UU News

Monthly Newsletter of

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro

An Intentional Liberal Religious Community   September, 2012  

Worship Services,  Join us for Service each Sunday

Reconciliation requires changes of heart and spirit, as well as social and economic change. It requires symbolic as well as practical action.

- Malcolm Fraser

Forgiveness and reconciliation are classic spiritual themes. Jews engage the work of forgiveness every year, of course, at the High Holy Days (coming this year in the last half of September), but it's a rich topic for any religious tradition. Countless writers and thinkers have tackled these themes. One common and helpful perspective on forgiveness comes from theologian Carter Heyward, who explains, "Forgiveness is the letting go of resentment over what has been done in order to get on with life."

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser highlights reconciliation in his quote that began this article. He was referring to efforts to repair the economic and social mistrust Australia's government had developed with its aboriginal communities. His point, though, applies to interpersonal situations as well as political ones. Reconciling damaged relationships requires interior work, emotional and spiritual self-reflection, as well as tangible, practical promises to re-engage the relationships in more healthy ways. The self-reflection is the "letting go" that Carter Heyward named; the promises of how one will re-engage is the "getting on with life." Both are needed to open the doors of forgiveness, through which we must walk together to reconcile with one another.

Heyward names several resources "through which forgiveness may become more nearly possible." One is the ability to be honest with ourselves. "Emotional honesty," she explains, "secures our capacities to reflect on our experiences of violence and pain, whether as those wounded or those who have inflicted the injury."

Here at UUCG, many of you have been asking me about what forgiveness and reconciliation might look like in a tangible way. For some, there is an issue or person in your own life who has done wrong by you, or by whom you have done wrong. For others, the reconciliation sought is within our church. Some still feel lingering tensions within themselves, or between themselves and other church members, over past conflicts.

Reconciliation is complex work, and trying to rush through it will do no one any good. Nonetheless, the time is ripe for us to engage the work toward reconciliation. Of course, forgiveness is necessary before reconciliation can occur, and even before that, we must be honest with ourselves, and with that which is ultimate for each of us.

So as we approach the High Holy Days this month, let us be inspired by our Jewish sisters and brothers to begin this work toward forgiveness and reconciliation. On Sunday, Sept. 16, our worship service will be different. I will preach on these themes, but there will also be an opportunity for you to reflect on the value of forgiveness in your life now: your need to forgive another, and your need to be forgiven. You will be invited to share, in writing - anonymously or not, your choice - the forgiveness you would seek to give and receive. This is a first step, and I will follow up individually with you (ONLY if you identify yourself, which is optional) in the weeks after this worship. We will also return to these themes in worship, at least twice more in future months, to explore the next steps for this work of forgiveness and reconciliation.

New RE Coordinator Cindy Dillard 

I don't know about you, but transitions for me have often been initially difficult, but in the end, almost always welcome. As I write to you (the evening of August 28), I realize I have lived in North Carolina for exactly one month and two days (except for when I was a kid, spending summers with my grandparents in Hendersonville). One month and two days ago, I joined my husband, Tom Dowling, who moved here exactly 5 months ago to join Wake Forest University as the Director of Technologies (he's a librarian). I came with our 3 cats (cranky Nutmeg, a##hole/sweetheart Edgar, and perpetual kitten Lulu) and our elderly dog, Ginger, and we've been camped out in Tom's temporary apartment, looking forward to the next chapter in our lives.

For me, that chapter began two weeks ago, when Eric and Charlotte asked me to partner with them (and you) to support and build UUCG's LRE program. Who am I? I come to you from 1st UU Church, Columbus OH as someone who grew up unchurched. I only sought out a church when my daughter, Audrey, started being proselytized to by her very best friend, Ruthie-in Kindergarten. Not only did Audrey have nothing in her toolbox, she didn't even have any tools-and worst of all (for me), I didn't know my kid needed "tools." Tom and I certainly didn't, growing up! So our journey began: Audrey took part in Sunday School each year, and I was one of her teachers. Each year, I learned a new curriculum, moving up each year with her, until I became an OWL educator, and that's where I found my "niche." So for the last number of years, I've taught 8th Grade OWL and have been a team mentor.

My family's "next chapter" began in another way last weekend, when Tom and I delivered Lulu to our daughter, Audrey, at her first-ever apartment in Columbus. That's where our only kiddo will be spending a second year in the pre-professional program as a dancer at BalletMet. As I finish this, I hear the rain pouring down, and it makes me want to say something wise (as a Seattle girl). But imparting wisdom has never been my forte. I'm a practical girl. So, look for the Sunday School registration table these next few weeks. AND COME BY AND SAY "HI!"

Cindy Dillard

RE Coordinator

Expressions and Pot-Luck 

Expressions is back!  Join us as we explore the connections between art and spirituality. 7pm every Wednesday. 

Sept. 26- TBA

From the Board President Charlotte Hamlin

"For everything, there is a season," and your board is working hard this fall to create a bright future for UUCG. At its August meeting following a planning retreat, the board set five priority goals for the 2012-13 year: 1) Implement New Organizational Structure, (proposed new board committees), and review/update policies; 2) Ministry: Oversee the Process of Securing a Minister for 2013-14; 3) Financial Stability: leadership and policies for long term financial strength and maintenance needs; 4) Visioning: develop a Vision statement linked with strategic planning; and 5) Membership: work with Governance Task Force to review membership expectations and involvement. Thanks to all who agreed to serve on various Committees and Teams, and to Gay Cheney, new member of the Committee on Leadership Development.

The board is launching a broad strategic planning process with three part workshops led by Elaine Stover, an organizational consultant and UUCG member. We are looking for at least 25 people for the workshops taking place Tuesday evenings from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. (with food!): Sept. 25 (Mapping A Practical Vision), Oct. 23 (Discerning Underlying Contradictions), and Nov. 27 (Setting Strategic Directions). The report will be the basis for a five year plan and be valuable in the ministerial search in the spring. WE NEED YOUR VISION OF WHAT UUCG CAN BE AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT! Please register to take part in the three strategic planning workshops to shape UUCG's future. Congregational updates will take place throughout the fall.

The search for a Minister for 2013-14 is a board priority. Having decided last spring UUCG is not ready to search for a Settled Minister, the board is discussing two other ministry models with an April 1st deadline: a) Interim Minister- board search for a second Interim Minister to serve 1 - 2 years, or b) a Developmental Minister where the UUA Transitions Office Director identifies a "match " between an applicant congregation which identifies long-standing concerns and systemic issues and a minister with relevant skills and experience to address those concerns over 3 -5 year period or longer. Board members are now developing materials to assist in deciding which search process to pursue. There will be an Information Forum about search options after church on Oct. 7th followed by a congregational meeting on Oct. 21st.

Board meetings now take place the third TUESDAY of the month in the Sanctuary from 7 - 9 p.m. We welcome guests at the next meeting on Sept. 19th when we will be considering a number of important questions. I welcome your questions, ideas, concerns and suggestions (chamlin1939@gmail.com) about ways to create a caring, vibrant church.

Thanks!  

Thanks to everyone at the Unitarian Universalist Church who contributed to the 40 pounds of peanut butter and nonperishable food  

collected last month for the Greensboro Food Bank.  

Food Lion food collection 

UU Dinner Group 

Thanks!

Last Month's Board Activities

• The board accepted a proposal from Elaine Stover to hold three sessions on establishing a church vision, which will be open to congregants.

• Gay Chaney was approved as a new member of the Committee on Leadership Development.

• The board approved holding a congregational meeting on October 21.

• The board heard a motion to set aside a portion of the bank lease money for long term maintenance of the building by each year. The board will decide on this next month.

• The board heard a motion moving the Staff Support committee to the ministry pillar. The board will decide on this next month.

• The board group considering alternatives for future ministry. Presentations on the options and the board's preference will be given to the congregation (tentatively October 7) before the vote at the congregational meeting in October.

Birthdays this month 

Attendance and Collection

UUCG Covenant 

• 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

UUCG OFFICERS 

TRUSTEES

Michelle Lee (2015)                                                                                          nc.dogwood@yahoo.com  

Stephanie Blake (2014)                                                                                       cicciblake@triad.rr.com 

Myra Anne Geese Dean (2014)                                                                    myraannegesse@yahoo.com
Steve Andrews (2013)                                                                                               sand3420@aol.com    

Suzanne Deering (2015)                                                                                         zanned@earthlink.net  

Katja Brown                                                                                                              sabrown@ieee.org 

UUCG STAFF

Congregational Contacts