TJ Newsletter August 2015 - Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church

Searching for truth through reason, love and diversity
August 2015
Edition 597
The Monthly Newsletter of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
Sunday Services
August 2nd
"Why salsa and tortillas outsell ketchup and bread in the U.S. today."
Ben Ruiz, partner of Adhawks and a Hispanic Latino community leader
The Hispanic Latino population is 50 million strong and growing at a pace of one million every year. "The New
American Reality" is worthy of our understanding because of its impact on American culture.
August 9th
“Creating a Culture of Care.”
Rev. Esther Hurlburt
Without a doubt, the overall membership of our churches is “graying.” Life within our churches, individual
families, and the greater community has changed throughout recent years. Outreach and care for the aged is
of growing concern. We will consider how we can create a culture of care in order to restore the worth and
dignity to our elders by means of a thoughtful and a well coordinated response.
August 16th
“Mingling of the Waters”
Rev. Elwood Sturtevant
This is our annual multigenerational ingathering service. Please bring some water symbolic of what was
meaningful about your summer as we try to touch the deep springs of life that connect us all to the
interdependent web of life. – ERS
August 23rd
“The Flaming Chalice”
Rev. Elwood Sturtevant
The first time I attended a UU service when I was a teenager, my mother later reported that it didn’t feel like
going to church for her because there wasn’t a cross in the front somewhere. Today, I’ll tell the story of the
flaming chalice, and explore some of what religious symbols can mean. - ERS
August 30th
“Direct Experience”
Rev. Elwood Sturtevant
UUs have not just a set of seven principles, but six sources upon which our living tradition draws. We’ll look at
them over the course of the coming year, including the first source, “Direct experience of that transcending
mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the
forces that create and uphold life.” - ERS
September 6th
“Remembering”
Rev. Elwood Sturtevant
Today is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was passed in the wake of
Bloody Sunday and the death of James Reeb in Selma earlier that year. The word “remembering” has some
potential connections to the word “religion” and so today I’ll explore why I think remembering is one of the
things that religious communities are called upon to do. - ERS
ministER’S musings
In this time when more and
more Americans are identifying
as “nones” (as not part of any
religious
community)
the
question “What are religious
communities for?” arises with
some urgency for communities
like TJ. One reply that might
seem to apply generally across traditions is:
“Religious communities exist to help remind us
that life is about more than just me and my
individual desires.” That is, religious communities
help remind us to consider what we are for, as
human beings.
The current issue of Scientific American asks a
different, but I think related question: “Of all the
various hominids, why did homo sapiens wind up
as the most successful species?” The article
asserts what made us more successful was the
change that “occurred when a new social behavior
evolved in our species: a genetically encoded
penchant for cooperation with unrelated
individuals.” That is, cooperation has been the
secret of our success as a species.
The article also warns that we can fall back on
other behaviors: in lean times we can instinctively
turn against those we label as “other” as we may
have done with the Neanderthals. But the article
concludes that culture “can override even the
strongest biological instincts.” I believe that
religious communities, at their best, have helped
us remember that we are all connected by such
teachings as the Golden Rule and “by loving our
neighbors as ourselves” (as it says in our fourth UU
source). The best of the stories, like “The Good
Samaritan,” challenge us to expand our
understanding of who our “neighbor” really is.
The community here at TJ has lived love of
neighbor through our ongoing participation in
Eastern Area Community Ministries (EACM). David
Bos was one of the pioneers of the Community
Ministry movement, was the executive director of
St. Matthews Area Ministries (“St. MAM”). He
wrote “The term (‘Community Ministry) stands for
work that is done in a particular community in the
name of a cluster of congregations. These clusters
generally include two or more congregations of
different denominations (and sometimes different
faiths). Their overarching goal is to better the
fabric of common life in their community.”
TJ was a partner in EACM’s precursor organization,
the Neighborhood Visitor Program, and became an
associate member of EACM upon its creation
about 25 years ago. We became a full member of
EACM in 1997. Since then I have served as EACM’s
Board Chair twice and was part of its Executive
Committee for perhaps 15 years. Tish Moore
currently represents us. We support EACM’s
programs with a budgeted contribution of $15 per
TJ member ($3510 this year, 2015-16), with our
annual Christmas Eve special collection, and with
in-kind collections of food and items for infants
($791 worth in the most recent report). Notably,
every year our children practice living our values
by participating in “Trick or Treat for Food” with
our neighbors in Crossgate, and with a canned
food hunt at Easter. Churches teach best not by
preaching, but by doing.
This past fiscal year (7/14 – 6/15) EACM served
219 families with LG&E help totaling almost
$40,000, and 91 families with housing assistance
totaling just over $27,000. Currently, after the
recent rains flooded the facility used by St. MAM
with about 3 ½ feet of water, EACM is helping its
neighbor by serving as the emergency food pantry
for those who would have been served by St.
MAM. Much of the food on hand at St. MAM
when the flood hit had to be discarded, and the
loss was not covered by flood insurance. So,
although TJ held its official food drive for EACM
last month, now would be a great time to pick up
something extra to help meet the increased need
EACM is trying to help its neighbor meet. (To
learn more about EACM, see https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZIAt_qa3y0 ) - ERS
Joys and Concerns
Our Condolences for: Bruce and Beth Murray whose good friend died of
pancreatic cancer
Our Joys to:
 The Koehler’s on the birth of their second grandson
 Susie Pasikowski who is recovering from her recent injury and is back at TJ
 The Novgorodoff’s on the occasion of daughter Danica’s wedding
 Ernie Weill whose scans show him to be cancer free
 Cindy and Steve Heifner whose son Rick passed his D.O. medical exam
 Rhea Timmons whose daughter Angela has returned from Nepal where she was on a
humanitarian mission
 Lynn Slaughter who hosted former TJ intern Amy Russell who is now the minister at the
UU church in Richmond VA
 Rick and Deb McChane whose son has completed his degree and started a job
 Steve Heifner and his Boy Scout Troop who are attend the Jamboree in Filmont NM
 Ben Nye and Sam Holt who completed their Coming of Age program with Jim Hawley
 Sonny Oliver who has a new grandson
Our Concerns for:
 Phil Thomas who has been in the hospital recently
 Sandy Nickley who has been hospitalized in Michigan and is starting rehab soon
 Joe Brennan’s friend Jim Wayne who is being treated for throat cancer at the Mayo Clinic
 Nance Neill’s son who suffers from drug addiction in addition to paranoid schizophrenia
as well as all of those who struggle with mental illness ; she urges more openness in
discussing these problems
 Lynn Slaughter’s sister who is taking care of her child who is dealing with substance
abuse as well as being the full-time caregiver for their mother with Alzheimer’s Disease.
 Joanie McGuire’s friend in Richmond VA with Parkinson’s Disease and pancreatitis
 David Cooper voiced concern for Saundra Bland who died in police custody in Texas and
for all other such indicents
Thanks:
 From Marie Geary to TJ for support for gay rights
 From Lori Sargent to TJ for sending her to the MidWest Leadership School
 From Kellie Scott on behalf of her daughter Colleen who also attended the same school
Joys and Concerns
From the Sunday Service Planning Committee: Please be considerate and be brief (no more
than 30 seconds) when stating your joy or concern. This is not a time for political issues.
THE HEART OF MEMBERSHIP
Strategy for Growth
To quote the minister of All Souls Unitarian Church of Indianapolis, Reverend
Anastassia Zinke, “Our strategy for growth is practicing the art of engaged
hospitality. Our tactics: To be more welcoming. To be a little light-hearted. To
make more contact with our visitors. To honor them with generosity. To
connect them with our member congregants and mission. This is how we are investing in growth
and ultimately in ourselves. I hope that you help us out: usher, greet, treat, and/or communicate”.
A Spiritual Practice
From Peter Morales, President of UUA, from UU World News, Spring 2012: “When we opened our
shelves and made paying attention to the newcomer a spiritual practice, we transformed
ourselves. The very practice of reaching out made us more open, more sensitive. Spiritual
practices do that. They change us. Hundreds of thousands of people will visit our congregations
this year. They are looking for a religious home…Smile. Say good morning. Start a conversation. You
are about to meet some wonderful people.”
A Hospitable Approach
This pretty much sums up what I am wishing for our community; to incorporate the “spiritual
practice of hospitality” into our lives. To communicate a “light-hearted” persona and a smiling and
welcoming face.
What We Do Does Matter
In my short time as a member and membership coordinator, I have been impressed with the spirit
of our community. Our congregation has something important to say. Let’s take this spirit into the
community. Let everyone know that what we have to say is meaningful, that we are accepting and
honor individual differences and that we understand that what we do each day
does matter.
Correction: I inadvertently omitted Colleen Scott from those who will be
attending the Leadership School in Beloit, Wisconsin from July 12-18.
Colleen received a scholarship to attend the youth program. We are so
proud to have her participate!
Wholeheartedly,
Janet
Janet Taylor, Membership Coordinator
Mingling of the Waters
On August 16th we will share our adventures and learnings of the summer.
Bring some water from the place you traveled or didn’t travel, or places where
something important happened for you. (There will be symbolic water
available.) We will mingle our water in a common bowl which will then be taken to
water the plants in the memorial garden.
Adult Religious Exploration
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
New Class - Great Minds of the Eastern Intellectual Tradition
Professor Grant Hardy of the University of North Carolina at Asheville presents a series of
lectures introducing the great minds of the traditional cultures of Asia. This class is intended to
introduce subject matter that is new to most of us, but which will enrich our understanding not
just of the world, but of ourselves. Prof. Hardy argues, “The basic questions the great thinkers of
Asia tried to answer are similar to those that have occupied philosophers and religious leaders in
Europe and American: What is the nature of reality? How do we know what we know? How
should society be organized? Why do people suffer? How can we find happiness?”
Please see http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/great-minds-of-the-eastern-intellectualtradition.html for a more complete description of the course, including individual lectures.
8/2 The Buddha – The Middle Way
8/9 The Bhagavad Gita – The Way of Action
8/16 Confucius – In Praise of Sage-Kings
8/23 Laozi and Daoism – The Way of Nature
8/30 The Hundred Schools of Preimperial China
9/6 Mencius and Xunzi – Confucius’s Successors
An Invitation
All four speakers invited to the “Louisville
Inequities”
series
this
summer
were
knowledgeable and inspiring. One of those invited was Sam Watkins who has led the Louisville
Central Community Center since 1991. Many of us have had previous interaction with the LCCC by
attending one of their informational breakfasts, visiting one of their Day Care Centers, or dropping
by for an informal tour of their after-school program.
The LCCC located in 40203, serves the poorest areas of our city. If the last census can be believed,
it serves one of the poorest zip codes in the nation. Some TJ members have expressed an interest
in learning more about the problems facing these Louisville families and pursuing small, concrete
ways in which we can make a difference.
On Tuesday, August 11 (7:00), in the Hearth Room, you are invited to explore the depth of the
interest at TJ, to discuss where the focus might go, and to formulate the tentative “nuts and bolts”
that might achieve a plan. Everyone is welcomed.
Diane
Kay
TJ Book Sale
August 29th in the farmhouse
Begin bringing your books for the sale on Sunday August 23rd. Ask your
family and friends to contribute their reads as well.
THE GOLDEN COMPASS
(Postponed from July because of bad weather)
"Extraordinary storytelling at its very best" - Detroit Free Press
"Very grand indeed!" - The New York Times
British writer Philip Pullman wrote Northern Lights as his first book of the trilogy, Dark
Materials in 1995. In 2008, New Line Cinema released THE GOLDEN COMPASS which is based
upon Northern Lights. Pullman's motives in creating Dark Materials as well as enjoying the film
will be our focus in July and August sessions. (It is a full-length film; too long for one session.)
Humanists of Metro Louisville
7 PM, Monday, July 13
The Hearth Room, TJUC
TJ’s WILD BUNCH GANG
Every Thursday morning at approximately 9:00 am, work is done on the TJ Woods and Vern’s
Wildflower Meadow. If you would like to be added to the email list for notice of times and
chores please respond to [email protected].
Our guest speaker on August 9th - Reverend Esther Hurlburt….
is the affiliated community minister with the UU Fellowship of Madison County. Her ministry is
dedicated to old people. Esther earns her living as a professional geriatric care manager and coowner of ParentCareKY, LLC. She sits on the Governor’s Institute on Aging which is an advisory
council to state government. She is the founder of a non-profit ministry called The Legacy Home,
which is cooperative living for women with low wealth. Esther is also involved with Healing
Moments Alzheimer’s Ministry (another community ministry dedicated to the elderly) and is on
the Executive Committee for the UU Society for Community Ministries. Esther’s next venture is to
present a program at the 6th Annual International Conference on Aging and Spiritual in Los Angeles
in October. And finally, as many of you know, Esther is a former intern minister at TJUC and is
absolutely delighted to return to your pulpit.
Our guest speaker on August 3rd - Adolfo (Ben) Ruiz,
Creative Director Principal partner in Adhawks, LLC
Previous creative and marketing experience: Brown Forman Corporation, Inc., Louisville; Henry
Vogt Machine Company, Inc., Louisville; General Electric Company-Advertising & Sales
Promotion, Louisville, and Creamer, Inc., Advertising Agency in Chicago.
Received a Clio for his creative work for General Electric as well as numerous other creative
advertising work he has done for clients.
Other community awards include: Lyman T. Johnson Distinguished Leadership Award 2014,
Leadership Louisville Community 2010 Connector, JFCS MOSAIC 2010 Community Leader Award,
Junior Achievement Bronze Leadership Award, Agave’s Ferda Porter Community Leader Award,
Volunteer of the Year Award and Lifetime Service Award for the Corn Island Storytelling Festival.
Current affiliations include: American Advertising Federation of Louisville Life Member, Vice Chair
of the Diversity Committee, Board Member of Boy Scouts of America’s Lincoln Heritage Council
and Latino Outreach Committee, Board Member of Simmons College of Kentucky, Board Member
of Catholic Charities & Sisters of Charity’s Doors To Hope, Board Member of Louisville Urban
League, Board Member for Jewish Hospital St. Mary Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Board
Member for Custom Quality Services and Community Board Member for Jefferson Community &
Technical College’s Portfolio Days as well as U of L’s Hite Art Institute.
Men’s Group
The first Monday at noon of every month at Bob Evans Restaurant on
Hurstbourne at noon . All men welcome!
Womens’ Lunch Bunch On the first Monday of every month at the Bristol Café on
Hurstbourne Lane at noon. All women welcome!
Green Tip --
Make Your Home a Zero-Waste Zone
The zero-waste mentality maximizes recycling, minimizes waste, reduces
consumption and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired
or recycled back into nature or the market. Zero-waste is a philosophy or
design approach that can cover a variety of topics and can be applied to a
variety of venues including your home, place of work, how you grocery
shop or how products are produced and packaged. You can achieve zero-waste in your home by
applying the five Rs:
Refuse — anything you do not need. This can range from a plastic bag at a retail store, to free
swag that you get at an event. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”
Reduce — what you do need. Do you really need that extra dress/throw pillow/DVD? How many
spatulas/pans/figurines/decorations does one family need? Donate or sell the rest. (KEAP yard
sale would love them.)
Reuse — what you consume. If you use a jar or container to prepare a dish, reuse it for saving or
sharing leftovers, use cereal boxes for mailing envelopes, utilize newspaper as gift wrap or cloth
bags as a gift bag. Be creative!
Recycle — only what cannot be refused, reduced, reused or rotted (composted). Recycling is a last
resort for waste as the processes associated with recycling are consumptive of resources.
Rot — or compost food scraps and yard waste.
Thanks to Carolyn Brown for supplying the source article from the Summit Daily News.
http://www.summitdaily.com/news/16762806-113/make-your-home-a-zero-waste-zone.
From The Endowment Fund: Founders’ Court Bricks
Founders’ Court, in front of the church main entrance, was built during TJ’s 50 year
anniversary to pay tribute to the original members who provided the foundation for TJ’s
success. The names of the founding members are engraved on bricks so we may honor
and remember them.
But the court is also a place for members and friends of TJ - past, present and future – to
honor and celebrate what is important to us individually and as a community. The
Endowment Fund Board will engrave bricks for Founders’ Court in memory or in honor of
loved ones, to celebrate major life events, or commemorate your family or a cause you are
passionate about. If you haven’t seen it lately, please go take a look.
We ask for a contribution of $75 to the Endowment Fund for each 4”x8” brick and $120 for
each 8”x8” brick. To learn more about the engraving process or to obtain an order form,
contact Deb McChane or the church office.
Another way to help EACM Eastern Area Community Ministries is proud to announce a partnership with
Meijer that provides much-needed hunger relief to local families. Their
“Simply Give” Campaign for EACM will be held at the Meijer store at 4100
Towne Center Drive off Westport Road in Springhurst. A $10 donation card
purchased at Meijer from now thru September 12 will be matched by that
store. Prior to Labor Day Week-end ( September 3, 4, and 5), Meijer will
EACM - THANKS TO TJUC
Summer Food Pantry Collection
During the month of June, our congregation generously donated lots of healthy snacks and pantry
staples that helped to stock EACM’s Food Pantry. Thank you for providing the assurance that
families in need could find food this summer at EACM!
Back to School Supply Collection
Throughout July, we collected lots of school supplies and backpacks for EACM families to use when
they gear up for school in August. As always, the kindness and dedication shown by our
congregation made this collection a success!
The Southern Veranda Croquet Club
cordially invites your attendance at
The 776th Annual Snorri Sturluson
Memorial Croquet Tournament
August 16th at 12:30 PM
At the croquet field of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
Light lunch served; Activities for young children available
(no team needed - just show up if you want to play)
August 2015
Sunday, August 2, 2015
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM Adult RE
01:00 PM - 02:30 PM Music in he Afternoon
Monday, August 3, 2015
12:00 PM - 01:30 PM Men's Group at Bob Evans
12:00 PM - 01:30 PM Women's Group at Bristol
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM Caregiver Support Group
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Practice
Thursday, August 6, 2015
09:00 AM - 11:00 AM Wild Bunch Grounds
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Woman's Choir
Saturday, August 8, 2015
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Adult RE - offsite
Sunday, August 9, 2015
09:15 AM - 10:45 AM Social Justice Comm Meeti
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM Adult RE
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
12:00 PM - 02:00 PM Brown Bag Book Group
Thursday, August 20, 2015
06:00 AM - 07:30 PM HOTTIES Meeting
09:00 AM - 11:00 AM Wild Bunch Grounds
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Woman's Choir
Sunday, August 23, 2015
09:15 AM - 10:45 AM Green Sanctuary Meeting
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM Adult RE
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM CYRE Open House
01:00 PM - 02:30 PM Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Practice
Thursday, August 27, 2015
09:00 AM - 11:00 AM Wild Bunch Grounds
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Woman's Choir
Friday, August 28, 2015
04:30 PM - 08/29/15 Hogwart's Lock-in
Monday, August 10, 2015
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Humanist Group
Saturday, August 29, 2015
08/28/15 - 11:30 PM Hogwart's Lock-in
09:00 AM - 03:30 PM Book Sale
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Adult RE Committee
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Practice
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM LCCC Meeting
Sunday, August 30, 2015
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM Adult RE
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Fall CYRE Begins
Thursday, August 13, 2015
09:00 AM - 11:00 AM Wild Bunch Grounds
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Woman's Choir
The next Tapestry Deadline is
August 21st
Friday, August 14, 2015
07:00 PM - 09:30 PM Chalice Circle
Saturday, August 15, 2015
09:30 AM - 01:30 PM CYRE Staff Training
Sunday, August 16, 2015
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM Adult RE
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Mingling of the Waters
12:30 PM - 03:00 PM Croquet Tournament
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Choir Practice
Could this be the
closest thing we
have to an idol?
A Musical Afternoon
Pianist Makiko Hayashi from Kyoto, Japan, will perform
Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and other pieces.
Sunday, August 2, 1 pm TJ Sanctuary
On Sunday, August 30 at 1pm
there will be a 45 minute class
on CPR training in the Sawyer
Room. Demonstration will be
by the Louisville Metro
Emergency Services. Please
notify
Janet
Taylor
at
[email protected] if you are
planning to come and how
many people you will be
bringing. The deadline for
signing up is Thursday, August
27. There will also be a sign up
sheet at the visitor table on
Sundays.
Special Thanks from Colleen Scott
I don't think I could thank you enough for
sending me to Youth Midwest Leadership School.
I have grown so much as a
person and a Unitarian
Universalist. I met so many
people who share the same
values and goals as me. We
all want to make the world
a better place through love.
I don't want my journey as
a UU to stop at YMWLS. I
want to get involved with youth conferences and
any opportunity I can get. I have applied to a UU
program called Luminary Leaders, The Luminary
Leaders program is an opportunity for high
school aged youth leaders to get more involved,
network with one another, and be recognized for
their skill and achievement. They can be found in
youth groups, congregations, districts and
communities across the Unitarian Universalist
Association.
I'm very excited to share my experience and
ideas from YMWLS with our congregation.
The Caregivers’ Support Group Tuesday, August 4th at 4 pm
in the Hearth Room at TJ. All are welcome.
This group is for anyone in a caregiving situation, either local or long-distance.
Worship Associates – Open Campus Preview
This year we’ll be looking at our Sunday Services – how they are put together and how the pieces fit, not just
with each other, but with the rest of our church programming. More specifically, we’ll be looking at a trend
called “Thematic Ministry,” where our services, our RE program, and perhaps other programming including
Chalice Circles take up a specific theme each month. Watch the Tapestry for more about this way of
coordinating the community experience. We’ll also be looking at using a Worship Associates program to help
develop the themes we explore.
There will be more about what “Worship Associates” means in the next Tapestry, as I explain what the group I’ll
be facilitating for Open Campus will be working on, but for now, here’s part of how Rick Koyle introduces the
idea in a UUA publication, “Building a Worship Associates Program” (see http://www.uua.org/sites/
livenew.uua.org/files/documents/koylerick/worship_associates.pdf )
Worship associates are lay members of a church who work with the minister or ministers to plan and put
on Sunday morning worship.
In the Oakland, California model of the program, the worship associates program works like this. Once every
three months during the church year, the worship associates -- who are twelve in number -- meet with the
two co-ministers of the church, in order to plan worship for the coming quarter. This meeting can take as
little as two hours, if it is carefully planned and the participants are experienced at doing it. Sometimes it
takes as long as three hours.
There is nothing magical about the number of worship associates or ministers. Half a dozen associates and
a single minister can make the program work.
When the quarterly planning meeting is done and the assignments are made, each worship service will
typically have one minister and one worship associate. The minister speaks from the pulpit, the worship
associate from the lectern in the chancel. About three weeks before that Sunday morning, the minister and
the associate meet for about an hour to plan the service – elaborating on the theme, suggesting areas for
further research as well as hymns and readings, gauging the congregation’s needs and probable reactions to
the topic. Often there is a second meeting with a week or ten days to go, to nail down the details of the
order of service.
With thirteen weeks in a quarter, and a dozen worship associates, each associate winds up being responsible
for about one service per quarter, or a total of three services in the ordinary church year from September to
June. In the Oakland model, summer services are a separate, lay-led program. Sometimes worship associates
also volunteer to lead summer worship.
Why do all this? How does it benefit a church to involve lay members in planning and putting on worship?
The whole congregation benefits. When they enter church on Sunday morning and see one of their own in
the chancel, it heightens their sense of participation in the service – it creates ownership of the process,
week by week. If the lay member is a friend or acquaintance of theirs, someone known to them, so much the
better. It makes visible and real the so-called conversation between chancel and pew. Part of the excitement
of coming to church on Sunday involves seeing and hearing one of their own in the chancel and not knowing
what they will say.
The effect is also dramatic for newcomers, like my friend and me. This Oakland church actually seemed to us
to belong to laypeople. It wasn’t just welcoming to them – to us, that is – there was something deeper at
work. The laypeople weren’t merely showing off their involvement in Sunday morning worship; there wasn’t
that telltale selfconsciousness that impliedly asks, “How’m I doing?” Laypeople were carrying on the work as
if they enjoyed it, as if worship really were “the work of the people.” And the minister seemed at ease too.
Midway through the service, we turned to each other and said, “This is the church for us.”
Sowers of Justice Network
Sowing a Nonviolent City Conference
September 25 & 26, 2015 in Louisville
Louisville will host the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meeting from May 20-22, 2016.
The NRA convention heightens the awareness of the need for alternative pathways to gun
violence.
The Sowers of Justice Network is providing community leadership in Louisville to show
support for changing the culture of gun violence.
To that point, TJUC is one of the sponsors of the upcoming ‘Sowing a Nonviolent City
Conference’, to be held in September at Christ Church Cathedral.
This dynamic conference will give attendees an opportunity to address this issue together!
The goals of the conference are:
* To mobilize people ― not just with information about the scale and scope of gun violence ―
but towards action steps of enduring value.
* To explore moral and spiritual resources to engage the public on this topic.
Conference Details:
* Friday, September 25th 7:00-10:00 pm Youth Focus
- Location to be determined
- Cost is free
* Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 8:30 to 4:30 PM
- To be held at Christ Church Cathedral; 421 South Second Street; Louisville, KY
- Cost is $20 (which includes lunch)
Carpooling to the conference will be offered from TJUC. More details to come.
You can find out more about Sowers of Justice, and
register
to
attend
the
conference,
at
sowersofjusticenetwork.org .
Please note TJ’s Social Justice Committee has a
limited number of scholarships available for those
who would like to attend and need financial support
to do so. Please contact Lesley Henney at
[email protected] or 425-8063 for info on this.
Our upcoming children and youth activities
starting in August!
It’s Time to Register for Religious Exploration!
Online registration for Children and Youth Religious Exploration will be available through the
TJUC website and in the Gathering Space in August. Families are asked to complete registration
by August 23rd. Your registration is a huge help in preparing to
welcome your family. Thank you!
Childcare Every Sunday from 10:30 to 12:30
Babies and toddlers up to age 3
Families are warmly welcomed to bring wee ones to our childcare
area in the Malvina Reynolds Room. Please supply any needed
diapering items as well as any special snacks. Families who use our
childcare program are asked to please complete a CYRE
registration form.
Quest of the Rainbow Dragons: A UU Hero’s Story
A multiage program for children aged 4 through 7
Follow the adventures of two children who set out on a grand adventure to save the world, one
principle at a time and reflect on the ways our lives are
impacted by the values we share. The journey of the
story’s heroes, Jared and Delia, is paralleled by the
journey families can take by participating in weekly
“dragon tasks” together.
The dance between story and engagement, between
magic and science, between our abstract principles
and the way they manifest in real life – all are a part of
The Quest.
And all are necessary if we are truly to engage in the fullness of life, and the intertwining of
“reality” and “mystery.”
Hogwarts Academy
Best for children aged 8 through 11 (or 3rd-6th grades)
Announcing our exciting and fun new program for children in the
Hogwarts Extension (HEX) campus, better known as the Sawyer Rooms.
Beginning level witches and wizards are welcomed to explore Harry
Potter’s World as viewed through the lens of Unitarian Universalist
values. Register by owl (or by completing a registration form if no owl is
available). Professor McGonagall and her muggle assistant, Barb
Friedland, look forward to Hogwarts adventures with you!
Jedi Academy
Best for youth aged 11 through 13 (or 6th- 8th grades)
What does Star Wars have to do with exploring our beliefs? Most
significant to our purposes, the world of the Jedi has inspired real-life
practices of spirituality. The Jedi believe in the 'Living Force', a spiritual
presence that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds all the matter in
the universe together.
If the Jedi Academy program were summed up in one word, it would be “Mindfulness.” The Jedi
students learn to pay close attention to their experience of themselves and the world around
them. These are powerful concepts for both the Padawan learners and Jedi Knight Guides. This
program will dovetail beautifully with the Coming of Age Program to be offered beginning this
fall.
To register as a Padawan, please send a message through The Force, (or by completing a
registration form if The Force is not yet strong in you)
So- What About Older Teens?
Our wonderful youth tribe, aged 14 through 18, are still mulling over their RE program requests
for the 2015-2016 church year. Perhaps music? Perhaps TED Talks? Perhaps Popcorn Theology
(film based)? Inquiring minds want to know! Stay tuned.
Adults Are Invited…
Are you a whiz at organizing? Do you like to do crafts or read stories? Maybe dragon taming is a
skill? Care to teach a class on herbology, potions, wand-making, care of magical creatures or
others? Is the force strong in you? Are you intrigued by the adventures of our older teens? DLRE
Barb would love to talk with you about what it means to be an RE Guide and help you consider
the many ways to dip your toes in or immerse yourself with wild enthusiasm in the world of RE.
She’s happy to chat on a Sunday at church or over the phone (502.425.6943). Inquiries by email
to barb @tjuc.org are fine too. Thank you!
Just a reminder…….
Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
4936 Brownsboro Road Hwy. 22
Louisville, KY 40222
Return Service Requested
August 2015
Edition 597
“Healing Waters” by Jacob Trapp
The root syllable of meditation, med, is the
same as in the word medical, and meant
originally to measure, as in mete, hence to
consider, to reflect, to study, to give one’s
whole attention to.
The word meditation is also related to a Greek
word meaning “to study,” hence Simone Weil’s
idea that study is akin to prayer, that the habit
of attention is an acceptable form of prayer.
The healing waters of meditation wash away
one’s worries, one’s absorptions in self, one’s
nagging preoccupations, one’s stale and
repetitious images and ideas. One emerges
rested, refreshed and whole, ready for a new
beginning.
The Reverend Elwood Sturtevant, Minister
Tuesday - Thursday, 1 - 4 pm and by appointment
Barb Friedland
Director Lifespan Religious Exploration
Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (may vary)
Frank Richmond, Music Director
Janet Taylor, Membership Coordinator
Debbie Horvay Administrator/Newsletter Editor
Monday - Friday 10:00 - 2:00 pm
Ellen Wade, Rental Coordinator
Weddings and Rentals Call the office.
Office hours: Monday thru Friday,
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
9:30 am - Adult Religious Education
11:00 am - Sunday Service
11:00 am - Children /Youth Lifespan RE
425-6943
[email protected]
www.tjuc.org
Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
4936 Brownsboro Rd (Hwy 22)
Louisville, KY 40222
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