The Flaming Chalice - UU Valdosta

Sun	May 5	10:45 AM	Service –“Flower Communion,” Diane Holliman Special Sunday for LAMP donations
Wed	May 8	Early evening	Board Meeting (Place and time to be announced.)
Sun	May 12	9:30 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM	Youth R. E. Service – “The Maternal Spirit" by Jack Donovan, read by Charles Green Second Sunday Potluck
Mon	May 13	11:00 AM	Break Bread delivery
Sun	May 19	10:45 AM 12 noon	Service – "A UU Pentecost of Diverse Theologies: Reclaiming a Humanist, Universalist GOD and OTHER Famous Unitarians," Rev. Dan King ANNUAL MEETING (after the service)
Sun	May 26	9:30 AM 10:45 AM	Youth and Adult R.E. (new series led by Hugh Jacobs ) Service –“A New Religious America,” Rev John Young

May ……. This is a busy month at the church with two visiting Unitarian Universalist ministers and our congregation’s Annual Meeting. One Sunday will be devoted to a Flower Communion service, a favorite for many of us this time of year. A new Adult R. E. program will begin at the end of the month. As you are approached to pledge your financial support of our congregation and to donate your time and energy for the coming year, give as you are able. We are our church. You have something to contribute---your time, your talents, your skills, your presence, your money. If you have not already done so, please return your pledge to our Treasurer. Our proposed budget for next year is based on a projected pledging level of $11000.00. Help out as you are able.

Two Guest Ministers in May

We will have two guest Unitarian Universalist ministers in our pulpit this month. Rev. Dan King from the UU Church of Augusta GA will be in Valdosta on May 19. Rev John Young from the UU Church of Jacksonville, FL will be here May 26.

Rev. Dan King has been at the Augusta church since his ordination by the Columbia, SC UU Fellowship in 1997, the year he graduated from Starr King School for the Ministry, He is a native Georgian (Marietta) and recently celebrated 26 years of marriage with Macon native Nina Benedetto, who has collaborated with him in parenting their two now-grown children and in enriching their ministry to the larger community. Their life journeys together have taken them from high school in Georgia to Texas for college, graduate school, and children, to SC for their early careers (Dan as an attorney and Nina as a working teacher, artist, and mom) to NC for work at the UU Mountain Camp & Retreat Center, to California for seminary, and back to Georgia.

After graduating from the University of Texas, in Austin, Dan King practiced law there and in Columbia for 20 years. In personal injury claims cases, he tried to restore people to the health and wealth they'd had before. He says many times he found himself dealing with people who had psychic, emotional and spiritual pain. He found that his work intersected with what he was doing in the church. "I got more of a feeling of working with people in a holistic way in the church as a lay leader," he says. He became an administrator for six years at The Mountain and began his progress toward becoming a UU minister.

Rev. King will be speaking on "A UU Pentecost of Diverse Theologies: Reclaiming a Humanist, Universalist GOD and OTHER Famous Unitarians." He says that “In some congregations, the polarities of philosophical preferences approach the level of prejudice, and facilitating unstructured discussions becomes an exercise in separating the combatants and/or herding cats of many intolerant temperaments.” He will bring us some historical perspectives on our unique modern liberal religious movement, not only clarifying who we once were, how we came to be, and who we are now, but also reminding us of what we might accomplish in our "becoming."

He's hoping to present a lively, stimulating, challenging, and uplifting service with a balance of elements to appeal to the skeptical mind, yearning spirit, and musical sensibilities of Valdosta UUs, friends, and curious guests who might drop by to check on what's happening on Sunday morning. Come risk an hour or so to find out if we experience any of that!

Rev. John Young of the Jacksonville, FL church will speak on May 26. The title of his presentation is “A NEW RELIGIOUS AMERICA.” He says it is a sermon considering the fact that the United States has become the most religiously diverse nation in the world in recent years, and how people are responding to this new situation. He says UUs have a unique role in helping America live up to its pluralistic ideals.

John Young grew up in Kansas. He says that he did all the course work for a doctorate in political science but holds a doctorate of the ministry from Meadville Seminary at the University of Chicago, and was a Merrill Fellow at Harvard University. He has served Unitarian Universalist churches in Chicago, New York City, Bloomington, IN, Paramus, NJ, Sacramento, CA, and since August 1999, Jacksonville, FL. He has a number of publications including a book, “A Graceful Minority,” a pamphlet, “Our Faith,“ articles, and poems. Rev. Young has been active in the civil rights, disarmament, non-violence, anti-poverty, mental health, anti-racism, women's rights, and gun control movements. He has served as President of the United States IARF and UN Office, on the UU Peace Network Board and other denominational groups. He is an adjunct Professor at the University of North Florida, teaching courses on Gandhi, the Religions of India and Religious Nonviolence. His wife, Kathleen Moran, is a technical writer with Landstar Corporation. His son is a housing consultant in Boston, MA, and his daughter is a junior at Stanford University.

Rev Young has come to our church several times before, most recently when he participated in Rev. Jack Ford's ordination. Please plan to come and welcome him back to our church.

Diane Holliman will lead this spring service, a Unitarian Universalist tradition, which many of us look forward to this time of year. It is a time of sharing and community in our church. The UU Church of Nashua, NH describes their service in this way. "The variety of flowers symbolizes the variety of people, beliefs and ideas found in the congregation. Bringing a flower symbolizes the idea that people bring something of themselves and contribute it to the service. The removal of the flower represents each person taking something away, which the others have contributed.”

For this service bring a flower. At the beginning of the service flowers will be collected and placed in the front of the church. At the end of the service each person will be invited to take a flower different than the one that person brought.

Diane says that at this service we will also discuss our congregational commitments. She asks that we be prepared to share how we hope to share our time and talents with the church in the 2002-03 year.

Annual Meeting

May 19

We meet once a year as a congregation to vote on matters brought to us by our Board. These include the budget for the next year, officers for the coming year, and other matters which need the attention of the entire congregation. The Board acts on our behalf during the rest of the year, except in unusal circumstances. Budget decisions at this meeting will be based on pledging data for the coming year. With the loss recently of several pledging units it will be critical that each of us return our pledge forms to our tresurer René´Kerr in a timely fashion. One of our UU Principles states: “We…covenant to affirm and promote The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Plan to be present on May 19 to participate in this principle in practice. It is both a right and a responsibility of membership in our church.

Nominating Committee Report

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Virginia Branan with Jim Ingram and Betty Derrick as members, announces the following slate of officers for congregational approval at the Annual Meeting:

Vice President(President:-Elect): Charles Judah (Charles has agreed to serve as Vice President (programs) with the stipulation that he does not want to become President the next year. He will propose a Bylaw change to the Board changing the President-Elect position, back to Vice President with the President being elected separately each year.)

Coordinator for Buildings and Grounds: Frank Asbury (Frank is willing to serve in this position with the understanding that Jim Ingram will continue to provide someone to do outside upkeep. )

Coordinator for Religious Education: No nominee available at the time of publication of the newsletter. (The committee is waiting for a response from one person. Several people have agreed to assist the coordinator for Adult and Youth R.E. If you would be interested in filling this Board position please contact a member of the committee. This is a key person for the growth of our congregation.)

The Nominating Committee wants to thank those who have been willing to put their names forward as nominees for these leadership positions in our congregation in this exciting time for growth for our UU community.

President’s Column

Hello, May is here and this is a month when we renew our commitment to the church and hear from two UU ministers. May 19 will be our Annual Meeting. Please come as you can. We need your participation. Also, April and May are the months when we give to LAMP. I am so proud of our church for continuing to be a liberal voice in LAMP and in the home delivered meals program. Our voices are needed in this community. Through our service we promote our principles.

In this newsletter, since May 5 is the annual Flower Communion, I want to share a poem about flowers that is one of my mom's favorite poems. I always think of her when I read this poem.

Religious Education

Youth R.E meets the second and fourth Sundays. Contact Virginia Branan for information.

Adult R.E. will begin a new series led by Hugh Jacobs beginning on May 26. The group will discuss whether to continue meeting on the second and fourth Sundays or meet every Sunday. Hugh has been reading a book entitled “Quantum Psychology” by Robert Anton Wilson He says each chapter in the book has various activities and exercises that the group would do each Sunday and then discuss. It sounds fascinating and would definitely generate discussion. Wilson is apparently trying to apply the implications of quantum mechanics to understanding human psychology. Hugh says the book is written from an agnostic perspective and seems in part to be attempting to debunk materialism as much as spirituality. He says participants do not have to read the book. He has in mind bringing copies of the exercises each Sunday from one or two chapters with the group working its way through the book over a several month period. Anyone who wants to buy the book can probably find it in bookstores in the philosophy or psychology sections. Mark your calendars and plan to attend what promises to be an intriguing discussion.

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 Virginia Branan.

LAMP

April and May are our months to collect can goods, clothing and give donations to for Lowndes Association of Ministries to People (LAMP). There is a box at the church for your donations. Diane Holliman suggests that May 5 be designated as a special Sunday to bring your LAMP donations. LAMP has sent the following list of needed items: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Powdered milk for adults, Canned sweet peas, vegetables, and fruit, Pork and beans, Cereal, Macaroni and cheese, Zip-lock bags (gallon size), Pop top cans for transients, brown paper bags

Thank You! Thank You!

For keeping our building clean: Bobbie Dixon, René Kerr, Frank Asbury and his family

For keeping our grounds neat: Jim Ingram

For delivering meals: Dee Tait

For agreeing to be nominated for offices for next year: Charles Green, Charles Judah, René Kerr, Sharon McKenzie, Frank Asbury

For coming forward to serve in the unfilled R. E. position: an as yet unknown volunteer!

For preparing a slate of officers for next year: the Nominating Committee: Virginia Branan (Chair), Jim Ingram, Betty Derrick

For preparing a budget and soliciting pledges: our Treasurer René Kerr

For her leadership in focusing the Board and creatively resolving time conflicts for meetings: our President Diane Holliman

For planning, promotion, setting up the church, providing food for the David Clark concert: Everyone who helped!

For leading the singing: Cindy and Ab Roesel

For playing the piano: Shannon Hesse (Shannon will be leaving us soon so give her your special thanks when you see her in the next month.)

Notes from the April Board Meeting

b. Annual Meeting is May 19 and the Nominating Committee is meeting and getting the nominations together. A congregational survey will be passed out at the May 5 services and at the Annual Meeting.

c. The Greeting Committee was appointed and encouraged to get started with the support of the Board.

The Board has created a Greeting Committee. Virginia Branan, Bobbie Dixon, Dee Tait and Charles Judah have agreed to serve on the committee. The Board would like to see a variety of greeters (not the same greeter every week). The Board has asked that the greeters also do follow up with visitors.

Our thoughts and prayers are with church family and friends experiencing health problems, and the loss of loved ones.

..... for honors on Lowndes Middle School's Math Team. Sean placed third in the Math Counts competition at Mathis Auditorium and may participate in the state competition in Atlanta. He was first in sixth grade individual and team competition. In an article in the Valdosta Daily Times his name was mentioned four times!. Teacher sponsor for the team is Jasmine Tatch, granddaughter of our member, Miriam Hope.

Did you know that although Unitarian Universalist churches ordain their ministers, as we did Jack Ford this past Fall, the minister of a church is viewed as holding no special position in our religion other than that bestowed by professional training. We are a religion, which espouses the “priesthood of the believer.” Although our ministry is an organized, educated professional ministry, our ministers hold no sacred or special position relative to other members of the congregation. UU churches are independent, self-governed bodies. We are members of the Unitarian Universalist Association, but that group has no power to enter our congregation and tell us what to do, The Association is available to assist us. This apparently weak organizational structure has proved strong perhaps because we emphasize respect for all individuals and their beliefs and we make decisions based on reason. American Unitarian Universalism in the 21^st century is solidly based in democracy tempered with respect for the individual so that the rights of the few are heard, listened to, and respected. As Thomas Jefferson observed about our country’s democracy, for it to function well, an educated and responsible citizenry is required. It is no different for our liberal, democratic churches.

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday Evenings. A new beginner’s group will start Monday, May 20. It will meet Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-6:30 PM. Dennis Bogyo will teach the class. If you would be interested contact Dennis Bogyo.

Metropolitan Community Church - Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 5:00 PM. Service at 6:00 PM

Women’s Group Those who self-identify as female are invited to join this group for good food and great company, the 1^stand 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Bring a snack or potluck dish and ideas for discussion, or just yourself! Contact René Kerr.

May 3-5 The Florida District Women and Religion Annual spring Retreat, UU in the Pines, Brooksville, FL The retreat’s topic will be “inside Out”- mask making and spirituality. The registration deadline has passed but you might check for open spots.

May 3-5 Mother/Daughter Spring Retreat, The Mountain Retreat and Conference Center, Highlands, NC

June 6-8 Renaissance Module: Worship, Boca Raton, FL A workshop for UU Religious Educators, Ministers, and interested lay people.

June 14-16 MountainScape Flyfishing Weekend, The Mountain Retreat and Conference Center, Highlands, NC

June 30 deadline for registration for September 21-27 FL District Leadership School. Some scholarship funding available from the district.

May 9-30 VSU May-mester intensive course the Fundamentals of Islam. Local religious leaders are encouraged to take the course. Contact Dr. Linda Bennett Elder, VSU Philosophy Department.

Thank you for reading our newsletter!
The Newsletter Team (click here to meet us!)

President's Column	Thank You! Thank You!	Religious Education
Did you know?	Social Action	UU Activities and Announcements
Board Notes!	Special Note - Annual Congregational Meeting!! Sunday, May 19

ANNUAL MEETING (after the service)