October 15, 2014

Unitarian Universalist Society
October 15, 2014 Vol. 77 No. 18
Sunday Worship, 10:30 a.m.
and Religious Education
October 19
To Do and To Be
Rev. Jean L. Wahlstrom
Bring a Friend Sunday and
Luncheon – November 2
Our third annual “Bring a Friend
Sunday” will be on November 2nd.
First time visitors who check in at
the Welcome Table will be our
guests at the First Sunday Luncheon
following the service.
How do you strike a sustainable balance between action and contemplation,
between urgency and stillness? What is the one important thing on your To
Do list?
October 26
Heretics, Pantheists, Pagans—Oh, My!
Rev. Jean L. Wahlstrom
The wide tent of Unitarian Universalism has room for star gazers of all theologies.
November 2
Memory Tree Sunday
Rev. Jean L. Wahlstrom
On this Sunday, we decorate our Memory Tree with the names of those we
have loved and lost.
Inside:
2014 Unirondack Report ................... 2
Syracuse UU Young Adults News .... 3
Thank You from InterFaith Works ..... 4
Coin Donations to MMUUS .............. 4
Music and the Arts ............................ 5
Community News ......................... 6, 7
Mary Barduhn's Memorial
Service - October 18
A memorial service and reception
will be held in honor of longtime
MMUUS member Mary Barduhn at
May Memorial this coming Saturday, October 18th, beginning at
11:00 am.
Volunteers needed for 2014
Fine Craft Show
“The Weekend Report”: Unirondack 2014
T
he weather on the weekend of Saturday, September 12th, 2014 wasn’t the
best, but a gaggle of 60 folks (age range 15 months to 70 years) from
MMUUS, FUUS and Auburn UU, enjoyed the time at Unirondack, the UU
camp and conference center in the southwestern Adirondacks, despite it!.
The new housing/shower facility helped many families rest in comfortable
rooms and people were toasty around fires and woodstoves. Before the heavy
rains started, people went hiking, biking, kayaking and swimming. Inside, others were enjoying the lodges and lakeside art house by participating in projects, games, conversation, quiet reading, baking and yummy meals. Lisa Harter led about ten people in a painting session using TheBubblyBrush technique. She raised some money for the Teenz’s service trip (a picture of our
artwork is on her website at http://www.thebubblybrush.com/). Saturday night
festivities ended with a variety show led by Lucy and Julia. This was lots of
fun for the presenters and audience alike. Many thanks to the bakers and
cooks/crews for the meals and to all others for contributing your time and talents—the community effort help the success of the weekend!
Next year, Unirondack Weekend will be September 18th—20th, 2015 (Labor
Day is late in 2015). The rental price has increased to $25/night per person in
2015, so the price will be in the $65 range for the weekend, which includes
five meals. Information on 2015 registration is available at http://
www.unirondack.org/register/. Please mark your calendar so you can join us!
We need many volunteers to help
with the upcoming Holiday Fine
Craft Show, which is the weekend
before Thanksgiving (November
21st - November 23rd). Positions
include working at the admissions
table/raffle table, wrapping items,
helping at booths, and being a floater. Shifts are 2 hrs. 15 min. long and
are available throughout the weekend. If you are able to help out with
this very important fundraising
event, please contact Julie Daniel at
[email protected] or 622-3423.
2
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
Pumpkin Carving on Friday,
October 24, at 6:00 pm
Time for some
W
e will be meeting at 6:00 pm on October 16th, in the fellowship hall at
First UU to put together care kits for local homeless people. Bring a bag
dinner for yourself and a donation of trial or travel sized soaps, toothpaste,
shampoo, lotions, etc. Everyone is welcome, feel free to bring a friend!
FUUN events are a great way to participate in social action together. We have
already stuffed backpacks for the Eastern Farm Workers and donated apples
to St. Lucy's Food Pantry at past events. If you would like to know more or are
able to help seek out donations for our care kits, please contact Stacy
Sceiford at [email protected].
(MMUUS Women’s
Group) venue change for October meeting
O
n Thursday, October 16th (the 3rd Thursday, as usual) our meeting is at
First UU, and we will be joining in the FUUN event, making care packages of travel toiletries for the homeless (see above article for more details
about the event) which meets at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall at First
UU). Stacy Sceiford ([email protected]) is the contact for the FUUN event, if
you want more information! I have it on good authority that you may still
bring your snacks and beverages, including wine, if so inclined.
~ Laura Knight,
Twisted Sisters Coordinator
[email protected]
Join the UU Young Adults in the
kitchen at First UU for a fun filled
night of creativity and play. We'll
carve pumpkins and snack on roasted seeds. All ages welcome! Let
Pilar know if you won't be bringing
your own pumpkin and would like to
carve and take home one of ours
([email protected]).
Go Soul to Soul with the
Young Adults
The Soul to Soul book charts out a
series of discussions based on the
included readings and activities that
let us learn more about ourselves
and each other. We’ve found that
sharing our ideas with one another
helps our thinking evolve and deepens our connection to our inner
thoughts.
If you're interested in trying it out,
we're meeting in the Parlor at First
UU on Waring Road in Syracuse at
6:30 pm on the third Wednesday
of the month in October (10/15).
In the spring of 2015 (February
through May), we'll meet in the Memorial room at May Memorial (dates
TBA). Contact Pilar (533-2684) or
visit the Facebook Group (https://
www.facebook.com/groups/
Syr.UUYA/) for more information.
October 15, 2014
3
Share the Plate
O
Thank you from InterFaith
Works
Rev. Jean received a note from
InterFaith Works, in which they
wrote:
“Your congregation’s donation
of bedding, towels, and linens
has made an empty apartment
a home...From our family at
InterFaith Works Center for New
Americans to yours—thank
you!”
The note also had a personal message from Volunteer and Donation
Coordinator Daryl Suzanne Files,
who wrote:
“Your generous donations are
amazing!!”
n a trial basis through mid-November,
May Memorial will divide all cash in
the offering—coins and bills—equally
between the MMUUS Operating Fund
and our outreach recipient for the month,
the Food Bank of CNY. There will be no
change to the way checks are handled.
Before this fall, COINS, your “change”,
has been counted, deposited, and sent
quarterly to the local outreach partner
chosen by survey of the congregation.
BILLS, your “folding money”, has been
deposited to the Operating Fund as “Plate” income. CHECKS HAVE BEEN
AND WILL BE deposited to the Operating Fund: checks are accounted for as
“Pledge” income (if you have made an annual pledge) or as “Contributions”
otherwise.
Naturally, some are concerned that “sharing the plate” (both coins and bills)
will result in less income for our operating fund, and some are concerned that
the result will be less for our outreach partners. At the November18th Board
meeting, Trustees will decide whether to return to what we have always
done, or to ratify the new process. The choice, as ever, is in your hands—and
your pockets.
Thank you for your generosity!
~ Rev. Jean
4
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
2014 Folkus Concert Schedule
October 24th—Natalia Zukerman—
With diverse influences that include
folk, jazz, blues, rock, bluegrass,
country, and even classical,
Zuckerman has been described by
public radio as “an example of the
finest Americana.” She combines
her unique slide guitar playing style
with seductive vocals, a painter’s
observing eye, unapologetic writing,
and sharp wit. She'll be supporting
her new album -- her seventh -called “Come Thief, Come Fire.”
Natalia
Zukerman
Tickets are $15 (Folkus Member
price: $12)
November 7th—The Boxcar Lilies—The Boxcar Lilies have quickly made a
name for themselves with their signature mix of folk, country, and bluegrasstinged Americana music featuring spine-tingling, innovative harmonies and topnotch songwriting. Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo,
ukulele, electric bass, and washboard, they have brought their uniquely warm
sound and energetic stage presence to venues up and down the Eastern
seaboard, including The Birchmere Music Hall, Club Passim, and Philadelphia's
Tin Angel, and opening for legendary performers like Bill Staines and The
Seldom Scene. In 2012, they were selected to perform an official showcase at
the International Folk Alliance Conference
and in 2013 won the audience voting in the
Emerging Artist Showcase.
Based in Western Massachusetts, The
Boxcar Lilies are Jenny Goodspeed,
Stephanie Marshall, and Katie Clarke —
three singer-songwriters that met through a
local musicians’ cooperative and discovered
a shared passion for three-part harmony.
Tickets are $15 (Folkus Member price:
$12)
Gallery Artist for October is
Linda Labella-Morgan
May Memorial’s gallery artist for the
month of October is Linda LabellaMorgan. Linda’s show is titled
“Vivere”, meaning capturing inspiration; “to live”.
Linda’s annual visits to Italy have
inspired two painting series included
in Vivere—”Italian Landscapes
Redefined” (a series featuring Italian
family portraits with symbolic imagery) and “Habit Forming” (a series
featuring nuns in Italian landscapes).
Both series are coupled with poetry
by the artist. Each piece gives a literal, symbolic, and written expression allowing for multiple layers of
meaning of each painting.
Linda retired as an art teacher with
the Syracuse City School District in
2007. Since then she has worked as
Docent Educator at the Everson Museum of Art for many of their exhibitions. Retirement has offered her
the time to become involved with
exhibiting her watercolor paintings in
numerous venues, which have included The Everson Museum of Art
(Best in Show “On Your Own Time”
juried exhibit), Provisions Café—
Armory Square, Syracuse, NY, and
at the Dewitt, Fayetteville, and Syracuse, NY Public Libraries.
All shows start at 8:00 pm. To reserve
tickets, or for details and additional ticket
info, visit http://www.folkus.org.
October 15, 2014
5
Community News
Our Care Baskets
Do you ever wonder what you could
donate to the Care Baskets at
church? Here is a helpful list: soaps,
toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and hand towels, deodorant,
combs, shampoo, tissues, hand sanitizers, feminine hygiene products,
socks, etc. Why not make it a personal practice to get a few of these
things each time you go to the grocery or drug store? Keep them in the
car that you drive to church so you
don’t forget your donations! Participating in such simple acts of kindness are reflective of our first UU
Principle: affirming “the inherent
worth and dignity of every person”.
May we all find ways to live these
words. ~ Julie Daniel
Syracuse Vocal Ensemble Concert:
Psalms & Poetry
When: Saturday, October 18th, 7:30 pm
Where: May Memorial UU Society
T
he Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, with John Warren, Guest Conductor, present
“Psalms & Poetry”, a concert which will include:
•
Psalm settings of Palestrina, Mozart, Brahms, Stanford, Knauf and
Clausen
•
Poetry of Walt Whitman featured in Jeffrey Van’s A Procession Winding Around Me: Four Civil War Poems, accompanied by Ken Meyer on
guitar
Tickets: Adults $20; Seniors $18; Students $5; Children 12 and under are free
For tickets or information, please (315) 687-9551
The concert will also be performed at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 19th, at the
University Methodist Church, 1085 East Genesee Street in Syracuse.
6
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
Do you have questions about
Unitarian Universalism?
Help make a difference for patients and
their families
S
t. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center is recruiting volunteers to assist in a variety of positions across their network. Openings are available for volunteers
to assist patients and families in the emergency department and on inpatient
units. Volunteers in the beautiful new surgical waiting room help provide comfort and support for families while their loved ones are in surgery. In addition,
there are openings at the information desk and for other office and support
service positions. These are just a few of the many opportunities available. To
learn more, please call the Volunteer Office at 448-5186. Orientation and training is provided for all positions and are flexible.
UU101, an introduction to Unitarian
Universalism and May Memorial,
will be offered by Rev. Jean Wahlstrom and the Membership Committee from 12:00 pm—1:30 pm in
the Memorial Room on October
19th. All are welcome to attend.
Please RSVP to the office
(offi[email protected]) if you will need
childcare.
October 15, 2014
7
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
3800 East Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13214
Unitarian Universalist Society
TIME VALUE
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Syracuse, NY
Permit No. 1640
May Memorial is a member of the
Unitarian Universalist Association
and the Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee.
The Rev. Jean L. Wahlstrom
MINISTER
Email  [email protected]
Glenn Kime
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Phone  315.729.3734
Stacy Sceiford
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Email  [email protected]
Peter Colman
Calendar
Wednesday, October 15th
6:30 pm
Men’s Fellowship Potluck/Discussion
Social Hall
Thursday, October 16th
3:00 pm
6:00 pm
Social Hall
First UU
(see page 3 for details)
7:30 pm
Saturday, October 18
11:00 am
7:30 pm
Brian R. Betz
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Phone  315.446.8920
Email  offi[email protected]
Fax  315.446.4605
Office Hours: 9-4 Monday–Friday
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Email  [email protected]
MMUUSletter is a publication of
events and information at May Memorial
Unitarian Universalist Society. To be
included on our mailing list, please
contact our office at 315.446.8920 or
offi[email protected].
The deadline for the first of the
month newsletters is the 15th of
the preceding month. The deadline for mid-month newsletters is
the 5th of the month. Articles received after the deadline will be included in the next newsletter. To
submit an article, please email it to
[email protected].
8
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
Mary Barduhn’s Memorial Service
Syracuse Vocal Ensemble Concert
MMUUS
Sanctuary
th
(see page 7 for details)
SOCIETY PRESIDENT
Email  [email protected]
T’ai Chi Chih
FUUN Event / Twisted Sisters
Sunday, October 19th
9:40 am
10:30 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
12:15 pm
Individual Spiritual Practice
Worship Service
Teenz
UU101
Spanophiles
Creekside
Sanctuary
Teen Room
Memorial Room
COA
Monday, October 20th
6:30 pm
Spiritual Enrichment Group
Memorial Room
Tuesday, October 21st
3:00 pm
T’ai Chi Chih
Thursday, October 23rd
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
7:30 pm
Bookenders
T’ai Chi Chih
Choir Rehearsal
Friday, October 24th
8:00 pm
Folkus Concert: Natalia Zukerman
Sunday, October 26th
9:40 am
10:30 am
10:30 am
12:30 pm
Individual Spiritual Practice
Worship Service
Teenz
Music & Arts Committee
Creekside
Sanctuary
Teen Room
Memorial Room
Tuesday, October 28th
3:00 pm
7:00 pm
T’ai Chi Chih
Board of Trustees
Social Hall
Memorial Room
Thursday, October 30th
3:00 pm
7:30 pm
T’ai Chi Chih
Choir Rehearsal
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
Social Hall
Memorial Room
Social Hall
Sanctuary
MMUUS
Social Hall
Sanctuary