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, 11/22/06

Next Mailing: 11/28/06

Volume 49, Issue 21

November 14, 2006

Upcoming Sermons

November 19

Intergenerational Thanksgiving Sunday Worship

Fred Muir

Join us as we observe Thanksgiving with song and story. There is no church school, only nursery care. Families are urged to sit together.

November 26

“Religion For the Rest of (U)Us”

Fred Muir

It’s that time of the year when our thoughts have focused on beginnings, ancestry, ties to our past and how that past has shaped our present and future. This morning I will share some thoughts about these ideas as they relate to our way of faith, especially that half of our faith that few remember to name or understand. See you then.

December 3

Where is Our Holy Church?

Amber Beland

Who are we and where are we going? As we come together this day to vote on the future of our next church year through the budget for 2007 Join our Assistant Minister in thinking about our faith and how we live it out in community.

December 3

Annual Budget

Meeting

At 11: 00a.m. in the Sanctuary the Board of Trustees will present the 2007 Proposed Budget all Members are encourage to attend. We will not have a second service as to encourage your attendance at this very important

congregational event.

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

Keeping the Faith

On a recent Sunday, I spent the 9-10:15 worship hour with the youth and mentors of the Coming-of-Age (COA) program. Each year I’m asked by them to facilitate a discussion on Unitarian Universalist theology. This year I decided to start our time by asking what they wanted or needed to know. Now remember, these are 13 year olds who spend the year exploring Unitarian Universalism, other faith and spiritual practices, religious history, and more; all of this toward writing their personal credo – a statement of religious belief – which will be shared with the congregation on Sunday June 3.

I’m always impressed to know that our youth even talk about religion with their friends, in their classes, with their family. I didn’t! At 13 I either assumed a lot or was too embarrassed to say something religious; so I was silent. Just like most adults, the COA youth don’t hesitate to name the congregation they attend. What’s difficult is what happens next. And in this way, the questions they asked me are nearly the same as the questions asked by adults. There are several versions of the same question. It goes like this: “What do I say after I say ‘I’m a Unitarian Universalist’?”

One of the challenges for Unitarian Universalists when we go to explain and share our faith is to use the language of religious orthodoxy. This is necessary because you have to start where the listener is (not where you wish they would be). That means using language that is familiar to them. Toward this end, you may have heard me say that almost every religion can be understood by looking at how they address these four aspects: Theology, faith, worship, and organization. You can critique, educate, explore, discuss, and understand any way of religion using one of these lenses. And if you can fine tune your answer to each topic using just three or four words, you’ll have one simple sentence that describes your Unitarian Universalism, your faith.

This is what our COA members and mentors are discussing as they work toward writing their Credo. What about you? What do you say after you say, “I’m a Unitarian Universalist”?

Fred

New Spot for UUs in South Florida !

Due to major renovations, the Southeast UU Winter Institute in Miami (SWIM) will actually be held in the historic West Palm Beach area.

SWIM's annual intergenerational retreat for UUs and like-minded people of all ages happens every year from December 26th through Jan 1st.

SWIM offers South Florida sunshine, outdoor adventures (including tours, hikes, paddling), workshops (including spirituality and personal growth), programs for families, singles, youth, teens, and young adults, fantastic food, and a new community of friends from across the continent.

Play, laugh, sing, and celebrate New Year's Eve at SWIM! Join UUs from all over North America for a week of fun in the sun! It's a beautiful time of year to be in South Florida.

This year's theme: Sacred Space.

See more online at http://www.swimuu.org

SWIM is a member in good standing of CU2C2, the Council of Unitarian Universalist Camps & Conferences, an Independent Affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Web of Life

I watched the leaves falling this week as I drove home from work. I marveled in the colors and the crispness of the autumn air. I was reminded of how when I was small I loved to jump in the piles of color-filled leaves, making chaos out of my parents ordered world. The reason these piles were so beautiful to me was the mingling of the shapes and sizes, the bright reds and oranges, dark purples and greens. If I squinted when I looked at them, it was as if I saw the world through a kaleidoscope. They were pretty on the trees but so much more amazing for their mingling together. Seen in comparison with each other they became something more than they could ever be apart. I watched the leaves falling this week and realized that those piles are not so different from our congregation. It is here in this place that we mix and mingle together, here that we build community. This is the place that we are more than we can be alone, a place to renew, to refill, to respond from. This is the place to gather strength for our week, for the fight for justice, strength for our deepest selves.

May you be renewed and refilled by this beloved place,

Amber

Final Deadline Extension on UU Cruise

Join the fun with other UUs as we set sail to raise funds for affordable housing.  Sign up today for a Royal Caribbean cruise to New England and eastern Canada for a spectacular fall voyage departing Sept. 21, 2007. A portion of your vacation dollar will be shared by UU Affordable Housing and UUs for Social Justice to help improve the lives of low- and moderate- income families and individuals in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area.  Royal Caribbean has extended the final reservation deadline to Friday, November 24. For more information, call UU cruise specialist Susan Randolph at 703-757-2220 or visit www.uuahcfundraisingcruise.com.

Another way to support UUAHC: please designate #7750 on your Combined Federal Campaign form.

Welcoming, Caring & Connecting

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

The 2005 Thanksgiving Dinner was such a success with over 25 people attending that we would like to do it again. If at least 10 are interested we will have it again. The turkeys were cooked at the church in roasters and those attending brought side dishes to go with the turkey. Delicious turkey dressing, mashed potatoes, corn bread, cranberry sauce vegetable dishes, jello salads and delicious desserts accompanied the turkey last year. Call Kay Cave at 301-925-7224, or Marjorie Matthews at 410-626-7999 if you are interested in attending and tell her what you could bring.

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 lisacombs@verizon.net or Debbie Cole debcole@cablespeed.com.

UUCA Outdoor Club

Saturday, December 2 9:00am-3:00pm Walk in Ellicott City Historic District. Meet at the church at 9:00am to carpool. We will eat lunch at a local restaurant .

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

UUCA Book Club

Meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the church library. Our selection for November 21 is Naguib Mahfouz’s Palace Walk, a novel set in early 20th century Egypt. The club will not meet in December. If you have any questions, contact Jackie Rocca at 410-349-8351. All are welcome to join us!

Faith Development

Religious exploration News

Intergenerational Thanksgiving Celebrations: on Sunday, November 19, there will be no Religious Exploration for children or youth. Families are encouraged to sit together in the sanctuary. Nursery care will be available during both services as an option for young children only (age: 6 months-5 years). Intergenerational celebrations such as that are an excellent opportunity to familiarize children and youth to the rituals and traditions of the UU community.  The regular R. E. program and nursery care (as well as Worship for All Ages at 10:30 AM and F.L.A.M.E. at 11 AM) will resume on November 26.

Stone Soup: Sunday, December 10, 4:30-7:00 PM. The tradition continues! We will make decorations for the Christmas tree in the sanctuary, and enjoy soup and fellowship. Look for details on the flyer in this newsletter. Sign up to help on the sheet in the narthex.

Worship for All Ages at 10:30 AM and F.L.A.M.E., the Religious Education program at 11 AM, will be held as usual on November 26. In December and early January both programs will be on hiatus to accommodate the many special events during the holiday season. They will resume on January 14.

Introducing Second Sunday Potlucks

Mark your calendar now for Saturday January the 13th from 4-7pm in the Sanctuary.

Join your fellow UUCA members & friends (of all ages) for an InterGenerational Celebration of Fun, Food & Fellowship.

Bring a Covered Dish and an Open Heart!

We will mix & meet to laugh & eat from 4-7pm on the Second Saturday of January 2007 (Second Sundays beginning in February).

Watch for details in the Newsletter and Order-of-Service.

For more information or to volunteer please contact:  Teresa@uuhe.org or Lisa@uuhe.org.

To register please go to: (please add the link here)

Second Sundays are brought to you by UUCA's own Unitarian Universalist Home Educators group.

Resource Stewardship

Wrestling with the Budget

November continues our congregation’s crucial conversation about our church’s immediate future. Fred and the Management Team have a proposed budget and they discussed it at the Nov. 4 “Town Meeting”. YOU need to know (at least) this budget’s broad outlines – we will vote on it at the Congregational Meeting, Sunday, December 3.

What’s new in this proposed budget? It’s about 20% larger than the 2006 budget – that’s a big increase. It includes $30,000 for major repair. This is “must do” maintenance for our facility – fixing a leaky roof, for instance. The proposed budget includes modest staff salary increases that range from 2.5 to 3.5% - not really adequate even as cost of living adjustments. The budget includes slightly increased spending to maintain our commitment to existing programs at UUCA. And there is $30,000 earmarked for strategic planning for future growth of our physical plant, BUT this is funded using “capital funds” that were specially donated over a year ago by a generous member with a strong commitment to UUCA’s future.

So this budget’s proposed expenditures are modest but steady steps in the direction we’ve been going for several years. It assumes less income from various “fundraising” schemes that haven’t always proven reliable in the past. And it assumes a 30% increase in pledge income. That’s what’s really new and important about this budget. This budget sets a goal for UUCA of raising $600,000 through our Stewardship Campaign.

This is a goal that can be achieved… but it will require stretching. After four weeks of the Stewardship Campaign, the median commitment amount - $2000 - is 11% higher than last year at this time. To meet our goal, we will need commitments from more of our members, and we will need very generous giving.

I started this article with shameless alliteration about our Congregation’s Crucial Conversation. Let me add one more C – Commitment. We need full commitment from all of you to maintain our Church’s financial health.

Dick Roop,

Finance Officer

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

Social Justice & Outreach

UUs for Social Justice Maryland Cluster Meeting

Sat. Dec. 9, 9-12:30 at UU Congregation of Columbia you are invited to gather with representatives from sister congregations to use two tools in assessing your congregation’s current place in outreach and, secondly, opportunities for effectively deepening and broadening your work.  Further, there will be information on tools to use in doing diversity/anti-racism work, opportunities to network with other congregations and break out into your interest areas. It’s free. To register, send your contact information to office@uusj.org or call 301-588-1951.

UUCA Members Visit Our Partners in Rava

Lynann Rudert, Al and Jacque Pulsifer, Bill Curtis, Heather Millar, and Carrie Kotcho have returned from their highly successful trip to Transylvania. They spent eight days with our partners in Rava and attended church with them on October 8th and 15th. During the week, they worked to improve the parish house for Zsolt and Aliz Barabas, the minister and his wife. They scrapped, sanded, and painted the windows and doors of the living room. The UUCA visitors also made improvements in the kitchen. They purchased and installed a rack for spices, one for glasses, and one for utensils. They chopped wood that will be used for heating the house and water and for cooking. They also met with many people in Rava and videotaped some of them telling their stories. These will be used in our church as we become acquainted with more of our partners.

The group spent two nights in Homorodalmas with Arpad Csete, the former minister in Rava. They met Arpad’s wife and son and toured his village and church. They also enjoyed dinner in a nearby village with the family of Csaba Tordor who had visited us in Annapolis last year.

The next meeting for our Partner Church Project is Saturday morning, November 11, from 9 to 11 in the Emerson Room of the Fahs House. The agenda includes: more details of the work done in Rava and our meetings with their minister; next steps in Rava; preparations for our Partner Church Weekend scheduled for March 3 and 4, 2007; and an update from those involved with the Philippines. Refreshments will be served and newcomers are welcome.

UUC of Rockville to Hold Benefit Concert

Philip Hosford, a pianist of international reputation, will perform the great piano music of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel and Scriabin, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville ,100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD. 20850 at 4 PM on November 19th. A $10 dollar donation (or as you are able) will be collected and sent to the UUSC to assist in Darfur.  A reception will follow the concert, during which members of the Social Justice Committee of UUCR and Mr. Hosford will be available to discuss the Darfur situation.

UUSC JustWorks camps: Sign up now for 2007 social action experiences

UUSC is excited to announce our 2007 camp and social action opportunities for people of all ages. Join us for one of these meaningful social justice experiences, and help us spread the word about these exciting programs.

Katrina Relief (intergenerational 16 and over), fee $400 New Orleans, Louisiana February 3-10, 2007 Participants will work with a partner organization to repair and rebuild homes and neighborhoods. All skill levels welcome.

Katrina Relief (intergenerational 16 and over), fee $400 Biloxi, Mississippi March 3-10, 2007; March 10-17, 2007 Participants will work with a partner organization to repair and rebuild homes. All skill levels welcome. Skills such as plumbing, electrical, and data entry are particularly desirable.

UUSC and Return to Earth Camp (18 and over), fee $400 Clinton, Oklahoma March 18-24, 2007 Participants will prepare burial sites for unidentified Native American ancestral remains. Projects include planting, building fences, small structures, trails, painting and data-entry.

General Assembly one-day teen camp (16 and over) Portland, Oregon June 23, 2007 UUSC invites teens from across the country to participate in this one-day opportunity during the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Portland. Local transportation and lunch provided.

Freedom Summer 2007: A Civil Right Journey (intergenerational 14 and over), fee $500 Atlanta, Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery Join the Service Committee on the 4th annual Civil Rights Journey to Atlanta, Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham. During this intergenerational trip, we will travel together by bus to visit historical sites that were significant to people who worked to register new voters during Freedom Summer 1964. Participants will also hear the inspirational stories of people who were there. This trip will conclude with electoral-related skills training that will equip participants to return to their communities and campuses as activists.

D.C. Teen Leadership Camp, $400

August 5-10, 2007

Washington, D.C.

Teens from across the country will learn about human rights and how they can be a part of change in their own communities and around the world.

Participants will participate in trainings, skills-building activities and hear from youths who are making changes in their communities.

Application Information

Camp fees help offset the cost of housing, food, and transportation during the program. Fees vary according to the camp.

To apply for a Just Works camp, you can download an application here:

http://www.uusc.org/news/Workcamp03pdfs/workcampapp03.pdf. You may read more about Just Works camps here: http://www.uusc.org/info/workcamps.html

You may also request an application or receive further information by contacting us by e-mail at justworks@uusc.org or by calling Nguyen Weeks at 800-388-3920, ext. 201.

Just Works camps are short-term projects that help volunteers examine and understand the causes and damaging effects of injustice. Participants work directly with people in the communities they serve, experiencing social justice struggles firsthand.

While learning about human rights issues and promoting intercultural understanding and reconciliation, volunteers are taught advocacy skills to address issues of poverty, discrimination and racism. Participants may then apply these skills in their congregations, campuses, and communities. The Just Works program is an important element in our mission to advance justice and protect human rights in the United States and around the world.

Since 1996 the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has operated more than 40 camps across the United States. Our program has provided hands-on learning for more than 2,500 people from around the country, as well as overseas, to work on issues of racial, social, and economic injustice.

Sharing the Blessing

The Light House Shelter provides Thanksgiving baskets to families who otherwise could not afford to celebrate this traditional American holiday. There is a great need for donations of turkeys and/or grocery store gift cards in the amount of $15-$25.

Turkeys and cards may be dropped off at the Shelter Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. In addition, gift cards may be left in the Social Concerns Committee mail box in the church office or mailed to Crystal Brownlee at 206 West Street Annapolis, MD 21401.

Thanks for your help.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS

HAVEN--The HIV/AIDS Volunteer Enrichment Network--enhances the quality of life for people living with and those affected by HIV or AIDS in Anne Arundel County.  HAVEN needs your help to meet a very active fall and winter agenda.  Help plan a Holiday Party in December.  Offer a ride to someone who needs to get to the doctor's.  Visit with someone and lift their spirits.  No matter how much time you can give, you can make a significant difference.  HAVEN will have a Volunteer Training on Thursday, November 16th at 6:15 PM in Glen Burnie.  To register, or to find out more about HAVEN, or to access HAVEN’s services for yourself or a loved one, call  410-224-AIDS.  That's 410-224-2437.  Visit HAVEN on the internet at www.HAVENAnnapolis.org or email HAVENinc@aol.com

Coffee to Go - Veracruz Coffee Tour — January 17–24, 2007

Learn about fair trade, organic, and shade-grown coffee

Open to the public, this tour is for coffee enthusiasts, coffee professionals, students, environmentalists, and social justice advocates. Participants will gain hands-on experience and first-hand insight into the day-to-day reality of small coffee producing families and their communities. Tour members will observe why coffee is related to some of the most urgent and critical issues of our times. Join us to see why seemingly unrelated subjects - from illegal immigration and illegal drugs, to the decline of migratory songbirds and the disintegration of farming communities in Latin America - all come together around coffee production and the cup of coffee we consumers choose to drink.

For more details, visit:

University of Vermont -

http://www.uvm.edu/~advnturs/travelnew/?Page=veracruz.php&SM=locations_submenu.html

For More Information:

Call: (800) 639-3210 or (802) 656-2085

Dear Friend,

 As you know, HAVEN offered a volunteer training in Annapolis in October.

 What you don’t know is that last month’s training had a very, very small turn out. 

 I realize that you are in a powerful position to help HAVEN identify new volunteers.  I know you are an ally in the struggle against this illness.  And I deeply thank you for your passionate support to promote awareness about HIV/AIDS and HAVEN's November volunteer training.  We need you.

Here’s an example of what’s at stake at this very busy time of year: a Holiday Party in December for approximately 160 women, children and men living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.  Several core volunteers who have coordinated this event in the past have moved away.  I am eagerly awaiting to hear from steadfast allies to renew their pledge to support this event.  But HAVEN always needs new volunteers to assist with this major event.   It simply will not happen without people who want to make a difference, active people who care.

Here’s an example of whom it affects.  Imagine a young HIV+ mother, whom, for confidentiality’s sake is a composite character we will call “Amy.”  Amy has two children in elementary school, and she is now a widow.  Amy has very limited means to provide for her family.  Amy is fairly isolated.  Aside from her children, Amy’s nearest relative is several hundred miles away. Imagine that very few people know about her illness.  Lets say Amy found her way into HAVEN.  This compassionate, interconnected community has grown to embrace her and her children.  Amy needs rides to the doctor and an occasional babysitter—and HAVEN volunteers have been able to provide support.  With the holidays coming up, the December Holiday Party has become a highlight for them.  The entire “HAVEN Family” is an extended family for them—full of acceptance and loving-kindness.

 We all know someone like Amy, whether or not we know of her illness.

 Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.  Please contact me if I may provide you with any additional information. 

 Sincerely yours,

Tony Teano

Director of Volunteers & Client Services

410-224-AIDS [2437]

World AIDS Day, the global day of action and remembrance on HIV/AIDS, takes place every December 1. Now in its 19th year,