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UU News
Monthly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro
An Intentional Liberal Religious Community
August, 2011
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Greetings! | |
Welcome to the August edition of our church newsletter!
I hope you are having fun with family and friends during this hot and sunny summer!
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. The newsletter is published on the last Friday of each month.
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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Worship Services, Join us for Service each Sunday | |
"Universalism, Unitarianism, and Transition" Rev. Eric Posa begins his interim ministry at UUC Greensboro with a 3-sermon series, exploring the work and ministry of people important to UU history, and what they can tell us about living through times of transition, especially (but not only) the interim ministry period.
August 7th - Sauntering to Greensboro - Rev. Eric
August 14th - Ministry in Transition - Rev. Eric
August 21st - Living in Covenant - Rev. Eric
August 28th - Being Religious in China: Possibilities and Perils - Dottie Borei
American opinions of religion in contemporary China alternate sharply between reports of its recent revival and increasing popularity, on the one hand, and of the state's persecution of believers on the other. How are we to understand why so many Chinese are attracted to religion--both traditional belief systems and Christianity--while the government aims to control, even suppress, religious organization and practice?
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Interim Minister starting in August | |
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!
After the service on August 14 there will be a reception for Reverend Eric Posa and his wife Suzi. All are welcome to attend! |
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From the Board President - Jim Kalinowski | |
Light Just One Candle
We too are experiencing the joy of connection in our community. For some time now, we have been sharing the cash in plate on the forth and fifth Sundays with organizations in the community outside our Church. Many of you have responded generously and have made those days stand out as days in which we experience higher cash in plate donations than average.
As I've mentioned before, your Board decided to expand our giving in a way that looks both outward and inward. We have begun sharing the cash in plate on the first Sunday with the SE District and the UUA. If this movement of liberal religion, a religion that focuses on community rather than guilt, is to succeed in our society, we have to find a way to support the wider organization. While we are not very close to paying our fair share to the UUA and district, we have begun the journey.
On the second and third Sundays we have begun sharing the cash in plate with the Minister's Discretionary Fund. Those funds are used to support members of our own Church community. With the departure of our settled Minister, the funds have been handled by the Lay Pastoral Care Associates to address those in need, our friends, our fellow congregants. We have seen good progress in your response to this effort. I would like to thank those of you who have responded to this outreach. Not only do your Board and those working to help others in our community appreciate your generosity, the people you are helping appreciate it as well.
In covenant,
Jim Kalinowski
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Genral Assembly Post-event discussions | |
Wednesday nights in July and August at UUCG
We will continue our ongoing recap and discussion of this year's General Assembly in Charlotte. We will watch worship services, lectures and workshops and follow them with discussion. We might also plan book discussions. The first session will be an interest/planning session for the summer programming. Areas of interest include:
Worship
Lectures
Workshops
Worship
Social Witness
Religious Education
Communications
Governance
Stewardship
And much more
Come join us for sharing and learing what it means to be Unitarian Universalist
For more information contact Steve Pearsall
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General Assembly - Reflections | |
Chellie Mason shares this summary of some of the fine workshops she attended and speakers she heard during her time at the General Assembly in Charlotte, NC last month:
COMMON READ, COMMON REFLECTION, COMMON ACTION ON IMMIGRATION
In The Death of Josseline, Margaret Regan, a journalist with the Tucson Weekly, recounts stories of migrants attempting to cross the Sonoran desert, sometimes successfully, sometimes dying (like 14-year old Josseline), and sometimes needing to be rescued by our feared Border Patrol. Many UUA congregations either already have read it or are planning to read the book. UUCG plans to schedule a book discussion in the fall. I hope you will get your copy of the book and plan to join us. We will use a study guide provided by GA: http://www.uua.org/documents/lfd/commonread/josseline_guide.pdf
PROFITEERING FROM PRISONS: STOPPING THE FOR PROFIT PRISON INDUSTRY
We have 2.5 million people behind bars. As a society, we rely on incarceration to remedy social problems. Each incarcerated or detained person is a "for profit center", which for-profit prisons receive a per diem of $200. Correction Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group, two of the largest for-profit prison corporations received combined revenues of $3 billion in 2010. For-profit prisons are in 30 states and also have an international presence.
Guards are poorly trained and exhibit anti-immigrant sentiments. All female are shackled when transported outside the prison, even if they are pregnant and in labor. The speaker passed a set of chains, used to shackle incarcerated females, around the room. I couldn't help thinking that if something of that weight were used on a dog, it would constitute animal abuse. Of about 200,000 female prisoners, about 6% of them are pregnant. Thirty-eight states have NOT banned shackling - NC is one of the 38.
IMMIGRATION AS A MORAL ISSUE
David Bacon documents the connections between labor, migration, and the global economy. In his book, Illegal People, he explores the human side of globalization, exposing the many ways it uproots people in Latin America and Asia, driving them to migrate. At the same time, U.S. immigration policy makes the labor of those displaced people a crime in the United States. Illegal People explains why our national policy produces even more displacement, more migration, more immigration raids, and a more divided, polarized society
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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. We had a great month in July, let's keep up the great work for August! Your help is always greatly appreciated.
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Fellowship Dinner Event |
 The Taste of Thai Restaurant is offering a 5-course dinner special for $12.95 in their private dining room. Please join other UUs for this special dinner event on Saturday, September 10th at 6:00 PM. Space is limited so call or email Mary Davis or Steven Reinhartsen to reserve your place at the table. 586-0188 or marysteven5@bellsouth.net. (It is a set menu with no substitutions.)
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Theater outting for September | |
For comedy-lovers, you can't beat those zany denizens of Tuna, Texas as portrayed by Greensboro's own Broach Theatre Co. This time around, "Tuna Does Vegas," and laughter and craziness follow close behind.
The Fellowship Committee invites you to sign up on the bulletin board to see this play at the discounted group rate on THURSDAY, SEPT. 29th at the Broach, 520 South Elm Street. Optional addition: Join us for dinner at nearby Grey's Tavern, 343 S. Elm, before the show.
For details, phone Phoenix Putney at 855-8018, or watch for updates in weekly announcements. |
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Happenings
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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, August 8th
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, August 29th
Ladies' Night Out occurs Monday, July 25 at the Saigon Restaurant at 6:30 pm. Please contact Marry Davis or Janet Plummer if you plan to attend.
Men's Night Out 2, Monday, August 29th
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 | |
JOIN FELLOW UUs FOR MUSIC IN THE PARK...
in particular, the Greensboro Concert Band at Latham Park Sunday evening, August 7th at 6:00 pm. Look for us in the southwest corner of the park, located off Wendover Ave. at Latham and Cridland. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper to enjoy this free concert with friends.
AUG. 14: Melva Houston and Knights of Soul at Hester
AUG. 21: Bruce Piephoff, folksinger and Lisa Danes at Bur-Mil
AUG. 28: West end Mambo, Rob Massengale band at Lindley
We will also meet for the remaining MUSEP concerts, all starting at 6 and 7:15 pm: |
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UU Dinner Group | |
New Dinner Group Brings Together UUs Interested in Gourmet Cooking 
Do you like to experiment with new recipes, explore novel cuisines, and share culinary discoveries with friends? A new interest group, the UU Dinner Group, is designed to bring together UUs with an interest in creating gourmet dinners in collaboration with small groups of fellow UUs. Members will gather four times a year in different homes to enjoy seasonal or themed dinners prepared by members themselves.
Organized by Liz Harrell and Eleanor Stoller, the UU Dinner Group builds on the pioneering work of the Stoesens. We're looking forward to eating gourmet food, enjoying good conversation, and building closer friendships with other UUs.
During this first (and frankly experimental) year, dinners will be organized around seasonal themes: a fall dinner in October or November, a winter dinner in February or March, a spring dinner in April or May, a summer dinner in June, July or August. Hostesses can elaborate the seasonal theme if they wish. For example, a winter dinner could emphasize a particular holiday (e.g., Valentine's Day), a northern ethnic cuisine (e.g., Scandinavian or Russian), or a color (white for snow).
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 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. Participants can bring additional beverages if they wish. Over the course of the year, participants will be assigned different responsibilities and will dine with a variety of club members.
To join the UU Dinner Group, contact Liz Harrell (lizbd99@earthlink.net) or Eleanor Stoller (estoller@triad.rr.com). 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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Start sending in your pledges! | |
 The new fiscal year has arrived!
Just a friendly reminder that The Day is finally here! Our new fiscal year has begun, which means those pledges can now start coming in!
There are many great ways to pay your pledge:
1. Use your PayPal account on our website
2. Mail your check to the office
3. Put your check in the Sunday collection
Help get the year off to a great start and get 100% of the pledges for August!
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Congregational Fitness "Beautiful Hands" | |
Our Congregational Culture Has "Beautiful Hands"
While driving home from UUCG on Sunday July 10, I reflected on Dr. Michael Tino's sermon "Beautiful Hands" and how I have been finding these "hands" everywhere I look in our congregation. One could wax metaphorically on these "hands" in all of us so I will. As with Tino's bunker building of a church that became more beautiful when people used their hands to work on it, UUCG is finding, encouraging, and drawing out the "hands" in each one of us and exposing the beautiful hands, helpfulness and compassion that was always there.
Since the middle of last March our Worship Committee has worked their "hands" hard to plan each Sunday's service during this time between ministers. These Sunday services have been speaking to our "hands" and asking each of us to show what we can do. Mark has been working on our musical souls and showing us how these "hands" can do good work.
Our various UUCG committees are gathering "hands" to do the work of our church. We are getting to know each other and encouraging each other. We are learning to see and work with the differences in our "hands.' All it takes is that we trust the work of our "hands" and treat it compassionately. We can look at all our "hands" and understand that all are beautiful in the work they are doing.
By the "hands" of Sue Cole
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ongregational Culture Task Force Meeting | |
Two topics were on the agenda for this meeting:
1.Update of members' educational sessions
2.Report from GA workshop attendance
Educational sessions:
1.A Fair Fighting Workshop led by Sue Beck and Bill Haney was held in June. Four couples attended. It was felt to be very successful. Sue and Bill would be agreeable to repeating it in the future if there is further interest.
2.Ken Knight and Sue Beck will lead a four-session introduction to Compassionate Communication beginning on July 24 from 9 to 10:00 am.
3.Marie Houck will repeat a discussion series of the book Congregational Fitness, with times depending upon the persons attending. There is a sign-up sheet in the hall.
4.Sue Beck and Ken Knight will offer a thirteen-week in-depth series on Compassionate Communication. The classes will be in the fall, with times to be announced.
5.Steve Pearsall has scheduled an adult education series for July and August on Wednesday nights from 7:00-7:30. Topics will be announced.
UU General Assembly notes:
1.Lonnie Houck attended sessions on stewardship and stressed applications to congregational culture.
2.Michelle Lee shared ideas about the need to be "uncomfortable enough to make change" and "To say 'No' in faith to a larger 'Yes' ".
3.Steve Pearsall attended a session with Dan Hotchkiss and spoke of the "courage to ask questions we don't have answers for".
4.Chellie Mason attended sessions on immigration and legal and illegal immigrants.
5.Other highlights mentioned were the presence of the four recently ordained ministers who have connections with UUCG - Scott McNeil, Michael Tino, Marian Stewart, and Hugh Hammond, and the prominent position of Mark Freundt at GA.
All members of UUCG are invited to attend one or more of the scheduled sessions which are designed to increase the awareness of positive congregational communication and healthy church relationships.
The next meeting of the Congregational Culture Task Force will be held on Sunday, July 24, at 9:00 am.
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Last Month's Board Activities | |
The board moved to extend an invitation to the youth to provide a liaison to the board.
The board will sponsor Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, November 26. Cindy Williams will coordinate the event.
The president recommended the appointment of committee chairs for the 2011-2012 church year.
A Ministerial Transition Team to facilitate the work of the Interim Minister and the Congregation was created and charged. The board approved Nora Bird, Mary Davis, Larry Graham, Chellie Mason and Rod Swonguer to be members of the task force.
The board approved the transfer of $4,500 from the Reserve Fund to the Operating Checking Account to pay Rev. Posa an advance in early August. This advance would then be returned to the Reserve Fund in three monthly installments.
The board approved the building usage fees proposed by the Congregational Administrator with minor modifications. The board identified organizations to be in the negotiated contract group, the non-fee usage group and the negotiated fee group.
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Birthdays this month |
 Sue Sherwood, Ian Rushforth, Megan Evans, Nelson Stover, Lydia Rose, Michelle Puzio, Chris Roerden, Barbara Hands,Louise Porter, Becky Floyd, Kathy Kallio, Lonnie Houck,Tony Dickerson, Mary-Margaret Marrone, Lindsay Clinard, Angel Schroeder, Zoli Rab, Miki RabChris Woodworth, Derek Dunham, Jonathan Dupree, David Williams, Megan Churchill,Tyler Collins and Ryan Hamilton
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Attendance and Collection |
Number of Adults Number of Youth Total Collection
June 26, 2011 79 12 91 $2,752.96
July 3, 2011 93 12 105 $6,656.00
July 10, 2011 106 12 118 $4,361.02
July 17, 2011 92 12 104 $1,875.00
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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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