Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

August 2008 - 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

  President's Corner

 

I have been thinking for awhile about the “presumption of influence.” Recent articles in Newsweek and UUWorld quote studies that seem to indicate that Americans are moving toward the center in their religious philosophies, away from the extreme right or the extreme left (whatever that specifically means, I leave it to you to define). UUWorld reports that there are more Americans that identify themselves as UU-leaning than are actually joining UU churches. Newsweek reports that ministers of the far right and far left religious persuasions are urging their followers to stop all the divisive dialogue, hate talk, and “exclusivity of truth” language and engage in real discussion (as in, one side talks, the other listens, the other side talks, and other listens, and back and forth, like that) about what unites Americans.

Our own Reverend Fred Hammond noted in a recent blog discussion (also quoted in UUWorld) that while it might be presumptuous to suggest that our tiny denomination has influenced this trend, he couldn’t help but wonder about the possibility. I e-mailed him that I think he is right to suggest that it is possible. In fact, I presume that we do influence the dialogue in our nation. Think about how many conversations you participate in every day about one thing and another; about how many people you meet and work with and volunteer with and teach and care for and care about. Over and over again I have had the experience where someone in my circle of contact repeats something that indicates I might have had an influence on his or her thinking. I’m sure you have, too. As UUs, we live and talk and interact from our beliefs. One by one, we influence how others think and talk and act. Pretty soon, the influence just has to build and spread.

The presumption of influence is awfully powerful stuff. May we be always mindful of the power of our influence in the larger community and act and speak accordingly.

Gwen Combs

 

From The Desk of the DRE

 

Children & Youth Religious Education Program

This is the last month of our Summer of Seuss! All children and youth are welcome to join our adult worship for through the Story for All Ages. Then any children or youth are invited to explore the life-affirming messages through arts and crafts, games, and group activities. The stories for this month are:

August 3 – The Zax: Susan Knipe

August 10 – Oh the Places You’ll Go: Jennifer Keyser

August 17 – The Lorax: Brian Heffner* (Field Trip)

August 24 – I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew: Stacy Callender

August 31 – Dr. Seuss Party: Stacy Callender

NOTE: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips and sodas will be provided for children/youth for the picnic lunch at the park after the cleanup. If your child needs special foods, please bring a sack lunch instead.

Thank You!

Thanks to Amy Griggs, Susan Knipe, and Dary Shenefelt who led our R.E. classes in July! Also, our children and youth began this summer by beginning to paint the large classroom in the R.E. Building. Since then Dary Shenefelt has worked diligently in finishing the details. Please come and see the beautiful job they have done and thank them for all of their hard work in beautifying our space!

How You Can Help

Children and Youth: If you would like to read the Dr. Seuss story or assist with the group activities, please contact the leader for the day to see how you can help—you will be most appreciated! We especially need rides and chaperones for the field trip and on August 17th.

Adult: We need people willing to (co-)lead Adult Religious Exploration classes or workshops. It could be a class for Newcomers, a creative arts class, or an exploration of a religious tradition—whatever interests you would like to share. Please contact the DRE and/or the R.E. Committee to live out our 3rd Principle!

 R.E. Committee – August 3, 2008 – after service

R.E. Committee – August 3, 2008 – after service We will finalize plans for the 2008-2009 RE year for our children, youth, and adults.

Adult REligious Exploration survey Please answer the following questions and return to the DRE 1. I have attended one of the Adult RE Spirit in Practice workshops during Forum.   ___ yes     ___ no             [circle all that apply]:            UU Spirituality                Personal Spiritual Practices                    Communal Worship Practices                 Spiritual Partnerships                 Mind Practices             Body Practices              Soul Practices               Life Practices                Justice Practices   2. I want UUCJ to offer Adult R.E classes.   ___ yes, I want to attend     ___ yes, for others, not me     ___ no   3. I would prefer Adult R.E classes that are offered:             [circle all that apply]:            Sunday morning Sunday evening             Weekday evenings   4. I would prefer Adult R.E classes that discuss the following topics:             [circle all that apply]:            Race/Gender Issues     Adult Sexuality Education     World Religions             UU Principles/History     Relationship Issues      Creativity/Arts      Caring for our Environment             Conflict Resolution         Other:                                                                                        For more info contact Stacy Callender, DRE at vp-re@uujackson.org

 

Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly 2008

About 3,000 Unitarian Universalists from all fifty states enjoyed the 3rd annual UU University and the 47th annual General Assembly (GA) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This year's General Assembly explored the theme "Common Threads." General Assembly concluded by adopting six resolutions on social issues, called “Actions of Immediate Witness” (AIWs), including opposing “present day slavery” practices against farm workers, opposing anti-gay marriage initiatives, opposing a U.S. attack on Iran, extending the tax credit for wind and solar power, raising the federal minimum wage to $10 in 2010, and supporting a single payer plan for health care in the U.S.

For more information on the 2008 UU General Assembly, check out the GA journal at http://uua.org/events/generalassembly/2008/index.shtml 

 

News from the Mid-South District 

Eunice Milton Benton, District Executive

 

UNDERSTANDING OUR DISTRICT

John Malluck, Leadership Development Committee

john.malluck@comcast.net

 

The Mid-South District is one of the twenty districts that comprise the Unitarian Universalists Association. These districts vary in geographically size and in membership. While the Mid-South District is one of the smallest districts, it is to our credit that our district activities and services equal those of larger districts.

The chart below shows UUA District membership arranged in descending order. Mid-South is not the smallest district in the UUA, but we are significantly smaller than our neighboring districts; Florida, Thomas Jefferson, and Southwestern.

More information about districts and our district can be found at www.msduua.org and www.uua.org.

In subsequent Dispatches we will focus on the Mid-South District and look at membership and growth of our thirty three district congregations.

 

Mid-South District - UUA

On the web at www.msduua.org 

Eamil: msduuoffice@aol.com 

 

 

Groups, Meetings, and Announcements
 

Stock up your pantry with a fresh supply of coffees, nuts, and dried fruits from our sale items in the kitchen.

• BOOKS, MUSIC, MOVIES! Take advantage of our summer fund raiser. New arrivals each Sunday. And don’t forget to clean out your bookcases, cabinets, closets and tabletops. Bring the items that you no longer use or need for our sale. That will leave room for the great bargains you will discover in the church’s foyer (prices range from 50¢ to a couple of bucks). Check out our selections between the forum and the worship service.

• This month’s buildings and grounds reminders include:

1. After using the sanctuary or church building return the thermostat to the default 78 degrees.

2. We need a few volunteers to help groom our grounds. Step forward and take a turn!

3. Want to display something at the Church? Brian Heffner, VP Buildings and Grounds, will help you with advice on how best to attach things so as not to damage paint, shingles, etc.

4. Please let Brian know if anything is out of order or amiss on the church campus so that he can address it.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, August 2, The Power of Intent group session will be facilitated by Lelon Thompson from 10:00 am to 11:00 (cost $5/person). Messages from the Light -- channeled group and individual messages -- will follow, from 11:00 to noon (cost $5/person).

Wednesday, August 6, Book Discussion Group currently discussing A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle led by Butch Arthur from 7:00 pm

Saturday, August 9, The Power of Intent group session will be facilitated by Lelon Thompson from 10:00 am to 11:00 (cost $5/person). Intuitive Development class will follow from 11:00 to noon (cost $5/person).

Wednesday, August 13, Book Discussion Group currently discussing A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle led by Butch Arthur from 7:00 pm

Sunday, August 17, Third Sunday Potluck Lunch immediately following the worship service: Bring a dish to share as we break bread together!

Wednesday, August 20, Book Discussion Group currently discussing A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle led by Butch Arthur from 7:00 pm

Friday, August 22, at 5:30 pm, Board of Trustees meeting UUCJ’s Board meetings are open to all.

Friday, August 22, at 7:00 pm: 4th Friday Film Night The Boys of Baraka (82 min) follows twenty “at risk” 12-year-old boys as they attend an experimental boarding school in Kenya, East Africa, and as they return to inner-city Baltimore. Will these young people be able to bring positive change to their own lives and their communities? 

Saturday, August 23, The Power of Intent group session will be led by Lelon Thompson from 10:00 am to 10:45 am (cost $10/person). Lelon will then facilitate the class Developing Your Intuition from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (cost $10/person).

Wednesday, August 27, Book Discussion Group currently discussing A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle led by Butch Arthur from 7:00 pm

Saturday, August 30, is our 5th-Saturday Work Day from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. There is much to be done. Brian will be on hand to coordinate cleaning into the late afternoon, as needed to assure that all needed tasks are completed. Join the crew anytime. Even late comers will find plenty to do.

October 15-19, 2008, Unitarian Universalist Womenspirit Institute (& Gathering) at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Centers, Highlands, NC, for a joy-full, power-full and spirit-filled retreat. Learn the many ways you can Listen for the Sacred all around you. Learn the many ways you can Answer the Call. Green your spirit and the earth through experiential workshops, participatory worship, networking with like-minded women, and just plain fun. For more information visit www.uuwomenspirit.org

 

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