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
Francoise H. Ateto, Director of Religious Exploration
Betsy Jo Angebranndt, Minister of Music
Christol Medley, Church Administrator/Editor

Theresa Novak, Intern Minister

Susan Eckert, Members Services Coordinator

Lori Frederick, Office Assistant

Stephanie Meredith, Sunday Assistant/DRE Assistant

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

Next News Deadline: midnight, 11/01/06

Next Mailing: 11/14/06

Volume 49, Issue 20

October 24, 2006

For All That Is Our Life

“You are welcome here, in the fullness of who you are,” is a message many of us have longed to hear. It is a life affirming and life saving message, and is very much in keeping with what is so wonderful about our religious tradition.

The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, partly through the welcoming congregation program, have been intentionally and officially welcoming of persons of all sexual orientations. If you heard my first sermon here, you know that it was partly this official welcome that helped me find Unitarian Universalism.

Last weekend, I attended the Jubilee II workshop on anti-racism held here with trainers from UUA. It was both a moving and a challenging experience. It was moving to witness the heartfelt commitment of virtually all present to creating a truly inclusive community. It was challenging to be reminded that racism remains so deeply embedded in all of our institutions that eliminating it will not be either simple or swift. We have such a very long way to go before people of color feel truly welcomed, “in the fullness of who they are,” even here, in this liberal religious community, in this denomination, in this Church.

We have begun the journey, however, and from that we can take heart. Around thirty of us attended the workshop, including five members of our Board of Trustees. There will be more opportunities for education and for action. I believe that the day will come when justice will truly “roll down like waters.” May we do all that we can to make it so.

Theresa Novak

Intern Minister

Upcoming Sermons

Oct 29

"For Want of Pennies"

Rev. Fred Muir

    Very few things are as basic as a penny; it is essential to daily living.  Very few things are as basic to life as peace and sustainability, which all people must have in order to feel there is a meaningful future.  This service continues the UUCA United Nations Global Justice Committee's international weekend. 

MUSIC: The All Children's Chorus of Annapolis will sing at the 9 AM service and the UUCA Choir at the 11 AM service.

Nov 5

Young Adult Sunday

Come join the Young Adults Community (18-35 years old) in worship.

Nov 12

Letting God off Leash

Theresa Novak,

Intern Minister

How we imagine God is important, whether or not we believe in God.  There is an alternative to the traditional conception of God that could have a positive impact upon how we live our lives.

Nov 19

Thanksgiving Sunday

Please join us for this Intergenerational Service.

Fire Drill Update

We had a good Fire Drill this past Sunday. There are just a few reminders for everyone for your safety in the case of a real fire. In the future when exiting the sanctuary, please use the closest safe exit door. That may mean using the rear door that leads out to the deck and taking the stairs down to the Memorial Garden. Please be sure to proceed down the outside stairway and away from the building and if you use the front exit please move over onto the path in between the Fahs house and the Main Building as in a real fire the fire department would need to get in the front doors.

Crop Walk A SUCCESS!

The CROP WALK on October 15, 2006 was a great success. The weather was perfect and 10 UU’ers, including pre-teens Lauren and Grace Appel and Miranda Wagner walked a mile and raised $915 to help fight worldwide HUNGER. The Annapolis Walk netted a total of $10,250.

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

R.E.Flections

You heard about it: by the end of this month, any day now, the 300 millionth American will be born. As I am writing this, the identity of the symbolic “baby” is still everyone’s guess – he/she could actually turn out to be a full-grown adult! Speculation started in January, around the estimated time of conception, and demographer William Frey says that there is an 8-in-10 chance that the 300 millionth American will be “either an immigrant or the newborn child of an immigrant.” The odds favor a male, as more boys are born than girls.

On November 20, 1967, Life magazine chose Robert Ken Woo Jr., the descendant of immigrants from China, as the 200 millionth American even though it was all so random, even though he was considered so atypical at the time. The following day President Johnson signed the Air Quality Act to fund anti-pollution research and create regional air emission goals. Mr. Woo went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard; he became a successful lawyer, and still lives in Atlanta where he was born. The articles I read about him never mention his stance on religion.

I am not a demographer, and I enjoy playing with my imagination rather than with numbers and statistics. So my very unscientific bet is that this milestone American – the 300 millionth - would be a Unitarian Universalist, or at least would become one in the course of his lifetime. After all, Thomas Jefferson predicted in 1822 that "there is not a young man now living in the US who will not die an Unitarian"! Male or female? I don’t know, but the person would be part of an inclusive, accepting community of faith where gender identity would never be an issue. She would fit easily into a congregation where diversity - ethnic, theological and political - would be valued and respected. Mindful of the 7^th Principle he would do his best to protect the environment and to use natural resources sparingly. She would work for peace and justice in the community and in a multicultural world…

So what is your prediction? If it’s not too late by the time you read this column, have fun and create your own picture of the 300 millionth American!

Fran

Resources:

Sam Roberts: New York Times, January 13, 2006

Thomas Hargrove: Scripps Howard News Service, June 15, 2006

NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet

Friday, November 10 is the date for the NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet which will be held at the La Fountain Bleu on the Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie. This is a major fund raiser for the Anne Arundel County branch. Leaders in the community who have made contributions to the promotion of African Americans will be recognized. The tickets are $40 for the banquet. They may be purchase from Lois Fussell, 410-956-2641.

Welcoming, Caring & Connecting

Church Retreat

SAVE THE DATE! April 27—29, 2007 are the dates for the annual All Church Retreat at Hashawha Environmental Center. We have reserved four cabins for 2007 so we can have twice the fun that we had last year! Hashawha is 320 acres of carefully managed habitats including streams and ponds, fields and coniferous forests along with Bear Branch Nature Center. The weekend retreat is a fantastic opportunity to get to know one another in a way not possible during our brief time together on Sundays. Our time at Hashawha is spent hiking, kite flying, roasting marshmallows, meditating, challenging ourselves on the rope bridge, visiting the nature center playing board games, cards or just sitting in front of the fire. Also don’t miss this year’s new ‘Egg’citing Challenge! Have a talent you want to share? Please let us know? In the past we have been led in origami, knitting, kite making, Tai’ Chi Chih and yoga.

The cost is $55 per adult, $50 for children 5 –16 and children 4 and under are Free. This price includes two nights accommodations (in heated dormitory-style cabins), all meals Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Friday night some of us pot-luck while others continue a long standing tradition of dinner at a local family style restaurant. Please remember that the retreat is not just for families! Last year we had a contingent from YRUU and we always have single adults and couples without children.

More information about Hashawha and Bear Branch can be found at http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/hashawha.htm or please talk Lisa Combs 410-267-6987, lisacombs@verizon.net or Debbie Cole 410-969-7986 debcole@cablespeed.com.

UUCA

Pastoral Care Team (PCT)

Ministry

Invites you to attend

Surviving the Holidays

Handling Grief and Depression

Sunday, Nov. 12th

6:00—9:00 pm

Sanctuary

Facilitator: Catherine Smith-Heine, MEd/LCPC

Soup n Salad Supper

There is no registration fee required to attend however a suggested donation of $5—$10 will help defray costs.

RSVP Susan Eckert 410-266-8044 or membership@uuca-md.org

Young Adult Talk Circles

The UU Young Adults of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis invite you to join our Sunday Talk Circles! These will run every first and third Sunday from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at 49 West Street in Annapolis, MD. People ages 18 to 35 are welcome. Here we speak from the heart creating a safe space for spiritual growth through conversation. This is a circle of sharing rather than a roundtable debate. The group is connected to the church and affirms UU principles, but does not require membership in the UUCA. Come and see what everyone is talking about! For more information contact the Assistant Minister: Amber Beland at 410-266-8044 ext. 107 or assistant@uuca-md.org or show up on Sunday.

Unitarian Universalist Association Health Plan, Minimum Enrollment

Accomplished

We are pleased to inform you that as of October 15, 2006 556 individuals have enrolled in the new UUA health insurance plan. This number includes 164 UUA headquarters and field staff, and the total exceeds the minimum enrollment that the actuarial firm of Milliman, Inc. recommended for implementation.

Special thanks go to the Compensation Benefits and Pension Committee, the UUA Council on Church Staff Finances, the UUA Finance Committee, and the many employer-congregations and UU related organizations that made this possible.

Gallery At 333

The Gallery at 333 Points of View by three UUCA Artists opens November 5th after services. Deb Boudra is a printmaker and sketch artist, Gail Higginbotham paints in oils and oil pastel and Claire Johnson creates abstract watercolors and mixed media. The opening is November 5th after services.

UUCA Outdoor Club

UUCA Outdoor Club is open to all members and friends of UUCA who wish to enjoy the fellowship of UUs in the setting of an outdoor activity. For more information or to sign up for an activity, please contact Eloise Hoyt 410-768-4932 or ehoyt@toadmail.com

Saturday, November 11 9:00am-3:00pm Hike in Glendening Preserve by Jug Bay Wetlands. Meet at the church at 9:00am. Bring water, snacks. We will eat lunch at a local restaurant.

Book Swap News

What a beautiful day we had to share our books. Thank you to all who participated – those who brought books and those who took books. And a special thank you to Jen Dawson, Elizabeth Reed, and Bill Casey who helped throughout the event. The leftover books went to The Book Thing in Baltimore (check out their great website).

Faith Development

Religious exploration News

Trick or Treat for UNICEF: boxes were distributed in all RE groups last Sunday, and will be available in baskets by the entrance doors on Sunday, October 29. Anyone who does not have an orange box yet and wishes to collect for UNICEF on Halloween night is encouraged to take one home and return it to church the following Sunday. Every donation can make a lifesaving difference, because 91% of the funds raised go to programs helping children! Find more information - and games to play - at unicefusa.org (click on “Youth Action”).

Sunday Morning Programs for Children and Families of all kinds:

▪ Roots and Wings, a program for various age groups offered during the first service; children in Pre-K through Tweens groups attend the first part of the service in the sanctuary with their family, until they are “sung out”.

▪ Worship for All Ages a short, intergenerational service at 10:30 AM in the RE Sanctuary; all are invited!

▪ F.L.A.M.E. (“Fun, Learning, Action, Meaning making and Embracing community”), a multi-age program offered during the second service; children attend the first part of the service in the sanctuary with their family, until they are “sung out”.

Take part in our December holiday service

Singers are needed for the Intergenerational Choir– children (6 years old and up), parents and other adults. Rehearsals will be held between services (10:20-10:55 AM) most Sundays beginning November 5 in the Angebranndt Room. Contact Lynn Rose at (410) 244-6044 for sign-ups.

Children, ages 5 and up, are needed to participate with non-speaking roles in other parts of this colorful service. There will be one MANDATORY rehearsal on Saturday, December 16 in the Sanctuary from 9 to 11 AM. Please call Fran Ateto at (410) 266—8044, ext. 101 or email her at dre@uuca-md.org for sign-ups.

Resource Stewardship

Leadership Seminar

Is serving the church important to you? Have you thought your skills would be valuable as a committee head or board member? Would you like to add to your leadership skills and learn more about how the church works?

The Nomination Committee is presenting the third "Leadership Workshop" on November 4th, 2006 from 8:30am to 12:00pm in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Church.

There are sessions on Policy Governance, The Role of the Board, Running Effective Meetings, Suggested Meeting Requirements, as well as others.

Look for your invitation in the mail next month

Did you know?

Did you know that the industry standard temperature for heating is 68 degrees? The thermostats are programmed to heat the church to this temperature, if this is too cool for you please bring a sweater or jacket with you to the service. Energy costs are on the rise and we are trying to maintain a warm facility and practice Good Stewardship.

Designate 7750 for Affordable Housing

When you consider where to contribute your CFC dollars this fall, remember that we have a social justice institution right in our area formed by UUs from local congregations. UU Affordable Housing Corp. makes loans that banks can’t or won’t make. It supports the most basic need of everyone – the right to a safe, decent place to live – and its loans benefit people who make 80% or less than our area’s median income. UUAHC needs your help more than ever to keep its loans affordable for nonprofit borrowers. Please designate 7750 on your CFC form to support this vital work.

The Need For Hands-on Help is still tremendous!

Volunteer groups from our UU congregations are wished and appreciated!

The way to offer volunteer help from your congregation is to contact the UU Katrina Volunteer Coordinating Center at uukatrine@bellsouth.net. You may also call the office at (225) 926-2283, (225)223-3203 or (225) 223-2876. The folks in the office managed and housed by the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge are in touch with needs in both Mississippi and Louisiana and can direct your congregation’s volunteers to work that will be most helpful.

Have you completed a Commitment Card for 2007?

Your financial commitment will support and deepen Unitarian Universalism in Annapolis, in the lives of our members and friends and in the future. Contact Susan Eckert at 410-266-8044 x110 or stewardship@uuca-md.org

Volunteer

Opportunity

Homework Haven, a tutoring program at Woodside Gardens in Annapolis, is one of the outreach programs in which church members have been participating for seven years. We work with children ages five through ten on homework, reading with or to them and sometimes playing games. The hours are from 3PM to 4:30pm on Mondays thru Thursdays. This year we need the help of a few new volunteers. All of us have found it a joy to work with these children. As volunteers we get insights into the lives of others in our community. Each church member usually takes just one day a week and scheduling can be flexible. If you think that you might be interested, call Lois Fussell at (410- 956-2641) and she will be happy to talk to you about the program. You can also arrange to visit and see if the program is something in which you would like to help.

Social Justice & Outreach

Dignity Players presents : “Death and the Maiden”

Dignity Players is pleased to present its final show of the 2006 season, Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman.  Starring three of Annapolis' finest actors, Vinny Ferrelli, Frank B. Moorman, and CeCe Newbrough, and directed by the award winning Mary Fawcett Watko, Death and the Maiden explores the repercussions of war crimes against women in the telling of the story of Paulina Escobar and her chance encounter with a man she is convinced tortured and raped her 14 years earlier in a military detention center.   Performances are scheduled for November 2, 3, and 4 at 8:00pm and November 4 and 5 at 2:30pm in the UUCA sanctuary.  Tickets can be purchased in the narthex after Sunday services or by calling the church at (410) 266-8044, ext. 127.  Don't miss this explosive drama that bears an eerie resemblance to many of the war-related issues facing our nation today.

Peacebuilding & Sustainable

Development in our

Interdependent World Community

BUHATA PINAY

(Do It, Filipina!)

An International Dinner and Presentation

Saturday, October 28

5.30 PM social hour & dinner

7.00 PM presentation

Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis

333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD

Buhata Pinay (Do It, Filipina!) is a ground-breaking Women’s Rights Worldwide Development Project in collaboration with the UU Women’s Association of the Philippines and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA). In August five UUCA members visited congregations in Manila and the Island of Negros. They will share their experiences and pictures of their trip and the opportunities all of us have to make a difference.

The UUCA United Nations Global Justice Committee invites you to this event. International dress is encouraged. Please bring an international dish to share. Appetizers will be provided.

You are invited to attend the United Nations Sunday Services on October 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis. The All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis will sing at the 9 AM service and the UUCA Choir at the 11 AM service.

For further information, contact Phyllis Marsh, PNMarsh@aol.com , 410.571.0238

Green Tips from Green Sanctuary

Ah, it begins. A certain sign of the approaching holidays. You may have noticed it, each day when you head for your mailbox. It starts slowly – a catalog here, two or three more the next day. By Halloween, the trickle has become a steady stream. By Thanksgiving, it could become a raging torrent. What’s an environmentally conscious tree-hugger to do? How do you stem the tide?

There is something you can do. I started this process a couple of years ago, and with time, my once-overwhelming flood of catalogs dried up to practically nothing. I’ve noticed that they’ve begun to sneak back in again, so I’ll be doing a little dam maintenance in the next few weeks.

A good place to start is with the Direct Marketing Assn’s Mail Preference Service. You can register on-line or by mail; $1 buys you 5 years of peace. In addition, you can go to individual catalog companies’ websites, go to “contact us” (usually under “customer service”), and write them a brief note saying something like “please remove my name from your mailing list”. Most of them are very responsive.

Here’s the DMA contact info:

http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html (follow their instructions for removing your name)

or write them at:

Mail Preference Service

c/o Direct Marketing Assn.

P.O. Box 643

Carmel, NY 10512

Leftover Pumpkins Need Recycling and Need More Volunteers for Oct 26!

On Nov. 1, the leftover pumpkins from the pumpkin patch will get loaded into a dumpster unless some farmer or recycler wants to take them.  A farmer used to take them but he is gone. If you know anyone who can use them, please let Becky Miller know, 410-268-4251 (Thanks, Tracy
Also more volunteers are needed to work the Pumpkin Patch on Oct 26; if you would like to volunteer there.
Please call Becky Miller at number above.

Recycling at UUCA

As we celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct others to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature UUCA provides members with the opportunity to keep the earth green through several programs:

Recycling plastic bottles and cans, Ink cartridges, and paper.

Help us raise some additional funds through your participation in the paper recycling programs. Paper recycling bins are located throughout the church, you can also use the large green and yellow dumpster near the Reserved Sunday Parking space at the Fahs House

We need ALL Your:

Magazines

Office & School Papers

Shopping catalogs

Junk Mail

Newspaper

Coming Soon we will be opening the Green Corner, there you will find more information about what the church is doing as a Green Sanctuary Congregation.

333 Coffeehouse at the UU Church of Annapolis

Friday, October 20, 2006, 8:00 PM

Leah Weiss & Gary Wright

(With Jeff Muller, bass)

Roots-American music, based on Appalachian old- time and country music, with driving fiddle lines and tight harmony singing.

Admission $10 ($8 senior/$5 student) Web site: www.fsgw.org/333

Coming Friday, November 17, 2006: Bill Staines (folk signer-songwriter)

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is to serve the congregation and the community and to affirm the universal spirit of human dignity by creating an environment that challenges, inspires, encourages and supports the quest for religious fulfillment.

We are committed to the church as an institution, to social justice, to liberal religious education, to mutual caring and support, and to the value of diversity.

We invite all persons of every faith and background to engage in a search for truth. We believe in the dignity and worth of every human being and in freedom of expression. We strive to care about each other and the health of our community and the world.

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