October, 2003
Rev. Grey's column, "Both Sides," is available here.
In the Interim
By Millie Rochester Interim Minister for Religious EducationUnitarian theologian Francis David said, "We need not think alike to love alike." I have had occasion to reflect on that phrase recently, thanks in part to my involvement with campus ministry at the University of Chicago. Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, Disciples of Christ, Methodists, Buddhists, Unitarian Universalists - we all visited with one another and with students, parents and professors, side by side. We shared tables where pamphlets and flyers were displayed. Persons of one faith tradition would point out where someone of another faith tradition was, and even filled in for one another when needed. This describes the two recent University of Chicago orientation sessions for students and parents in which I participated. I was thrilled to see so many young adults approach me with wide smiles. I was delighted to hear about the Unitarian Universalist congregations they attended as children and youth, and pleased to invite the curious to First Unitarian Sunday services. But just as satisfying was the camaraderie among participants, the acceptance - even embrace - of diversity in the occasion. That students and their parents have different points of view was a "given," and so the more points of view that were represented, the better the event would be - also a "given."
This is the same philosophy that guides the congregation of First Unitarian. As reassuring as it is to talk with people who share our viewpoint, talking with those who disagree does not have to be threatening, after all! Whatever the venue, we welcome different opinions and perspectives. We value the opportunity to express ourselves, while taking into consideration the feelings of others. This church year there will be many of these opportunities, building on the work accomplished by church leadership at its recent Start-Up Workshop. Although there will be a variety of traditional adult education programs, there also will be opportunities for conversation (see other articles in this newsletter for details). Perhaps you long for a setting to exchange thoughts with others to voice your trepidations, hopes, and impressions. Such an opportunity will be offered at church - A Safe Place to Talk in Scary Times. Whether you are a parent or not, young adult, middle age, or older - each of us can offer a unique perspective, free of judgment. The first session will be Wednesday evening, October 8th from 6:30 to 7:30, and we will continue to meet at that time each second Wednesday of the month. Pizza will be provided. Looking ahead a bit, another such opportunity will be to visit over lunch with your ministers. Join Nina Grey and me on Fridays in December for "Lunch and Conversation With the Ministers." The conversation will be open to whatever is on your mind; bring a bag lunch and join us! Whatever the subject, our caring community supports the same respectful philosophy: "We need not think alike to love alike."
Yours in Faith,
Millie
Committee Meetings this Month
Caring Comm. - Tues. Oct. 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism - Sun. Oct. 12 at 7 pm
Communications - Thurs. Oct.7 at 5:30 p.m.
Membership - Thurs. Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Mission, Vision Task Force - Wed. Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Program Council - Tues. Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
RE Council - Sun. Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Social Justice - Thurs. Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Trustees - Thurs. Oct. 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Worship & Music - Thurs. Oct.7 at 7:00 p.m.
Note Cards For Sale
Note cards, featuring four attractive photos of First Unitarian Church, will be available for sale after service each Sunday as a fund raising effort for the bell tower restoration. Cards are packaged 16 to a set (four of each of four photos) with envelopes. They will sell at $15 for a pack of 16 cards. Please make checks payable to First Unitarian Society of Chicago and indicate note card sale on the memo line of the check.
Correction
The name of Yarka Hruban was incorrectly given in the September newsletter item regarding the Great Books group. We apologize for the error.
Remember the Time Change
Note: Daylight savings time ends Saturday night, October 25. Set your clocks back and get an extra hour of sleep (or come to church early).
Visitors from Geneva
Extend a warm welcome to the youth of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva on October 5th, as their ninth graders and advisors visit First Unitarian Church! This is the first of several field trips they have planned for the church year, and will include a highly anticipated tour of the building, offered by RE Council member Joan Pederson.
Register Now
Registration forms are available at the church for lifespan religious education. These forms are necessary for whole families - with or without children - and are important. By being registered, children, youth and adults will automatically be included on religious education-related mailing lists, and the ministers and staff of First Church can better serve your family. Rev. Nina Grey and Interim Minister for Religious Education Millie Rochester encourage you to speak with them if you feel the need to negotiate the $75 per year registration fee
Halloween Party
Save the date!! A Halloween potluck will be held on October 24th from 6:30 PM to 9 PM in the RE classrooms. Come in costume or not, and join us for ghoulish games, activities and great company. Please bring a dish to share and a drink for yourself.
A Safe Place
Mark your calendar now for the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. beginning October 8th. Share pizza and conversation in A Safe Place to Talk in Scary Times, with Interim Minister for Religious Education Millie Rochester, friends, and members. No preparation in advance is required. The only requirement is the willingness to listen to one another with understanding, without judging.
Fall Work-Day
Join the crowd on Saturday, November 1, as we spend the day preparing our buildings and grounds for winter. Indoors some of us will insulate Pennington Center windows to keeps the chill away and to keep the fuel bill under control. Outdoors others of us will prune shrubs and otherwise tend to our plants and trees. We'll get started at 9:00 and will stop at 3:00. Come when you can, leave when you must, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing short-term, concrete tasks in good company! Bring a hair dryer for indoor work if you can, or pruning shears for outdoor work, but mainly bring your enthusiasm--and perhaps a pair of work gloves.
Great Books
The second meeting of the Great Books discussion group this church year will be held on Sunday October 19 at 11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. "A River Sutra," a selection from Gita Mehta's second novel, will be discussed. We are inviting new people to sit in and observe a great books discussion, and we will have an extra syllabus so that discussion can be followed more easily. Call Gloria Gnatz or Kennie James for further information
Heritage Festival Planned
Save the Date! Sunday, November 9, Noon to 3 p.m. Search your "Roots" and choose an ethnic background you can celebrate with us. We will wear costumes, eat interesting foods, hear ethnic music, see all kinds of artwork that will be on sale, and generally have a party! This will be a fundraiser, so invite friends and neighbors to enjoy the day. We will be raising the money needed to complete our picture gallery that will show our years of diversity. Also, please search for pictures about our early days - 1940's through 1960's. We want to show how far we've come.
FALL SPECTACULAR BOOKS AND MUSIC SALE
Sat., Oct. 18: 9:00-5:00
Sun., Oct. 19: 11:30-4:00
Public entrance at the Bell Tower door on 57th Street
Our fall fund-raiser is almost upon us. Lots of great books for adults and young people, interesting recordings on CD, tape, and vinyl, the book-buying budgets of yours and your friends' helping the church budget: who could ask for more?
Here's how you can help:
* TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
* Bring donations of CHILDREN'S BOOKS and MUSIC to the church office by Sunday,
Oct. 12.
* Do NOT donate books for adults. We have an ample supply of wonderful books
already.
* TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
* Volunteer to staff the check-out table for a two-hour shift.
* Volunteer to set up at 6:00 on Friday, Oct. 17 and/or to pack up at 4:00 on
Sunday, Oct. 19.
* TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
To volunteer and for more information, call Joan Pederson.
Board Talk
By Grace Williams
Congregation President
I can feel the energy, enthusiasm and anticipation bubbling within and amongst us! We've started the church year with a positive spirit, action and planning, in all areas of church life.
During September, we had an invigorating and productive Board Retreat, facilitated by Meg Herman, board coach and consultant with the Central Midwest District (CMD) at which trustees, ministers and officers came up with a value statement and realizable goals that we are committed to working on during the rest of this church year. Religious education teacher training was conducted by our Interim MRE on September 7, after a heart-warming and inspiring Ingathering Service during which even some of our visitors were moved to share their summer experiences.
On Sunday, September 21, 20 members of the church leadership (trustees, officers, council and committee chairs, ministers) came together with facilitator Dori Davenport, CMD Religious Education and Growth Consultant, for a Start-up retreat at which we looked at our church history and how it informs and affects our future. We explored expectations around ministry, our visions and goals for our religious education ministry and how we might achieve them. It was a frank and thoroughly engaging start!
To help us achieve some of those goals, a team (Julie Neuman, Treasurer, Bette Sikes, Trustee and Finance Committee Chair, and Interim MRE Millie Rochester), spearheaded by President-Elect Margaret Huyck, have reworked a proposal for a 3-year, $15,000 grant from the Liberal Religious Educator's Association for the R.E. program. In addition, both ministers are exploring ways to develop our campus ministry, and our Interim MRE is currently coordinating the production of a Lifespan R.E brochure for the year. In the meantime, fun activities such as an ice cream social and apple picking have taken place.
On the weekend of October 3 and 4, another team will be attending a CMD-sponsored Budgets with a Mission Workshop at which we expect to be enlightened about effective budgeting from consultant Jerry King and the experiences of other church teams. Currently, a new First Forum Committee, chaired by Richard Pardo, is planning a themed series of intriguing Forums for the year that might well be augmented by adult R.E. lectures by faculty of Meadville-Lombard Theological School
Please be sure to attend the October 5 Committee Fair, sponsored by the Program Council and Committee on Congregational Participation that will be held during coffee hour. It's your opportunity to find out what the various committees of the church are and to sign up for any that meet your interests and skills.
During all of this activity, we've also been taking care of those who need special attention.
As we move forward with alacrity, I would like to remind us all of one of John Buehrens Beatitudes (reading #728 in the back of the hymnal):
"Blessed are those who know that the church is often imperfect, yet rather than harbor feelings of anger or disappointment, bring their concerns and needs to the attention of the church leaders."
There are various ways of providing feedback - directly to me, the president-elect, any trustee, the Senior Minister or Interim Minister for Religious Education, the Committee on Ministry, the Ministers' Personal Advisory Committees. (Please consult the Council and Committee Directories that will be available at the Committee Fair in order to obtain the relevant names and contact information.) In addition, the Board will be scheduling an opportunity for dialogue and feedback with the congregation during at least three forums this church year.
I wish you a delightful Fall!
Peace and blessings,
Grace
Among Us
Congratulations to Anne Jonas who was announced as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist in the September 17 Chicago Sun Times. Anne is a senior at Kenwood Academy and a member of our congregation.
Congratulations to Jen Crow, a student at Meadville/Lombard who has been active in our congregation, on the occasion of receiving a "one" with the UUA Fellowship Committee.
Thanks to all the members of the Environmental Task Force for a wonderful August 30th picnic at the Point.
We keep in our thoughts and prayers:
Ron Wentzel
Vi Stark
Devon and Tinessa Moss and sons, Holden and Zachary McCann and Duncan Moss
Dear Members and Friends of First Unitarian Society:
My recent losses: my father in April 2002, my job in December 2002, my aunts in the Spring of 2003 and then my sister on August 26, 2003, have reinforced the value of support from this loving community. Your many calls, letters, cards, flowers, plants and gifts of food and drink have helped so much! My family has also been supported by your expressions of love for me. Please know that I have such sincere gratitude for each of you who took the time to do so much.
Sincerely yours,
Betty Holcomb
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Memorial for the Trees
Doug Anderson, member of our church and guide for the Audubon Society, will lead a Memorial Tour in Wooded Isle on Saturday, October 18, in which he will speak about many of the trees that were lost during the wind storm this summer. The tour will begin at 8 a.m. Meet at the Clarence Darrow Bridge.
Chicago Children's Choir Benefit
By Carrie Hedges
The Red Jacket Optional on Monday, October 20, is the major benefit for the Chicago Children's Choir. Richard Pardo, Chair of the Board, and Carrie Hedges, Secretary of the Board, want to demonstrate the continual support of the First Unitarian Church for the Choir. We can do this if we go in together on a "First Unitarian Church" table. If you are already planning on going to Red Jacket Optional, please co-ordinate your reservation through either Richard or Carrie. If you already make a substantial donation to the Choir, why not make it toward the Red Jacket Optional and enjoy a lovely evening with fellow Church supporters of the Choir? If you have put off making a donation to the Choir or attending Red Jacket Optional, why not do it this year?
The Red Jacket Optional will be held on Monday, October 20, 2003, at the Chicago Cultural Center. A cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and award presentation at 6:15 p.m. The concert, featuring the internationally-acclaimed Concert Choir of the Chicago Children's Choir, begins at 7:45 p.m. Antonio Mora, CBS-TV news anchor, will emcee the festivities.
An ensemble table costs $3,000, that is, $300 per person. If we co-ordinate this as a group, rather than purchasing tickets individually, we will be listed in the program as the "First Unitarian Church." If you are interested in joining the "First Unitarian Church" table, please talk to Richard or Carrie.
Seeking Musical Talents
Do you have musical talents that you would like to share with your fellow church members but aren't able to commit to the choir? Do we have a deal for you! The Worship and Music Committee is looking for people who would like to provide music for Sunday services. Maybe you're ambitious enough to provide the Call to Worship, the Anthem, the Offertory, and Closing Response. But maybe you would just like to sing or play an offertory. That's OK. We can group several people to do a Sunday service, but we need to know who is interested, what kind of instrument you play, and the names of several selections you would be interested in doing. Don't be shy, contact Richard Blough, Carrie Hedges, Susan Scrimshaw, or Joan Staples.
Reports from the Social Justice Council
By Finley C. Campbell, Chair
The Social Justice Council was in charge of the worship service for the Labor Day week-end, August 31st, co-chaired by Jane Kiser, our labor outreach person. Participants included Allan Lindrup, Joanne Kent, Pat Lucas, me, Roberta Lammers Campbell, Ellen LaRue, with guest speaker Ms. Debby Pope who, I believe, used to be a Unitarian, from the Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues. This service, whose theme was "Bread and Roses: The Spiritual Nature of the Labor Movement Today" was jointly sponsored by the Social Justice Council and the Chicago Interfaith Committee. In addition, we had a forum on the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, led by Ms. Shirley Brazzle, a worker and a member of the union called HERE (Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees): a series of bus rides, in the spirit of the old Civil Rights Freedom Rides, from points south, west, east, and Midwest, heading for Washington DC for a demonstration in October for unity between immigrant and "citizen" workers and demanding equal pay and benefits for non-documented and documented workers and, indeed, for all low wage workers. Highlights of the service included a worker's version of our seven principles, developed by Allan Lindrup, a raucous rendition of "Solidarity Forever," the discovery that many of our members and friends consider themselves workers and that many had also marched on union picket lines, and the introduction of many of the songs by Jane Kiser with short anecdotes about their origins. In addition, Lia McCoo sang a song especially commissioned for this service, dealing with child labor. The SJC was so grateful for the opportunity granted to us by the Worship and Music Committee that we requested, and were granted, this time slot for an annual Labor Day service.
The Racial Justice Task Force (RJT): again, because of circumstances, the RJT has not yet met, but through informal discussions, I can report the following items: Old issues still remain on the table. In light of the effort of Lisa Madigan to circumscribe the commutations around the death penalty carried out by former governor George Ryan, our letter of commendation is now needed more urgently than before. While we commend the University of Michigan law school for supporting affirmative action at the graduate level, we need to point out that the elimination of it at the undergraduate level was a major setback. And in light of Attorney General Ashcroft campaign to expand Patriot Act I into a Patriot II, our letter to appropriate leaders about guaranteeing a fair trial for all citizens accused of supporting or being linked to terrorisma is now on the front burner. In relationship to our work with CLAIM, Allan Lindrup has identified a group, recommended by CLAIM, which we can work with in an anti-racist social service project, based on raising money and contributing items for incarcerated mothers and their families on the outside. I have been informed that Anna Mustafa will be filing a wrongful arrest suit in the federal courts soon. She is being supported in this by the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights. We made a $650 contribution to this effort in our fund-raising project, with Allan Lindrup contributing half the amount in a matching fund process.
The 9/11 Study Group: 9/11 group has completed its discussion of the book by William Domhoff, entitled, WHO RULES AMERICA? They will be starting an investigation of the book, The Age of Imperialism, by Harry Magdoff. Since there has been a lot of media talk about the US being a new Roman Empire, this is a valid topic. The group will read the introduction and then decide if they want to do the whole book. One of the highlights of the September meeting was hearing the speech by President Bush defending his war policies and asking for 87 billion dollars. In light of our discussion about who rules America, the question is who, among the rulers, would get the most of that money. I have proposed that the 9/11 discussion group present a first forum on some of its findings.
In addition, the 9/11 group presented a well-attended and extremely informative presentation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, led by Sister Andrea Shapiro of Not In My Name, (not to be confused with the anti-war group Not in Our Name). First, she showed us official maps demonstrating how the Israeli Settler Movement with the backing of the Israeli government (Likud and Labor) have taken over much of Palestinian land. Then she showed us a video about how Israeli and Palestinian reconciliationists are resisting the house destruction program of the Israeli government. These are not the homes of so-called terrorists, but of ordinary citizens whose homes are being destroyed as a part of the Palestinian removal project of that government. This was followed by an informative question, answer, and comment period. NIMN has invited us to take part in their weekly vigils in the north Loop area.
The Social Justice Council itself met the second Thursday in September, on the anniversary of the racist-terrorist attack on New York and Washington. We had a memorial moment, led by Rev. Nina Grey and our interim MRE, Sister Millie Rochester, in front of the church preceding the meeting. We held up signs with different words on them such as PEACE, JUSTICE, MEMORY. A high point of the vigil was being joined by several young people from a peace group in our area. Other than the reports described above, we shared our feelings about the 9/11 event and its aftermath, with a range of emotions from anger at the way in which the President took immoral advantage of our grief for his war against Iraq to grief about the loss of life resulting from it: US American, Afghani, Iraqi. We were reminded by Betty Sikes about the six possibilities of church collections which are a part of our mandate as the Council. Interim MRE Millie Rochester introduced herself to the group and indicated that she sought closer collaboration with the Council as a part of her outlook on RE work. Allan Lindrup reported on the work of UUSJ for the upcoming months. A proposed meeting is still being developed. He also reported on the Transitional Housing Project of the Hyde Park/Kenwood Interfaith Council. Rev. Nina Grey, the president of the Council, also gave us a brief report. And then with final words, we adjourned. Our next scheduled SJC meeting will be on Thursday, October 9th, 7:00 pm. Join us, especially you new members and friends interested in some of the issues we have defined thus far.
And that concludes my report: And, as usual, if I have left out anything or gotten my facts wrong, please let me know.. Movie recommendations: Dirty Pretty Things: a suspense thriller depicting the struggle of undocumented workers in London to survive, including submitting to organ removal for money and papers. Rated PG-13. Tycoon, in Russian, with English subtitles: a fascinating history of the transformation of the USSR from a state capitalist economy to a free market capitalist economy as shown in the lives of six young communists, but done in a fashion which combines humor, pathos, tragedy, conspiracy, assassination, and passion. R rated.
Hyde Park Transitional Housing Project
By Rev. Don Coleman, University Church
Board President
Our two years of planning and fundraising have culminated in housing our first family: Linda, a single mother, and her 3-year-old daughter. Linda's family moved, as guests, into our west Hyde Park apartment on August 12! Hyde Park Transitional Housing Project (HPTHP) has committed to work with Linda over the coming two years, providing housing and weekly mentoring with our trained volunteer mentors. The mentors will help Linda find other social services and will provide support while she develops the skills that will allow her and her family to become economically independent.
To reach this point, the HPTHP board, with the ongoing guidance and support of Interfaith Open Communities, has spent the last two years laying the groundwork for a well-run organization. We recruited an enthusiastic, talented group of representatives from Hyde Park and Kenwood faith communities to form the board and provide leadership to our young organization. HPTHP received fiscal sponsorship from Protestants for the Common Good (this makes your contributions tax-deductible), became a non-profit corporation, and is about to file for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
Several board members and other volunteers interested in mentoring attended a 4-session training through Bridge Communities, whose 15-year-old transitional housing program in DuPage County serves as a model for programs like ours. Our administratively-inclined board members reviewed Bridge Communities' policies and forms, and created a modified version that reflects local needs and opportunities here in Hyde Park.
HPTHP's fundraising volunteers made presentations to local faith communities, explaining the project and asking both entire communities and individual members for financial support. To date, we have raised slightly over $11,000, which covers 8 months of expenses, plus operating reserves. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of many Hyde Park, Woodlawn and Kenwood faith communities and individuals. In addition to financial support, we are currently seeking volunteers for various tasks. If you have skills that you would like to share, please contact Susanna Rudofsky at radbusa@yahoo.com
Lunches and Conversations with the Ministers
These will be held Fridays, Noon to 1 p.m.,late October until mid-December. Nina and Millie welcome you to an ongoing series of lunches and conversations, times to eat together and engage in informal conversations about any topics, thoughts, ideas, concerns and questions on your minds. Bring your bag lunch and a drink. We'll gather in comfort in Chris Moore Parlor and have almost an hour together, most Fridays at noon, from late October until mid-December. Join us when you can, for one or many of these opportunities to listen to and talk with to one another.
Holiday Craft Bazaar
By Cindy Pardo
Calling all creative types! The Holiday Craft Bazaar is scheduled for the first weekend in December, and its time to get working. There will be an organizational meeting on Sunday, October 12, after services, to see what fabulous ideas you have for this year's important fundraising event. Last year we had several Saturday workshops which proved to be fun and productive. Do we want to have those again this year? What ideas have you gathered for this years Bazaar? I have a bunch, but we need people to carry them out. Can't sew or knit or whittle? We have ideas for a lot of other ways to contribute. Help us plan and make this the best Craft Bazaar ever. See you on the 12th!
Artisans 21 - 25th Anniversary
Twenty five years ago a group of Hyde Park artists rented space in First Unitarian's VOV Gallery to set up a permanent place to sell their work. This cooperative eventually moved into their own space in Harper Court, and opened a gallery. During October, which is Chicago Artists Month, Artisans 21 is celebrating 25 years of creativity. Special events include a special exhibit and Shop and Share at Borders on October 3 and 4, and an Opening Reception at the Gallery on October 10, from 6-9:00p.m.
Many members of this church have been members of Artisans 21, one of the oldest artist-run galleries in the country. Michael Donner was one of the original members, Peggy Stevens was a member, and currently Cindy Pardo and Bill Barron are members. In fact, Cindy is the group's president this year. You are cordially invited to participate in the celebration of 25 years of creativity which found its first home at First Unitarian.
Nature of Racism Course
The Racial Justice Task Force of the Social Justice Council presents its ongoing course for friends and members of the First Unitarian Church on the Nature of Racism. The theme for this year's presentation (October - March 2003/2004) is "Racist Terrorism: The Ultimate Form of Racial Control." We will examine the use of racial violence, both institutional, political, and organizational, in the maintenance of a racist system. We will especially explore whether genocidal violence, whether in the form of lynchings or in the form of mass exterminations, is a policy of political and economic elites, rather than simply "cruel acts of prejudice and intolerance." The first session is October 5, 2003 in VOV, 9:00 am - 9:50 am. This course is a part of the Lifespan Educational offerings here at First U, under the general leadership of the RE Council. For more information, contact Dr. Finley C. Campbell who will be the presenter.
September Board of Trustees Meeting
At the September 18 Board meeting, the following actions were taken:
Membership Committee Report
By Margaret Huyck
Campus Ministry. Millie Rochester, our Interim Minister for Religious Education, and Rev. Nina Grey will be working with UU students at the University of Chicago to develop vibrant and relevant programs for this year. We all extend a warm welcome to the students and faculty -- here for a few years or for many! Please come visit First Church! Even though students are very busy, we have had wonderful singers, teachers, worship leaders and participants join us over the years. We hope to see many students among us this year.
New Member Welcoming Ceremony. We will have a special Welcome Ceremony for new members on Sunday, November 23, for all individuals who have signed the membership book since May. If you are contemplating joining us, the Membership Committee urges you to participate in the three-part orientation series offered October 19, 26, and November 2.
The Membership Committee is chaired by Betty Holcomb. If you would like to help with hospitality and social hour, or serve as a warm, welcoming greeter as people come in and during the social hour, please contact Betty. We are ALL part of the Membership Committee. AND PLEASE WEAR YOUR NAMETAGS!!!!!
New UU Orientation Series
The New UU Orientation Series, presented by Rev. Nina D. Grey and the Membership Committee, will be held Sundays, October 19 and 26, and November 2, at 11:45 a.m. This three-session program provides a group opportunity for learning more about First Unitarian Church of Chicago and Unitarian Universalism. We will share stories about our journeys into and/or within Unitarian Universalism and our church, consider some history of First Church and our faith movement, and, in our sharing, demonstrate the span of our diversity on a number of interesting questions. We hope our time together will be enlightening, fun and maybe even provocative. Newcomers, visitors, people considering membership, and members or friends desiring to learn more and meet others are all warmly invited to participate.
Small Group Ministry Planning Group
The Small Group Ministry Planning Group will hold its first meeting on Sunday, October 18, at 7:15 p.m. Co-Leaders are Nina D. Grey, Senior Minister, and Millie Rochester, Interim Minister for Religious Education.
Small Group Ministry is a congregational program of small group formation and meetings for the purpose of spiritual deepening, developing and strengthening connections, and making room for newcomers in the life of the church. Last spring 20 members and friends of the church participated in a Small Group Ministry Learning series, co-led by the ministers and our field education student. Building on last spring's sessions, a Small Group Ministry Planning Group will begin meeting this fall to consider options for a Small Group Ministry program at First Unitarian Church. The group will review the purposes and formats of Small Group Ministry. Using the Small Group Ministry format, the group will make decisions about how to implement the program in our congregation and will also plan a facilitator's training program. Contact Rev. Nina Grey to express your interest in being part of this group. Proposed Dates are Sundays, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 22, Dec. 6, Dec. 20, Jan. 4, Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 15. Times: 7:15 to 9 p.m.
Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography
The first sessions of "Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography," led by Rev. Nina Grey, will be held Fridays, October 17 and 31, at 7:00 p.m.
This six (and possibly eight) session program will be based on the book, The Story of Your Life: Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography, by Dan Wakefield. In a spirit of appreciation and a covenant of confidentiality, we use short readings, reflection, drawing, journal writing and other processes to recall our childhoods, youth, young and older adulthoods through the lens of spirituality. The writings we share are often deeply moving and creative. The experience of appreciatively hearing one another and ourselves sometimes creates personal moments or experiences of growth and transformation. Dates: Fridays: Oct. 17 and 31, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, 12, and 19; two possible additional sessions to be determined. Times: 7 to 9 p.m.
Environmental Task Force
By Ellen LaRue
Since the last newsletter, the main effort of the Environmental Task Force has gone into the Solstice Picnic, which occurred on August 30 at the Point. (That's right, it was almost in time for the Equinox.) It was grand weather and a good time. Everybody pitched in and made it all work out. Thanks to Bill and Dottie Barron, Margaret Kennedy, Pat Lucas, and Ellen LaRue for contributions of money. Thanks to task force members Eve Emshwiller, Ellen LaRue, Pat Lucas, Madeiria Myreckes, John Porterfield, and Irene Vitullo for a job well done. Thanks to Ed and Holly Jamison for shopping, hauling, and preparation of the shish-kebobs, and to Dick Snow for the use of his grill. Thanks to Curtis Sweat for leading us in Tai-Chi under the sky, and to Lia McCoo who came with guitar to sing with us. And thanks to First U members and friends who came with their children and games, or just themselves. Now that we've had our fun it's back to the grindstone. More Later.
Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism Committee
By Pat Lucas and Joanne Kent
The Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism Committee continues to meet on the 2nd Sunday of the month following the worship service. Ten to 12 members of the congregation are consistently in attendance to discuss and further the work of the committee. Anyone who is interested in joining us is welcome.
During the summer, planning was completed for a series of six 2-hour Dialogue Circles Sessions to be held monthly for committee members, as a "pilot project" to see if we find it worthwhile enough to bring to the congregation as a whole. Themes have been selected for the 6 sessions, along with at least one facilitator for each. Nine committee members attended the first session held September 17. The focus of the discussion, led by Ellen LaRue and Veronica Jenifer, was "How does racism affect our lives as members of this church?" The discussion was spirited, with many positive comments about the church, but with some feeling that we still have areas that need improvement!
The committee has agreed to monitor the content of our worship services vis-a-vis how well they reflect our cultural and racial diversity, as well as our focus on anti-racism. The evaluation form, developed by Ellen LaRue, is intended to reflect our comments about how well the music, readings, stories and sermons achieve this goal. This evaluation form has been shared with the Worship and Music Committee, along with our ministers, to provide them with our feedback.
The committee will resume its series of movies focused on anti-racism themes. This year, we will begin by showing an excerpt of a documentary entitled Race: the Power of an Illusion, a copy of which was donated to the committee by Aneesah Ali. Thank you, Aneesah! This segment of the documentary will be shown on Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. in the Chris Moore parlor by Joanne Kent and Frieda Stillerman. All members and friends are invited to attend and take part in the discussion that will follow. Refreshments will be served.
Welcoming Congregation Workshops
By Joe Cherry
Soon, First Church Interweave will begin to revisit the Welcoming Congregation Program. We plan to meet once monthly, on the third Tuesday of each month, beginning in November..
Paraphrased from the introduction:
"The Welcoming Congregation Workshop Series is an introspective and interactive educational journey in the issues surrounding the lives of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people. The learning goals are:
All are invited to participate. Please consider joining us in creating a stable and safe learning environment where people can learn together. Contact Joe Cherry with any questions at josephmcherry@hotmail.com.
Considering Membership
By Rev. Nina Grey
Individuals and families join our church for many reasons. They may have been coming for awhile and realize that this feels like their religious/spiritual home, a community that welcomes and accepts them as they are, and helps them grow. They may have attended Orientation sessions and discovered they resonated with Unitarian Universalism and our church. They may believe that this is a community where their children can thrive and learn life-affirming values and explore their evolving beliefs in an atmosphere of freedom.
Many love our commitment to a pluralistic vision, the inclusivity expressed in our Sunday morning worship. They have become more involved over time and want to further strengthen their sense of connection. They want to give back to the community out of a realization that they are receiving much. They want to become more responsible for the shaping of the life of the congregation.
Some realize that their children or whole family have developed strong ties with individuals and the community and they make want to deepen those ties. They feel a deep and abiding commitment to our principles and values and want to join with us in living these out more fully. They want to be an essential part of a congregation like ours which cherishes diversity, seeks to create beloved community and make a difference in the world.
For these and other reasons, people come to a decision and inquire about joining the church. They then may visit with one of the ministers, talk about their reasons for joining, and learn even more about what membership means. They come to know that to become a member, you sign the Membership Book. To be a Voting Member, you wait 90 days after signing the book, and you also offer an identifiable contribution of a minimum of $50.00 in the preceding year.
Membership qualifies you to serve as a leader of various committees and councils and the Board of Trustees. Some of those leadership positions are appointed volunteer positions and some are elected ones. Membership means that you can also be chosen to be a delegate to a District or General Assembly.
We encourage members to involve themselves in church life in ways that help them grow, feed their spirit, and respect their life rhythms and needs. We encourage them to give financially in ways they feel good about, which are also respectful of their life needs.
We invite you to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our church. If you haven't yet participated in an Orientation program, we hope you will come our New UU Orientation program, October 19, 26, and November 2. We welcome your participation in the life of our congregation. We invite you to consider joining the church. To join the church, for more information, or if you have a question, please call one of our ministers, Rev. Nina Grey or Millie Rochester. You may also want to speak with a member of the Membership Committee. The chair of the committee is Betty Holcomb. New Members will be welcomed in a ceremony of Ingathering at our Sunday service on November 23, 2003.
COME TO THE FAIR!
Like any good fair, this one promises food, entertaining events, and interesting opportunities. Ours is the First Church Committee Fair on Sunday, October 5 -- right after the service. Visit all the booths, sample the goodies provided by each, and learn about how you can put your talents and interests to good use! We have many ways you can support your own development and our church community, and this is your very best time to get an overview at one time. Talk with the folks who are teaching in RE, doing Social Justice projects, planning special fun events, singing in the choir, tending our gardens -- and lots more! Bobbie Lammers Campbell, Chair of the Program Council, is organizing this special event.