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, 10/3/2007

Next Mailing: 10/9/2007

Volume 50, Issue 18

September 25, 2007

 

 

Praxis  (a hard theory put into practice)

 

    O To Be Ballast                                                   

    Ballast is fine stuff. It can be heavy material used to balance boats in the water and planes in the air. I was thinking about ballast while riding my bicycle on the B & A trail one morning. The sun was early in the sky and the humid air played thickly on my face like warm hands. As I rode up and down the path greeting oncoming joggers, walkers, and cyclists, warning those I snuck up behind, I saw a bulky something far up the path moving toward me. It seemed stable in front but the rear swayed side to side.

As it came into focus, I saw a rollerblading woman pushing a side-by-side double stroller full of young children. I decided the woman was Mom and the kids were hers. She, plugged into her iPod, skating powerfully behind dark sunglasses. The children, reading contentedly, oblivious to hurtling down the path. Were they ballast?

I don’t know why it charmed me so, but I imagined myself one of those children, gliding along the path reading, wind blowing through my hair. Confident the hands urging me forward allow neither crashing into trees nor colliding with men on funny-looking recumbent bicycles.

I’ve thought about whether we act as ballast when sitting in a pew listening to a sermon, providing balance for the preacher. Can it be a sermon if there’s no one hearing it? Is it a sermon without someone responding?

I punched up www.wordreference.com and found ballast described as an attribute tending to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings.

As your new Intern Minister, I would like to know what serves as ballast in your life and I want to know how you serve as ballast in the lives of those whose lives you touch.

 

Let’s share a moment over a cup of coffee or lunch. 

 

Eric Kaminetzky ©2007

 

 

 

               

Upcoming Sermons

 

September 23    

“A Life of Questions”

Rev. Fred Muir, Senior Minister

 

Nearly every religious faith has a doubting tradition.  Questioning, as we learn from revelations regarding the saintly-like life of Mother Theresa, is part of living for nearly everyone.  A reading from our hymnal states: “Doubt is the handmaiden of truth.”  How do you mix faith and doubt?

 

September 30    

“Michael Vick and Us”

Rev. Fred Muir, Senior Minister

 

What kind of a society and culture shapes a person like Michael Vick?  Ours does.  Is this to say that if he is guilty we are all guilty?  We all bear some responsibility for his actions?

 

 

October 7

“A Concrete Suggestion”

Eric Kaminetzky, Intern Minister

 

If, as many UU’s believe, we each have a piece of the truth, from whence do we get it? Intern Minister Eric Kaminetzky will engage this question by way of introducing himself to our congregation. Please join us and bring your truth.

 

   October 14

“ Living the Spirit of Generosity”

Rev. Fred Muir, Senior Minister

 

This is one of my favorite Sundays because it’s when we get to be and to do: to be our theology (as generous Unitarian Universalists) and to do our part in shaping the future of UUCA.   I look forward to seeing you on this our Stewardship Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

 

The Grounds Council Needs Your Help!

The Grounds Council is responsible to the Management Team to protect and beautify our outdoor areas. Members of the Council are from the Garden Committee, Green Sanctuary, labyrinth, and other interested members.

We have been discussing how to do more to beautify our church grounds. We have a gardener that does the grass cutting, tree trimming, and some limited gardening in areas immediately surrounding the buildings. But we need to do more and we need your help.

We have designated more than 20 areas that are in need of TLC. We are taking volunteers to choose an area and give it the special attention it needs. We would like for you to adopt one of these areas. You can do it as a group, or work all by yourself.

The areas are extremely varied. Think exquisite gardening for some plots or operating a chain saw in parts of the woods, and lots of in betweens. So what kind of area would get your energy flowing?

The garden committee has members who are master gardeners, and all are experienced gardeners. Depending on the area you choose, someone is always available to answer your questions.

If you would like to help with this, contact Darrel Nash, 301-249-5397 or darrelnash@verizon.net. You will be shown the areas that are yet to be adopted that you can choose from

 

 

 

REflections

I remember standing above Manhattan Beach in California a few years ago, camera in hand, trying to capture in one picture the amazing abundance of life and activities all around: surfers riding the waves, children playing in the sand, an endless line of volleyball nets ready for players, birds flying, large ships lining up on the horizon, planes taking off at regular intervals from Los Angeles airport…  That was before the age of digital cameras, and it took me a long time to be able to gather into one frame all that my eyes could see - only to be disappointed when the picture was developed.  It was too much, too far away, and the interesting details were lost in the whole.

In time the photograph became a metaphor, and a useful lesson to remember.  Although it is important to look at the broad picture, there is also value in focusing on specific areas, and paying attention to detail.  Last year a special committee took a close look at the Coming of Age program; it validated the success of the program, and generated a lot of good ideas to keep improving it.  This year a newly-formed Curriculum Review Committee is concentrating on fundamental questions about the curriculum: what do we like about what is currently being offered?  What needs to be changed?  Do we even need a curriculum?...  That is the dreaming stage, when everything is possible.  The members of the committee represent a wide diversity of opinions and perspectives, and eventually we will need to hear from the congregation at large what it wants and expects from the Religious Exploration program.  A survey is being designed and is scheduled to be out in early 2008; I hope that many of you will be eager to respond.   By the time the results are collected, I will be on sabbatical and the CR Committee will have to take on the next step – articulating recommendations, which will then be passed on to a “RE Futures” Committee yet to be created.  Its role will be to move on to the implementation stage, and re-shape the RE program to better fit the current needs, desires and commitment of the families and the whole congregation.

Let’s work together, one frame at a time, to make sure that nothing and no one gets lost in the broad landscape of our RE programs.

Fran

 

1st Sunday Outreach Collection

UUCA's First Sunday Outreach Collection for October will be used as pledge funds for Crop Hunger Walk.

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 35  denominations. Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries, CWS supports sustainable self-help development, meets emergency needs, and helps address the root causes of poverty and powerlessness.

 

Did You Know ?

Did you notice the new no parking and stop signs along N. Lawrence Avenue?

When you arrive at church on Sunday mornings are you having trouble finding a parking space?

For your convenience parking is available at the Fahs House and the overflow lot located at the bottom of the paved Fahs House parking lot. UUCA encourages its members to carpool whenever possible.

 

Who am I?

His pen was his principal weapon in his fight for social justice, especially his Beacon Press books on Catholic power, but he had been a public crusader and crusading journalist for decades before his books.

 

 

 

 

UUCA Book Club

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

Our selection for October 16 is March by Geraldine Brooks. Brooks portrays the character of Mr. March from Little Women as he goes off to serve in the Civil War, An adventure which tests his faith in himself and in the Union cause.

On November 20, we will discuss Sam Harris’s Letter to a Christian Nation, a look at fundamentalist Christians and Muslims and their impact on the U.S.’s vulnerability.

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

 

Coming Up, Your New Associate Minister

 

That’s the plan anyway.  It started like this:  A little less than four years ago, Fred, with the approval of the Board, formed a search committee for an assistant minister.  After a lot of hard work, the search committee was pleased to recommend to the Board that Rev. Amber Beland be hired as our Assistant Minister for Lifespan Faith Development.  The Board agreed, Amber agreed, and here we are. 

     And just where are we?  The Board hired Amber as an Assistant Minister.  That's a common arrangement for a recent graduate and it's a much simpler process than calling a minister by the congregation.  There's a little more to it; Amber was "hired to call."  That means that in her third year, this year, we will decide whether to call Amber as our Associate Minister.  By now most of you know Amber and see much of what she does.  Over the next few months, you'll be seeing an information table, more newsletter items, and coffees so that you will have every opportunity to find out about this process.

     -- Bob Ertman & all the members of the the Committee on Professional Ministry for the Assistant Minister, Al Adams, Lisa Combs, Gwen Schindler, Stephanie Alig, Henry Ledbetter, and Scott Gledhill.    

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming, Caring & Connecting

 

Leadership Training Workshop

Lead the Way for UUCA!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

8:30 – 12:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary

RSVP to Susan Eckert at 410/266-8044 ext 110 or email

 to membership@uuca-md.org so we plan appropriately

Continental Breakfast Provided

These are the sessions for this year’s workshop:

Creating Effective Teams—Roxanne Kibben

Effective Listening—Kathy Higdon

Personalities within Groups—Susan Still

Policy Governance Overview—Peter Lamb

Shared Ministry Opportunities at UUCA—Susan Eckert & Tatiana Johanning

What is the role of the Board?—Tod Geimer

We hope you join us and learn more about yourself and UUCA!  Deadline for registration is Monday, October 8, 2007..

 

Questions?  Ask any member of the Nominating Committee:

            Tod Geimer              (410) 562-4188             Tod@quantumstep.com

            Richard Avila            (410) 349-8383 dolphin.nuc@att.net

            Diane Bedlin             (410) 643-3283 dianebedlin@gmail.com

            Fred Ateto                (410) 969-7386             fredtheref@comcast.net

            Karen Thiemeyer      (410) 867-9725 artsyfartsy101@comcast.net

 

 

River Road Congregation announces Name Change

We have been officially notified that the River Road congregation in Bethesda, MD has officially changed its name to RIVER ROAD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION.  Please make corrections to any correspondence you send to them to reflect their new name.  Thank you

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You New to UUCA?

Please join us for these opportunities to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and the UU Church of Annapolis.  The “Newcomer Talk & Tour”– October 7, after the 9 a.m. service or October 14, 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.  “The New UU”– Monday, November 26, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. covers UU theology and UU history.  Please contact Susan Eckert for further information or to request childcare 410-266-8044, x110.

 

A Special Thank You

To those who called, visited, inquired, sent flowers, books, meals and notes; and especially to those who extended their care to my 8-year old, Sandy, when she needed someone, I am deeply grateful. My health is slowly improving and I hope to be able to participate soon in the life of the church.

 

Sincerely, Helene B. Berkowitz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Development

Body and Soul: Centering for Midlife Women  

Meets Tuesday mornings, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., September 25, October 2, October 9, October 16

 

We invite midlife women to inspire one another to be centered and focused. We will clarify our visions and goals and generate energy to enact them. Each session will include some bodywork, creative and spiritual work, and talking. Bodywork could include yoga, tai chi, meditative walking, and progressive relaxation. Creative and spiritual work could be drawing, sewing, chanting, meditating, and guided imagery. Talking could include reading selections from our journal entries made between sessions, listening to one another’s stories, and sisterly chats. Optional lunch at a restaurant follows the sessions. At the end of the 4-week period, the group will decide whether to continue meeting. Group size will be limited to ten.

To register, or for more information, contact Susan Still at 410-544-7529 or susan.still@comcast.net

 

Globalization & Religion: A Question of Values

The economic and cultural process known as globalization is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace. But what exactly is it and how is it changing the global religious landscape? Moreover, why do many of the values inherent in globalization upset so many religiously inclined individuals, from traditionalist Muslims to progressive Christians? Annapolis writer Ira Rifkin will present a two-part lecture on the subject on Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at the Annapolis Unitarian Universalist Church.

The talks, followed by question and answer periods, will be based on Ira's book, Spiritual Perspectives on Globalization: Making Sense of Economic and Cultural Upheaval (2nd edition, Skylight Paths). The book can be purchased from the church’s bookstore.  It is recommended that you read the book prior to the lectures to make for a more informed and lively discussion.

Ira's book describes how aspects of globalization and the values they project conflict with or, in some cases, support the beliefs of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Baha'is, and Earth-based and tribal religions, thus determining how members of these traditions are likely to react.

 Christian Science Monitor praised the book as "a lucid introduction to the values and ethics of eight major faiths." San Francisco Chronicle called it "a though-provoking discussion of how religion can clash against the complement of globalization." The Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, former general secretary of the National Council of Churches, said the book "will help religious people make sense of this complex subject...this is an important read."

 

The talks are open to church members and guests, as well as to those from Congregation Kol Ami, the area synagogue to which Ira belongs.

 

 

Introduction to Buddhist Meditation: A meditation seminar on basic Buddhist practice

We all want to be happy, but generally we don’t understand how to accomplish this. The secret is to look inside our heart and increase our mental peace and stability, learning to harness the power of our own mind. Please join qualified Buddhist teachers from Vikatadamshtri Buddhist Center (Baltimore) for this educational half-day course, to be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, at Annapolis Friends Meeting House, 351 Dubois Road. Class fee is $35. For more information or to register in advance, please call 410-243-3837 or visit Web site at www.MeditationMd.org.

 

R.e. news

Neighboring Faiths (Tweens) Parent Orientation: this Sunday, September 30 in the Susan B. Anthony Room of the Fahs House.  Families will sit together in the sanctuary for the first part of the 9 AM service; this time when the children are sung out, Tweens will remain in the sanctuary for the rest of the service, while their parents will go to the Anthony Room for the orientation.

Religious Exploration Registration: we are trying to finalize the group lists for 2007-2008, and you can help!  If you expect that your children (from Nursery through Grade 12) will attend the Religious Exploration program more than three times this year, and haven’t registered them yet, please do so today (forms are available in the Info Alcove and online at www.uuca-md.org).  Children and youth who are not registered are not included on the class lists, and may miss out on mailings that are sent to their peers.

Not much earlier, not much later please:  parents, remember that RE sessions end at 10:15 AM (12:15 PM for the second session).  Please pick up your children as close to those times as possible - not much earlier so it doesn’t interrupt the session carefully prepared by the volunteer facilitators; not much later so that they don’t have to work “overtime.”  Children in Grade 3 and younger will not be released on their own, and must be picked up by a parent (or a designated adult known by the group leader).  Please make arrangements with your children in grade 4 and up so that they know where to meet you at the end of the session.

 

 

 

 

Hallows: Samhain/Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

At the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice, we pause to remember and honor the dead. We honor ancestors. We honor those we have loved. We honor, too those we never met. We honor all humans. We honor all beings. We honor the perpetual cycle of life.

All are welcome to join Full Circle as we observe Hallows/ Samhain on October 30, 2007.

6:30 PM-- Altar building: Participants may construct an altar to honor those who have passed.

7:00 PM-- Labyrinth walking: Participants may walk the labyrinth in meditation and contemplation.

7:30 PM-- Dumb Supper Feasting: Participants may join in feasting with an empty place set to remember those who have passed. A donation of a can of vegetable soup for feasting is appreciated.

All are welcome. Questions? Contact Raven 267-374-1106. ravenbishop707@yahoo.com

 

Building Your Own Theology 2

Ten Sessions starting Wednesday, October 3

7:00-9:00 pm in the MacLean (Purple Cow) Room

 

This class takes up traditional religious concepts from a UU perspective.  Beginning with an introduction to the Sources of our UU Faith and continuing with sessions on truth and authority, theological diversity, spirituality, sin and salvation, justice, suffering, death and immortality, and the concept of the beloved community this ten week course will allow you to develop a personal credo and interact with these and many other religious concepts.  Prior attendance at Building Your Own Theology 1 is not required, but if you liked the first series, you will enjoy this one.  If you have any questions or want to know more about the course please contact Amber Beland by phone 410-266-8044 ext 107 or email her at assistant@uuca-md.org.

 

Now is the time to submit 2008 budget

request!

 

 

A Life of Questions

 

Nearly every religious faith has a doubting tradition.  Questioning, as we have learned from revelations regarding the saintly-like life of Mother Theresa as well as many other respected figures of faith, is part of living for nearly everyone.  In a reading from our UU hymnal it states: “Doubt is the handmaiden of truth.”  How do you mix faith and doubt?  This series of monthly classes with Fred Muir will use Ten Eternal Questions: Wisdom, Insight, and Reflections for Life’s Journey as a text.  The book is available at the church’s bookstore.  Class times are the third Monday of the month, October 15th through June 16th, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Reading the book and one page of reflective writing are expected for each class.

 

Are you looking for closer relationships with church members? 

 

If so, you may want to join a Covenant Group!

New session starts October 1!

It’s not a social club (but it may be a deep social experience).  It’s not a class (but you may learn a lot).  It’s not therapy (but it may be therapeutic).

 

What is it?

A covenant group is a small relational group of people who meet regularly to share spiritual and personal experiences in an open and honest forum.   Covenant groups encourage people to talk, learn, work and play together over time. Members may tell their life stories, offer support, and engage in work to serve the larger community. Covenant groups offer expanding opportunities for growth, caring and connection within our congregation.  UUCA Covenant groups are intended to be long-term.  The minimum commitment is a 4-month trimester. 

Interested in signing up or learning more? 

Sign up in the Narthex after services on Sunday, September 16 and Sunday, September 23 or fill out a registration form through our website at http://www.uuca-md.org/forms/covenantregistration.htm.  A list of groups will be available at signups.  You can talk to current Covenant Group leaders or members just look for their special nametags.  We are pleased to announce the creation of a new men’s group so if you have been waiting for your chance to join an all men’s group please signup soon.  If you have any questions or want to know more information please call or email Amber Beland, Assistant Minister for Lifespan Faith Development at church.

 

Fall Bible Study

The Gospel of Matthew

Eight Sessions starting

Monday, October 1

7:00-8:30 pm in the Wright Room

In this course we will be reading the Gospel of Matthew. I think of this as the Jewish Gospel. It was put down in written form shortly after Christians, who were originally Jews, were banned from Jewish services. Matthew is also beautiful literature. It is filled with many of the phrases and stories that illuminate our cultural values. Join with us as we explore both the Christian and Jewish themes.  Each session will explore a separate theme. While you will miss something if you miss a session, you will be able to fully participate in any sessions you attend since each is a separate module. To guide our exploration we will use the “Basic Bible Commentary” Matthew by Robert E. Luccock (Abingdon Press, Nashville). Copies of the book will be available at the Church bookstore. Please bring a copy of the Gospel of Matthew to the sessions. It does not matter which translation you bring since we will be comparing the differences in translation. For more information, feel free to contact Scott Gledhill at 410-349-8348 or email scottgledhill@aol.com.

 

 

 

 

Social Justice  & Outreach

YOUTH TRIP TO TRANSYLVANIA

Don't miss the chance to travel to Romania in the summer of 2008 with youth from the church!!

      The trip will include visiting historic sites, fortress churches, small cities and a joint service project with Unitarian teens in our Partner Village of Rava.   This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit this area before European Union regulations change a centuries' old way of life forever.  There are two spaces currently available in the group.  An informational meeting about the trip will be held on Monday, September 24 at 7:30 in the YRUU room of the Fahs House.  For further information call Lynann Rudert at 410-267-0461

 

English Teacher and Program Coordinator for Transylvania

Entering its eleventh year, the English instruction program in Transylvania supports English language teaching for Unitarian ministry students at the Protestant Theological Institute in Cluj/Kolozsvar, Romania. The program is sponsored and administered by Meadville Lombard Theological School and is partially funded by the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council.

Meadville Lombard is seeking a half-time, permanent English Teacher/Coordinator to ensure English language proficiency among Unitarian ministerial students.  S/he will also work with ministerial interns from North America who will assist in the work.

An ideal candidate will either be a native speaker of English or a non-native speaker who has studied the language at the highest level possible. This candidate should have several years’ experience teaching, have excellent communication skills and be able to delegate responsibilities effectively.

The position opens January 2008. Review of applications will begin immediately and will be considered until October 31, 2007. For more information or to apply, please send a letter of interest and a CV to Steven Mitchell.

 

Gallery at 333

People, Places and Things-paintings by local artist Nancy Ostroff, will be featured in the Gallery at 333 from September 6th through the end of October. Her love of color is reflected in her most recent works. 

 

Save the date

Saturday, October 27, 2007

The 3rd Annual Meeting of the

 Unitarian Universalist

Legislative Ministry of Maryland

9:00am—1:00pm

at the UU Congregation of Columbia

Please join us for a day of advocacy training, issue strategizing, and networking as we endeavor to strengthen the UU voice in the MD General Assembly. 

Our keynote speaker will be Delegate Liz Bobo.

 

For more information, go to

www.uulmmd.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts in the Woods

Gallery at 333

Nancy Ostroff,

watercolors, oils,

pastels, acrylics

September-October

 

Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde

October 5, 11, 12, 13 at 8:00pm
October 6 and 14 at 2:00pm
October 7 at 7:30pm

 

The 333 Coffeehouse

The Kennedys

Friday, October 19, 2007

at 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

 

Music for Peace & Justice

Concert Series

 

Rachel Gawell, cello

Peabody Conservatory

 Young Soloist

Sunday, October 21 at 3:00pm

 

Gallery at 333

Alma Nugent, Photographer

November-December

 

The 333 Coffeehouse

Al Petteway & Amy White

Friday, November 16 at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

The 333 Coffeehouse

Siobban Quinn &

Michael Bowers

Friday, December 21 at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

TRIALS CONVICT WILDE, REVEAL VICTORIAN HYPOCRISY AND HOMOPHOBIA

Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde dramatizes legal proceedings that destroyed England’s preeminent writer at the height of his career.  In a series of charges and countercharges resulting from Wilde’s affair with the son of the nobleman, the Marques of Queensbury accused Wilde of being a sodomite.  But the trials also illuminate repressive Victorian morality and hypocrisy that defined the period.

Playwright Moises Kaufman has delved into courtroom testimony, the writings of Oscar Wilde and comments from Wilde’s peers to concoct a riveting, intellectual play that depicts the Victorian era, and reveals the anguished tribulations of Wilde’s downfall.  The play received critical acclaim in its long Off Broadway run, and wherever it has been shown across the country. 

The Annapolis production by Dignity Players, directed by Mickey Handwerger, runs the first two weekends in October.  It features local actors Bryan Barrett, Jim Gallagher, Jamie Hanna, Dan Kavanaugh, Eric Lund, Frank Moorman, Scott Nichols, Joshua Rifle, and Kieran Shea.

Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde will be performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Road (off N. Bestgate Road), Annapolis. Play dates and times are: October 5, 11, 12, 13 at 8:00 p.m.; October 6 and 14 at 2:00 p.m.; October 7 at 7:30 p.m.  Ticket prices are $15 Thursday nights; $10 for matinees; $20 Friday and Saturday evenings.  Senior citizens and students receive a $5 discount off any performance.  For reservations, phone 410/266-8044 x127, or visit www.dignityplayers.org

 

We Did It !