long-time members, guests and friends! Plan for a potluck lunch after the service, then join us, Sunday afternoon, January 24, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., (light refreshments will be served.) Tom Hallock is organizing the session, which will be led by Tom, Jack Ford, and others. In December, at the Chalice Light dinner, we learned from our students the symbolism of the chalice - join us January 24 for further discussion as we ask the question, "What is Unitarian Universalism?"

Adult Forum and Meditation Groups

The Adult Forum discussion and meditation groups will begin Jan. 10. Both will meet at 9:30 a.m., before the service, and may alternate weeks. If you are interested in one or the other (or both?), please contact Wendy Sue Lamb or Bill Hayes.

Women’s Group

Women’s Group meets the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Articles/books/project suggestions are welcomed - please bring them with you!

We gather for good food and company and sharing, in the presence of women, various activities. Join us, Jan 5and Jan 19, 7 p.m.

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. Meal delivery only takes about an hour of your time.

We make progress by a

constant spiraling back

and forth between the

inner world and the

outer one, the personal

and the political, the self

and the circumstances.

Nature doesn’t move

in a straight line, and

as part of nature,

neither do we.

Gloria Steinem

Welcome New Members!

The following people have "signed the book" as new members of UU-Valdosta in the past six months:

Tom Hallock

Joan Cline

Christiane Black

Games Night! Sat., Jan. 2, 7:00 p.m., Come celebrate the New Year!

A Note from our President

Dear Friends: Since Jack Ford’s Ministerial Internship Committee has almost completed its work, the time has come to re-establish a regular Ministerial Committee as a part of our church structure.

In accord with UUA guidelines, Jack will submit the names of six church members with whom he feels comfortable, to the board, and the board will appoint the committee members from the list.

There is no hidden agenda here, but this process simply reflects a need to have this most important committee functioning at a time when our church is growing and directions have to be charted.

The UUA (June, 1990) lists the most important functions of the Ministerial Committee:

1) to aid the minister in carrying on an effective ministry by being available for counsel;

2) to keep the minister advised concerning conditions within the congregation as they affect relations between minister and members;

3) to continually interpret to the congregation the nature and scope of the work of the minister;

4) to work with the minister on his or her continuing education program, professional development, and so on.

Happy Holidays!

UU Yours,

Steve Andersen

(Can you name this flower....?)

A Note from the Church-in-the-Woods

I have really enjoyed all the services, rituals, parties, etc., that have been held within my walls and on the grounds. Thanks for making my first year of ‘being’ such a great time of my life!!

Thanks to the individuals who regularly help set up for the services and help keep me sparkling and ready to receive guests! Please, after your holiday celebrations, don’t forget to check the lists on the refrigerator and see how you can help.

Speaking of refrigerator, please, if you leave food in it, funny thing -- it molds!! (The mycologist, aka newsletter editor, does NOT need more samples.) Please remove left-overs, and dispose properly.

Speaking of proper disposal, the trash must be removed promptly after each service or other use, and note, too, the difference between the trash can and the recycling containers - labelled brown bags which the children decorated, just for me! (Okay, for helping save the environment, too...please sort recyclables and place only appropriate items in these labelled bags.) Also, if you make coffee - don’t forget to remove the filter and grounds (fungi are everywhere!) and place in trash (not the sink - that will stop up my pipes!!).

The sound of children’s laughter in the halls is music to my ears, but they need to be gently reminded that balls and toys bouncing off the walls can do damage and create messes!

Finally (for now), please remember that you UUer’s share me with at least two other groups who meet here on a regular basis (and pay rent! - which helps with expenses to keep me warm and/or cool). They have a few supplies and things stored in my kitchen and office, and these stored items need to be left, as is, so they can be found again.

Thank you for listening, and I look forward to sharing many happy times with you (and hearing terrific discussions!) in the future.

50^th Anniversary - UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Dec. 10, 1998.

Laurel Hahlen (with help from Chuck Cape) presented a powerful piece of performance art at the church, Dec. 10, to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of the UDHR. For the few of us fortunate to be there to share in it, thank you, Laurel.....

Notice The Pretty Numbers

(A Note from the Treasurer)

Look at these numbers - You don't have to be a math genius to tell that these numbers don't "add up." We are halfway through the year and have only taken in 1/4 of what was budgeted.

Please, if you pledged, give.
Please, if you haven't pledged....give.

Thanks,
René

P.S. Just so you know, each member of our church costs us $53.00 in membership dues to UUA and FL District/UUA. If you'd like more details just ask.

okay...I'm done...for now. : )

You’re Invited.....

to the 10th biennial (one-year late) White Elephant Christmas gift party at Betty Derrick's place, Saturday, Jan. 9^th, 8:00 p.m. - until ?

Here are the rules:

1. Each guest must bring a white elephant gift suitable for anyone, wrapped as a Christmas gift. (If you can find anyone wrapped as a gift bring him or her, too.)
2. A white elephant is understood to mean an albino elephant, if you have one, or "a gift received reluctantly, a burdensome possession."
3. Guests must remove the gift they receive when they leave the premises.
4. Guests should bring finger-food to share (leftover Christmas goodies) and something to drink.
5. Guests should come prepared to have a great time with "ye olde Christmas spirit" and gusto for the New Year.

Coming in February:

Chalice Lighter Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999

Join Chalice Lighters and lend a helping hand to new and growing UU Congregations in the Florida District. (This is a program that helped us finish the church-in-the-woods; please continue to support it. Ask Carol for more information).

"The Communion of Struggle." How can we, as religious liberals, deal with the Radical Right? How can we organize and act to get our principles heard? These will be the topics of the Florida District Social Justice Conference, to be held Saturday, January 23, 1999, at UU Church of Ft. Myers. Keynote speaker will be Rev. Meg Riley, with the keynote address titled "The Communion of Struggle." Fee is $25 postmarked by Jan. 11.

"We have only begun to know
The power that is in us if we would join
Our solitudes in the communion of struggle."

From a poem entitled "Beginners"
by Denise Levertov

Also coming in January:

Multicultural Renaissance Module, Jan. 7-9, (in Gainesville, only two hours away!)

Small Congregation Growth Conference, Jan. 29-30, Vero Beach, FL

Any of the above conferences would be particularly helpful to our congregation - if you can attend please let us know! Contact Carol (or Denominational Affairs committee) for more information.

Editor’s Note: Given the financial concerns mentioned by our treasurer, if you are not a member or haven’t pledged, but are receiving this newsletter - please consider a donation in any amount to cover postage and supplies. Thanks!

Deadline for articles for The Flaming Chalice is the 15^th of each month. Contact Carol Stiles

(If you don’t contribute, you may get more notes written by the church!)

UU Activities and Announcements

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

• Jan 7 - 9, A Multicultural Renaissance Module, Jacqui James, UUA diversity specialist, and Andrea Lerner, DRE, Orlando, leaders, UU - Gainesville.
• Jan 15 - 17, Transition Con #2 - YRUU, Gainesville
• Jan 23, Social Justice Conference, Rev. Meg Riley, Ft. Myers, The Communion of Struggle
• Jan 29 - 30, Small Congregation Growth Conference, Vero Beach
• Feb 20, Endowment and Planned Giving Workshop, UU-Naples
• Feb 26 - 28, Women and Religion Spring Conference, "Women, Religion, and Power," featuring Donna Woolfolk Cross, author of Pope Joan. UU - Gainesville.
• Apr 16-17, Florida District Meeting, Miami, Building Healthy Congregations

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, an independent affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association, near Highlands, NC, (about two hours from Atlanta).

Website: http://themountain.uua.org/mountain
e-mail: mountain@dnet.net
Phone: 828-526-5838

• Jan. 15 - 17 - Senior High Youth CONference, $62
• Feb. 26 - 28 - Jr. High Youth CONference, $62
• Mar. 18 - 21 - Spring African Drum and Dance Retreat
• April 9 - 11 - Mother - Daughter Passages
• April 23 - 25 - Annual Embracing Our Lesbian Identity