President's Message
The Journey Is The Destination
(third in a series)
In our last discussion, we were using the Seven Principles of the UUA as guidelines in order to create a set of norms that might assist us in our decision about whether or not it will serve our Mission Statement to create a new format for CUUPS-Continental, one that might be more amenable to the UUA's new standards for Independent Affiliates. Our previous discussions have focused on our Independent Identity, on the Beloved Community, and on our Covenental Relationships with one another and with our host congregations. Our discussion will now engage the concepts of "how we are" as Pagans, how we engage in the journey, and on how that might guide our behaviours in our congregations. We can use for this discussion the template of the Third and Fourth Principles.
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
Pagani are, for the most part, somewhat anarchistic. We like structure only when we see it as organic to that which we desire to accomplish. Organic structures suit us just fine; structures superimposed from outside are less successful. We often find ourselves restricted in our beliefs and in our behaviours in other religious venues, the ones we inhabited before we became either Pagans or Unitarian Universalists, and to us, free thought and the actions that demonstrate free thought are often central to our spiritual health. One of the reasons CUUPS exists at all within the construct of the UUA is that this coalition of congregations encourages people to find their own truth, and even gives them tools with which they may do that. "Not creedal, but covenantal" is an ideal that is vastly appealing to Pagans. We are free within the structureless structure of the UUA both to accept others' beliefs and encourage them in their spiritual growth, and to pursue our own. So, what's the problem? We do as we need to do in order to pursue our own spiritual growth, and encourage others both within and without our chapters to do the same, right?
Click here to read the rest of the article on the CUUPS website
(Next month we'll continue to look at these basics.) |
Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey
by Ellen Evert Hopman
by Llewellyn Publications
Paperback
List Price: $18.95
Our Price: $12.89 Buy Now
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CUUPS Bookstore
CUUPS is in the process of starting an online bookstore in association with Amazon.com Over the past couple of weeks we've been seeking input and comment from our members about which books you feel belong there.
To take a look at this work in progress just click on this articles headline. To tell us what you think about it drop a line to amazon@cuups.org
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CUUPS Bulletin is a publication of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc.
The CUUPS Bulletin is available for free to anyone interested in UU-Paganism. To subscribe visit the CUUPS website and fill in the form at the top of the webpage.
Corporate Officers: Pres. - Maureen Duffy-Boose, Vice Pres - David Pollard, Secretary - Rev. Bonnie Dlott, Treasurer - Dick Merritt
At large Boardmembers: Rev. Adam Robersmith, Steve, Storm, Niko Tarini and Michael Walker.
Readership:
Feb. 2008 - 2,019
Jan. 2008 - 1,707
Dec. 2007 - 1,408 | |
Greetings!
February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the old Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 700 BCE. Historical names for February include the Anglo-Saxon terms Solmoneth (mud month) and Kale-monath (named for cabbage) as well as Charlemagne's designation Hornung. In Finnish, the month is called helmikuu, meaning "month of the pearl"; when snow melts on tree branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again, they are like pearls of ice. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January
Welcome to the third issue of CUUPS Bulletin where we feature a new book by Ellen Evert Hopman and give you the low-down on whats happening to our plans for this summer's General Assembly. Aisling talks some more about how we relate to our Congregations and chapters. Also, we continue our Bylaw Review with a look at the sections on affiliation and membership.
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CUUPS Will Be At General Assembly
CUUPS To Maintain Low Profile at Troubled GA
CUUPS will host a 20ft booth in the display area at this summer's General Assembly in Ft Lauderdale, FL. Though there will be no onsite programming this year, we will hold an offsite Summer Solstice ritual, as well as our Annual Business Meeting.
The site of the 2008 General Assembly in Ft. Lauderdale, FL has been declared part of the Port of Ft. Lauderdale by the US Department of Homeland Security who will be requiring valid picture IDs for entry to the site.
While we recognize a valid need for national security, many Unitarian Universalists regard holding General Assembly at a site under DHS restrictions as a violation of freedom of the pews, and an undue burden to transgendered individuals whose "documented" gender may not match their appearance or anyone else whose documentation does not meet DHS standards. Due to these and other concerns all UU clergy and seminary students on the CUUPS board have reluctantly decided not to attend this year's General Assembly.
We are working with Kip Barkley of Moonpath CUUPS in Ft. Lauderdale to secure a summer solstice ritual site that is outside of the DHS zone, and will also seek a similar site for our Annual Meeting, so that anyone can attend them without Homeland Security approval.
Our display area will be primarily a place for people to meet and greet this year. Also, we are in discussions with some other "former IAs" about sharing part of our display space so that they can have gathering locations as well. |
Priestess of the Forest: A Druids Journey
Ellen Evert Hopman holds an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. She was Vice President of The Henge Of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years. Ellen is a founding member of The Order of the White Oak (Ord Na Darach Gile) and the founder of the Whiteoak mailing list. She is a Bard of the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri, a Druidess of the Druid Clan of Dana and has been a member of The Order Of Bards Ovates and Druids and of ADF.
She also spent a few years as a member of the UU Society in Amherst, MA and was a guest speaker at the CUUPS Convocation held in Salem, MA in 1999.
She has been the author of several books. The newest of which, Priestess of the Forest, is coming out this month.
In the tradition of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon, Ellen Evert Hopman weaves Druid history and spirituality into an engaging love story. This Bardic teaching tale is set in a fictional third-century Ireland when Christianity is sweep-ing across the Celtic Isles. During this time of crisis, love blooms between Ethne, a Druid healer, and her patient, a Fennid warrior. Their passionate affair suffers a tragic blow when Ethne is called upon to become the high queen.
Told from the Druid perspective, Hopman recreates the daily life, magical practices, politics, and spiritual lives of the ancient Celts during this historic turning point. Druid holy days, rites, rituals, herbal lore, and more are brought to life in this Celtic fantasy-illuminating Druidic teachings and cultural wisdom.
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Bylaw Review:
Affiliation & Membership
This month we're going to look at two sections of our bylaws that are crucial in defining who we are, and how we see ourselves. Rather than posting huge swatches of bylaws into this small article, I will instead give you a link to the: CUUPS Corporate Regulations Section 1.2 Of our corporate regs state: CUUPS is intended to be an independent affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Thru the UUA's change in policy and rejection of nearly every IA application last year, it is fairly clear that the they doesn't intend for us (or any other theologically or ideologically identified group) to be Independent Affiliates anymore. So, we are seeking a new wording that describes our continuing relationship with the UUA. This would also entail minor changes to Section 6.2, and significant changes to Section 16.2
CUUPS as a member organization
Outside of CUUPS, most of the (now former) Independent Affilliates were primarily organizations of UU clergy who as members would democratically run their IA's when they got together every year at General Assembly. However, because CUUPS members are mostly lay members, we rarely have more than 10% of our membership at GA. So instead we do most of our voting by postal ballot. But still, since relatively few people are familiar with the candidates, usually between 2/3rds and 3/4ths of our members choose not to vote in CUUPS elections. As UUs, who uphold the use of the democratic process, this lack of participation is troubling. However, recognizing that many of our members wish to support the work of CUUPS, but don't want to be involved with governance issues - should we offer a non-voting memberships - which would also allows us to avoid the expense and waste of unused postal ballots - or should we move our elections online (anyone know how??) - or should be explore a whole different governance paradigm?
Application Section of the bylaws in regards to membership: Sections 5.1 thru 8.2.
If you would like to comment on these, please send an email to: cuups-bylaws@yahoogroups.com
Bright Blessings,
David Pollard
CUUPS VP | |
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Volunteers Needed
Helping Blind Pagans
Devorah Greenstein, a former CUUPS board member, is now UUA Accessibility Coordinator. She is looking for volunteers to help her scan Pagan related books for reproduction into braille. Such scanning is a fair use/protected act since it provides services for the disabled.
Devorah is also seeking to contact Organizations of blind Pagans and Witches, or individual blind Pagans and Witches who would like to be in contact with others. To get in contact with Devorah, email her at dgreenstein@uua.org
Seeking Prison Ministry Volunteers
We're looking for people to help with the already existing prison ministry efforts of the CLF (Church of the Larger Fellowship) and Rev. Patty Franz. |
Mailbox Mixup
Several pieces of mail properly addressed to the Durham, NC Post Office box were erroneously returned to sender in December. CUUPS has learned that the tag on the box showing that CUUPS was an authorized recipient had become lost and the postal clerk simply returned the mail without checking. The Station Manager at the Postal Unit has taken corrective action.
We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. If you are one of those who had mail returned, please resend it. Our address is:
CUUPS, Inc.,
PO Box 3128,
Durham, NC 27715-3128.
Dick Merritt
Treasurer | |
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