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UU News
Monthly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro
An Intentional Liberal Religious Community
June, 2011
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Greetings! | |
Welcome to the June edition of our church newsletter.
Summer is already here! Be sure to note the change to the Sunday Service start time (hint, it's earlier!). Also be sure to check out the Social Action Committee event that will be happening before the metaphorical ink is even dry on this newsletter!
If you have some church news or event to put in our newsletter, please send it to the email address below.
All submissions are due the weekend after the Board meeting. If you have ideas or suggestions for our communications, you can send us that too!
Our newsletter email box is: commuucg@bellsouth.net.
Katie
Newsletter editor
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Liberal Religious Community |  ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS CHURCH
Distinctions of power, privilege, and estate, which apply outside these doors, do not apply within them. Women, men, and children; persons of any color, culture, age, ability, economic status, or affectional orientation; skeptics and those pursuing common or unorthodox religious paths...
All Are Welcome Here!
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From the Social Action Committee - this weekend! | |
Help write letters to your elected officials on May 29!
The Social Action Committee will set up a table at church on Sunday May 29 for you to write a letter or two to your US Congressperson or Senator to support changes in US policy toward world hunger relief.
We will have stationary, pens and sample letters for you to work from. This is part of a nationwide project sponsored by Bread For the World.(www.bread.org)
Please stop by our table before or after church.
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Congratulations new Board Members! | |
At the Annual Meeting the following folks were elected to represent YOU on the Board:
Secretary: Ken Williams
Treasurer: Lonnie Houck
Board of Trustees three year term: Stephanie Blake and Myra Anne Gesse Dean
Board of Trustees one year term: Breeze Dunham and Michelle Lee
Endowment committee: Merritt Wayt
Nominating committee: Dottie Borei and Cindy Williams
They will begin their terms on July 1st. Next time you see them, shake their hand and thank them for their leadership!
The Annual Budget was also approved. You can see the budget on our church website - the link is at the top of this newsletter.
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Worship Services, Join us for Service each Sunday | |
Our Summer schedule begins Sunday, May 29th. There will be only 1 service at 10:30 am!
June 5th - Bridging: Crossing into the New and Picnic in the Park
Our DFD and youth advisors will lead this service which includes a baby dedication and a Bridging Ceremony for our graduating seniors at Gibson Park. We will honor these milestones with songs and words while surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. Katie Wiggins, a longtime UUCG member and soon-to-be high school graduate, will share a homily during this special service.
June 12th - Science Meets Yoga - Phoenix Harmony Putney
Scientists have pushed the frontiers of the known universe very far indeed. Yet, for millennia, their "recent" discoveries have been known to yogis, who have not only been privy to the knowledge of energy, but have employed it to generate miraculous results, from healing to teleportation. Now that objective scientists are focusing their microscopes on yogis themselves, they are discovering astonishing congruities between the two disciplines that have far-reaching implications for our planet. Has science proved what yoga has long held to be the truth? Our liberal church-of-the-open-mind is an ideal venue to explore this fascinating subject.
June 19th - You're not my FATHER ! You can't tell ME what to do! - Jac Grimes
Join member Jac Grimes as he explores the importance of a father figure to children when a birth father is not in the picture. Jac will share his experience and insights as a foster father, adoptive father and birth father. This discussion will include the role of step fathers and mentors as well.
June 26th - Our Family's Journey - Michael and Sandy Wayt
This is the story of our journey of finding out our son is gay and how it has opened our eyes to a whole new world. Michael also presents his perspective as the gay son of straight parents.
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Annual Picnic details |
OUR ANNUAL PICNIC AND WORSHIP SERVICE is coming up on Sunday, June 5th, at 10:30 a.m. at Gibson Park, 5217 W. Wendover Avenue. All members and friends are invited. This will be a "pot luck" picnic, so bring your food items to share. Drinks, ice and paper goods will be furnished by the Fellowship Committee.
We have reserved Shelters #1 and #2, near the soccer fields at the end of the park road. There is a playground for the children, along with hiking and biking trails to enjoy. Only parking for handicapped is available in the parking slots by the shelters; however, you may use the area to temporarily drop off your food and picnic equipment before the service and then park your car in the large parking lot near the entrance to the park. Restroom facilities are available.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING FOLDING CHAIRS OR BLANKETS TO USE FOR THE WORSHIP SERVICE as there is no seating in the open space we will use.
One last reminder: we have the use of the Shelters from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. That means we must have the entire shelter area cleared for the next group to use it beginning at 2:00 p.m. If you are going for a prolonged walk or bike ride, please remove your picnic things from the shelters prior to taking off.
See you there-
UUCG Membership & Fellowship Committees
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| Interim Minister selected | |
Reverend Eric Posa has been selected as our Interim Minister, beginning August 1st. You can read a short bio for Rev. Eric and read a greeting that he sent to the congregation on our church website.
Use the link at the top of this newsletter to get to our website! |
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From the Board President - Jim Kalinowski | |
The meeting is over, the work begins.........
Our annual meeting was held on Sunday, May 22nd. I would like to thank the many people who attended. We had some close contests for Board positions and most of you have seen the results by this time. The Treasurer presented the proposed budget generating some good questions and good conversation. But, for those of you in attendance, it will come as no surprise that we have work to do. We have work to do to prepare for the arrival of a new minister. We have work to do to restore lost earnings for our staff. The conversation will continue and we need your input on how best to resolve the issues facing us.
One thing I would like many of you to begin thinking about is the possibility of taking on a leadership role. Next year you will elect a new President, Vice-President, two new board members, three new members to the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Endowment Fund. This year's Nominating Committee will work hard to find candidates for all positions other than the Nominating Committee itself but they can't do that work without you. As the Board grows smaller due to the last ByLaws revision in which the number of trustees was reduced from 9 to 6, it is even more important that we have people with different skill sets and different perspectives serving on our Board. If you are asked to consider serving, please give it serious thought. If you aren't asked, give it even more serious thought. We need the perspective of many relatively new to the congregation as well as the perspective of past leadership. No one person has all the answers, no one group has all the answers.
One way to begin preparing for a leadership role is to get involved in the work of the Church. You may have a passion or a specific interest that would bring energy and knowledge to one of our committees. At the very least, getting involved will bring you into a closer relationship with other members of our community. You will meet new people, you will develop a better understanding of and appreciation for others that you know casually. Your perspective of and understanding of the Church will change, will grow. You will be enriched by your involvement. We will be enriched by your involvement.
You have often heard that we are a Church in transition. But, where will the transition lead us? Help us answer that question. Get involved.
In covenant,
Jim Kalinowski
President, UUCG
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Communication Committee is looking for some new members! | |
The Communications Committee is a great way to get your finger on the pulse of our church! We are looking for some PC-savy members or friends who can help us keep our various communications vehicles up and running! Please see Katie Klod or Mariela Perez-Simons if you are interested! |
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News from the Director of Faith Development | |
This summer our Sunday morning Religious Education program will be centered around the books and videos of Todd Parr, author of "The Family Book" and "It's Okay to Be Different". Todd's stories are very much in align with our UU Principles.
Children will begin in the sanctuary each Sunday and following the chalice lighting will go to the Ralph Waldo Emerson Room in the RE wing to extend our worship experience. If you are a youth interested in serving this summer as a mentor, or an adult interested in teaching or assisting with class/worship, please contact Beth Walden at dreuucg@bellsouth.net.
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Get on the Bus! | |
 General Assembly 2011
June 22-26, Charlotte, North Carolina
General Assembly is the annual meeting of Unitarian Universalists from all over the continent. Thousands of UUs all in one place celebrating our faith.
Vance Archer has hired a bus to go down to GA on Sunday, June 26th to participate in the Service that day. The bus will leave the church at 6am and will be back by 4pm. Cost is $20 per person.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about UU and see the larger church at work. It is also a great way to meet more people from UUCG and HAVE FUN!
There are still 16 seats left on the bus! If you are interested in taking the "UUCG Party Bus" down, please contact Vance Archer.
For more info about General Assembly:
http://www.uua.org/ga/index.shtml
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Happenings
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UUCG Book Group to Discuss Justice by Michael Sandel
The next meeting of the UUCG Book Group will be on Monday, June 20th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Wellspring Retirement Community in Greensboro, and we will be reading Justice (a 2009 publication) by Michael Sandel, a Harvard philosophy professor, whose course on this topic has been drawing enormous enrollments and great reviews for several years. All UUCG members and friends are welcome. For further information, contact Mike Stoller at mastoller@triad.rr.com.
Feeding the Hungry at Urban Ministries
On the first Monday of each month a group of volunteers from our church shop for and cook a meal for the homeless at Urban Ministries. We are in the process of building a new team to carry out this important project. If you would like to be part of the action, contact Ken Knight at oldpeacenik@gmail.com or at 288-0103.
Men's Night Out, Monday, June 13th
Join us at our next at Men's Night Out beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Tex and Shirley's Restaurant on Precision Drive in High Point, just off Wendover about a block east of Eastchester (Highway 68).
Ladies' Night Out, Monday, June 27th
We move back to the Saigon Restaurant at the corner of Merritt Drive and High Point Road in June. It's the last Monday of the month, June 27 at 6:30. It's a cozy group of women who enjoy Vietnamese food, fine fellowship, and lots of laughter as we get to know each other better. Newcomers are always welcome. To indicate the number of tables to have set up for our group in a room all to ourselves please contact Mary Davis (586-0188) or Janet Plummer (294-6364.) Thanks!
Men's Night Out 2, Monday, June 27th
A second Men's Night Out is held the last Monday of each month. We will meet at the Applebees at 3200 Battleground Ave at 6 p.m. for dinner and fellowship.
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Thanks for your support! |
In May, 10 dedicated volunteers served 100 resident of the Urban Ministries shelter. The residents loved the chili and the home made cookies.
Thanks to our volunteers and cookie makers.
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Congregational Culture Task Force | |
April 24:
Since receiving preliminary training from Sue Beck on Compassionate Communication, there was lengthy discussion at our April 24 meeting about ways to bring this method of positive communication to the congregation, as was recommended by our consultant, Susan Nienaber. The following decisions were made:
- An article will be submitted for the June newsletter identifying Compassionate Communication as the method to be used for improving congregational communication and giving a short overview of its four basic steps.
- Handouts explaining the four basic words to remember about Compassionate Communication will be provided to the congregation.
- Several copies of Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD, will be placed in the church library.
- Members of the Board of Trustees and the Council of Committees may receive training either during a retreat or during designated parts of several meetings.
- Members of the Congregational Culture Task Force will continue to receive in-depth training at regular meetings.
- A small group of facilitators will come from the Task Force to become trainers for other groups. Size of training groups should be around 12 people in each group. The goal for this training will be the building of safety and trust among church members when discussing critical church issues.
- Peripheral benefits to participants in this training will be more positive communication with family members and coworkers.
May 8:
After an exercise in Compassionate Communication led by Sue Beck, members of the Task Force discussed our participation in resolving a conflict between two members of the congregation. It was decided that Sue Beck and Beth Walden would talk with both people concerned individually to allow them to be heard and to know that we understand. Several issues needing consideration were identified during discussion of this conflict: (1) training of RE teachers in appropriate communication with children and youth; (2) appropriate use of Facebook when communicating with children and youth; and (3) appropriate use of e-mail and other Internet communication to express opinions of a personal nature.
Adult education sessions for the summer and fall continue to be developed with a schedule to be finalized within the next three weeks.
The next meeting of the Task Force will be held on Sunday, June 5, at 9:00 am.
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iving the Healthy Congregation | |
Compassionate Communication - A Skill for Life
By Sue Beck
Part of the Charge from the Board to the Congregational Culture Task Force was to "Study the published literature on the subject of congregational culture and determine steps to take to improve the UUCG cultural climate...." We are currently studying the book Congregational Fitness by Denise W. Goodman. Another project we will undertake is the study and practice of Compassionate Communication.
Compassionate Communication (CC) brings us together, gives us tools for handling conflict, and helps us strengthen and deepen our relationships. The heart of this spiritual practice is a willingness to put aside judgments and agendas and to open our hearts and minds to one another. In the coming months, the Congregational Culture Task Force will offer many opportunities to learn about and practice CC. You can read about CC in newsletter articles, in books, and online. You can attend an introductory session, and/or sign up for intensive practice in workshops.
CC arises from the work of Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg, who created the Center for Nonviolent Communication in 1984. www.NonviolentCommunication.com Rosenberg has a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked as psychologist, mediator, and trainer in nonviolent communication.. His book, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, uses stories, role-plays, and real-world examples to teach CC. Rosenberg's books are available at www.Amazon.com and other booksellers. A Companion Workbook by Lucy Leu helps us to practice CC together. Also, check out this link for UU's: http://www.uuspeakpeace.org/web/
Here are the four components of CC: Observation, Feelings, Needs, and Requests. Observations are concrete actions we observe that affect our well-being. [Ex.: George is late to work.]
Feelings - how we feel in relation to what we observe. [George is late to work and I am irritated.]
Needs - The needs, values, desires, etc. that create our feelings. [George is late to work and I am irritated because I need to discuss a problem with him before I can complete my project.]
Requests - The concrete actions we request in order to enrich our lives. [I request that George call to let me know if he is going to be late to work so we can discuss any problems that may hold up my work.]
CC means (1) expressing honestly and (2) receiving empathically through the four components: observations, feelings, needs, and requests.
Learning to communicate compassionately takes practice. With an open heart we can replace old habits with new ways to expressive ourselves honestly and to receive what we need in return.
The Congregational Culture Task Force is currently training in CC and will offer training to church leaders and to the members beginning in the fall. Further information on this opportunity will appear in coming newsletter articles. |
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Last Month's Board Activities |
- Accepted Janet Eley's resignation due to her increased work with the Lay Pastoral Care Associates.
- Voted to table action pending further information on the fee schedule for various groups who use the church.
- Voted to refer issues from committees regarding accepting small designated gifts and doing independent fundraising to the Policies and Procedures Committee and Designated Gifts Task Force, with advice expected within two months.
- Voted to table until the interim minister arrives a motion from the Governance Task Force to request the Board to establish annual review processes (outlined in a Personnel Manual) to ensure that the following are completed and documented: a) to update staff job descriptions; b) to establish goals/ priorities consistent with duties and Board priorities; c) to maintain records of outcomes/accomplishments and resource use; and d) to complete a written performance appraisal process.
- Voted to table until the interim minister arrives a motion from the Governance Task Force to request the Board work with staff and the Council of Committees to clarify and delineate the meaning of "reporting lines" for committees.
- Voted unanimously to approve a motion from the Governance Task Force, with the addition of a friendly amendment from the Board, to request the Nominating Committee to establish a subcommittee with training expertise and knowledge of church governance and communication, and representing various committees and staff, for the purpose of creating and providing an ongoing cycle of orientation and leadership training
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Birthdays this month | |
Jeff Adams Kirby Archer Matthew Bahr Heather Donovan Greg Evans Tessa Farley Roger Galloway Richard Garson Charles Hamlin Kathleen Jordan-Washington Katie Klod Rosemary Lancaster Pat Meller Richard Parker Lane Pearsall Christopher Perez Annabeth Rushforth Adria Smith Marian Stewart Eleanor Stoller Paula Swonguer Alex Ward
Cyllan Wilson
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Attendance and Collection | Adults Youth Total Collection
4/24/11 160 No Multigen $2,478.50 5/1/11 188 19 207 $2,866.20 5/8/11 100 20 120 $2,098.31 5/15/11 118 18 136 $2,324.29 No count taken first service |
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UUCG Covenant | We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, do covenant to:
- Promote a search for personal meaning, respecting individual truth in a community process of quest
- Speak and act with caring, courtesy and love thereby maintaining emotional, physical, and spiritual safety for all
- Support UUCG and denominational efforts with our resources
- Combat injustice while promoting equality
- Nurture our children on their spiritual journeys
- Hold ourselves to this covenant, especially during times of conflict and disagreement
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TRUSTEES | |
Karen Madrone (2011) kmadrone@juno.com
Ken Williams (2011) williams@ncat.edu
Michelle Lee (2011) nc.dogwood@yahoo.com
Carolyn Crumpacker (2012) msjazzzz@aol.com
Janet Eley (2012) eleyjanet@yahoo.com
Steve Andrews (2013) sand3420@aol.com
Charlotte Hamlin (2013) chamlin1@triad.rr.com
Thomas Clayton tnt@riseup.net |
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UUCG STAFF | |
Julie Hamilton, Congregational Administrator
Office Hours: Please call church office for appointments
Office Phone: 856-0330, Fax: 856-0384 E-mail: uucgadmin@bellsouth.netBeth Walden, Director of Faith Development
Office Hours: Please call church office for appointments Office Phone: 856-0330, Fax: 856-0384 E-mail: dreuucg@bellsouth.net
Mark Freundt, Director of MusicOffice Hours: Please call church office for appointments Office Phone: 856-0330, Cell: 908-1103 E-mail: uucgdirmu@bellsouth.net Walter McCorey, SextonTuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday (times vary based on needs). Cell Phone: 414-0163 (in case of building emergencies) |
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Congregational Contacts | |
Care Team Suzanne Andrews & Joy Hamlin
Communications Committee Katie Klod & Mariela Perez-Simons
Newsletter Katie Klod
Website Mariella Perez-Simons
Congregational Culture Taskforce Laura Graham
Council of Committees Vance Archer
Endowment Fund Rob Cary
Fellowship Bolling Lowery
Finance Committee Steve Pearsall & Mike Stoller
Annual Commitment Time (ACT) Vance Archer
Fundraising Charlotte Hamlin
Cabaret Auction Charlotte Hamlin & Katie Klod
Governance Task Force Charlotte Hamlin
Labyrinth Steve Pearsall & Ken Williams
Lay Pastoral Care Associates Janet Eley & Liz Harrell
Lifespan Religious Education (RE) Laura Graham
Membership Ann Dickinson
Music Committee Sue Sherwood
Nominating Committee Nora Bird & Jac Grimes
Policies and Procedures Michelle Lee
Social Action Committee Ken Knight
Green Sanctuary Sue Cole, Elaine Stover
GLBTQ Karen Madrone
Worship Committee Barbara Hands
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