The Flaming Chalice - UU Valdosta

What’s going on.…January 2004

Th	Jan.1		Happy New Year!
Sun	Jan. 4	10:45 AM	Service – " Dealing with Blindness,” Andy Phillips
Tues	Jan. 6	6:00 PM	Board of Trustees Meeting at the church in the R.E. wing
Sat	Jan 10	8:00 PM	White Elephant Christmas Gift Party at Betty Derrick’s Home
Sun	Jan. 11	9:30 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM	Adult R. E. Service – "Would Jesus Be a Unitarian Universalist?” Fred Howard Second Sunday Potluck
Mon	Jan.12	11:00 AM	Break Bread delivery
Th	Jan. 15		February newsletter deadline
Sun	Jan. 18	10:45 AM	Service – “Sexuality and Spirituality,” Michael Stoltzfus
Sun	Jan. 25	9:30 AM 10:45 AM	Adult R. E. Service – “Tolerance,” Jessica Pope
Wed	Jan. 28	5:00 PM	Social Action Committee meeting in the R.E. building at the church

January…Gifts that matter have no weight---They are without substance.---Gifts that matter most are given to us by the Hand of Life in grace:---Reunion of those long separated,---Sun drenched days and cool nights,---Aromas of cooked food betokening a family feast.---Anticipations of the new year yet to be,---Gift givers whom we love,---The gift of life itself.---Gifts that matter have no weight. A holiday gift from Mary (Higgins) and Jessica at the Florida District Office, adapted from Richard Gilbert.

Your Editor is home in Valdosta again, looking forward to renewed old friendships and the start of new friendships.

Happy New Year!!!

Sunday Services

On January 4 Andy Phillips, a member of our church, will speak on "blindness." Andy began losing his vision in 2000 and is now blind. His topic is all too familiar to him. His college studies have concentrated on English and history. With the exception of nine years in Knoxville, TN, Andy has lived in Valdosta.

Dr. Fred Howard will be back on January 11. His talk will be on "Would Jesus be a Unitarian Universalist?" Fred is a member of our congregation who recently moved to Atlanta where he studying theology at Emory University. Fred is also a medical doctor.

Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, will return on January 18. He is a member of the Philosophy Department at Valdosta State University and has spoken to our group a number of times. His topic this visit will be “Sexuality and Spirituality.” He comments that he will focus mostly on Christianity, but will incorporate elements of Buddhist and Jewish understanding on the topic. Come and welcome Michael back to our pulpit.

On January 25 our speaker is Jessica Pope, a reporter for the Valdosta Daily Times. Two of her thought provoking articles in August and November respectively were, "Gay Rights Is Today's Rights Struggle," and "Religion Should Not Serve As a Dividing Point." She will speak to us on “Tolerance.” Jessica, who moved to Valdosta in November 1994, was born and raised in Moultrie, GA. She is a VSU graduate (1997) with a degree in psychology. She is an award-winning journalist, primarily focusing on education. She is also the mother of a nine year old daughter, Hunter, and dreams of living in a loft in New York City someday, doing her most favorite things — writing and introducing her daughter to the world.

Religious Education Program

· Youth R. E.: This group is not currently meeting, although planning is on-going. We need someone with ideas interested in leading this group and we need more participants! Contact: Lars Leader.

· Adult RE meets on the second and fourth Sundays at 9:30 AM. Discussion this month will be centered around articles in the UU World. For more information contact Lars Leader.

President’s Portion

We came through a lot together in 2003 and came out on the “other side.” We had options. We could have given up. Welcome to 2004!

I hope you had a chance at the December 28 service to think about and verbalize what you want for yourself and for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta in 2004. I am hoping that, as a result of that service, we have formulated a congregation’s vision for the next year. In the words of Dr Phil McGraw, “First, you have to ‘see it’ before you can ‘be it.’” So, if we have “seen it,” our job now is to figure out ways to make our group-vision a reality.

As we proceed into another year, on behalf of your Board of Trustees, I want to thank you, the congregation, for the opportunity to serve as your administrators. Our work is always in keeping with your best interest. Keep us informed as we work together to realize our vision.

The committee has posted an announcement at the UUA Web site for ministerial searches. The posting announces that we are looking for a UU minister willing to live in Valdosta and serve in a contracted part-time position. We are also currently searching for a UU minister to serve temporarily while the more comprehensive search continues. The committee will be contacting three ministerial candidates, who have responded to the UU Valdosta announcement on the UUA website.

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.

On December 14th, the Social Action Committee kicked off the Guest at Your Table campaign with a service led by Committee members Lars Leader and Anna Hall. If you did not get a box, it is not too late. They will remain at the back of the church until well into January along with an informative display about the program. Please don't forget to return your boxes after the service on January 25th!

The Social Action Committee's January project is still in the works, so keep an eye out for updates through the email list and in your orders of service. The January meeting of the Social Action Committee will be January 28th at 5:00 PM in the RE building. Please be there if you are interested in social action or have any ideas for future social action projects. Contact: Anna Hall

UPDATE ON BENCH COMPETITION

75 votes Let us labor in hope for the dawning of a new day without hatred, violence, and justice. (sic)

Betty’s back and ready to entertain again. Come join the fun. This isn’t just a UU Party, but all UU’s are invited! Some of you know this has been a biennial party at Betty’s home for years. There are gifts, which continue to circulate---just can’t seem to find a home! Bring a gift suitable for anyone, that you’ve been given, which you do not want. Bring it wrapped as a Christmas gift, and bring along any leftover Christmas goodies, and whatever you would like to drink. If you come, you really must participate in the gift giving, so do bring a gift. Call for directions.

Attending: Dee Tait, Charles Judah, Randy Thompson and Lars Leader. Board President Dee Tait called the meeting to order. It was noted that the annual cost of the church’s bench advertisement is $250 rather than the $150 reported earlier. Information from the treasurer’s report and the Ministerial Committee are reported elsewhere in the newsletter. Dee Tait gave an update on the status of the church pamphlet for bulk mailing, and the application to the U. S. Post Office for non-profit status, which is required for lower mailing rates. The board considered an invitation to sign a petition on “OpenUUA” received from Carol Agate, member of the UUA Board of Trustees, representing a group that includes former and current board members, committee members, chairs and district presidents. The board decided not to sign the petition in view of the time required to become educated on the details surrounding the petition.

The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, 2004, in the Religious Education Building.

Thank You! Thank You!

For presenting programs and providing us with social actions opportunities: Anna Hall and the entire Social Actions Committee

For checking into effectiveness of church signs: Mike Carmichael

For working with Valdosta Daily Times on church publicity: Dee Tait

For building cleanliness and maintenance: John Tait and Jim Ingram

For continuing to offer copying of the church newsletter at his office: Jim Ingram

For continuing to do a excellent job of maintaining the church’s website: Carol Stiles

For layleading services in December: Anna Mitchell Hall, Virginia Branan, Dee Tait, and anonymous (December 28)

For teaching the Adult R.E. discussions: Theresa hompson

For delivering meals in December: René Kerr and Virginia Branan

For printing the newsletter in December: Dee Tait

For addressing and mailing the December newsletter: Virginia Branan

For programming services two months in advance: Charles Judah and his Program Committee, Virginia Branan, Diane Holliman and Dee Tait

For progress in the ministerial search: the Ministerial Search Committee, Joan Cline, Anna Mitchell Hall, Lars Leader, Randy Thompson and Jim Ingram

For organizing the Third Annual Giving Party, ordering food and making sure the kitchen and sanctuary were back in order afterwards: Diane Holliman

For putting up the tree and decorating the church for Christmas: Rosie Asbury, John, Chris and Sara and Dee Tait, Anne, Leona, and Benjamin Zipperer, Rob Kester

For monitoring the slogan contest for the church’s bench ad, now located on Norman Drive at the entrance to Pier I and Target: René Kerr

For suggesting and contributing to the choice of the slogan for the church’s bench ad: all participants

For working with the youth to plan the church’s entry in the local Christmas parade December 6: René Kerr and John Tait.

For continuing to do a super job editing our monthly newsletter (from Atlanta): Betty Derrick

For doing an outstanding job as church treasurer: Randy Thompson

For keeping excellent minutes of board meetings and maintaining the church calendar of building use: Rosie Asbury

For participating in the Christmas parade for the UU Church (decorating the truck, driving, riding, helping the little ones enjoy, running along handing out candy, greeting the crowd: John and Sarah Tait, Anne and Benjamin Zipperer, Victoria Warrick, Jerry Jones, René Kerr and Madison

For organizing the lunch after the music service with Doug and Molly: Julie, Carol, Pat, and everyone else who brought food.

Games Night????: There has been e-mail discussion over the last month regarding the revival of Games Night at the church. Members and friends used to gather once a month on a Friday evening at the church to play cards, dominoes, board games, and other such games. There seems to be some interest; however your editor doesn’t actually know if Games Night is back. Speak to Hue Jacobs if you are interested and watch for further news in the newsletter in the future.

Sweat Lodge???: During recent weeks there was also e-mail discussion about "doing a sweat." There seems to be interest among some members and others to build a temporary sweat-lodge behind the church (on the field near the fire pit) to hold an Inipi ritual. The ritual is Aboriginal-American in origin and involves a form of communal meditation and chanting while sitting in a "tee-pee" with glowing hot rocks. Contact Hue Jacobs if you are interested.

Insurance Reimbursement Announcement

Our President, Dee Tait, says it is very important that for the next 180 days (six months, until about May), as any item lost or damaged in the vandalism is replaced, it is essential that all receipts go to Treasurer, Randy Thompson. These receipts are necessary for reimbursement from the insurance company on the replacement discount portion of the claim. If you are not sure if a purchase is replacing a lost or damaged item, give the receipts to Randy and the board will check.

Treasurer’s Report

January 15-17 – Under Siege: Religious Freedom in a Post 9/11 World, An International Conference on Peace and Justice, Clearwater, FL

January 24 – Women and Religion-Area Communicators Planning Meeting, Orlando, FL

January 30-February 1 – Annual Winter Potpourri Weekend, Brooksville, Pines CC

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.

South Georgia Coalition for Peace The Board has given this grassroots community group permission to use our building for its meetings as needed.

Newsletter Staff

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The Newsletter Team (click here to meet us!)

Sunday Services	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
President's Portion	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Social Events!!	Board Notes
	Ministerial Search Update

General Fund		14,194.56
Restoration Fund		13,103.66
UUA Grant Fund		3,000.00
Total (Cash in Bank Accounts)		30,298.22
OUTSTANDING DEBT
Mortgage		31,024.92
		31,024.92
			YTD
OPERATING RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:		November	Five Months
Receipts:
Pledge		1,335.00	5,822.12
Plate		241.00	606.00
Rent		280.00	1,400.00
Horowitz Memorial contributions		0.00	155.00
Contributions to Al Boyce fund		0.00	380.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS		1,856.00	8,363.12
Disbursements:
Mortgage		500.00	2,500.00
Speaker'sExpenses		300.00	1,026.00
Utilities		149.84	998.15
Pianist		175.00	490.00
UUA Dues		391.00	1,495.00
Chamber mailing		0.00	100.00
Postage		23.31	60.31
Supplies		30.68	444.69
Al Boyce		0.00	380.00
Repairs and Maintenance		0.00	613.55
Other		0.00	65.00
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS		1,569.83	8,172.70
NET RECEIPT (DISBURSEMENT)		286.17	190.42
RESTORATION FUND
Receipts	Contributions	16,289.85
	Insurance	22,217.00
		38,506.85
Disbursements
	Contractor	25,403.19
	Program	98.00
		25,403.19

RESTORATION FUND	BALANCE	13,103.66
UUA GRANT BALANCE		3,000.00