First Unitarian of Chicago Monthly Newsletter

First Unitarian Church of Chicago

Excerpts from the October, 2001

First Unitarian News

Rev. Grey's column, "Both Sides," is available here.

From Rev. Marlene ...

During this last week I have been deeply grieved and saddened and frightened by the events of September 11th and the possible responses of our government to them. At the same time I have been deeply moved and blessed to be a part of this religious community as we, you and Nina and I as your ministers, have come together to share our grief, our shock and our commitment to the endurance of Love as the Spirit of this church. We have held each other, listened to our children and held them and proclaimed our commitment to work for justice and peace. We have cared for each other and for those whom we do not know. What better way to show our children that they are loved and that love is indeed forever?

It has been a trying couple of weeks and I expect it will continue to be so. It has also been tiring and exhausting and I expect it will also continue to be that for some time. We will need to continue to care for each other and be kind to each other, to hold each other and to remind each other that love is forever. Thank you to so many of you who expressed concern for my and Nina's families in New York City. My son Josh and his fiancée Sandra, along with Nina's family are "all right," though they will never be the same. None of us will be. Sandra watched as the second plane hit from her high rise office building and Josh's firm lost 350 people in their main offices on the upper floors. None of us will ever be the same. Your care and concern made being apart from our loved ones at this time that much easier. I can't think of a place and a congregation of people I would rather be with at this time than right here. Thank you!

Peace, Shalom, Salaam,

Rev. Marlene

Committee Meetings this Month

Adult RE - Thurs. Oct. 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Criminal Justice - Wed. Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Executive Comm. - Wed. Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Membership - Tues. Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Property - Tues. Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Program Council - Tues. Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Social Justice - Thurs. Oct. 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Trustees - Thurs. Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Worship & Music - Thurs. Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Nina Grey's Revised Hours

For a short while, I will experiment with a new schedule of office hours, and then assess the effectiveness of the new schedule. I will be in the office as follows and by appointment: Tuesday, 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 2 to 6 p.m., and Friday, as before, 10 to 2 p.m. Thursday continues to be my time for study and sermon preparation. Monday will still be my day off. I can be reached at church, at 324 4100, or at home, at 288 0348. I welcome your calls, including calls on Monday in emergencies. If I am away from these phones, I regularly check my voice mails. You may also reach me by email at NinaGrey@aol.com. The office will also know how to reach me.

Rev. Marlene's New Office Hours

This year my office hours will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 5:00 pm. Monday continues as my day off and Friday is my day for reading and preparation which I mostly do at home. I am also available at other times by appointment. I often am found in the office at other times as well and am often at church in the evenings for various meetings. I can be reached by phone either at church or at home (773 955 1607). Please feel free to call me at home even on Mondays if it is urgent. Another good way to reach me is by e mail, and my new e mail address is mwalker@uuma.org.

Office Volunteers Needed

Regular church office volunteers are needed for several days during the week:

- Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

- Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon

- Sundays, 8 to 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you are able to help out on one of these days, please contact our administrator Rick Brown at (773) 324-4100.

Work Party Update

The work party originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29 has been rescheduled for after church on Sunday, October 7, starting at 11:30 a.m. In anticipation of new linoleum in church offices, we need help to temporarily relocate furniture and rip out existing tile. For further information, contact Church Administrator Rick Brown at (773) 324-4100.

Lifespan Religious Education

Rev. Marlene Walker, Associate Minister for Religious Education

Educating for Faith

Last month I introduced the Essex Conversations in this column. For those who missed it, it is a publication of papers and articles written for a gathering of Religious Educators to consider these three questions: What is the core of our evolving UU faith? What is your vision of the goals for our Lifespan religious education program? and What are the vital components for UU curricula? This year the RE Council is considering and reflecting on one of these articles each month and I will be focusing this column on that article so you can all share in the process.

In his article, "Educating For Faith," Rev Barry Andrews, MRE at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY, raises the issue of faith and our resistance, as UU's, to using traditional religious terms such as faith. He also strongly suggests that it is important that we do so. More and more parents coming to UU churches are seeking a place where their children will gain a sense of "religious identity, belonging, an ethical framework and the nurturing of a spirituality that will give them the ability to answer the difficult questions of religion and life." These same parents are seeking for themselves "a sense of meaning and purpose in life, to discover answers to life's fundamental questions and to belong to a community for mutual support, sharing faith and pursuing common interests." Many of the new singles and families who are coming to our UU churches (including this one) have not been raised in a particular church and do not come, in Barry Andrews' words "with the sense of religious rebelliousness that brought so many to our congregations in years past." They are coming to find spirituality and faith; not escape from churches that they did not agree with. Spirituality and religious identity are reciprocal Barry says and it "is through faith, the congruence of spirituality and religious identity, that religion comes to life and finds expression."

I agree with Barry that UU religious education has for a very long time been very good at teaching "about" religion and not as good about teaching faith, and that we need a curriculum that will foster and nurture the experience of spirituality and faith in our church school programs. It is one of the reasons that I tend to think of what we do as religious educators as formation rather than teaching. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a UU minister, insisted that religion is neither belief nor ritual; it is life "It is not something else to be got, to be added; but is a new life of those faculties you have." If we are to continue to grow, to attract new families, and to keep our young people as they grow older, it will be important that we develop a curriculum that "will help individuals of all ages to grow in faith by more fully integrating their spiritual life with their sense of identity as Unitarian Universalists."

I welcome your responses to these reflections in the weeks to come. What do you think? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Is it relevant to this congregation and to our vision? Let's dialogue. Either call me at church or at home, or speak with me in church.

Blessings,

Marlene

REMINDER! REMINDER! REMINDER! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!

All parents. Please register your children and youth for the Church School Program! All children and youth must be registered so that we know who they are, can send them (and you) important messages about their classes, know any special needs they may have and plan for future Church School programming. It also lets us know if they have any allergies (very important! See notice elsewhere!) and gives us your official permission to have them in our church school classes. Registration forms were sent out with the Church School Brochure and more are available in the church office and on the ushers and welcome tables at church or call the church and we will send you one. There is a registration donation of $75 per family which will also register you for the Lifespan RE Program as well. Our church budget depends on this registration donation so please be sure to state on your check that it is for the church school program. Scholarships are also available if needed; speak with Rev. Marlene.

This Past Month in Church School

The first half of the month was focused on getting ready for the startup of Church School on September 16. Crayons to be counted, classrooms to be set, curricula gathered and teachers prepared. Just as we were about to start our new church school year the events of September 11th changed our world. Church School began on the 16th nonetheless though with a special Children's Chapel rather than our usual Dedication of Teachers. I want to thank all of our RE teachers for their commitment to "Listen" to and "Hold" our children. They need us now more than ever to tell them "we love them and that love is for ever." I know our teachers are doing that.

The theme for Church School this year is "World Religions," which is the second year of our three-year thematic cycle and now most definitely a timely one.

Here's what happened following Children's Chapel on the first day of Church School.

Preschool K: "Celebrating Me and My World" began with focusing on "I Am Special" Teachers are Adrienne King, Ivan Lappin and Anne Morrill Ploum.

1st and 2nd Grade; "The Haunting House" Teachers Margie Gonwa, Cathy Harth and Jamie Moore introduced this curriculum that will be focused on building houses and exploring connections between our homes, ourselves and the world we live in.

3rd and 4th Grades: "Holidays and Holy Days" began their exploration of the special days of the world religions and how we as UU's are connected to the religions of the world. Teachers are Mary Bader, Mary Ann Hammond and Allen Harden. Next week they will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year with apples and honey and making prayer shawls.

5th and 6th Grade: "Neighboring Faiths" Teachers Andrew Greenlee, Allen Lindrup, and Anita Orlikoff changed the planned schedule of this class to begin with a discussion and introduction to Islam.

7 12th Grades: "Coming of Age" Our youth met with advisors Jen Crow, Amanda Helin and Betty Holcomb and Steve Ploum as well as myself to have a discussion about their feelings and reactions following the destruction of the World Trade Center. They spoke about their concerns and fears and began to discuss the places they find hope and possibility. Thank you to the advisors for being with our youth as they struggle to make sense of what is senseless and unthinkable even for adults.

U-Pick Apples, Pumpkins and Fun

On Sunday, October 14, the Religious Education Council will be having its annual fruit pickin' fun, which takes the form of an outing to Garwood Orchards in LaPorte County, Indiana. We will travel in car pools, after gathering in front of the church around noon. You are invited to bring something to share, as we will have a picnic lunch at the orchard before doing our fruit picking.

Brunch in the Dunes

There is still room for you to join us for a brunch in the country on October 6 at 11:30 a.m. in New Buffalo, Michigan. The cost for this Talent Auction item in $25. Marge Saphir and Carrie Hedges will start your day with a hearty brunch. Then enjoy the fall colors while visiting antique shops or going for a wine tasting. Or you can just hang out, talk, read, play tennis or pool, take a walk on the beach. Depending on interest, we'll go to dinner at the Tabor Hill Winery Restaurant (your expense). Call Marge at (773) 667-8972 or Carrie at (773) 324-2410 by October 1 to reserve your spot.

Among Us

Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Georgia Pierre, who died on Monday, September 17. Georgia was a long time member of First Church. She was active as far back as the years of ministry of Leslie Pennington. In recent years, Georgia was a resident in Montgomery Place, where she brought life and joy to so many through her own vitality and love of life. She was remembered in a service at Montgomery Place on Friday, September 21.

Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jim Stevens, who died on Saturday, September 29, in his home at Montgomery Place. Arrangements for a memorial service for Jim are ongoing with a date to be announced at a later time.

Our healing thoughts are also with Alex Coutts, who suffered some complications after his fall and leg surgery.

We send our get well wishes also to Bob Wissler, who is continuing his recovery.

Our thoughts are with the Moss family, as Devon has been called up to active duty from the reserves, and Tinessa continues her recovery.

Our own Karen Day will be ordained and installed in the UU ministry in a ceremony at the UU church of Greenville, North Carolina, on Sunday, October 7, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. Those wishing information about the event can call (252) 355-6658 or e-mail goldendayl@aol.com.

Congratulations to Bonnie Boswell Hamilton, daughter of Arnita Young Boswell, on being featured in the August issue of Essence Magazine. Bonnie is also an alumnus of the Chicago Children's Choir. She recently received the Golden Mike Award from NBC. You can see Bonnie as producer and host on the talk show "Lawson Live" every Sunday night on channel 79 (the Hallmark station) at 11:00 p.m.

Arnita Young Boswell, who spent two years with the American Red Cross in Munich, Germany, was one of the Chicago volunteers during the recent bombing attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

Congratulations to John Berquist on the release of his new CD.

Paul Ricker has won a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. He was nominated by the Department of Energy and he will be going to Washington to be honored.

World Trade Center Disaster Impacts First U Finances

By Julie Neuman, Treasurer

We are all horrified by the terrible human suffering and loss resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11, and we are faced with new dimensions of the tragedy almost daily. Financial considerations seem insignificant in view of the magnitude of the disaster, and yet bills must be paid and deadlines met whenever possible. Just as New York's financial district was attempting to resume operation, First Unitarian's Investment Committee was scheduled to meet to decide on which Endowment holdings to liquidate in order to pay for the new Fenn House roof. What timing!

In order to avoid selling these holdings at a low point, your Treasurer has suggested the temporary use of operating funds we normally hold in an interest-bearing account for use later in the fiscal year. This means that those reserve funds will not be immediately available if the church's checking account balance becomes too low. I am hoping that you, the congregation, will help us to put off the withdrawal from the Endowment until the market recovers somewhat by making earlier-than-usual payments on your pledges. If you normally pay monthly, please consider making an extra payment now. If you plan to pay half (or all) of your pledge in December, perhaps you could do it sooner. Please help!

From the Board

By Joan Pederson

Congregation President

This is a somber time in our country's history. The line "we remember wars, and rumors of wars" has been echoing through my mind ever since September 11. A paraphrase from the book of Matthew, it was part of a unison reading that we often used during worship here many years ago. That fragment from the 30 years I have been a member of this congregation has provided needed words for some of my deep feelings in these difficult days.

For many of us, this is a season of renewed recognition of the many ways First Unitarian has been, remains, and shall be an important part of our lives. This is where many of us felt we needed to gather together that first awful day of the attacks and in the days that followed. This is where adults, youth, and children are finding meaning and sanctuary in the midst of the confusion and uncertainty of a swiftly changing world. This is where we gather for the deep passages of our lives: welcome and dedication at the beginning of life, commitment when two life paths become one, recognition and farewell when life ends.

First Church has been here when we needed it, and shall continue to be. WE are First Church, and being together as a congregation makes it possible for us to be present for one another.

One of the vitally important ways we are present for one another is to honor our promises to one another as best we can. Last spring most of us pledged financial support for the current church year. Most pledges were for a certain amount each month. But this summer more of us than usual didn't get the amount we had pledged into the mail or into an offering basket in July or August or both.

The work of this church our congregation's work, OUR work hasn't slowed or stopped. On the contrary! We have begun another strong and enthusiastic season of worship, lifespan religious education, social justice work, music, and activity together as a community, as the rest of this newsletter attests. But just as this humming level of activity is incomplete without any one of us, our ability to sustain it is incomplete without the financial support of each one of us.

Thanks to all of you who have paid your pledges on time and to those who will get as caught up as possible this month. Special thanks to those who have been paying their pledges ahead of schedule, and high thanks indeed to those who can respond to the request made elsewhere in this newsletter by our treasurer, Julie Neuman.

The September meeting of the Board of Trustees, held the same night and at about the same time as the president's speech to Congress, was a short one at a difficult time.

* Rev. Grey and Rev. Walker filled us in on the ways the church had responded in the aftermath of September 11.

* Julie Neuman reported on our July and August finances. We learned that the Investment Committee, in considering what endowment assets to use for repair of the Fenn House roof, has chosen to use liquid investments rather than securities. The hope is that the value of the stocks we hold will recover somewhat before we need to sell any of them. Please read and heed her item elsewhere in this issue.

* The Board approved a renewed space use agreement with Rhythm 'n' Moves.

* After updates on the upcoming Board retreat and other continuing business, we adjourned earlier than usual so that everyone could get home to be with or call their loved ones, and to learn what the president had had to say about what lies before us.

Report from a Special Social Justice First Forum on Terrorism

By Finley C. Campbell

On Sunday, September 16, 2001, the Social Justice Council hosted a forum to address the justice issues generated by the attacks on the USA on September 11, 2001, by racist terrorists. About 18 of us gathered in an RE room to share our analysis about the attack, especially its implications, and most of all, what could be done to deal with the ramifications growing out of this dastardly event. We ranged in opinions from pacifist to communist, monotheist to humanist, nationalist to internationalist. Our common sentiment was to oppose any tactic on the part of the federal government that would cause any killing of innocent people.

The last section of the meeting dealt with practical and utopian suggestions for opposing all forms of racism terrorism, including from the US government. Many ideas were put forward; however, the following emerged as feasible ones: first, to set up a committee to draft a letter to our elected officials counseling them to proceed with great caution before supporting a massive retaliation against so called terrorist-supporting countries. One suggestion was that before we attack anyone, we should go to the United Nations. Second because of the way that the news has limited discourse on the Middle East and its problems, it would be important to suggest that the SJC hold a forum or series on the historical, political, and economic forces at work there. Another excellent idea was that we create a volunteer list of people willing to work, in any reasonable capacity, with the local Hyde Park Muslim or Arab organizations, especially at the University of Chicago and the 47th street mosque (the witness took place at the Moslem Community Center in Montrose, on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 2 to 5 p.m.). Finally, it was suggested that those interested in fighting against racism should join the newly revived racial justice task force and help with its first project: dealing with the question of whether one of the major propagandists of modern racism was Richard Wagner.

To conclude: We left the meeting with spiritual energy, a renewed sense of purpose in the social justice struggle, and a suggested plan of action which better reflects the highest traditions of the Unitarian Universalist tradition.

[The draft letter to elected representatives is reprinted below.]

Peanut Allergy Alert

Several of the children in our community are seriously allergic to peanuts. Since this allergy can potentially be life threatening it is important that the church be off limits to peanuts and all peanut products. Please be sure that any snacks, coffee hour treats, potluck dishes or even craft supplies do not contain peanuts or peanut products. Any questions? Speak with Rev. Marlene.

Forums, lectures, adult classes in October

New UU Orientation

Sundays at 11:45 a.m., Oct. 7, 14, and Nov. 4. Three opportunities to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our church. New friends are especially welcome and longer time members and friends are also encouraged to participate. We will share religious and spiritual journeys, respond to individual questions, learn about our church and Unitarian Universalist history and theologies and lifespan religious education, and hear from lay leaders about various aspects of church life.

Leader: Rev. Nina Grey and Membership Committee

Free Trade Area of the Americas

First Forum, Sunday, Oct. 21 at 11:45 a.m. The UUA's Study Action Issue for this church year is Economic Globalization. U.U.s from the Just Economic Community Task Force of U.U.s for Social Justice present an interactive workshop on the Free Trade Area of the America (FTAA), which some call "NAFTA on steroids", which is now pending before Congress. Come and learn, and perhaps help us come up with solutions, so that some of NAFTA's problems are not repeated with FTAA.

Building Your Own Theology

Course begins Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m..

"It is not easy being a Unitarian Universalist and building one's own theology. Yet it is both a task and a privilege to be part of a movement that takes individuals seriously and at the same time sees them as members of a learning community." (Richard Gilbert, author of the Building Your Own Theology Course).

Join us for ten sessions on Wednesday evenings, 7:30 to 9:30. Topics include: Religious and Spiritual Oddysseys, Varieties of Religious Experience, Human Nature, History, Ethics and others. This will be an opportunity to reflect, share and learn together.

Dates: October 17, 24, 31, November 14, 28, December 12, 19, January 9, 16, and 23.

Co Leaders: Rev. Nina Grey and Allan Lindrup

The Nature of Racism: A Historical-Cultural Analysis, 1692-2002.

Sunday, October 7 at noon. Continues on the first Sunday of each month through March. Facilitator: Dr. Finley C. Campbell. The October topic is "The Nature of Racist Ideology: From Religion to Science - The Example of Richard Wagner."

UU's View the News

Friday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. Continues on the second Friday of each month. Facilitators: Dr. Finley C. Campbell and Kennie James. Presentations and discussions; subjects based on general interest. In light of the absence of a humanist-ethical framework in which to view the news, it is important that we UU's develop our own way of systematically analyzing the news which filters through the media screen. In light of this, we offer an opportunity to share informed opinions on the news events of our time.

Looking Ahead

In November, Stan the Drum Man will return for another Drum Building Workshop!!

The dates are November 3rd and 4th. The workshop will meet all day on Saturday and in the afternoon and evening on Sunday.

Cost will depend on which type of drum you decide to build and ranges from $125 for Djembes, Ashikos and Hand Drums to $145 for tall Ashikos and Djununs.

You need to register by October 15th and pay a $25 deposit fee made out to Stan Secrest. For more information call and/or speak with Rev Marlene.

Clinton Velandia - Our New Instrumental Music Director

By Allan Stern, Search Committee Chair

The Search Committee conducted a survey last June to find out what the congregation felt was important for us to consider in the search for a new organist and pianist. We also considered the conclusions of the Sundays, Etc process from last winter. While there were many differing opinions expressed, the over riding concern was for musical excellence and for an ability to perform diverse forms of music.

We then created a position description, a summary of the survey, a history of the church and organs, and a description of the staff. We called prominent organ teachers in the Chicago area, put notices in the American Guild of Organists local magazine and national website, and posted all this information on our own website.

Over the summer we received an email from a young man who was moving to the Chicago area. He had seen our ad on the American Guild of Organists website and was inquiring as to whether the position was still available. It was.

I am very pleased to introduce to you Mr. Clinton Velandia. Clinton is new to the Chicago area but he comes with a very full complement of musical training and experiences. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, he has been in the United States for five years. He received a Master in Music in Piano Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh as well as a Master in Music in Instrumental Accompanying from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

While he continues his musical studies at DePaul University this fall, he will be pianist for the Chicago Opera Theater and associate pianist for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Clinton served as organist and pianist for three congregations between 1994 and 1999, in Caracas, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. During 1998 2000 he studied the organ at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He will be continuing his studies of the organ this year at Roosevelt University with David Shrader, one of the premier organ teachers in the Chicago area.

At the interview and audition, the Search Committee was joined by Rev. Nina Grey and by Vocal Music Director Ron Wentzel. It was evident to all that Clinton's musicality and competence were of a high quality. We were equally impressed by the fact that he is still working hard at perfecting his craft. Also evident was his easy going personality and sense of humor.

At its first rehearsal , the Choir was just as impressed by Clinton's ability to sight read easily through ten varied pieces of music.

We explained to Clinton at the interview that this is a congregation in which music plays a very important part. Musical excellence is expected but also appreciated. When we told Clinton that at the conclusion of Sunday services, instead of getting up to leave, the congregation stays in their seats to actually listen attentively to the postlude, he was very impressed.

I would like to acknowledge the contributions made by the other members of the Search Committee: Evelyn Johnson, Grace Williams, Kathleen Ricker and Richard Pardo. It has been a wonderful committee to work with. Thank you.

I would also like to thank Rev. Nina Grey and Vocal Music Director Ron Wentzel, both of whom gave wise counsel to the committee at many points along the way.

On behalf of the congregation, I would especially like to thank Joan Staples who, as head of the Music Sub committee, was responsible for finding musicians to fill in for a whole year.

Great Books

The Great Books discussion group will meet Sunday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. We will discuss Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." For further information call Gloria Gnatz at (773) 643-9436.

Draft Letter to Elected Representatives

[This letter is not an official statement of any First Unitarian Society-affiliated committee or organization. It was developed at a Social Justice First Forum held on September 16--see article on page 8.]

Dear (Elected Representative).

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, a great tragedy occurred: a criminally atrocious act of terrorism against the United States of America. We, members of the First Unitarian Society of Chicago, write to you with hopes of limiting the violent response that could prevent us from developing a shared future with our brothers and sisters across the globe.

You may not be familiar with the nature of our religion, Unitarian Universalism, which draws upon the wisdom of all the world's religions. We are a religion that has no required creed and no standard dogma. We do, however, commonly hold ourselves to seven guiding principles, four of which compel us to write this letter. Please allow us to explain:

We affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We are called to protect the rights ourselves and of others. We are called to end the racist oppression against any group of humanity based on religion, ethnicity, or color, and any oppression based on class, age, gender, differing abilities, sexual orientation, etc., and we are called to lend our strengths to those in need. We ask that no other innocent lives be lost or security destroyed as we rightfully pursue the perpetrators of the horrific actions of September 11. This means that we oppose any war launched against the suffering people of Afghanistan or any other nation, simply because they are designated terrorist by our government. This includes especially Iraq, which some have suggested should be an additional target at this time

We call for justice and equity in human relations. We ask that those accused of these heinous actions be brought before a court of law, international or federal as appropriate, but not a military tribunal, and that these individuals be treated fairly and justly. We call on you to hold to the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

We strive toward the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. We know that if actions against the authors of September 11's atrocities are carried out with forethought and with demonstrably high ethical standards, the goal of Peace will be served. We believe that all actions involving war should be carried out through the United Nations Security Council.

And we affirm the Interdependent Web of all existence, of which we are a part. What we do and how we do it affects others. If we use the same kind of horror against the Afghani people as was used against us, then how can we call on God, or Christ, or Allah, or humanity to justify us? May providence provide you with wisdom to deliver the heavy sword of justice only to the guilty parties

At this moment in history, you, as our elected representative, have the power and responsibility to rise to the cause of both peace and justice by opposing any use of U.S. military force which would produce "collateral damage" for innocent people. We earnestly pray that you act with equity and wisdom in searching for and punishing the guilty persons. We also suggest that you hold hearings on what unjust conditions in the Middle East have contributed to this heinous crime. For to launch a war to solve a crime committed by a small group of terrorists without understanding and responding to the root causes of the crime will set off a new cycle of increased violence and suffering among the people of the earth, including here in the United States of America.

UU Service Committee Relief Fund

Correction: The correct name for the UUA/UUSC fund to help persons affected by the recent attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington D.C. is "The September 11th Humanitarian Relief Fund." Through oversight, the earlier designation focused on New York City only and did not sufficiently recognize the victims in the National Capitol Area. Members of the congregation who wish to contribute may send donations to the "September 11th Humanitarian Relief Fund", Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 130 Prospect St., Cambridge MA 02139.

What Do We Tell Our Children?

Thoughts from the Rev. Meg Riley

Director, UUA Washington Office

September 11, 2001

What do we tell our children?

We listen. We hold them. We tell them, "I love you." "Love is forever."

If they are very young, pre school aged, tell them, "Parents and teachers keep children safe."