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, Member’s Services Coordinator

Lori Frederick, Office Assistant/DRE Assistant

Renee Larkins, Coffee Server

John Jennings, Custodian

 

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

Next News Deadline: midnight, 04/02/2008

Next Mailing: 04/08/2007

Volume 51, Issue 6

March 25, 2008

 

 

Annual Congregational Meeting

On April 6th there will be the Annual Congregational Meeting at the church called in accordance with Article V of our Constitution at 10:30 in place of the second service. It is important that all voting members of UUCA attend this Annual Congregational Meeting. Voting rights are restricted to those who have been members for at least 30 days. 20% of the voting membership constitutes a quorum.

Agenda

Election of Officers

Amendments to Constitution & Bylaws

UU Legislative Ministry Maryland

New Building Project

 

Child care will be provided and begins immediately after the RE program.

 

P.R. Bazaar an opportunity to “Meet the Annapolis-Area Press”

Editorial representatives from WNAV 1430 Radio, The Capital, Bay Weekly, The Baltimore Sun, Inside Annapolis and Chesapeake Family are serving as panelists during the annual P.R. Bazaar on Monday, April 7. 

On Monday, April 14, the panelists are editorial representatives from What’s Up Annapolis Magazine, The Washington Post, The Capital, The Annapolis Times and Maryland Public Television.

Doors open at 6 p.m. both evenings and the panel begins at 7 p.m.  The P.R. Bazaar on April 7 and 14 will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, Maryland, just off North Bestgate Road.

Light refreshments will be served.

Admission is a $10 donation per person for one evening, $17.50 per person to attend both evenings.  Please specify the evening(s) you will be attending.  RSVP to ensure a seat by emailing Wendi Winters at wendi@quantumstep.com or by calling 410-349-0945.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

Upcoming Sermons

 

 

 

 

 

March 30

Young  Religious  Unitarian Universalist

(YRUU) Sunday

Join us this Sunday when The YRUU present “Good Night & Good Luck” - A YRUU Story of UUtopia. Music by YRUU Players

 

April 13

Music Sunday

 

The UUCA Choir will perform Schubert's Mass in G and selections from his German Mass in F, accompanied by a string quartet.

 

April 20

Green Sanctuary

Sunday

 

Join us as we celebrate living into our Seventh Principle which calls on Unitarian Universalists to affirm and promote “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”.

 

April 27

Eric Kaminetzky,

Intern Minister

 

 

May 4

Rev. Amber Beland,

Assistant Minister for Life-Span faith  Development

 

 

 

May 11

Rev. Fred Muir

Senior Minister

 

 

 

May 18

Ministry Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

ALL-CHURCH RETREAT – Register Now!!!

April 25-27, 2008 in Westminster, MD one hundred plus members and friends will be enjoying the beauty of Hashawha Environmental Center and an opportunity to revel in the camaraderie of fellow congregants for our annual All-Church Retreat. Check out the ‘New Online Registration’ on our church home page and get more info about the Retreat as well as an opportunity to register online with a credit card.  Or, download the forms and mail or drop off with your check (put ‘Retreat’ in the memo line) to the church office.  Cost are: Adults $60; children (5-13) $55. 

 We want to extend a special invitation to those new to the congregation –this is an outstanding way to deepen relationships and connect with the rest of our UUCA family.   This is for all ages with or without children.  Come and check out all the fun!  For more info contact Debbie Cole (debcole.email@yahoo.com) or Lisa Combs (lisacombs@verizon.net).

 

Freedom from Fear: Cultivating Courage in Difficult Times

American Buddhist nun Kelsang Dachog will discuss how fear can interfere with many aspects of our life, and can even be triggered whenever we encounter anything that is only slightly threatening. By learning to control our mind we can overcome fear, anxiety, and worry. This free public talk will be held at the Annapolis Friends Meeting House (351 DuBois Road,   Annapolis, MD 21401). Free and open to all! For more information please call 410-243-3837 or visit www.MeditationMd.org

 

 

5-K Walk/Race for the Kids

 

On April 26th the Old Mill Chapter of the Spanish Honor Society (SHH) will be holding their third annual 5-K Walk/Race for the Kids. The proceeds of the race fund schools in third world nations. There will be prizes to the top finishers in each age group. It is a great and fun way to support global education while getting fit.

 If you are interested contact the SHH advisor, Kim Spence, at kmnelson@aacps.org or at (410) 969-9010 x225. You may also contact the race organizer, Daniel Weller, at kicking.chaos@verizon.net or (410) 923-6973.

 

R.E.flections

by Fran Ateto, Director of Religious Exploration

“How y’all doin’?”  I am still practicing the greeting I learned in New Orleans a few weeks ago!  When I made plans to spend some of my sabbatical time volunteering with the UU Service Committee in NOLA, I expected to wield hammer and paint brushes to repair a house damaged by Katrina.  However, shortly before I left, I found out that instead I would be part of a new program to assist teachers in an elementary school.  I stayed with other volunteers in a Spartan dorm at FUUNO, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, and shared a rental car with three other women.  We spent Sunday getting our bearings, and taking a self-driving tour which took us through the devastated areas of the city.  That evening we participated, along with a large group of college students from Memphis, in a “Race, Class and Katrina Dialogue” at the church.

Every morning for the following two weeks, we drove to Sarah T. Reed Elementary School, “home of the Royal Tigers,” in the eastern part of the ninth ward.  The school which is surrounded by an abandoned hospital, a closed public library and a boarded-up high school, consists of about ten modular buildings arranged neatly along concrete paths.  It opened last September just in time to welcome 400 children who were (and still are) gradually returning to New Orleans after being scattered in various states for the past two years.  The school is well-equipped with new computers, a library and other amenities.  However the chaos in many of the children’s lives sets the tone in the classroom.  The anger Senator Barack Obama talked about in his recent speech is very evident.  The teachers, mostly very young, are often recruited right out of college through programs such as AmeriCorps or TeachNOLA.  I worry that their first experience will be so discouraging that they will lose their idealism and seek other careers.  The administration, like in other schools in the country, is very concerned with testing results.

As volunteers we were able to develop a relationship with the children who so need and crave individual attention.  I’d like to think that instead of rebuilding houses, we helped rebuild lives.  Yet two weeks is such a short time.  Did we make a positive difference, or did we add to the transience and instability of the children’s lives?  At this season of Easter I wish that the resurrection of New Orleans could happen instantly – but the harsh reality is that it will take a long, long time…

 

Fran

 

 

Support Coming of Age RE Program...

Purchase cute UU-themed items designed by Coming of Age youth.  This year the Coming of Age (COA) RE program is hosting a new fundraiser to support our annual trip to Boston. Youth from the group have designed UU-themed items such as t-shirts, teddy bears, keychains, coffee mugs, and much more. The items are available for purchase online at www.cafepress.com/uucacoa. Cafepress is a secure shopping website.  If you have any questions contact Raven Bishop ravenbishop707@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

UUCA’s Pastoral Care Team presents:

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Luncheon: 12 Noon—1:00 p.m.

Seminar: 1:00—3:00 p.m.

 

Issues of Interest to Elders

For Successful Aging

Presented by Mary C. Fridley, RN, BSN, BC

Mary will cover a number of topics and issues of interest to elders including:

Advance Directives for Health Care

Durable Powers of Attorney

Do Not Resuscitate Orders

Wills

Resources and Services

Emotional Health in Later Years

 

Mary is a registered nurse, board certified in gerontology, with more than 20 years in the geriatric health field. She is a columnist, speaker and consultant. Her expertise includes caregiver, eldercare, and aging issues.

 

Join us and bring your friends. The program is free and lunch

 will be provided.  Advance sign-up is required to attend the luncheon

OR come just for the seminar from 1—3 p.m.

.

  Contact Susan Eckert: 410-266-8044, Ext. 110; membership@uuca-md.org

OR Sign-up after each Service in the Narthex at the Care Corner

 

♥This program is made possible by a generous grant from the

 Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis Endowment Fund.♥

 

 

 

 

Killarney House is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

On Monday, April 14th the Killarney House is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The Killarney House will be offering a special 3 course dinner including soup or salad, a choice from 5 entrees, and a dessert.  The cost of the dinner is $25, with $10 per person donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This year, it is my personal goal to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of my dear friend, Karl, who has non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $600 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.  The Society also provides education and patient services for individuals with these diseases and their families.

Karl is currently “in remission” thanks to his participation in a clinical research trial, which was research/work that was funded in part by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I’m grateful to the Society for the research advances that have been made, but I want to see more.  The current 15-year survival rate for NHL is only 30%.  Karl and his wife, Stephanie, recently celebrated the birth of their 3rd child, William, on February 21st.  I want Karl to be around to enjoy William’s children, so I am working hard to get that survival rate up!

The Killarney House is located at 584 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD, 21035 (very near Edgewater).

Please contact me if you have any questions, or if there is any way we can work together to get the word out about this event.  I truly appreciate the support.

 

Many thanks,

Noel Turner

Volunteer Fundraiser

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

240-723-6329

 

*Virgina Church seeks Applicants for Membership Coordinator*

 

     Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church is seeking to hire a membership coordinator to facilitate growth in this liberal congregation in Burke, Va. An outgoing, organized, motivated person is wanted to help Accotink welcome newcomers, integrate new members into the church community, and help to coordinate the work of volunteers. This person will consult with church committees and the minister. This is a year-round paid position at $15 per hour. Hours will include three Sundays a month and some evenings. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks and respect for confidentiality are essential. Knowledge and background in Unitarian Universalism is preferred. Please e-mail resumes to:

auucmembership@yahoo.com, attention: Membership Coordinator Search Task Force. Applications will be accepted through April 30.

 

 

UUCA Book Club

 

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

 April 15 Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

May 20 Water for Elephants   Sara Gruen

If you have questions contact Jackie Rocca at 410-349-8351.

All are welcome to join us!

 

 

 

 

 

UUCA OUTDOOR CLUB 

Saturday, April 5   9:00am-3:00pm  Walk in Piney Orchard Nature Preserve to visit the heron rookery and look for other signs of spring.  Meet at 9:00am at Park and Ride at I-97 and Benfield Blvd (by Severna Park Racquetball and Fitness Club).  Easy walk followed by lunch at a local restaurant.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Eloise Hoyt 410-768-4932 or ehoyt@toadmail.com Saturday, April 26  Bike Ride (details to be announced)

 

 

 

Welcoming, Caring & Connecting

 

First Sunday Outreach Collection

On Sunday April 6, 2008, the offertory will be shared with the County’s Family Support Centers and Early Head Start Program.

 

ARE YOU NEW TO UUCA? 

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

Newcomer Talk & Tour– April 6, after the 9 a.m. service or April 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.

The New UU– Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. covers UU theology and UU history.  This program meets in the Sanctuary.

Path to Membership – Saturday, April 12, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Development

R.e. news

Our 20th Annual Passover Seder is scheduled for Sunday, April 20 at 6:00 PM.  Mark your calendars, and join us for this multigenerational evening filled with Jewish traditions.  Seating is limited!  Sign up will start on March 30, and continue on following Sundays, after each service.

Guest at Your Table It’s not to late to turn in your collection boxes. Please place collection boxes in the basket near the Greeters station. Thank you for your support.

 

SPRING  BOOK SWAP

One Day Only – Sunday, April 13.  Bring your unwanted books, videos, CDs, DVDs to the church on Sunday morning, April 13.  After each service you can browse through the books and music and take a new supply home with you.  FREE.  Please do not bring books before April 13 due to lack of storage space.  Leftover books will be donated to a local charity.  On Sunday morning, volunteers are welcome to help setup, organize, take down.

 (Rain Date – Sunday, April 30)  For more information, contact Eloise Hoyt at 410-768-4932 or ehoyt@toadmail.com

 

Plant Sale Time Again

Its time to start potting up your extra perennials and shurbs for the Plant Sale on Sunday, April 20th.  If you need pots please contact Ginny Klocko (Phone: 410/757-2820; e-mail: bgklocko@verizon.net). We especially need shade-loving plants and native plants but will accept anything except orange daylilies.  Please bring your plants in pots and label them by name and by shade- or sun-loving. Bring you plants to the church starting at 8:00 AM.  The sale will start at 8:30 and end at 12:30.  We will have master gardners available to help you select the right for your yard and provide instructions for building a rain garden.  We are a Green Sanctuary and encourage water conservation and the use of native plants.

Hanging baskets will also be on sale.  If you wish to order a basket ahead of time, please call Martha Wilder (phone: 410/757-6706.  Hanging baskets will range in price form $22 to $25.

We look forward to another great sale and to seeing you there.

 

General Assembly 08

GA 2008 will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from June 25 through 29 at the beautiful Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center. UUCA will be sending 11 delegates as well as other attendees. If you intend to go to GA or would like to know more about it, please see Bob Ertman. He will be coordinating the delegates and the schedule for UUCA attendees. Register for General Assembly through the UUA website www.uua.org. where you can also book accommodation. If you are going to GA, you are recommended to book your accommodation as soon as possible as the hotels nearest to the Convention Center get booked up immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Justice  & Outreach

 

 

Edit Babos appointed Meadville Lombard's English Teacher in Transylvania

The Meadville Lombard community welcomes Edit Babos, who was recently appointed as the English Teacher in Transylvania, teaching English to Unitarian seminary students at the Protestant Theological Institute in Cluj/Kolozsvar, Romania.

Edit graduated from the University of Babes-Bolyai, the Faculty of Arts, in 1996 and began her teaching career that same year, in Huedin (Banffyhunyad). After two years in Huedin, Edit took a teaching position at Bathory Istvan High School in Cluj (Kolozsvar) where she also taught at the Babes-Bolyai University, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Geography, as a supply teacher. She continues to teach at Bathory Istvan while she teaches at the Protestant Theological Institute.

Lee Barker, President of Meadville Lombard, says Edit’s appointment marks a change in the English Teacher in Transylvania program, which is sponsored and administered by Meadville Lombard Theological School and is partially funded by the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Partner Church Council. “For the first time, this position is being filled by a native Hungarian speaker,” said Barker, “whose work will be supported and complemented by various student interns from Meadville Lombard.”

This change in the format of the program will allow the Unitarian seminarians in Kolozsvar to receive the highest degree of proficiency in the English language as well as an opportunity to work with other UU seminarians from the United States. It also provides Meadville Lombard seminarians an opportunity to work in the international UU community from the cradle of the Unitarian movement.

 

 

UU LEGISLATIVE MINISTRY OF MD

The affiliation of UUCA with the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD) will be on the Annual Meeting Agenda on April 6 for a congregational vote.  The UUCA Board of Trustees is recommending approval of this affiliation which was also approved by the UUCA Social Justice Council.  

The UULM-MD envisions a Maryland free of oppression and injustice, where all are guaranteed their human rights.  This vision is addressed by educating UUs on public policy issues in light of our moral, ethical and religious principles and traditions.  UUs are encouraged to work on issues that express their values.

UULM-MD was developed based upon the successful model of the UULM of California.  This Congregational Affiliation Agreement is based on theirs.  It is not binding but only suggests activities.  It makes no commitment to specific support legislative issues nor to make a financial commitment. 

UUCA has played a significant role in the development of UULM, resulting in our mutually beneficial relationship.  Becoming an affiliate is the next stage in the growth of UULM-MD and will help encourage more active participation by UUCA members and expand the statewide advocacy network.  Supporting UULM-MD is part of the UUCA Strategic Plan.  UULM-MD and UUCA have received recognitions including presentations by UUCA members at national meetings and JPD.  Start-up grants were provided by the UU Service Committee and the UU Fund for Social Responsibility.

Examples from the congregational affiliation agreement include opportunities to: join the UULM-MD Legislative Network; be part of the Annapolis Lobby Corp, Chaired by Phyllis Marsh; and promote the Annual Meeting, educational events, and training sessions.  Members receive mailings to provide background and actions needed.  UUCA ‘s location in the state capital makes it an ideal place for collaborative actions with other UUs such as the event on 2/11 before the Equality MD lobby night chaired by Darrel Nash, and the YoUUth Rally Day on 2/18.

The three priority issues for UULM-MD are:  health care reform, reducing Global Warming, and Marriage Equality.   The UULM-MD website has information on the priorities, actions needed, and opportunities for involvement at www.uulmmd.org. 

 

Copies of the agreement are on the Legislative Action table on Sundays and in the rack in the Narthex under the UULM-MD banner.   Someone will be at the table to answer questions or you can talk to Board members, Dave Hackett, Rev. Fred Muir, or Rev. Bill Murry.  You can also contact the co-chairs:  Betty McGarvie Crowley (bettycrowley@comcast.net) or Jan Bird (Docjlbird@yahoo.com).

 

 

 

United Nations Global Justice Committee Meeting

 

The next meeting of the United Nations Global Justice Committee (UNGJC) will be held on Thursday, March 27 in the Angebranndt Room at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting will focus on planning for UN weekend on November 1 & 2 after an evaluation of the 2007 and previous weekends.   An update will be presented on Buhata Pinay (Do It, Filipina!), a comprehensive development program for Philippine women and their families.  Next steps will be discussed for Buhata Pinay.   The UNGJC information on the UUCA website will be reviewed and recommendations for changes will be made.   There will also be reports on other projects including Great Decisions.

The meeting is open and the Committee is seeking people to be added to their mailing list and become active or ad hoc members.   The UNGJC would benefit from your suggestions about UN weekend.  They can be communicated to Betty McGarvie Crowley, Co-Chair, at bettycrowley@comcast.net or at 410-897-9417.  

 

 

YOUR HELP AGAIN NEEDED AT THE LIGHT HOUSE SHELTER

It is again time for UUCA members to put their office skills to work to help out the Light House Shelter. During the month of May, we provide the office staff for the Light House on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm (two shifts, 9am to noon and noon to 4pm). The work is easy and involves door keeping and answering the telephone. A short orientation session will be scheduled in late April. Please contact  Jacque or Al Pulsifer, 410-626-1163 or ajpulsifer@verizon.net, to schedule a shift or if you have questions. UUCA and the Friends Meeting are committed to covering a total of 16 shifts, and we need 2 people per shift.

 

Maryland HAS Help Needed

The NAACP Anne Arundel County Branch Education Committee is designing a program to support AACPS Students in their effort to pass the High School Assessments (http://www.aacps.org/testing/index.asp).  We need your support to build this community-based program.

Please volunteer to help or pass this on to someone willing to help.  Please contact Mikio Manuel NAACP Anne Arundel County Branch Education Committee at mikiom@gmail.com or 443-994-5471.

 

 

Women and Children at Chrysalis House need your help!

 

Chrysalis House is a long-term residential drug treatment facility designed to meet the special needs of low-income women including pregnant women and women with young children.  Each woman receives treatment, transitional housing and extended care to enable her to become alcohol or other drug free, to be fully employed or in a job training program or school.  Chrysalis House, in nearby Crownsville, provides a safe, sober and structured environment where women can live with their children and develop and strengthen their recovery skills.  As of March 2008, 25 women and 6 children--infants to age 9 years live there.

 

Many women come to Chrysalis House with very few resources to provide for their personal needs.  The Monday Women Covenant Group is organizing another collection for the women and children at Chrysalis House.  These items are requested, especially those in bold.  Checks made out to Chrysalis House can be placed in the Covenant Group mail slot in the church office.

 

Items will be collected at Church on April 6 and April 13.

Look for the big box in the Narthex.

 

Please bring:

 

Calling Cards                                  Baby thermometer

Postage Stamps                  Disposable diapers

Shampoo/Conditioner                  Baby Wipes