HighLights

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA)
333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD 21401; Phone: 410/266-8044; Fax: 410/266-6910
mailto:newsletter@uuca-md.org Web site: The Home Page at: http://www.uuca-md.org

Staff:
Reverend Dr. Fredric J. Muir, Parish Minister

Reverend Amber Beland, Assistant Minister of Lifespan faith Development
Francoise H. Ateto, Director of Religious Exploration
Betsy Jo Angebranndt, Minister of Music
Christol Medley, Church Administrator/Editor

Eric Kaminetzky, Intern Minister

Susan Eckert, Members Services Coordinator

Lori Frederick, Office Assistant/DRE Assistant

Renee Larkins, Coffee Server

 

Church Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Next News Deadline: midnight, 01/16/2008

Next Mailing: 01/22/2007

Volume 51, Issue 1

January 8, 2008

 

Web of life

Here we are just after the New Year and as many of us do we get to imagine what this year will bring us.  Perhaps some of us will experience great joys, the additions of new family members through birth or marriage, buying a new house, leaving for college, graduating from school, or choosing a new spiritual practice that brings us centering and peace.  Others will experience sorrows as family and friends die or move away, jobs are changed, houses are sold, we have to move or change jobs, or other unexpected challenges find us.   

Every year we also get the chance to reinvent ourselves, to set new and exciting goals, to grow, change and stretch who we are and who we might be.  Every year as part of my ministerial formation, Fred Muir, my committee on ministry and I write up extensive reviews and send them in to the Unitarian Universalist Association.  At the end of these reviews I get to set goals for my ministry,. These goals are both long term and short term goals and I will get to look back each year in my reviews and see how these goals have changed and grown my ministry and my spiritual practice.  This past review I set a few goals which I thought might be nice to share with you. Some of these I have already started working on and some of these are things I will be working towards as the year goes on.  Here they are: Practice my ministry in a more pastoral fashion, preach some pastoral based sermons this year starting in the fall, and lead a class that has a pastoral component in it in the spring.  Take some training at the UU Large Church Conference in March 2008, and work with a spiritual teacher.  Work with someone or take training in the area of preaching.  Work with the membership administrator to create a fellowship committee and work on a leadership training and development committee.  Continue to work with the Anti-Racism Transformation Team this year and get more involved with the ARE (Allies for Racial Equity) at a national level.  Some of these are goals that I can do through working with those outside the church community itself but some of these, I hope, will be a way that I can enter more deeply into community with some of you.  If you find, this new year, that some of your goals include getting involved in the congregation’s life and you would like to help with fellowship or leadership please let Susan Eckert or me know.  I hope that sharing some of my goals will allow you to have a better idea of what I am working on as your assistant minister and I hope that you will come and share some of your goals for this community and for your own life with me for this year.

May you be blessed with new possibility,

 

Amber

 

Special Congregational Meeting – January 27th, 2008

 

1. The Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is calling a Special Congregational Meeting in accordance with Article V (C) of the Constitution for the purpose of debating and voting on a single motion: the calling of Rev. Amber Beland to be an Associate Minister of the church. The meeting will be held at 10:30 on Sunday, January 27th, in place of the second service.

 

2. Standing Rules: Debate on the motion will be permitted for up to 40 minutes. There will be three microphones marked ‘Pro’, ‘Con’ and ‘Procedure’. ‘Procedure’ questions have priority over ‘Pro’ and ‘Con’ speakers.  Speakers at the ‘Pro’ and ‘Con’ microphones will alternate turns speaking.  Speakers are limited to 2 minutes each.  No one may speak more than once unless every other speaker has had a chance to speak and there is time remaining for discussion. Discussion will end, even if there is time remaining for discussion, when there are no speakers remaining at either the ‘Pro’ or ‘Con’ microphone (i.e. there are speakers at the ‘Pro’ microphone but none at the ‘Con’, or vice versa.) Calling the question will be unprivileged while there is still time remaining for discussion and while there are still speakers at both the ‘Pro’ and ‘Con’ microphones.

 

3. Voting: Voting will be anonymous and by secret ballot. Voting Members (defined in Article III of the Constitution as those who have been members for more than 30 days) will be given a voting card immediately before the meeting. Voting will only be carried out by secret card vote at the meeting: no Absentee votes nor Proxy votes will be permitted, there being no provision for these in the Constitution or By-laws. When discussion is closed by the Moderator, and prior to people marking their voting cards, we will ascertain that a quorum is present. If a quorum is present, the vote will be taken.

 

4.     Snow Day: If a quorum is not present, or snow interferes with attendance that morning, the meeting will reconvene the following Sunday, February 3rd at the same time.

 

 

 

Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis

Board of Trustees

Bryan Barrett

Vice President, Board of Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

                

Upcoming Sermons

 

January 13

“Wheel of life”

Rev. Fred Muir,

Senior Minister

This annual service recognizes the life passages (birth, coming-of-age, move, marriage and union, and death) that occurred in our congregation during 2007. The UUCA Choir will add its music to this meaningful service. 

 

January 20

“Who's an American?"

Rev. Fred Muir,

Senior Minister

Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly knew what it felt like to be a stranger in his own country.  Being a stranger – and therefore suspect in one’s own land – is a theme not unfamiliar to many, especially during this period of immigration and homeland security.  Join me this morning as I explore how Rev. King might have addressed this issue. Music by Girls Night Out.

 

January 27

“A Pilgrim Among Us”

Rev Amber Beland,   Assistant Minister

Reverend Amber Beland reflects on her ministry in our midst.  What does it mean to be a pilgrim?  How can we embrace change and  transition? Music by UUCA Choir

 

Special Congregational Meeting

The Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is calling a Special Congregational Meeting in accordance with Article V (C) of the Constitution for the purpose of debating and voting on a single motion: the calling of Rev. Amber Beland to be an Associate Minister of the church. The meeting will be held at 10:30 on Sunday, January 27th, in place of the second service.

February 3

“100 Years and Going Strong!”

Rev. Fred Muir,

Senior Minister

Recently, the 100th anniversary of Pentecostalism was noted by many.  A significant event in the history of religion and for UUs since we have more in common with the Pentecostal movement than you might imagine.  Come give a shout (!) and join me as I look at what Pentecostal religion has to teach us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

Keep the Faith

The real power of vision is that it can put you in touch with who and what you truly are, even as you articulate that which you intend to be.  Without a clear vision, transformation is difficult. -  Loren Mead

      For those of you who were in church on Sunday, January 6th, you heard me share why I believe 2008 is going to be a transformational year for our congregation.  There will be several significant events and initiatives that could shape UUCA for decades.  (If you didn’t hear the sermon, ask for a CD recording at the soundbooth or go to www.uuca-md.org to listen to a podcast.)  One of these events will be an opportunity for you (as a member of UUCA) to share your vision of what our church can or should be: What are hopes and dreams for our congregation and what should we do to achieve our vision?  1993 was the last time (the only time!) that such a vision/mission exercise was completed and as was clear on Sunday, at least two-thirds of you had no voice in shaping the vision and mission that currently gives us direction.  This winter everyone will have an opportunity to have their voice heard.

      There will be four 2½ hour gatherings which will be fun, reflective, social, and provocative.  Your time with us will be meaningful on many levels!  Here are the dates from which can pick (only pick one time):

            Saturday, February 16, 9-11:30

Sunday, February 24, 1-3:30

Saturday, March 1, 9-11:30

Monday, March 3, 7-9:30

I ask that you signup online at www.uuca-md.org (look for the link “Revisioning UUCA”) or use the signup sheets at church (in the front hall).  Child care will be available, but indicate if you would like it so we have the right number of child care providers.

I strongly urge you to participate in this opportunity to shape our present and future.  Sharing your dreams and ideals, shaping a vision that will define who we are as a faith community, is part of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist; we are the ones who give meaning and direction to our congregation, which is to say – You give meaning and direction to your congregation!

2008 promises to be a year of vision and hope at UUCA!  See you soon and keep the faith,

            Fred

 

 

 

Bad Weather Policy

 

On inclement Sundays, turn on your radio to WNAV (1430) or WBAL(1090) and listen for an announcement regarding cancellation of UUCA Sunday services. You may also call the church to hear if  there is a recorded message (410 266-8044).

On inclement weekdays, the UUCA office will shorten office hours exactly as does the public schools in Anne Arundel County. If schools announce a one hour delay, the office will open at 10AM instead of 9AM. If there is a two hour delay, we will open at 11AM. If schools close early, the office will close early (normal closing time is 4PM). If the schools close, the office will be closed — office volunteers should NOT report to the office if schools are closed.

For all other events held in the church, such as 333 Coffeehouse, Full Circle services, committee meetings, room rentals, etc., please call the person responsible for the event or listen to the radio to learn if the event has been cancelled.

 

Resource Stewardship

As we prepare to finalize the 2007 stewardship commitments, please review your December statements carefully. All stock donations for December may not appear on the statement however your final Tax Contribution record will include cash, stock and outreach donations. If our records do not match your records please contact the office immediately. Final tax contributions letters will be mailed on or about January 19, 2008. Thank you and Happy New Year!!!

 

Maryland State Legislative Rally 2008

“Meeting the Needs of Maryland’s  Seniors”

United Seniors of Maryland invites all Maryland Seniors to its 31st Annual Maryland State Legislative Rally.   The date: Tuesday, January 22, 2008.   (Snow date: January 29, 2008.)   The place: Francis Scott Key Auditorium, St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland. Seniors will advocate for:

·  Resolving the State Structural Deficit without unfair burden on Seniors;

·  Protecting the Economic Security of low and moderate income Seniors through tax relief; and,

·  Resolving the Deficit in Services for Seniors: Aging in Place, Long-Term Care, Fraud and Abuse, Affordable Health Care and Related Critical Needs

Hear Prominent Experts and meet with your State Senators and Delegates to discuss these important priorities. Governor O’Malley and Gloria G. Lawlah, Secretary of the MD Department of Aging are expected to speak. 

Registration fee includes continental breakfast & lunch - $15 in advance; $17 onsite. Early registration is requested. Space is limited.   Registration is by: Check (s) made out to: United Seniors of Maryland. Send registration form (s) and check (s) to Charles Culbertson, President, USM, 412 Carolina Road, Towson, MD 21204-4315.  By Credit Card (s) and for on-line registration, go to www.unitedsrsofmd.org.  For inquiries, contact Charlie Culbertson at (410-823-6432): or David Waugh at E-mail: drdwaugh@aol.com.

Womuunweb

 

Check out the Winter 2008 Womuunweb, Continental Electronic Newsletter of UU Feminist Inspiration.  This issue of Womuunweb carries the theme:  “Womanspirit”.

Articles include:

Save the date for the First International Convocation of UU Women: Weaving Global Partnerships to Improve Women’s Lives – February 27 – March 2, 2009, Houston, TX.  This will be the first major gathering of UU women since WomanQuest in 1990 and the first ever gathering that specifically includes international UU women.

Reflections on the loss, to domestic violence, of the two co-chairs of the Florida district’s Women & Religion movement

UU Eliza Strode works for social change in culturally renewing Guatemala’s Indian communities.

The Re-Release of “Rise Up and Call her Name”, a woman-honoring journey into global earth-based spiritualities by Elizabeth Fisher.  Originally published by the UU Women’s Federation in 1995, this re-release contains all the original content but is more flexible.  Easier to use formats give facilitators additional possibilities for programming.  Components are sold as a complete kit or separately.

UU Women Exchange Ideas and Actions.

To download a printable PDF file, go to: http://www.uuwr.org/WOMUUNWEB/WOMUUNWEB-30-Winter-2007.htm.  If you don’t have access to the internet, a paper copy of the newsletter can be found in the Information Alcove on the church bulletin board.  Copies can be made in the church office.

 

 

 

 

Book Recommendation

During the upcoming years, UUCA will be headed into uncharted waters with many issues to resolve. How will we handle our growth and simultaneously diversify the congregation?  Hopefully this transition will be thoughtful, inclusive and most importantly continue to inspire congregants towards their own spiritual growth and search for purpose and meaning.  To this end, the UUCA Worship Lay Ministers would like to strongly encourage  members to read an excellent, thought provoking book, "The Almost Church" by Michael Durall (available in our bookstore.)  Please engage us and others about where the UU Faith is headed. 

 

Lay Worship Ministers

 

 

 

Welcoming, Caring & Connecting

 

 

 

 

Are You New to UUCA?

Newcomer Talk & Tour– January 6, after the 9 a.m. service or January 13, after the 11 a.m. service, provides an introduction to the programs and activities of the church as well as how to find your way around the buildings and grounds.  We meet in the Library immediately following the service.

Please join us for these opportunities to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and the UU Church of Annapolis:

The New UU– Saturday, January 19, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. covers UU theology and UU history.  This program meets in the Sanctuary.

Path to Membership – Saturday, February 2, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  For those interested in joining the church; this class will focus on programs, history, governance and the meaning of membership at UUCA. An opportunity to sign the membership book will follow the class. Refreshments will be offered. Attending a New UU class is required prior to Path to Membership.

Childcare can be arranged with advance notice for The New UU or Path to Membership.  Please contact Susan Eckert for further information or if you have questions (410-266-8044, x110; membership@uuca-md.org.)

Additional Volunteer Opportunities for Social Hour Goodies:

Please stop by the signup sheet in the kitchen and, if you haven’t done so recently, please add your name to one of the open slots.  You don’t need to do anything about coffee; just bring some food to share. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Barrett at 410-263-9191. Many thanks to all those who have already volunteered.

 

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO CARE FOR SELF?

Have you resolved to take better care of yourself in the New Year?  Meditate with the Mindfulness Practice Group of Annapolis at UUCA.  Beginners: 11 AM every Sunday in the Emerson Rm. of the Fahs House.  Experienced: 7 PM every Thurs. in the sanctuary.  Info: mpg@uuca-md.org. 

 

Mark your calendars

The deadline to submit your annual report is March 1. Forms will be available on line January 15. Please plan to submit a report for your group or committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Development

R.e. news

Wonder Hour, the Religious Education program at 11 AM, will resume this Sunday, January 13.

Christmas Tree Ornaments: some of the ornaments made during Stone Soup will be available the next couple of Sundays in a large basket in the Info Alcove.  If you’d like to take one home as a souvenir, just help yourself!

Think Summer: believe it or not, it’s already time to start making plans for the summer!  Parents may want to look into one of the many UU camps listed at www.uucamps.org, or at www.uusc.org (click on JustWorks Camps and on the 2008 programs), particularly these intergenerational programs:

UUMAC (www.uumac.org/uumac2008.htm) held at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.  Subsidies are usually available for grandparents who want to bring grandchildren (and for grandchildren who want to bring grandparents) to UUMAC.

Freedom Summer: A Civil Rights Journey sponsored by the UU Service Committee for 14-year-olds and up.

In addition you may want to check out Quaker camps at http://baltimoreyearlymeeting.org/.  UUCA member Casey Newton (410-315-9183) will be happy to tell you more; her daughter Merrill Daniels, an 8th grader who is currently enrolled in our Coming of Age program, has had a wonderful experience at the Catoctin Camp which she has attended for five years.

 

 

UUCA OUTDOOR CLUB 

 

Saturday, January 26, 2008   Baltimore City Walk   9am-3pm   Meet at 9:00am at Park and Ride at I-97 and Benfield Blvd (by Severna Park Racquetball and Fitness Club).  City street walk followed by lunch in the city.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Eloise Hoyt 410-768-4932 or ehoyt@toadmail.com

Saturday, February 23   Walk in Patuxent Wildlife Refuge North Tract

Saturday, April 5   Walk in Piney Orchard Nature Preserve contact Eloise Hoyt 410-768-4932 or ehoyt@toadmail.com

 

 

 

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UUCA Book Club

The Book Club meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the church library.

Our selection for January 15 is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. For February 19 we have chosen Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

If you have questions contact Jackie Rocca at 410-349-8351. All are welcome to join us!

 

Keeping Your Cool: Patience as Antidote to Anger

Anger is one of our most common and destructive habits, and it afflicts our mind every day. In this seminar, students learn to spot anger in its early stages and understand how it harms us so we can gradually remove it from our mind.

 

EVENT DATE:         Sunday, January 27, 2008

EVENT TIME:          1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

EVENT LOCATION:           Annapolis Friends Meeting House

                                    351 DuBois Road

                                    Annapolis, MD 21401

EVENT COST: $30.00

CONTACT INFO:         410-243-3837 or www.MeditationMd.org 

This seminar is sponsored by Vikatadamshtri Buddhist Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with all proceeds dedicated to increasing peace in our world through educating people about meditation and Buddhist practice. This class is suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners.

 

Articulating Your UU Faith

Why is it so hard to describe Unitarian Universalism? How do I talk about how I fit into it?

Articulating Your Unitarian Universalist Faith will provide you with powerful tools for saying who we are, and what Unitarian Universalism means to you.

This course is designed to help UU’s speak more effectively about our liberal religion and their particular perspectives on it. There will be active participation and role-play. Over six weeks we will write personal belief statements and practice sharing them with others. In the process, we will also learn about Unitarian Universalist history and explore different ways of explaining Unitarian Universalism to those unfamiliar with our faith tradition. 

DATES: Six Tuesdays starting February 5 (2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/4, 3/11)

TIME: 7:00-9:00 pm

FACILITATOR: Eric Kaminetzky

 

 

Social Justice  & Outreach

 

 

Fairly Traded Coffees, Chocolate, Teas & snacks

Café Salvador—full bodied, smooth coffee from small farmer co-ops in El Salvador  $7.00

French Roast (Organic)-Dark and delicious with full body and a smooth finish $7.50

Mind Body & Soul (Organic) Medium and Vienna Roast—  smooth blend, mild acidity & hints of dark chocolate. From small farmer co-ops in Latin America $7.50

Breakfast Blend—Medium & French Roast sweet and vibrant with full body $7.50

Organic Decaf/Colombian Decaf—Full City Roast—a balanced blend with full body, rich flavor and sweet overtones. Naturally decaffeinated with carbon dioxide  $8.00

Organic Chocolate - Very Dark, Milk Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Dark w/ Almonds, Chocolate Espresso Bean, Dark Chocolate w/ pure Cocoa Nibs $3.00

Organic Teas- Green Tea, English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Green Magic, Rooibos, and Earl Grey $3.50

*New Snacks * Cranberries, Almonds and Pecans  $5.00

 

 

 

Music for Peace & Justice Concert Series Presents

The Michael Thomas Quintet

Saturday, February 23rd   2008

7:30 PM

The Michael Thomas Quintet is a powerful, energetic, and exciting group that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz but adds today's influences.  The Quintet is the Hottest group in Washington, DC!!!  The group has been together for nine years.  Jazz is AUTHENTIC here!

The Michael Thomas Quartet, led by trumpeter Thomas, delights audiences with its swinging hard-bop style and soulful blues.

 

For more information contact: Tatiana Johanning at 410-897-7588 or fiufa1@aol.com Tickets are $60 for 2008 Season or $25 general $15 Students for each concert .

 

Got more money than time? Offer to subsidize some of the groups’ costs.

 

Live your Unitarian Universalism. Make a difference!

 

 

Building the world we dream about -

This curriculum seeks to interrupt the workings of racism and transform how people from different racial/ethnic groups understand and relate to each other.  It creates an opportunity wherein participants can practice dreaming our world otherwise, and then commit to new, intentional ways of being.  As UUs, we hope developing anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multicultural habits and skills lead us to actually build the multicultural world we dream about.  We are a test congregation for the Unitarian Universalist Association and we hope that you will consider committing to a program that will be transformative for our congregation.  We will meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 1-3pm from January through December; our first meeting will be January 6 in the Sanctuary.  We need to have 18 to 20 participants to hold this course and regular attendance is required.  Sign up in the Narthex.  For more information, please contact Roxanne Kibben or Diane Goforth.  Childcare will not be provided unless requested so please let us know as soon as possible if you will need it. 

 

Tips from Green Sanctuary

Lather, rinse, repeat.  Familiar directions for anyone who's ever hefted a shampoo bottle.  The first two steps make perfect sense, of course. Got to lather, got to rinse.  But here's a question for you - just how dirty does your hair have to be before you really need to repeat the whole procedure?  I'm thinking it's gotta be pretty far gone if one dose of sudsing doesn't do the trick.

    Now the cynical among us (not moi!) might suggest that that little direction might have been put there by the manufacturer for the express purpose of selling exactly twice as much shampoo.  I prefer to believe that they're merely covering a worst-case scenario - seriously dirty hair.

     The result, however, is the same: follow directions to the letter, and you are using twice as much product, and packaging, and all the energy it took to produce the stuff, as well as taking up twice the landfill space, you really need to.

     The same principle applies to many other products out there.  Do you need an inch-long ribbon of toothpaste, or will a pea-sized bit do?  How about laundry detergent - think you really need a full cup?  For most loads, probably not.  Dish washing liquid, lotions, conditioners, etc., etc. - much of the time, you can probably get away with using a great deal less than the instructions suggest.  Do a little experimenting, and you may find you're saving money as well as taking one more small step to help out the environment.

 

UU’re Home

Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area?

The UU bed and breakfast directory UU're Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. Host listings on the UU're Home website at www.UUreHome.com <http://www.uurehome.com/>  are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added. The paper edition is published every year in April.  For a copy of the 2008 directory and a year's access to the website listings, please click on "become a member" to pay by credit card or send a check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU're Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts in the Woods

 

 

The 333 Coffeehouse

Siobban Quinn &

Michael Bowers

Friday, December 21 at 8 p.m.

 

Gallery at 333

Alma Nugent, Photographer

November-December

 

The 333 Coffeehouse

The Chromatics

Friday, January 18 at 8 p.m.

 

The 333 Coffeehouse

Peter Mayer

Friday, February 15 at 8 p.m.

 

Music for Peace & Justice

Concert Series

The Michael Thomas Quintet
Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m.