What’s going on... February 2009

Sunday Services

Sunday, February 1 – Rev. Jane Page , “Can You Say HOPE?”

Reflecting on how HOPE helped lift Barack Obama to the United States presidency, Rev. Jane will examine the historical, psychological, and theological underpinnings of this concept which stimulates optimism for our future.  If you replied to her web-queries about hope, you may find some of your own reflections in her sermon.

Sunday, February 8 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “Evil, Christianity and Public Policy Discourse

It is one of the oldest conundrums of human thought:  What is evil?  How do we think about and experience evil and how does the Christian tradition shape the way we view evil and respond to it?  Two extremes tend to mark the terrain within which these questions are addressed in contemporary American public discourse in general and in relation to entering and exiting the Iraq war in particular.  We will investigate these extremes, demonstrate their pervasiveness in public policy discourse and Christian theology, and offer a mediating alternative.

Sunday, February 15 –  Rev. Fred Howard “Intimations of Immortality”

We humans have always wondered about the afterlife.  It was the notion of immortality that prompted our prehistoric ancestors to leave us the first mythic symbols -  those implements left at ancient gravesites for the deceased to use in happy hunting grounds.  Today’s sermon will be a personal reflection on what our existence as human “beings” might mean in the cosmic scheme of things, and what part of our human existence might really endure beyond this brief sojourn.

Sunday, February 22 –  Dr. Keith Johnson, “A Brief Encounter With the Pseudepigrapha: The Third Part in a Four Part Series Dealing with the Canonization Process of the Biblical Texts”

The next to the last part in this series of discussions will contend with the false inscriptions associated with the Tanak (Old Testament).  Most of these texts were written sometime between 200 BCE and 200 CE. 

Rev. Jane A. Page, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro, serves our congregation in Valdosta each month.  She is available for conferences and special services when she is in Valdosta .  Web Page: http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/~janepage/ Some of Rev. Page’s sermons are posted at http://uustatesboro.uuism.net/sermons.html

 

 

 

 

 

Religious Education for Children

Over the coming weeks, the R.E. class will be studying world religions (Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and others that may be less familiar including Paganism, Native American religions, Jainism, Confucianism, Sikhism, and others). Susan Bailey says they will start with Christianity and explore similarities and differences with themes found across traditions. The first theme they’ll explore will be creation. Throughout their exploration, the R.E. students will continually refer back to and connect with the seven UU principles. Susan hopes to help the children begin to see the common threads that run through religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions and to show them how human beings in these faith traditions are fellow travelers on journeys seeking truth and understanding and actively care for others and their world.

                The RE program for children meets at 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  Volunteers to help in the classroom are needed. Contacts: Mya Storey or  Susan Bailey.

 

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our President, Doug Tanner, or Membership Director, Lars Leader.  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.          Rev. Jane Page also welcomes your questions about UU membership.

 

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS  

Keep in your thoughts our members and friends experiencing illness or the loss of loved ones….

 

Did You Know?  (Borrowed from the Flaming Chalice, November 2000.) Protestant dissenters from the doctrine of the Trinity coined the term Unitarian in the 16th century. (Trinitarianism became church doctrine on a vote in 375 AD.) Michael Servetus, who was burned at the stake in Geneva in 1533 for his beliefs, is generally viewed as the founder of modern Unitarianism.  His followers had established 425 Unitarian churches in Transylvania by 1600.  During the 17th century in England men like John Milton, John Locke, and Isaac Newton were involved with the Unitarian movement.  From their beginnings Unitarians have been willing to question and be outspoken about issues of freedom and justice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Singing Through the Hard Times - Rev. Jane Page

In the early days of January 2008, the American Economic Association met in New Orleans (a city known for "the Blues"). Greg Robb, a reporter with Marketwatch, provided this headline in his article about that conference: "Economists say 2008 will be a year to forget: Analysts at American Economic Association now see recession as a given."
                Robb went on to report the doom and gloom predictions from major economists. The predictions of these economists have come true and have been magnified. So here we are a year later with rising unemployment, businesses closing each day, bank failures and the resulting “hard times that some say will surpass the recession of the early 80’s. There has been a lot of finger pointing and blame lain in all areas of the economy and government. Indeed, there is plenty to go around.

                Thankfully, there is hope for the future.  Our new president, however, has warned that it will take much time to turn things around.  Of course, we have come through tough times before. But the process can be painful for many. How do folks who are having extremely tough times cope? One way has always been through music! I was born in 1950 so I did not witness the great depression. But I grew up hearing stories about it from my parents and grandparents. And sometimes they would refer to the old music. An excerpt from one of the depression era songs is copied below.

They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob,

When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.

They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,

Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

 Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime;
Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?
(lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney, 1931)

                African American Spirituals provide another source of inspiring music for hard times. Some of my favorites include: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Deep River, There is a Balm in Gilead , and Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen. These are sad songs but there is something about them, perhaps the syncopation in the melody, which adds a measure of optimism.

                A folk song that was popularized by Unitarian Pete Seeger (who reportedly changed the beginning word from “I” to “We”) also provided hope during the Civil Rights era of the 1960’s and can provide hope for us today. "We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some day. Oh, deep in my heart I do believe, we shall overcome some day."
                Let us sing our way through the hard times with others who have struggled before. And together, with faith, hope, and love, we SHALL overcome.

May It Be So!  

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Let’s Have Some Fun!!

 

Book Discussion and Potluck

Friday, February 27     7:00 PM

At the church

Bring a dish to share.  Coffee and tea will be provided.  You are welcome to bring other beverages.  We’ll plan to wind up by around 9:00 PM if you have other end of the week commitments.  The book is “Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U. S. History” by Thomas DeWolf.  At General Assembly this past summer Carol Stiles heard DeWolf talk about his family and his experiences dealing with the slave trade legacy of his family.  During the holidays she read his book and has recommended it to us.  She has actually purchased several copies which are being passed around.  We will be inviting members of our Accepting Difference Project group to join us in this discussion.  The book is published by Beacon Press if you want to order a copy.  We have been selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Let us know your suggestions.  Contact: Betty Derrick.

  

Games Night

February 21   7:00 PM

At the church

Bring some finger foods and munchies to share, libations if you’d like, the kids, a friend, a favorite game and let the games begin.  See Sue Bailey for further details.  Come enjoy the fun! 

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Thank you for New Years Invitation: Arsha Vijanana Mandiram(AVM) of Pavo GA , has invited us to participate in  several of their celebrations over the past year.  Several of our members have attended.  Most recently Julie Halter was able to attend Nava Graha Homa on January 1, 2009 for an auspicious beginning to the New Year,  Nav Graha Homa is done to honor the 9 Planets to give peace and prosperity throughout the year.  Puja was followed by a potluck lunch with everyone encouraged to bring a vegetarian dish.  All who have been able to accept these invitations report a wonderful experience and great food.  We try to get these invitations out on our e-mail list.  Plan to go over if your schedule will allow the next time there is a celebration.  What a wonderful way to develop an appreciation for another culture and religious practice.  Thank you to AVM for including us.

 A Special Thank You to Frances Patterson who has presented the church with a Christmas gift: a book entitled The Churching of America : 1776-1990, by Roger Finke and Rodney Stark.  Bill Webster says “it's subtitle says a lot about its content: Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy.   You might guess as to where the Unitarians fall in this paradigm.  Anyway, it is a grand sociological study of how the ‘free market’ of religions led to the ascendency of certain denominations and decline of others in American culture.  Most importantly, it challenges prior assumptions about religious history in the U.S. during the period 1776-1990.  The book is a significant addition to the UU Valdosta library.”  Thank you , Frances .  (It has been suggested that we might want to consider this as a possible book discussion choice.  See what you think.)

Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick   Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait February 15: Deadline for the March newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

Social Action Activities

Guest at Your Table

Thank you for your donations over the holiday season.  We have sent $387.47 from nine families to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.  “UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.”  Go to www.uusc.org for further information and if you are not already a member join the UUSC.  

MLK March

Thank you to everyone who participated in the MLK March Saturday morning, January17.  We carried our church banner for a sunny but cold walk from VSU’s University Center to the King Memorial just south of downtown.  Perhaps next year we might consider participating in the city-wide banquet celebrating the work of Martin Luther King as well as the march.

 

                                                    

 

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday (and 5^th when there is one) of each month.  If you would like to help deliver meals beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Frank or Rosie Asbury.

Accepting Difference Project

VIGIL FOR PEACE:  CANDLELIGHT PRAYER AND REFLECTION   The Board will be discussing the Community Prayer and Reflection Vigils at the February Meeting.  Encourage people from the community who might be interested or have participated in this project to join our February book discussion on slavery and racial issues.  Contact Betty Derrick if you have questions about the Project and watch for opportunities to participate.  

National Day of Prayer: As a result of discussions with Lars Leader, Fred Howard, George Bennett and others, VAMA (Valdosta Area Ministerial Association) has agreed to conduct the National Day of Prayer on May 7 at 12 noon.  George Bennett is this year’s VAMA Chair.  Mark your calendar and plan to participate in May.  Fred Howard has now joined this group which should give UUs more visibility among ministers in the community.  

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President’s Corner

Doug Tanner                                           February 2009

A New Era!

                As the President Barack Obama takes the oath of America begins a new era with new hope and optimism.  While there will be disappointments and set backs change is definitely on the horizon.

                Unfortunately, one item which is rumored to be on hold by the new administration is a change to the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  Understandably, the new President has much work to do in the coming months and there have to be priorities. 

                Let’s hope that we don’t have to wait long for an indication that equality for all Americans is at the top of his agenda.  Removing the military’s prohibition on Gay and Lesbian service members would be a major indication that discrimination against those individuals will not be tolerated.  There is still much to done to ensure social justice for all.

                Keep up the great work of building the beloved community.  I hope to see you on Sunday.

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UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors -Jan 7, 2008

Attendance: Doug Tanner, Rosie Asbury, Sue Bailey, Lars Leader, Jim Ingram and Kari Wells

Old Business:

·         Roof:  Jim will continue to look for a roof estimate.  The regular people are not giving him any responses.           

·         Lights out front and on sign have been repaired.

New Business:

·         Treasurer’s report:  This month, Rosie will be sending out letters to members for tax purposes as well as one to Jim for the work he did on the Arch.

·         RE:  Now working on World Religion.  Comparing and Contrasting different religions around the world.

·         We are going to look into offering our church as a polling place for future elections.

·         National Day of Prayer:  May 7  ^@ 12:00 at the county court house . The Accepting Differences Project  is going to help organize the National Day of Prayer and will be putting out more information on that special day and how you can participate.

·         Pledge letters will go out in February

·         We are going to have an exterminator start coming on a monthly basis.

Next meeting with be February 4 at 6:00

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VALDOSTA AREA Community Calendar – Jane Osborn has asked if the Community Calendar is valuable to us, to please consider a gift to support 2-1-1 of South Central Georgia, a program of the South Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness. She Make your tax deductible checks to the South Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, PO Box 206 , Valdosta , GA 31603-0206 .   

The calendar is available at:    http://chiron.valdosta.edu/chjames/comcal.htm 

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At the Church-in-the-Woods

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

Taoist Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: New Beginners Class: 5:30-6:30 PM; Continuing Class:6:30-8:00 PM  Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin .

PFLAG Meeting – 4^th Tuesday each month, 7:00PM (4^th T beginning in February)  Contact: Doug Tanner  

    PFLAG webpage:  http://pflag-valdosta.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

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Treasurer's Report

Rosie Asbury                                                       December  2008

Receipts                 December                              July -present

  Plate                     $  160.00                               $   722.00

  Pledge                    1845.00                                  7415.00

  Rent                         140.00                                  1460.00

  Habitat Donats.       50.00                                       575.00

Total Receipts     $ 2195.00                               $ 10172.00

Disbursements  

  Speakers’ Fees   $  900.00                               $  5250.00

  Repairs & Maint     598.00                                      960.16

  Newsletter                  0.00                                      212.28

  Postage                       0.00                                       25.49

  Supplies                      0.00                                     176.56

  Utilities                    179.88                                   1418.03

  UU Dues                 200.00                                     700.00

  UU Conference           0.00                                    1232.78

  Advertising                  0.00                                      145.80

  Donations                   0.00                                      500.00

  Others                      93.00                                      176.00

Total  Disbursnts.  $1971.04                                 $10797.10

Net Receipt           $  223.96                               $ -  625.10  

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UU Activities and Announcements

Further information is posted on the bulletin board in the R.E. wing at the church.  Also check your Sunday Order of Service for announcements.

  January 31-  Marketing 101 for Unitarian Universalists,   Tallahassee , FL

February 1-Building Dedication, Friendship Fellowship at Pineda, Rockledge , FL

February 2- Deadline for congregational feedback on Peacemaking draft SOC, as well as for voting in the congregational poll

February 17-Celebrated speaker Series, Nina Totenberg, Vero Beach, FL

February 19-Third Thursday Webinar- Congregational Leadership Series

February 19-Humanities series, Silver Wings and Civil Rights, Vero Beach, FL

February 28-Celebrated Speakers Series, Juan Williams, Vero Beach , FL

March 20-22-Florida District Annual Assembly, Sarasota , FL

June 24-28- UUA General Assembly, Salt Lake City , UT  

District Awards - The Florida District requests your nominations to honor members who have made significant contributions to their congregations and communities.  The nomination process is now open and all nominations must be postmarked no later than February 20th.  For more information please download the Florida District Awards Information and Nomination Form  

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

In these uncertain economic times it is more important than ever for us to maintain our support for our home congregations, and our District and UUA. There are folks in the congregation and in your community who will need the spiritual and emotional support found by attending UU services and we need to be there for them as they face difficult financial times. If history is an indicator the economic downturn facing the U.S. will have an impact on charitable giving and this will effect congregations. It will be necessary for those of us who can continue to meet our pledges to our congregations and our wider Association to do so…and perhaps then some.

                I also know some of our Florida congregations will be conducting annual stewardship drives in the spring so I offer some suggestions paraphrased from Laura Amabile, Director of the Annual Program Fund who recently wrote a piece after reading Enjoy the Ride: How to Effectively Raise Funds in a Roller-coaster Economy, by Mary Ellen Collins: 1) be prepared to articulate your congregation’s vision and mission statement in compelling ways that elicit a high level of financial support, 2) build solid relationships in and among the congregation, 3) avoid a dramatic shift in the manner in which your congregation conducts the stewardship drive or any fund raising activities, 3) maintain strong communications about the activities going on in the congregation by spreading accurate news enthusiastically, 4) practice openness and accountability about the financial condition of the congregation, and 5) have the board meet regularly with the congregants to answer questions and keep the congregants informed about all that is going on within the congregation.

                In addition I offer further thoughts to encourage congregations. Remember generosity is a spiritual issue of the heart. A spiritually mature person cannot move forward until it is understood that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. The conversation must move beyond boring stewardship to exciting generosity. Tell stories about how the generosity of persons had changed the life of your congregation and lives within the congregation. Keep building relationship trust within the congregation. Cease ineffective programs and activities in the congregation. And finally make it a practice to continually thank people for their time and financial generosity to the congregation, especially those persons/families who are pledging for the first time.

                As you consider making plans for 2009 in the midst of economic uncertainty remember adaptations may be necessary in the overall ministry of your congregation. I know UUs will continue with our faith and good works in the times ahead. Please email (jlund@uua.org) with thoughts, concerns, or with whatever you might like to communicate.

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GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE  Regular giving keeps supplies ready.  American Red Cross has set up many public opportunities for blood donation .  Call 229-241-1141, Ext 221, to make an appointment to give the gift of life. To find donor sites throughout the region, visit  The Valdosta Donor Center, 2517-A  Bemiss Road , is open 6 days per week.

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Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto , Florida District Director

Good people, may there be many blessings on your ministries in this New Year.

Samuel Johnson famously wrote, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully."  The times may not be quite that dire, but the recession calls all to concentrate attention on what matters.
 Recently, I challenged congregational leaders to ask how our faith addresses the larger culture. As we face challenging times we need to be very clear about our purpose!

• Why in the world are we in this ministry? 
• Whom are we called to serve, Where are we most needed? 
• What gifts do we offer to a very broken world? 

Our ministries are greatly needed. Congregations whose leaders keep these questions as part of the ongoing dialogue do fine. 

                However, let me be forthright: Some congregations are devoid of spiritual vitality, in part because those questions are not asked. Likewise, some go nowhere due to an unending, boring and too often hurtful internal argument over supernaturalism. It is as though some Unitarian Universalists fell in love with the "god is dead" movement of the 1950's and have never moved on.

                Too many of our congregations tear themselves apart, continually fussing over what words we can use in liturgy and hymnody. It is as though Cromwell and the Puritans still reign! Nothing could be more irrelevant to where most people live spiritually these days. Worse, it fails to address the sins of greed, lust, war-mongering, and self-indulgence that infect society.
                Many, if not most, Unitarian Universalists are religious naturalists who find our work in this world for love, peace, and justice to be our urgent task. The stale humanist/theist debate is a distraction. It also makes us look just plain silly to today's religious seekers and to traditional religionists. It's a recipe for irrelevance - no doubt very pleasing to the orthodox!

                So, here is my challenge, dear friends: How are you giving voice to a saving message that actively speaks to today's real needs? That works for human dignity and justice, cherishes the natural world, and confronts the gross inequities of the economic system that precipitated this crisis?
                Concentrate, please. Figure out how you can nurture the spirit AND heal our world. Concentrate wonderfully on the good and noble work before us in this new year. 
 All blessings, Rev. Kenn

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Volunteer at Second Harvest of South Georgia, a member of Feeding America : We are always in need of volunteers.

Please call to schedule all volunteer work and/or for more information at 244-2678 ext. 234.   Our new name and logo directly convey that we are providing access to food for people who need it- hungry Americans.  In essence, "feeding" serves as a double meaning- both providing food and enriching lives.  

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UUA Response to the Current Violence in Gaza

People of faith around the world are shocked and saddened by the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza . The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) joins with its partner organizations including Churches for Middle East Peace (Letter to President Bush on 12/29/08 and Letter to Congress on 1/5/09) and Religions for Peace International (Statement on 1/5/09) as well as a Boston interfaith group (Boston Globe 1/12/09) in calling for the United States President and Congress to effect robust diplomatic efforts to bring about an immediate cease fire and secure the access of humanitarian relief efforts in the region.

                As United Nation's Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated, the current violence only interferes with long-term peacemaking efforts. We join with him in recognizing that, "The only answer is an end to the violence. Whatever the rationale of the combatants, only an end to violence and a political way forward, can deliver long-term security and peace."

                For the past three years, Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations throughout the US have studied peace in our faith community. In November of last year, the Commission on Social Witness released a draft Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking. Our goal with the Statement of Conscience is to have a comprehensive, dynamic and prophetic statement concerning our relationship with peace and violence. This violence in the Middle East is the first major conflict since the release of the Statement. Currently, the Commission on Social Witness is soliciting feedback and comments on the draft Statement. We ask: "In the face of this violence, is our Statement of Conscience adequate? Does it stand up to actual violence?" Please consider sharing a conversation with your community about the Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking and be prepared to share your feedback by February 1st, 2009.

The UUA urges our congregations:

·         To add their voices to Churches for Middle East Peace's current advocacy efforts, and to participate with local interfaith colleagues witnessing for an end to the violence and a return to peacemaking.

·         To remember, during worship, the terrible pain and suffering of innocent people in the region. A Peacemaking Prayer is available on uua.org

·         To educate themselves and their congregations about the history and complexity of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

·         To support humanitarian efforts in Gaza by making donations through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Fund.

·         To make use of our Association's 'Peacemaking' resources.

·         To share stories of congregational engagement with the UUA.

·         To share comments and feedback to the UUA's Commission on Social Witness.

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UUA Congregational Participation Needed on Proposed Statement of Conscience - Peacemaking - deadline Feb. 2!

The UUA Commission on Social Witness needs your assistance in helping your congregations vote in this year's Congregational Poll on whether to approve putting the Draft Statement of Conscience (Draft SOC) on Peacemaking on the Final Agenda of the 2009 General Assembly.  Unless at least 25% of certified congregations participate in the Poll by February 2, 2009, the delegates will not be able to amend it or vote on it, and it will die.  The Congregational Poll is attached online to the Certification Process that each congregation must complete by February 2, 2009, to be part of the UUA voting and certification process.  The Certification Process and Congregational Poll can be found at http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/56346.shtml and require a password that your Church Administrator should have. You can see a copy of the Draft SOC at

http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/peacemaking/121606.shtml .  The question asked in the Congregational Poll is whether your congregation, or its representatives, believe the Draft SOC is worded well enough to be considered by the General Assembly, as refined by congregational comment before and during the 2009 General Assembly.  Get the permission of your Board of Trustees President to allow your committee to make the recommendation on the Poll, or devise some other method of reaching a decision.  You can then give your Administrator the recommended answer to the Poll.  Please vote "Yes" or "No."

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February Action of the Month: Speak Up for BGLT Equality   This February, the Washington Office for Advocacy invites you to join the nationwide call for BGLT equality. You can do this by signing up to lobby your members of congress on current legislation that would extend equal rights to members of BGLT communities as well as starting conversations with your friends, neighbors and clergy about equality for BGLT Americans.

                February 8-14, 2009, join Freedom to Marry Week! According to the Freedom to Marry website, engaging in conversation is the most important action you can take towards achieving marriage equality nationwide.

                Some of our favorite action ideas include blogging or posting videos or comments on others' blogs and facebook pages about marriage equality, hosting an event such as a lunch with clergy members, or just having a face to face conversation with someone like your mail carrier or your neighbor. You can sign up to receive text or Twitter messages to send to your friends or write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

                Looking for suggestions on what to say? Check out some conversation starters and talking points provided by Freedom to Marry.

                We also encourage you to lobby your congressional representative's district or national office. Visit the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) website for more information about current issues, talking points, and lobbying tips. Anyone can do this! Feel free to register with us so that we can follow up with you and your elected official to make your group's visit more effective.

                Remember, your friends, family and congressional representatives are listening! What you say matters to them, so speak up!