Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

August 2007 - Web Edition

Love is the spirit of this church, and service is our law.

To dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.

This is our covenant

I am looking around my apartment in Chicago as I write this first newsletter article for my new affiliation with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson. I am busy boxing things up. I am throwing things out that I no longer need to lighten my load. I am wondering where it is all going to fit in my new home. Right now it looks like mission impossible.

I am excited about my new home in Jackson. I have a nice home to move into not far from the congregation and across from a small park. I will spend a few days getting my things in order before beginning. I will preach my first sermon at Jackson on the 19th of August. I am excited to meet you.

This is an exciting time to provide a growing and vital liberal religious voice in southern Mississippi. This congregation has a strong and impressive history of providing that voice. Yet, its greatest days are ahead of us, not behind us. These are days with issues not as different as those faced in our past. Yes, they may be slightly different in their nuances; sexual minority rights for employment, housing, and marriage; racism and classism in the guise of health care inequality; oppression in the guise of homeland security and immigration reform. These are days that call for a renewed commitment to providing a liberal religious voice to these and other pressing issues.

In the coming weeks and months, I will be bringing these issues to the forefront. Our liberal tradition calls us to speak about these concerns and find ways to bring these concerns into the public forum. How we address these issues as individuals and as a congregation in Jackson, MS will require our honest exploration.

The commitment to social justice does not arise out of a vacuum. It is fueled by a devotion to nurture our spirituality. How do we nurture our spirits? What keeps us centered? What sources and living traditions inform our being in this world? These concerns will also be highlighted in the coming weeks.

In focusing on contemporary issues of social justice and in nurturing our spirituality, we will attract other like minded folk to our congregation and our congregation will grow in size and strength. We will need to find ways to be ready for this growth. It may mean looking beyond our current circumstances to a reality yet to be imagined. It may seem stuff that creates visions and dreams. It is the stuff of faith in something beyond our individual selves and actions. Antoine de Saint-Exupery the author of the famed fable The Little Prince once said, "If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."

Blessings abound,

Fred

 

  President's Corner

I am excited to report that Rev. Fred Hammond will become the consulting minister for UUCJ and Our Home beginning August 1, 2007. Rev. Hammond, Our Home, and UUCJ have entered into an agreement of shared ministry much like we enjoyed with Rev. Jacqueline Luck for two years before she became our full-time consulting minister last year.

At its Annual Meeting in March 2007, the UUCJ congregation voted to renew the consulting minister agreement with Rev. Luck or, if she did not accept the offer of renewal, to enter into a consulting minister agreement with another minister. When Rev. Luck informed the Board that she would not renew her agreement with UUCJ, the Board appointed a Search Committee in April to initiate the process of finding a minister. Waverly Liles, Fran Leber, and D.E. Magee graciously agreed to serve on the Search Committee, along with Ray Shenefelt as the Board’s ex officio member. Eunice Benton, Mid-South District Executive, visited our Search Committee and our congregation on Mother’s Day weekend in May to explain the search process for a consulting minister. Eunice also explained the difference between a consulting minister and a settled or called minister under UUA guidelines. Consulting ministers serve congregations by agreements, or contracts, if you will, with the Board. Called or settled ministers are actually "called" by vote of the entire congregation. Consulting ministers agree to serve for a term, usually one year, with the agreement renewable year to year. A settled or called minister serves a congregation for as long as the minister and congregation mutually agree to be together. Settled or called ministers generally serve a congregation full-time. Consulting ministers may serve a congregation full-time or part-time. For financial reasons, UUCJ launched a search for a consulting minister.

Following the UUA guidelines, our Search Committee hosted Rev. Hammond’s candidate visit to Jackson in June. Rev. Hammond also visited Ellisville during that trip. The Search Committees of both congregations recommended to their Boards that they enter into a shared ministry with Rev. Hammond. At a specially called Board meeting on June 15, 2007, the UUCJ Board voted to accept the Search Committee’s recommendation to extend Rev. Hammond an offer to serve as consulting minister in a shared ministry with Our Home. The Our Home Board likewise voted to extend an offer on behalf of its congregation.

Rev. Hammond will serve UUCJ half-time and Our Home half-time. His agreement runs from August 1, 2007, to July 31, 2008. At its Annual Meeting in March 2008, the UUCJ will vote on whether or not to renew the consulting minister agreement.

We are most fortunate to have found Rev. Hammond. He brings a unique set of gifts to this shared ministry that can help UUCJ and Our Home, and indeed the UU presence in Mississippi, grow stronger as we share our religion of the liberal spirit with one another and with those of the larger community. Please join me in welcoming Rev. Hammond to our beloved community.

Gwen Combs

 

 

Worship Schedule

Every Sunday: Forum at 9:30 a.m., Service at 11 a.m.

Children’s Religious Education Classes (R.E.) 11 a.m. to noon in the R.E. Building

 

August 5

Forum Speaking of Faith, Brian Heffner

Arrive early (9 a.m.) to begin listening to this hour-long radio program or listen in your car as you travel to church. After the program ends, we’ll open a discussion on the day’s topic. The program’s host, Krista Tippett, brings together interesting people to talk about the larger question of meaning and religion in human life. Join us for a lively discussion!

Service Why I am a Unitarian-Universalist

A long-time UU and recent addition to our congregation, Judy Williams regularly travels from Vicksburg to be with us. Today, she will share her insights and what has led her to UUCJ. Brian Heffner will coordinate.

R.E. Topic TBA, Diana Barnes-Pate

 

August 12

Forum Genesis (film), Stacy Callender

This film takes a mystical, beautiful look at the life cycles on Planet Earth, from beginning to end and in between. Ingenious footage is combined with a wise African narrator, an eclectic score, and all creatures great and small to create a special film that captivates kids and adults alike. The film will begin at 9:00 a.m. so be sure to ARRIVE EARLY!

Service Why I am a Unitarian-Universalist, Gwen Combs

R.E. Voting, Fran Leber

 

August 19

Forum Breakfast with the Minister

Come this morning to gather in community to meet our new shared minister, Fred Hammond. Bring pastries, fruit, bread, jams and jellies to share and we’ll brew Fair Trade coffees and teas. Mmmmm!!!

Service Redemption, Rev. Fred L Hammond

Now before running to the hills at the very mention of this word, perhaps there is a way that Unitarian Universalists can reclaim this heavily laden religious word. This sermon explores autobiographical events in my life that led to my experiencing "redemption" Unitarian Universalist style.

R.E. Preparing for the Festival of Faiths, Dary Shenefelt

 

August 26

Forum Living Wills, Panel Discussion

Several of our members and a guest will help facilitate a discussion about many end-of-life issues including long-term care and living wills.

Service Guest Message

Doak Mansfield from Our Home Universalist-Unitarian Church, our sister congregation in Ellisville, will bring his insights and talents. Rev. Fred Hammond will coordinate.

R.E. Pottery, Paul Gore

Announcements

 

Fair Trade Chocolate Bars, Coffee, Tea & Cocoa are available in the kitchen. Please leave your payment in the envelopes provided.

Detention Center Donations of men’s undergarments are being collected.

The Lunch Bunch will be going to a local restaurant for food and conversation on Sundays. If you want to join them, meet at the back of the sanctuary after service to decide where to go.

Worship Coordinator Orientation will be held Friday, August 3rd from 6:30-7:30 pm at UUCJ. If you are interested in helping to support our lay ministry, please attend this orientation session!

R.E. Orientation will be Sunday, August 19th after service in the Newman Religious Education Building.

Peace House Festival Of Faiths will be held Sunday, August 26th from 5:30-8:00 at Ascension Lutheran Church to celebrate the completion of another Habitat House by an interracial and interdenominational group of people.

Groups and Meetings

 

August 4

UU Social for All Ages UUCJ will be taking a Zoo Trip! Gather Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Jackson Zoo Front Gate. Please join us for fun, fellowship, and ice cream! Contact Stacy Callender for details 662-418-0888.

August 24

4th Friday Film Night "Salt of the Earth," (94 min) a Blacklisted classic from 1953, tells the story of Mexican miners and their wives at a New Mexico zinc mine strike for social and economic justice. 7-9 p.m. Contact Stacy Callender 662-418-0888.

August 26

Program Committee Meeting after the service

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Sharing Our UU Perspective (SOUUP) "Building Your Own Theology" is the curriculum for Wednesday’s SOUUP meetings. It’s a great time for you to join this small group ministry. 6 - 8 p.m. in Newman Building (RE). All are invited.

Deadline for submissions to the September UUCJ NUUSletter: August 18. Please send your submissions to NUUSletter@uujackson.org.