What's going on.... September 1999

September is here!

We begin our fall season with a terrific line-up of programs, ending with a 2^nd Anniversary celebration of the dedication of the Church-in-the-Woods! Mary Louise DeWolf-Hurt, a founding member of UU-Valdosta and also our first speaker in the new sanctuary, will return to the pulpit. Following the service we will hold a potluck lunch in the wonderful surroundings of the Church-in-the-Woods. Charles Judah starts off the month with a "Sermon-in-the-Woods." Betty Derrick follows to kick off the Program Committee's series of presentations which will address the UU Principles and the development of a personal theology. Social Action Sunday follows, a look at the many ways we participate in social action on the local and global level; Ann Bennett will provide highlights of her recent experience in New Zealand with Habitat for Humanity International, and others will contribute with information about LAMP, Break Bread Together, and other programs that we are involved in as a group and as individuals. **(Please bring non-perishable food, toiletries, etc., for a special collection for LAMP!)

Games Night!

Sat., Sep 4, 7:00 p.m. Call René or Julie for more information.

Religious Education - *ALERT*
Youth R.E. - Parents plus R.E. students will hold a planning session for 1999-2000 Religious Education classes, 12:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 5. Pizza, drinks, and desserts will be available for lunch (donations welcome to help with pizza costs).
We need your input plus ideas on curriculum, social action, outings, musical presentations, field trips, YouthCons, dance, etc. Any questions, or if unable to attend, call Janet Andersen
Adult R.E. will start Sunday, Sept. 5, 9:30 a.m., and will be led by Charles Judah for the month of September. --Janet Andersen

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 Virginia Branan.

Women's Group
Join us for good food and great company, the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Suggestions for fall activities are welcomed!

Adopt-A-Stream
Attendees of the church service on Aug. 1 discussed Adopting-A-Stream, in which members will organize to clean and maintain a local stream. Tom Hallock has checked into potential sites - mark the morning of Saturday, Sept. 11, tentatively, for a meeting and potential site visit. Contact Tom for more details, if you are interested in this project.

Pool Party ...and welcome back party!
...at the home of Ann Bennett, Saturday, September 11, around 6:00 p.m. with potluck dinner around 7:30. Bring your swim suit and lawn chair, if the weather is nice. BYOB if you like. Tea and softdrinks will be available. Contact Ann or the newsletter editor for more info.

Book Discussion
A book discussion and potluck will be held at the home of Joan Cline on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7:00 p.m. The book is The Reader, by Bernhard Schlink, Pantheon Books, NY, 1995. This book was translated from the German by Carol Brown Janeway, and comes highly recommended by Joan, and also by Charles Judah. (It is also one of "Oprah's books...")

You may obtain it at area book stores, or Joan and Charles each have copies that may be available for borrowing. It is not necessary to have read the book to participate!
UU-Valdosta magnets available! Need a way to let your new neighbors and friends know that UU-Valdosta is here in the community? We have magnets for refrigerators, file cabinets, etc! Available for donations of 25 cents (or more!) on the counter near the kitchen.
Contact Joan or the newsletter editor for more info. Please bring a dish to share.

Social Action Committee
Fast to End the Debt Crisis

Witness for Peace will be observing a 100-day nationwide shared fast from September 21 to December 31, 1999. The fast is to mark the countdown to Jubilee -- total debt cancellation for poor countries in the year 2000. The group feels debts accrued by very poor countries should be forgiven as many will NEVER be able to repay them and many exploit their citizens in efforts to meet obligations owed to rich countries such as the US.
There are two options for the event, for those who wish to participate. One, participants are asked to observe one 24-hour, juice-only fast. Every day during the event, groups and individuals around the country will fast for the 24-hour period so that there is a 'rolling' fast going on for the entire time. I requested that they assign a date for those of us who wish to participate locally - our assigned date is Monday, October 4.
For those who would like to fast for the entire 100-day event, WFP encourages a beans & rice "simple diet" fast. I have asked them to send information on this as well.
Please let me know if you are interested in participating in the fast, either the 24-hour or the 100-day. Thanks, Laurel Hahlen

At the Church-in-the-Woods....
Cardio Karate - Now meeting at the UU Church on Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm. Call Albert and Delane Slone for more information.
Tai Chi The Tai Chi group meets Monday and Thursday evenings. Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin. A new beginner's class will start Sept. 9.

Membership?
Curious about membership in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta? Contact Charles Judah or Tom Hallock of the Membership Committee.

A Course In Miracles group will begin September 8th. Marianne Williamson calls A Course In Miracles "a course in spiritual psychotherapy". It is our interpretation of the reality of life, not the reality itself, which causes our emotional pain.
A Course In Miracles leads us to Inner Peace by helping us become empowered and letting go of our "attack thoughts".
There is a requested donation of 10 dollars per week per person. The "Course" will last one year. Call Robert for details.
--Submitted by Robert Dixon

UU Activities and Announcements
Check the bulletin boards in the church and R.E. building for information on the following events:
Sep 25, NE Cluster meeting, Daytona Beach,
"Make a Joyful Noise - Using the Hymnal in Worship"
Oct 15-17, Women and Religion Retreat at UU in the Pines, "A Village of Women & Children"
Oct 22-23, Fall Leadership Conference,
"A Home for Every Florida Unitarian Universalist," Rev. Clark Olsen, presenter, Orlando
Nov 7-13, Florida Leadership School, Oviedo, "The View That Refreshes."

Editor's Note:

Deadline for articles for The Flaming Chalice is the 15^th of each month.
Contact Carol Stiles
1951 E. Park Ave., Valdosta, GA 31602
cranfun@peachnet.campuscwix.net