Sunday Services

Sunday, September 4:  Rev. Fred Howard, "Finding Spiritual Treasure"

A sociologist named Paul H. Ray identified four types of people in the US in his landmark study in 1996 and one fourth of the population were what he called “Cultural Creatives.”  These are people who claim distinctive values like social consciousness, ecological sustainability, self-actualization, and a spirituality informed by direct personal experience. Despite the amazing promise of Unitarian Universalism to meet the spiritual needs of these 100 million Cultural Creatives, our movement still shows little growth in relation to the overall expansion of the general population over the past fifty years.  Why is that?  This morning I will offer my own ideas about the human spiritual quest,  offer a perspective on who we are as a religious tradition in relation to these yearnings of the human spirit, and the small but significant shift that needs to occur so that more of these spiritual seekers might find what they seek here among us. 

Potluck after the service:  We’re having a potluck at the church this Labor Day Weekend Sunday!  In many ways this first weekend in September signals the end of summer.  With children in school, the university in session, and most summer vacations over we all reconvene for a new church year.  Contact Sue Bailey to let her know what you can bring.  She is coordinating this event. 

Sunday, September 11 – Dr.  Michael Stoltzfus,  “Religious Narratives that Students Tell:  Part Three”  

Michael Stoltzfus will continue the discussion he began last month describing three typical mainstream religious narratives that students articulate over and over again.  He will compare and contrast these stories and interpret what they tell us about the ongoing religious quest for young adults to discover meaning, purpose and community.  Part Three will focus on alternative, but common narrative, the secular humanist narrative.    Dr. Stoltzfus is a regular speaker at our services and is a member of the VSU faculty in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.  

Sunday, September 18: Rev. Fred Howard, "Ingathering and Water Communion Service"

Today we will celebrate our annual ritual of water communion.  For those who wish to participate, please bring a small jar or vial of water from some significant place on your summer journey, such as a lake, river, or ocean.  Even if you forgot to collect one, just use some tap water and tell us in a few brief sentences about your travels and the significance of the places you visited, or use one of those we will provide.  It’s the story that you share and the tangibility of the ritual that makes the ritual significant.  I will also share a short sermon to match the theme of the day.

Sunday, September 25: – Paul McAuliffe, “Flutes, Autism and a Different Way of Seeing,”  Paul McAuliffe is a member of the UU fellowship oof Panama City, FL.  Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (mild autism) three years ago, he now gives his unique "Flutes and Autism" presentation at UU's over a 7-state area.  He'll talk about his own autistic journey of self-discovery and discuss autism issues and advocacy - all intersperse with quiet, soothing music on bamboo and wooden flutes.  Bill Weaver, President of UUF Montgomery, AL, has written about the natural spirituality of Paul's music.  Paul will also talk about why he believes children on the autism spectrum will be the innovators and inventors of the future.   This is Paul's second visit to our congregation - if you missed him the first time, you are in for a treat!

Religious Education

For Children: The RE program for children meets at. 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service. Two adults are needed each Sunday to help with RE.  Please let Sue know if you can volunteer from time to time or sign up on the monthly Sunday Volunteer list.  Contact: Susan Bailey. 

Notes from Kids’ RE – Sue Bailey

It’s been a pretty quiet summer in RE with families and kids traveling. We did have a visit from former member René Kerr and her daughter Madison this summer. Madison and I had a great time in RE reading the story of Jonah and the Big Fish and talking about the lessons the story teaches about responsibility, doing the right thing, and recognizing that everyone is important and should be treated with respect and kindness…not just the people that we care about, like our families and friends.  Then we made our own big 3-D whales/fish. On the first Sunday of August, I spent RE time with Heather. We talked about school and friends and reviewed our 7 UU Principles. I am working on lessons for fall and look forward to getting back into the RE swing of things as the children return.

Adult RE Course for the Fall

Beginning Sunday, October 2, Fred Howard will be offering a 8 week course on “Understanding the Bible” from the perspective of a liberal religionist.  We will be using two texts, Understanding the Bible by Buehrens and How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Fee and Stuart.  I will be using a different approach than I have employed in adult RE the past couple of years.  For these 8 weeks I hope to engage those who wish to participate in a more traditional classroom approach with a short presentation followed by questions and discussion.

Several tools of contemporary biblical scholarship will be employed, using an approach easily understandable by lay people. We will explore the Old and New Testament writings with an eye out for “what type of literature are we reading here, and what was the historical and cultural context in which it was written,” as these lenses can lead us to radical and intriguing interpretations that often turn the traditional understanding of the Bible on its head.   If you have an interest in gaining a better grasp of the various types of literature that comprise the sometimes mysterious and often frustrating texts of the Christian Bible, come and join us for this quick survey course that will be geared toward giving you some basic tools for doing some real critical and incisive thinking when it comes to analyzing this most misunderstood of books.

Contact me via email at fredhoward435@hotmail.com  or sign up on the signup sheet that will be available in the sanctuary in September if you are interested.  Fred will need to have a minimum number of participants for this class to make.   

Sangha Tuesdays

5:30-7:00 PM at the church

This Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Group will be meeting weekly at the church for tea at 5:30 PM with meditation beginning at 6 PM followed by a brief reading.  Those who follow other Buddhist practices are welcome.  Contacts: Julie Halter or Theresa Thompson.    

Let’s Have Some Fun!!

Book Discussion and Potluck

Friday, September 9 - 6:30 PM

At the church

The chosen book is "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon.  This mystery novel is written from the perspective of a young autistic boy.  One reviewer on Amazon, who himself is autistic, states at the end of his review:  "But all this ugliness makes for a very raw and potent read.  Each of these characters, in their flaws feels very real and the simplistic, blunt writing style itself feels very fresh and novel.  I just wish people would stop saying 'this book is an insight into the autistic mind."  This book is an insight into ONE autistic mind.  We are each very different people."

Bring a dish to share.  Coffee and tea will be provided.  You are welcome to bring other beverages.  We socialize over our potluck meal for the first hour and then promptly begin our book discussion drawing to a close with the selection of our next book by about an hour later so that folks who need to leave can do so. We have been selecting books which deal with difference in all its guises.  We welcome your suggestions.   Contact: Betty Derrick.   

Pizza and a Movie

Friday, September 16     6:15 PM at the church

Our movie for this month will be “Shadowlands” starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. The movie claims to be the “true story” of the relationship between C.S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, and Joy Gresham, a divorced American Jewess and poet who became a Christian.  Though the movie takes many “artistic licenses” with the factual story, Joy Gresham’s surviving son who is depicted in the movie says that it is a reasonably accurate account of their relationship.  I found the movie to be fertile ground for an exploration of the question, “Does life, with its corresponding pain, make any sense,” which was the overarching question of C.S. Lewis’ life as well.  The story line explores Lewis’ spiritual and emotional struggles as his unfolding life confronts him in ways that call his faith and glib religious pronouncements into question.  As his religious outlook evolves through the events of the film, this revered Christian icon makes some provocative and iconoclastic statements about the God of traditional faith such as, “We're the rats in the cosmic laboratory. I've no doubt the experiment is for our own good, but... it still makes God the vivisectionist, doesn't it? It won't do.”  I think the movie can prompt some good discussion about several issues, including sexism, the role of suffering in the human experience, and some of the vulnerabilities in orthodox Christian apologetics.  Come and share this touching and superbly acted movie with us.

Games Night

Friday, September  30           6:30PM - until ?  

At the church

Games Night is back!!!  Bring a snack to share, friends, the kids and libations of your choice.  Sue says she plans to be sure there are some activities on hand for the children to keep busy with while the adults are playing the game of their choice.  Contact: Susan Bailey.

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Condolences to

v  Our members and friends mourning the loss of loved ones.

Keep in your thoughts

v  Our members and friends serving in Iraq and their families.

v  Individuals recovering from health concerns  

MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Rev. Fred Howard                                         September 2011

I so much look forward to being back with you all after a summer of travels and adventures.  It’s amazing how travel and exposure to other perspectives changes my own.  I am no longer the same person who left here in May.  Of course, each of you has been on your own travels and adventures this summer and I trust that you are different as well.  So it will be good to get back together and discover each other anew and find out who we are individually and collectively.

In June I spent a week at the Peacemaker’s Camp in Macon working with children and youth as a camp counselor.  Through various activities and projects, we teach each other (the adults and teen “counselors in training” learn from the kids as well) conflict resolution skills and the character traits we will need to build a more peaceful world.  This was my fourth summer doing this, and it is always the best week of my year.  It never ceases to give me renewed hope for the future to see the new generation invest themselves in the paradigm of peace.

I also attended General Assembly in Charlotte in June.  This was another great experience of renewal and learning as it usually promises to be.  I attended the world premiere of the film series, “Long Strange Trip,” which tells the story of our religious heritage in an informative and highly entertaining style.  Hopefully, we can include this film in one of our upcoming “Pizza and a Movie” evenings soon.  The presenters at the workshops I attended got my head going in different ways and I hope to share some of the new insights I gained with you all through my sermons and religious education offerings this year.

The balance of my summer was spent in Europe with my son Dustin and then a trip to Canada with Kathy.  I feel unbelievably privileged to have been able to share these trips with family and to immerse myself in such varied cultures.  Pico Iyer, in his book Why We Travel: A Love Affair with the World says that we are compelled to travel to “find ourselves,” “to open our eyes” and “to learn more about the world than our newspapers can accommodate.”  After journeys such as these I always return to the US humbled by all I have seen and experienced.  I think it’s this humility that one is given when we are confronted with ways of life that are so drastically different from our own – it’s this that really enhances our capacity to see ourselves and the people around us differently.  If you’ve ever experienced this yourself as a result of immersion in a foreign culture, you know what I’m referring to.  If you haven’t, then get out there.  Add some travel to your own bucket list.

May we all discover the blessing we can be for each other as continue to build community together at UU Valdosta. 

Facebook:  Visit us on Facebook by searching "Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta." The latest issue of the http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=92779034840  Contact person: Kimberly Tanner.  

 Social Action Activities

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.     

South Georgia Pride Festival

September 17, 2011 from 12pm-6pm

At John Saunders Park, 1151 River St., Valdosta, GA

Come and celebrate Diversity!  This festival is for the LGBT community and friends.  Enjoy Live music, TNT Entertainment from Tallahassee, FL, the Valdosta Venom Derby Girls, a Pride Pet Show, Food & Vendors.   Our Key Speaker is Mrs. Elke Kennedy from South Carolina.  Her son was killed in a hate crime and she dedicates her life traveling and teaching tolerance.  Visit her Memorial, Sean's Last Wish at the festival.  To be a vendor or to volunteer contact Raynae' Williams (247-9874;  rwilliams@southgapride.org) or visit our website at www.southgapride.org

Interfaith Pride Service 

When: Sunday, Sept 18th, 2011,  2:00 PM

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta

Special Guest Speaker: Elke Kennedy of Sean’s Last Wish

http://www.seanslastwish.org/

Afterwards:  Stay for a meet-and-greet that will include desserts, light snacks, and beverages.

Hosted by: the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta and the Accepting Difference Project.

 UUSC Launches Relief Fund for East Africa Famine: The United Nations has declared a famine in southern Somalia that is expected to spread in the next two months. With 3.2 million people - half of the Somali population - needing immediate lifesaving assistance, this is the world's worst food security crisis in the last 20 years. In light of this dire crisis, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has opened the Somalia and East Africa Relief Fund. To address the crisis and support survivors, UUSC will put a three-pronged response into action. First, working with partners on the ground, UUSC will provide immediate relief for Somalis affected by the famine. UUSC will also support communities in Ethiopia and Kenya that are hosting Somali refugees, to prevent their falling into famine conditions. Finally, UUSC will assist existing grassroots partners in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in mitigating the effects of the disastrous lack of rain and extreme strain on food sources.  Those wishing to support the UUSC Somalia and East Africa Relief Fund may contribute online at http://tinyurl.com/3qejfez.  For more information about UUSC's relief work, visit http://tinyurl.com/3bk9wt5.

Dr. William Schulz, UUSC President

Speaks Saturday, Sept. 24, 2:00 PM

UU Fellowship, Gainesville, FL

“Do Human Rights Have a Future?” is the topic Dr. Bill Schulz will address for the 10th and final Ericksen Lecture held at UUFG.  Dr. Schulz is President and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee(UUSC). He served as Executive Director of Amnesty International U.S.A. from 1994–2006 and is a Past President of the UUA.  Dr. Schulz holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Meadville/Lombard Theology School at the University of Chicago.  He is the author of several books, including “Tainted Legacy: 9/11 and the Ruin of Human Rights.”

This lecture series presents topics of social justice in memory of the late Stan Ericksen and his work for liberal causes. Past lecture topics have included the death penalty, stem cell research, civil liberties, gay marriage, the U.S. role in torture, racism and politics, the politics of gender, and social media. The talk is free and open to the public.

Treasurer’s Report – Rosie Asbury

July 31, 2011  

Receipts                  July(start of new year)                  

Plate                                       $    76.00                              

Pledge                                        831.00                              

Rent                                           440.00                                   

Total Receipts                     $ 1347.00                                         

Disbursements  

Speakers’ Fees                              0.00                                      

Minister Expense                        350.00                                             

Maintenance/Repairs                  582.30

Termite/Pest Control                    35.00                                    

Supplies                                       12.87              

Utilities                                       246.20                                 

Advertising/Website                   525.00                               

Other                                            70.00                  

Total  Disbursements          $ 1821.37                             

           Net Receipt                           $ - 474.37             

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://www.wix.com/nhccc1/nhccc  

Taoist Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Beginner’s Class: 7-8 PM (New class begins, Monday, August 22); Continuing class, 5:30-7:00 PM (6-7:30PM until new class starts.).  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    

UU Activities and Announcements

September10-Northeast Cluster Fall Gathering, University UU, Orlando, FL

·         CPR for Unitarian Universalism with Rev. Susanne Nazian

 I believe you and your congregation will find a full day of interesting, informative and timely topics!  Please share the information .  In addition to the main presentation by Rev. Nazian, this gathering offers workshops specifically for religious educators and those interested in website design and maintenance.  Hope to see you there. Allie Gore, Coordinator Northeast Cluster

September 17-Florida District Leaders Roundtable, Boca Raton, FL

September 24-Florida District Leaders Roundtable, Lakeland, FL

·         Annual Leaders Roundtable

Additionally, we'll share a variety of resources to make congregational leadership more rewarding.

September 24-Do Human Rights Have a Future? Lecture, Dr. William Schulz, UU Gainesville, FL

September 30 –October 2 Restorative Circles Training  

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund                               September 2011

jlund@uua.org

Last month I committed to writing Trustee columns through next spring about topics related to Justice GA, June 2012 in Phoenix. Unfortunately I don’t have any additional specific information about this historic GA yet, but am compelled to write about the connection between our UUA Second Principle (Justice, equity and compassion in human relations) and our UUA faith community’s commitment to help bring to the world tolerance and social justice. Our work next year at GA will be all about justice and much about compassion.

Karen Armstrong’s, the Ware Lecturer at this year’s GA and author of many books on religion including Twelve Steps To a Compassionate Life,  message centered upon the Golden Rule, which requires we use empathy to put ourselves in the shoes’ of others and act toward other humans as we would want them to act toward us. In 2008 Armstrong was awarded the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) prize. TED is a nonprofit organization best known for excellent conferences on “ideas worth spreading”. With the prize money she established the Charter for Compassion which is inspiring compassionate actions, by building partnership networks with organizations around the world.

In her words, “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat others as we wish to be treated”. Compassion can be defined as an attitude of principled, consistent altruism. She believes compassion is intrinsic in all human beings and we need to work to cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion. According to Armstrong compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, take ourselves out of being the center of our world, and put another there, and to honor every human being with equity, justice and respect. She believes each one of us must look into our own hearts, discover what gives us pain, and then refuse to inflict that pain on anybody else.

Although compassion may be recognized and admired by all of us and has resonated with humans throughout history, Armstrong believes in many ways compassion is alien to our modern way of life.

It is important that as many UUs as possible attend GA 2012 where there will be many events, activities, and ways to bear witness to social justice both in Arizona and in our home community congregations. If ever you determined you want to go to a General Assembly, this is the one. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there are more Florida UUs percentage-wise at GA than any other district? We can do it! Call or write with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.   

Notes & Comment by Our Florida District Executive: Rev. Kenn Hurto

May you live in interesting times,"  is a well-know curse - poignantly asserting that when times go interesting they are also trying.

                The last few weeks, fights over national finances have roiled our confidence in both our economy and our political process. I ask: What role might a Unitarian Universalist community serve in these far too interesting times?

First, to be aware that our people are not exempt from the national anxiety. We might create learning and sharing circles where we might coach each other in handling our finances, being attuned to members who may suddenly be in need, or to ask how our faith might address the social justice implications. It is important that we help each other not feel helpless or victimized and to discover anew our power in our powerlessness. [As an aside, leaders may also be alert for how this increased anxiety spills into other arenas of congregational life. This is a time for compassionate listening and tending to our relational covenants.]

We are also in the seasonal moment of schools re-opening and seekers of all ages trying on new faith communities. In our busy-ness on Sunday mornings, it is easy to forget the need for every member to offer genuine hospitality. The Minister and/or Board Host should greet people at the front door as people arrive for worship. Your Greeters ought to have a name tag for both members and guests. Be sure to introduce new guests to other members. 

Remember this important lesson: New arrivals want to be noticed but not singled out! Welcome, welcome by name, introduce people to individuals (no mass greetings which are just embarrassing to the tentative and shy). If you say you're friendly, be so. If you are welcoming, welcome. If love is a core teaching, love your guests.

Anxious times are when we most notice the need for a beloved community. Somehow amid our own anxiety, we need to find the grace to minister. It's easier if we all practice the humble art of hospitality. Exercise our faith, hold one another gently and speak truth to power.

May your ministry make a difference.

UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors Meeting Minutes- August 3, 2011

New Business: Pagan/Occult Fair (fundraiser) – JD Checkett and others asked about possibly holding an outdoor fair with Tarot readings, vendors, etc. on our church grounds in the fall. There was discussion about sponsorship, size and scope of the event, and other concerns. It was suggested that we ask that the event be on a smaller scale to try out the idea. Doing something like this would be a good opportunity to create a welcoming space and show support for the Pagan community. It was also decided the church would not formally sponsor the event. The church plans to participate again this year in The VSU Happening(August 25) PFLAG may share a table with the church this year.

Programs Report –Fall is just about fully scheduled with speakers.

Treasurer’s Report – Rosie reported paying two bills for the A/C. It is likely we will need a new compressor in the next couple of years. The bill was received for the two advertising benches. We are paying for the full year on our original bench and one half of a year on the new bench.

RE Report – Sue is looking into using the Tapestry of Faith Curriculum in the coming year.

Membership Report – Kimberly reports things are going well with Facebook. People are checking us out and posting questions. She has still not started updating the brochures but hopes to get to it in the near future.

UU Board Meeting – July 6, 2011(Unavailable for the August newsletter.)

Old Business: Bench Advertising: The new bench is up on the northeast corner of Patterson and Woodrow Wilson. Each of the two benches will cost $350 per year. Shared Service Sunday with Serenity Christian Church: It was decided that we have enough tables to accommodate our visitors so there is no need at this time to purchase additional tables. Topics regarding completion of the Peace Poles that were discussed include choosing the languages, what materials to use for the wording, and types of paint and varnish to be used. The format of the dedication of our UU pole was also discussed.

Treasurer’s Report: It was suggested that we need to discuss budgeting more for maintenance in the future because we will be needing to do more maintenance and repair work as the building and equipment (such as the A/C unit) age.

Membership Report: Kimberly is working on speaking with regular attendees about becoming members and getting the storage room cleaned up. Kimberly will also talk with the Sangha group about being finished and out of the sanctuary by 6:40 pm to give PFLAG time to set up for their meetings.

Peace Pole at Our Church

“May Peace prevail on Earth”

During the Shared Sunday events this summer between Serenity Christian Church and our congregation, the RE children “decorated” two Peace Poles, one for our church and one for Serenity.  The Poles were built by Jim Ingram, decorated by many hands, and varnished by Lars Leader.   Jim Ingram installed our Pole on our front walkway so that it is visible by all who enter the building.  Each side of the Pole speaks the same words in four different language.  Our Pole was dedicated earlier this summer.  May it remind us that it will take many hands and all the different hands around the globe for “peace [to] prevail on Earth.”

Dedication of Pole-Sue Bailey from UU Valdosta and Rev. Floyd Rose, Minister of Serenity Christian Church