Domelight Newsletter April 2013

So said the sign posted in the shuttle that took me from my hotel to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). It was January 4, and I was headed to Hong Kong that night.

"TRAVEL LIGHT!"

So says Rick Steves in his travel books and TV shows on PBS. I listened to Steve and my travel agent at the Wesley Chapel AAA. For my trip around the world in January and February, I packed one 23 inch roller bag, plus a smaller bag that fits on top of the roller bag, and a backpack. That -- and a small cross body purse -- was it.

But the literal meaning of "You are responsible for your own baggage!" and "Travel light!" does not tell the whole story. What do I mean by "the whole story?"

I mean that you can be weighted down by a lot of inner baggage. A lot of invisible stuff in your backpack that gets in the way, whether you are here or in Thailand.

As part of our discernment process to become UU ministers, we are expected to be able to identify our own baggage. We are tested by psychologists. Your mother preferred your sister to you and didn't hide her favoritism? Baggage. Your father had a bad temper? Baggage. A lover told you on his/her departure that he/she never loved you? Baggage.

The psychologists point out: Everyone has such baggage. It's knowing your own that counts. Being able to see how it influences your decisions and attitudes. Being responsible for your own baggage.

On my 50-day trip around the world in January and February, I had ample time to reflect. I realized once again that being responsible for your own baggage means being so familiar with it that it does not get in the way of your decision making. Your old baggage is so familiar and your consciousness of it means that baggage is out in the open, not hiding in the dark. Because it is exposed, it no longer determines how much joy you permit yourself to have in your life.

Psychologists can help you identify it. Or you can write down your dreams, keep a journal, or talk about old issues with your close friends. Or you can do Zen meditation and take note of the thoughts that arise. Your minister is an approved Zen meditation teacher and can help you.

My trip around the world brought me time to journal and reflect. I visited Hong Kong, Angkor Wat in Cambodia; Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand; Mumbai, India; Istanbul, Turkey; Rome and Milan, Italy; Strasbourg and Colman, France; Basel, Bern, Thun, Locarno, and Zurich, Switzerland.

I like to think I returned with lighter baggage than I left with on January 3rd. The long sabbatical provided stretches of reflection and study time unlike I've ever known before in my working life.

It is a joy to return to this church. Thank you everyone who made my time off possible. Thanks to the Worship Associates Diane Gainforth, Pat Benedict, Rom Delacroix, John Powers, Lee Bonta, and Ara Rogers. Thanks to the Sabbatical Committee Bill Blymiller, Pat Benedict, Ed Benedict, and Ara Rogers. And thanks to the children in RE who made the welcome home banner in the multi-purpose building.

At the luncheon on March 3rd, I snapped photos of many of you. Here is one of the photos. You can see all of the photos in a 4x6 pink booklet in the lobby. Order them from me (digital or glossy print). Everyone looks so beautiful!

Around this table: Steve Stevens, Ralph Lehman, Rom Delacroix, Diane and Roger Gainforth, Tom Krumreich, Judy Lehman. Background: the welcome home banner.

With my everlasting gratitude, Rev Sara

From the Desk of the President
by Mary Francis

Our Board has been working on improving our leadership processes. I have been working with a small group to improve the process of recruiting new board members and orienting them to their new responsibilities. The congregation will be electing new trustees at our May congregational meeting; our team plans to have a better process to help these new trustees get up to speed quickly.
The new trustees will get a Welcome Package and one tab will be History. I was given the task to dig up all variety of old records and put them together for the History section. I started through various nooks and dusty crannies and knocked off some cobwebs to find a reflection written by Mike Young. I came to a section about our pulpit. Over the years, my eyes have wandered over the oak carvings, wondered about its history and how it was acquired. It just doesn't look like native Florida.
Now, in Rev Mike Young's words, I have the history! ". . . I've been asked about the origin of the beautiful Golden Oak Pulpit in the sanctuary. The day we moved into the new Dome, picking up our chairs from the old dome and carrying them into our new worship space, I refused to bring the grungy old pulpit over. Instead, we put a big oak table up front and, for a year, I preached from behind that. It was a useful discipline, freeing me from pieces of paper. That summer, visiting my brother and his family in Minnesota, we started to go canoeing, got rained out, and ended up in Red Wing, Wisconsin. We stopped for lunch at a little mall with an antique store in it. Sitting on the front step of the antique store were two small golden oak pews. I held my breath, looked down the aisle inside, and saw a corner of the same golden oak sticking out. There was our pulpit. It had most recently come, said the salesperson, from the estate of an old retired lawyer who had used it for a dictionary stand. Reportedly, he had gotten it from a rundown and abandoned old federated church in Eastern Minnesota. What denomination, I asked? Universalist and Methodist, or something like that, he said.
So, knowing that there had been many federated Universalist churches in that area when Minnesota was "out West" and knowing that the first ordained female minister in the U.S., the Reverend Olympia Brown, used to go on preaching tours "out West," I assured the congregation that this was, indeed, the pulpit from which she had preached. (Well, it could have been. Probably was. Definitely!)"
Well, Rev Mike Young returned to Tampa and with some help of members of the congregation, the pulpit was purchased and shipped. He continued to say "It's heavy! And heavy things have been said from behind it. . . . If you ever decide to get rid of it, I want it back."

So, if you are like me and you have enjoyed the golden oak carved pulpit, now that we know its history, I think we will enjoy it even more!

Blessings, Mary

Board to accept nominations for the Betty Lee Service Award

The Betty Lee distinguished service award acknowledges a member of UUCT for "high standards of diligence and dedication" to the well-being of our church. The Board of Trustees is currently accepting nominations from members of our congregation for this annual award.

Please submit your nomination by Wednesday, April 10, 2013, to president@uutampa.org with the reasons you believe this individual should receive the Betty Lee Award. The final candidate will be presented with the Betty Lee Award at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Past Betty Lee Service Award winners:
1982 Harry Albertson
1983 Joyce Glauser
1991 Patricia McCracken
1992 Joyce Formica
1993 Hazel Peterson
1994 Gene Pizzo
1995 Jay Palmer
2005 Kathy Albury
2007 Ed Benedict
2008 Judy Lehman
2009 Pat Benedict
2010 Ara Rogers
2011 Bill Blymiller
2012 Joan Lund

Note: While a member may continue to be well-deserving, please don't nominate a previous recipient or a Board of Trustees member. Thanks!

Congregational Meeting

May 5, 2013 at 12:30 a Congregational Meeting will be held in the Sanctuary of the Large Dome.

In addition to the presentation of the Betty McCleur Lee Distinguished Service Award, we will elect three new Board of Trustee members who will take office on September 1, 2013.

So mark your calendars for the meeting and watch for the BOT candidates with their biographies prior to the meeting.

UUA Trustee Tidbits

by Joan Lund
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727

It's that time of year for the Florida District Assembly, to be my last one as your UUA District Trustee. In fact after General Assembly (GA) this year there will be no more District UUA Trustees because several years ago GA voted (at the recommendation of the UUA Trustees) that our UUA Board become smaller...all part of policy governance. The UUA Nominating Committee will be responsible for the slate of Trustees, after a period of transition. And as you know there is a vibrant regional services plan already in operation. My tenure on the UUA Board has had far more ups than downs, and never have I worked with finer, more dedicated colleagues, and for that I am ever grateful.

The column will be short this month because later in April I will be traveling to Boston for the last time as a Trustee for one of our four meetings a year and most likely I will have more to write about in May. Now I wish to encourage you to attend the District Annual Meeting in Ft. Myers, April 12-14; theme: Leaning Toward Justice, with Dr. Mark Hicks, Professor of Religious Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School. I had the opportunity to be in a workshop with him at GA when his focus was unlearning what we have learned, then re-learning what is really true, in order to "build the world we dream of." He helped all of us to understand the workings of racism, and then how we can understand and relate to one another. There is information at the District website for registering and securing lodgings.

Also, this year, let's all go to GA in Louisville, Kentucky, June 19-23! This year's theme: From Promise to Commitment. Definitely, this is one of the best yearly gatherings on the planet. We worship, witness, learn, connect with old and new friends, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Your annual congregational certification with the UUA guarantees your congregation a certain number of delegates. Another good reason for attending this year is it will be an Assembly when a new Moderator is elected. And although it will be difficult to say good-bye to Gini Courter, there are two capable candidates running for the position and as you know from last month's column I am supporting Tamara Payne-Alex.

Please know how much I appreciate each one of you and the support I have received as your Trustee. If you have questions, comments, and/or concerns please write or call me. Enjoy the month of April and the best to our Florida congregations.

WENDY RULE and Hecate's Wheel

in the UU Dome!

Tuesday, April 9th 2013
7:00 - 10 pm
Tickes $20 cash only
Advance tickets available for $20 plus service/credit card fees. http://wendyruleandhecateswheel.eventbrite.com.

Your receipt is your entry ticket so be sure to bring it with you!
No refunds on on advance ticket sales.

Wendy Rule http://www.wendyrule.com/index.html creates music in a category of its own. Dark, rich and emotive, her music reflects her love of mythology and her spiritual path as a witch--wise and beautiful Pagan music. Her live performances are truly unique. Wendy blends ritual and music to create an unforgettable experience for her audience. Join Wendy for a night of music and magic in the UU Dome!

"Wendy Rule creates dark, sensual sonic theatre" Rolling Stone Magazine

Opening for Wendy is Hecate's Wheel! Described as the 'ultimate in girl power pagan music," Hecates's Wheel enchants and inspires. These ladies deliver outstanding vocal harmonies while telling tales of the Goddess, Love, and Life. Hecate's Wheel is made up of Vicki Scott and LuAnn Morris. The women have been singing together in the Tampa Bay area for many years. The addition of Astarte Moondance complements their melodies with her interpretive style of dance. Hecate's Wheel is inspired by and dedicated to the Goddess in all Her guises. Join them for a night of music, magick, laughter, and love!

Circles in the Woods CUUPS will serve burgers/hot dogs/beverages so come early and grab a bit to eat!

GAME NIGHT --

This fun evening of games and fellowship occurs on the 2nd Friday of each month, 6:30 - 9pm in the Multi-Purpose Building. Play our games or bring your own. Great snacks are provided. Our next Game Night will be on Friday, April 12th.

Mexican Train Dominoes is a perennial favorite. We also have chess, UNO, Blok-Us, Word Winder, Rook, Skip-Bo and Scrabble sets, as well as cards and whatever YOU want to bring.

Questions? Contact Jeannette Manning, 813-857-0468, manningjea@yahoo.com.

Circles in the Woods CUUPS

Circles in the Woods CUUPS sponsors a monthly Full Moon Celebration on Saturdays closest to the full moon. Circle Shalee will lead the celebration on April 27th @ 7:30 - they promise it will be eventful. Knowing what they have done in the past, it will be memorable.

All Circles in the Woods CUUPS activities are open to the public and held at UUCT. The only cost is a donation. Families with children are welcome. No pets please. Plan to stay to socialize afterwards. (Bring a dish to share.) All are welcome who come in perfect love and perfect trust.

For more information about Circles in the Woods CUUPS, e-mail cuups@uutampa.org.

HOPE Happenings
Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality

By Judy Lane

UUCT's Justice Ministry Needs YOU!

HOPE's Nehemiah Action
Monday, April 8th @ 6:30 PM
Mt. Calvary 7th Day Adventist Church
4902 N. 40th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 (North west corner of E. Osborne)

We need you, your family, your friends, your co-workers and anyone else who can attend the 2013 HOPE Nehemiah Action to help fight for justice. By gathering large numbers of people, we show our government officials that we do care about our community and that we are watching what they do.

Yes! This year we have a win. On January 10th, 2013 the Tampa City Council approved part of our job ordinance by a vote of 6 to 1. The mayor signed the ordinance on January 14, 2013

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=10132.

The ordinance removes the question on the application asking if an applicant has ever committed a crime. This gives the applicant a chance to explain the circumstances of an offense. Our small, hard-fought change will make a difference in an ex-offender's chances to get a job. We want to expand the ordinance to include businesses that contract with the City of Tampa.

At the 4/8 Nehemiah Action we also will launch something new related to affordable housing and homelessness. Your presence can make a difference in our success.

If you want to respond to the call to "do justice," or just want to learn more about HOPE, contact one of our Justice Team Members: Pat Fearns or Judy Lane at judylane2003@earthlink.net or 813-901-9157.

GREAT COURSES

PHILOSOPHY DISCUSSION GROUP

By Ralph Lehman and Jeannette Manning

Does Darwin offer an explanation of abstract thought, the creation and appreciation of art, or why I might help someone else? Is Karl Marx suddenly relevant to our current economic and political crisis or to the status of our nation within the global community?

If you find these questions interesting -- well, you missed it. The Great Courses in Philosophy session dealing with these questions is past.

Do you wonder if the unconscious controls you or you control it? Is it of any significance in how the world seems to be functioning? Or should we simply deal with matters on the basis of their outcome and forget desire?

Consider coming to the next Great Courses in Philosophy session Monday 3-5 PM April 1st and see if Freud and William James are just fooling you or not. We meet in the Multi-Purpose Building on the first and third Mondays of each month at 3-5 PM.

Daylight is starting to extend into the evenings. So if you find these hours bad for you and you have a commitment to come, let us know if the first and third Monday of the month at 7-9 PM would work better for you

April 1st The Freudian World;

The Radical William James

April 15th William James' Pragmatism;

Wittgenstein and the Discursive Turn

Everyone is welcome; join us when you can. Snacks are provided.

Questions? Contact Jeannette Manning, 813-857-0468, manningjea@yahoo.com.

Good Book

Hi, Book Readers:

It seems that spring is here, what a treat! It may be hard to concentrate on reading now, when we hanker to get outside. However, here are a few people who met that challenge. Hope you enjoy.

Mary Satterwhite: The Time Keeper, by Mitch Albom. "Where did the time go?" "Time flies." "I ran out of time." These are just a few examples of the time-related phrases that we all use, words that imply that time is something that we can't control. But, if you could control time, would you want what comes with the responsibility? This story is a reminder that we are not keepers of time. It is up to each of us to decide how to spend whatever time we've been given and not waste the precious gift. Actions today have consequences tomorrow. The Time Keeper inspires us to take personal stock, take time to make time, and appreciate life - before it's too late. I highly recommend this book. It is completely different from anything else I have ever read.

Ron Hammerle: "Should we pay children to read books or to get good grades? Should we allow corporations to pay for the right to pollute the atmosphere? Is it ethical to pay people to donate their organs or not have children? How about auctioning admission to elite universities or public parks or selling U.S. citizenships to immigrants willing to pay?" These are some of the fascinating, every day moral questions that Michael J. Sandel explores in What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets.

Harry Lee: What is the What, a novel written by Dave Eggers, shows the perspective of a young boy from Southern Sudan who lived in a prosperous family before his life was completely altered by hostile militias. Forced to leave his village, he and thousands of other boys have walked hundreds of miles and three countries to be awaited by a whole new series of challenges. When he finally moves to the United States though, he is unprepared for the cultural differences between his old and new homes. Immediately, he finds that his success is limited to the people outside of his circle of friends. This book has amazing power and influence upon the personal, local, and international level, shattering any forms of miscommunication between the first and third worlds. To Valentino Achak Deng, the main character, the book allows for a firsthand experience in the conflicts thousands of others have faced with him in their trek to freedom. Showing all aspects of people, good and bad, What is the What is a great read because Dave Eggers effectively shows us that even in the darkest hour, there is still hope for humanity.

Thanks for all who contributed and we hope you read about the good books others have shared in our next month column.

Carol Baker

Scrip FUNdraising

UUCT is now signed up with Scrip to raise funds for the church's general fund. The best part about Scrip is that it does not cost you anything! You purchase gift cards for places you already shop, and the church receives a portion!

Visit http://www.shopwithscrip.com/ to see the list (it's long!) and to purchase gift cards. UUCT's Enrollment Code is 8FB2E1CE35565

Questions? E-mail Stacy Gilmore, our FUNdraising Chairperson at stagilmore@yahoo.com

Young Adult Group (YAG) Corner

YAG stands for the Young Adult Group, a group of UUCT's aged 18 to 35(ish) who meet to enjoy social, volunteering and spiritual activities. Today I will be profiling our current YAG leader, Anna Deyle. Anna has come back to us from the Maryland/Virginia area where she had some brief excursions in biology working with her favorite creatures, frogs and salamanders. Achieving an important role in her job teaching at Saint Leo University has given Anna the ability to lead us once again. She has overseen an awakening in our YAG-dom, with all of us expanding our horizons with new involvement, awakening activities, and growing our fun organization. Come along and enjoy our company with Anna Deyle.

Questions:
1) What attracted you to working with salamanders?
Well, I had always loved frogs and spent plenty of time looking at/chasing after/picking up treefrogs in my backyard growing up in Tallahassee, FL. So from frogs it was a logical leap to learn about and work with North America's other major group of amphibians, salamanders. I worked with salamanders in the wild for the first time during an undergraduate internship in West Virginia, and I fell in love with them immediately! It's hard to explain what I love so much about amphibians. They are just such neat little creatures. So many different colors, many quite beautiful, and most are pretty cute.

2) How do you feel about our UU connection with nature?
Great! I know that many UUs feel a deep spiritual connection to nature and I am definitely among them. I am glad that we as UUs strive to uphold our 7th principle of "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part" by seeking to live greener lives. It's a very important principle to uphold in the face of global climate change.

3) How long have you been a UU?
I have been a UU for about as long as I can remember. I was raised UU, and first attended the UU Fellowship in Norman, Oklahoma, starting at the age of 4 or 5, and then spent the rest of my childhood/youth from the age of 7, onward attending the UU Church of Tallahassee (Florida's other UUCT). :)

4) When did you become a YAGger?
I became a YAGger when the YAG group first got started by Reese Millican and Alyssa Cobb sometime in 2007, I think it was.

5) What do you do for fun?
All sorts of things! Hang out with my awesome YAG friends (obviously), go to Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games, spend time outdoors hiking and kayaking, go to the movies, etc.

Sincerely,
Seth Keith

Want to know more about YAG? You can also check out our webpage at: http://uuctyag.org/ and our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/UUCT-Young-Adult-Group/304410489677680

Welcome New Members!

Mary Lou Jones was a member of this church from about 1992 until 1999. She served as a member of Committee on Ministry, on Membership Team in charge of keeping statistics, volunteer secretary, co-leader on Fellowship Team (did coffee), co-leader of Social Action, and on the Worship Team; Mary Lou also ran the annual crafts sale and worked on church archives. Before retiring, Mary Lou worked for the State of Florida in Hillsborough County as a child welfare social worker.

During the years in between being in Tampa and returning, she was a member of the High Plains Colorado springs UU Church for 10 years, so all in all, Mary Lou has been a UU member for 21 years. Now that she is back here and is rejoining our church, she looks forward to becoming active as a leader of a covenant group (as in Colorado). Mary Lou likes to sew and has sewn banners used in UU functions such as General Assembly.

Her granddaughter Siah, age 7 comes to our RE program. Siah means "Cherry Blossom in Japanese." Mary Lou says the reason she enjoys being a UU - it reminds her to be a better person.

Joan and Alan Staples moved to Florida in December of 2006 from Kentucky where they had lived since 1966. Two of their three children live in the Tampa area with their families. Since 1999 they have also lived in Greensboro,

Joan is a cellist and currently plays in the Venice Symphony and in the New Brandon Trio for violin, piano and cello. She and Alan spend about half of the year in North Carolina where they are also involved in musical groups. In addition to music, Joan likes to write, travel, and spend time outdoors, hiking and camping.

Alan is a graduate of Curtis and Eastman schools of music. He taught violin and viola at Eastern Kentucky University for 34 years. Earlier he played violin in several symphony orchestras including Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Rochester, and Indianapolis. Currently he also plays in the Venice Symphony and the New Brandon Trio along with Joan. His grandfather and great-grandfather were both Unitarian ministers, and he was raised in the Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. He and Joan were both very active members of our UU Fellowship of Madison County, Kentucky.

Welcome to our new members and their families!

Emerson Forum Outlines Plans Its 2013 Conference

This year's Emerson Forum is planning the second of a two part series dealing with end of life care issues. This year's topic, What We Can Learn About Life From The Death of A Pet, will bring insights from Dr. Dani McVety, a dynamic, young veterinarian, who founded Lap of Love, a nationwide network of veterinary hospice care services for pets and their owners.

Dr. McVety will share her unique experience in dealing with pets and pet owners, providing remarkable insights into issues we face involving end of life care for ourselves, filtered through a lens that enables many people to see and think about these issues in ways that we may find difficult to deal with directly.

Janice Van Dyck, one of last year's Forum conference speakers, described the same phenomenon, choosing instead to use her novel, Finding Frances, to deal with these issues.

The conference is tentatively planned for Saturday, September 7th, the day before National Pet Memorial Day, when many churches and synagogues hold ceremonies recognizing the significance of pets in our lives. It is also a day that many cemeteries and memorial societies highlight their pre-planning, death, grief and memorial services. A venue will be announced shortly.

FLOWER GUILD FORMING

Love working with flowers and small plants? Have green thumbs up to your elbows? Consider joining with a few others in creating a new "flower guild" at UUCT.

Celebrating life's passages and sacred moments has always been a hallmark of the human spirit. This new group will facilitate flowers being placed in the sanctuary in memory of a loved one, or in honor of an occasion, such as a birth or graduation.

This process will provide a new avenue for connecting with our spiritual community, giving us all a touch of beauty for Sunday morning services while helping us get to know each other at a deeper level. It will also constitute a small fund-raiser for the church. Details are to be worked out by the group, but the church member will probably pay a small amount to cover the flowers or plants, plus a little extra, and the "guild" will place a notice in the order of service to acknowledge the gift and the honoree.

The "guild" may also arrange for the use and disposition of flowers remaining from memorial services, and a variety of other related projects.

If you would enjoy working with others to serve the church in this way, please email your interest to membership@uutampa.org.

Friendship Dinners

Potluck dinners in members' homes are ongoing. Check the bulletin board in the back of the church every week to see the latest sign-up sheet. We could use more hosts. Notify Pat Busbice to get it started. You stipulate the number of guests you would like, and provide an entrée. Any church member/friend can sign up.

See Pat Busbice or contact her at pwbuzz77@gmail.com or 813-994-0355.

In Memory of Gwend Harrison Davies Neyman

UUCT received notification that a founding member of the Tampa UU fellowship, which grew into the present church, died on Valentines Day. Some of our members may remember her....

Gwend Harrison Davies Neyman, 90, of Tampa, passed away on February 14, 2013.

Born in Melbourne, Australia.
Intrepid traveler.
Married a US Marine during the Pacific campaign of WWII.
Came to Tampa in 1945.
A bit of a pioneer, too.
Cleared palmettos and scrub oak for the home-site off a sandy road winding through the orange groves of what is now Forest Hills North of Tampa with her husband, Claude Neyman. Carried and raised first twin boys, David and Dennis then sister Robin (Guru Ravi Kaur Khalsa) in the Florida heat without air-conditioning.
Tennis player, artist, lover of classical music, supporter of the arts and seeker after justice for all. Active in the early days of civil rights movement and founding member of the Tampa Unitarian Universalism Fellowship, now Church.

World traveler and political activist all of her life.

Knitted warm hats for the homeless.
Created and nurtured a magnificent multicolored azalea garden of over 100 plants that radiated brilliance around her home under the twisting spires of her cathedral of live oaks overlooking Lake Senac.
Survived by her sister, Margaret in Melbourne, Australia, children David and Dennis, grandchildren, Danielle, Lars, Emily, Harbhajan, Elizabeth, and five great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society or donor's favorite charity. No memorial services are planned at this time.

Dennis Neyman.

Buildings and Grounds Day (03-09-13) "Thank You"

With the help of a small, but dedicated work crew, last month's Buildings and Grounds Day saw a major improvement on the interior of the Small Dome. Thanks to Ara Rogers, Elise Richardson, Mary Francis, Ollis Hughes, John Fox, Tom Krumreich, and Earl Harvey, major progress was made on repainting the "rainbow room" wall in the Small Dome. The wall has begun a transformation from its prior rainbow/prism colors to the same shade of white that is on the walls in the Multi-Purpose Building. A special thanks to Mary Francis for volunteering much of her time to brushing the wall of the Small Dome with a sealant product called Kilz that serves as a primer.

There is still more painting to be done. If you can afford to give some time to this project, please call Ed Benedict, at (813) 968-1418. He will schedule you to work in the Small Dome at your own time and pace.

The Church's Grounds were not neglected on the March's Buildings and Grounds Day. Thanks to Candy Gale, Russell Patterson, Joyce Formica, and Marla Frazier weeds were pulled, mulch was spread, and leaves were blown. Bill Blymiller continued the seemly unending task of trying to keep the sprinkler system in working order. A special thanks to Russell Patterson for steaming out some of the wrinkles in the Church's banner that now hangs in the hallway of the Multi-Purpose Building.

The next Buildings and Grounds Day, as always the second Saturday of the month, will be on April 13, 2013, 9:00-11:30 am. It will be a real spring cleaning day for the Church and its grounds. Hope to see you there. Do you do windows?

Ed Benedict, Buildings Chair

Join us for

Children: The Challenge

A six-week study group for parents

April 9, 2013

Tuesdays @ 7:00

We will be meeting at the

Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Multi-Purpose Building

11400 Morris Bridge Road

These groups will be conducted by local therapists, Anthony Miller, LMHC and Randall Gainforth, LMHC on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Cost is free and a limited number of Rudolf Dreikurs' Children: The Challenge will be made available for $17.00.

Parents want help in knowing how to reduce conflict, have fun, and raise responsible children. These groups are designed to help parents deal with such concerns as bedtime, meals, chores, homework, school and fighting. The groups provide a source of encouragement and support for parents who want to improve their relationships with their children.

Parents will learn how:

To develop friendly and cooperative relationships
To create a family atmosphere of freedom with order
Birth order affects decision making and personality development
To use encouragement
To detect the basic goals of misbehavior
To resolve conflicts
To conduct family meetings

Questions? Call Randall Gainforth at 813 988 7500 or rgainforth@aol.com

Plan to be in Church....

...Sunday, May 5th for a visit and sermon from Gini Courter, Moderator, Unitarian Universalist Association. Gini has been chief governance officer of our Association since October 2003, and been reelected three times by the UUA General Assembly delegates, most recently in June 2009. She chairs the UUA Board of Trustees and conducts business (also known as plenary) session at General Assemblies. In addition to traveling the country meeting with congregations, Gini meets with national and regional groups. Not only is she an amazing leader, she is a dynamic speaker and author of many books relating to her work in the training and consulting company she co-owns.

Gini, when she is at home, lives in Michigan. Before becoming Moderator, she served on the UUA Board of Trustees for eight years; her Moderator term ends in June at the close of General Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky.

Month of Sundays - Plus One - at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Services begin at 11 a.m

April 7 Holocaust Remembrance and the Birth of the UU Service Committee

Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman

April 14 Blue Tiles of Turkey and Unitarianism: Discovering Convergences of Art and Church History

Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman

April 21 Earth Day: Our Responsibility to Ourselves and the Planet: the Moral Dimension

Guest Speaker: Jim Shirk, a well known Tampa Bay community activist and engineer widely recognized for his impassioned interest in this topic

April 28 "Spirituality, Science and Healing" Curriculum Project: New Discoveries

Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman

May 5 Speaker: Gini Courter, UUA Moderator

Gini Courter, who will soon be leaving the position of Moderator, was initially elected Moderator by the UUA Board of Trustees in October 2003 and has since been reelected several times by the UUA General Assembly delegates. The Moderator, a volunteer position, is Chief Governance Officer of the UUA. As Moderator, Gini chairs our UUA Board of Trustees and the plenary (business) sessions at our annual General Assemblies. She also meets regularly with national committees, regional groups, and leaders of Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country. We are pleased to welcome Gini Courter to our UUCT pulpit.

Conversations With The Board: Members of the Board of Trustees will be present for conversation after church on the last Sunday of each 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.

In recognition of Earth Day:

Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,

For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.
America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea.
~George Carlin

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa

email: info@uutampa.org

11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, FL 33637

813-988-8188