This month I am pleased to introduce the Worship Associates Program.  Actually, if you attended the February 12th service when the speaker was Dr. William Felice of Eckerd College, you experienced UUCT member John Powers in the role of a Worship Associate.   

It is a role totally separate from that of Worship Convener.  The Convener, who is often a member of the Board or a committee chair, speaks first during our time together on Sunday morning, makes the announcements, and introduces the Prelude.  The Prelude signals the beginning of the worship service. 

What are Worship Associates?  They are specially trained lay leader volunteers who will work with me, and sometimes with Katie Culbert, our Director of Religious Education.  And sometimes they will work with a guest preacher or a speaker from inside the congregation.  Their purpose as UUCT Worship Associates will be -especially when I am not present -- to plan and conduct major portions of the Sunday morning services, such as the chalice lighting words, lighting the chalice, introducing the hymns, leading the responsive reading, introducing pulpit guests, and extinguishing the chalice at the end of the service.  They will communicate closely with pulpit guests in the planning of services.
Worship Associates may sometimes be invited to offer a short personal reflection about the service topic.   

 
Who are the Worship Associates?  To date, three members of the congregation have begun training to become Worship Associates.  They are Diane Gainforth, John Powers, and Susan Zak.
This is an invitation to join the team.  In selecting Worship Associates, I am considering a diversity of age and ethnicity, and looking for people with public speaking ability or experience, and an outgoing and friendly demeanor.  Worship Associates should be deeply committed to the church and its vision and mission, and like to work as part of a team and able to receive coaching and direction from clergy and other religious professionals.
 (See below)  I will accept applications for the role.  It is typical at our UU churches that the Worship Associate Program is by application only and that the Associates are selected by the minister.   The Associates will work in partnership with the Worship Committee but will not necessarily be members of the Worship Committee.   

To apply, create a document in which you answer each of the following questions and send it to me at this email address:  revsaraz@aol.com.  Thank you.  See you at church!  

Worship Associates Application
1.    Name, mailing address, day phone, evening phone, email.
2.    Describe your religious and spiritual background, your familiarity with the history and traditions of UUism, and the history, traditions and liturgy of UUCT.
3.    Tell about aspects of your involvement with UUCT, such as classes taken, taught, committees served on, choir, etc.  How long have you been attending, and how long a member?
4.    What skills, talents, experience and special knowledge will you offer to the worship service?  Do you have experience in public speaking?  
5.    What would you like to get out of the experience of being a Worship Associate?
6.    What would be your biggest challenge?
7.    Is there anything else you'd like me to know about you?

Thank you!   

Rev Sara

Dateline Tampa, FL: Excitement abounds as Tampa UUs explore the future of our church and our faith!
 
The balmy winter days and nights provided numerous opportunities for us to come together.  On January 29th, over 40 of us participated in a workshop on congregational growth and the changes that we face as we develop more programs and activities to utilize our new space.  This topic will also be part of our discussions during the monthly Conversations with the Board after the Sunday Service on February 26th.  The power of social marketing has also been revealed - members and friends have flocked to the adult education course on the Bible and while space is still available, the program only runs for a limited time (though this observer anticipates it might be offered again at some future date).  A sizeable contingent came out for what we hope is the first of a series of "Blues and BBQ"  multi-generational activities on February 11th, and were entertained by an impromptu trio that might (or might not) have included the B.B. Queen herself.   You'll have to come next time to find out.  And that's what community is all about - coming out, participating, and working together to make a difference.
 
Russell Kirby, BoT President 

Betty Lee Award Nominations

The Betty Lee Distinguished Award acknowledges a member of our church for "high standards of diligence and dedication" to the well-being of our church. 

In recognition of our past Betty Lee Award winners:  

The Good Book

By Carol Baker

Here are this month's suggestions from our avid readers.

From Elizabeth Bleau:  It's unusual, in a way, that I would like Death Comes to Pemberly, because it's essentially a mystery, written by Britain's esteemed mystery writer P.D. James, now 91. I'm not a big mystery fan, but was drawn to the book because it is a continuation of the characters in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  I am an Austen fan, a recent one.  The mystery plot was almost minor to me, as I became reattached to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth (Bennett) Darcy, and other characters in the Austen novel.  I'd recommend this book to both Austen fans and to mystery lovers.

From Katie Culbert:  Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian by Paul F. Knitter, One World Publications, 2009.  It is a wonderful book that strengthened my ability to take ownership of my personal liberal Protestant Christian theological core.  Knitter believes that his exploration and study of Buddhism was necessary for him to fully understand Christianity. Through his experience with Buddhism, he was able to redefine the concepts of God, mystery, heaven, salvation, resurrection, prayer, and peace.  I think this is a powerful book for Unitarian Universalists to read because it identifies the importance of immersing oneself in another religious tradition as a way to know more fully, understand, define, and embrace one's own theological core.    

From Ron Hammerle:  Steve Jobs, a definitive biography by Walter Isaacson, is a lengthy but fascinating journey into the life, mind, and work of a modern-day icon, whose transformation of six industries may place him beside Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in the world of business and innovation, while exposing a bipolar personality that ranged from vicious to charming.  

From Carol Partington:  For several months, I have been delighting in the stories in Stone Soup for the World: Life-Changing Stories of Kindness & Courageous Acts of Service.  Because they are so rich and I like time to reflect on them, I usually read one or two at night. The stories are by and about people such as Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Barrios Unidos, Edward James Olmos, Bette Midler, and others. They are grouped into chapters as follows: What One Person Can Do, Cultural Healing, Community Cooperation, Growing Nationally, Global Village, The Healing Power of Doing Good, and Doing Well by Doing Good. As I read these inspiring stories, I see new possibilities and I feel hope. There is a newer edition out, but the 1998 edition I am reading is on sale now for less than $4 at Amazon (remember to use the UUCT link to access Amazon).
 
Thanks again to all who contributed.  If I did not get your recommendation in the column this month, it will be in next.  Keep those recommendations coming and enjoy reading.

We look forward to hearing about more good books for next month's column.  If you have a book you've just read or have read previously that you liked, please send me an e-mail at cbanddave1@verizon.net 

MINISTER APPOINTS SABBATICAL COMMITTEE

By Ed Benedict

The Reverend Doctor Sara Zimmerman has appointed a four-member Sabbatical Committee. Co-Chairing the committee are Pat Benedict and Bill Blymiller, with Ara Rogers and Ed Benedict serving as members.The mission of the UU Church of Tampa Sabbatical Committee is to facilitate a smooth and productive sabbatical period.  The committee will provide ongoing information to the congregation about the Minister's Sabbatical leave planning, organization, and issues on a regular basis, while interfacing with the Minister, the Board of Trustees, and UUCT standing committees.     

The goals of the UU Church of Tampa Sabbatical Committee are:

1)  To ensure the congregation is aware of all phases of the sabbatical process;
2)  To provide support and information to the Board of Trustees, congregation and committees throughout the process; and

3)  To ensure continuity of the day-to-day workings of the church.

More information about this committee and its charge will be forthcoming.