Welcome to the New Octagram |
This is the first of what is now the weekly online Octagam newsletter. The Octagram has a brand new design and will be sent out weekly with the latest news about worship services, events, and people at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. In addition, we will now link from this newsletter to our website for feature length articles and additional information on UUC happenings. You may also quickly join us on FaceBook using the link at the top right of this page. The UUC communications team is excited to launch this new publication and welcomes any and all feedback. Thank you for reading. Email Octagram or call the UUC front office, T-F, 9 a.m. to noon, at 727-531-7704. |
January Reflection
Evil
Abhi Janamanchi |
 The problem of evil has loomed large in most religious systems since the origins of thought. In eastern traditions, it is an illusion to overcome, just as goodness is. In western religious thought, it tends to be a moral dilemma of cosmological dimensions. Click to read more |
Open Issues
Sunday, Jan 8 2012 |
 Joyce Hamilton-Henry, ACLU-FL Defending Civil Rights in 2012 Florida Joyce has been the Director of the ACLU's Mid-Florida Regional Office (Greater Tampa and surrounding areas) since 2008, based in Tampa since 2010. She is published and is known internationally for her contributions in the field of social work. Before joining the ACLU she taught at the University of Hartford in African American Studies and the Departments of Sociology and Psychology. ACLU-Florida has been especially active since Gov. Scott took office early this year.
ACLU Florida
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Religious Education Happenings |
 What is good? Is there such a thing as evil? Throughout time we are presented with the struggle of good and evil on TV, in fairy tales (Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella etc...) and in religious texts. But how does this affect our daily lives? Please join us this Sunday as we explore the concepts of good and evil through Native American spirituality and activities. We will also celebrate January birthdays with special treats. Our High School Youth Group will meet from 12-1pm for open discussion.
We can't wait for Sunday!
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 Saturday, January 7, 2012, 6:00 pm in the Social Hall Join us on Jan 7 and enjoy a wonderful assortment of appetizers from a number of our outstanding UUC chefs, entertainment, Irish coffee, a cash bar and the auctioning of a few intriguing items. Tickets for this event are $5 at the door. Child care will be provided. Mark your calendar for the full Auction on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Donations now being accepted. For more information contact Bill Norsworthy or call 727-687-9867.
Link for more information
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 On Friday, January 6, we begin The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson, in the Chorale Room at 10 am. Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World's Fair of 1893, nicknamed the "White City" for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World's Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness. Before attending the January 6th session, please read to page 99 of The Devil In The White City. For information on how to reserve the book at the library or purchase one from Amazon, click on Readers Forum. |
The Versatile Colored Pencil Art Show Opening Reception
UUC Octagram |
 Friday January 13, 7pm - 9pm Artists are members of the Colored Pencil Society of America, District 113 which includes Pinellas County, Orlando and Gainesville. Also showing will be members of the Colored Pencil class at Dunedin Fine Art Center. The show ends February 22. Colored Pencil Society of America |
Festival Ruah
Sunday, Jan 15, 2012, 5 p.m., UUC Octagon
Living the Dream: A Multicultural, Interfaith Program to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday | |
Join us to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. The program will feature a multicultural musical ensemble, excerpts from the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi, and dances from Africa and India.
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UU Humanist Inaugural Meeting
Sunday, Jan 15 12:30 pm, Patio Room | |
The speaker will be Ed Ericson, retired UU Minister and Ethical Culture leader, whose roots in Humanism go very deep. He has authored four books: Freedom and the Religious Right, The Free Mind Through the Ages, The Humanist Way and The American Dream Renewed. He also edited Emerson on Transcendentalism. We look forward to a very inspirational meeting. Please join us.
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 Hats off to all the folks who voluenteered and who contributed to the bake sale this year. Your contributions made the bake sale a tremendous success. And also made for a more yummy holiday season. |
UUA Florida District Packet for January |
The January 2012 district monthly packet has been posted to the district website and may be viewed here. |
Above and Beyond Award
January 2012
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 Linda Stoller has been selected as our Above and Beyond honoree for January. Linda has devoted herself to many UUC projects over the years and we are very pleased to recognize her in this way...finally. Her latest effort has been the founding of a pre-school program on our campus. She originally formed the Tech Team that handles our sound system during Sunday services (True, and she recruited me to be on that Tech Team -- Ed) and frequently works in the sound booth. Of course, she has also chaired the Social Justice Committee and served as UUC President. UUC is much the better place because of Linda's efforts and the wonderful way she gets things done with others. Thank you, Linda. |
Animal Liberation Movement Overview |
 Wednesday January 18, 25, and February 1, 8;
7-9 PM at UUC; Free Tom Bird, Ph.D. leads a dialogue on social, ethical and scientific movements promoting the legal rights of animals, and by extension, animal liberation. Dr. Bird has been actively involved in the animal liberation movement for the past two decades. Early in his career he was an Assistant Professor of Humanities at Mercer University-Atlanta; some years later he was a Personnel Trainer for the Georgia Dept. of Transportation; before retiring three years ago, he was a librarian for twenty years with the Hillsborough County Public Library system. To Register |
An Evening with the Author
Dr. Roy Kaplan
Wed., Feb 1, 7 p.m.
in the Patio Room |
 | | Dr. Roy Kaplan |
H. Roy Kaplan received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1971.He was on the faculty of the Dept. of Africana Studies at USF and is the author of five books, most recently, The Myth of Post-Racial America: The Search for Equality in the Age of Materialism (Rowman and Littlefield, Education, 2011).
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PUBLICATION DEADLINES OCTAGRAM - WEEKLY EVERY THURSDAY The Octagram is intended to focus on activities taking place at UUC or those of interest to UUC members and friends. Send items in brief with a link to more information to Octagram. PLEASE DO NOT SEND INFORMATION FORMATTED OR IN A FLIER. Provide text in an email or as an attached Word file with any pictures/graphics attached to the email. Deadline is 10 a.m. every Wednesday. Prepared by Jeff Anderson, assisted by Leslie Conrad. First and foremost a big personal Hats Off to Karen Roeder for her tireless efforts to make this first issue a success. Thanks Karen...a lot. Well, I survived the holidays and a trip to Alabama and have arrived safely back in the arms of sunny Florida...except for that little cold snap we are having just now. And now it is time for my birthday on January 13, I will turn 49...sheesh where has all the time gone? I wasn't quite done with 1986 but it swept on and since that point I've been a bit bewildered. Speaking of the bewildered, say so long to Michelle Bachmann as far as presidential politics goes...she is a shoo-in for her House seat however. Hope you love the new format as much as we do. Let us know how we can better serve you in the coming year. Peace out. ORDER OF SERVICE/ANNOUNCEMENTS - WEEKLY EVERY SUNDAY SERVICE: Deadline is 6 p.m. every Wednesday. Send appropriate items to Order of Service/Announcements. Prepared by Pat St. Clair. ITEMS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATION, IF APPLICABLE.
Octagram headline artwork of the UUC courtyard pond by Lynette Wood. |
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Sunday, Jan 8 2012
10:30 a.m.
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
The Problems of Evil |
 | | Rev. Abhi Janamanchi |
Worship Associate | | Marty Pelham |
Music | | Dr. David Katz |
About Sunday's Service
Evil and suffering are perennial problems which baffle theist and atheist alike. The service will explore the many faces of evil.
A member of the Social Justice Council will deliver this month's Social Justice Report. The purpose of the Social Justice Report is to inform the congregation and the public about social justice concerns.
Dr. David Katz will be at the piano singing and playing Welcome the Traveler Home by John McCutcheon. David will also be playing Be Not Afraid by Bob Dufford, Consecration by David Rutter, and Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho, a traditional spiritual, setting by John Carter.
This is Share the Plate Sunday. Our recipient is the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF). CLF's mission is to provide a ministry to isolated religious liberals, and to offer a spiritual home within the Unitarian Universalist movement. | |
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Women's Night Out
Thursday, Jan. 12, 7:00 pm
Applebee's
Tri-City Plaza (U.S.19 & East Bay Drive) Contact: Alicia Addeo.
New Member Pot Luck Dinner
Friday, Jan 20, 6 p.m.
Contact: Cindi Nohe, 727-943-9661 or Cindi. RE Khasi Hills School LuncheonSunday, Jan 22, 12:30 p.m. Contact: Christine Pensa, 442-3028 or 644-1313 or Christine.
God & Mankind: Comparitive Religions
Monday, Jan 30, 7 p.m.
Contact: Sharon Laplume, 727-674-5126 or Sharon.
Consecration Sunday
Sunday, Feb 5
Contact: Mark Kanuck, 727-796-4585 or Mark.
Parents Night Out
Friday, Feb 10, 6 p.m.
Contact: Christine Pensa, 442-3028 or 644-1313 or Christine.
Pancake Breakfast - Bring A Friend Sunday & New Member Recognition Sunday, Feb 12, 9 a.m.
Festival Ruah - February Friday, Feb 17, 7 p.m. RE Chili Cook Off Sunday, Feb 18, 12:30 p.m. Contact: Christine Pensa, 442-3028 or 644-1313 or Christine. |
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