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, 10/17/2007

Next Mailing: 10/23/2007

Volume 50, Issue 119

October 9, 2007

 

 

Forging Peace through Economic Opportunities in the Philippines: Strategies for Improving Human Livelihood on Negros Island

 

Gloria Guevarra-Futalan

Attorney and Professor

Silliman University

Negros Island, Philippines

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

9:00 am Breakfast   10:00 am Program

UUCA Sanctuary

The UUCA United Nations Global Justice Committee is hosting Professor Futalan and sponsoring this special program.   She serves as a government consultant on peace-making initiatives with rebel forces in rural areas on Negros Island, including areas of special interest to the UUCA and the UU Church of the Philippines (UUCP). Her study area is in the town of Santa Catalina, which includes the Nagbinlod barangay, a UUCA-UUCP Buhata Pinay community, and the site of an earlier program sponsored by the UUCA to provide a water pump and safe drinking water.

Professor Futalan will share the results of her efforts with us, which includes a description of the deplorable situation of Filipinos who were caught in the crossfire between the government and the rebels in the early 1990s, and their mistrust of government efforts.  Her work has been accomplished due to considerable courage on her part.

Professor Futalan will discuss her work with the Philippine National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), focusing on one of the government's positive strategies to resolve long-standing disputes with insurgents. This initiative is the first in a series of collaborative efforts between the local government of the province of Negros Oriental and the national government geared at forging lasting peace through the use of economic means by making business opportunities available instead of guns and bullets. The government has earmarked more than 24,000 hectares of undeveloped land, of which 1,599 hectares will be devoted to agriculture development.

Please join with us to welcome Gloria Futulan to the UU Church of Annapolis.  For more information, contact Chris Nielsen at chrisrkr@erols.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

Upcoming Sermons

 

 

   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.

 

 

October 21

“If I’d Only Known” Rev. Fred Muir, Senior Minister

On October 5th the first national Unitarian Universalist media campaign in over 50 years will begin.  Look in TIME magazine for a full page ad which asks the question, "Is God Keeping You Out of Church?" Over 20,000,000 Americans read TIME each week.  For those who respond to this ad and attend our church, they might say what I have heard hundreds of times: “If I’d only known about Unitarian Universalism …”  How will you respond?  Join me as I explore what we know.

 

 

 

   October 28

“When the Night Comes”

Rev. Amber Beland,

Assistant Minister, LifeSpan Faith

Development

This is the time of year when the dark begins to get longer and we all mourn the leaving of the light.  As the celebration of Halloween approaches come learn about its history and connection to the end of harvest and the beginning of the winter darkness.  

 

 

 

The UUA's New National Marketing Campaign to Grow Our Faith: Nurture Your Spirit, Help Heal Our World

 

If people don't know about us, how will they find us when they're searching for a religious home?

We have exciting news to share with you! Starting in early October the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) will launch its first national media campaign in 50 years!

We’ll be advertising in Time Magazine, the oldest and most widely read news magazine in the country.

The UUA will run two full page ads and two "advertorials," October through December, 2007.

An "advertorial" is a unique concept which includes a two-page spread—a 1/3 page ad on the far left and a 2/3 page ad on the right. Between the ads is a magazine story. The ad is about religion in America and has both Time Magazine and UUA logos on it, thus indicating Time Magazine's recognition of Unitarian Universalism's credibility and significance.

This strong partnership positions our faith as the liberal religious authority on major issues of our time.

The campaign is designed to:

·       Inspire members to take greater pride in their identity as Unitarian Universalists

·       Encourage Unitarian Universalists to invite friends and family to visit congregations

 

·       Raise name recognition of Unitarian Universalism (UUism)

·       Give Unitarian Universalism a voice in the national discourse about faith.

This is an important time for our faith.  Let’s be ready, with open doors and welcoming hearts, to the new possibilities ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

 

Keep the Faith

I have never seen a hedgehog.  Actually, I’m not even sure where I would have to go to find one!  But recently I attended a workshop where I was introduced to the Hedgehog Theory which goes like this:

      A fox sneaks up on a hedgehog with the hope of having a good meal.  One might think that the fox has an unfair advantage given its assortment of aggressive options supported by quickness and intelligence while the hedgehog has a distinct defensive disadvantage because it only knows how to do one thing and one thing only as a means of protection – it can only curl up in a firm ball with its prickly spines pointing outward against aggressors like the fox.  As the fox approaches, the hedgehog does what it knows best.  And so does the fox who sniffs, circles the hedgehog, tries and tries to figure out how to break down the hedgehog’s defense.  Eventually, the fox lies down and watches, looking for an opportunity (or an insight?).  Nothing happens and finally the fox leaves for something easier to conquer.

      My workshop leader used the Hedgehog Theory to illustrate a lesson that applies to congregational life.  She explained that churches in towns, cities and regions where adults and families have many opportunities or options for a faith community, it can be vital that a congregation know – like the hedgehog – what it does best.  She suggested that didn’t mean only doing one thing; few congregations could get away with being this limited.  But a congregation needs a vision of what it does or will do best, what sets it apart from all the others, where it will focus.  This one thing is done with transparency (everyone knows), deliberateness (it’s planned), and enthusiasm (there’s energy around the vision).

      Whether you’ve seen a hedgehog or not, how would you apply this theory to our congregation.  Do you think that we already have a hedgehog posture, that is, one thing that we do best, something that no one else does, something that makes us unique?  I’d love to know what you’ve identified!

     

See you soon and keep the faith

 

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Women’s cancer Support Group Gathering

Thursday November 8, 6:30 p.m. at Viet-Thai Paradise located at 2652 Riva Rd.  (Same shopping center as CVS). The menu is varied and reasonably priced. Vegetarian meals and salads available, Our focus will be on eating healthy, and sharing ways to look our best.  An evening of fellowship and conversation.  To make a reservation call or email Claire Johnson at 410-224-0998, or email her at clairejj@comcast.net.   Please call no later than Monday, November 5.

                                    Claire Johnson and Ginny Klocko

 

SOLD!!! “Dining for Dollar$” silent auction needs you!

 

A silent auction featuring fun and festive dinners, professional services and more to benefit UUCA is in need of donations. Bidding will take place between Sunday services on November 18, 25, with final bidding culminating on December 2, in conjunction with the congregational meeting. Similar events have been successful for other congregations, and this one should prove to offer plenty of opportunities for fun, festivity, and fellowship. If you would like to host an event on which members will bid to attend, the sky is the limit – a gourmet dinner or wine tasting at home, a family picnic, a Chesapeake sailing cruise, a crab feast, tickets to a sporting event, professional services are all fair game. Donate an event to help raise funds for the church and have fun with other members of the congregation. It’s a Win-Win! For more information in the next newsletter or contact Bridget Avila (410-349-8383, bridget.avila@verizon.net) or Diane Ratcliff (410-757-3295, dratcliff940@comcast.net).

 

 

 

 

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                                   Tod-at-quantumstep.com

            Richard Avila                                 dolphin.nuc-at-att.net

            Diane Bedlin                                  dianebedlin-at-gmail.com

            Fred Ateto                                     fredtheref-at-comcast.net

            Karen Thiemeyer                           artsyfartsy101-at-comcast.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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”– Sunday, 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.

 

Uuca tea & thee!

 

Please join us at the very first UUCA Tea and Thee where you will find tea, libations, goodies and congeniality.

WHERE:  Narthex at UUCA

WHEN:  Thursday, November 1, 2007

TIME:  2:00 to 4:00 PM

RSVP BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007 to:

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

Transportation can be arranged as needed.

 

Uuca outdoor club

Saturday, November 10, 2007   9:00am-6:00pm   Trail Hike and Wildlife Drive,  Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Eastern Shore    Meet at church at 9:00am to carpool.  We will hike the trails and observe the wintering birds.  Bring snacks or light lunch for the trail; then we will have a late lunch at a restaurant in Cambridge.  Bring binoculars, water.  Wear walking shoes; dress in layers. For more information and to sign up, please contact Eloise Hoyt, ehoyt@toadmail.com or 410-768-4932.

 

Building, Setting,  Expanding the WELCOME TABLE

 

UU Congregation of Fairfax, VA

2709 Hunter Mill Road
Oakton, VA   22124
703-281-4230
www.uucf.org

This day-long conference will offer Inspiration and a variety of Practical Tools & Resources for moving our UU congregations towards being Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive, Welcoming, and more diverse communities – building the world of a multicultural beloved community reflective of our nation.

We will feature Professor Sherrilyn Ifill, Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Law School, as our featured speaker. Professor Ifill is nationally recognized as an advocate in the areas of civil rights, voting rights, judicial diversity and judicial decision-making. She teaches Civil Procedure, Legal Writing, and a seminar on Reparations, Reconciliation and Restorative Justice.  Her book about truth and reconciliation commissions for lynching entitled, On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century was released by Beacon Books in February 2007.  She recently spoke to a large audience at the Portland General Assembly.

Also featured will be an example of transformative worship led by Rev. John Crestwell.  We also will have various videos running continuously throughout the day as additional resources.  People will be present for leading discussion and answering questions.

      Changing the practices that reinforce inequality is hard, especially when they are invisible to those in power.  When they are built into our institutions, they operate at an unconscious level.  Because everything about race is loaded, even opening our eyes to racial injustice (and what we are not doing to stop it) is a powerful step towards living into our humanity and enabling ourselves to work for the changes that are possible.

            It's hard to interest our congregations in this work.  The most frequent requests from those UUs who see this potential is for the concrete steps that will help them to inspire this “Journey Toward Wholeness” work within their congregations.We urge as many congregational leaders and members as possible to take advantage of this opportunity to gather and to explore tools that can help their congregations along this fulfilling journey.  You are invited to stay for dinner followed by the sermon of the 2007 JTW Sermon Award preacher and a concert by the Jubilee Singers of All Souls Church, Unitarian, from Washington, DC.

$35.00 per Adult (Includes Lunch, Dinner, & Concert)

Youth/Young Adult Rate: $17.00

Make payment to the JPD and indicate in the notation that it is for “Racial Justice Conference.”  Full Fair Share Congregations receive 20% discount of $7.00 per registrant off adult fee.

Youth/Young Adult fee is already discounted.

Early registration deadline is October 15th.  After that date a late fee of $10.00 will be assessed.  No further registrations will be taken after October 23rd.

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Development

 

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R.e. news

A Reminder to Parents: we strive to keep everyone safe!  Only nursery children (6 months-2-3 years of age) may be dropped off in the nursery at 9:00 or 11:00 AM.

At 9 AM and 11 AM parents must keep their children (Pre-K through grade 6) with them through the first part of the service until they are sung out of the sanctuary; our volunteer R.E. facilitators come in early to set up their room – they cannot (and should not be expected to) watch children who are playing in the hallways and rooms, or on the playground.

At 10:15 AM (when the first session ends) and at 12:15 PM (when the second session ends) children in grade 3 and younger must be picked up by a parent or a designated adult; children and youth in grade 4 and up will be released on their own.

 

Trick or Treat for UNICEF: collection boxes will be distributed in all RE groups on Sunday, October 28.  Don’t be surprised if a child approaches you during one of the social hours to collect for UNICEF.    Please be ready - bring plenty of change as you may be solicited more than once!  Remember that every donation can make a lifesaving difference, because 91% of the funds raised go to programs helping children.

 

 

 

BUILDING A DAILY PRACTICE OF INTENTIONAL LIVING

OVERVIEW. In this program we will explore how each of us have developed Personal Daily Practices of our own of all kinds of activities and how we can make them more intentional and maintain them over many years. It will include exercises in active meditation, discussion of meditative reminders, and meditative walking, listening, talking, breathing, dancing and working. The class will be held from 7-9pm in the Brown (YRUU) room of the Fahs House on the following Tuesdays: 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27, 12/4, and 12/18 (November and December meeting will occur if enough people are interested in continuing program). Richard Crenshaw will be our guide, but others will occasionally lead the class (e.g. Carol Schenker for Dance of Universal Peace). If there is some regular interest by several members, we will see about becoming a spirituality practice group here at the church.  For more information please contact Tracy Gill at tgillannap@gmail.com or Richard Crenshaw at richard@maggiesmusic.com

ABOUT THE PROGRAM. We would begin by discussing what it means to live intentionally and the barriers which prevent us from doing it. The objective would be to help people become more aware of their existing Daily Practice and make it more intentional. We will explore intentional walking, singing, listening, speaking, dancing, eating and working in our daily lives and how to make these more intentional.

BUILDING A DAILY PRACTICE OF INTENTIONAL LIVING

SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2007

10/2    Introduction We will begin by discussing what it means to live intentionally and the barriers which prevent us from doing it.

10/16 What Daily Practice do we all have? Explore how everyone has developed a Personal Daily Practices of living and how they can make it more intentional. Lead by Bob Geissel who has been developing his Daily Practice over the last twenty years.

10/30 Walking / Running – Mindful Walking, Door alarm clocks

11/13 Dance / Movements - Dances of Universal Peace with Carol Schenker, Tai Chi, Gurdjieff Dance, play Gurdjieff music.

11/27  Singing / Chanting – Play Gurumayi, Mindful Songs, Bird Alarms

12/4    Compassionate Communication – Marshall Rosenburg, Lyn Morris

12/18  Working / Crafting – Carla Needleman, Art of Craft, Pomanders, Washing Dishes

12/?  Serving / Eating – Tea Ceremony, Mindful Eating, Combine them all, and talk about how wonderful life is

 

 

 

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 ravenbishop707-at-yahoo.com

 

UUA Campus Ministry Leadership Development Conference

 

Please share this information with your congregations and forward to any young adults and students (trade, professional, college, graduate, etc.) who might be interested. An email with flyer will follow. Please post at your church or meeting space.
Thank you,
Natalia Averett
Member, Unitarian Universalist Joseph Priestley District Young Adult/Campus Ministry Steering Committee
UUA Campus Ministry Leadership Development Conference
Friday, November 2nd (6 PM) - Saturday November 3rd (6 PM)
UU Church of the Restoration
6900 Stenton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $20 - $30 (sliding scale)
Description
If you are a student (undergraduate, graduate, or professional) or an active campus ministry adviser, save November 2 and 3 for the Campus Ministry Leadership Conference in Philadelphia, PA. This conference, sponsored by the JPD UU Young Adult Network and generously hosted by the UU Church of the Restoration, will feature shared wisdom and fun times.
To register: www.connectuu.com, http://connectuu.com/events.php?action=view&event_id=1127
or email reservation to patty.gallivan@gmail.com

 

Web of life

"Religion is not something separate and apart from ordinary life. It is life-life of every kind viewed from the standpoint of meaning and purpose: life lived in the fuller awareness of its human quality and spiritual significance." These are the words of A. Powell Davies, minister of All Souls in Washington DC from 1944 to 1957.  He names a part of this religious experience of ours that I think many of us try to live out beyond the time we spend together on Sunday mornings.  Many of you have shared how you are living out your faith, shared the stories of the ways in which this religion informs your choices and connects you to the world around you.  His words call us to live more fully into the world itself, to be our full selves taking our religious and spiritual experiences beyond the privacy of our own minds and homes and into what he calls ordinary life.  I find this idea to be both a challenge and prophetic vision for how each of us might live our lives.  I had not studied much about A. Powell Davies but in the last year I have been serving on one of our Baltimore Washington Growth Committee’s subgroups, the one organizing the regional JUUbilee that is coming up on Saturday, October 13 from 4-5:30 pm and is being hosted by All Souls.  This connection has meant that I have had the chance to learn more about the ministry of Reverend Davies, who fought racial injustice, had a prophetic voice and grew the movement of Unitarianism in our region.  This ministry and the interconnection of churches in our area are what will be celebrated at the JUUbilee and I hope that you will think of coming to the celebration and connecting with other Unitarian Universalists in the area.  Indeed this religion of ours is not something separate but an integral part of who we are, how we live in this world, and the choices we make in it.

 

Blessings,

Amber

 

 

GLOBALIZATION & RELIGION:

A QUESTION OF VALUES

All are welcome to attend this two part lecture presented by writer Ira Rifkin on Tuesday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 13 in the Sanctuary.

 

 

 

 

Social Justice  & Outreach

UULM-MD Annual Meeting