July newsletter - Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship

July 2016
Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship
www/Fairhopeuu.org
A Member of the Unitarian Universalist
Association
July 3 MICHAEL PATRICK & THE BACK PORCH FOLK SINGERS: Labor Songs, Work Songs, Union Songs--the
Music of Work in Early 20th-Century USA
Music has always been central to the cultural growth of the
United States. Collaborating with the Back Porch Singers, Michael Patrick will discuss a selection of songs used in
presidential campaigns from John Adams to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Michael is a retired professor from the University
of Missouri and long-time FUF member.
Introduction by: Michael Patrick
July 10 SERENA NIMITYONGSKUL: Buddha’s Four Divine Qualities of the Heart
A core teaching of the Buddhist religion is the Four Brahma Viharas, four divine qualities of the heart as described
by the Lord Buddha: loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. Dr.Serena Nimityongskul will
explain these and, after a brief introduction of the practice of meditation, will lead a short guided meditation with
loving kindness at the end. As a University of South Alabama psychiatry resident and certified Middle Way
Meditation coach, Nena Nimit, as she is also known, dedicates her time to improving the mental well-being of others.
Wishing to share the knowledge of dharma and inner peace with everyone, she volunteers at the Meditation Center of
Alabama and helps coordinate the USA Meditation Club.
Introduction by: Ray Ables
July 17 GRAHAM TIMBES: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Viet Nam War: An Artist
Remembers
Actor, director, playwright, poet and Viet Nam War veteran Graham Timbes will commemorate
the 50th Anniversary of the Viet Nam War by reading from his newly published poetry collection, Scribblings of a
Godless Anarchist: Part One. Graham wrote the sixty-odd poems that comprise the collection while serving with the
US Army in Viet Nam. After military service, he began a lifelong career as a film and stage actor and director. As
playwright and director, he founded the American Company, a professional children’s theater company that
performed Graham’s original plays for elementary and secondary schools throughout the Southeastern US.
July 24 CHRISTIAN WAGLEY: The Great Transition: Taking Action on Climate Change
One of the most environmentally-beneficial things we can do is to build healthy places for people is a working
premise for Christian Wagley, principal of the Pensacola consulting firm, Sustainable Town Concepts. Mr. Wagley
will outline the basics of climate change, how it is affecting the Gulf coast, and the transition that must take place to
maintain a living planet. The executive director of 350 Pensacola, he is also a certifying agent for the Florida Green
Building Coalition, and writer and host of EarthAction—a five-part environmental series that debuted on WSRE
Public Television in 2013.
Introduction by: Ray Ables
July 31 DR. M. LAL GOEL: Radical Islam
While the radical ISIS is but a small minority of Islam who often impact history beyond their small numbers, it
would be wrong to say that it has nothing to do with Islam. The second largest religion in the world (and growing),
Islam has many forms. Dr. Goel will focus on Radical Islam, including examining the role of Saudis in promoting
Wahabism, a puritanical form of Islam. If time permits, he will discuss America’s ineffective policy and approach.
Dr. Goel is Professor Emeritus of International Studies, University of West Florida, where he teaches Political
Science and International Studies.
Introduction by: Ray Ables
SUNDAY SERVICE 11 AM.
MUSIC PRELUDE BEGINS 10:45 AM
All visitors are warmly invited to participate as our guests.
Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship welcomes and embraces people of any age, race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation,
socioeconomic status, ability, language, or cultural background.
TED discussion group 9:45 a.m. Current Events discussion group 10:15 am.
Children & Teen Fellowship 11:00 – noon
July 31: Last Sunday of the Month Potluck: Bring a dish and join us for fellowship and conversation.
1150 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532. Tel. 251-929-3207
www/ Fairhope uu.org
[email protected]
MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP BUSINESS
July Board Meeting Agenda
Friday, July 8, 2016, 10 a.m.
Summary – June 10 Board Meeting
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The Art Committee will be asking
artists for a 20% commission from the
sale of each item from FUF art
exhibits. Also, purchased items shall
remain in the show until the show is
taken down.
Keith Ward has joined FUF.
Phil Striniste has completed a threemonth trial as person responsible for
building maintenance. He has agreed
to continue as the permanent
maintenance person. Yay!
Pam Perkins will be in charge of the
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners
this year.
Submitted by Lynne Switzky, Recording Secretary
1. Approve June 2016 Board meeting minutes
2. Treasurer's Report
3. OLD BUSINESS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Program Committee Report
B. Membership Committee Report
C. Publicity and Events Committee Report
D. Room Reservations for the summer
To add agenda items, please promptly notify
Rodney Hoffman or Diana Gardiner. Board
meetings are open to all friends and members.
Submitted by Diana Gardiner, Chair
Summer Building Scheduling Change
Effective immediately, Vivian Gooding will
replace Elin Shallcross for scheduling events
in our building. To schedule an event please
call Vivian at 251-232-2841 or email her at
[email protected]. If you pencil an
event into the red reservation book, please
alert Vivian. THANKS!!!
Submitted by Elin Shallcross
Financial Summary
May, 2016
May
Actual
YTD
Budgeted
YTD
Surplus/
(Deficit)
Support and Revenue
Contributions
Other Revenue
Total Support and Revenue
3,277
1,021
4,298
17,527
3,071
20,598
18,750
3,750
22,500
(1,223)
(679)
(1,902)
Expenses
Building
Committees
Donations
Total Expenses
1,165
1,692
0
2,857
13,622
6,597
450
20,668
15,104
6,021
1,375
22,500
1,483
(576)
925
1,832
Net Operating Increase/(Decrease)
1,441
(71)
Actual
0
Budgeted
(71)
Surplus/
ART COMMITTEE NEWS
“QUILTING AS AN ART FORM” EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION
August 6th, 3 -5pm
Art quilts by the Azalea City Art Quilters will be on exhibit in the Fellowship Hall during August, September,
and October. Art quilters use fabric, stitching, paint, and other embellishments as a means of creative expression
to produce quilts as art, as opposed to producing a functional quilt. Art quilting expands the traditional
boundaries of what defines a quilt and employs a variety of techniques including piecing, applique, painting,
hand and machine stitching, fusing, and embellishing. This exhibit includes both individual and group projects
in a variety of artistic styles. Members participating include Susan Ames, Barbara Bayer, Melinda Bounds, Nina
Clotfelter, Carolyn Courson, Denise Daniels, Tish Fisackerly, Anne Godwin, Nancy Goodman, Barbara
Groseclose, Patricia Hagler, Nancy Lancaster, MaryAnn Logdson, Janet McCurley, Susan Mogan, Annette
Oliver, Ann Singleton, Patsy Starkey, Shawn Sumrall, Gail Terrell, Wilma Toney, Elaine Williams, and Mary
Gale Woolford.
COLORED PENCIL MINI WORKSHOP WITH SUSIE GARRETT
Saturday July 30, 9:30 – Noon
Minimum of 5 students for workshop to be offered, 10 students is the maximum; $40 per student
Whether advanced or a beginner, students will learn various colored pencil application techniques
emphasizing color, color theory, and using value to create depth in their drawings. Ms. Garrett will
discuss different grades of pencils, sharpening and care of colored pencils, and types of paper that are
best suited for colored pencils. Class members will create color chips utilizing the layering technique
and then begin implementing the techniques learned in the first hour into their drawings.
WHAT TO BRING?
1.Artist grade 24 colored pencil set
(like Prismacolor Premier, Verithin Caron d’Ache Luminance, or Derwent colored pencils)
2. #2 pencil
3. Kneaded eraser
4. Several inexpensive hand held pencil sharpeners
5. White vinyl eraser
6. 9x12 sketch pad for notes
These supplies can be purchased through Dick Blick , www.dickblick.com
Contact Melinda Hicks if you wish to participate in the workshop, 251-623-4072 or e-mail,
[email protected].
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
IDEAS NEEDED TO FUND NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
The Fellowship via the Social Action Committee (SAC) recently sent $1,000 to Faulkner State
Community College for two scholarships for the Nursing Program summer semester. These
scholarships have been a project of FUF for more than ten years. Part of the task of participating in
the SAC is raising money for the Nursing Scholarships. While many fundraising events have been
tried in the past, we would like your help in finding some new ways to raise at least $1,500 a year. If
you have an idea for fundraising, please contact one of our members: Harvey Switzky(Chair),
Kathleen Fendelman, Vivian Gooding, Serena Low, Mary Matthews, Eloise Rogers, Freya
Sonenstein, Sharon Spielmann, Lynne Switzky.
If you would like to make a direct contribution to the Nursing Scholarship Fund, be sure to note on
your check that the donation is for the “Nursing Scholarship.”
PET FOOD & SUPPLIES NEEDED
SAC will continue to collect dog and cat food and supplies in July.
Submitted by Lynne Switzky
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE NEWS
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER, KEITH WARD!
Keith is new to the area, joining us from Charlotte, N.C. He has a daughter in Fairhope and is busy
getting to know the area. He already has joined the Back Porch Folk Singers and plans to add his
voice to the choir this fall. He is lending his many years of experience as an Educational
Psychologist to the Membership Committee by working with Irene on the new Friendly Greeters
Program.
NEW FRIENDLY GREETERS PROGRAM
Thanks to an email from a visitor who was not spoken to even once when he visited our Fellowship,
we are now recruiting YOU to join 10-15 other friendly folks for this Friendly Greeters Program. It's
really just simple acknowledgement and greeting of visitors in a systematic way. Interested? Please
tell Irene or Keith that you would like to have that special star designation on your name tag, attend a
one session training and be a part of the program! We will begin in the fall but are recruiting NOW!
Also, please note that there are blue, yellow and red coffee mugs at coffee hour for our visitors. We
hope this will let you know that they are visiting and you can welcome them more easily. This idea
was also given to us by the gentleman who was not greeted by any of us on the Sunday he visited.
We know we can do better than that!
“Souper Sunday” Success!
Welcoming Congregation “Souper Sunday” drew twentysix interested members and friends to a discussion of the
work Rhonda Thomason is doing with the Welcoming
School program. We are heartened to have heard from
school leaders who are interested in learning about this
program. Stay tuned for additional ways we can provide
LGBTQ acceptance in our communities.
Submitted by Irene Wegner
TEEN FELLOWSHIP EVENT
ORLANDO STRONG
Our Teen Fellowship members had the
wonderful idea of publicly displaying a
Rainbow Banner at the street outside the
Fellowship Building to show support for
the Orlando victims and in support of our
efforts to become a Welcoming
Congregation. The idea was approved
enthusiastically by the Welcoming
Committee and supported by the Board.
Their leader, Kate Mercer, connected
fifty sections of fabric in rainbow colors,
creating a long, impressive ribbon that, with
the help of approximately thirty volunteers,
stretched from one end of the FUF
property on the Fairhope Avenue side to the other. The Teens wisely chose Friday afternoon(June 24) from
about 4 to 4:30 to display the ribbon when there would be the most traffic, including those leaving the
Satellite Courthouse. In addition to FUF Members and Friends who participated, the Teens invited other
friends to join in. The response from passing cars was usually a wave or a honk, indicating at least their
attention and hopefully their agreement. After the outside display, the banner was hung around the fellowship
hall by Gwen & Philip Striniste. Thanks to everyone who participated, especially the Teen Fellowship and
Kate Mercer (who also took pictures, which can be seen on the UU Website and Facebook Page). A
slideshow of the event can be viewed at
Fairhopeunitarianteens.com.
PAST PROGRAM NOTE
When Zach Sierke, the potter, did his presentation a few months ago, the video that he wanted to show didn't
work. It's wonderful and I'm sure that quite a few of the members would like to see it.
The link: https://vimeo.com/160318929
Submitted by Ben Gall
FUF GROUP DETAILS
FRIDAY NIGHT PICNICS
Every Friday night around five o’clock, weather
permitting, a group from FUF gathers at the far north
end of North Beach Park to enjoy the sunset with food
and fellowship. Everyone brings a dish to share and
own beverage, eating utensils, and chair. In case of
rain, we meet under the pavilion. All are welcome—
the more the merrier!
WEDNESDAY MORNING COFFEE PLUS
Every Wednesday morning, people gather at 10:00
and enjoy coffee and conversation until 11:30. Some
bring craft projects and others just come for the
pleasure of getting together. There's no need to sign
up...just show up. Everyone is welcome!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Regularly Scheduled Events
Sundays:
9:45 – 10:45 TED Discussion Group (Please be on
time)
10:15 Current Events Discussion Group
10:45 Pre-program Music
11:00 Sunday Program
Children & Teen Fellowship
Third Sunday: Social Action Committee, 12:20
Last Sunday of every month: Pot Luck Lunch, noon.
Wednesdays
10-11:30 UU Coffee Plus
3:00- 4:30 Back Porch Folk Singers
5:00 Weekly Bulletin Deadline
Fridays
5:00 Potluck Picnic at the Beach
Other Events
Thu., July 7: Nonfiction Book Group, 9:30 am
Fri., July 8: FUF Board meets, 10:00 am
Sat., July 9: Game night, 6:30 pm
Thu., July 21: Nonfiction Book Group, 9:30 am
Tues., July 24 Aug Newsletter deadline, 5:00 pm
Sat., July 23: Game Night, 6:30 pm
GENTLE YOGA UPDATE
TUESDAY CHOIR PRACTICE SUSPENDED
There will be no Gentle Yoga classes during June and
July. The August starting date will be posted in the
Weekly Bulletin the previous Sunday (and possibly in
the August Newsletter and on the FUF website and
Facebook page).
There will be no Tuesday choir practice during July,
August, and September (until Heather is back in
October). Helen Garrett will send out her usual email
to the choir members letting them know when to come
to practice.
Newsletter
Submit calendar events or articles specific to the
Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship by the date noted in the
newsletter calendar section.
For events, please include all pertinent information.
Members and Friends are invited to submit poems,
quotations or other brief words of wisdom to be
published as space allows.
Provide written copy or email to editor at:
[email protected]
EDITOR/PUBLISHER: JANE FINGER
DISTRIBUTION : Helen Garrett & Ruth Geraci
Submitted by Helen Garrett
SUNDAY BULLETIN INFO DEADLINE
Wednesday at 5:00 pm is the deadline for information
to be included in this weekly bulletin.
Submitted by Mary Matthews