August 2013 - Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge

Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge
Many Beliefs . . . One Community . . . A Better World
9:30 and 11:15 AM Sunday Worship
Classes & nursery for our children provided at the 9:30 & 11:15 AM Services
Classes for Middle and Senior Youth provided at the 11:15 AM Service
August 2013
See unabridged version of our church newsletter at UnitarianChurchBr.com
Click Newsletter Archives under Quick Links from our home page.
Sunday, August 4
What I Was Looking For and What I Found
Our services this morning welcome back Steve Crump and feature four church members who have each prepared
a short description of their journeys to our church and finding a home within our religious community. Please
invite persons you know who are looking for a community such as ours.
Leah Hartman is guest pianist for the morning.
Sunday, August 11
Shine on Me, Shine on Me: The Annual Gospel Services
. . .with guest pianist, Everrett Parker, gospel choir, and Marie Flowers conductor. The services will feature a
vocal prayer in memory of Trayvon Martin. After the services, Steve Crump and Bobby Thompson will conduct
“a conversation,” with members of the congregation on the subject of the aftermath of the trial in Sanford, FL, and
the next steps for American society.
Sunday, August 18
The Ingathering Services
We launch the first classes for autumn in our Sunday School. We bless our teachers and program. Steve Crump
and Nathan Ryan launch the theme for the church year: Going Deeper: Reflecting, Being, and Acting, with a
special message to Middle and Senior Youth. The Adult Choir returns with an anthem that invites congregational
participation.
Sunday, August 25
UU 101
Assistant Minister, Reverend Nathan Ryan, will lead a worship service exploring the basics of Unitarian
Universalism. This service will get to the roots of our faith, and explore what it is that brings us together. Here’s
another great Sunday to invite a friend to church. The Adult Choir offers an anthem on the lessons we can learn
from the earth.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Upcoming Services ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sunday, September 1, Jazz Worship Services ~ We welcome back Willis Delony and Bill Grimes, on piano and bass,
respectively, with a tribute to the times in which we live.
Sunday, September 29, Jazz Funeral for Mort Gage ~ with professional mourners, Second Line band,
a burial of the cancelled mortgage of our church, and a dancing on his grave. All in fun, with refreshments
in two services. (We’ll bury half at each service). Rain or shine.
Office Hours are Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM www.unitarianchurchbr.com
Ours is a no-smoking, no-firearms campus.
CHURCH STAFF including Volunteers –
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Outreach Director: Becky Cureau [email protected]
August 1: Meditation 7 PM
Social Justice Director: Bobby Thompson
[email protected]
August 2: Yoga 9:30 AM
Connections Director: Dottie Kelly uucbr_dottie @cox.net
August 4: Visitor Q&A 10:30 AM & 12:15 PM
Executive Assistant: Diana Dorroh
[email protected]
August 5: AG&L Council & Tai Chi 6 PM
IT Director: Neal Stoltzfus [email protected]
August 6: Yoga 9:30 AM, Socrates Café 7 PM
Office Manager: Allison Veitch
[email protected]
August 7: Recorders & Gospel Choir 6:30 PM,
Open Minded NA 8 PM
Director of Music: Ila Stoltzfus [email protected]
August 8: Meditation
Director of Religious Education: The Reverend Beth
Williams [email protected]
August 9: Yoga 9:30 AM,
Middle & Senior Youth Lock-In 8 PM
Pastoral Care Advisor: The Reverend Earle Ramsdell
[email protected]
August 10: Middle & Senior Youth Lock-In Ends @ 10 AM
Assistant Minister: The Reverend Nathan A. Ryan
(Off Fridays) [email protected]
August 11: RE Teacher Training 9:30 AM,
Open Circle Book Club 7 PM
Senior Minister: The Reverend Dr. Steve J. Crump
(Off Mondays) [email protected]
August 12: Tai Chi & PFLAG Board 6 PM,
Women’s Book Club 7 PM
OUR CHURCH BOARD -
August 13: Yoga 9:30 AM, Ministries Staff 2 PM
President: Sally Wood [email protected]
August 14: Recorders & Adult Choir 6:30 PM,
Open Minded NA 8 PM
Vice President: Nancy Gilbert [email protected]
Past President: Michael Hebert [email protected]
August 15: PFLAG, Meditation, & Church Board 7 PM
Secretary: Wayne Parker [email protected]
August 16: Yoga 9:30 AM
Personnel: Joan Hunt [email protected]
August 17: Margie Belk Memorial Service 2 PM
Treasurer: Nancy Turkmen [email protected]
August 18: Bible Skeptics 5 PM
Finance Chair: Kay Zimmerman [email protected]
Building & Grounds: Mike Cavell [email protected]
August 19: Tai Chi 6 PM
August 20: Yoga 9:30 AM, Connections Council 6 PM,
Socrates Café 7 PM
COUNCIL CO-LEADERS Kathy Judy & Ila Stoltzfus – Religious Services Council
August 21: Recorders & Adult Choir 6:30 PM,
Open Minded NA 8 PM
Shannon Cavell & The Reverend Beth Williams – Religious
Education Council
August 22: Non Fiction Book Club & Meditation 7 PM
Art Scarbrough & Janina Fuller – Adult Growth & Learning
Council
August 23: Yoga 9:30 AM
Holley Haymaker & Bobby Thompson – Social Justice
Council
August 25: Council Leaders 12:45 PM
Charles Fryling & Becky Cureau – Outreach Council
August 26: Tai Chi 6 PM
Marguerite Davis & Dottie Kelly – Connections Council
August 27: Yoga 9:30 AM
Donna Yelverton & Janene Wacker - Congregational Care
August 28: Recorders & Adult Choir 6:30 PM,
Open Minded NA 8 PM
August 29: Meditation 7 PM
2
August 30: Yoga 9:30 AM
CRUMP EXPRESSWAY
Assistant Minister’s Column
~ a column from our Minister, The Reverend Steve J. Crump
By The Reverend Nathan A. Ryan
It's good to be back with you, beginning Thursday, August 1
and in services beginning Sunday, August 4. I extend my thanks
to all the Sunday guest speakers, staff, Board, church volunteers,
and Worship Guild for moving us through each week and
keeping our chalice burning while I was on a modified-hybrid
(interesting and eventful) educational leave.
A woman that I respect deeply used to describe our faith to me
as a buffet. This used to drive me nuts! She would say that we
could pick from whatever beliefs and religions we wished. She
often told visitors at our church that “here, you can believe
whatever you want.” I was often frustrated because her
presumption ignores the depth and heritage of our great faith.
A conversation on race? Emotions are stirred and opinions are
plentiful in our nation as news emerged out of Sanford, FL
concerning the shooting death of Trayvon Martin last year and
the subsequent trial that ended in a July not guilty verdict. I'd
like to hear what members of the congregation have on their
minds. Let's converse and listen to each other in two smallgroup sessions, after each gospel service on Sunday, August 11.
Join us for the conversation.
Our church, which is the product of generations of hard work
and risk taking, and its roots are all too often ignored or
unnecessarily simplified. I have a similar frustration with the
over simplification and superficiality of our political and social
discourse: separating “us” from “those people”, declaring some
people as right and others as wrong, implying that there isn’t
room for nuance and contradiction in our lives. Our world is
complex, it is deep, and that is where I see the beauty.
Baby, What's Your Name? ~ Talk to Beth Williams, Nathan
Ryan, or to me (we'll collaborate together) if you'd like your
young child dedicated in a naming service this fall. We ran out
of scheduling time this spring for several dedications. Parents,
please communicate your interest and we'll start a fresh list.
Pre-scheduling is critical for us and for grand and godparents
and relatives who will want to attend.
This August launches the year long theme: “Going Deeper:
Acting, Reflecting, Being” All of us on the ministry staff hope
that this year will bring you depth and a better way to know
yourself.
About CATS ~ Have faith. The internal governance troubles
with the bus system's board will not and cannot last forever.
You should know that members of the executive board of
Together Baton Rouge have been meeting and are still invested
in holding CATS accountable for its mutually agreed upon goals
on a realistic time table. TBR stakeholders are our member
organizations (including our congregation) and the people of
our region who need now and will need in the future a viable,
first class transit system, of which a bus system is the
foundation. The positive bus tax election was an enormous
political accomplishment, but few if any of us in the TBR
organization thought the transitions and the build-out would be
easy.
___________________________________________________
(Crump’s Expressway continued.)
She was most appreciative of the
bark sample I gave her to show
her parents. Well might we all be
amazed and appreciative, as if we
were children, observing
complex systems of life for the
first time. Change is us and
about us. The little girl knows it
to be fact. The black snake –one
healthy dude that my neighbors
and I share together– has shed its
skin a couple of times this year,
we think. How's your shedding?
As for the myrtles – haven't they
given us enough beauty this
summer without giving us more?
Now they shed their bark, baring
the red bone souls of their very being. Do we deserve this
beauty, these sermons without words, these displays of
extravagance? I praise the beauty and leave you to answer the
questions.
___________________________________________________
Electronic Sign Geeks and Creatives, Unite ~ I am looking
for one or two volunteers who could become apprentices for
designing and programming our Daktronics full-color, LED,
outdoor, church sign. You’ll enjoy learning the platform. Plus,
if you finish the apprentice program, you'll be endowed with
awesome power in showing wonderful images, messages, and
colors to thousands of Goodwood passersby each day. Call or
send me a note of inquiry.
A snake sheds its skin. A tree shed's its bark. The neighbor
girl next door is at the age of sheer curiosity and takes special
interest this summer in the black snake that recently shed its
skin and the frogs that jump around her home. A few days ago
she noticed something quite strange happening (to her eyes, at
least) to all the crape myrtles in my yard –the shedding of bark.
(Continued bottom of next column.)
3
Social Justice
Daily meditations will be held the following week using each
day a theme from the five movements of Kyr’s composition as
the focus, and held at churches of five different faiths: Buddhist,
Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic. More information can
be found on the bulletin board in the Coffee Room.
A second concert of “Waging Peace” with members of the
original choral group will be performed in the Senate Chambers
of the State Capitol at 2:00 PM, on Sunday, September 29. The
concert will be free.
Bobby Thompson, Director of Social Justice
• There will be a sign up sheet for a follow up to the Aug
11th service for a featured dialogue facilitated by Dialogue on
Race Louisiana around the subject Race and Trayvon Martin.
Dialogue on Race Louisiana is an educational movement
focused on the elimination of racism. Dialogues are facilitated
by a bi-racial team that provides a structured conversation. This
structure enables the participants to have a safe, open and honest
dialogue around race. This ultimately leads to greater
understanding and positive action. The Mission of DORL is
mantling racism through Education, Transformation and Action.
Tickers for the Interfaith Federation’s Annual Community
Prayer Breakfast are now available from [email protected], or
through the church office at 926-2291. The cd for “Waging
Peace” will be available in mid-August at the Federation Office
at 225-267-5600. Ordered can be placed online at
www.ifedgbr.com.
• This month's shared offering will go to The Baton Rouge
Area Alcohol and Drug Center. BRAADC is a non-profit inpatient detoxification center that operates 24 hour a day, 7 days
a week, with a capacity of 24 beds for those individuals who are
18 years or older and who have used drugs and/or alcohol within
the last 7 days. Conceived as a charitable non-profit agency in
1972, currently funded by the City-Parish of East Baton Rouge,
Capital Area Human Services District, Capital Area United
Way, and private donors. Their aim is to serve the entire state of
Louisiana with a focus on the Greater Baton Rouge Area. 1819
Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge LA 70802 Phone: (225) 3893325
The meeting was attended by Dottie Kelly and Becky Cureau,
delegates to the Interfaith Federation from our church, who can
provide more information on the “Waging Peace” events.
The summer heat did not prevent two groups from doing
volunteer service on behalf of our church - in June at the Holy
Grill and in July at St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Room. Both
groups included youth who took time out from summer vacation
to work along with their parents. Stay tuned for a service
opportunity after time-out for school and church activities to
gear up in August. Great work, Volunteers! Thanks again for
your service!
Outreach
Becky Cureau, Director of Outreach
Delegates from member congregations of the Interfaith
Federation of Greater Baton Rouge met recently at Broadmoor
United Methodist Church with Executive Director, the Reverend
Robin McCullough-Bade, presiding. The main purpose of the
meeting was to apprise delegates of plans for follow-up
activities of the Federation’s yearlong focus on “Waging
Peace,” launched at the 2012 Annual Community Prayer
Breakfast. The speaker on that occasion was composer Robert
Kyr, who proposed writing a composition based on words on
violence and peace submitted from those in attendance at the
Prayer Breakfast, and from individuals and groups in the Baton
Rouge community. Kyr’s “Waging Peace” was premiered in
early May at the 23rd Annual Sounds of CommUNITY with a
chorus of one hundred singers, including members of our choir,
and our minister as one of the narrators. A number of
individuals from our church attended the concert.
Volunteers preparing "Bags of Hope" at the St Vincent de Paul Dining
Room in the July service included, front row left to right: Becky
Cureau, Gloria Bockrath, Ally Vickers, Tammy Vickers, Jaidyn
Bryant, Joanna Wilson, and Lindsey Decoteau; and back row, left to
right, Sandy Hubbard, Donna Yelverton, Sylvia Martines, Spencer
Goidel, grandson of and next toMax Gill, Cynthia Bryant, Jason
Wesley, and Barry Byram.
As a means of engaging individuals in addressing violence in
our community and finding ways to alleviate it, member
congregations are asked to hold a series of group discussion
sessions, using as a focus the words and music of “Waging
Peace.” Depending on interest of members of our congregation,
sessions may be arranged in early fall following the Annual
Community Prayer Breakfast to be held on Tuesday, September
10. “Waging Peace Each Day” will be the topic of the guest
speaker, The Reverend Brenda Smith, a Lutheran minister from
Chicago, Illinois.
(Continued next column.)
Volunteering at the Holy Grill was a family affair when Steve
Babcock, Nolan Babcock, and Ilana Gugich joined the Monday Team
at the Holy Grill in June.
4
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Seekers Senior Youth (11:15 – Grades 9-12) – The Seekers
Senior Youth have chosen Truth and Meaning by Jeff
Liebmann. This curriculum poses questions about the major
Western religions and relates these religions to Unitarian
Universalism for spiritual growth
From The Reverend Beth Williams
Middle & Senior Youth Lock-in - Friday, August 9 at 8 pm
until Saturday, August 10 at 10 am. This is an opportunity for
our youth to celebrate the beginning of a new school year.
Please also use the comments section for your preference!
Activities include social time, covenanting, Popcorn Theology
worship, and lots of fun and creative games. Accommodations
include girls sleeping room, boys sleeping room, and talking
room.
Teaching In the Fall Religious Education Semester – we have
a small but mighty roster of teachers and advisers for religious
education in the fall semester. But we need more help. Are you
that special someone who will add new energy and a fresh
perspective to a teaching team this year? Please contact me at
[email protected] for more information.
We need help to make this happen! We have volunteer
opportunities to be room monitors, do walk-abouts around the
grounds, be a snack helper, or our breakfast chef. Any time
given to us is appreciated. You don't have to be a parent or an
adviser to volunteer. Please contact Christine Assaf at
[email protected] for more information. For more
volunteer information and to sign up as a volunteer. please visit
doodle.com/p9qt222fe3if9w7w
Religious Education Program Registration - We ask that
parents and caregivers newly register each child and youth
attending the UCBR religious education program (including
nursery) in 2013-2014, even if they have been registered in
previous years. Updated information really helps us. You can
register your child or youth electronically at
www.unitarianchurchbr.com/children/reregistration/ or by
completing a registration form found on the Religious Education
Table.
Ingathering Worship and Religious Education Classes for
Children and Youth – Join us on Sunday, August 18, as we
dedicate our teachers and advisors, and begin our fall classes
of religious education for children. Senior and Middle Youth
attend the full worship services on August 18, and begin their
classes on August 25. Here is our program for 2013-2014:
Amazing Race Summer Camp – An Amazing Success! From
July 8th through July 12th, 20 campers went around the world
through games, crafts, music and drama. Campers learned facts
about countries on just about every continent. They had fun as
their knowledge was tested every afternoon in Amazing Race
Jeopardy. Much appreciation goes to Camp Director Innai
Thompson for her spirit, smiles, teaching expertise and fantastic
ability to organize and have fun. A special thanks to the
following for their cultural demonstrations and activities: Marie
Flowers – African and Central American Music, Irene and
Grace Kato – Japanese Origami, Chin Rollins – Korean Writing.
Much gratitude goes to the many volunteers and staff who
provided childcare, companioned children, created art work and
did the many tasks responsible for the camps success. I can’t
wait until next year!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sundays of Surprises Multi-age (9:30 – Ages 3-12) – classes
include a spiritually and morally uplifting story, discussion, and
a craft or other activity.
Sparks Preschool (11:15 - Ages 3-4) – The Sparks class will
enjoy activities with friends and teachers and learn about the
world around them. This class will use Story Time by Mary
Jerse Schwartz, a curriculum based on children’s literature.
Primary, Elementary, and Middle Youth Classes (11:15 –
Grades K-8) – This fall we will be conducting an experiment of
sorts for classes in this age range. Most of us have heard of the
Small Group Ministry program for adults that we call Branches.
Did you know that there is also a Small Group Ministry program
that was created for children and middle youth? It was created
by Unitarian Universalist religious educator, Gail Forsyth-Vail.
I call it Diving Deeper.
NOTES & BEATS
By Ila Stoltzfus, Director of Music Adult Choir begins rehearsals for the fall season on August 14,
Wednesday at 6:30. If you are thinking about becoming a part
of this group, please call my church office number 936-2293 or
email me at [email protected] after August 11. I
need to hear your voice and find out a bit about your musical
experiences and background.
Diving Deeper will be organized into groups using our familiar
class structure: Flames group (Grades K-1), Blazes group
(Grades 2-3), Mysteries group (Grades 4-5) and Questioners
Middle Youth group (Grades 6-8). Each week all group sessions
will be based on a common wisdom story. Reflective discussion
questions and activities are adapted for each group’s interest and
developmental level. The goals of Diving Deeper include
increasing the development of relationships between children,
and giving children a religious framework for outreach into the
wider world.
On August 4, Leah Hartman will be the guest pianist for the
services.
August 11 is the Annual Gospel Service, directed by Marie
Flowers along with Everrett Parker. Together with Steve
Crump, they present a service around the history, beauty and
impact of Gospel music.
The theme for our church this year is Going Deeper, and in
response we will be giving the Diving Deeper small group
ministry program for children and middle youth a try here at
UCBR for the fall. The program will include a special teacher
training, a program guide for parents, and a program evaluation
after the fall term.
We hear the Adult Choir on August 18 and again on August 25.
This year we will be hearing a one choir at the 9:30 service and
another choir at 11:15. The choir presence throughout the
services will provide some exciting possibilities for
congregational singing as well as anthems and sung responses.
Our rehearsals will continue to be from 6:30-8:00 each
Wednesday night.
Teacher training for the Diving Deeper program will take
place on Sunday, August 11, 9:30 am, room RE 4.
(Continued next column.)
5
From The Stewardship Committee
• Are you a young adult (aged 18-35ish)
member or friend of UCBR? Whether
you’re brand new to the church or a familiar
friend we hope you’ll join our young adult
group, GenUU, for an activity! For more
information contact group leader Christy
Howard at [email protected].
Here’s what we have scheduled in the coming months:
During the month of October, each of us will be given the
opportunity to make our financial commitment to the annual
operating fund. Those of us who have not yet made a
commitment to the Great Expectations capital and growth fund
will have the opportunity to do this as well, and everyone will
be invited to consider an increase. Contributing to these funds is
an important piece of our relationship with the church. Some of
us will receive this opportunity with a personal visit from a
Visiting Steward. I have made and received many such visits
during the 35 years that I have been a member of this
congregation, and the vast majority of them have been heartwarming and personally enriching. Please consider serving as a
Visiting Steward. Visiting Stewards are asked to attend a 3-hour
training session conducted by a UUA Financial Consultant and
to make four stewardship visits during October. Being a Visiting
Steward requires a modest amount of time, but it is an important
job and an expression of a member's love for our church. Please
contact Bob Dorroh if you are willing to serve as a Visiting
Steward, or if you have any questions at [email protected]
or 225.405.0715.
Sunday August 25 - A GenUU filled Sunday. Come to the 11:15
service to enjoy worship with fellow young adults. Stick around
to pick out a restaurant so we can chat as we eat together. Then
it’s back to UCBR from 2-4pm to look at “The Women’s
Movement”, the next session from the Social Justice curriculum.
Join us for one or all of these activities.
Sunday September 29 - This Sunday join other young adults for
worship at the 11:15 service. Stick around to break bread with
us at a local restaurant after the service. Then meet us back at
the church from 2-4pm for the last of our Ethics discussions:
“Beyond Binaries”. Join us for one or all of these activities.
Fall Retreat: October 4 -6 - Please note this date now so you
can be sure to attend. Our material this fall will be “Wisdom
from the Hebrew Scriptures”. GenUU retreats offer time for
learning and discussion, worship, and bonding with fellow young
adults.
Roots
Roots, is an introduction to Unitarian Universalism, and our church
led by our Senior Minister, The Reverend Steve J. Crump. Our
next class will be Wednesdays, September 11, 18 & 25, 6:30 PM –
8:30 PM. Sign up at the book table.
All times are 1 PM, on Sundays after church services.
Everyone is always welcome.
August 4 ~ Albasha, 2561 Citiplace
August 11 ~ Drusilla's Seafood, 3482 Drusilla Lane
August 18 ~ DeAngelo's, 7550 Bluebonnnet
Branches
August 25 ~ Hunan's, 4215 S. Sherwood Forest
• Invitation to Branches: Branches groups provide a way
for participants to form deeper relationships and to explore life
topics (e.g. love, loss, Christmas) - Intimacy and Ultimacy in a
safe small group, with carefully chosen and trained leaders.
Groups meet monthly for two hours, mostly in members'
homes, and consist of 8 - 12 members. If you’re a church
member or Roots graduate, we have a place for you now. If not,
we'd be happy to put you on the list to join the next Roots
Class. Drop by the book table to sign up and ask questions.
Be sure to check the Fun & Fellowship table on Sundays in the
Fellowship Hall for information about additional events or
activities. For information about joining our committee, contact
Sandy at [email protected] or Tara at [email protected]
6
Report from the Governance Task Force
Capi Landreneau, Kelli Gilbert, Nancy Gilbert, and Diana Dorroh
with Sally Wood and Steve Crump ex. Officio
As August is ushered in, we enter into a new phase of policy
governance implementation as our elected board appoints a
group of five members of the congregation along with our
current president and president elect, to begin the first phase of
our trial run.
This "Appointed Board" will initiate the new governance
structure as they become familiar with the new governance
ideals of discernment, strategy, vision and oversight. This Board
will incrementally assume responsibilities of the new
governance structure with support from the Governance Task
Force. Here are some of the new roles you will hear more about
as we begin our trial run:
MEETINGS
AG&L Council ~ August, 5, 6 PM
RE Teacher Training ~ August 11, 9:30 AM
PFLAG Board ~ August 12, 6:30 PM
Vision - A vision is a star to guide by. It is an imagined future
state of the church as it becomes a better vehicle to serve our
mission. Strategies, goals, and objectives describe the plan for
crossing the gap between our current state and the vision over
time. The Board expresses its strategy to move toward the vision
in its Annual Vision of Ministry.
Ministries Staff ~ August 13, 2 PM
Church Board ~ August 15, 7 PM
Connections Council ~ August 20, 6 PM
Council Leaders ~ August 25, 12:45 PM
Management - Management is one of the leadership roles
described in Dan Hotchkiss's book on governance change and is
primarily the responsibility of the staff Ministry Team. The
Board delegates its management responsibility to the Ministry
Team by adopting written policies. These policies will
authorize the Ministry Team to make the necessary day to day
decisions to implement the goals and objectives articulated
periodically by the Board. These policies will also set forth any
limitations or other requirements.
WORKSHOPS
Basics of Facebook ~ Sunday, August 4,
12:45 PM. Are you new to the world of
social media? Or perhaps you are looking
for a refresher course on the latest tips in
trends on the largest social media network
in the world; Facebook. You've heard
everyone talking about it, now you can
learn to get in on the fun! Join us after service in the conference
room as we explore some of the following topics: How do I set
up an account? What is a timeline? How do I find "friends"?
What is the difference between groups and pages? How can I
adjust my security settings? How do I share pictures? Class will
be presented by Venessa Lewis, church member and owner of
Lewis Graphic Design. Lewis is also an adjunct instructor of
visual communication in the LSU Manship School of Mass
Communication. Please sign up at the tables. We hope to see
you there.
Discernment and Strategy -Discernment and strategy comprise
another of the four leadership roles as described by Dan
Hotchkiss. Discernment aims to discover the congregation’s
mission (what good the congregation truly exists to do) and its
vision (what the future will look like if we make good
progress). Strategy is the process of setting goals and making
high-level decisions to move the organization from its current
state toward its desired vision. At least annually, the Board will
describe its strategy in its Annual Vision of Ministry. The
Ministry Team will then develop the action plans to implement
the strategy. The process of discernment and strategy is a shared
responsibility of the Board and staff.
Oversight - Oversight is another one of the leadership roles
described in the book and is primarily the responsibility of the
Board. Oversight refers to the Board’s responsibility to ensure
that the church’s human and material resources are used for the
benefit of its mission. Oversight policies set standards for the
church’s life and work to assure that that its resources are
safeguarded, its leaders are accountable, and the congregation
learns from its experience.
MEMBER NEWS
We extend our sympathy and love to family members and
friends of Margie Belk, long time member of our church who
died Thursday, May 23. A Memorial Service is scheduled for
Saturday, August 17, 2 PM in our church sanctuary.
Stay tuned for more updates as we begin our trial run. For
further information please feel free to contact any member of
the task force. Stay tuned for more updates.
7
CONTINUING ACTIVITIES
• We’re Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table ~ You may have
noticed the welcome table in the breezeway on the right as you
enter the church. It’s an essential arm of our outreach to
newcomers. You may also have noticed that the same few
people have been manning that table, week in and week out, for
years. If there were Unitarian saints, these noble folks would
clearly be candidates for beatification! But now it’s time to
move to a more equitable distribution. We’re aiming for two
volunteers for each service, starting at 9:15 and 10:45, serving
once per month. Please consider this as a meaningful and
gratifying way of giving back to the church. Contact David
Lindenfeld, [email protected], or 766-1983. Thanks!
Everyone is welcome to attend & newcomers are encouraged.
• Bible Skeptics ~ will read chaps. 21-40 of Exodus (second
book of the Old Testament) for our Aug. 18 meeting, 5 p.m. in
the church office. Stories include rules for justice, public safety,
interior decoration, and more. Everyone's always welcome.
Contact Emily Toth - [email protected].
• Open Circle Book Club ~ meet Sunday, August 4, 7 PM.
The book is The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan
Kundera. Contact Bob Dorroh - [email protected].
• Tai Chi ~ every Monday at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Contact Connie
Holmes - [email protected].
• Freethinkers Discussion Group & Humanist Film – will
not meet TFN.
• Women’s Book Club ~ meet Monday, August 12, 7 PM.
The book is
Lighthouse Keeping by Jeanette Winterson. Contact Carolyn
Stutts - [email protected].
• Gentle Movement Class ~ Tuesdays & Fridays at 9:30
AM. Wear comfortable clothing. Contact Carol Harrison
[email protected].
• At The Book Table ~ Begin your preparations early for
the visit with us on February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 by Professor of
Theology and President of Starr King School of Theology,
The Reverend Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker. We will have on
hand a few of her many books so that you can learn more about
her theology before she speaks from our pulpit. The titles on
hand now are Saving Paradise, House for Hope, Blessing the
World, and Proverbs of Ashes. We recommend you visit any of
the many web sites that are shown if you Google her name. You
will understand why we are so pleased to have her as our guest.
You will be hearing more reading and discussions
recommended as her visit draws near.
• Socrates Café ~ meet the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month
at 7 PM, R6.
Contact Wayne Parker - [email protected].
• Adult Choir ~ Gospel Choir rehearsing Wednesday nights
for August 11 services. Adult Choir resumes August 14.
Contact Ila Stoltzfus at [email protected].
• Recorders ~ the advanced group meets 1st Wednesday of
each month, 6:30 PM
& the beginners group meet every Wednesday at 6:30 PM.
Contact Marvin Bishop - [email protected].
• The Open-minded Home Group of Narcotics
Anonymous ~ Wednesdays, 8 PM in R7. We will share our
experience, strength, and hope. The only requirement
for membership is a desire to stop using. We encourage all
curious about recovery to attend. Contact Logan Kinamore –
[email protected].
• Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG) ~ 3rd Thursday
of each month at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Carol
Frazier - [email protected].
• Meditation ~ Thursdays at 7 PM. Contact Jean Hansen [email protected].
• Everyone's Non-Fiction Book Club ~ Next meeting:
Thurs., August 22, 7 PM, RE game room. Contact Bruce Toth [email protected].
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