information about 2013 NCUU Special Events

Nature Coast
Unitarian Universalists
7633 North Florida Avenue
Citrus Springs, FL 34434
352-465-4225
Special Events 2013
KWANZAA
CELEBRATION
The African American Club, NCUU and Unity Church joined together and presented
a free Kwanzaa program on December 28 at the Inverness Old Courthouse. The idea
originated with Lillian Smith, President of the African American club, while
attending last year's Kwanza service at NCUU. She hopes it will become an annual
event.
The historic Inverness courthouse hosted the event, with an explanation by Kathy
Fleissner, followed by candle lighting, African drumming and dancing.
We had a special service on Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm.
Refreshments were served afterwards. This traditional NCUU
service that has become a meaningful part of the holiday for
many members and friends of NCUU.
Annual International Dinner
Our annual International Dinner was held on Saturday Oct 26.
We featured a French cuisine and ambiance. This included
appetizers, champagne, a choice of three main dishes,
beverages, and French desserts.
There was entertainment by Julie and Joe and wine:
all for only $25 per person!
What a great night it was!
Silent Auction to Benefit the Memory Garden
On the 13th of October, Kathy Stevens spoke to us on the benefits of social quilting.
In honor of Kathy’s talk and to raise funds for our Memory Garden, we auctioned
two items donated by Linda Myers.
The first item auctioned was an Amish Quilt purchased in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by Linda about 20 years ago for
$100. It is all hand cut and sewn in a Lone Star pattern.
The second item is a coffee table sized book, “The Quilts of
Gee’s Bend,” that tells the history of Gee’s Bend, small,
remote African American community in Alabama, and the
quilt masterpieces created there. The original price of the
book was $45, published in 2002. It is in perfect condition.
A second quilt was also donated by Kathy Stevens.
Forgotten Film Festival
One film was presented each Thursday in
September at 3 PM
September 5: Quartet
Renowned English writer W. Somerset Maugham
introduces four wonderful productions of his well-known
short stories: “The Facts of Life”. “The Kite”, “The Alien
Corn”, and “The Colonel’s Lady” in this program. A young
man’s life in Monte Carol displeases his father; another
young man has issues with his new wife and mother; a
pianist hits the wrong note; and a man’s very low-key wife
turns out to be a famous writer.
Cast: Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne, Ian Fleming
September 12: The Kids Are All Right
Two children conceived by artificial insemination bring
their father into their family life.
Cast: Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo
September 19: The Sapphires
It’s 1968 and four young, talented Australian aboriginal
girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all
girl group, The Sapphires, entertain the US troops in
Vietnam. Cast: Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica
Mauboy
September 26: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help
realize a sheik’s vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing
to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith
and fish to prove the impossible, possible.
Cast: Amr Waked, Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor
On Saturday August 24 Reverend Kenneth Gordon
Hurto conducted a workshop from 10:00 – 3:00 at NCUU on
"Becoming a Hospitable Congregation".
Rev Hurto is the Lead Executive for the Southern Region of the
Unitarian Universalist Association and a Congregational Life
Consultant.
For more information about his workshop click here
AUGUST CELEBRATION POTLUCK
The monthly Celebration Potluck was held on Friday, 16 August. We celebrated
member birthdays, anniversaries, new members, got caught up on the news and we
honored our wonderful service leaders.
Forgotten Film Festival
One film was presented each Thursday in June at 3 PM
June 6: Hitchcock The story of Alfred Hitchcock and
his wife, Alma Reville, during the filming of famed
movie, Psycho, in 1959.
Stars Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, and Scarlett
Johansson.
June 13: The Master A veteran of WWII arrives home
unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is
tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader.
Stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and
Amy Adams
June 20: The Painted Veil Set in the 1920s, this is the
story of a young English couple (a bacteriologist and
a society girl) who marry hastily. They are assigned to
Hong Kong where their lives are upended. They find
an unexpected chance for understanding and
happiness while on a deadly journey into the heart of
ancient China to fight a chorea outbreak. Stars Ed
Norton, Naomi Watts, Diana Rigg, and Toby Jones
June 27: A Good Year A British investment broker
inherits his uncle’s chateau and vineyard in Provence.
He discovers a new way of life as he tries to renovate
the estate to be sold.
Stars Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, and Marion
Cotillard.
Drum Healing Meditation Session
with Russell Buddy Helm
held Saturday, May 25 4 pm
http://www.buddyhelm.com/
A Sunday Service at the Nature Coast Unitarian
Universalists was also held on May 25 presented by
Russell Buddy Helm, master drummer from California.
Mr. Helm conducts drumming workshops worldwide.
Members of the congregation joined him in the
drumming while he spoke about the therapeutic
benefits to a person's emotional, physical and spiritual
health.
Art Jones
Head of the Save King’s Bay Project One Rake at a Time
Chronicle Citizen of the Year & Crystal River Man of the Year
Nature Coast Unitarian Universalists Sunday April 21st at 10:30
Forgotten Films of Former Years
Have you noticed that many films on the “Best 10” Lists or nominated for academy
awards, never came to Citrus County? We noticed. So a group of NCUUers decided
to show recent but “forgotten films” every Thursday in March at 3 PM, at the
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Here are the films we viewed:
March 7: Best Exoitc Marigold Hotel: A film with Judi Dench, in a colorful tale about
the older generation.
March 14: Dear John: A romantic drama.
March 21: Arbitrage: A suspense thriller about love, loyalty and high finance, with
Richard Gere as a hedge fund magnate.
March 28: Beasts of the Southern Wild: A Sundance Winner that is a fantastic,
emotional journey through Hurricane Katrina.
The Singing Tree offers Unique Sound
Sunday March 24 at 2:30 PM
This unique duo features two instruments: a hammered dulcimer with its sparkling
sound, and a double bass with a soulful sentiment. Their music is evocative of
traditional and Celtic roots combined with classic compositions. And no wonder.
Lloyd Goldstein has played the double bass for 30 years, 21 years in the Tampa
Florida Orchestra. Ray Belanger is one of the leading hammered dulcimer
performers and teachers in the Country.
Their varied program leaves audiences surprised and elated with the vibrant sound
of their fine instruments and the originality of their arrangements.
A newly forming Citrus County League of Women Voters met at 1 p.m. Tuesday,
March 12 at the Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 7633 North Florida
Ave, Citrus Springs. Earlier presentations about the League resulted in
overwhelming support for this nonpartisan educational group. We now, once again,
have an active Citrus County League of Women Voters. Open to men as well as
women, the idea was hatched at NCUU and fostered by many of its members. A few
are shown in the above photo. If interested, see Linda Myers.
Planned Parenthood:
What we do, why it matters, and what's ahead
Sunday March 3 10:30 am
For our second celebration of International Women’s Day, we were pleased to have
Jillian Alpert from Planned Parenthood as our speaker. She spoke about what
Planned Parenthood does, why it matters and what is ahead.
Many people only concentrate on one service that Planned Parenthood provides:
abortion. Planned Parenthood believes that abortion is a deeply personal and often
complex decision for a woman, and doesn't believe that you can make that decision
for someone else.
But more than 90% of what Planned Parenthood does is lifesaving cancer
screening, birth control, prevention, testing, and treatment of STDs. Nevertheless,
many politicians want to get rid of Planned Parenthood - and we won't let them. We
learned about both the care Planned Parenthood gives and the fight they are
fighting and what's ahead for 2013 in Florida.
International Women’s Day, first held in 1911, celebrates the economic, political and
social achievements of women while remaining aware of women’s ongoing
challenges. The United Nations has declared the theme for 2013 International Day
of Women to be “A Promise Is a Promise” Time to take action to end violence
against women.
The Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist International Women’s Day Group will take
stock of where women are today based on recent statistics showing the progress
women have made and current policies that keep women from gaining full and
equal participation in their personal, economic, political and social development.
League of Women Voters
Saturday January 26 2:00 pm
Citrus County does not have a League of Women Voters and has not had a chapter
for many years. The League is a non-partisan organization encouraging information
and participation in government. It was founded 92 years ago and has been open to
men for forty years. The League is a grass roots organization with chapters in all
states.
The League of Women Voters is strictly nonpartisan; it does not support nor oppose
candidates. It does take a stand on issues after coming to a consensus and works to
increase the public's understanding of policy issues, through education.
The Nature Coast Unitarian Universalists invited Allie Gore, of the Marion County
League of Women Voters, to tell us how we might join up with Marion County or form
a local branch of our own. Allie Gore is a long time educator. She was crucial in
reactivating the Marion County League and will help us, if Citrus County wishes, to
do the same.
Allie showed us a short video of the history of the struggle for equal suffrage. This
was followed by a PowerPoint slide presentation and discussion of the League
today. The event was open to the public at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 26, at NCUU,
7633 N. Florida Ave (Hwy 41), Citrus Springs (Dunnellon for GPS), Florida 34434.
Did you think Kwanzaa was an alternative to Christmas? Not so. Its message is
universal, non-denominational and celebrated in various ways. The Nature Coast
Unitarian Universalists honored Kwanza on Jan 13 at its 10:30 AM Sunday service.
This included a history and music of the holiday, a discussion of the principles and
symbols that are its foundation, and its importance as a celebration of African
American heritage. A special guest, d'Adjoa Nutefewola Avadada, of Citrus Hills,
participated. “Dee” has made eight trips to Africa and has organized Kwanzaa
programs for the Unity Church.