What’s going on... February/March 2010

Sunday Services

Sunday, February 7 – Rev. Fred Howard, “The Stages of Spiritual Growth”

What is “spiritual growth?”  This morning I will elaborate on a particular model of spiritual formation put forth by Scott Peck many years ago that I have found extremely useful in understanding my own spiritual maturation.  It has also helped me to understand and be more at peace with those around me who seem to be "stuck" in certain mindsets.  

Sunday, February 14 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “Personal Reflections on Living in Haiti ”

The world’s attention has turned to Haiti in the wake of the devastating recent earthquake that rocked the highest population region of the island.  I lived in Haiti as a child in 1975-76 and again for three months in 1985.  This talk will focus on the unique history, culture, and religion of Haiti as well as the current effort to help Haiti recover from the devastation of their capital city. 

Sunday, February 21 – Rev. Fred Howard, “The Apostle Paul – From Conversion to Conformity”

Continuing our focus on spiritual formation, this morning I will illustrate the dynamics of dramatic conversions, and the appeal of synthetic, conventional faith, using the life and works of Paul as my paradigm.

Sunday, February 28 – John Checkett, “Re-evaluating Biblical Mores On Women, The Body And Sex”

Many of the messages conveyed in the old testament and early Christianity endorse whole-scale violence while degrading the functions of the body, particularly the female body and sex in particular. How well do these values translate into the modern world?

            J.D. CHECKETT is a writer and professional psychic specializing in such forms of divination as numerology, tarot and the Germanic runes. He holds degrees in communication, women's studies and psychology and is currently working on a degree in social work.  

Sunday,  March 7 – Rev. Fred Howard, “Bertrand Russell – The Power of Positive Skepticism”

This morning I will elaborate on the role of reason and logic in the achievement of mature spiritual development using the fascinating life and perspective Bertrand Russell as my lens.

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There will be a called congregational Meeting just after the Meet and Greet today.  Please see information elsewhere in the newsletter about the important business to be handled at this meeting.

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Sunday,  March 14 – Dr. Michael Stoltzfus, “Christian Grace and Buddhist Emptiness: Not So Different After All”

Many scholars have argued that the practical teachings of Buddhism and Christianity are quite similar, while the speculative worldviews of the two traditions are very different.  While undoubtedly true in some respects, I will argue that the love and freedom offered by divine grace and mercy in Christianity and by insight into emptiness and non-dualism in Buddhism offer both practical and theoretical similarities.  The language is different but some of the ideas are common. 

Sunday, March 21 Rev. Fred Howard, “Gandhi – Engaging Universalizing Spirituality in the World”

I will conclude my series on spiritual formation by focusing on wondrous life and  accomplishment of Mohandas Gandhi.   So much of what it means to be a fully developed human being is conveyed to us by delving into the heart and mind of this “Great Soul.”

Sunday,  March 28  – Alan Hunt

Al was still thinking about his topic when the newsletter went to press in late January!   Watch for announcements.

 

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our minister, Rev. Fred Howard or our President, Doug Tanner or Membership Director, Mya Storey.  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.

 

Infants and Toddlers: Sue Bailey wants to be sure that new members or visitors know that infants and toddlers are welcome in the RE room during services.  They may be too little to participate, but we do have someone available to watch them so the parents can enjoy the service.

Fred Howard is our part time minister.  You may contact Rev. Howard by email (preferable).  He is available for consultations on Monday and Wednesday afternoons on most weeks from 2-5PM by appointment.  Fred welcomes any questions you may have about membership in our congregation.  He is also available for weddings and rites of passage ceremonies by prearrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

Religious Education

For Children: The RE program for children meets at. 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  The children are studying what it means to be UU and learning more about our roots and history. Volunteers to help in the classroom are needed. Contacts: Mya Storey; Susan Bailey. 

Church in the Woods Art Museum : The RE sponsored art museum at the church is now open!  It is an ongoing project and would like artwork from adults and children as well as donations of old picture frames. Please see Sue Bailey or Mya Storey for information or donations.  Visit the museum in the RE wing.

Adult Religious Education: Adult religious education at 9:30 AM on Sunday resumed in January.  Fred Howard, Al Hunt, Valerie Webster, and Lars Leader are facilitating the discussions.   The sessions will continue through May.

                “Teach Yourself Philosophy of Religion” by Mel Thompson is being used for the first 10 weeks, and “Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion” by Diane Morgan for the last 9 weeks as the basic texts.  These texts will be supplemented with handouts and suggested readings from other books, which will be make available to class participants. 

                                 

MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Rev. Fred Howard                                      January 2010

The first Sunday in February I will begin a four sermon series on the stages of spiritual growth.  In the first sermon I will reflect on some personal experiences that were turning points in my own spiritual development, and how I eventually came to frame those experiences using a certain conceptual model of spiritual growth.  Then I will turn and examine the lives and the writings of three public figures in light of this conceptual model.  I picked these three because to me they best exemplify these stages of spiritual growth.  They are the Apostle Paul, Bertrand Russell, and Mohandas Gandhi.  I bring to this endeavor a sense of both excitement and trepidation. 

My excitement arises out many aspects of the subject matter.  It is rich in resources to help us understand ourselves and those around us.  This understanding, in turn, yields more acceptance and tolerance of those who are at a different stage than our own.  I have also found it extremely useful personally for putting a frame around many of the frustrating, painful, and sometimes even nonsensical events of my life and for seeing how even these things had a role in shaping me as a person and a spiritual being. 

My trepidation comes out of the simple acknowledgment that none of us are in the same place spiritually.  I feel that I have come a long way, but I also know just as certainly that I have a long way to go.  Perhaps this sentiment resonates with you as well.  Some people would express this simply by saying, “God is not finished with me yet.”  Whether or not that language works for you (depending on your spiritual stage, I

guess (;-)), I hope you get the message it conveys.  Anyway, whenever anyone attempts to “classify” people using some pet theory, I see many risks.  The risk, always inherent in such an endeavor, of always putting where I am ahead of where anyone else is.  The risk of seeming to belittle a position someone else has achieved through great emotional, spiritual, and even physical struggle and suffering.  And perhaps greatest of all, the risk of making what is enormously complex appear too simple.   

. Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait Photography: Susan Bailey  March 24: Deadline for April newsletter.

What I offer is only a theory.  Theories can be exciting and powerful, giving us tools to name things which we previously could not.  They can also be limiting, restricting our ability to hear and give attention to ideas that don’t fit our nice, neat system.  With these things in mind, I ask that the congregation go with me on this exploration, keeping in mind the words of that great theortician Eric Erikson, “We must take our theories with a serious playfulness and a playful seriousness.”  As long as we take this journey with our sense of humor intact, it should be a great adventure.   I hope that the material and the discussions that arise from it will, in some small way, help us all feel a little more at home in both the universe and our own skin.

 

 

 

Let’s Have Some Fun!!

 

Valentine’s Day Rainbow Mixer

Saturday, February 13,

7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m

At the church

A time to gather to Stand on the Side of Love!

Music, dancing, good conversation, light refreshments….and a chance to meet others who share our concern about social justice issues in the community.

                Standing on the Side of Love is a UUA-sponsored social justice and public advocacy campaign:     Why?

“This is a time of great hope and possibility, yet our communities are threatened by the increased prevalence of acts motivated by fear and hate.  No one should be dehumanized through acts of exclusion, oppression, or violence because of their identities. In public debates over immigration, LGBT rights, and more, religious people stand on the side of love and call for respect, inclusion, and compassion.”(http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/about/)

                While this campaign is sponsored by the UUA, the hope is to reach out to others in the wider community; this social networking is an effort to do that, to let all know that we as a congregation “Stand on the Side of Love!”  Please plan to attend and spread the word to friends and family!

                Coffee, tea, soft drinks and light refreshments will be provided.  Volunteers are needed to bring refreshments or help with decorations. Contact Sue Bailey or Carol Stiles.

                The evening will be co-hosted by PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and the Accepting Difference Project.

Book Discussion and Potluck 

We are selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Contact: Betty Derrick.

Book discussion and potluck, Friday, Feb. 26, 6:00 p.m., potluck, 7:00 PM discussion.  Book:  The Age of the Unthinkable, by Joshua Ramo

 

Games Night

Saturday, March 20 - 7:00 PM at the church

Bring a snack to share, the kids and yourself, and your favorite game (maybe a new one you got for Christmas!) and be prepared to have a fun fellowshipping time!  Contact: Susan Bailey.  Note:  The Valentine’s Dance at our church described above will be in lieu of Games Night for February.

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Social Action Activities

Guest At Your Table

Our Guest at Your Table boxes were collected at the service on January 3.   Betty Derrick, our UUSC representative, tallied the church’s contributions and mailed them to UUSC.  She reports a total of 15 contributors from our congregation with a total congregational contribution of $850.55.  10 people joined or renewed their membership in UUSC.  6 contributions were $100 of more, large enough to be matched, making our contribution to UUSC this year effectively $1450.55.  Thank you for participating in this UU social justice action.

 

MLK March

For a number of years our congregation has participated in the local Martin Luther King march.  This year’s march, originally scheduled in January, was postponed.  It has been rescheduled for February 6.  Watch for announcements about the details.  Plan to participate. 

 

Accepting Difference Project

This project works to bring attention to and build diverse coalitions to address systemic problems in our community. In January two events were sponsored through this project: The Causes III Mini Film Festival at Valdosta State University which we supported and in which our RE children participated and a meeting with Ana Garcia-Ashley to discuss the possibility of working with The Gamaliel Foundation through a UUA grant to bring leadership training for advocacy and social justice community organizing to our community.  The RE video, “Spay and Neuter Your Pets” didn’t win but it was among the best!  Congratulations to everyone who participated.  The video will be available for viewing at the church.  In February the Accepting Difference Project is one of the sponsors for the Valentine’s Day Rainbow Mixer at the church.

 

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday (and 5^th when there is one) of each month.  If you would like to help deliver meals beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Frank or Rosie Asbury.  

 

New Year’s Day Lunches

On New Year’s Day the Community Soup Kitchen was closed, leaving its regular patrons without a place to get a meal. Sue Bailey, Jane Osborn, Director of the South Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, and Diane Shedd, Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church coordinated collection of donations and recruitment of volunteers to prepare and distribute bagged lunches to ensure these members of our community would not be without a meal on the holiday.

                Members of our church and several other local congregations, concerned citizens, and girls from the Methodist Home for Children and Youth got together on New Year’s morning to make sandwiches and pack lunch sacks. Each of the 200 sacks contained one PB&J and one lunch meat sandwich, a piece of fresh fruit, a drink box or bottled water, chips, dessert (cookie, cake, donut), and Christmas candy. The girls from the Methodist Home added a special touch to the lunches. They made 200 beautiful holiday cards from construction paper and slipped one into each and every sack.

                Community members in need had been notified that they could stop by the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall between 12 noon and 1 PM to pick up lunches for themselves and their families. Several teams of volunteers also drove around downtown Valdosta and to a few local motels and handed out lunches to those who needed them. In the end, all 200 lunches were distributed and greatly appreciated.

                Thanks to everyone who helped out with their time and donations! The event was a wonderful success. Not only did it make a difference in the lives of those who received lunches, but it made a difference to all who gave donations and volunteered. What a great way to begin the year 2010!

 

UUSC/UUA Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is deeply saddened by the tragic earthquake that devastated Haiti earlier this week. For many people in Haiti —the poorest county in the Western Hemisphere with a society rife with inequality—meeting basic needs was already a struggle. In the aftermath of the disaster, it will become even harder for many impoverished Haitians to obtain access to water, food, and medical care.

                UUSC and the Unitarian Universalist Association have opened a joint relief fund to aid the survivors. UUSC has already connected with organizations on the ground in Haiti , and we are developing plans for our response, with a focus on reaching those survivors at greatest risk of being overlooked. We are heartened by the outpouring of support that the fund has already received from Unitarian Universalists around the country.

                Please donate now — your generous support will help us help the people of Haiti recover from this disaster.

Contributions may be made by going to the UUSC website:

More information is available on the UUSC website: 

http://www.uusc.org/

 (This information comes from UUSC, UUA, and the UUA Florida District.)  

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President’s Corner

Doug Tanner

The news from Haiti is tragic and help is painfully slow in arriving.  All of out hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake and their families around the world.  I know that we all wish we could do more and make a real difference.

                It will take a huge and long term relief effort to relieve the suffering in Haiti.  These long term efforts are just the type of help organizations like the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee are designed to provide.  If you are considering making a financial contribution to help the victims of the Haitian earthquake, I encourage you to make it through the UUSC.

                There are pre-addressed UUSC envelopes at the church.   I’ll see you all on Sunday.

Lars Leader and Dee Tait packing lunches on New Year’s Day.

Called Congregational Meeting  Sunday, March 7 The UU Valdosta Board of Directors is calling a meeting of the congregation to be held on Sunday, March 7.  The meeting will be very brief and will be held just after the Meet & Greet coffee time.  The purpose of the meeting is to make one change in the UU Valdosta By-Laws.  The proposed change is to move the Annual Congregational Meeting from May to April.      Reasoning for this change is that in the month of April schools and colleges/universities in our area are still in session.  In contrast, May includes the end of the school year in our area.  If the meeting were to be held in May, some members will have already left for summer breaks.  By moving the annual meeting to April, we anticipate that more members will be able to attend the meeting, thus allowing us to reach a quorum for voting on important matters that include electing the next year’s Board members.    Please make an effort to attend this called meeting the first Sunday in March.

 

UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors

January 6, 2010

Attendance: Doug Tanner, Rosie Asbury, Sue Bailey, Valerie Webster, Mya Storey and Kari Wells.

Insurance, UUA dues and postage will be added into this month's expenses.  Donations were made to Habitat and Film Festival.  Letters will soon be sent out for tax purposes.

There is a discussion of a pulpit exchange in May with Tallahassee UU congregation.  More info to follow.  Other business appears elsewhere in the newsletter.

Next meeting will be Feb 3, 2010 at 6:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

 

Treasurer's Report – Rosie Asbury

December 31, 2009

Receipts                December                        July -present

  Plate                     $ 241.00                                $   982.00

  Pledge                  2219.00                                    9343.00

  Rent                        240.00                                   1400.00

  Habitat Cntrib         50.00                                      325.00

Total Receipts    $2750.00                              $12050.00

Disbursements  

  Speakers’ Fees     200.00                                   1000.00

  Minister Exp.         837.70                                  4508.85

  Newsletter                 0.00                                    104.57

  Termite/Pest Cnt.     35.00                                    210.00

  Postage                       .00                                    196.40

  Supplies                    0.00                                       92.11

  Utilities                  193.40                                   1305.21

  UUA Dues                0.00                                   1024.00

  UU Conference         0.00                                     325.00

  Habitat Donat.       325.00                                    325.00

  Others                       0.00                                    127.92

Total  Disbmt.   $ 1591.10                             $  9219.06

Net Receipt    $  1158.90                                $  2380.94

 

 

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   Happenings in Ministry – Rev. Fred Howard

Beginning with this newsletter, I will begin a column to keep the congregation apprised of some of my activities in the larger community outside the walls of our church.

·         Dec. 21 – I attended the monthly meeting of the Valdosta Area Ministerial Association (VAMA.)  We met with City Councilman Mr. James Wright (District 1).  He is helping to facilitate a community wide survey on violence in our community and gangs in our school system.  More information should be forthcoming on this effort now that the holidays are over.   

·         Jan 1 – Participated in the sack lunch stuffing for the community soup Kitchen at First Methodist Church .

Upcoming events:

·         Jan. 14 – Kathy and I will attend a dinner at the home of George and Martha Bennett for members of VAMA and their spouses.  George is the president of VAMA and is taking this initiative to foster better relations and collaborative activity among the ministers.

·         Jan 16 – We have several activities occurring in our community in conjunction with MLK weekend.  I plan to participate and I hope our congregation is well represented.

·         Jan 17 – We will resume Adult RE classes at 9:30 am with a series on the Philosophy of Religion.

·         Jan 25 – January VAMA  meeting

·         Jan 30 - Ana Garcia-Ashley from the Gamaliel Foundation will meet with me and others from the community interested in CBCO training.

·         Feb. 14  – I will address the Northwest UU congregation in Atlanta regarding the pilgrimage to Transylvania .

·         March 14 – I will be speaking at the UU congregation in Columbus .  This is my second time with them and I look forward to sharing with them and building the larger fellowship of Unitarian Universalists.

 

Valerie Webster, Fred Howard, Bill Webster making sandwiches on New Year’s Day.

 

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At the Church-in-the-Woods

New Hope Christian Community Church- Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 4:30 PM. Service at 6:00 PM.  http://internationalchristiancommunity.ning.com

Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Beginners Class 5:30-.6:30 PM; Continuing Class 6:30-8:00 PM.  Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin.

PFLAG Meeting – 4th Tuesday each month, 7:00PM

Contact: Doug Tanner The web page for PFLAG Valdosta:
http://pflag-valdosta.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

 

Kimberly and Doug Tanner bagging lunches on New Year’s Day.

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UU Activities and Announcements

February 1- UUA Congregation Certification of Membership Deadline

February 1- Deadline!  Please inform your congregation and organize a vote for FIVE out of the six proposed Study Actions.  At least 25% of congregations need to vote for this to proceed At General Assembly this summer ONE proposal only will be chosen by GA delegates to be our Study Action for 2010-2014.  Full texts can be found at http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/152637.shtml

February 27-28 - 4th Annual Florida District Choral Festival, UU Fellowship of Vero Beach

February 27- A Holistic Vision for the Future Seminar - - Manatee UU Fellowship

March 4 - Faith Development Webinar - - Building a Strong RE Committee

March 13- "Building the World We Dream About" Florida District Anti-Racism Conference

March 15(deadline!)- Nominations For Florida District Awards Are Now being Accepted

The Florida District Awards Committee requests your nominations to honor members who have made significant contributions to their congregations and communities. Nominations must be submitted electronically via email attachment and received no later than March 15.  Awards will be presented at our District Assembly in April 2010.

March 19-20 - Allies for Racial Equity Annual Conference

April 9-11- The annual Florida District Assembly, Miami UUA Moderator Gini Courter is our guest presenter on the theme of "What next for Unitarian Universalism."

 

 

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund

February 2010

There is always information to be written about governing as a board using the Carver Policy Governance method. Although both the Florida District Board and the UUA Board of Trustees (BOT) studied and were trained in Carver PG, the UUA BOT has adapted much of what is appropriate in policy governance as we govern on your behalf. The BOT has begun to tackle more deeply the issues on whose behalf we govern and to whom we are accountable.

                For the readers of this column it may be good to understand certain aspects of policy governance which are affecting the deliberations, decisions, and operation of the BOT. It is necessary to clarify who the “owners”, also known as one of our Sources, are in our governance structure. Owners are all those UUs who are the people on whose behalf the BOT determines the Ends: the benefits being produced, for whom at what cost. Owners in our Association are the congregations. An owner is sometimes perceived as a “customer” when requesting services from the District and/or UUA Staff. The use of the term “stakeholders”, who are not “owners”, refers to those who have an interest in our Association and includes employees and other UU organizations. The time frame and expected results for owners are long-term, involves the big picture and future returns. For customers expectations are much more short term. The connections our UUA has with our owners and customers are very different.

                The BOT will govern with an emphasis on outward vision, an encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, strategic leadership, a clear distinction between the roles of the BOT and President, collective decisions, the future, pro-activity, and an open, transparent process. Our primary focus will be linkage with our congregations in a process of engaging the relational, cooperative power of covenant. The work of the BOT in connecting with congregations will not be “telling” or “reporting” but rather “listening” to perspectives regarding needs and what benefits our UUA should produce, be accountable, and let you know what is being achieved. 

                The BOT will be concerned with congregational values and who in the congregation speaks for these values. This will help determine the values of future generations of UUs. The BOT may involve itself in the history and theology of UUism to be sure the values inherent in our UU traditions and heritage are understood. We will be involved with much questioning and researching.

                Hopefully in March I will be able to write about the method of selection that will identify a random sample from a variety of representative groups, perhaps determined by congregation size and location. Our linkage focus will be “right relationship” between the BOT and its member congregations in their role as Sources. Stay tuned…and let me hear from you: jlund@uua.org.

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Greetings Florida District Friends and Leaders

Kenn Hurto , Florida District Director

A few weeks ago, our UUA field staff met in Boston with our new UUA President, Peter Morales. He shared with us his expectations for our work. Not surprisingly, he asked us to lift up the question of numerical congregational growth and to devote time and resources to where growing congregations is most likely.

                There are several kinds of growth to consider in congregational life: spiritual maturity, congregational stewardship, organizational health, effective social witness, and simple membership enrollment. I'll address these in the next few issues of the FLD Connections.

                I begin with numbers because, to quote our President, each number represents a living person who is or wants to be part of our religious community. We are in the people business. In this deep sense, the numbers do matter. They tell us how well we reaching people!

                Broadly, the numbers are worrisome, across the board for traditional churches and Unitarian Universalists among them. We are in the midst of a huge cultural shift. Fewer than 50% of American people participate in any worship in a given week. The historic "mainline" churches are all in decline. Among ourselves, our Association has only a few more members today than it did upon formation 48 years ago, currently just over 172,000, down from the previous year. Our Florida District declined by over 100 members last year, to fewer than 4900 adults. Yes, numbers matter. But what do they tell us is the harder to fathom question ~ except that we should pay attention!

                President Morales cited research that indicates Unitarian Universalist congregations host 5,000 or so guests EVERY week. These are people who seek us out. In a year, that's over 250,000 people, more than our existing membership. [There's another empirical study from the Gallup organization that argues over 750,000 people claim to be members of our congregations; it sure would be nice if they were actually known to us!]

                Often, during the recent Presidential campaign, Morales would say, to grow our faith, we need simply to stop repelling our guests.  Here's the truth: we are attractive to a great many people, but we don't hold them. Could it be that when they experience us up close, we fail to feed their yearning? Is Peter Morales right: we actively repel people?

                In my role as your DE, I have preached the need to do a better job with welcoming, hospitality, and having intentional pathways to membership. Our numbers suggest the need to say it again!   I encourage you to do a few things to test your growth potential:

                Ask: How well do you welcome guests? Ask them, not yourselves! Do you follow up return guests with any kind of personal contact? If not, why not? Were I to express interest in joining your congregation, would you be able to tell me of a process more demanding than "sign" the book?

                Calculate: Add up the number of guests you had in the last 12 months. Divide that count by your membership number. If your ratio is less than 1, you need to do a better job of public relations, letting people know you exist. When the ratio is less than 1, you will be pressed just to hold even due to losses by moves or death.  If the ratio is greater than 1, you have improving odds for growth. The test then becomes how well you invite people into membership, converting them from "attendees" to active participants. A simple secondary test: ask your new members how many friends they have made after six months. If the report is fewer than 5, the odds are poor that they will remain as members two years later. That suggests, hospitality is ever an on-going matter of how we build a deeply engaging, life-transforming, soul-uplifting faith community.

                These are the most practical tips I can give you to measure your potential for growing your congregation.

                True, numbers are not all that matters. But they do matter! We'll chat about the other kinds of growth next time. Meanwhile, start counting ... on a good new year!

 

 

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