Domelight Newsletter May 2012

This month I persuaded a reluctant Rev. Sara to let me pen (or more accurately, "key") a column of appreciation in this space. Our beloved minister presciently, or perhaps just serendipitously, chose to take a short vacation during the chaos of the carpeting of the Large Dome. Wise choice!

My thought was that these two events, along with Ara Rogers and Joan Lund's excellent workshop on our appreciation of UUism and Rev. Sara's sabbatical beginning next September, provided an apt time for reflection and a paean of appreciation for Rev. Sara's ministry at UUCT.

The first, most dramatic contribution that comes to mind is Sara's calm continuity after a period in UUCT's history of too-frequent, not always successful, ministerial changes. Sara has now been with us for 5 years, enabling us at long last to achieve stability and growth, and to complete the first step of a master plan for the campus--the Multi-Purpose Building. Sara supported and encouraged our lay leadership's considerable efforts in making the building happen. At last, we have enough space for multiple, concurrent activities.

Perhaps Sara's spiritual practice of Buddhism provides her calm reserve, or perhaps it is characteristic of her temperament. Wherever it emerges from, some members (me included) have benefited greatly from it. My favorite is the continuing Tuesday evening meditation that began as classes led by Sara and has now emerged as a lay-led group.

Still, calm reserve is only one of Sara's characteristics. She actively participates in congregational activities, the barbecues, the game nights, the auction, and so on. Who can forget her tap-dancing act, resurrected from early lessons? Her sultry Marlena Dietrich impersonation? Whooo-hoo! Sultry minister?--hmmm-isn't that usually an oxymoron?

Next, I'll mention Sara's careful, informed decision making and her willingness to "self-reflect" on ministerial practice after formal evaluation and individual critiques. Another characteristic I admire is Sara's grace during Sunday services. Not only does she use her sometimes-sly humor, but also I have watched her "adjust" to seemingly inevitable interruptions, miscarriage of plans, and lovely coincidences with an appropriate range of thanks, humor, forbearance, empathy, and grace. Just as Sara has helped us grow spiritually, her ministry has grown also, and I, for one, look forward to more of the same.

Thank you, Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman. We appreciate you!

From the President's Desk

Excitement Abounds!

By Russell Kirby, President, UUCT BOT

There's been a lot of excitement around UUCT in the past few weeks. Plans are underway for our first Emerson Center lecture program, more and more activities are being planned in the new Multi-Purpose Building, and by the time you read this, we should have new carpeting in the large dome.

Yes, we have some uncertainties as we move into the summer and fall. We will recruit for a Director of Religious Education as our current DRE Katie Culbert focuses full-time on her seminary studies. Our minister, Rev. Sara Zimmerman, will be on sabbatical for six months beginning September 1st. Plans are under way to ensure that our religious and spiritual needs continue to be met during these transitions, and I, for one, expect we will emerge from these changes as a stronger, more connected community.

So in the joy of change and growth, rejoice in the moment!

R.E. flections

By Katie Culbert, Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth

Editor's note: Katie, who has tendered her resignation, was too ill to contribute at press time. We will run Katie's news from May in the next issue, and we will include news about the process of the search for a new DRE.

UUA Trustee Tidbits

by Joan Lund

jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727

It's old news by now, but I want all of you who attended the District Annual Assembly to know that it was good to be with you. The program was outstanding and so appropriate for our upcoming Justice General Assembly (GA), 2012. The importance of as many Florida UUs as possible attending GA cannot be emphasized too much. It's not too late to register and find lodgings.

Immigration justice will be part of our GA passionate engagement. Stories abound of UU congregations working on immigration justice. One comes from Cedar Falls, Iowa. A workplace raid led to the arrest and deportation of more than 300 workers. The raid received national publicity and created widespread outrage and concern as families were separated, children left parentless, and people detained without access to legal assistance. The UU congregation entered into an interfaith partnership with other congregations/organizations to provide support for affected families. After helping a Guatemalan family get jobs, work permits, and social security numbers, the congregation has begun supporting other immigrant families.

In Northborough, MA, after an unfortunate automobile accident involving alcohol and an undocumented Ecuadorean driver killing a man, UUs joined other faith groups to listen as the Ecuadorian community publicly shared the indignities and severity of oppression to which they were subjected. Along with other allied communities, UUs helped organize volunteers and provided transportation for much needed shopping. This action promoted trust between the Ecuadorean community and "Anglo" allies. The allies tackled other problems too, and their actions rewarded everyone involved.

All of us must be true to our UU values and become involved where immigration work is needed. Ideas abound if you "prowl around" uua.org/immigration including "Cooking Together: Recipes for Immigration Justice Work." Please contact me if you have trustee questions, concerns, or ideas. As Frasier Crane of television sitcom fame would say, "I'm listening."

Read a Good Book!

By Carol Baker

Here we are again with some more good recommendations from folks. Consider reading something out of your "comfort zone," perhaps one of these.

Harriet Blymiller: I'm definitely out of my comfort zone. I usually stick to fiction, but right now I'm listening to Laura Hillenbrand's biography of 1930's track star Louis Zamperini, Unbroken: A Story of World War II Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Although its tone is occasionally sentimental or pat, Hillenbrand nevertheless recounts unflinchingly the myriad damages of war. The author credits Louis's soldierly survival partially to incredible boyhood spunk (a euphemism--having raised a boy, the first part about his antics just made me shake my head) during the Great Depression and the training, talent, and competitive spirit that took him to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Ron Hammerle: Here are two books from U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Richard Posner. The first is How Judges Think. A description says, in part, "... in non-routine cases, the conventional materials run out and judges are on their own, navigating uncharted seas with equipment consisting of experience, emotions, and often unconscious beliefs."

The second Posner book Sex and Reason is described as: "Drawing on the fields of biology, law, history, religion, and economics, this sweeping study examines societies from ancient Greece to today's Sweden and issues from masturbation, incest taboos, date rape, and gay marriage to Baby M. The first comprehensive approach to sexuality and its social controls, Posner's rational choice theory surprises, explains, predicts, and totally absorbs."

And by the celebrated healthcare whistle-blower Wendell Potter, Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans. Potter begins by declaring, "I ... helped create and perpetuate myths that had no other purpose but to sustain those [health insurance] companies extraordinarily high profitability."

Carol Partington: Creating a World that Works for All by Sharif Abdullah, Introductory Essay by Václav Havel, Copyright 1999, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. Although this book is 13 years old, the message is really timeless. Abdullah's life's work is to build inclusivity, understanding, and civic engagement among diverse groups. One reason I am drawn to his work is that he sees activism as a spiritual practice.

My personal recommendation (C.B.): Marie Antoinette, by one of my favorite authors Sena Jeter Naslund, is a beautifully written story about this famous woman. Beginning with her arranged marriage at age fourteen to a fifteen-year-old future king, the book spans her life to the well-known end at the guillotine. Marie Antoinette is described as misunderstood and courageous, living through a time of great historical change.
[Editor's Note: As some may remember, one of our very active former UUCT members, John Jeter, is Sena Jeter Naslund's brother. I also recommend Naslund's The Four Spirits, a fictional rendering of the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. H.B.]

Since next month is June and the beginning of summer, let's recommend some fun, light, relaxing "beach reading" for vacationers. If you have read a book you want to share with others, please e-mail me at cbanddave1@verizon.net any time. Thanks for the recommendations!

Join us on

May 5th @ 7:30 p.m.

Full Moon Celebration - As Always Coven is back again and this promises to be another great night to celebrate Beltaine and the merry month of May . All are welcome!

Circles in the Woods CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) is a committee and Earth-centered spirituality group within the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. For more information, contact ohughes@tgh.org .

Interested in attending the "Justice GA" in Phoenix?

The UU Legislative Ministry is encouraging UUs in Florida to attend the UUA General Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona, June 20-24, 2012, and will offer partial scholarships to needy UUs who want to attend.

This will be an historic GA, a gathering of UUs nationwide with multiple ways of engaging in justice work for people of all ages. "Joining with the people of Arizona, we will worship, witness, learn and work together. We will leave General Assembly grounded in our faith, energized for justice, and with resources to bring this work home to our congregations." See

http://www.uua.org/ga/2012/index.shtml

Registration and housing reservations start March 1. Act quickly. The GA Housing Reservation System opens on March 1. Expect that inexpensive rooms, especially inexpensive rooms that are close to the convention center, will sell out.

Please contact UULMF Co-Chairs Steve Segner

steve_segner@uulmf.org

386-788-3039), or Kindra Muntz

kindra_muntz@uulmf.org

941-497-1764) for more information.

Justice General Assembly in Phoenix

Do you want to go to the UUA Justice General Assembly, June 20-24, 2012, in Phoenix? Are you pondering how to afford such a trip?

Both the Florida District and the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida have special funds that can provide partial scholarships, especially for youth, young adults and those who have not attended a GA in the past.

Please contact Tempie Taudte, 813-931-1817 for information regarding how to apply for a scholarship.

HOPE Happenings

Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality

By Carol Partington, HOPE Committee Chairperson

With the excitement of the Nehemiah Action behind us, we now move on to the next phase of our year, the Investment Drive

--the phase where our church makes a tremendous impact.

Last year 47 member- and friend-units of UUCT invested more than $6,000 in HOPE. This year our goal is $8,000 with 60 or more investing units.

How can we do this? From our congregation, we need

* Several people to invest $500 or more

* Fifteen people to invest at the Network Members level of $200 or more

* Twenty people to invest $100

* Many people to invest at other levels.

Please contact one of the Justice Ministry Team members with your check made out to HOPE. Payment plans are available. Meeting this goal of $8,000 will again demonstrate UU support for justice in our community.

Our next large HOPE event is the Justice Ministry Celebration on June 11th. We are hoping to have the Individual Investments all in by this date, so please start putting your investment money aside!

There are two other ways you can help HOPE:

* HOPE supporters are needed to sit in on corporate presentations. It takes just two hours per presentation. This links our name with our justice work and gives our church visibility in the community. If your schedule permits, please give this a try!

* The annual five-day leadership training conducted by HOPE's umbrella organization, the Direct Action Training Center (DART) will be in Tampa at USF: July 17-21. Let us know ASAP if you are interested because matching funds may be available from the UUA: justiceministrynetwork@uutampa.org

Remember, in Hillsborough County and at the UUCT, we have

HOPE FOR JUSTICE.

SABBATICAL COMMITTEE UPDATE

By Ed Benedict, Member, Sabbatical Committee

Through the month of April 2012, the Sabbatical co-chairs Pat Benedict and Bill Blymiller were busy making initial contact with the church's Board of Trustees (BOT) and major committees. They met with the chairs of the Membership, Worship, Communications, Planning, and Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) Committees to open the lines of communications, identify points of contact, and exchange information on planning for our sabbatical process. By the beginning of May, all chairpersons were contacted. Current plans call for a member of the Sabbatical Committee to attend each BOT meeting to insure that the information flow remains open.

By early May 2012, you should receive the first of two brochures that will address the questions "Who, What, When, and Why" of the sabbatical. The first brochure will be mailed to members, with extra copies available in the office. The second will be published in late summer, closer to when the Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman is scheduled to leave on her sabbatical, September 1, 2012. This more detailed brochure will include a list of planned Sunday Service topics for the entire sabbatical period.

If you have a question about the sabbatical, please address it to a committee member:
Pat or Ed Benedict at 813-968-1418
Bill Blymiller at 813-988-6551
Ara Rogers at 813-265-3157
Questions may also be sent to the Sabbatical Committee via e-mail: sabbatical@uutampa.org.

Annual May Congregational Meeting

May 6^th, Sunday, 12:45

Please plan to attend this important meeting.

And, please bring a dish to share at the potluck before the meeting.

Agenda

Welcome and approval of agenda

Approval of minutes from Congregational Meeting, March 25, 2012

Reports from Standing Committees and Church Council

Presentation of year-to-date budget

Recognition of board members leaving service

Election of new BOT members (see "Nominees" article)

Presentation of 2012 Betty McCleur Lee Distinguished Service Award

Open items from the floor

Adjournment

Nominees for the UUCT Board of Trustees

The Nominating Committee (Ed Benedict, Diane Gainforth, and Russell Patterson) recommend four individuals who are ready, willing, and very well qualified to run for the three available Board of Trustees positions. The election will be held after Sunday service at the Annual May 6th Congregational Meeting.

And the nominees are: Pat Benedict, Bill Blymiller, Lee Bonta, and Roger Polcyn.

Please read the biographical sketches they submitted:

Pat Benedict

I retired from 26 years of teaching in the Hillsborough County school system in 2005. I became a member of the UUCT in September 1997. Since becoming a member, I have served this church as:

Interim chair of the Worship Committee
Chair or Co-Chair of Stewardship Committees for 6 years
Chair of the Ministerial Search Committee in 2005
Member of the Annual Auction Committee for 3 years
Member of the Committee on Ministry for 3 years
Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee

I currently serve as a member of the Membership, Planning, and Sabbatical Committees.

I received the Betty Lee Award in 2009.

Bill Blymiller

I am a retired telephone man. My interests include music and church work. My wife Harriet is also a member here. I have been a member of this church for almost 10 years! Hard to believe. Six of those years I served on the Board of Trustees. I have been Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President. I am still the finance person on the last year of the Building Fund Campaign. I am currently working on the Adult Religious Education, Technology, Finance, Buildings, and Grounds Committees.

Lee Bonta

I was invited to attend UUCT by my friend Russell Kirby, and it has been a great experience. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa is my church, and I am proud to be a part of it. I have never been as involved in a faith community as I have since becoming a UU!

I have been a member at UUCT for two years now. In my two years of membership, I have participated in the following:

Helped make follow-up calls for the Capital Campaign
Taught in our youth religious experience program
Chaired the Partner Church Committee, which has worked to strengthen the relationship with our partner church in Sepsikorospatak, Transylvania
Joined the Long-Range Planning Committee
Co-chaired last year's Stewardship Committee
Participated in the choir

Roger Polysn

My wife Jae and I have been UUs since 1969, when our oldest daughter was two. We decided raising her without any exposure to religion would not leave her truly able to make her own choices. We knew nothing of UUism, but the Orlando church was recommended by one of my colleagues at Rollins College. We became members, first for our daughter and then for ourselves.

Here in the UU Church of Tampa, I served six years on the Board of Trustees, five years as chair of the finance committee, five years as chair of the pledge campaign, and I was co-leader with Alice McAdam in establishing us as one of the first Welcoming Congregations in Florida, in 1997.

I have been a member of five other UU churches; on the Board of Trustees in three, youth advisor in two, and finance chair in one.

Great Courses Discussion Group

By Jeannette Manning, Adult Religious Education Committee

Our Great Courses Discussion Group will take a 6-week hiatus during May and early June. The next meeting will be Monday, June 18, 7 - 9 p.m.

We've decided that we'd like a little history to go along with the philosophical ideas we are studying. So several participants have chosen to report on events in certain countries or regions in the year 1000 C.E. They will share information with the rest of the group on June 18. China, India, and the UK have been chosen, but others can report on any area they choose -- or come with rotten tomatoes to throw during others' reports. ;-(

Join us when you can. Snacks are provided, but BYO drink.

Contact info: manningjea@yahoo.com or 813.857.0468

Concerts in the Dome
Amy Carol Webb

Sunday, May 20, 1 p.m.

$12 advance -- $15 door

Purchase advance tickets via www.uutampa.org

Amy Carol Webb is a songweaver. She weaves her voice, lyrics, and strong emotional guitar work to create a spellbinding, unforgettable performance. She has also been ordained as a UU minister. We just can't wait for her sermon and concert at the UU Dome!

Now residing in Miami, Amy grew up in Oklahoma and traces her Native American heritage through two great-grandmothers. When Amy sings "I Come From Women," the audience always roars in approval.

As a child, Amy was surrounded by music. Her mother sang live radio commercials, her father was a concert pianist/composer and gospel preacher, her three brothers all musicians. Singing by 3 and onstage by 5, at 14 Amy began composing and performing her own songs. After graduating college, she headed to California. For 11 years she toured with The New Christy Minstrels, the New Seekers, and her own band. She then took a hiatus to raise her sons. After moving to Florida and resuming her musical career, she became a crowd favorite at various Florida music festivals and concert venues.

"The 'storm' from Oklahoma was powerful tonight. When Amy Carol Webb is charged, the room is electrified and the pulse of the audience beats with a rhythm that you can feel from top to bottom.... Amy continues to grow; and her timing, voice and verse were very impressive as she sang new songs to an audience thirsting for more...." audience member David declared after a performance at the Ft. Lauderdale U.U. Church.

She Magazine: "Reminiscent of legendary songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Joan Armatrading ... "

"Torch, folk, country, rock; name the style of song and Amy Carol Webb can write it, play it and sing it. Her presence is so charismatic that no other musicians seem necessary." -- Nina Korman, Miami New Times

Questions/Info: Gloria Holloway

gsholloway@tampabay.rr.com

or 813-837-6572.

Borrowing Church Property

By Ed Benedict, Buildings Committee Chair

On occasion members of our congregation have borrowed church property, such as chairs or tables, for short-term use in a personal situation. There is certainly nothing wrong with this practice if appropriate church personnel are consulted beforehand and the items are properly "checked out." We do need to have some record of the transaction because this will help avoid the recent situation of opening a storage closet to retrieve some needed items, which were simply not there. The items showed up again later with no explanation.

If you wish to borrow church property, just contact me, Ed Benedict at edbenedict457@gmail.com or (813) 968-1418.

The Emerson Centers--Vero Beach and Tampa

By Ron Hammerle, Communications Committee Chairperson

After two years researching UU congregations that offer successful community forums, Ralph Lehman and Ron Hammerle settled on "one that might serve as an inspiration and a guide: The Emerson Center www.theemersoncenter.org, of Vero Beach, Florida." This center operates as a Communications Committee program of the UU Fellowship of Vero Beach, not as a separate legal entity. Each year, it brings in big-name speakers and sponsors other cultural, musical, and civic programs.

A few UUCT members met with Emerson Center co-founders

Don Croteau and Susan Grandpierre, both in Tampa and Vero Beach. Ralph Lehman and Ronnie Kirchheimer were VIP guests at a lecture by internationally-known economist, New York Times columnist, and Nobel prize-winner Paul Krugman. While V.B.'s "Celebrated Speakers Program" often draws 1,800 attendees, filling the 900-seat church twice, other programs are more modest. UUCT leaders recognize that programs must begin small and grow with success.

"Maintaining a separate identity was--and is--a critical part of our success," said Crouteau. "We provide a physical and philosophical forum for this community that otherwise would not exist. While we are in one of the most conservative counties in Florida, our programs offer a broad perspective on the world. Ironically, we discovered that 'liberals' often have a harder time appreciating conservative speakers than the other way around. Your market is different in many ways: in size, in venues and in opportunities for hearing a broad range of views and programs. We think there is still a unique role you can fill. That is something that you will need to discover with research, time, experience and thought."

Officially the Emerson Center of Tampa Bay, our UUCT program began by focusing on the intersection of values and public policy-end-of-life issues. See the next article, "Could You Face a Terry Schiavo-Like Trial in Florida Today?" for details. The second program, with two well-known speakers, is planned for the UUCT campus, but the program itself, sponsors, and our initial experience will affect choice of venue.

Our Center envisions support by sponsors and season- and individual-ticket holders. We are seeking a range of sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who will serve as a Forum Operating Group to build a successful program.

The Emerson Center

Could You Face A Terri Schiavo-Like Trial in Florida Today?

By Ron Hammerle, Communications Committee Chairperson

That question and palliative care will be the first issue addressed by our new Emerson Center of Tampa Bay. The issue became front-page news again when the Affordable Care Act was accused of creating "death squads."

Jay Wolfson, a court-appointed guardian ad litem for Terri Schiavo, will be joined by author Janice Van Dyck, and physicians Howard Tuch and James Orlowski.

From an insider's perspective, Jay Wolfson will reflect on whether such a trial could happen in the current political climate. Jay, a leading authority on public health in Florida, serves at USF as Associate Vice President for Health Law, and Distinguished Service Professor of Public Health and Medicine, and as Professor of Health Law at Stetson University College of Law.

In her award-winning novel, Finding Frances, Janice Van Dyck

describes the challenges faced by "a mother who is ready to die, and her son--a philosophical medical school dropout, who wishes to honor his mother without tearing himself and his family apart." Together they "face a medical community and system that is trying to keep her alive regardless of costs and the quality of life she will lead." Janice leaves audiences feeling as if they had been there themselves.

Howard Tuch presents a physician's perspective. A former Robert Wood Johnson Fellow and Associate Medical Director for Hospice of the Suncoast, Howard now serves as the Director of Palliative Care at TGH. He will describe critical differences between those who face crises in acute care hospitals and those who have already chosen to receive care in a hospice.

In what many regard as "the toughest choice," pediatric intensive care physician James Orlowski will describe how he and others deal with "the limits of care" involving children. "To put parents in the position of making what they perceive to be a death sentence for their child is irresponsible." In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Orlowski serves as Vice Chairman of the Medical Staff at Florida Hospital/Tampa, formerly University Community Hospital.

Friday, September 21st, Campus of Stetson Law School, north of Straz Center. Tampa organizers expect tickets to sell out well in advance.

Emerson Center Completes 2012 Celebrated Speakers Series, Announces 2013 Lineup

The Emerson Center of Vero Beach concluded its successful 2012 Celebrated Speakers series with Ariana Huffington, Mark Shields, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Joe Scarborough, and Bob Woodward.

The 2013 series will include Jeb Bush, Alice M. Rivlin, Mary Matalin, and James A. Baker, III.

2012 UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage

Registration is now open for the next UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage, scheduled for October 6-13, 2012. This unique bus trip is much more than a Civil Rights history tour through Alabama and Mississippi. We will be visiting historic sites and meeting veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, but will also be spending time together and with guests exploring what racism, white privilege, and barriers to equality look like today in Southern towns we visit---and in our own hometowns.

Beyond experiencing first-hand the civil rights legacy, our goal is to develop commitment, vision, and mechanisms within our group to work on issues of race, injustice, and inequality that still bedevil our congregations and our society. The Living Legacy Pilgrimage is hosted and organized by the Reverend Gordon Gibson and Judy Gibson; the Reverend Hope Johnson; the Reverend James Hobart; Janice Marie Johnson; Annette Marquis; and Donna Sequeira, and co-sponsored by the Southeast District of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

For more information and to register, please visit

www.uulivinglegacy.org. Don't miss your chance to be on the bus! Register early--costs are discounted for those who register before May 15th.

"We Got It Covered"

By Ron Hammerle and Harriet Blymiller, Communications Committee

Our spotlight shines on three members whose work will be visible to all- Ed Benedict, Bill Blymiller, and Tom Krumreich. Ed, Buildings Chairperson, Bill, his techie compadre, and Tom, informal church sexton, have devoted long hours this week (April 16 - 20) to lifting and schlepping, unplugging and replugging and testing. Bill remarked to Ed, "How do we get caught in this every time? They [workmen] always ask, 'Can you move this stuff?' We always say, 'Oh, sure." What Bill said after that wasn't audible and is probably unprintable.

When I [H.B.] helped briefly on Tuesday, I drove into the driveway and said, "Holy s---!" It looked as if the Dome had upchucked a warehouse of second-hand furniture and equipment! A woman passing by stopped and tried to buy some of it. How could all that furniture and equipment have fitted into Rev. Sara's office, the church office, and its closet? Of course, it had to go outside where oak blossoms and pollen, road dust, bugs, and birds all "baptized it," making more post-carpeting work for our intrepid volunteers. Meeting the carpet-laying crew at 7:30 a.m., working in tandem with them all day, and then locking up when they finish anywhere from 4:30 to 7:30 has been a LABOR of love. And of course, as many improvements go, a promised two-day job took four days.

But that most visible work is but the tip of the iceberg for these three dedicated members. Ed served as BOT president, moving UUCT forward in a focused, measured way during a time of significant decisions. Bill, then Board Treasurer, pulled off what even Unitarians may regard as a miracle--leveraging our capital campaign in a way that led to a new mortgage-free church building! Tom has made himself indispensable in any number of ways. At present, he lives next door, keeping his eyes and ears focused on our valuable campus.

Volunteers on workdays usually find Bill and Ed working before they arrive, and now Tom has joined them. Need tools or advice? Bill and Ed provide, complemented now by Marla Frazer, our Spotlighted leader next month.

For those who are wondering, here's an addendum:
Because there were simply too many unknowns, Ed did not try to schedule a UUCT work crew for the carpeting project. For instance, until the carpet installers arrived on each of the four days of the two-day installation, Ed didn't know where exactly in the Dome they would be working, so he couldn't know exactly what needed to be moved. On the third day, the installers who had arrived at 7:30 a.m. on the first two days, arrived at 9:30 because they had done an overnight install in some office or other. Still, some church folks came unannounced to do several tasks--and a big thank you to them!

Thrift Store Changes

Suzie Siegel is resigning as manager of our thrift store, and it will close unless someone volunteers to replace her. If interested, please contact Suzie or Ronnie Kirchheimer. In the meantime, everything is still for sale, but please do not donate any more items. Some of the current merchandise will be put in consignment stores to benefit the church, and items that don't sell will be donated to charities. Nothing will be trashed. If you have donated something and would like it back, please see Suzie.

INVITATION TO A WORKSHOP

By Sara Zimmerman, Minister UUCT

The Worship Committee and Rev. Sara invite members of the congregation to offer sermons during her six-month sabbatical, especially during the months of September - December, 2012. It is said, "Everyone has at least one sermon in them," and this seems an opportune time to offer a workshop on sermon writing.

However, the workshop is for anyone who wants to learn more about sermon writing. Its purpose is partly to encourage those who want to offer a sermon--although the workshop is not required for doing so. At the same time, no one taking the workshop is thereby committing to offer a sermon.

All that said, here is the workshop information:

What: "Learn How to Write Sermons: A Workshop for Laypeople"

When: Saturday, May 26, 2012, 9 a.m. - noon

Where: UUCT Multi-Purpose Building

How: Bring laptops, notebooks, your favorite writing tools

Food for thought: Chocolate, coffee, and cheese Danish available for inspiration!

Who: Members of the UUCT congregation & W. Central Florida Cluster UU's

Why: To encourage and support sermons from the laity

For more information or to sign up, contact Rev. Sara (revsaraz@aol.com ) or Joan Lund, Chair of the Worship Committee, at( jlund@uua.org ) to indicate your interest.

A note on the presenter: Rev. Sara taught composition at the university level for 25 years before entering the ministry. Her teaching style is a combination of individual and collaborative. She says, "This workshop is especially for everyone thinking about offering a sermon, especially during my sabbatical, and wanting a little encouragement. My goal is that everyone attending will leave with a solid sermon idea, a first paragraph, and an outline for the rest."

hUUmor

No Country for Old Men

Bill and Ed have worked hard. But they know manual labor without breaks is no country for old men. Rest time after lunch in the teen room...

The first of you to "find Edward" wins the science experiment that Rev. Sara was definitely trying not to conduct in the office!

Find Edward & Win the Prize

Self-Portrait of an Incipient Napper

Science Experiment Prize

Month of Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Services begin at 11 a.m.

May 6: Wisdom from the World's Religions: Suffering Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman

What are the points of convergence in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism in the words (as quoted) of Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, and Lao Tzu on various emotions such as suffering? Rid yourself of suffering, says the Buddha in the Heart Sutra, and you will find wisdom. Okay, so how do we end that suffering and find that wisdom?

May 13: When Fathers are Mothers Too Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman

Gender roles for parenting are more flexible now and raise the question: Exactly what does the word "mothering" mean? Psychologists and sociologists disagree as to whether or not fathers can "mother." Are there essential characteristics of mothering compared to fathering? Should fathers move beyond the provider or breadwinner role and become more involved in the physical and emotional care of their children? Should fathers emulate mothers' traditional nurturing activities? Or, should fathers uphold a masculine role model for their children? Is fathering a feminist issue?

May 20: Truth Be Told: What Does a "Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning" Mean? Rev. Amy Carol Webb

Our guest minister says: "We are responsible for the truth we find, not just for ourselves, but for the world." Songweaver Amy Carol Webb is now also the Reverend Amy Carol Webb. After receiving her Master of Divinity degree at Andover Newton Theological School, the Rev. Webb was ordained one year ago as a Unitarian Universalist minister. An Oklahoma native now Miami based, Rev. Webb is a well-known folk rock guitarist and singer. She composed the well-known song we UUs like to sing called "On Holy Ground." Welcome, Rev. Amy, UU minister and songweaver! (Afternoon concert also planned)

May 27: Repeal "Stand Your Ground"! Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman

Three months ago on February 26, Trayvon Martin died by a gunshot wound fired at close range. The shooter claimed he felt threatened by the unarmed Martin and that the shooting was justified. Rev. Zimmerman advocates for the repeal of "stand your ground" legislation and in this sermon addresses the reasons why we as Unitarian Universalists need to speak out against it.

Conversations With The Board - Members of the Board of Trustees will be present for conversation after church on the 4th Sunday of the month from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The purpose of these conversations will be to open communication and share ideas. Come with questions and ideas, but always with an open mind.

'But I must gather knots of flowers,
And buds and garlands gay,
For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother,
I'm to be Queen o' the May.'
- Alfred Lord Tennyson

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa

email: info@uutampa.org

11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, FL 33637

813-988-8188