C:\wpdocs\breeze\Breeze april 2012-4.wpd

Northeast Breeze
Monthly Newsletter
of the Northeast Cluster
Florida District, UUA
April 2012: Vol.4, No.11
The UU Congregation of Lake County in Eustis
welcomed - 35 attendees representing six congregations to the Spring 2012 Northeast Cluster meeting
with brunch in their host home, the newly renovated
historic Woman’s Club of Eustis.
We were greeted by the Eustis congregation’s
president, Barbara Coats, motivated by our District
board president Rachel Christensen, and charmed by
the outgoing coordinator Allie Gore, who has been at
the helm of the Northeast Cluster for the last three years.
Following the tradition of the Woman’s Club that was
formed as a study and discussion group in 1902 (and
we Unitarian Universalists know where that can lead!),
the entire day was filled with workshops, a film and
discussion of immigration issues.
Dan Homblette and John Hartgering, both members of
the First Unitarian Church of Orlando, made four
presentations based on the UUA six-week curriculum
“Immigration as a Moral Issue.” The narratives were
Allie Gore, member of the Church of the Larger
Fellowship and retiring Northeast Cluster coordinator, enhanced with many informative photos, graphs and
is shown with Martha Hartgering, member of First
maps that kept listeners focused and interested. The
Unitarian Church of Orlando, incoming coordinator.
film “The Other Side of Immigration” was also shown.
The presentation concluded that our immigration
system has many broken parts, which are harmful
to the undocumented immigrants and their families,
their “home” countries, and American citizens as
well.
The slides are still available from the facilitators to
supplement presentations members may wish to
make at their congregation. The UUA suggests a
study group with six meetings. However, if there is
limited time, the slides and attached narrative might
simplify preparation of a modified program. Anyone
interested may contact John Hartgering at
[email protected] for further information.
John Hartgering, left, and Dan Hornblette, right, surround
Rachel Christensen, Florida District president until
leadership changes at the Florida District Assembly on
March 23.
At the end of the day, retiring NEC coordinator Allie
Gore was presented with a special appreciation
award for “your commitment to create ‘the world we
Page 1 of 15
dream about,’ acknowledging your yearning for excellence in healthy congregations, and honoring the
job you’ve done as Cluster Coordinator, leading with intelligence, humor and grace since July 2009.”
Martha H. Hartgering was introduced as the succeeding Coordinator.
Chris Reid, newsletter editor for the University UU Society of Orlando, agreed to serve as co-editor of
the cluster’s monthly newsletter, the Northeast Breeze.
- John Hartgering
Northeast Cluster of the UUA Florida District
Annual Report 2011 – 2012
Compiled by Allie Gore, Coordinator
EVENTS:
February 4-6, 2011 - Northeast Cluster Women’s Retreat
Location: Canterbury Conference and Retreat Center, Oveido
Participants: 36
March 26, 2011 - Northeast Cluster Spring Gathering
Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach
Topic:
“It’s All About Us”
NE Cluster congregations sharing ideas, successes, challenges and vision for the future
Religious Education Topic: Bullies and Bullying
Northeast Cluster Contributed ($200) to UUFVB social justice project
Northeast Cluster Contributed ($1,000) to Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Participants: 68
September 9, 2011 - Northeast Cluster Fall Gathering
Location: University Unitarian Universalist Society, Orlando
Topic/Presenter: “CPR for Unitarian Universalism,” Susanne Nazian
Northeast Cluster Contributed ($200) to UUUS social justice project
Participants: 72
March 3, 2012 - Northeast Cluster Spring Gathering
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lake County, Eustis
Topic/Presenters: “Immigration as a Moral Issue,” John Hartgering and Dan Homblette
Northeast Cluster Contributed ($200) to UUCE social justice project
Martha H. Hartgering accepted the opportunity to coordinate events for the Northeast Cluster
Allie was presented with a Special Appreciation Award for her service to the Cluster
Participants: 35
FUTURE CONFIRMED EVENT:
April 27, 28, 29, 2012 - Second Annual Women’s Retreat
Location: DaySpring Conference Center, Ellenton
Registrations: 56
FINANCIAL:
Available funds: $2,192.84
March 2, 2012: Notification of dues ($1 per member as reported to the UUA, current
year) - letter sent to all Cluster congregations
Page 2 of 15
The 2012 Florida District Assembly offered practical learning - and a hands-on experience to guide
our reflections on immigration, a major issue in this country and state today, along with multiculturalism,
ethnicity, racial justice and human rights. DA took place the weekend of March 23-25 at the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Jacksonville, where the Reverend Ronald A. Hersom is minister.
District Executive Kenn Hurto was
present along with District administrator
Jessica Curren and Randy Becker, Acting
District Lifespan Program Consultant.
Attending from UUA in Boston was
Laurel Amabile, Annual Program Fund
Director. Also at DA was Joan Lund,
Florida District representative on the
UUA board of trustees.
Facilitators included the Reverend Susan
Frederick-Gray, minister of the UU Congregation of Phoenix, AZ, the Reverend
Patricia Jimenez, chaplain in Minneapolis,
MN, and the Reverend Jose Ballester,
minister, UU Church of Foxborough, MA.
The latter two are co-authors of Both and
Neither: Being Unitarian Universalist and
Latina/o.
(From left to right) Preparing for the Sunday morning worship
service are Rev. Kathy Schmitz, First Unitarian, Orlando; Rev.
Wendy Pantoja, Miami; Rev. Ron Hersom, Jacksonville; Rev.
Kenn Hurto, Florida District Executive; Suzanne Fast (on scooter),
ministerial candidate, member of Ft. Myers church; and Rev.
Kathleen Korb, Naples.
After Friday night registration and dinner, the annual business meeting produced bylaws changes,
including reduction in board size from nine members to five. The nominating committee is now the
leadership development committee, and will always include a youth or
young adult member. Elections were held to fill both panels. New
board leaders are: Ila Klion, president, River of Grass Congregation;
Harvey Heckes, vice president, UU Church of Fort Myers; Margie
Manning, secretary, UU Church of St. Petersburg; Al Tweedy,
treasurer, UU Fellowship of Gainesville: and Rachel Christensen,
trustee.
The new leadership development committee is composed of: Rev.
Robin Gray, UU Church of Tallahassee; Diane Ovadia, University UU
Society, Orlando; Harry Lee (youth), UU Church of Tampa; Judy
Lehman, UU Church of Tampa; Helen Leddy, UU Church of Fort
Myers; and Dani Slader (young adult), Buckman Bridge UU Church,
Jacksonville.
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Rev. Patricia Jimenez
Rewarding all the work of the afternoon and evening, participants
enjoyed the music of the group, Emma’s
Revolution, who had just arrived from
Sanford and the Trayvon Martin march on
Thursday. Pat Humphries and Sandy O songs
bring hope, commitment and laughter to the
work of social change, the theme of the
District meeting.
Rev. Jose Ballestero
Page 3 of 15
Saturday morning worship and workshops
were followed, after lunch, by Saturday afternoon’s Witnessing Through Service – a
choice of six off-site community service
projects, or workshops on site. Work ranged
from clearing trails and installing benches
and fences to planting seedlings and other
gardening tasks for not-for-profit groups
serving young children, at-risk teens and those
with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Dinner and entertainment by Jacksonville musicians
completed the day.
After a Sunday worship service with UUCJ congregants and a potluck lunch, the Assembly closed
with a practical question: what difference has this
made for you, and how will you bring your
experience back to your home congregation?
During the weekend, several borders were
crossed culturally and theologically, socially and
generationally.
Rev. Kenn commented that the Assembly was
“demanding at many levels, but we had a great
gathering. I feel we touched people on important
issues – and to my surprise, allayed some fears
about going to GA.”
See y’all in Phoenix!
- photos by Dick Morris and Susan Taylor
Music, dialogue, diversity, large and small groups, smiles
and, yes, lumps in the throat - DA provided it all.
Page 4 of 15
March was a busy month for Gainesville UUs. - The UU Fellowship of Gainesville started the month
with Celebration Sunday, a service of celebration and stewardship. UU guitarist, singer, and composer
Jim Scott performed during the service, starting with his well-known gathering song, “Gather the Spirit.”
The children’s story was a story in song, with Scott leading the children (and adults) in “The Rainforest
Song.” He stayed for lunch and added music to the menu.
- Ginny Bird, photos by Ron Dalton
Above and below, members gather for lunch after the service.
Jim Scott sings “The Rainforest Song.”
The children celebrate in their own way - bouncing!
To accommodate the large crowd, many were seated for lunch in
the sanctuary.
In mid-March, the congregation closed the fellowship building - and retreated to nearby Camp Montgomery
for an all-fellowship retreat. The lovely setting was the background for many activities, including
drumming, bird watching, birdhouse building, music, entertainment, good food and fellowship. “The
Birds of Many Feathers” retreat concluded
with a Sunday worship service.
Page 5 of 15
UUF Gainesville at play: making music, building birdhouses, playing games, hiking, exploring, eating,
talking, having fun, connecting
- photos by Ron Dalton
As part of its series on Earth Jurisprudence, the UU Church of Brevard - on Saturday, April 21, from
2 to 3 p.m., will present Path to the Future Part I – The Globalization of Addiction, facilitated by Rev.
Dr. Gregory Wilson, UUCB minister.
The Globalization of Addiction website notes that “Global society is drowning in addiction to drug use
and a thousand other habits. This is because people around
the world, rich and poor alike, are being torn from the close
ties to family, culture, and traditional spirituality that
constituted the normal fabric of life in pre-modern times.
This kind of global society subjects people to unrelenting
pressures towards individualism and competition, dislocating
them from social life.
“People adapt to this dislocation by concocting the best
substitutes that they can for a sustaining social, cultural and
spiritual wholeness, and addiction provides this substitute
for more and more of us.”
For more information, contact UUCB minister, Rev. Gregory Wilson, at 772-871-6010 or by email at
[email protected].
- Information shared by Yvonne Caraballo
“Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we
stand for something, we shall fall for anything.”
- Peter Marshall
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”
- Thornton Wilder
Page 6 of 15
ytisre
vU
n
i
University UU Society keeps the kids busy
with butterflies and castles - March was an
especially busy month for our Children’s Religious Exploration program.
In addition to March’s special building and
gardening activities, they made sandwiches, as
they do one Sunday each month, for the Homeless Coalition in Orlando.
Building gardens
March 4 was RE Social Action Sunday and, at UUUS, religious exploration includes doing – “Welcome:
Butterflies, Bees & Hummingbirds!”
The kids acted on our principles to help the fellowship community and the community of our environment. They collected more than $200 to build a garden with 40+ plants that feed butterflies, bees and
hummingbirds, and to provide a host for Monarch and Swallowtail larvae. The children expressed their
thanks for member donations, and the hope that everyone will enjoy the beautiful new addition to our
fellowship home.
Our Facebook page has more garden pictures – check it out at www.facebook.com/UUUSofO (University
Unitarian Universalist Society [UUUS] of Orlando). And "Like it" while you're there!
Building castles
On March 11, we took a break from our annual Ice Castle Sunday. Instead, this year the RE kids
played architects, engineers and builders to build a two-room castle out of cardboard boxes – reused,
then recycled. So many creative ideas and enthusiastic builders!
Spring brings the annual flower communion ceremony on April 1, as we all contribute a flower to share.
At the top of the page and below left, young and old work together to plant a butterfly garden for Monarchs and their larvae.
Below right, young and old start to build a two-room castle from recycled boxes.
Page 7 of 15
The children will participate in the service
with an explanation of
the history of this ritual
ceremony.
(Left) Boxes are ready for
building; above is the
castle chalice. Of course.
On Sunday, April 22,
there will be an Earth
Day Bash at the fellowship from 10:30 a.m. to
3 p.m. All are invited
to join with UUUS
family and friends on
this day set aside to
celebrate the earth and
the wonder of spring.
This year members will also be asked to renew their commitment to share their “green” with UUUS.
In addition to discussion of UUUS “green” practices and future plans, there will be a bounce house,
games for young and old, and the opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch and beverages provided by
UUUS.
- Chris Reid
“Our Many Faces: The Masks We Wear” is the
theme of the Second Annual UUA Florida District
Women’s Retreat - to be held April 27-29 at DaySpring.
This Episcopal Conference Center opened in 1983 on
the north bank of the Manatee River, just east of
Ellenton, Florida. St. Thomas Chapel, originally built
in 1914 for an Episcopal congregation in Safety Harbor,
was moved to the site in 1986.
A DaySpring cottage nestled among the trees
Today DaySpring has 18 buildings on its 92-acre
campus and features tranquil settings, nature trails,
tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, a full-scale ropes
course for team building and leadership training, as
well as a waterfront offering canoeing and kayaking on
the Manatee River.
The retreat will bring Florida District UU women together “to
explore the labels, language and masks we use to define
ourselves.” There will be conversation and sharing of
herstories, laughter and music, strengthening connections
to one another. There will be nature trails, rocking chairs on
screened porches, bicycles, a campfire, drumming,
more laughter and conversation to create a memorable
experience!
Guests will find rest and renewal in the natural beauty and
tranquility of this sacred place and in the love and caring
St. Thomas Chapel, built in 1914
expressed by others on their own spiritual journeys.
As NE Cluster coordinator, Allie Gore arranged the retreat with a committee composed of Ann
McGregor, Louise Christie, Lola Sorensen and Carla Christianson. For questions, email or phone Allie
at [email protected] or 352-861-6303.
Page 8 of 15
Meet Chris Reid, the new co-editor of The Breeze. - Chris has been
an active member of her congregation, the University UU Society in
Orlando, for many years. She has held several board positions,
including vice president and president. She currently serves as board
secretary and editor of The Connection, the monthly UUUS newsletter.
Chris and her husband Mike live in Geneva, a small rural community
northeast of Orlando. They have six grown children and are the proud
grandparents of two granddaughters, the newest born right before DA!
Chris is shown to the left with her daughter Sara, and says the only
photos she has are with family, and she’s usually the one taking the
photos. Thanks, Chris, for joining The Breeze staff!
UU "pitches" - In 2004, UU World magazine asked for contributions of "elevator
speeches" – or “pitches,” as business calls them – explaining Unitarian Universalism.
These are short speeches that could be made in the course of an elevator ride, or
standing in line at the grocery store, to those who know nothing of the religion. Here is
one more example of the speeches submitted:
“Evolving, not revealed. This life, not the afterlife. Actions and experiences, not beliefs.
Democracy, not hierarchy. And don’t choose between goodness and happiness, insist
on both.”
- Doug Muder, member of First Parish Unitarian Universalist,
Bedford, Massachusetts, in an article in the online UU World
A pitch from the pulpit - In the March 25 worship service at the UU Fellowship of Vero Beach,
longtime member Colleen Kessler took the pulpit to talk about UU elevator speeches. How do you
answer the question: What do Unitarian Universalists believe? Included was her own elevator speech:
“Unitarian Universalism is the church of the mind and
heart. Unitarianism is the mind part, the cerebral part of
my faith. It's the part that reminds me I must use reason
and conscience when considering matters of faith. It's the
side that tells me that no other person, clergy, or bible can
tell me what to believe. It's the part that encourages me,
even demands of me, that I build my own personal
theology.
“The Universalism side of my faith instructs me that
everyone has inherent worth, that we are all connected.
Universalism is the love side of my faith. It's the compassion, the passion, the feeling side of my faith, the part
that spurs me to take action in a hurting world, to try to
make the world a better, kinder, more just and loving
place, to try to leave the planet in better shape because I
have been here. It's my Universalism side that tells me to
stand on the side of love.
“As a Unitarian Universalist I believe it doesn't matter
whether I am here by accident or design but I am here,
and because I am here, I must do my part to help make Colleen Kessler
the world a better place.”
Colleen is currently serving on the worship committee, and has in the past been involved in public
relations, children and adult RE, nominating, social justice, a couple of search committees, and the
UUFVB board.
Have you written your elevator speech yet? Send it to The Breeze and we’ll print it.
Page 9 of 15
Buddhist Meditation Retreat Planned for All Souls UU - The
Board of Trustees of All Souls UU Church in Palatka are planning
a Buddhist Meditation Retreat for the weekend of June 9.
Beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, those wishing to participate in the
Retreat will gather at the home of Nancy Smith and Virginia Belson
on Silver Lake. They will spend the afternoon in meditation under
the guidance of Morris Sullivan (Sekiyo Sensei), Buddhist minister
from the Light Dawn Fellowship in DeLand. Sekiyo Sensei is a
regular speaker at All Souls. There will be a vegetarian pot luck
dinner following the afternoon program.
On Sunday morning, there will be a Sunrise Meditation at the
riverfront in Palatka, also led by Sekiyo Sensei. Following the meditation, there will be a Pancake
Breakfast at Hammock Hall at 9:30 a.m. The breakfast will be open to the public, regardless of
participation in the meditation, followed at 11 a.m. by the Sunday Service. At the center of the service,
there will be a Buddhist Refuge Ceremony.
A “love offering” will be collected after both meditation sessions. A donation of $3 is asked of those
eating at the pancake breakfast. In addition to pancakes, sausage, bacon, fruit, juice and coffee/tea
will be served.
For more information about the Retreat Weekend, and to confirm attendance at any or all of the events,
please contact Rita Foust at [email protected].
- Rita Foust
Friendship Fellowship at Pineda’s Welcoming
Congregation Committee - is pleased to present Laura
Radigan on Sunday, April 8, at 3 p.m. in Friendship Hall.
NASA technician, videographer and director, advocate,
lobbyist, public speaker and transgendered woman,
Laura was born in Joliet, Illinois. She joined the Army
out of college and retired here in Florida in 1994 with
20.5 years served. She is a Vietnam-era and Desert
Storm veteran. She has been married twice and has
two daughters and five grandchildren.
Since her retirement, she has been employed at various
locations across Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and
Patrick Air Force Base as a calibration technician and
transitioned in that environment. She has also been a
successful business owner, political lobbyist, and
Laura Radigan
activist for the transgendered community. She has
served as the Veterans and Active duty liaison for the Transgendered American Veterans Association
(TAVA) and lobbied Washington D.C. in that capacity. She also serves on the board of directors and
as the technical director and video engineer for the Southern Comfort Conference, the largest transgendered conference in the world.
Everyone is invited to hear Laura speak about the issues that transgendered men and women face in
the workplace and the world. This program is free and open to the public. Discussion and refreshments
will follow Laura’s talk.
Friendship Fellowship is going through the process of becoming a Welcoming Congregation. For over
two years, the congregation has been educating itself in ways to deepen its understanding of LGBT
issues and become more inclusive and welcoming. For more information, please contact Nancy
Shacklette at 321-432-5599.
- Nancy Shacklette
Page 10 of 15
Meet Joe Wolfarth, new Breeze correspondent from New Smyrna Beach Joe is a writer, poet, artist, photographer, singer, drummer, all-around creative
type and occasionally in the pulpit as a service leader or RE group leader.
He’s been on the CUUC board of trustees for six of the past seven years and
is president of the Mistletoe CUUPs group. Joe realizes his spiritual path is
very deeply connected to his love for Mother Earth and the Cosmos that
surrounds her. He writes a monthly column called "Caring and Sharing" for the
Community UU Church newsletter.
Joe hopes some day to earn a degree in Divinity from Starr-King Seminary and
become a UU minister. That has driven his volunteerism. He would “like to
see our church grow, as well as our denomination and the social justice movement, in which Unitarian
Universalism has become ever more deeply involved.” He plans to be at GA in Phoenix in June.
Joe Wolfarth
Joe says he has learned over the years not to be afraid to be outspoken – as long as wisdom tempers
passion. “I am among friends in a UU congregation and I know that even those who wish to agree to
disagree can usually accomplish this feat with kindness if they too are UUs.” Welcome, Joe.
Breeze Correspondents - Your UU compatriots below welcome suggestions for stories and comments
to share with other cluster congregations and members. This is one way we learn from each other,
exchange new replicable ideas, and enjoy knowing others are exemplifying our UU values.
Eustis - Ted Fessler - 352-483-7405 - [email protected]
Gainesville - Ginny Bird - 352-468-1297 - [email protected]
Jax Arlington - Holly Charland - 904-403-9912 - [email protected]
Buckman Bridge (Jacksonville) - vacant
New Smyrna Beach - Joe Wolfarth - 386-3836 - [email protected]
Marion County (Summerfield) - Dick Chady - 352-391-7069 - [email protected]
Mosaic (Orange City) - Cary Ragsdale - 386-871-1398 - [email protected]
Orlando First - John Hartgering - 352-242-2437 - [email protected]
Orlando University - Chris Reid - 407-491-4199 - [email protected]
Ormond Beach (Greater Daytona) - Rev. Bud Murphy (acting) - 386-846-1840 [email protected]
All Souls (Palatka) - Rita Foust - 386-546-2539 - [email protected]
Rockledge - Nancy Shacklette - 321-259-3979 - [email protected]
St. Augustine - Lola Sorensen - 904-794-0961 - [email protected]
Valdosta - Betty Derrick - 229-794-2301 - [email protected]
Vero Beach - Joyce Levi - 772-562-9476 - [email protected]
West Melbourne - Yolanda Caraballo - 321-220-3472 - [email protected]
Rev. Gregory Wilson - 772-871-6010 - [email protected]
West Volusia (DeLand) - Carolyn Benton - 386-775-0755 - [email protected]
Community Unitarian Universalist Church in New
Smyrna Beach - has been holding small gatherings,
called "affinity groups," for many years. There is now a
new Buddhist group, a UU Christian Fellowship, and a
Mistletoe CUU Pagans group. They serve the dual
purpose of (1) giving guests to our church more
opportunities for personal connection and spiritual growth,
and (2) providing a means of strengthening the
relationships of current members. Again this year we
have organized small-group social gatherings. "Dinners
for Eight," organized by founding member Audrey Barcelo,
give CUUC members the chance to get to know other
members who may not attend the same affinity group CUUC president Suzanne Ronneau and founding
meetings. This is a fun way to get to know people.
member Audrey Barcelo
Page 11 of 15
Pictured
left is
frequent
CUUC
guest
Shawn
Capers
with
frequent
CUUC
speaker,
the Rev.
Lloyd
Dunham.
Our UU Christian Fellowship continues to gather for
a monthly potluck and worship service/discussion;
the Buddhist Group also meets each month for meditation and discussion, often with local Buddhists as
guest presenters/leaders. Mistletoe CUUPs holds
monthly board meetings, combined meeting/workshop events every other month, members-only Full
Moon gatherings with potluck and ritual, and drum
It must be Friday evening, because the drum circle is alive circles as often as we can manage. Lately that's
been on a Saturday evening once a month on the
and well at Big Planet Pizza!
sands of New Smyrna Beach, with firepits that can
be reserved for use. Also once a month on a Friday evening, we meet at Big Planet Pizza in
Edgewater to enjoy the drumming at Big Planet's lovely outdoor seating area/patio, which also features
a built-in firepit!
- Joe Wolfarth
Rev. Janet Onnie Renews Term in Marion County - Rev. Janet Onnie has agreed to serve a second
year as a half-time, developmental minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County.
Rev. Onnie, who previously served in Naples and Tarpon Springs, will complete her first year at
UUFMC in June.
In announcing the selection, Board President Jim McIntosh said, “I
am confident that we will be able to build on the foundation that has
been started this year. The recent cottage meetings demonstrated
a great desire among the participants to build on what we have
accomplished thus far. This will give us the opportunity to
determine who we are as a fellowship and what role we can play in
service to the community and to each other. Rev. Onnie was
ordained at Venice last year after graduating cum laude in 2008
with a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Florida Center for Theological Studies.
Her post-graduate work was at the Unitarian Universalist
seminaries – Meadville-Lombard at the University of Chicago, and
Starr King at the University of California-Berkeley. She has served
Rev. Janet Onnie
as treasurer of the Florida chapter of the UU Ministers Association
and as a program consultant for the UUA Florida District. She is a member of UU Allies for Racial
Equality, and the Liberal Religious Educators Association. Rev. Onnie has been selected as one of
24 ministers to be trained as facilitators for the national "Who Are Our Neighbors" continuing education
program for the UUMA. She and her husband, Nelson Hay, live at East Lake Weir.
"UUFMC has embarked on a grand adventure in opening dialogue to craft and articulate their vision,”
said Rev. Onnie. "Grappling with one's identity is difficult work, but I am confident that the people are
committed to doing that work. It is my great joy to continue to be a part of the journey."
Page 12 of 15
UUFMC Members Approve $121,000 Budget, Expansion - At the annual meeting on March 18,
members approved a $121,000 budget for the church year beginning April 1. They plan to add a music
director and part-time bookkeeper to provide services for the rapidly expanding congregation.
The congregation approved Bill Denison for a two-year term as treasurer, succeeding Bill Coburn.
Yolanda Brod was approved for a second term on the board of trustees, while Doug Worthington, Sylvia
Wince, Karen Henkel-Reeves became new members. The congregation thanked Gil Gilleland, Ruth
Deussen and Sylvia Kelch for their service on the board.
Membership nearly quadrupled in nine years. When board president Jim McIntosh joined in 2003,
there were 37 members. The latest addition brings membership to 126.
- Dick Chady
Coordinator’s Comments
G
reetings, Cluster Colleagues!
This year the Northeast Cluster’s 200 participants from thirteen member congregations
attended three meetings which were held in Vero Beach, Orlando and Eustis. Each meeting
engaged participants in topics designed to enrich the participants’ minds and hearts. Allie Gore,
with support from other Cluster members, organized the first Women’s Retreat last year which was
so successful that this year’s event has almost doubled its participation.
A significant and unique aspect of the Northeast Cluster is our newsletter, the Northeast Breeze.
Joyce Levi is an assertive and inquiring editor who feels it is important for congregations to share
their news. Quoting Joyce and the Breeze, Joyce writes: It’s fun seeing where our fellow UUs
worship. So send us pictures of your building, sanctuary, kitchen, classrooms, whatever you’d like
to share. Let us all know the wonderful things happening in your church. We learn from each
other.
As the new Coordinator, I am asking congregations to contact me if you have a topic that you feel
should be addressed in a multi-congregational meeting. Also please contact me if you would like
to host an event.
Possible topics for next year: the GA in Arizona is a Justice Event and there should be lots of
information to report. The fall Cluster meeting could focus on GA follow-up and implications for
Florida. Also, many of our Northeast Cluster congregations are doing outreach work. Perhaps next
year is a good time to share ways that UU congregations reach beyond the walls of their meeting
places.
Suggestions for topics for events are needed. Host congregations are needed.
I see myself as a facilitator. I await hearing from you.
Martha H. Hartgering
Martha Harnit Hartgering has been a member of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando for four years.
She and her husband, John, live in Clermont. She reminds us of the Cluster mission:
“The Cluster shall act as a service organization to promote leadership among the
member societies (fellowships, and churches), and to stimulate and exchange ideas.
It shall be religious, charitable, educational, social and non-profit.”
Page 13 of 15
2012 UU Calendar for Quick Cluster Check
(All Florida UUs are welcome to attend any Cluster, District or UUA meeting.)
April 2012
27-29 2012 Florida UU Women’s Retreat, DaySpring Conference Center, Ellenton, FL
June 2012
20-24 UUA General Assembly, Phoenix, AZ
Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation
for the Earth's natural environment. The name and concept of Earth Day
was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO
Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by
San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology. Earth Day
was first observed in San Francisco and other cities on March 21, 1970, the
first day of Spring, later sanctioned in a Proclamation signed by Secretary
General U Thant at the United Nations where it is observed each year.
Denis Hayes, the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international
in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated
globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175
countries. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day.
Northeast Cluster, Florida District, Unitarian Universalist Association
Martha H. Hartgering, coordinator - [email protected] - 352-242-2437
Rev. Richard "Bud" Murphy, ministerial consultant - [email protected] - 386-846-1840
Leadership Team
Mavis Greene, Jacksonville - [email protected] - 904-272-4980
John Hartgering, Orlando - [email protected] - 352-242-2437
Jack Kulas, Gainesville - [email protected] - 352-264-7771
Linda Newman, West Volusia - [email protected] - 386-734-1117
Lola Sorensen, St. Augustine - [email protected] - 904-794-0961
Website
Jack Kulas, webmaster - necluster.uufg.org - 352-264-7771
Northeast Breeze, Northeast Cluster Newsletter
Chris Reid, co-editor - [email protected] - 407-491-4199
Joyce Levi, co-editor - [email protected] - 772-562-9476
Florida District, Unitarian Universalist Association
Florida District Office, Jessica Curren, Administrator - [email protected] - 407-894-2119
The Rev. Kenneth G. Hurto, District Executive - [email protected] - 321-422-4625
The Rev. Dr. Randolph W. B. Becker, Lifespan Program Consultant - [email protected] - 305-407-7956
Joan Lund, UUA Trustee - [email protected] - 813-931-9727
Website - www.floridadistrict.org
And one more page...
Page 14 of 15
“There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April
breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.” - Unitarian William Cullen Bryant
“April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.” - Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever”
- Unitarian Charles Lamb
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” - William Shakespeare
Page 15 of 15