UUCE Connections - Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene

UUCE Connections
July 2014
Volume 17 Issue 7
Empowered by love, we transform ourselves and serve our world.
Church Office
Hannah Williamson, Admin.
Tues – Fri, 9 am – 1:30 pm
[email protected]
541-686-2775
Minister
Rev. Sydney A. Morris
[email protected]
Phone: 541-686-2775
Board President
David DeCou
[email protected]
541-998-2110
Dir. of Religious Education
Katy Siepert
[email protected]
Music Director
Tom Sears
[email protected]
Hours: Mon-Wed, 9am-3pm
Th, 9am-Noon
Newsletter Editor
Bonnie Koenig
[email protected]
480-532-6001
Website: www.uueugene.org
UU Church in Eugene
1685 W. 13th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97402
Contents
From the Boardroom 2
Coming Events
3-7
Music Matters
8
Religous Education 9
UUCE News
10-18
Living Green
19
Minister’s Message
A
s summer descends with all its glory,
the garden is looking amazing. I have
certainly enjoyed snacking on the peas
planted by RE kids!
I’m told that things slow down here in the
summer, although adult RE, GA in Eugene
and services have been quite hearty. It’s a good
time for living into your congregational vote at
the Annual Meeting to include in the budget a
different office position – an end to the Office
Administrator position, and the creation of a
Congregational Administrator position. You can
expect the office to be very minimal while we say
goodbye to Hannah Williamson as of July 11th,
and move into the new configuration. Interviews for the CA are occurring as we
speak; that person will, with me, hire their Assistant – all of which will take time.
In the meantime we have a temporary receptionist who is able to take down any
questions and pass them on. Thank you all for your patience and forbearance.
While I’m saying thank you, GA in Eugene went well with help from many
folks:
Thanks to Lori Ragona and the Pacific Northwest District for the grant which
launched us into technology supporting this endeavor (and the many others in
our future). Thanks to workshop facilitators Vyronica Van Meter and Teresa, Sue
Craig, Lesley Rex, Martha Osgood, Dick Loescher and Laura Alpert; and to Bob
Kaeser for all things tech. Thanks Joan McDonald for food and to her helpers Jean
Ella and Laura Alpert; and to Janet Russell and Nisco Junkins. Gratitude to this,
our living tradition of congregational polity, justice and joyous celebration.
I wish you all the refulgent summer of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Divinity
School Address, delivered on Sunday Evening, July 15, 1838, in which
… it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life. The grass grows, the buds burst,
the meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers. The air is full of
birds, and sweet with the breath of the pine, the balm-of-Gilead, and the new
hay. Night brings no gloom to the heart with its welcome shade. Through the
transparent darkness the stars pour their almost spiritual rays. ..The cool night
bathes the world as with a river, and prepares [our] eyes again for the crimson
dawn. The mystery of nature was never displayed more happily. The corn and
the wine have been freely dealt to all creatures, and the never-broken silence with
which the old bounty goes forward, has not yielded yet one word of explanation.
One is constrained to respect the perfection of this world…
How wide; how rich…
Rev. Sydney
From the Boardroom
Message from the
President of the Board
A
s your new Board President I’d like to introduce myself,
Dave DeCou. With my height, I’m easy to find. You may
know my name but I’ll not always know yours, so please
wear your nametag and introduce yourself. I’ve been active at
UUCE since 2001 and have served in many areas, most recently
as an At Large Trustee of the Board. Prior to that, I chaired the
Building Project Oversight Committee and was involved in other
building groups. For almost 30 years, I’ve been an organic farmer
deeply involved in the organic food industry. I’m now slowing
down my work life and can give to our community. I look forward
to working with all of you.
Let’s all acknowledge the leadership of our retiring Board
members: Emmet Band, Daniel Blades, Patrick Phillips; Jason
Dedrick, our retiring vice president, Phyllis O’Neill, our retiring
Treasurer, and Susan Verner, our semi-retiring President. Board
members put in more time and effort than most people realize and
much of UUCE’s current success stems from their efforts. Thank
them whenever you can--there is never a surplus of gratitude in our
world!
This church has grown tremendously and so have the
responsibilities of our Board and staff. Things just cannot operate as
informally as they have in the past. To address this issue, the Board
has been working to become a Policy Governance board. With this
form of governance, the Board, with much input from you, will
determine a working framework for our Ministries. This structure
will be strengthened by policies.
As an example, consider the Safe Congregation policy, which we
have discussed through Info Links and Input Links. Similar policies
will be developed over the next years in the same way. Once
policies have been developed, they will be reviewed at set intervals
to see if they are still appropriate. This system will result in the
Board becoming more separate from operations, since that will
fall to others to handle in accord with policies. This is boring stuff
for many, but if Board work is done well we will be very boring
indeed, and UUCE will thrive as we work to serve our world.
This year I intend to maintain the smooth running of our
church and help us identify the direction we’d like to go. Our
Dreamcatcher 2 workshops have begun that discovery and I hope
to be surprised by where our dreams lead us. We are very creative
people! Some may be disappointed that their pet project may not be
chosen, but whatever we decide, and with all of us pulling together,
we will make a huge difference. I look forward to serving each one
of you.
For our church community,
Dave
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 2
Coming Events
O
July Sunday Services
ur theme for the summer is the sources of our living tradition: wisdom from the world’s religions which
inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s
love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of
reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; Spiritual teachings of Earthcentered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of
nature.
July 6 A “Time of Sharing”
Worship Associates- Kathleen Dillon, Nisco Junkins
and Dianne Watson.
Personal Reflection- Rouanna Garden.
Let us celebrate our Interdependence with candle
lighting and thoughtful listening, as we share the Joys
and Sorrows that are moving through our own lives.
All ages are welcome. There will be ample candles,
including the wrought iron candelabra.
July 13 “Authenticity” How do Unitarian
Universalists relate to all these traditions in an
authentic way?
July 20 “Paths of Life” Also the title of a book my
grandfather wrote, a reflection of the paths my own
religious life has taken.
July 27 Presenter, Jim Scott – UU Composer, Poet,
Performer and Activist Jim will lead the Sunday
morning service with a mixture of commentary
and music. He has presented his contemporary and
multicultural music to more than 600 UU Churches
over nearly three decades, and last year joined with
our choirs to present the celebrated Missa Gaia
Years of activism are reflected in Jim’s work. His
songs, poetry and short stories address issues of
ecology, justice and peace with insight and gentle wit.
OUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
O
ur Place in the Universe is the first of a
series of seminars. Through the summer and
fall they will be: Science and Religion, UU
History, and Personal Practice.
Science and Religion began last month. Rev.
Sydney is using three traditional theological
categories of investigation: What is it to be human?
What is the world? And, what is beyond (if
anything)?
In the first meeting, she challenged us to wonder,
How do we know what we know, and what are the
limits to our knowing? We gazed through lenses
of psychology, philosophy, cognitive science,
neuroeconomics, Zen Buddhism and quantum
physics. In small groups we shared our thoughts to
the questions, "What was your first encounter with
relations between religion and science?," and, "What
is your favorite scientific concept?"
July 2014
The Science and Religion series continues
with two more sessions to be held on July 8
and August 19, 2014, 7-9.
In the July session, we will talk about scientific and
religious approaches to describing and understanding
the world around us. If you would like some
homework, read up on a scientific idea that you love!
No registration is required. Simply come to the
Sanctuary ready to thoughtfully inquire, reflect and
share.
Information can be obtained from Lesley Rex
[email protected]
UUCE Connections
Page 3
Coming Events
Iron Mountain Hike
Saturday, July 19th, 8:30 am
Difficult 6.6 mile loop, 1900 ft. elevation gain
This trail is a biological wonderland, climbing
through old growth forest and early summer
wildflowers, including Cascade Lilies. The last
mile to the peak is steep, with views of all of the
eastern Cascade peaks. Bring a sack lunch, water,
personal first aid supplies, and sturdy footwear.
Carpool drivers are needed. We will leave from
the church parking lot. No dogs please. The hike is
limited to 12 participants (ages 18 and up). Contact
Diane Wooldridge to sign up: [email protected]
or 541-342-8071.
Community Offering in July
P
arenting Now!, formerly Birth To Three, will
be given our community offering on July
20. Parenting Now!, a nonprofit, provides
parenting education and support. More details are
at http://www.parentingnow.org. It was the first
recipient of our community offering program when
it began in 2006.
In June, we gave our offering of $849.25 to ProBone-O. Thank you very much for your generosity!
Marilyn Milne
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 4
Coming Events
A PETE
SEEGER
SONGFEST
Jim Scott
Remembering Pete
through his songs
7 PM Sunday July 27
Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene
1685 West 13th St. Eugene OR Info: (541)686-2775
Suggested donation $10 to $15 sliding scale
Led by composer/guitarist Jim Scott, who collaborated on many projects
with the folk legend, we’ll raise our voices for causes Pete championed. Jim
will share stories, and lots of songs from Pete’s 94 years of life. We’ve lost
an icon, but not his legacy of poetry and song to guide and inspire us.
Known to many as the guitarist with
the Paul Winter Consort Jim is a prolific
composer in his own right. He compiled
and arranged the “Earth and Spirit
Songbook” over 100 songs of earth and
peace by many contemporary composers,
including Pete Seeger.
www.JimScottGuitar.com
www.uueugene.org
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 5
Coming Events
Produce Bag Update
Food for
Lane County
Night
Produce bags are a UUCE fundraising project aimed
at supplying the public with low cost reusable,
washable bags to purchase produce.
We are moving along. Production of one specific
size bag is all that's keeping us from putting together
kits.
Soon a call will go out to come and help assemble
kits. We will need people to help fold bags into a kit
and attach a tag. This is mostly sit down work and
should be fun.
I'd like to thank all the people that have dropped
off supplies (turtle necks, t-shirts and fabric, and
sewing supplies) and everyone that helped sew.
Thursday, July 24 6:30 pm
770 Bailey Hill Road
Looking for a worthwhile
service project this
summer? Volunteer at
FFLC. Parents, bring your
kids age 12 and up and
make it a family project.
Wear a hat or ponytail (no
sandals please). At least 6
volunteers are needed; contact Diane Wooldridge at
541-342-8071 or [email protected] to sign up.
FFLC Support
Continues
W
e just filled another barrel with our
donations to FFLC! Thank you to everyone
for continuing to support people in our
community who are experiencing food insecurity.
Our “requested food item” for July is canned meat,
which includes tuna, salmon, and chicken.
July 2014
Once the kits are assembled various stores in town
will be approached to get the kits into the hands of
the public. Raising money for UUCE while recycling
materials into useful new products is the goal.
Any questions please contact:
Rouanna Garden at [email protected]
UUCE Connections
Page 6
Coming Events
Personal Reflections
Return in July and
August
F
or many years, members of the Church have
shared their spiritual journeys from the
pulpit. This opportunity to share intimately
and be known deeply is a cherished UUCE
tradition, going back to 1983, called Personal
Reflections.
The next Personal Reflections will be given on
July 6th by Rouanna Garden and August 3rd by
Bill Rodgers. For those who would like to read
past Personal Reflections, they are accessible on
the website and in hardcopy. To access a list of all
Personal Reflections, either by name or volume
number, go to the web page http://uueugene.org/
personal-reflections, and select an attachment at
the bottom of the page.
We have printed volumes available at no
cost, by contacting the Personal Reflections
coordinator, Ken Ross, [email protected].
Since the next volume of Personal Reflections
(Volume 19) won’t be published for some time,
the latest people to give their Personal Reflections
have authorized Ken to share them. If you would
like one or more of them, contact him and he will
send you a copy in Word format. This offer is for
reflections given by Emmet Band (March 3, 2013),
Melia Scanlon (June 9, 2013), and Phyllis O’Neill
(February 2, 2014).
Want to Skip the
Capital Gains Tax and
Get a Tax Deduction?
If you donate stock to the church to satisfy your
pledge or give a gift, it is likely you can skip the
capital gains tax and get a tax deduction! The key is
to donate the stock directly to the church rather than
selling the stock first. Typically, a tax deduction is
taken for the full fair market value of the securities
— up to 30% of the donor's adjusted gross income.
To donate stock to UUCE, please contact the church
treasurer at [email protected], to get the correct
account number that will receive the stock and to let
us know to look for your incoming stock donation. If
you have donated stock to the capital campaign in the
past, that account is different than the account that
receives stock for the church's general fund. Thank
you!
Kay Crider
A Puzzle
What do the following
UUCE members have in
common? Laurel Fisher,
Barbara Greenley, Dick
Loescher, Gil Osgood, Pete
Sorenson, Dirk Ten-Brinke?
For the
a
see pa nswer,
ge 18
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 7
Music Matters
Thank you to our musical soloists who have
shared their talents with us this year.
Quincy Summerlin, Judy Shaw,
Amy Raven , Shandi Sinnamon and
August Sabini
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 8
Religious Education
D
ear UUCE Families and Friends,
By the time you read this, I will be a
married woman!! But my getting married
doesn’t slow anything down this summer at UUCE!
There is always so much going on around here,
and the month of July is no exception. Through
the summer, we will be providing childcare for
children up to age 10 each Sunday morning
during service (older children are welcome
as helpers and volunteer support in the
classrooms). Take some time to peruse the
summer offerings:
The Art of Being You(u)!
Please join us this summer for the “The Art
of Being You(u)!” program – a fun schedule of
Sunday morning activities that focus on the
expression and appreciation of our unique
individual selves. Each Sunday, children will
learn about a different expressive art form, and
on five Sundays this summer, they will get to
interact with and learn from guest presenters,
including local artists, and representatives
from organizations like MECCA and
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Dragon Puppet Theater! Come join
us for a fun summer line-up, and
explore the art of being you(u)!
July 6: Animal movements
and crafts with Mary
July 13: GUEST – Jordan
Schnitzer Museum of Art Dragon
Puppet Theater – Come visit with
Raven and Petro, bringing ancient
and modern tales from around the
world to life with a colorful puppet
show.
July 20: Puppet making with Mary
July 27: GUEST – Zany Zoo will come with some
artful creatures to capture the imagination.
August 3: The art of animal yoga with Mary
August 10: GUEST – Olivia the Owl from Nearby
Nature will be representing the local critters here in
Eugene.
August 17: Expressing yourself through sound music with Mary
August 24: GUEST – MECCA is coming to make
what was once old new again!
August 31: Recycled arts with Mary
July 2014
Goldmine
This year, we are sending three youth to Goldmine, a
UU Leadership camp held in Edwards, Washington
in late July. The skills they learn in their time at
camp help youth become active leaders in their own
lives, and in the organizations of which they are
a part. It is my hope to continue to support our
youth in their growth and development, and to
continue to provide them with opportunities like
Goldmine! For more information on the camp, go
to: http://www.pnwd.org/content.aspx?ID=52
Note to youth: Please be on the lookout for
Facebook announcements – at least one Rock
Band party is in the works for this summer,
and a bowling party is also being lined up to
keep you connected through the summer
months!
OWL
Parents of middle and high school
youth: next fall and winter, UUCE
will be rolling out the middle
school and high school youth OWL
programs. Middle school OWL
is for youth in 8-9th grade, high
school is for those in 10-12th grade.
This year’s middle school program
will be held one evening a week,
and will be open to Unitarian
Universalists, as well as friends of
the church on a person by person
basis, beginning in late September
or early October and run through
May. High school OWL will
begin in early January and will
run through March. High school
OWL will again be an interfaith
program lead by facilitators
from the Unitarian Universalist,
Congregationalist, and Methodist
area churches. Please be on the lookout for more
information in the months to come.
As you can see, there is a lot going on in
RE – any questions? Feel free to contact me at
[email protected]
Bright Blessings
Katy
UUCE Connections
Page 9
UUCE News
Congratulations Graduates
Elise Englemann
The Bridging
Ceremony...
Quincy Summerlin
Caitlin Moseley
...celebrates the transition
of our youth from their
high school experience
into young adulthood. It
is a rite of passage that
welcomes these bright
and energetic people
into the rewards and
responsibilities of adult
life. We stand on the
other side with our arms
open to welcome them,
our minds prepared to
mentor and learn from
them, and our hearts
prepared to share life
together with them.
Exerpted from Jeff
Liebmann, uua.org
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 10
UUCE News
Welcome New Members
Kris Berña, Jason Berger, Douglas Stingley, Valerie
Elliott, Marcie Dorfman
What attracts me most
about this church is . . .
Ron Milton
. . . I get to ride the scissors lift and run the jack
hammer!
Lauren Milton Bailey
. . . it's UU!. Having been here a couple of years
now, I find that it is the hearts of the people in
the congregation that draws me most.
Ralph Hollingsworth
. . . the diverse, friendly people, and the
involvement everyone has in the Eugene+
community is really amazing. The physical
space represents an existing and future
environment for wonderful experiences.
Shane Nelson
. . . CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans)
July 2014
Erin Troberg, Membership Chairman
Larry Fox
. . . its openness.
Michael Hennes
. . . the uniqueness of UUCE, the way it brings my
family together, and the opportunities it gives me to
become engaged. I already feel that I am home and
surrounded by love. Thanks!
Carly Brynelson
. . . the openness and inclusiveness, the inter-faith
education, and the beautiful space. I also appreciate
the variety in practice and ritual and the touching
programs.
UUCE Connections
Page 11
UUCE News
New Members continued
Rachael Dunmire, Ralph Hollingsworth, Lauren Milton-Bailey, Ron Milton,
Betty Giordano, Courtney Cross, Heather Reese, Ryan Reese
What attracts me most about this church is . . .
Rachel Dunmire
. . . the openness and inclusiveness, the amazing
people, and the involvement in so many good
causes.
Valerie Elliott
. . . I was raised in the Unitarian Church, and I’m
new to Eugene so I look forward to being part of this
wonderful and welcoming spiritual community.
Courtney Cross
. . . the diverse and active community and the
openness to a wide variety of beliefs. I look
forward to finding my place at UUCE and I'm
grateful for the warm and accepting environment
of this church.
Ryan Reese
. . . that it is not a church, it is a temple of learning and
expansion of consciousness through radical inclusion
of ideas and templates of spiritual paths.
Sigrid Jones
. . . the welcoming spirit, the Minister Sydney
Morris, the music, and the feeling I get here on
Sunday mornings. I feel as though I am returning
to the beginning of my life when church was a
big part of my life. I am excited about being a
part of taking care of the world and cherishing
life here.
Marcie Dorfman
. . . the celebration of different beliefs and
opinions and the desire to help others in the
community and in the world.
July 2014
Heather Reese
. . . it is a community of questioners, thinkers and
seekers. I feel that at the heart of spirituality is a deep
desire to feel connected to one another and to the
greater cosmic universe or Devine that holds us. It's
this seeking of the big questions and finding deeper
understanding through our individual and shared
experiences that keeps me coming back each week.
Kitty Giordano
. . . the way people treat each other, I really enjoy the
people here.
Other new members: Douglas Stingley, Jason Berger,
Kris Berna Dean Celaya, Shandi Sinnamon
UUCE Connections
Page 12
UUCE News
Interweave is a church supported
group of Eugene-area Gay,
Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender
individuals
their supported
heterosexual
Interweaveand
is a church
group
of Eugene-area
allies,
who
gather to Gay,Lesbian,
share fabulous
Bi-sexual, Transgender individuals
food,
discuss an LGBTQ- themed
and their heterosexual allies, who
issue,
then
watch
an food,
gather
to share
fabulous
discuss an LGBTQthemed
issue,
LGBT-themed
movie
every
Second
then
watch
an
LGBT-themed
movie
Friday evening.
Interweave
And Then
There Were Three
H
every Second Friday evening.
ere is the latest conestoga hut that went up
on Friday June 13. Two brothers, Doug and
Chris, will be living there. They will join Ray
and Vickie, one of our original residents, who is well
known for all the gardening and watering she does.
Erik de Buhr from Community Supported Shelters
has donated the hut which is part of the city overnight
camping program, overseen by St.Vincent de Paul.
We are very grateful to Erik and his building crew
which included our own Emmet Band. Service in
Action approved the hut earlier in the year, but we
wanted to have a safe electrical connection to replace
the extension cords that B&G had been able to string
across the parking lot. You’ve all probably driven over
that bump.
Service in Action was able to provide money for
the electrician, but it was the hard work, including
jack hammering the trench in the parking lot, of
Emmet Band, Eric Swegles, Myles Knebel, Dave
Fountain, Ron Milton, Luther Greulich, along with
Susan Verner's son Chris and two young men from
Avant Gardners that made it happen. Emmett tells
me that we got a bid of $1800 for the excavation and
back fill across the parking lot and did the work
ourselves for less than $200. We are truly blessed with
a wonderful Buildings and Grounds Committee and
willing workers who have continued to work on our
building long after the initial push was over.
If you see our new residents, please say hello and
welcome them to the neighborhood.
Barb Prentice
Service in Action
July 2014
DATE: Friday, July14, 2013 (Second
Fridays)
TIME: 6:00 pm Potluck / 7:00 pm Movie
WHERE: UU Church in Eugene
Laurance Anyways the
movie follows the story of impossible
love between a man and a woman after
the man decided to have a sex change.
“Definitely one of my favourite films... makes
you laugh, cry and THINK. And yeah, it’s really
long but somehow that works for the film...
Makes you feel all the emotions Laurence and
Fred had to deal with during all those years. SO
MUCH LOVE for this film.”
UUCE Connections
Page 13
UUCE News
New tech
equipment
brings GA
to UUCE
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 14
UUCE News
Sound Booth Update:
See What's Behind What
You Hear
I hope you have noticed the beautiful oak floor
and trim in the sound booth (Thanks to Luther
Greulich, Bob Kaeser, Emmett Band, Eric Swegles,
Chris LeBlanc, David Fountain, John White and Jim
Schmidt). And we are now able to turn the lights in
the sanctuary and the social hall on and off --from
the sound booth. We have new microphones (no
more crackles when Katy tells the stories for all
ages) and most recent additions to our A/V arsenal
are the center-mounted projector and the dropdown white screen, electronically activated from
the sound booth.
The IT (Information Technology) group has
been busy redesigning routes and installing wiring
in preparation for (we hope) bringing the annual
General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist
Association right to our own sanctuary. Read about
this in the June Newsletter on pages 4-6.
Ruth Ross
Luther Greulich has done beautiful
wood work all over the church.
July 2014
Ruth and Bob will make sure that you are heard.
UUCE Connections
Page 15
UUCE News
Volunteers Make the
World Go Round
The summer is
a lovely time to
slowly and gently
get to know how to
do the volunteering
that you want to
offer in the coming
church year. ALL
the opportunities
can be adjusted
to suit your time
frame and interests, and every one will put you in
contact with wonderful people at UUCE. Take a
look at what is available so far on the Volunteering
webpage at http://www.uueugene.org/index.php/
volunteering (or click the Volunteer button on the
home page).
Martha Osgood
Coffee Help
Did you panic when there was no coffee after service?
The hard-working coffee crew has been at it for a long
time and would welcome some new team members.
The Building and Grounds still need lots of tender loving care. Join the BAG team every Tuesday
9-12, and the Landscaping leaders, Sarah and Gretchen, Wednesday, 9-12.
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 16
UUCE News
Julie Rogers Remembered
J
Julie was often helping
Joy in the choir.
ulie Rogers, long time Sanctuary Choir
member who passed away May 10,
generously offered the contents of her
condo for an estate sale to benefit UUCE.
This took place on May 30-31. I coordinated
the sale and want to acknowledge and thank
all the wonderful volunteers who helped
make it a huge success: Linda Meyer, Nita
White, Pat Hendricks, Charlotte Writer,
Sue Craig, Jon Miller, Judy Shaw, Rouanna
Garden, Vicki Elmer, Sally O’Donnell, Jean
Cottel, Barbara Wade and Janice Rutherford.
And of course thank you to Julie and to all
the shoppers who helped us raise $2620.21
for UUCE!!
All goods that did not sell were donated
to Community Supported Shelters for their
upcoming fundraiser in July.
Nadja Sanders
Many helpers made the Estate Sale go smoothly.
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 17
UUCE News
St. UUrsula
As July cracks open the night sky with a bang and a burst of falling stars, so your patron saint fights evil and
showers blessings upon her flock. May all of Oregon’s summer splendors be yours, dear ones!
Dear St. UUrsula,
Are you American? I need to know if you’re on my side,
what with July 4th coming up.--Can’t Be Too Careful
Dear Can’t Be Too Careful,
Honestly, does it matter so much? On July 4th I
am American, on the 14th, I am French in honor
of Bastille Day. Who could argue with Liberty,
Equality, and Sisterhood? (I take my own liberties,
as any female saint would.) And surely all UUs are
international by nature? So enjoy your hot dogs,
escargot, whatever lights you up, and remember that
we are all One.
Dear St. UUrsula,
I’m a biker, which is to say that I like Hogs, of the twowheeled variety. Any interest out there in starting a
UU motorcycle gang? What would be more UU than
confronting evil? I’ll need a sympatico gang, guys and
gals who are peaceful but not afraid to fight for truth and
justice. --Harley Dude
Dear Harley Dude,
What a fabulous idea! Frankly, I’m astonished
that I, in my infinite wisdom, didn’t have it first.
But even I can admit error, every century or
so. Might I offer a name for your group? How
about Chalice Fighters? And, in thanks for that
moniker, I’d like a leather jacket. You will, after
all, need me keeping a lookout. Just sayin’.
July 2014
Dear St. UUrsula,
I graduated high school a couple weeks ago and am lost,
now that I’m no longer a cheerleader, active in my sorority,
and part of the Homecoming Court. I hate my life. Can you
help me?--Deeply Superficial
Dear Deeply Superficial,
I have nothing against superficiality; if I did,
operating within the Saints Council would be
impossible. (Don’t get me going about St. Jude-desperate cases, indeed!) But in answer to your
question, I must say that life after high school is not
that different. The trick is to crack the Inner Circle.
Could you not cheer for the Good, start a service club,
and court the homeless? Let service be your prayer,
my child. You will achieve real depth just when you
need it most.
To submit a question to St. UUrsula send
to [email protected]
Answer to th
e pu
These people gav zzle on page 7
e their Personal
Reflections betw
een October
1983 and May 19
86. They can be
found in Volum
es 1-3.
UUCE Connections
Page 18
Living Green
The Benefits of Buying Local
Ah, July . . . when the bounty of the earth bursts forth!
As the abundance of fruits and vegetables finds its
way to our tables, it is a fitting time to think about
where our food comes from. Today, much of our
food, conventional and organic alike, is traveling
literally thousands of miles from farm to fork. Along
the way, food loses its nutritional value, burns fossil
fuels, and contributes to global warming. Local foods
provide exceptional taste and freshness, strengthen
our local economy, and support endangered family
farms.
Better Quality
Food is fresher, more flavorful, and more nourishing
when it is picked at the peak of ripeness and rushed
to your table in hours. It does not have to be picked
green, ripened with chemicals, and lose nutrients as
it is transported. More shoppers are willing to pay a
premium for local food - seeing it as better tasting,
more trustworthy, and more sustainable.
More Dollars Stay Here
A significantly greater portion of the money you
spend with local businesses stays in your community.
This means more money for roads, schools, services
and jobs. Lane County residents currently spend less
than 5% on locally produced foods. We can do better
than that! A small change in the way you shop can
have a big impact on your community.
Sustainable
Local farmers are more likely to be using sustainable
methods which conserve and restore the soil and
reduce or eliminate pesticide use. Buying from your
farmer face to face allows you to ask questions about
how the food is grown. Food imported from countries
with lower standards may contain pesticides banned
in the US. Corporations don't care what kind of a
wasteland they leave in their wake.
Make the commitment to shop local and support
locally-owned businesses. Research shows that if you
shift a portion of your spending from national chains
and the Internet to independent locally-owned and
operated businesses, you can have a dramatic effect
on your local economy. You can make a difference!
Earth Action Committee
http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.cfm
thinkshopbuylocal.com
independentwestand.org
July 2014
UUCE Connections
Page 19