|
|
Sunday May 13, 2012
Mother's Day
10:30 am
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
Parenting - A Lifelong Spiritual Vocation?
|
 | | Rev. Abhi Janamanchi |
Worship Associate
 | | Heike Smith |
Music
 | | Kiya Heartwood |
About Sunday's Service
Being a parent often doesn't look anything like traveling a spiritual path given that parenting is one of the most challenging and stressful jobs on the planet. But this ordinary, meandering path requires tremendous self-awareness, inner strength, and openness. On Mother's Day, the service will explore parenting as a spiritual practice.
Folk-singer Kiya Heartwood, who performs in concert here on Friday, May 11, will be providing the music during the service. Kiya tours nationally and internationally as a solo artist and with her duo Wishing Chair.
This is Share the Plate Sunday. The recipient is Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County. Click here to read more about this most excellent organization.
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.
| |
|
|
|
| |
UU Theism Study Group
Every Tuesday
7-8:30 pm
Anastasia Maxwell Library Contact: Katherine Torres, 727-482-6171 (text)
e-mail
UU 101 is on hiatus until further notice.
Kiya Heartwood in Concert
A movie sponsored by the Economic Justice Team
|
|
|
|
 Dear Members/Friends, Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to meet Dr. Surti's $10,000 challenge gift to close the budget gap. So many stepped up and gave from their hearts that the challenge was not only met, it was exceeded. More than $18,000 was raised in response to Dr. Surti's challenge ensuring that the budget will be balanced and include a few much needed additions. With Great Appreciation and Admiration, BobbieWatson President |
|
|
 When I think about one's calling or one's vocation the first idea that comes to my mind is my profession. I've been called to be a musician. I've been called to be an educator. When I dig a little deeper and get a bit more personal, I realize that I've been called to be a good partner, a good son and a good brother and friend.
|
Open Issues
Sunday, May 13 2012
Jo Hubbard
Doctors Without Borders in Ethiopia
|
At age 55, Ms. Hubbard left her job as a Medical Technologist at Morton Plant to work among the Afar people in Ethiopia treating TB, malaria and AIDS. She has written a book about her experience and will walk us through a slide show. She comes from a long line of Quakers where, she writes, "The idea of service is not preached so much as it is absorbed." |
|
|
This Sunday, May 13, at 12:15, in the Patio Room, Linda Stoller and Pegotty Cooper will be conducting a Q&A session for the Strategic Plan that will be presented to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting on May 20th. This link goes to the Strategic Plan so that you may peruse it ahead of time. |
Religious Education Happenings |
 Please join us this Sunday as we honor all the "Mothers" in our lives who bring smiles to our faces and make us feel special. Whether that person be a mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent or a close friend, let's take the day to show them how much we care and how special they are to us. Additional adult volunteers would be very helpful! Our high school youth group will still meet from 12-1pm after the worship service for open discussion. This will ensure that our teens will have plenty of time to wake up early and make breakfast for their mom, or at least clean their room before she wakes up. Happy Mother's Day!
We can't wait for Sunday! Please join us!
Volunteers are encouraged! Come be a kid again and have some fun!
|
Humanist Group Potluck & Discussion |
 Friday, May 11
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
UUC Social Hall
Everyone is welcome to attend this event of good food and stimulating conversation. |
Kiya Heartwood in Concert! |
Friday, May 11 7:30 pm UUC Octagon Admission: $15.00 Award winning Kiya Heartwood returns to UUC to perform a solo concert. Heartwood's musical influences include Bonnie Raitt, Richard Thompson, Bruce Cockburn and Cheryl Wheeler. Kiya tours nationally and internationally. Click here to read more about Kiya. |
|
|
 | | Click the picture to view Trailer. |
Friday May 18 7-9 pm UUC Octagon
A movie about farm workers sponsored by the UUC Economic Justice Team and the Pinellas County Support Organization for the National Farmworkers Ministry. Discussion to follow. |
|
| |
The Entire Month of May
 The Economic Justice team is collecting donations of NEW underwear and socks during the month of May for men and women (no children) at the Pinellas Safe Harbor, a homeless shelter located in Clearwater. This is a collaborative community facility that has attracted national attention for innovative services that help homeless people get back on their feet. Why underwear, you ask? Because even we who are committed thrift store shoppers are not apt to buy "used" underwear and socks. When a group of us visited Safe Harbor last year, we became aware of the great need for new items of this sort and how something so simple can provide dignity for the residents. There is a big blue box in the church lobby-let's fill it to the brim!! |
Mother's Day Silent Prayer | |
Sunday, May 13, noon
Prayer Labyrinth on Unity Campus
You are invited to join Unity for a five minute standing Mother's Day Silent Prayer -- no sermon, no spoken word, other than the following:
Please join us in Silent Prayer with this thought:
"We give thanks for the sacredness of humanity. We stand for five minutes of silent prayer at noon at our prayer labyrinth on Mother's Day, May 13, 2012, affirming and envisioning peace, justice, compassion, and equality for women and mothers throughout the world. We hear the cries of the mothers who risk death in childbirth and those who seek ways to provide for the children they have, and we pray for a world where every child is wanted. We pray for the will to ensure that all women and mothers have the means to plan their families so that they may flourish."
and, after the chime . . . "Amen." |
|
|
Bobbie Watson has made a very generous contribution of eight cases of premium red wines from her private collection. These wines will be offered for sale to UUC members and friends during social hour on Sunday for $20 per bottle. All proceeds will go to UUC. This is a very generous gift and could bring a lot of pleasure to the purchaser as well as the UUC budget. Please stop by and purchase a bottle of wine for yourself or as a gift. |
|
|
 Tuesday May 227:30 pm
The Palladium at St. Petersburg College
Hough Hall
Admission $25
Join International Jazz Musician (and UUC member) Fred Johnson in an evening of improvisational jazz guaranteed to inspire you.
Joining Fred will be Daniel Kelly and contemporary artist Marc Levasseur. |
|
|
 Hats off to Susan Golden for her donation of her Yamaha Spinet Piano to the Social Hall. Thanks Susan. |
Reader's Forum
Friday, May 11
10:00 - 11:30 am
Chorale Room |
Do You Like Listening To Poetry?
 | | One of the books chosen by the group. |
Friday May 11th and Friday May 18th, we will be taking turns reciting poetry which we have selected and practiced reading ahead of time. So, if you would like to join us, please bring a poetry book with you, of your choosing, and be prepared to recite a poem or two from it, which you have found enjoyable to read. We have done this on occasion and found it to be very enjoyable. We meet every Friday 10:00-11:30 am in the Chorale Room of the UUC Octagon. |
|
|
 With the world expected to end on December 21, 2012, this might, just might, be your last opportunity to attend SUUSI, the most wholly remarkable event in the whole of the known universe (admittedly our scope is rather small). So register today. |
|
|
Each summer we display art of UUC members and regularly attending friends. The show will be hung May 17 and will remain up all summer until Labor Day weekend. Anyone interested in participating should contact Charlene Carnes, Chair of the Art Committee for details, Charlene. |
Everyday Sunday
Thur, May 17, 7 p.m.
UUC Patio Room
Free and open to the public. |
 "There is a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning" .... proclaims Jimmy Buffet in a popular song. Listening to spiritual teachers, reading their books or engaging in uplifting conversations leaves one feeling almost euphoric. But that feeling can be way too short-lived - there is often a chasm between the intellectual grasping of spiritually uplifting concepts and the implementation of them in day-to-day life. The presenter of this session believes that 'situational equanimity' or 'awareness' or 'enlightenment' - call it what you like - is a natural state of being that is begging to bear fruit from each and every person's consciousness. In this session, the presenter will share techniques used to bring that short-lived state of mind to becoming a part of everyday life. About The Presenter: Parag and his family are winter residents of Florida and attend UUC. Born in India, Parag Karkhanis' childhood was seeped in a tradition and culture as old as humanity. He came to the US to finish his education and subsequently settled here. |
Notes from the Front Office | |
Closet Sale
We're having a "Closet Sale" on Sunday, May 13th, after services in the Social Hall. It's like a garage sale, except UUC doesn't have a garage. However, we have been busy cleaning out the UUC closets and have unearthed a treasure trove of items that we just don't have a use for, or the room to store them at UUC. However, these items may be just what you have been needing in your home office or YOUR closet. Find great bargains on a varied collection of odds and ends. The RE department and the Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhists will also be contributing items for sale. Lost & Found Please check the front office for any items you may have lost during the year. At the end of May, all Lost & Found items are donated to charity. We have eye glasses, car keys, clothing, books, etc. Please check to see if any of these are yours. We Need Help
Have nothing to do on Fridays during the long, hot days of summer? Work in an air conditioned office for praise and gratitude from your fellow UU's!
The front office needs someone to assist the regular volunteer on Fridays for seven weeks during the summer, June 19-August 10. The hours are from 10am -12noon, duties include light office work, and training will be provided. If you are interested in seven weeks of fun and frolic, please contact Barbara Brandt at 727-733-7855 or e-mail.
|
|
| |
Our Web Site's Social Justice page can be found here.
Environmental Justice
The updated Environmental Policy will be presented for adoption at the Annual Meeting on May 20.
Garden Project
Jungle Jay could use some help with the UUC vegetable garden. Percs include fresh, organic vegetables. If you are interested in the Garden Project, please contact " JungleJay" and/or attend the next Green Team Meeting on Saturday, May 19th, as we make future plans.
National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month. Use your bike for commuting.
Economic Justice
Immigration Prayer
A reflection and prayer for the Supreme Court as it decides on Immigration Law. Click here.
Fair Trade Coffee
Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Chocolate will be on sale after Church. They make great Mother's Day gifts (albeit last minute gifts).
UUC Hispanic Preschool Project Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Click here to read this article.
Shirts for Sale
Are you looking for the perfect shirt to wear at all protests, UUC meetings and summer fun activities? We are now taking orders for the "Standing on the Side of Love" orange tee shirts. To place an order, stop by the Social Justice table or contact Linda Stoller. The cost is $20 (although if we get enough orders, we will get a discount). Place your order today-the Pride Parade is just around the corner! |
|
|
MAY: Vocation Books: John Neafsey, A Sacred Voice Is Calling: Personal Vocation And Social Conscience Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation Douglas Schuurman, Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life Mark Schwehn & Dorothy Bass, editors, Leading Lives That Matter: What We Should Do And Who We Should Be Movies: Keeping the Faith, starring Edward Norton Simon Birch, starring Ian Michael Smith, Ashley Judd The Apostle, starring Robert Duvall The Fisher King, starring Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams Last Temptation of Christ, starring Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel |
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.
I see where President Obama has decided, finally, that gay marriage is a cool thing. YA THINK? Anyway, I'm crossing North Carolina off the list of future vacations spots. A lot is happening at UUC these days. Check out the Strategic Planning that Linda Stoller and Pegotty Cooper put the finishing touches on after Peter Goldhammer and his team spent a long time formulating a plan. And don't forget next Sunday, the 20th, is our annual meeting. This issue was severly hindered by the release of the new Surf and Turf module for Angry Birds, but was aided by a generous dose of Honey BBQ Chicken Wings. Peace out y'all. 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. |
|
