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| Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa | June 2013 |
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Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman, Minister
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Erin Powers, DRE
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Come and join Buildings & Grounds Work Day,
June 8th,
9-11 a.m.
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Click for
The Church Calendar
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Al-Anon
Al-Anon meets at UUCT on Saturdays at 10:30 am each week. For additional information in Hillsborough County, call 813-881-9372 or visit us on the web at www.tampabayalanon.org. |
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DOMELIGHT
Deadline for Submissions: 17th of each month
Length of Articles:
300-350 words
Submit via email to: domelight@uutampa.org
DL Editorial Board:
Harriet Blymiller
Mary Francis
Ron Hammerle
Christine Smith
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Visit our website at
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Our congregation is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association an organization of more than 1,000 congregations in the U.S. and Canada. Our national headquarters is in Boston, Massachusetts.
Other UU Links:
Southern Region website
Florida District UUA |
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Minister's Musings:Black Crow, White Ibis, Gray Pigeon, Black Swallowtail Butterfly
On an afternoon in late May, I took a break from working in my church office and walked around the perimeter of the church property. I remember a year or so ago when they started to take all of those trees down on the opposite side of Morris Bridge Road at the time they worked on I-75,some of us worried that change would reduce the beauty and specialness of the church property. When I was walking around today, I found no such diminishment. Instead, I observed that now the property becomes, more than ever, a focused natural microcosm almost mythic in its giant oaks, Spanish moss, and wildlife. What story does it have to tell today? Black Crow, White Ibis, Gray Pigeon, and Black Swallowtail butterfly join me on my walk, each with its unique presence. I got as far as the fountain next to the Small Dome and was admiring the nifty solar panel that runs the fountain on sunny days. Suddenly I realized I wasn't alone. Black Crow flapped his wings one time. Apparently, he had been drinking from the fountain. Now in addition to the flapping, he made a polite little sound I don't recall ever hearing a crow ever making before - a more subtle, slightly miffed sound, softer than the usual loud "caw caw," more human- like, as if saying, "I'm a little insulted. This is my spot - I've never seen you before on a Wednesday afternoon. I guess it's OK with me." He gave me a sideways glance and flew a little ways away toward Davis Road. Between the multi-purpose building and the memorial garden, White Ibis probed the sandy soil for tasty grub, hardly noticing me or Black Crow. White Ibis with its bright orange curved beak and long legs seemed oblivious to anything but food gathering. Rounding the perimeter I passed the memorial garden and was appreciating the white arbor structure now installed there when I noticed that Black Crow was following me, perching nearby, and also noticing what I was noticing, always with that sideways glance that crows use to get a better view. Together we looked at the arbor, then gazed at Gray Pigeon walking on the roof of the Big Dome. Black Crow and Gray Pigeon frequent the same property, most likely see each other every day, and did not seem much interested in each other. Near the big red door at the entrance to the Big Dome, a Black Swallowtail butterfly glided and graced the blooming jasmine and other shrubs. Black Crow watched with me, staying about 15 feet away, higher, on the roof. Black Crow, White Ibis, Gray Pigeon, and Black Swallowtail butterfly know, and I know: this is a special place, mythic in its beauty, and rich in its bird and other wildlife who may be - just may be - its true owners.
Peace and Love,
Sara
Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman, Minister
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 From the Desk of the President
by Mary Francis
Look to the future -- we can't change the past. Since change is something that we can't avoid, let's use our future as an opportunity to create an even better UU community. Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed. How can we convince our members to be better? Be more respectful of others? More compassionate? More accepting? More welcoming? The answer is -- we can't. The only person any of us has control over is ourselves. The answer is that "I" have to be respectful, considerate, and loving toward others.
During our recent Conversations with the Board, we discussed the Interim Minister search. We talked about the application that was submitted. The search team described our congregation as "healthy." I've had several casual conversations with different members, and everyone seems to agree that we are healthy. That doesn't mean that we don't have different opinions. We wouldn't be UU's if we didn't have differences. And we do have conflict. Personally, I don't think we could call ourselves healthy if we didn't have conflict. We would be like the Stepford Wives. But typically, we manage our conflicts in a respectful way. And, yes, sometimes we decide to continue to respectfully disagree.
Because of our healthy congregation, and with impending changes coming in September along with new leadership, we are in a position to become even better than we are now! We have our new building and haven't looked this good in a long time. I feel so positive about where we are and what we have to offer as a pluralist faith community. Becoming even better starts with me. And with you. Let's come together and grow our community. Don't be afraid of some change!
Blessings, Mary
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 UUA Trustee Tidbits by Joan Lund
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727 Dear UU Friends, This is the final Trustee Tidbits. How do I say farewell? After ten years on the UUA Board of Trustees and writing a column each month, I would be less than honest if I did not admit to being ready for my Board time to end. But more importantly, I also confess that the support, commitment, love, and honest discourse you provided to and with me have made my service to our UUA a memorable and appreciated experience of a lifetime. Thank you from the depths of my being. The challenges the Board has faced during this time are too numerous to document, but we have also accomplished much during my tenure. When I joined the Board, it was obvious to all of us serving that our UUA Board governance needed addressing. After much consultation and training, we now govern by policy driven by our Ends. The UUA Board expects and demands accountability to our congregations through monitoring reports from our UUA President as to how and if these Ends are being accomplished. These Ends were determined over several years by much conversation with UUs in many venues. Again through linkage with our congregations and conversations with our various UU groups, the Board is in the process of revising the Ends, to be voted upon at GA 2013. But what else has been the work of your UUA Board members in strong covenant with each other? Here comes a list of sorts, by no account comprehensive or chronological: 1) Several years of tremendous linkage work with our congregational leadership. Now we are partnering with our District Presidents Association to continue this linkage. 2) GA delegates voted on our UUA By-laws to change how a congregation is defined (--might be time to look at the By-Laws). 3) We have welcomed many new congregations. 4) Health insurance is now available to UUA employees both at our national administrative level and in the field. 5) The Board has restructured itself to be more democratic and effective. 6) We now have GA off-site voting delegates. 7) Our UUA in Boston will have new headquarters. 8) The Board approved public policy statements that demand equal rights for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons. As a Trustee, I have served in several roles and on various Board groups that I have reported on in the District Annual Report(s) and in this column. These are not to be noted now, but I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead in various ways. I love this faith and believe the word "love" is what we are all about ... in our congregations and in our Association. So I leave with deep feelings of hope and compassion for what is near and dear to my heart, the beloved Florida District and Unitarian Universalism. May we always strive in covenant with each other for our highest ideals and values among ourselves and in the world-wide community. In appreciation and commitment, Joan |
R.E.flections
Erin Powers, DRE
Teaching as a Spiritual Practice Our Religious Exploration program is wrapping up. Our teachers have done an amazing job this year! I could not have asked for a better team. It is now time for them to practice their faith in other ways. The search begins for Religious Exploration teachers for this fall! In June I will be taking a Teacher Training class. This class focuses on Teaching as a Spiritual Practice. I will be using what I learn in this class to enrich the teaching experience this fall. I never want our teachers to feel as if teaching is a burden. It is a wonderful way to practice your faith and deepen your understanding of Unitarian Universalism. Each of us has something unique to offer our children and youth. This year we had Stacy Gilmore co-teaching our 2nd-5th grade class. Stacy is a biologist and has done several science lessons with the children. These lessons were a big hit! I encourage you to think about your own gifts and talents and your own spiritual journey. What do you have to offer our children and youth? How can teaching a Religious Exploration class expand your understanding of our Unitarian Universalism and further your spiritual journey? Want to find out more? Email me! DRE@uutampa.org A big THANK YOU to our wonderful teachers and youth advisors this year! Beom Lee, Stacy Gilmore, Maddie Gilmore, Teresa Dowdy, Chantal King, Erika Campbell, Alyssa Cobb, and Kristi Grussing |
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New Board Members Elected
Congratulations to the new Board members who were elected at the May Congregational Meeting!
Effective on September 1st, John Powers, Jodi Pecoraro, and Chuck Smith
will begin their three-year terms. Thank you for accepting this responsibility!
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 Circles in the Woods CUUPS
Circles in the Woods CUUPS sponsors a monthly Full Moon Celebration on Saturdays closest to the full moon. Our very own Wicca 101 attendees will lead the celebration May 25th @ 7:30.
During planning and discussion, our students dug deep into some dusty old places and decided to revive an old favorite -- the celebration of the Sun and the meaning of the Sun sign that each of us was born under. So, come, learn a little more about our Sun signs, who else in the community was born under your sign, and, maybe, why that other person sometimes acts the way s/he does. Tie-dye clothing would be very appropriate!
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. |
 GAME NIGHT --
This fun evening of games and fellowship occurs on the 2nd Friday of each month, 6:30 - 9 pm in the Multi-Purpose Building. Play our games or bring your own. Great snacks are provided. Our next Game Night will be Friday, June 14th.
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.
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GREAT COURSES DISCUSSION GROUP - PHILOSOPHY
This discussion group is held on 1st and 3rd Mondays,
7 - 9 pm in the Multi-Purpose Building.
Currently following the "The Great Ideas in Philosophy" lectures from the Great Courses Co., the next discussions are as follows:
June 3rd Philosophy of Psychology and Related Confusions;
Psychology of Mind, If There Is One
June 17th What Makes a Problem "Moral"?
Medicine and the Value of Life
Everyone is welcome; join us when you can. Snacks are provided. Questions? Contact Jeannette Manning, 813-857-0468, manningjea@yahoo.com. |
HOPE Happenings
Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality
Photo compliments of Diane Gainforth
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. |
Emerson Forum Planning Free Film Event And Second Fall Conference
The Emerson Forum is planning a free public screening of a celebrated, national documentary film involving end-of-life care decisions, as part of its focus on "issues at the crossroads of ethics and public policy." Once final details are worked out with the producers, the film will be shown at UUCT this summer. Mark your calendars for the second annual Emerson Forum conference, which will be held the morning of Saturday, September 7th. Dr. Dani McVety, the founder of Lap of Love, a nationwide hospice program for pets, will be the keynote speaker on "What We Can Learn About Ourselves From the Death of A Pet." Further details will be available this summer. The following day, many religious congregations nationwide and many organizations involved in end-of-life care for humans will observe National Pet Memorial Day, which is celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday in September. |
 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 |
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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 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.
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 Good Book (and Movie)
A reminder that during the summer months we are looking for some good movie reviews. I've included one that goes with a book selection. We'd like to hear from you. I know there are a lot of movie-philes out there!
Joan Lund: A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash is an excellent first novel, set in the mid-1980s. It is told in the voices of three resonant characters in the Bible-belt town of Marshall, NC. It is the story of a courageous nine-year-old boy and his struggles in the face of cruelty and loss. A charismatic ex-con, born-again preacher figures prominently as he leads the River Road Church of Christ and his use of snake handling and poison drinking. The novel builds sort of slowly but ends quickly and makes one wish for some more pages to provide closure.
Joan also recommends The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. This is a post-WW II story about an author looking for her next book subject. The main character corresponds with the literary society members and leaves London to visit Guernsey, the northernmost of the English Channel islands, occupied by the Nazis during WW II. Filled with humor and great characters, the society gets its start because of some German soldiers and a pig, not because the members are literary. This story is for book lovers with its deft mix of suspense, romance, and history.
Mary Satterwhite: Too Bright to Hear, Too Loud to See by Juliann Garey is an amazingly good book. I could not put it down. It delves deep into the psyche of a man with bipolar disease and helps the reader understand what someone experiences who has this tragic illness. I highly recommend it.
DL Editor's Note: Another wonderfully written book that helps us understand bipolar disease and its effects is The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. Set during the 1960s and referring to happily-ever-after plots, this novel will especially resonate with our Boomer congregants and literary buffs.
Another recommendation from Mary Satterwhite: The Life of Pi by
Yann Martelis is a magical reading experience including adventure, survival, and ultimately, faith. Pi Patel, the son of a zookeeper in India, is fascinated by the lives of the animals as well religion and attends Christian, Islamic and Hindu services. His father decides to move to Canada, so they take a freighter with some of their zoo animals. The ship sinks, and Pi is left alone in a 16-foot lifeboat with a wounded zebra, a spotted hyena, a seasick orangutan, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Richard Parker kills and eats all of the other animals, leaving only Pi and Richard Parker. They drift for 227 days through the shark-infested waters of the Pacific Ocean while fighting hunger, the elements, and Pi's overactive imagination that blends reality and unreality in hallucinatory passages where he and Richard Parker carry on conversations. They come to an "agreement" as to which part of the boat Pi can use and which part Richard Parker usurps for himself. This book reads almost like a lyrical fable and is well worth the read -- more than once. There are so many nuances uncovered with every reading as Pi's hallucinations seem more real than unreal. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books that stir the imagination and take us beyond our "normal" life experiences.
Good Book Editor Carol Baker also recommends the movie, Life of Pi. It was very true to the book even though there is a narrator throughout the film that is not in the novel. The visual effects are stunning as well. A masterful director, Ang Lee, with a newcomer playing the part of Pi did a wonderful job in the telling of this remarkable story.
Hope you enjoy this month's selections. Remember that we want movie recommendations over the summer.
Happy Reading and Happy Viewing!
Carol Baker
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 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Early in June, contribution statements will be sent to those who have made a financial commitment to the UUCT ministry. Statements are being sent to help you know where you are in your planned giving. Are you on track? Do you need to adjust your pledge? This time of year the Finance Committee looks closely at the budget. The Committee needs to know whether adjustments need to be made in church spending. And if you are not in agreement with what is recorded on your contribution statement, please contact me, Pledge Secretary Joyce Formica. Or bring your statement with you to church some Sunday morning for review. I'm in the office by 10 a.m. most Sundays. Thank you for your continued financial support of UUCT! Joyce Formica, Pledge Secretary |
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Recognized with the Betty McCleur Lee Distinguished Service Award
T  he Betty McCleur Lee Distinguished Service Award acknowledges members for "high standards of diligence and dedication" to the well being of UUCT. Nominations for the award come from our congregational members, and the Board of Trustees votes to confirm the nomination. This year the Board decided on two candidates because one could not "best" the other: Fran Davin and Tempie Taudte. When you next see them, please offer your congratulations and thanks for their service to our church. Present to welcome them as honorees were some past award winners. From left to right: Fran Davin, Patricia McCracken, Joyce Formica, Gene Pizzo, Judy Lehman, Ara Rogers, Joan Lund, Bill Blymiller and Tempie Taudte. In the background is the Board President, Mary Francis. |
 New Social Activities Chair -- Mary Satterwhite I have been chosen as your Social Activities Chair, and I look forward to serving you all. This is an interesting position for me, as I am not really a social person. I tend to be shy and withdrawn in social settings unless I have a job to do (like washing dishes...), but I am very detail-oriented, extremely thorough, and dedicated to doing the best job I can. I have in mind 2 people to serve on the Committee to help me set up guidelines on setting up a program or meeting at the church. Just so you know -- the Social Activities Chair does not plan programs, but assists others in presenting programs. The Chair checks the church calendar and advise on steps to ensure the activity goes smoothly. The majority of this work will be done by email since I do not do well on the telephone. I ask for your forbearance as I learn the "ropes." Please let me know what I can do for you. Please also offer help if you know what needs to be done. I wish to thank all of you who helped with the set-up and clean-up at the May 5 potluck. I will probably call for help whenever we have an activity that involves washing big plates as they cannot be placed in the dishwasher! Mary Satterwhite (aka "The Kitchen Goddess") |
 . . . more Chair Appointments!
The Board approved additional new committee chairs:
Carolyn Adler - Adult Religious Education
Dottie Mann - Denominational Affairs
Be sure to offer your support and thank them for stepping up.
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 Many YAG events are planned for June. There might be a Game Night, or a trip to the beach on a Saturday. Whatever events happen are planned a month in advance. We meet the first Monday of each month and brainstorm several events, local or regional, for the next month.
A staple for us has been our monthly YAG Brunch. With the addition of monthly planning meetings, the types of events have become bigger, more ambitious, and more various.
If you would like to interact and suggest events for the group to consider please join us the first Monday in June, June 3rd--to plan for YAG events in July. Here's to many more planned events for YAG!
Cheers!
--Seth Keith |
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The Board of Trustees is interested in youth or adults willing to provide child care at church events. Although we currently have 3 who provide this service, the Board would like to expand the availability of child care at church events. That means we need more people on our list.
If you are interested, send your name, qualifications, and availability to bot@uutampa.org. A background check will be done for all candidates before names are added to our approved list of compensated child care providers.
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World Hunger Day May 28, 2013: An opportunity to show our compassion for starving children throughout the world
Mother's Day has just passed, and Father's Day is approaching. These days honor parents and others who nurture children. However, in between these two special days is World Hunger Day on May 28, and that's why I, representing the UUCT RESULTS team, am bringing this to your attention.
Hunger is a death sentence for 2.5 million kids a year and irreversibly stunts the growth and earning potential of one-fourth of all children. This is all preventable with simple, proven nutrition programs. Economists agree that these programs are the most cost-effective way to end poverty, but only .03% of our foreign aid funds nutrition programs.
The U.S. government can improve its leadership on food security and global health by making a bold commitment at the first-ever nutrition pledging conference on June 8 before the G8 summit. To mark World Hunger Day, RESULTS is asking President Obama to be bold on June 8 and pledge $450 million annually between 2014 and 2016 for global nutrition programs to save lives.
As compassionate UUs, we can show support not only by asking the President to make the pledge, but also by demonstrating our solidarity and fasting on that day.
You can send your message to the President by going to: www.whitehouse.gov and use the Contact Us menu; or call the White House comment line: 202-456-1111 and leave your message with the live operator.
Please join us in supporting this cause.
Tom Krumreich
UUCT RESULTS Team |
Pot Luck Dinner and Electric Vehicle film
Friday, May 31 -- 5:30 to 9:00 pm What Is the Electric Car? Multi-Purpose Building. Potluck - 5:30. Film - 6:30 to 8:00This film answers many questions for those considering a plug-in electric vehicle. And a panel of EV owners, including UUCT Green Group's Tree Hugger Award winners Candy Gale and Russ Patterson, will share their experiences of driving EVs, both conversions and production models, from 8:00 to 8:30. A Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and 1981 VW Van EV conversion (shown at the UUCT Green Group Earth Day Expo on Sunday April 21) will be on display at the gazebo from 5:30 to 6:30 and from 8:30 to 9:00. Friday May 31st -- 1 to 5 pmCentral Florida Electric Vehicle and Sun Coast Electric Vehicle Clubs
USF Patel College for Global SustainabilityRepresentatives from the Sierra Club, the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition, and the Patel College for Sustainability will discuss the benefits of EVs from a personal standpoint and from the perspective of promoting sustainable lifestyles on local and global levels. EVs will be on display, with the owners present to answer questions about owning and driving an electric vehicle. Please join us for both events, if possible. They're free of charge and open to the public. And please bring a dish if you join us for the potluck. Tom Krumreich, Chair, UUCT Green Group |
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Month of Sundays - Plus One - at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Services begin at 11 a.m
June 2 The Freedom Riders of 1961
Guest speaker: Professor Raymond Arsenault is the John Hope Franklin professor of Southern History and co-director of the Florida Studies Program at USF, St. Petersburg. He is the author of Freedom Riders:1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice published in 2007. This book later became the basis of a 2010 documentary. He appeared on The Oprah Winfrey show that was dedicated to Freedom Riders. His other publications include Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert that Awakened America. He holds degrees from Princeton (B. A. in History Magna cum laude); and Brandeis University (M.A. and PhD.)
June 9 What Do Unitarian Universalists Believe?
Our minister, the Rev. Dr. Sara Zimmerman will speak on some of the business to come before the 2013 General Assembly in Louisville later this month, including the current Congregational Study Action Issue (CS/AI) to be voted on this year: Immigration as a Moral Issue. She will also provide information about the 2012-2016 CS/AI, Reproductive Justice: Expanding Our Social Justice Calling and the Statements of Conscience (SOCs) approved at recent GAs: Ethical Eating, and Creating Peace. A Workshop will follow the service at which time Rev. Sara and Bill Blymiller will lead a Q and A on these issues. They will also discuss the structure of the CS/AIs and the various bylaws changes that are offered at this General Assembly.
June 16 What Do Fathers Want?
All you have to do is look around to see that today's families are often forging new ground when it comes to roles and responsibilities. Today's fathers may not be able to look to their own fathers for a model of how to balance work and home life. Three-quarters say they're more involved with the kids than their own fathers were. Rev. Sara will share reflections of several fathers in the congregation who share parenting roles with their partners.
June 23 What Do I Believe? Credo and New Member Sunday
Join us for this service of reflection and celebration when we welcome those who have completed the Path to Membership and are ready to sign the Membership Book during this service. Rev. Sara and Ara Rogers will invite members of the Building Your Own Theology Class to share their Credos with the congregation.
June 30 A Sermon for Gay Pride Day
Pat Fearns, a member of UUCT, will focus on GLBTQ history and explain the reason why Pride celebrations are important and what they represent to the community. She will share what she believes regarding where we're going currently in anticipation of the Supreme Court decisions on Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). She will follow up on the May 22 vote on Boy Scouts of America issue. Pat is chair of both the UUCT Social Action Committee and of Interweave. She is a member of Crescendo and the UUCT choir. She has 20 years experience as a social and GLBTQ activist.
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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.
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"The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter."
~Mark Twain
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