THE REP RTER - St. John`s Unitarian Universalist Church

THE REP RTER
Newsletter of St John’s Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday Community Worship Services
June 24, 2012
Interim Minister
the Rev. Helen Carroll
June 24, 2012
"St. John's on St. John's Day: Thoughts on the baby and the bathwater"
What does it mean to be a Unitarian Church with a saint in our name? June 24
is St. John's saint day, and we'll look at the tradition of St. John’s Day
worldwide, and consider the legacy of the name of our church.
Minister Emerita
July 1, 2012
“Where Do You Go When You've Sold Your Soul, Part 2”
The Rev Bonnie Meyer
Several years ago I related the anguish of some hospice patients who felt it
necessary to put on religious or emotional facades as they were dying, with the
message that we need places like St John's where we can be who we are. I will
pick up on those ideas and offer some thoughts about the trust needed for us
to be authentic, and factors which build trust.
Director of
the Rev. Annie Foerster
Minister of Music
Dr. Catherine Roma
Assoc. Director of Music
Rachel Kramer
Religious Exploration
Elizabeth Wilson
Ministerial Intern
Amy Shaw
Caretaker
Tim Johnson
Office Administrator
Mary Jo (Josie) Arens
July 8, 2012
“Not Just a Dream”
Mayra Alza, Don Sherman and young Dream Activists Jose and Heyra
Who gets a chance at the American Dream? Who has the right to go to college,
to work, to vote? These are things we want for Jose and Heyra and their friends
who were brought to this country as children – hence the name “Dream Act”
for the bill that would give them a pathway to citizenship. But after three years
of delays, they are tired of waiting. They don’t want us to think of them as just
“dreamers.” What can we do to support these young people? Let’s ask them in
person!
Church Office
513-961-1938
[email protected]
Office Hours Through June 15
M-F 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
Church Website
www.stjohnsuu.org
e-News Submissions
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
July 15, 2012
"We Are the Divine"
Amy Shaw, Ministerial Intern
As Unitarian Universalist we have many truths. We are a part of a shared web
of creation and we understand divinity through understanding ourselves; our
own principles, convictions, perfections, and moral nature. We are the Divine,
and the Divine is us. Join ministerial intern Amy Shaw as she explores William
Ellery Channing's idea of the spark of Divinity in all.
Marty Harrington
Newsletter Submissions
[email protected]
Newsletter Email List
[email protected]
Next Newsletter Deadline
Wed July 11 at 5 pm
________________________________________________________________
Our Mission: St John’s is committed to creating a safe and caring community,
working for peace and social justice, and celebrating beliefs that respect
freedom of thought.
Eagle, symbol of
St John the Evangelist
ST. JOHN’S
CHURCH WIDE PICNIC
Sunday, July 29 at 3:00 pm
Location: Winton Woods “Owl Overlook” picnic shelter
Handicapped accessible, rest rooms on site, and a new children’s
playground recently added.
WHAT TO BRING. . .
ACTIVITIES AND GAMES. . .







bring a generous dish to share
bring your own drinks (alcoholic beverages
allowed in the shelter)
bring meat to cook on the grill, if desired
bring lawn chairs if convenient
bring “toys”: corn hole game, a volleyball, horse
shoes, Frisbee, hula hoops, plus????

volleyball (net is there; bring your ball)
horse shoes (pits are there; bring horse
shoes)
corn hole game (we have one – bring more)
Games and activities will be planned for all age
groups – children to adults
DIRECTIONS. . .

From the south, take I 75 north, then Ronald Reagan
Highway (Route 126) west. Exit at Galbraith Road toward
Winton Road. You will turn left on Galbraith (going west)
and then turn right on Winton Road. Go north on Winton
for about 3 miles, then turn right on Lakeridge Drive
which is before the lake/harbor area.
 From I275 on the north side of Cincinnati, take Winton
Road south for about 4 miles and turn left on Lakeridge
Drive which is after the lake/harbor area.
 Once on Lakeridge Drive, take an almost immediate left
into the park, then right, then left. Follow the signs to Owl Overlook shelter - signs will read “St. John’s Picnic”.
Note: you will need a park sticker to enter: $3 for the day or $10 for the year.
More details are on: www.hamiltoncountyparks.org.
RSVP
... so we can plan our activities and accommodate all people. Give us the ages of your children
so we can provide for them! Please contact LaDonna Fritz.
Lively After Fifty (LAF’s)
SUMMER POTLUCKS
July 20 ~ August 11 ~ More???
The next summer pot luck for LAFs will be held on 7/20/12 at 6:30 pm, at the home of
Linda Linker in Wyoming, OH. Linda will supply non-alcoholic beverages. Please bring
a dish to share, and beer or wine if you so desire. RSVP to Linda before Wednesday,
7/18/12.
The next potluck after that will be 8/11 at the home of Nina and Howard Tolley.
Additional dates may be added in the future, so stay tuned!
Page 2 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012
Changeover
on the Board
¡Escucha! el 8 de Julio
Brush Up on Your
Spanglish
effective July 1, 2012
St John’s July 8 service will feature three hymns with
verses in both Spanish and English. If you would like to
check out the lyrics in advance, email your request to
Marty Harrington at [email protected]. You can
familiarize yourself in advance with how the lyrics fit the
music by searching for the following on YouTube:
 No Nos Moveran
 Esta Tierra Es Tuya
 De Colores
Front row: Claire and Barbara.
Back row: Penny, Judy, Diana, and Marty
(AKA Brush up on your board members!
President
Outgoing: Jim McDonough
Incoming: Claire Wagner
Vice President
Outgoing: Claire Wagner
Incoming: Diana Long
Secretary
Outgoing: Kathy Rentz
Incoming: Judy Strong
Finance Council
Penny Shada continues.
Community Council
Outgoing: Jan Hay
Incoming: Kathryn McDonough
Administrative Council
Kathleen Smythe continues
Mission Council
Outgoing: Frances May Brooks
Incoming: Marty Harrington
Property Council
Outgoing: Frank Meyer
Incoming: TBA
Why the Spanglish? The service is dedicated to the Dream
Act, and a number of Dream Activists will be presenting
their stories. If you missed the March Forth Immigration
conference, this will give you a second chance to meet
these amazing young
people! We expect that
we will also have family
members who are more
comfortable in Spanish
than English; this is our
welcome to them.
When we say “meet” the
Dream Activists, we mean
it literally. The best part of
the service might well be
Cousins Heyra and Jose
the conversation
afterward in Krolfifer. The
Dream Activists and friends will be staying to socialize and
converse with all of us. (And yes there will be coffee and
snacks!)
In Memoriam
Andy Wolf, retired Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra bassist and longtime
member of St John’s, died peacefully in hospice on Thursday evening,
June 21.
Our hearts go out to Emily Hodges, Andy’s partner for 27 years, who is
also a longtime and well-loved member of our congregation.
Religious Development Council
Outgoing: Diana Long
Incoming: Barbara Tonne
Emily asked the Reporter to thank everyone for their healing thoughts
and prayers. She will arrange a memorial service for August or
September, at St John’s, with the St John’s music that Andy loved.
Nominating Committee Chair
(non board elected position)
Outgoing: Bill Luerssen
Incoming: Jim McDonough
Emily specifically requested that no flowers be sent. Andy’s memory
would be highly honored by a gift to St John’s Unitarian Universalist
Church in lieu of flowers, she said.
Page 3 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012
Greater Cincinnati
Pride Interfaith Service
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 7:00 pm
at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church
103 William Howard Taft Road
Join us in celebrating the "Spiritual Side of Pride" with an interfaith evening of song,
scripture, prayer and inspiration. Over a dozen clergy and lay leaders from across the
rainbow of religious perspectives will lead this service which honors how diverse
faiths respect and embrace people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
This service is presented by UUGC (The Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati). For additional information,
please visit: www.cincinnatipride.org. Volunteers needed to bring food, drinks and to help with usher and organizational
duties. Contact MJ Pierson at [email protected].
Cincinnati Pride Parade
Saturday June 30, 2012
Check-in at 10:00 am; Parade Begins 11:00 am
Downtown Cincinnati
Once again we will have a UU Council Float and many
marchers carrying banners from each of our UU
Congregations. Last year we had 30 to 40 marchers but
we hope to do better than that this year. Wear your
"Standing on The Side Of Love" bright yellow tee shirt or
a UU theme shirt or even just a solid rainbow colored
shirt. The march starts on Sentinel street off of 5th
Street downtown and check in is at 10 am. The start of
the parade is at 11:00. The parade winds its way to
Sawyer point where there will be music, entertainment
and booths. If walking is too difficult you can ride in the float or we will arrange more transportation and rides. Last year
the parade lasted about an hour and was a lot of fun. Let's have the most UUs in the parade as possible. Our themes will
include Marriage Equality and Supporting the Dream Act.
Also Saturday June 30 we will have a UU Council Information booth at Sawyer Point. This booth has information about
Unitarian Universalism and is a great deal of fun having conversations with people and watching the fun. Volunteers would
be asked to sign up for two hour increments to man the booth to hand out information and talk to people. We will also
have petitions for support of the Dream Act as a continuation of our March Forth For Justice Program.
Northern Kentucky Pride:
Sunday July 1 the Pride activities move to Northern Kentucky lining the streets
around Goebal Park near 5th Street, Covington. Again we will have the information
booth and the petition drive and ask for volunteers in two-hour shifts.
UU Pride Volunteer Central:
We could still use volunteers for these events, as noted above – to run information booths, usher, bring food, etc. Shifts are
two hours. Contact MJ Pierson at [email protected] if you can volunteer for any of these activities.
Page 4 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012
A WEEK IN SZENTLASZLO
Ruth Anne Wolfe and Mary Darner report that they have completed their week
long craft school in our partner church village of Nyaradszentlaszlo, Romania.
Classes for the two were held outside in the picnic area near the minister’s house.
The older women of the village were their teachers. They learned spinning hemp on
a drop spindle and two kinds of embroidery (irasos pronounced “e rah shosh”) from
the experts who do fine work. While Ruth Anne and Mary were working, some of
the other women worked on woven mats using strips from used fabrics.
Later they were joined by children from the nearby elementary school. The school,
housed in a building owned by the Unitarian church, teaches children in grades 1
through 4. There are only eleven kids in the school. The boys joined the girls in
making beadwork and bracelets.
Ruth Anne and Mary raised the idea of the women making doll clothes in Szekely
folk dress patterns. The women could then sell the dolls with the folk dresses to
visitors stopping to see their historic church. The women decided the girl dolls should be named Marta in honor of Rev.
Kiss and Rozsa’s daughter who now lives in the Los Angeles area.
Their day started with a breakfast of sausage, polenta with cheese, sheep cheese filled pancakes, tomatoes, cucumbers,
onions, coffee and, of course, palinka the homemade plum brandy. Throughout the day, Ruth Anne and Mary were
brought coffee, wine and kurtos kolache, sweet bread made over an open fire. Lunch, often served mid afternoon and
dinner often late in the evening always started with palinka and included homemade wine.
Our travelers were given gifts of kender (hemp) cloth and knitted socks made by Aniko Bustya who is 86 years old. The
gifts came with tears and hugs. They were given honey by Istvan who, after his retirement, has become a beekeeper.
Their days ended with walks down the road singing, telling stories and laughing. They’ll have many more stories to tell us
when they return on June 25th.
~ Tom Darner, the Friends of Szentlaszlo
From the
ffice
By Josie Arens
St. John’s Office Administrator
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS now in effect:
 Office open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:00
am – 1:30 pm
 Office closed Monday and Fridays
Josie will be on vacation from June 25 thru July 9. There
will be office coverage Tuesday – Thursday from 9:00 am to
noon during that time.
DEADLINE REMINDERS for upcoming weeks
Order of Service announcements:
 For the Sunday, July 15 service, deadline is Monday,
July 9.
 For the Sunday, July 22 services, deadline is Monday
July 16
ENews will be suspended the weeks of June 25 and July
nd
2 . Next ENews deadline will be Wednesday, July 11.
REPORTER will skip a week on July 8. The next Reporter
deadline is thus July 11, for the issue dated July 15. After
that, the Reporter resumes its usual biweekly schedule.
TAKE
ME OUT
TO THE
BALL
GAME!
Tuesday, August 14
Children & Youth RE would like to invite all St. John’s
members and friends to enjoy a fun,
multigenerational opportunity—an evening at a
Cincinnati Reds game on Tuesday, August 14. The
Reds will play the New York Mets. View Level group
tickets are $10.00 each. EVERYONE —young and old
alike—is invited to attend!! (A minimum of 25
participants are required to take advantage of this
great ticket offer.)
RSVP to DRE Elizabeth Wilson if you are interested—
[email protected] or 513-779-6923 - or see
the sign-up sheet located on the south wall of
Krolfifer.
nd
Deadline to order your tickets is Monday, July 2 !
Page 5 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012
RE-flecti ns
By Elizabeth Wilson
St John’s Director of Religious Exploration
SUMMER RE BEGINS!!
Our summer RE program got off to a great start last week with the Native American curriculum, Keepers of the
Earth, by award-winning Native American author Joseph Bruchac. Each week we’ll explore Native American stories
from a variety of North American tribes. What better way to start off the summer than with a story about how the
world was created! The kids asked lots of great questions. . .we are fortunate to have so many terrific, curious
minds among us!! After our lively discussion, we proceeded to go outside to explore the front lawn of the church
and look close-up at all of the wonderful plants, animals, and objects that reside there. The thousands of red bugs
scurrying around the ground were an especially big hit and the kids really enjoyed using their magnifying glasses!
Speaking of magnifying glasses—many of the kids expressed interest in keeping the ones we used. Unfortunately I
could not give them away—too expensive and we’ll be using them lots this summer!—but I wanted to let you
know that United Art & Education, with several locations in the greater Cincinnati area, has some terrific
magnifying glasses perfect for young kids for under $10. Encourage your child(ren) to explore their natural world. .
.and it is especially fun to do so when you can see things up close and personal!
In addition to the stories and activities we’ll do each week during RE time, I will be providing a “Taking It Home”
sheet that offers suggestions on how to further explore the day’s theme—additional activities, crafts, recipes,
storybooks, websites, etc. If you miss a week, look for extra “Taking It Home” sheets on the RE bulletin board in
Haehnle.
TH
IMMIGRATION WORSHIP SERVICE ON JULY 8
Even though our summer programming is geared for younger children, I wanted to let parents know of an exciting
upcoming worship service. Marty Harrington and Howard Tolley are planning a service on immigration, featuring
several teenage Dream Activists. This service offers a wonderful opportunity for our youth (especially middle
school and senior high) to better understand one of today’s most important social justice issues as well as an
opportunity to personally meet fellow youth who face many struggles. I expect it will be quite inspiring! If your
youth would like to help serve as a greeter and/or usher for this service, let me know!
COMING SOON—LOTS O’ SUMMER FUN!!
nd
 2012 Cincinnati Reds Game! I have tentatively reserved Tuesday, August 14 for our 2 annual “St. John’s Goes
to a Reds Game” event!! View level tickets are $10 each with a minimum number of 25 people needed to
participate. Deadline to order tickets is Monday, July 2. See the article advertising this fun event located
elsewhere in this issue!
 First-ever “Habitour!” Amy Monson of St. John’s notified me of an upcoming special event that benefits
Habitat for Humanity. It’s the inaugural “Habitour”—a cycling event that will be held in and around Oxford, OH
on Saturday, September 8. There will be three routes to suit nearly every bike rider—a family fun ride (7-10
miles) through Oxford, a 25 mile course that loops through beautiful Hueston Woods, and a metric century (62
miles) that will take in both the state park and surrounding country roads. I’m hoping we can get a sizeable
group of St. John’s folks to participate in this worthy cause. . .and I’m looking for someone to assist me in
recruiting families of all kinds for this event. Let me know if you’re interested. . and start training now!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR. . .
Sunday, July 1: REMINDER—Summer worship service start time changes to 10:30 am!
Monday, July 2: Reds game ticket orders due!
Sunday, July 29: St. John’s picnic at Winton Woods
Saturday, September 8: Habitour cycling event to benefit Habitat for Humanity in Oxford, OH
Got suggestions? Send me an email ([email protected]) or give me a call (961-1940 (church office). Summer
DRE church office hours are Wed & Thurs 7:00 am-12:00 pm and by appt.
Page 6 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012
Church Calendar
Sunday, June 24
11:00 am Service
12:30 pm YAL (Young Adult Lunch) away
Monday, June 25
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
4:30 pm PEACE VIGIL - Central Parkway
7:00 pm Search Committee - Library
Tuesday, June 26
~ Josie Vacation Day (office covered 9-noon) ~
10:00 am Yoga
1:00 pm Wise Women of St. John's - Library
Wednesday, June 27
7:00 am Josie vacation day
4:30 pm Caring Circle
5:00 pm eNews Deadline
6:30 pm Goddess Group @ Hammond North
Thursday, June 28
~ Josie Vacation Day (office covered 9-noon) ~
10:00 am Meditation
7:00 pm Singing Class - Krolfifer
7:00 pm Pride Interfaith Service @ Mt. Auburn Presbyterian
Friday, June 29
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
7:00 pm Game Night
Saturday, June 30
10:00 am Worship Arts Committee – Library
CINCINNATI PRIDE – see page 4
Sunday, July 1
10:30 am Service (Note summer time change)
Monday, July 2
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
Tuesday, July 3
~ Josie Vacation Day (office covered 9-noon) ~
10:00 am Yoga
7:00 pm Young Adult Discussion and Action
7:00 pm Book Group (N Tolley)
Wednesday, July 4
~ HOLIDAY - OFFICE CLOSED ~
~ NO ENEWS THIS WEEK ~
~ NO REPORTER THIS WEEK ~
7:00 pm Search Committee - Library
Thursday, July 5
7:00 am Josie Vacation Day (office covered 9-noon)
10:00 am Meditation
7:00 pm Singing Class - Krolfifer
Friday, July 6
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
Sunday, July 8
10:30 am Dream Act Service (Note summer time change)
12:30 pm YAL (Young Adult Lunch) away
6:00 pm Men's Group (away)
Monday, July 9
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
7:00 pm Search Committee - Library
Tuesday, July 10
10:00 am Yoga
Wednesday, July 11
5:00 pm eNews Deadline
5:00 pm Reporter Deadline
7:15 pm Connections - Darwin
Thursday, July 12
10:00 am Meditation
7:00 pm Singing Class - Krolfifer
Friday, July 13
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
Saturday, July 14
7:00 pm Circle Supper - Location/Time TBA
Sunday, July 15
10:30 am Service (Note summer time change)
11:30 am Member Friends Picture Taking - Chapel
Monday, July 16
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
7:00 pm Search Committee - Library
Tuesday, July 17
10:00 am Yoga
Wednesday, July 18
2:00 pm COCC - Library
5:00 pm eNews Deadline
7:00 pm Board Meeting - Krolfifer
Thursday, July 19
10:00 am Meditation
7:00 pm Singing Class - Krolfifer
Friday, July 20
~ Office closed (summer schedule) ~
6:00 pm Summer Potluck @ home of Linda Linker
Sunday, July 22
10:30 am Service (Note summer time change)
12:30 pm YAL (Young Adult Lunch) away
Looking Forward
Sunday, July 29
3:00 Church-Wide Picnic
Saturday, August 11
LAF Summer Potluck (see page 2)
Tuesday, August 14
7:10 pm St John’s Goes to a Reds Game
Saturday, September 8
HABITOUR cycling event (see page 6)
Page 7 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cincinnati, Ohio
Permit No. 2429
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
320 Resor Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45220-1616
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Thought
f the Week
We forfeit three-quarters of ourselves
in order to be like other people.
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
Page 8 ~ The Reporter ~ June 24, 2012