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

Joyce Palmer, Intern Minister

Susan Eckert, Members Services Coordinator

Lori Frederick, Office Assistant

Stephanie Meredith, Newsletter/DRE Assistant

 

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

Next News Deadline: midnight, 8/16/06

Next Mailing: 8/22/06

Volume 49, Issue 15

August 8, 2006

 

 

 

Join the UUCA 50th Anniversary Parade!

 

It’s hard to believe that one year ago the UUCA began celebrating its fiftieth year.  Many events and celebrations have marked this past year:

  • Each month, October through April, one of the former intern ministers returned to share her/his reflections on the Annapolis Church
  • A highly successful Talent Show was held in November
  • A celebration banquet was held in April
  • The President of the UUA, Rev William Sinkford, preached at the Anniversary services on April 30th
  • Local and UU articles recognized our 50th
  • In addition to the 50th celebration this past year, the UUCA was named a Breakthrough Congregation by the UUA.
  • Sunday September 10, 2006  at the 10 a.m. service we will culminate the celebration our 50th Anniversary Year.

 

For the first time in our 50 year history, the day will begin with a HUGE PARADE.  All marchers will meet in the Quaker Church parking lot at 9:30 and travel to the front door of UUCA.  The 10am service will include opening the time capsule from the 40th anniversary; filling the time capsule for the 50th; viewing the Breakthrough video (premiered at General Assembly); and hearing the Choir’s top 4 favorite songs.

Following the service is an Intergenerational Family Potluck Picnic, ceremony to bury the time capsule and Family Sing-along with some of UUCA’s finest musicians.

Please hold the morning of SEPTEMBER 10TH  --- more details will follow.  Please contact Diane Ratcliff, dratcliff940@comcast.net or 410-757-3295 if you would like to help or have any questions.

 

 

 

Upcoming Sermons

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug 13

 “Jesus of the People”

Joyce Palmer

This sermon is inspired by an image of Jesus painted by Janet McKenzie. In the painting Jesus is dark-skinned and surrounded by three sacred symbols. How does this image challenge who Jesus is and can be for the world today?

 

 

 

Aug 20

“Roots and Wings”

Joyce Palmer

In a wonderful little book entitled Deeply Woven Roots, Gary Gunderson presents the strengths of the church. Come celebrate the strengths I have found in this congregation and some ideas about how strengths can help us soar into the future. This will be my final worship service as your Intern/Summer Minister.

 

August 27

“Summer As a State of Mind”

Rev. Fred Muir

My dilemma: How to keep the summer state of mind going throughout the year.  Sound familiar?  Maybe not, but there’s a lesson to be learned by everyone as we begin thinking of leaving August for September.  Join me as I look at this transition.

 

Sept 3

Rev. Amber Beland

 

Sept 10

50th Anniversary Committee

Sunday September 10, 2006  at the 10 a.m. service we will culminate the celebration our 50th Anniversary Year.

For the first time in our 50 year history, the day will begin with a HUGE PARADE.  All marchers will meet in the Quaker Church parking lot at 9:30 and travel to the front door of UUCA.

 

Sept 17

Return to two services

On September 17, 2006 UUCA will return to it’s Fall Church Services schedule. Services will be held at 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.. Children’s Religious Exploration will be offered during both services. Nursery Care is available during both services. For more information or to register your child (ren) for Children’s Religious Exploration Please contact Fran Ateto at 410-266-8044 ext 101 or dre@uuca-md.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Our Beloved Community

UUCA hires New Office Assistant

After months of interviews,  the search for a new office assistant has ended and Carlitta (Carli) Gross has joined the UUCA staff.

            Born in Baltimore, MD, Carlitta Gross, known as Carli, relocated to historic Chestertown, MD in 1984.  Carli graduated from Chesapeake College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.  Her passion for volunteering, especially with disabled children and adults, has led her to be on several committees on the Eastern Shore.  While assisting Special Olympics of Maryland, Carli finds the time to volunteer for the Kent County Chapters of American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and Jaycees.  An avid sports fan and player, she delves into the local recreation leagues, actively competing in various sports, such as lacrosse, field hockey, basketball, and volleyball.  When she has down time, you will likely find her cruising the Annapolis Mall or Harbour Center.  Carli enjoys traveling with her daughter, Chanin.

Carli’s duties include calendaring, newsletter and order of service productions and general office support. Please feel free to stop by and say hello and welcome her to our staff.

 

Keeping the Faith

 

Some friends of mine who live in the Cleveland area recently attended a wedding at their local Unitarian Universalist church.  They arrived early and did what many early arrivers do at our churches; they read the literature and bulletin boards!  My friends write that they were surprised to see several copies of a UUA publication that had “pages and pages of good stuff about the UU Church of Annapolis.”  They were impressed, excited, and wanted to know why I hadn’t told them.  They wondered if the drive from Cleveland was too long for Sunday morning attendance.

      What they are referring to is the UUA publication “Interconnections.”  In the most recent issue, half (yes, half!) of the newsletter is about UUCAnnapolis (copies are available in the information area). Staff interviews, statistics, programs, stewardship notes and more are among the topics addressed.  It all was a result of being named a UUA Breakthrough Congregation.  After reading the articles several times, I was impressed – We do all that! - and humbled - We do all that? – at the same time.

      Of course we do everything described in the article.  And like my friends asked, I ask you: Why don’t we tell more people about our congregation?  A couple of weeks ago, Joyce reminded me that most people learn about Unitarian Universalism from a friend.  The only time we looked at this phenomenon we learned that nearly 60% of all visitors came because of a friend.

      And the reason we can do what’s named in the article is because of committed and passionate leadership from you and UUCA’s staff: You are what keep our congregation vital, enriching, and meaningful.  Without your support and participation, we could not – we would not – be the congregation described in “Interconnections.”

      So what’s my message?  Tell your friends about us – don’t make them discover us in a news article and then say, as we’ve heard thousands of times, “If I’d only known that a congregation like this existed!”  And second, get involved; volunteer for a project or event; don’t wait to be asked – if you’re not sure where to start, speak with me.

      It’s nearly September.  I look forward to these last days of August and to seeing you soon. 

 

 

Take care and keep the faith,

      Fred

 

Web of Life

 

It is August already and I am excited to say that I am about to begin my second year as your Assistant Minister.  I am reviewed each year as part of my process for continuing Preliminary Fellowship (from the Unitarian Universalist Association).  I am just finishing my first renewal and thought it might be a good time to let you know some of the work that I have been a part of this year.  First, it has been wonderful to develop my own ministry along with this church as we celebrated not only the 50th Anniversary but also our recognition from the UUA as a Breakthrough Congregation.  In addition to adding my position on the staff, the congregation voted to change to a new governance process.  This has created the management team that I am a part of and through this I have felt connected to the larger workings of the church community.  My job description is very specific and I have spent much of my time getting settled in and meeting you.  I have been working with many committees and planning teams that existed before I arrived.  I am now in charge of both the ministry and administration of the Covenant Group Program.  I have been working with the PathWork Planning Team where we have created a quarterly booklet with course offerings and listings of all the adult offerings in the congregation.  I also co-facilitated a UU history and theology course.  We are currently creating a listing of the coming year’s courses so that you can plan a Path through your own personal spiritual exploration.  The Young Adult group has been meeting in Talk Circles regularly at 49 West; these are conversations that allow people in this age group to get to know each other better.  Fran and I have worked on a number of programs.  In addition to intergenerational worship and programming, we have been working with the YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) Advisors and creating a new joint committee of youth and adults that will better communication and be a connection between the congregation and the youth.  I have been honored to be a part of life transitions performing a marriage, a child dedication and a memorial.  In the coming year I will work on recreating the Covenant Group Steering Committee, with the Young Adults plan worship and social justice events, and do some campus outreach.  Fran and I are planning a new all ages worship program offered at 10:30 and a related program at 11 that will facilitate connection between and among the age groups and those who attend both the services.  I will have time to get to know you better, as I preach more and meet with different committees to get a better understanding of the good work that various committees do.  If we have not yet had a chance to meet I hope that this coming year will allow us to connect.  I look forward to a continuing deepening of my ministry here at UUCA.

 

 Sincerely,

 Amber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming, Caring & Connecting

UUCA PASTORAL CARE TEAM IS HERE FOR YOU!

 

During the month of July, Team Care Providers

·        Made three visits to UU’s at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

·        Provided transportation to medical appointments on three occasions

·        Made numerous phone calls to follow up on various individual care needs

·        Mailed five cards from the Care Corner

·        Delivered a meal to a member recovering from surgery

·        Provided respite care for the family of a church member on five occasions

Are you in need of a caring friend who will listen, empathize, encourage and provide confidential care and patiently support you as you work through a crisis or difficult time?  Do you know someone, perhaps a friend, neighbor or relative affiliated with the UUCA, who could benefit from this type of care?  Then contact one of our Coordinators.  They can tell you more about our Pastoral Care Ministry and how you can be matched with a Care Minister:

Care Minister Coordinators:

Susan Eckert      (410) 266-8044 (weekdays)

Carol Friend       (410) 544-2846 (evenings, weekends)

 Care Ministers:

Pat Fleeharty      Andrea Germain

Doris Hansen      Kathy Higdon

Kathy Hughes     Bill Hope

 

♥ Please be sure to register as a Unitarian Universalist if you are admitted to Anne Arundel Medical Center.  Due to regulations, it may be the only way our Care Ministers will know to check on you and offer support.♥

 

 

 

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, September 9, 2006  9:00am-2:00pm  Kayak/Canoe on the Rhode River from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.  Must provide own watercraft.  Bring boat, paddle, life preserver (required), water, snack, lunch.  Meet at the church at 9:00am.  

October Bike Ride – Date not yet determined
Saturday, October 14  Kayak/Canoe Tuckahoe Creek, Eastern Shore
Saturday, November 11  Hike in Glendening Preserve by Jug Bay Wetlands
Saturday, December 2  Walk in Ellicott City Historic District

 

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UUCA Book Club

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

Our upcoming selections are as follows:

August 15 The Tortilla Curtain by T. Coraghessan Boyle

September 19 Out of the Flames by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone.

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

 

 

Don’t Miss the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Memorial

Dedication: Maryland’s First King Memorial

 

You are invited to attend the dedication ceremonies for the first permanent memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the State of Maryland on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 3 PM at Anne Arundel Community College, West Campus, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD . This event will take place rain or shine. For directions: http://aacc.edu/locationsandmaps/directions.cfm. We look forward to celebrating the vision and dream of Dr. King with the residents of Maryland.

 

 

Faith Development

 

Thank You

As I sit down to write this note I am struggling for words. I am struggling to find a way to say goodbye to a community so full of warmth, energy, compassion, and strength. How do I put into words my feeling of gratitude as so many of you welcomed me into your lives? How could I ever describe the many gifts you’ve freely given me this year? Your gifts of hospitality, support, and friendship mean so much to me. I’ve enjoyed the year-long celebration marking 50 years of liberal religion in Annapolis as well as the challenges of going “live” with Policy Governance. I am thankful for all the feedback about my practice of ministry. I have grown so much this year thanks to your care.

Next year Theresa Novak will join you as the Ministerial Intern and the process of welcoming, teaching, and learning will begin once again. I could not wish for her a better place to experience what it means to do ministry well. Thank you again for your presence in my life this year.

 

Blessings to you all,

                  Joyce 

 

 

Summer Religious Exploration Program

Every Sunday 10:00 AM-11:15 AM June 18 through September 3

 

Nursery for children 2-4 years old and younger: children may be left in the Nursery at 10 AM and picked up by 11:15 AM.

 

Keepers of the Earth , a multi-age program for 3-4 to 10-year olds. Children sit with their family for the first part of the service until they are sung out of the sanctuary to participate in activities downstairs. Parents are asked to pick up their children by 11:15 AM. All sessions will be led by Hallie Andrew or Katie Michaelson, Children’s Program Coordinators, assisted by adult volunteers.

August 13: The topic will be "Animals", led by Hallie Andrew with assistants Melissa Nortman and Gwen Schindler.

August 20: The topic will be "Life, Death and Spirit", led by Hallie Andrew with assistants Tatiana Johanning.

 

Tweens (for 11 to 13-year-olds): there are two special sessions remaining: August 13 and 27. For details, look for the bright yellow flier posted by the entrance door downstairs and in the Info Alcove. On other Sundays, Tweens are invited to attend the service with their family, or help out in the Children’s Program.

 

YRUU (for youth in high school) will meet most Sundays; special activities are planned for June 25, July 16 and August 6. Contacts: Phoenix or Winters Geimer (410-349-0945) or Kristina Korona (410-990-1625).

 

Women & Religion Newsletter

The Summer 2006 Women & Religion Newsletter is available in the information alcove on the church bulletin board.  This issue includes personal sharing of experiences from General Assembly and the Women’s Spring Retreat, also an article about the republication of the popular feminist thealogy curriculum Cakes for the Queen of Heaven.

 

Resource Stewardship

Finance Notes

 

Each year in November or December, the UUCA congregation adopts an annual budget.  It’s a plan for the year ahead predicting how we will raise and spend our money, how we will fund and operate our Church and its services, programs, facilities, and staff.

To plan our budget, the Church asks members and friends to either (1) make a pledge or (2) provide an estimate of their annual support.  At the start of 2006, we had 227 “pledge units” - individuals or families who made pledges or estimated their contributions.  Our 227 pledge units represent about 356 people.  In February, UUCA reported its membership as 570 persons.  So these pledges and estimates come from about 60% of the congregation and pay over 80% of our expenses.  You can see that the budget and pledge processes are key to running our church smoothly and responsibly.

Each month, UUCA’s Management Team tracks income and expenses.  As of July 31, total income is about 2% below budget while expenses are about 2% over budget.  While this might sound pretty good, it means that UUCA is currently out of balance by about $18,000 and having to dip substantially into cash reserves.  I am also concerned that pledge income is 10% below budget (short by $28,000).  If this continues, the Management Team may have to look for places to cut expenses.

Most of UUCA’s expenses are either fixed (like salaries) or increasing (like utilities).  The 2006 budget was very spare to begin with – we already tightened the 2006 budget by not funding our “rainy day funds” or reserve accounts like the “major repairs escrow” or “operating reserve”.  If we have to limit spending, it means bad things like cutting back on programs like RE, community outreach, or social action.

I want to leave you with three messages:  (1) THANK YOU for your generosity which makes our Church the strong and vital faith community that it is; (2) remember that our Church requires an ongoing, delicate balancing act between dreams of what we want to accomplish and the reality of what we can afford; (3) help balance our income and expenditure by considering if your contributions to the church are “up to date,” and contributing NOW if you can.  (We will soon send out statements to members and friends on the status of your pledges and planned contributions).

 

                                          – Dick Roop, Finance Officer

 

HELP WANTED: Land Surveyor.

Reasonable price to survey UUCA church property, reset monuments for Strategic Planning And Resource Committee (SPARC).

Please contact Margaret Martin (nchantd1@verizon.net) at 410-923-6045 or Kirk Allbright (kirk.allbright@verizon.net) at 410-507-9939.

 

Childcare  Training

Saturday, August 19,

9:00 AM. -  4:00 PM

An interactive program for youth, age 11-15, that gives them the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for infants through primary school-age children. Topics include how to interview for a job, react to an emergency or sudden illness, play with children of different ages and supervise children in all aspects of care. Please note: State law requires that children under age 8 be in the care of someone 13 or older.

 

 

 

Social justice & Outreach

Green Tips from Green Sanctuary

 

Saving money on your electric bill to offset price increases

by Peter Bergstrom and John Saams

Here are some suggestions to ease the pain of higher electricity prices, especially if you are a BGE customer.  For a more in-depth look at ways to save energy at home, you can visit http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/ to perform an energy self-audit.

Ways to save money (but not necessarily energy)

Get water heater and heat pump switches from BGE (if still available).  BGE used to install radio-controlled switches on heat pumps, central AC,  and electric hot water heaters.  These allow BGE to shut these appliances off for brief periods to reduce the risk of brown and black-outs; you get a summer credit of $10 and $5/mo, respectively, for having them.  However, they are not mentioned on the BGE web site, so they may not be installing them any more.

 

You can request “Time of use” metering from BGE, and it can save money.  In some areas this is required but it’s optional with BGE.  Time of use metering could cost more than what you pay now, however, unless you shift some of your ‘optional’ electricity usage (such as laundry) to the cheaper 11 PM to 7 AM period, and all day on weekends.  The activity patterns at our house are also a factor; time of use will save you more if few or no people are at home during the day, especially if you have a programmable thermostat that reduces heating and cooling costs during the day.  Also, it costs $12 extra per month to have Time of use metering with BGE, and you may not be able to switch back once they install a new meter.

 

2. Low cost / No cost efforts to save both money & energy

There are many easy ways to save energy.  Make sure you perform routine maintenance and follow these simple ideas;

Change your air filter regularly to reduce air conditioning and heating costs

Clean refrigerator and freezer coils to keep them running efficiently

Turn off unused lights

Shut down computers when not in use. Adjust your computer to go to sleep after a period of inactivity (screensavers do not save energy).

If possible, turn off appliances with remote controls using a power strip (remote controlled devices use power even when they are “off”. If you don’t need the clock or other features, consider turning them completely off)

Lower the temperature of your hot water heater (as long as it’s still hot enough for your dishwasher to work properly).

Use fans to move the cool air, and increase the air conditioning temperature.

Isolate unused areas of the house and reduce air-conditioning/heating loads.

Check and adjust your refrigerator and freezer temperatures.

You have probably heard this so many times you can’t believe you haven’t done it – weather-seal cracks or other openings using caulk, weather-stripping or other sealant.

Run dishwashers, washing machines and dryers with full loads only.

Do laundry with the coolest water possible, avoid hot water washes.

 

 

Recent UUCA-Red Cross Blood Drive

 

Many thanks to all UUCA-Red Cross blood donors, volunteers and bakers of yummy treats.  Despite my misgivings, we had a good summertime turnout on Sunday of 28 people who officially wanted to donate blood.  22 people made it through the process and completed the donation.  All 28 are heroes - their effort saved or enhanced the quality of 66 lives this week.

There's still a shockingly severe blood shortage going on.  Elective surgeries are being postponed due to lack of blood.  If you are able, consider donating at the Empire Building on Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie, or at the Blood Bank at AA Medical Center.

The next UUCA-Red Cross blood drive will probably be scheduled for February.

Wendi Winters

 

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