January 2015

News
& Views
People’s Church
A Member Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association
January 2015
Volume 76, Issue 5
Sunday Services—10:45 a.m.
January 4
1758 North Tenth St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Phone: 269-375-3262
Fax: 269-375-3270
[email protected]
Church Office Hours:
M-Th 9am-4pm
Inside this issue:
Beyond Categorical
Thinking Workshop 2
(note date change)
Membership
Matters
Social Justice
Update
2
3
“Life Is Tough”
Rev. Harold Beu
This past year seems to have had more darkness to it than others: Ebola; ISIS;
controversies concerning police shootings; dysfunction in
Washington, D.C.; a disengaged citizenry during election day—and
every other day, for that matter—the continuing threat of climate
change; to name a few. And, of course, each of us, as individuals, has
his or her own struggles. One of the most important missions of a
religion, if not the most important, is to help us to respond to life's
struggles with equanimity and courage. I look to the New Year as a
time, not so much as to make resolutions, but to reflect on the past year so as to help
us to understand ourselves better. Thus, we can learn to live in the present moment
and make good choices for our futures.
January 11
“Beyond Categorical Thinking”
Keith Kron
Please join us this Sunday to participate in this UUA-sponsored
service, led by Keith Kron, the UUA's Director of Transitions.
We will have our Sunday service at the regular time, after which the
Search Committee will provide lunch.
A Special Collection will be taken at this service to support the work
of the Kalamazoo Drug Treatment Court Program.
January 18 “Can’t I Breathe? Dr. Jim Croteau and Dr. Jo Ann Mundy
Getting to Know
People’s People
4
ARAOMC
News
5
Green Spot
6
Religious Education
Notes
7
Young Adult CON
8
Calendar
910
A recent study indicated that in 2012 a black person was killed every 28 hours by
police, security guards, and self-appointed vigilantes.
What is going on in this country? Join the Reverend Dr.
Jo Ann Mundy, Co-Executive Director of ERACCE and
Pastor of On Common Ground: a community church in
Three Rivers, along with Dr. Jim Croteau, Professor of
Counseling Psychology at WMU in considering why this
is and what can be done.
January 25 “The Secrets that We Keep” Rev. Colleen Squires
Can you keep a secret? We all have a secret. Secrets can be
shocking, silly, or soulful. What purpose do they serve?
The Rev. Colleen Squires from All Souls Community Church
in Grand Rapids will join us to discuss.
Find an electronic version of this newsletter at www.peopleschurch.net.
Page 2
News and Notices
News & Views
BEYOND CATEGORICAL THINKING WORKSHOP—SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
“Will the new minister hear me?
Will my concerns and needs be met?
Will the minister understand what I’m living with?
How will the community respond to our minister?’
In answering these questions, a picture of the “ideal
minister” (categorized by age, gender, gender identity,
nationality, physical ability, race, and sexual
orientation) comes to mind. With this picture in place,
it can be easy to unintentionally exclude ministers
who fall into certain categories. At times, as we get
caught up in comparing candidates to our “picture,”
we can even forget what it is we hoped for in a
minister.
The Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop offered by
the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) for
congregations involved in the search for a new
minister has been rescheduled for Saturday,
January 10 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.* The
People's Church Ministerial Search Committee invites
all congregational leaders, members, and friends to
participate in this workshop.
The Beyond Categorical Thinking program is designed
to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent unfair
discrimination in the search process for a new
minister. This program also includes a Sunday morning
service with BCT workshop facilitators. In the
Saturday workshop, People's Church members will:



Consider the hopes, expectations, and
concerns they have for a new minister
Learn more about the ministerial search
process, and
Explore how thinking categorically about
people sometimes interferes with choosing the
best candidate.
Please join us on Saturday, January 10 at 9:00 a.m.
to participate in this UUA-sponsored workshop,
led by Keith Kron, the UUA's Director of
Transitions. The workshop will be held in the
Commons. Childcare and youth activities will be
provided.
As you well know, the selection of a minister is
important to the health of the church. The Beyond
Categorical Thinking workshop is another opportunity
for everyone in our congregation to be a part of that
process. This experience will provide guidance for the
search committee in our work.
We look forward to seeing you there!
—Ministerial Search Committee
*Note: this event was originally scheduled to be held
after the service on Sunday, January 11, but has now
been rescheduled to the preceding Saturday, from 9:00
a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Membership Matters
This is such an important
year at People’s Church
with the Ministerial Search
Committee actively
seeking our next settled
minister. Do you want to
play a role in the
ministerial candidate vote on May 3? If so, you
will need to sign the Bond of Union and join
People’s Church by March 1. In support of this
key deadline, the Membership Committee will
hold a New Member Orientation on Sunday,
January 18 after the service beginning at
12:30 p.m. A light snack of fruit, cheese and
crackers will be available. Childcare will also
be available.
RSVP to Anna Shade at
[email protected].
Volume 76, Issue 5
News and Notices
Page 3
Social Justice Coordinating Committee Update
Boxing Day Service Project
January Special Collection
Kalamazoo Drug Treatment Court Program
On December 26 the Sunday service is dedicated
to our sponsored school, Lincoln International
Studies School. Many items have been purchased
such as pencils, paper, glue sticks, markers, tissues,
etc., items that tend to run out before the second
semester. Our people will portion these items into
20 bags for 20 classrooms which will be taken to
school by the Social Justice Committee. Come and
join this effort—fun for all, especially for children.
Loaves & Fishes Food Drive
Our next Special Offering will be taken on January
11 for the Kalamazoo Drug Treatment Court
Program which diverts nonviolent felons with
substance abuse problems from incarceration and
gives them an opportunity to repair their lives and
choose treatment over jail or prison. Participants
comply with requirements such as attending
bi-weekly court sessions, submitting to random drug
testing, and reporting to program staff. The program
saves taxpayers thousands of dollars annually and
returns productive and healthy citizens back to
society. Eighty-five percent of Drug Treatment
Court graduates are successful and do not re-enter
the court system.
Thanks to everyone who gave to the Special
Collection on December 14. We were able to raise
$1318.79 to support the work of Ministry with
Community.
Anyone is welcome to sit in on SJCC meetings.
The Social Justice Coordinating Committee meets
the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.
in the clubhouse of Parkview Hills.
Update on Reverend Dave
Also in January we will be collecting foodstuffs,
canned and boxed, for Loaves and Fishes. Rick
Johnson's truck will be parked out front on two
consecutive Sundays, January 18th and 25th.
Remember to watch for sales, add to your shopping
list and bag separately so it will be easy to leave them
in your car until the collection dates, then just
transfer to Rick's truck. Wish list item for January:
Beef Stew.
Rev. Dave had a mild stroke in
December and (as of this writing)
is in an intense rehabilitation
program in California. He is
keeping in touch with the
congregation, and more updates
will be forthcoming. Cards and
well-wishes can be sent to:
Rev. David Johnson
California Pacific Regional Rehab Center
Room 123
Castro at Duboce Streets
San Francisco, CA 94114
Page 4
News and Notices
News & Views
Getting to Know People’s People
By Ardyce Curl
Following is an interview with a People's person talking about why she came to People's and why she
continues to participate.
Carolyn Heineman
Carolyn Heineman first
attended a service at People’s
about five years ago when she
moved back to Kalamazoo after
a 15-year absence.
Having been raised in the
Roman Catholic tradition, she
said she had not attended any church during her
adult life for she had had uncomfortable
experiences with organized religion during
childhood.
“Growing up in Kalamazoo, however, I had a
peripheral awareness People’s Church existed,”
Carolyn said, “but I had no awareness it was a UU
church. Actually I wouldn’t have known what that
meant anyway.”
Carolyn said. ”I had visited a UU congregation in
Massachusetts where I attended their weekly
meditation group. I’d learned the safest way to
explore my spiritually was by myself; but my
experience with the meditation group was positive
and created a bit of hope.”
So when she was back in Kalamazoo, during what
she called ‘a small wave of courage,’ she called Jill
and scheduled some conversation.
“It was enough to bring me back to explore more,”
Carolyn said. “I was in a search for a safe place to
talk to others about my spirituality and how to live
into that more actively. I had also been looking for
ways to expand my sense of community and rebuild
my life back in Kalamazoo.
“I was startled to learn about the UU openness and
acceptance of all sources of wisdom, and it has
become a foundational element for me,” she added.
When she heard about the Build Your Own
Theology curriculum, Carolyn said her first thought
was, ‘You can do that???’
“I also learned that this openness is critical to my
growth and it’s important to me to be among
people who are aware of and care about injustice
and forms of oppressions.”
Carolyn said her primary source of wisdom is the
Theravada Buddhist writing Satipatthana on
Mindfulness. She said she continues to focus on the
first and seventh principles of the Mission
Statement—finding spiritual growth in the
processing of understanding and lessening injustices
on all levels.
“The interpersonal practice of listening deeply in
the relationships I am developing here—although I
am far from good at it—keeps me focused on the
Buddhist Eight-Fold Path elements of Right Action
and Right Relationships,” she said.
Carolyn has been actively involved in the ARAOMC
steering and general committees for the past four
years and has recently joined People’s Finance
Committee. She facilitates bimonthly mindfulness
meditation retreats and has facilitated the Beloved
Conversations retreat, a chalice circle and a training
on micro-aggressions.
(Carolyn is a licensed psychologist in private practice.)
Volume 76, Issue 5
Religious
Notes
NewsEducations
and Notices
Page 5
Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression Multi-Cultural Committee News
Talking Circle: Ferguson et al
Sunday, January 4, 12:30 in the Commons
The horrific continuing legacy of racism in our
nation dehumanizes all of us, of all races, everyday.
Whether you are a person who has had the
privilege of witnessing the most recent wave
of events without fear that it could happen to you
or your children, or are a person who has had or is
likely to have such experiences—consider being
in the presence of and in dialogue with others
at People’s. This Talking Circle, using the process
of Serial Testimony (think summer Sunday services),
will allow us to witness and support each other
as we live into what we hope will be a Productive
Zone of Disequilibrium in our nation (thanks for
this language Rev. Dave).
For information: Carolyn Heineman, 269-547-7113
or [email protected].
RACE MATTERS
By Nadine Godin-Nassaney
In 2009, Jill McAllister and
I scheduled a 6-hour anti-racism
training that ERACCE (Eliminating
Racism and Claiming/Celebrating
Equality), a regional partner of
Crossroads Antiracism Training
and Organizing, delivered at
People’s Church. After attending this training I began
to understand how I was socialized into whiteness
and how the systems and institutions I came into
contact with privileged my life. I was sent into a
state of disequilibrium. I couldn’t stop thinking about
how I lived my life never seeing my race or my
advantage in many areas of my life: going to school,
living in a neighborhood, using public services,
seeking employment, borrowing money and getting
help for myself and my children.
At times, I wanted to forget what I had
learned because it caused me discomfort
to know that I was contributing to the
inequities in our society, and I just wanted go
back to living my life of hidden privilege.
I wanted to avoid the work of monitoring
my actions so that I didn’t unintentionally
hurt others who are marginalized in our
society. I made mistakes as I learned and
I was embarrassed by those mistakes. And,
I could move to avoidance because I was a
member of the dominant group. My life was
safe and comfortable.
But soon after I attended the introductory
training, I participated in the 2 ½ day
“Understanding and Analyzing Systemic
Racism” and the 10-day “Anti-Bias AntiRacism” workshops. Had I stopped at the
first training, I probably would have let myself
slip back into anti-racism work avoidance.
My continued and more in-depth exposure
to the realities of racism in our culture,
however, kept me in the zone of productive
disequilibrium. I continue to stay within the
threshold of change and my limits of
tolerance as I do the work of an anti-racism
ally by attending monthly racial identity
caucuses at ERACCE, serving on the
ERACCE organizing Team and on the
ARAOMC Committee at People’s Church.
I believe that if well-intentioned white people
are exposed to the reality of systemic racism,
they too will enter the productive zone of
disequilibrium and will join those of us who
have started on an anti-racism journey.
Please consider attending the February
“Introduction to Systemic Racism” workshop
and see what disequilibrium it might cause in
you.
Page 6
News and Notices
News & Views
The Green Spot
American homes use approximately
25 percent of all the energy consumed in the U.S. Natural gas prices
remain low and heating oil and propane prices are
dropping. Still, most of us can improve efficiency
and reduce our heating costs with just a little attention to detail. As an additional benefit, using less
energy also means putting less CO2 in the atmosphere, so reduces our impact on the planet’s climate.
Heating Hints
First are the common sense things we can do to
reduce our heating requirements. Wear more
clothing! It is not necessary to provide enough heat
to be comfortable in short sleeves in winter, so put
on a sweater. This may also make it possible to
turn down the thermostat; 68 degrees is regarded
as a comfortable temperature for most people. It is
also possible to use the energy from the sun to
greater advantage, especially if you have South facing windows. Open the curtains during sunny hours
and close during other times to maximize the solar
heating effect. Rarely used rooms can be closed off
and vents adjusted to lower energy consumption.
These things cost nothing.
It is easy and inexpensive (less than $10 per window) to improve heating performance by caulking
or weather stripping around doors and windows,
or any cracks or other places where cold air encroaches or hot air escapes. A flaming match can
help locate drafty spots; hold the match near a window or door and, if the flame bends, that indicates
there is air flow. Furnace filters should be replaced
monthly to improve heating efficiency as well as
dust removal performance. Furnaces also need
annual maintenance to insure they are performing
according to specifications.
Heating Upgrades and Improvements
Moving up a step in cost and commitment involves
upgrades or improvements. An automatic setback
thermostat offers great energy savings for a modest investment (less than $100). You can save
about 2% of your heating costs for each degree you
lower the temperature during the 8 hours you are
asleep. Thus, turning the thermostat down from 68
degrees during the day to 60 at night will save
about 16% of your daily heating costs. And with a
programmed thermostat your house will still be
comfortable when you get up in the morning!
Replacing storm doors and/or windows offers even
more energy efficiency gains for a price. Or you can
apply shrink film over windows that are not used
for viewing. One of the most cost-effective ways to
make your home more comfortable year-round is
to add insulation to your attic, including the attic
trap or access door. To determine if you have
enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of
the insulation. If it is less than R-30 (11 inches of
fiberglass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose),
you could probably benefit by adding more. If your
home is more than a few years old, this investment
will likely have the highest payoff. This is true of
modern replacement windows as well, although the
cost will be significantly higher.
If your gas furnace is more than 15 years old and
has a pilot light rather than electronic ignition, you
should think about replacing it with a new, higher
efficiency unit. Improving your furnace efficiency
from 70% to 90% will save about 22 percent of
your heating costs and reduce your annual carbon
dioxide emissions by approximately one ton. An
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
contractor will be able to evaluate your current
furnace and estimate your savings.
Heating Resources
U.S. Department of Energy offers information
about ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. (http://energy.gov/energysaver)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
(ACEEE) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that
acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. (http://www.aceee.org)
Volume 76, Issue 5
Religious Education Notes
Page 7
The Gifts of Winter
Children are needed to light the chalice in
One of the things I appreciate about this time of
the Sunday Service each week.
year is that the short days and long nights make
Please sign up on the clipboard on the
me want to hibernate. In the summer when it is
kiosk in the foyer.
light until 10:00, I am outside going and doing until
then. But when it is dark by 5:00, I long to cocoon
inside and spend more time going within. I value
Parent’s Night Out
the ebb and flow of the external seasons and appreciate the change of rhythm I feel internally to
Saturday February 14th - 5-9 pm
match them.
Drop your children off at church for a fun filled
night with our youth group and enjoy
Though December always provides many additiona date night out . Only $12 per child
al opportunities to gather with family and friends in
(max of $25 per family) which inwinter holiday celebrations, January often provides
cludes a child friendly dinner and an
the rare opportunity for more time for solitude,
evening of fun with church friends
quiet and stillness which I find imperative for my
spiritual growth. I find winter snowstorms a par- while helping to support the youth group trip fund.
ticular blessing when unexpected snow days foil
plans and activities and create spaces to stay home
Elementary OWL
and slow down the hectic pace of our lives.
The 5th and 6th grade OWL program will kick of January 25th with the Parent Orientation after church. The
Whether curling up with a good book or enjoying
class will take place on Sundays from 9:00-10:30 A.M. in
time with family and friends, I try to appreciate the
February and March.
gifts of each season and make the most of it. Of
course living with a Siberian husky provides much
Youth Group
incentive to enjoy being outside in the snow each
For all 9-12th graders on First Sundays
day as well. While it is important to notice the
January 4th from 1:00-3:00pm
ebb and flow, as always, finding balance is the key.
Enjoy fun games,
worship, and
I hope you all can appreciate the short days and
social justice
long nights of winter as the light gradually returns
projects togethto this part of the earth.
er! For more
Blessed Be, information conDiane Melvin, Director of Religious Education
tact Karen
Guest at Your Table Wrap Up
It is time to wrap up the Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee’s Guest at Your Table fundraiser. This annual tradition supports the UUSC programs that help
ensure people around the world have access to basic
necessities such as clean water, food and shelter.
Please return your donations to the RE mailbox or supply room (14) this month. You can return your jars of
change or even better a check for the total made out
to UUSC.
Thank You!
Friedel.
Young Adult UU Group
Every Other Tuesday at Church
All 18-35 year olds are invited to participate in our
young adult group on the first and third Tuesdays
at 7:00 pm. at church. Enjoy fellowship with fun
games, activities and meaningful discussions
For meeting location information contact group
coordinator, Ted Schering at
[email protected]
Page 8
Events and Activities
News & Views
The Study Group – Monday, Jan. 19
Church Office Holiday Hours
The church office will be closed from
December 24-January 2.
The Study Group's next meeting will discuss Elaine
Pagels's book, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent: Sex and
Politics in Early Christianity. Newcomers to the
group are always welcome! The next meeting is on
Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m., at "The Den"
room at the Fountains. For more information,
please contact Tim Bartik at [email protected] or
269-806-1904.
Young Adult CON
Book at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/AdamEve-Serpent-Politics-Christianity/dp/0679722327
WHO: Anyone age 18-35
WHAT: Young Adult UU Conference
WHEN: January 16-18
WHERE: People's Church
Pasties Still Available
All young adults are invited to spend the
weekend at church to participate in this
12th annual conference. Enjoy meaningful
worship, engaging workshops, coffee house,
fun activities and rich fellowship! If you’re
willing to donate food to support this event,
please contact Fernando Ospina at
[email protected], 352-328-4964.
Lost & Found
Please check the Lost and Found
in both coat rooms and in the
kitchen. Things not claimed by
January will be donated. Thank you.
There are still chicken pasties
available in the kitchen freezer
for purchase. They are $5 each.
Please feel free to take what you
like and leave your money in the
envelope marked for pasties.
Volume 76, Issue 5
Page 9
Calendar
Day
Date
Event
Time
Place
Thursday
January 1
OFFICE CLOSED
New Year’s Day
People’s Church
Friday
January 2
OFFICE CLOSED
People’s Church
Saturday
January 3
The Discussion Group
10:00a.m.
Rooms 6 & 7
Sunday
January 4
Youth Band Practice
ARAOMC Committee
Sunday Service: “Life is Tough” Rev. Harold Beu
Talking Circle on Ferguson
YRUU (High School) Youth Group
Women’s Group
Full-Moon Drum Circle
9:00a.m.
9:30a.m.
10:45a.m.
12:30p.m.
1:00p.m.
5:00p.m.
8:00p.m.
Room 9
Room L1
Commons
Commons
Room L2
Room 19, Foyer
Room 9
Monday
January 5
Of Bonds and Binds: Fables for Our Time
10:00a.m.
Room 19
Tuesday
January 6
Building & Grounds Work Group
Talking Pots
Young Adult Group (ages 18-35)
9:30a.m.
3:00p.m.
7:00p.m.
Meet at Church
Kitchen
Room L2
Wednesday
January 7
Board Meeting
6:30p.m.
Room L1
Friday
January 9
Bazaar Wrap-Up Meeting
5:30p.m.
Martha Beverly’s Home
Saturday
January 10
Meditation Retreat
Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop
9:00a.m.
9:00a.m.-12p.m.
Room 19
Commons
Sunday
January 11
Youth Band Practice
Sunday Service: “Beyond Categorical Thinking”
Keith Kron
Special Collection for Kalamazoo Drug Treatment
Court Program
Sunday Lunch
9:00a.m.
9:30a.m.
10:00a.m.
10:45a.m.
Room 9
Room 9
Room 19
Commons
12:30p.m.
Commons
Monday
January 12
Of Bonds and Binds: Fables for Our Time
Facing Life, Facing Death
10:30a.m.
12:00p.m.
Room 19
Room L1
Tuesday
January 13
Building & Grounds Work Group
Social Justice Coordinating Committee
Dreamwork Circle
9:30a.m.
10:00a.m.
6:30p.m.
Meet at Church
Library at Parkview Hills
Room 18
Thursday
January 15
Membership Committee
6:00p.m.
Room L1
Fri.-Sun.
January 16-18
Young Adult CON (ages 18-35)
Saturday
January 17
The Discussion Group
Sunday
January 18
Sunday Service: “Can’t I Breathe? Dr. Jim Croteau 10:45a.m.
and Dr. Jo Ann Mundy
Membership Orientation
12:30p.m.
Loaves and Fishes Food Drive
Monday
Tuesday
January 19
January 20
Whole Church
10:00a.m.
Rooms 6 & 7
Commons
Room 19
Rick Johnson’s Truck
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Newsletter Deadline
The Study Group
12:00p.m.
7:30p.m.
[email protected]
‘The Den’ at The Fountains
Building & Grounds Work Group
Library Committee
Young Adult Group (ages 18-35)
Chalice Circle (Cusumano)
9:30a.m.
10:00a.m.
7:00p.m.
7:00p.m.
Meet at Church
Foyer, Room 1
Room L2
Room 18
The rest of the calendar is on Page 12. Check out our Calendar of Events online
at http://www.peopleschurch.net/calendar-of-events.
Volume 76, Issue 5
Page 10
People’s Church
News & Views
1758 N. 10th St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Kalamazoo, MI
Permit No. 921
Check us out on the web!
www.peopleschurch.net
Day
Date
Wednesday
January 21
Friday
Sunday
Event
Time
Place
Religious Education Committee
6:30p.m.
Room 8
January 23
Newsletter Mailing
Friday Sing-Along
9:00a.m.
7:00p.m.
Room 8
Room 19
January 25
Committee Budget Requests Due to Finance
Committee
Teachers’ Breakfast
Sunday Service: “The Secrets That We Keep”
Rev. Colleen Squires
Art Wall Reception for Dana Kubinski
5th/6th Grade O.W.L. Parent Orientation
Loaves & Fishes Food Drive
9:30a.m.
10:45a.m.
Rooms 6 & 7
Commons
12:15p.m.
12:30-3:30p.m.
Commons
Room 19
Rick Johnson’s Truck
Monday
January 26
Archives Committee
Of Bonds and Binds: Fables for Our Time
10:00a.m.
10:30a.m.
Archives Room
Room 19
Tuesday
January 27
Building & Grounds Work Group
Dreamwork Circle
Finance Committee
9:30a.m.
6:30p.m.
6:45p.m.
Meet at Church
Room 18
Room L1