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UU News
Monthly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro
An Intentional Liberal Religious Community
July, 2011
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Greetings! | |
Welcome to the July edition of our church newsletter! 
There are so many great things happening that I've begun putting the stuff that is happening within a day or 2 of the newsletter publication right at the top of the newsletter so you wont miss a thing. Check out what's goin' on this weekend!
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.
Everyone have a happy and safe Independence Day!
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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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 now less than $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!
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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Worship Services, Join us for Service each Sunday | |
July 3rd -- Nelson Stover "A Religious Reformation"
A community of spiritual people uses religious language and symbols to communicate, share and explore together. On the weekend of the national celebration of freedom, this sermon will explore the important role that a Liberal Religious Community can play in giving new vitality to the religious dialogues of the 21st Century.
July 10th -- Rev. Dr. Michael Tino "Beautiful Hands"
Can you see beauty in your rough patches, dignity in your hard work and grace in your clumsiness? Can you look in the mirror and see that the things that mark you as different are not flaws, but marks of your uniqueness and specialness? Let us learn to look at ourselves in a new way by seeing ourselves through the eyes of someone who can
July 17th -- Anita Brock-Carter, Asst. Executive Director of Adult Center for Enrichment "Circle of Care"
We will talk about being partners with one another as we care for those in our community who are the most in need of this care. We will celebrate the caring spirit of the Unitarian Universalists who have given so much of themselves through the CarePartners at Home Program.
July 24th -- Rev. Marian Stewart "Home on the Journey"
No matter where life takes you, it is always good to know where home is. Rev. Marian Stewart will talk about our UU journey and the importance of home.
July 31st -- Beth Walden "A Pet Memorial Service"
Many members of our congregation have lost their pets this year. These friends have journeyed with us and during this service we will honor their role in our joint journey. Please bring a momento, photo, or simply a memory you'd like to share with the congregation to this service. Let us remember our dear ones and heal together. This will be an intergenerational service led by our Director of Faith Development, Beth Walden. Nursery care will be provided but we will not have religious education classes.
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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 Vice President - Vance Archer | |
Celebrating Emerging Life with a Unitarian Universalist Flair
A few weeks ago, when member Nelson Stover was in our pulpit, he discussed how, to him, the key issue for the 21st century is to embrace all of "Life Emergent" and for us, as humans, to understand and then control our impact on the world we share with terrestrial creation. Nelson's sermon really spoke to me. He expressed an understanding of our place in the cosmos that I have also come to share in my separate journey.
This happens to me all the time. I find myself in "Congruence" with members of the congregation, or with the groups that gather to explore and reflect on the meaning of our spiritual, community and social movement.
This exploration is taking place in several places within our church right now. The Congregational Culture Task Force has been exploring many aspects of building strong and successful communities. For the last several Wednesdays, some have gathered to watch and then discuss UUA shorts of what different churches in our movement have done to move their communities forward in covenant, shared worship and ever developing understanding and spiritual practice. On June 26, a bus load of us will be going to Charlotte to celebrate our "Living Tradition:" with the thousands of Unitarian Universalists gathered there. During the month of July, several of our Sunday speakers will be friends who shared close relationship among us before moving on to their current involvement in our movement.
All these activities are preparing us for the arrival of our Interim Minister, Rev. Eric Posa in August, and our embarkation of a spiritual voyage together. We are experiencing "Life Emergent" right now. We are exploring and building what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist in the Triad. We are a "congregation emergent," and this summer and fall our church will be something you will want to share in.
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Intro to UU Class | |
Introduction to Unitarian Universalism Class Scheduled for July 10 at 11:45
Come ask questions, share your stories and learn about UU history in this introductory UU class led by Marie Houck. The class will be held in the library and will start shortly after the service on Sunday, July 10. While this class is intended for visitors, newcomers, people considering becoming members and new members, interested members may also attend. A light lunch will be provided. Please sign the sign-up sheet in the hallway or RSVP to Membership Committee Chair Ann Dickinson at ardpuppy2@aol.com or 674-2035. Childcare will be provided for those who request it in advance.
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Compassionate Communication Class |
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
--Douglas Adams
All of us have been angry about something at one time or another. Just like happiness and sadness it is part of our makeup. We are reminded repeatedly by our society that anger is bad. Certainly it can cause us to do hurtful things to one another. Often when we express anger we cause fear, anxiety, and anger in others. What you may find surprising is anger can also help us.
"When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear."
--Mark Twain
There are many ways to handle anger (humor is one of them). Anger Management is an important skill. It is not, however, the point of this article. If you want to know more about Anger Management a good place to start is the American Psychological Association. They have a fine article on Anger Management at http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/controlling-anger.aspx.
You know why babies don't hold grudges? Because when you make them mad they let you hear it. That's how you heal emotionally. Acknowledge your anger and have a good scream about it.
--Adam Appleson
This might be therapeutic for the person doing the screaming, but isn't necessarily healthy for others. No one should ever have to stay present for angry behavior. How can we allow ourselves to hear or express anger in a manner which is safe and healthy for all?
At the core of all anger is a need that is not being fulfilled.
--Marshall B. Rosenberg
Marshall Rosenberg is an American psychologist and the creator of Nonviolent Communication, a communication process that helps people to exchange the information necessary to resolve conflicts and differences peacefully. The Congregational Culture Task Force at UUCG is using his work to help us develop more productive ways of resolving differences. In his book The Surprising Purpose of Anger, Rosenberg states "it is dangerous to think of anger as something to be repressed, or as something bad. When we tend to identify anger as a result of something wrong with us, then our tendency is to want to repress it and not deal with anger." Anger is instead a gift, a gift which helps us realize we have some need which is not being met. By identifying that need it is possible to fulfill it, thus resolving the source of the anger.
Anger is not bad. Anger can be a very positive thing, the thing that moves us beyond the acceptance of evil.
--Joan Chittister
Understanding anger as a warning allows us to minister to our needs. Like the Check Engine light on a car, it gives us an opportunity to correct a problem before it becomes worse. In the coming months, there will be opportunities to learn Rosenberg's method. Please consider joining us in this important work.
Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.
--James Thurber
One part of Rosenberg's method is to make observations rather than judgments. By making observations without judging we can start the work of determining what needs are unmet. As members of our loving community, we can minister to one another when we are in pain and suffering in our anger. Identifying the source of anger can lead to true healing and growth individually and collectively.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing, and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.
--Rumi
In July and August the Congregational Culture Task Force will be holding workshops on Compassionate Communication. We hope to meet you there.
When? Sunday mornings from 9-10, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14
-Steve Pearsall
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Donate Peanut Butter | |
PEANUT BUTTER ALERT!
Each month UUCG is committed to collect 50 lbs of peanut butter to take to Urban Ministry. In April I took 42 lbs of peanut butter to Urban Ministry; in May I took 28 lbs of peanut butter. The basket in the foyer is looking fuller; so hopefully the church will do better this month. Many of you are probably like me and often will take a jar of peanut butter to church numerous times before remembering to take it out of the car. Your help is always greatly appreciated.
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Worship Committee | |
As you may have noticed, during the last few months of RevAlex's tenure, the Worship Committee ceased to exist. However, it was reestablished in February and has been actively working to provide meaningful services since mid-March. We hope you have been pleased with them. July promises to be an exciting month full of familiar faces (see list of speakers elsewhere in this newsletter).
The Worship Committee is charged with providing flowers, ushers, and service leaders for Sunday services as well as filling the pulpit in the minister's absence by offering quality experiences which may include inspiration, intellectual challenge, spiritual nourishment, community belonging, intergenerational connections and Unitarian Universalist identity. There is also always a member of the Worship Committee on hand each Sunday morning to serve as trouble shooter should problems arise.
With the arrival of Reverend Eric Posa, the committee will continue to fill the pulpit on the 4th Sunday of each month. Eric plans to be there for the first 3 Sundays each month and if there is a 5th Sunday, well, you'll just have to wait and see what kind of different and special services we plan for those days.
If you have a message you would like to share with the congregation and would like to be considered for one of those 4th Sunday slots, please forward a synopsis of your idea to the Worship Committee and we will consider it.
If you would like to become a member of the Worship Committee, your presence would be welcome. We meet for breakfast the 1st Saturday morning of each month at the Steak 'N Shake on Wendover Avenue.
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Happenings
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Gr8 tUUnz to perform July 13th
Gr8 tUUnz will open the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game with the National Anthem on Wednesday, July 13th. Come on down to the New Bridge Bank Park and root for the Gr8 ladies of our church. Tickets at www.gsohoppers.com.
SUMMER BOOK DISCUSSION: Autobiography of a Yogi with Phoenix Harmony Putney
June 12's service, "Science Meets Yoga," opened up many relevant avenues ripe for discussion, so this group is being formed to pursue them. The featured book for that sermon, Parmahansa Yogananda's classic (paperback, readily available) contains a wealth of precious knowledge as old as time that still applies today. Related books like the Yoga Sutras and Why God Won't Go Away, plus participants' choices, may also come up for discussion. 9:00-10:15 am beginning July 3. Minimum 4 weeks, skipping July 17. Sign up on the bulletin board or contact Phoenix at pxharmony@gmail.com. Optional add-on: Hatha yoga. Missed the sermon? Request a copy from Phoenix.
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, July 11th
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, July 25th
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, July 25th
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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| Fellowship Events | |
As summer settles over the Piedmont, enjoy a variety of music in the great outdoors each Sunday evening with fellow UUs, Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs and look for our "dove" banner in the southeast corner of the following parks:
7/4/2011 - White Oak Amphitheater
Philharmonia 7:30pm
Fun 4th Fireworks Pops Concert
7/10/2011 - Founders Lawn at Guilford College
EMF Young Artists Orchestra Pops Concert 6:30pm
7/17/2011 - Lindley Park
Philharmonia of Greensboro 6:00pm
7/24/2011 - Founders Lawn at Guilford College
EMF fringe Presents 6:00pm
7/31/2011 - National Military Park
Darnell Woodies 6:00pm
Arnie Solomon & Transatlantica 7:15pm
8/7/2011 - Latham Park
Greensboro Concert Band 6pm
8/14/2011 - Hester Park
Melva Houston 6pm
Knights Of Soul 7:15pm
8/21/2011 - Bur-Mil Park
Bruce Piehoff 6pm
Lisa Dames 7:15pm
8/28/2011 - Lindley Park
West End Mambo 6pm
Rob Massengale Band 7:15pm
More info at: www.musep.info
If you can volunteer to be a banner-carrier, please contact Phoenix Harmony at PxHarmony@gmail.com
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UU Dinner Group | |
Dinner Group Brings Together UUs Interested in Gourmet Cooking:
Join us for our Second Year of Food and Fellowship
Do you like to experiment with new recipes, explore novel cuisines, and share culinary discoveries with friends? If so, we encourage you to join members of the UU Gourmet Dinner Group as we begin our second year. The Dinner Group is designed to bring together UUs with an interest in creating gourmet dinners in collaboration with small groups of fellow UUs. Members gather four times a year in different homes to enjoy seasonal or themed dinners prepared by members themselves. In addition to the wonderful food, the 24 members of last year's group enjoyed good conversation and the opportunity to build closer friendships with other UUs. We hope to include many more members this next year.
During the first (and frankly experimental) year, dinners were organized around several themes: a fall dinner in October or November, an international dinner in March, a "family favorites" dinner May, and a luau in August. For the 2011-12 year, Dinner Group Coordinators Liz Harrell and Eleanor Stoller will solicit suggestions for dinner themes from participants.
Each dinner will include eight people, or four pairs of cooks/diners; pairs can consist of spouses, partners or friends. One pair will host the dinner and provide appetizers, bread, and beverages (wine, tea and coffee); a second pair will provide the main course; a third pair will contribute salad and a vegetable side dish; and the fourth pair will make the dessert. Over the course of the year, participants will be assigned different responsibilities and will dine with a variety of group members.
To join the UU Dinner Group, contact Liz Harrell (lizbd99@earthlink.net) or Eleanor Stoller (estoller@triad.rr.com). They will send each interested member or friend a survey on hosting preferences. Please sign up as early as possible. The deadline for signing up for the fall dinner is August 31. Exact dates for dinners will be determined by the home host, based on availability of others in their group.
-Submitted by Liz Harrell and Eleanor Stoller
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Thanks for your support! | |
We fed 90 residents of Weaver House on June 6. A man who won 110 Chic Filet sandwiches donated them to the shelter, so we added chicken sandwiches to our usual menu of chili, fruit salad and bean salad. Home made cookies were a hit as usual. Thanks to all who made cookies, volunteered and support the church with your pledges.
Thanks to all who wrote letters to their Congressmen and Senators.
On Sunday, May 29, the Social Action Committee set up a table at church for people to write letters to elected officials on behalf of and organization called Bread for the World.
We collected 23 letters to our Congressmen and Senators asking that they support reforms in foreign policy to reduce poverty.
Hand written letters have more impact on elected officials than e mails. Thanks to all who took time to write!
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Encore presentation - Congregational Fitness | |
Come: Be Part of the Thirty or Forty
In her report to UUCG, Susan Nienaber said it takes 30 to 40 deeply committed people to make a difference in the culture. She said there was much work to be done to create a healthier climate here, and suggested we start with education and training of the congregation. Following her advice, the Board appointed Laura Graham to chair a Congregational Culture Task Force, to study how the culture of the congregation could be improved, and what skills people might need to develop and learn. That committee has studied several books together, and will continue to offer training to the congregation, including the work on Compassionate Communication written up elsewhere in this newsletter.
In April, we offered a four-evening adult class based on one of the books Susan had recommended to us, Congregational Fitness by Denise Goodwin. Those who attended the class found it useful, and several people have asked if that class could be repeated. I would look forward to facilitating it again. Total class time was about eight hours, so I could do either another four part evening class, or an all day Saturday class. There is a sign up sheet in the hall; if you are interested, please sign up by July 10 and indicate your availability for an evening or a Saturday class. In order to allow for discussion, space will be necessarily limited to 15 people. I will collect the sign up sheet after July 10 and let everyone know when the class will be held.
Feel free to contact me at 336-509-9781, or marie.houck@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Marie Houck, member
Congregational Culture Task Force
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Congregational Culture Task Force Meeting | |
Congregational Culture Task Force Meeting 9:00 am, Sunday, June 6, 2011
Agenda items:
1. Compassionate Communication - Sue Beck, who is leading this part of our work, opened her discussion with a reading from a mindfulness training workshop which she had recently attended; the remarks were very apropos to Compassionate Communication. She announced that an "Introduction to Compassionate Communication Class" will be held on Saturday, June 25 from 9 am to 1 pm at UUCG. Enrollment is limited to 12 people. A 13-week practice will be offered in the fall.
2.As part of the on-going training in Compassionate Communication which our task force is doing, there was discussion about how difficult it is to change our way of handling people who are angry with us. It is imperative that we have to let go of our judging instincts and accept where the other person is, not where we are. Sue further stated that it is important not to leave a discussion with an issue hanging; it is important to set up another time for resolution when things may be calmer. But most important is to show that we care and that we want to give help. Sue suggested keeping a notebook as we work through this process.
3.Beth Walden joined us to share highlights from the Boundaries Awareness training that she recently took. She will be offering adult RE sessions on this work during the coming year. She noted that the work we had been doing to improve our congregational relations was important in this area.
4.Rev Dave Johnson from the UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem joined us because of his interest in our work and commented that in his 24 years of ministry he had not known of another congregation that has done this work in the way that UUCG is doing, and he commended us for our efforts.
5.Steve Pearsall is overseeing our summer Wednesday evening sessions. In June he will be showing short videos from UUA entitled "A Religion for Our Time". The program will begin at 7:00 with a discussion to follow the video. The regular pot-luck dinner at 6:00 will continue through the summer.
6.Improving communication within the task force and with the congregation was introduced for discussion, but it was soon realized that this was a subject requiring further reflection. Therefore, it was suggested that a small group of task force members would meet and consider appropriate guidelines for communication. That group has since met (Chellie Mason, Marie Houck, Michelle Lee and Laura Graham) and will share suggestions at our next meeting.
Members of the congregation are encouraged to attend Compassionate Communication sessions in order to put into practice the means to a healthy congregation. The next meeting of the Congregational Culture Task Force will be at 9:00 am on Sunday, July 3.
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Last Month's Board Activities | |
The Board of Trustees:
1.invited one member of staff, usually either Julie Hamilton or Beth Walden, to attend meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees and speak for the rest of staff; this will free some of their limited hours while giving staff a voice at meetings.
2.will review and vote on the building usage fee schedule after Executive Committee clarifies some language and the new Board is in place.
3.instructed the Treasurer to add line items to the budget to designate money received for the LPCA and from the Multi-generational Service.
4.requested that the Finance Committee actively work to dispose of the time-share in the mountains.
5.approved the delegates to General Assembly: Lonnie Houck, Jul-Mar Majuru, Jason Grimes, Steve Pearsall, and Susan Hill.
6.approved several committee co-chairs: Fellowship-Karen Madrone and Cindy Williams; Membership-Carolyn Crumpacker with current chair Ann Dickinson; Denominational Affairs-Chellie Mason.
Upcoming events - Board members please attend:
June 27 Board event at Jim Kalinowski's 6:00 - please bring a salad, dessert, or chips - current and new members and spouses/significant others
July 16 Church workday 9:00AM - All Board members encouraged to come and work!
July 27 Board meeting, 4th Wednesday just in July to avoid conflict with SUUSI
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Birthdays this month | |
Jason Adams, Bob Voorhees, Elaine Stover, Heather Rushforth, Carl Cook, E.J. Deering, Laura Graham, John & Ken Knight, David Kundtz, Jackie Horner, David Tipton, Julie Potts, Dan Alexander, Mathieu Bilal, Johnathan Callihan,
Brock Marston, Iman Sherbine, Zoe Schroeder & Brandon Williams.
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Attendance and Collection |
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Service Date |
Number of Adults |
Number of Youth |
Total attendance |
Collection | |
May 22, 2011 |
137 |
13 |
150 |
$1,707.00 | |
May 29, 2011 |
82 |
12 |
94 |
$1,507.00 | |
June 5, 2011 |
Adults/Youth 85 |
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85 |
$1,275.00 | |
June 12, 2011 |
76 |
11 |
87 |
$1,733.26 | |
June 19, 2011 |
no count taken |
19 |
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$2,522.00 |
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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
Newsletter Katie Klod
Website Mariella Perez-Simons
Congregational Culture Taskforce Laura Graham
Council of Committees Vance Archer
Denominational Affairs Chellie Mason
Endowment Fund Rob Cary
Fellowship Karen Madrone & Cindy Williams
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 & Carolyn Crumpacker
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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