May 2014

Rev. Dr. Doak Mansfield, Interim Minister

Erin Powers, DRE

In This Issue

Wondering While Wandering

Desk of the President

R.E. flections

Congregrational Meeting

Candidates for BOT

Ministerial Search Committee

Circles in the Woods CUUPS

Florida District Assembly

Truth & Trust in the 21st Century

The Good Book

High School Youth Programs

Children: The Challenge

Game Night

HOPE

Friendship Dinners

Trunk Sale Fund Raiser

Share the Plate

Technology Improvements

mUUsic

How are you doing?

Come and join Buildings & Grounds Work Day,

May 10th,

9-11 a.m.

Click for
The Church Calendar

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.

DOMELIGHT
Deadline for Submissions: 17th of each month

Length of Articles:

300-350 words

Submit via email to: domelight@uutampa.org

DL Editorial Board:

Pat Busbice

Mary Francis

Ron Hammerle

Christine Smith

Board of Trustees

Beom Lee
Jodi Pecoraro
Roger Polcyn
John Powers
Chuck Smith

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Wondering While Wandering . . .

"What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured." Kurt Vonnegut (a fellow UU)

I say young people and all people would do well to be about creating and sustaining such communities. But let there be broad inclusive communities informed by love and respectful of freedom as well.

I am convinced that valuing everyone's place at the table, everyone's being and potential for becoming is best understood as a calling. A calling in that one devotes self to the ideal of it. No matter the differences that are manifest or hidden engaging with trust and care one for another in sharing with respect and regard an intentional relatedness is the hope of our future. It is the gift of love actualized. It is a curative for the terrible disease of alienation that some exploit.

Solutions to alienation, violence, and destruction will not be found in power over politics or militarism or some ideological constructs based on lofty concepts removed by basic human relations standards. They will be discovered in simple ways of kindness expressed in everyday living and grand ways on the global stage. From dealing with those who serve us, work for us, work with us, and those who live near and far. No matter their color, heritage, or self identity.

Politicians, the secular and religious types as well, have as part of their rant the promotion of distrust and stirring of fear based on differences. That behavior is wrong and so very hurtful. It worsens the disease. It has deadly consequences and we read about every day from places like Kansas City, Ukraine, and Syria. Loneliness is one kind of killer and hate mongering another.

Love invites us--no demands--that we not accept self-destructive systems of thoughts and actions, be they patriotic or religious, but that we work creatively and devotedly to treating loneliness and saving and enhancing life and possibilities through broad community building.

Consider three of our 7 Principles:
1. The inherent worth & dignity of every person.
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, & justice for all.
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

They offer us ideals to believe in and work at making operative on a global scale. Big work, yes definitely. But just by scale not principle.

It is probably best to start small and close at hand on these efforts: with family, at work, church, in our neighborhood.

Together ~ Doak

The Reverend Dr. Doak M. Mansfield, Interim Minister

Desk of the President
In June UUs from all over will be in Rhode Island for the General Assembly (GA) -- the annual big-tent meeting of folks from all over the country. Partly politics, partly theology, and partly circus it is something to experience according to all who go. The urge to connect with people who are like "us" is what attracted many people to our church. So, the theory goes, then the urge for our church to be connected to other churches and eventually to the national organization follows that same natural and organic need.

Remember, though, whether or not you have the time or treasure to allow a GA visit you can still participate. GA has more and more online activities you can follow and even some video feeds.

Knowing what goes on at the national level is important.

Bill

UUCT

One Place. All Faiths. No Problem.

Erin Powers, DRE for Children & Youth

Congregational Meeting

May 4, 2013 at 12:30 our annual Congregational Meeting will be held in the Sanctuary of the Large Dome.

In addition to the presentation of the Betty McClure Lee Distinguished Service Award, we will elect three new Board of Trustees members who will take office on September 1, 2013 (see candidates below).

The Board will be providing a main course dish for the May 4th Congregational Meeting. It is requested that you bring a dish to share.

Board of Trustees Candidates Announced The Nominating/Leadership Development Committee is pleased to announce that six (6) members of our Church have agreed to stand for election to the Board of Trustees (BOT) at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 4, 2014. The candidates are (in alphabetical order): Randy Gainforth, Earl Harvey, Kim McDonald, Stan Morey, Mary Satterwhite, and David Stickell. These six candidates are running for the three (3) BOT positions, whose term of office ends on August 31, 2014. Subsequently, the three candidates that are elected will start their terms on September 1, 2014.
A biographical sketch of each of the candidates follows:

Randall Gainforth
I joined UUCT in February 2010. I had retired from Hillsborough County employment about two years before, after working there for over 30 years. I had lost many of my significant social connections and opportunities to help out and make a social contribution. I found that UUCT is a place where I have found those connections and opportunities again. Here I have found the people with whom I want to surround myself and my family and there are always many things that need to be done.
The reasons I am interested in serving on the BOT: I want to represent the interests of the congregation. I want to hear what members care about and what they think should be done. I want to have a general knowledge of what all the committees are involved in as well as all the interests groups as well. I am interested in participating in the growth of the Church Council as a governing group in conjunction with the BOT. And I am interested in the human relations required to participate in a democracy.
The most pressing need of UUCT is stability and reflection during a long transition to the new settled minister. Another need is the growth of leadership to match the growth in membership and the growth of the programs that UUCT offers. And UUCT has an ongoing need to facilitate a sense of belonging and contribution for all of its members and friends. For me that is the central purpose of this church.
I am asked to share my weaknesses in a group setting. Who says UU's don't have confession? My primary weakness is my social involvement and sense of contribution in all the other social systems in my life. I will list a few: I am married for 31 years with a 15 year old daughter. I coach her league softball team. I am a Tai Chi instructor and teach and attend 4-5 classes a week. I am a board member of the Florida Adlerian Society for 20 years. This a psychology group of like-minded people and we have monthly meetings and put on a conference every March. I have a private practice for mental health counseling in Temple Terrace that I have been building for the past six years. In my spare moments, I try to have a personal life where I like to be outside, walk, bicycle, kayak, and golf.
I hope this is a helpful biographical sketch and you will consider having me represent you on the Board of Trustees.

Earl Harvey
My wife Ann and I joined the UU of Detroit in June of 1959. All three of our children attended and graduated from their R.E. program.
My first committee participation at First UU was on the Building and Grounds committee. Subsequently I served as Chairman of Building and Grounds.
In the mid-1970's, I was elected to the Board of Trustees of First UU and served two terms, which was for 6 years. I was elected Vice President of the Board in 1980 and the following year was elected President of the Board of Trustees. I served an additional one-year term as Immediate Past President.
Since joining UUCT, I have served on the Finance Committee, Planning Committee and Buildings and Grounds. Was asked to serve on the Construction Committee for the Multi-Purpose Building project and saw that project though to successful completion.
With my past experience in two UU congregations in leadership positions, I feel that I am prepared to contribute positively if elected to the UUCT Board.

Kim McDonald
In the summer of 2012, one of my few friends moved to Tennessee, and I realized that my circle of support was shrinking. Being self-employed, I didn't have a workplace in which to develop new relationships. Since arriving in the Tampa area in 1998, I had often thought about trying out the Unitarian Universalist Church. I had briefly attended a UU church in Kalamazoo, MI, and I knew that the lack of a creed and emphasis on principles was a fit for me, but until August of 2012, I didn't really feel compelled to take the first step of trying it out. From my first visit, I knew I had discovered a community of like-minded souls where I could be me. Within a few weeks I enlisted in UU 101 to find out more about the Unitarian Universalist Church, and I became a member in November, 2012.
Soon after I started attending UUCT, I began taking part in various activities, as I wanted to meet the people in my new community. After I became a member, I further enriched my experience by joining committees. I am currently involved with the Membership and Social Activity Committees, and I serve as the Friendship Dinner Coordinator for the latter. I am also on the Interim Minister Transitional Team, a Worship Associate, and the member of a Chalice Circle. UUCT has become an important part of my life, and I would like to give back to the community that has given so much to me by serving on the board. I believe that the experience as a board member would help me to meet more people and develop deeper relationships, while I give my energy and experience to aid in the leadership of the church.
Although I have not had the experience of sitting on a board previously, I have been involved in civic organizations where I have held the positions of secretary and treasurer. Since 2005, I have been the owner, administrator, and a clinician, for two successful mental health assessment businesses, one of which is still my source of employment. In the past, I have worked in banking and graphic design, although the advances in technology have made so many changes in those fields that my knowledge is dated. In addition to the design of a monthly magazine, I was also editor, and those skills have served me well in many areas of my life.
If given the opportunity, I think my curiosity and questioning attitude would be an asset to the Board of Trustees. I am fond of doing research to further my knowledge and understanding, and I have an analytical mind. Until I understand a situation, I am sometimes reticent to speak out, but at UUCT, I have found that everyone is willing to help me learn what I don't know about the church. I understand that serving the church by being on the board is a commitment of my time and energy, and I did not take that commitment lightly when I agreed to accept the nomination. As I learn more about the church, I would also be willing to serve as a Board Officer.
UUCT is in an exciting period of time as we move from an interim minister to a settled minister. This is a time of discovering more about us as a group and where we wish to be headed, so that we can make a good match with a new minister. Although the search committee will have the burden of finding the right minister, I think the board must be part of the process that helps the congregation identify its goals and mission, perhaps with some challenges or different ideas to consider. If growth is a goal, the board also needs to find ways to increase our budget while using the funds wisely, and it must also determine what to do if we outgrow our facility. Although it is important that members assist in the financial support of our organization, other avenues should be investigated to aid in meeting our budget needs.
If not elected, I will continue to work on various committees to serve my UUCT community. I am interested in worship, leadership, adult religious education, and social activities. I am also open to leading a Chalice Circle.

Stan Morey
My name is Stan Morey, and I am married to Gery Morey for 50 years. We have been members of the UU Church for approximately 10 years.
I have a BS in Biology/Chemistry from the University of Tampa, Graduate studies in Medical Allied Sciences from Shands Medical at the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology.
I have taught HS Science until I was offered a job at the Department of Natural Resources. In this position I supervised 44 scientists in the Nuclear Power Plant study of the Crystal River Power Plant. Because of the politics involved pertaining to this study I resigned my position.
Because I was friends with Art Pepin and August Busch I embarked on an entrepreneurial venture called Naturite, Inc.
This entity operated a Health Club known as Stan's Gym, managed seminars, and trained elite athletes. This entity was in operation for 30 years.
I then entered the garbage business called Waste Aid Services, and served as the District Environmental and Safety Manager. This business was purchased by BFI the second largest garbage business in the world.
I then took a position as Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Temple Terrace where I managed Garbage, Garage, inventory and Streets.
During these years I was Florida Amateur Athletic Chair for the weigh sports, was a member of its America Committee. I was also Vice-President of the World Physique Federation, and chair of its medical committee.
I promoted Physique competitions ranging from local titles to the Mr. and Ms. Universe.
I have authored 9 books, and ghosted several others.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was at stage IV. A stem cell implant saved my life.
I am retired, and believe I can be a functional member of the Board of Trustees.

Mary Satterwhite
I first visited our UU church on Mother's Day, 2012 and knew from the moment I stepped inside that I was "home." I realized immediately that I had found a place where I "belonged" in a group of open-minded and ethical individuals. I lobbied Rev. Sara for membership, wrote my own Credo, and finally joined the church in late August or early September of 2012.
We do have some important issues facing us in the next few years -growing our church financially through membership, donations, and fundraising, making our budget stretch to meet our needs in the future, tending to our aging infrastructure, and locating a new settled minister. We can accomplish these tasks, as they have been accomplished in the past, if we all work together as a team.
Because I believe in being involved in our community of fellow members, I became interested in serving you very early in my membership. First, by working in the kitchen and then gradually adding duties as opportunities arose, the latest being joining the Worship Associates and the Stewardship Committee. Being on the Board is another opportunity to serve.
I worked for the City of Temple Terrace in the library for 37 years - the last 29 years as the Assistant Director and the last 7 of those as the Director. While I was the Assistant Director I was tasked with developing the annual budget and keeping track of expenditures throughout the year which I found I enjoyed, although not without its frustrations. As the Director I had to develop my organization skills to a higher degree which I did as I am a hard working individual, not afraid of "getting my hands dirty" for the good of the organization. I also oversaw a staff of 20 disparate individuals, many of whom had strong personalities and differing opinions on almost any topic and it was my job to "manage" these individuals and motivate (encourage) them to work well together for the good of the library and themselves.
When I had to retire early on disability because of a fatal and debilitating illness, I joined the Taoist Tai Chi Society where I spent 8 months learning to stand and walk again. My leadership talents came again to the forefront once I started set leading as others in the class gradually started looking to me for leadership.
After I retired I joined the Friends of the Temple Terrace Public Library Board and the Library Board. Within a year after joining the Friends, I became the Treasurer, a position I held until I rotated off the Board after 3 years. I also developed and administered their budget in line with the library's and worked to supply the library with funding for those items not included in the City budget.
With my strong emphasis on budgeting, I necessarily feel it is vital to our church to provide us with financial support in order to meet our goals. When the opening arose in the Stewardship Committee, I jumped right in as I believe in our church and its mission in our community - in its Principles and goals.
Although my health is an issue, I am addressing my problems with all my determination to continue on despite the hardships. I am not lacking in courage to undertake difficult challenges in my life - whether they be my health or my commitments.

David Stickell
In June of 2010 I moved to Tampa to be closer to my only child, a daughter who lives on the Hillsborough River, near 56th Street. I had been to UUCT a few times over the years, while visiting my daughter.
It is my belief that the trustees are central figures in the life of the Church. I felt honored to be asked to run. I have been quite interested to notice the similarities and differences between the UUCT and the UUFCC in Pennsylvania, where I was a member for about 50 years. If I became a trustee I would have the duty and the responsibility to help steer the UUCT effectively in the direction its members want to go.
Since I am so new to the UUCT I am not confident that my assessment of the most pressing issues facing us is valid, although I feel I am being enlightened as a member of the Interim Ministry Transition Team. My current thoughts are:
Dealing with issues related to being a pastoral vs. program church. It seems to me that what's most urgent is that the members be clear about the significance of any choices made.
Electing a search committee willing to do the crucial, difficult work involved in knowing who we are and what we want and identifying and attracting the leadership we need. Attracting the leadership we need will involve a careful analysis of the possible need to raise more for the minister's financial package.
I do not feel as though I have a very clear view of my strengths and weaknesses as a member of a group such as the BOT. As is so often true, one of my strengths is also one of my weaknesses. I am a fairly good listener and a thoughtful responder, but not very quick. Many experience me as frustratingly slow and deliberate. I think I'm a good team member, but not a leader. If the team has agreed on one or more goals, I will do my best to contribute to meeting them. Even if they are not my personal top choices. A major weakness is in original thinking, but I believe I'm fairly good at recognizing good ideas from others and occasionally can suggest improvements. One potential problem is my lack of a driver's license. This does not appear to be a problem at UUCT because of the number of members who have given me rides and offered to do so. I have some formal training as a mediator and some limited experience in district court, mostly with a partner.
My involvement with Unitarians and then with U-U's has been almost exclusively with the UUFCC (Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, PA.I joined in 1958 while a grad student and public school teacher. During my 50 years there (minus 5 years out of town) I served as president, on two search committees, ministerial relations committee, building committee, RE committee, adviser to the Student Religious Liberals, canvasser, taught About Your Sexuality, and was a facilitator for a Small Group Ministry group (here it's called Chalice Circle). When I joined, the group was small and we had no minister and the services were not recorded. When we started recording them on audio cassettes, I volunteered to do the recording and maintain a library of the tapes. After fifteen or so years another member who was a self-employed recording engineer took over and bought professional equipment, including wireless microphones and earphones for those who had difficulty hearing.
At UUTC I have served with Beverly Bethune on the collect and count team, with Mary Satterwhite on the Social Activities Committee, and am currently serving on the Interim Transition Team, and being trained to become a Worship Associate. I joined the Wednesday night Chalice Circle as soon as it was formed.

(This article is submitted by the Nominating/Leadership Development Committee, whose members are Diane Gainforth, Russell Kirby, Russell Patterson, and Ed Benedict.)

Ministerial Search Committee Elected

During a special congregational meeting held on April 6th, the Ministerial Search Committee members were elected.

From left to right in the photo: Elise Richardson, Joan Lund, Ara Rogers, Marta Pearson, Ed Benedict, Mary Francis, and Earl Harvey.

The Ministerial Search committee members will participate in a facilitated retreat in May to prepare for the important work ahead of them. While there will be strict confidentiality regarding candidates, they will keep our congregation aware of their progress.

The committee can be reached at search@uutampa.org.

Circles in the Woods CUUPS

Circles in the Woods CUUPS sponsors a monthly Full Moon Celebration on Saturdays closest to the full moon.

Join Serenity Circle for a fun evening with The Wiccan of Oz! We'll travel down the yellow brick road featuring archetypes cast from treasured and timeless Wizard of Oz characters. We'll visit all of the fantastic lands and explore the pagan and Wiccan themes within this treasured story. And, of course, waiting at the end of the yellow brick road is the Emerald City and the Wiccan of Oz. As with the classic story, our ritual will include a powerful message, and like the movie, it will be surrounded with fun times. Come enjoy this evening with us!!

All Circles in the Woods CUUPS activities are open to the public and held at UUCT. The only cost is a love 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.

SAVE THE DATE

Join UUs from all over Florida on April 25-26 at the UU Fellowship of Vero Beach (a magnificent facility) for the "triple crown" of UU events in this state: 1) the Annual Florida District Assembly , 2) the Annual Florida District Choral Festival, and 3) the first ever Annual Meeting of UU Justice Florida with all UU congregations invited! UU Justice Florida will hold a 60-minute workshop Saturday April 26 to show what we have accomplished and can accomplish together. Come register your choices for our Core Issues and our Board of Directors. All recommendations and nominations will be considered.
Contact Kindra Muntz, 941-497-1764, kindra@uujusticefl.org for further details.

Truth & Trust in the 21st Century

We are excited to have Kelly McBride leading an Ethics Workshop May 3 at our UU. Her title is "Truth & Trust in the 21st Century." Kelly McBride is a writer, teacher and one of the country's leading voices when it comes to media ethics. She has been on the faculty of the Poynter Institute since 2002.

The world's largest newsrooms, including the New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NPR and the BBC, frequently seek her advice for internal decisions and quote her expertise in their stories. She currently runs the Ethics Department and the Reporting, Writing and Editing Department at Poynter. Kelly is also the director of Poynter's Sense-Making Project, a Ford Foundation initiative examining the transformation of journalism from a profession for a few to a civic obligation of many, the values of the Fifth Estate and the effects of technology on democracy. Kelly was the lead writer on ESPN's Poynter Review Project.

She is the co-editor, along with Tom Rosenstiel, of a book: The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21st Century, which features essays by 14 thought leaders and practitioners, as well as a new code of ethics for journalists and people who care about journalism.

The day's events will begin with coffee and registration from 9:30 to 10:00. After the morning session, lunch will be served. The West Central Cluster annual meeting will wind up the day. Tickets are $15. Want to help host this event or get more info or tickets? Contact Dottie Mann at 813-985-2342 or doromom@gmail.com.

Good Book Column

Hello Readers: Here are the contributions for this month.

Mary Satterwhite: Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America, by Robert Whitaker. In this astonishing and startling book, award-winning science and history writer Robert Whitaker investigates a medical mystery: Why has the number of disabled mentally ill in the US tripled over the past two decades? Every day, 1100 adults and children are added to the government disability rolls because they have become newly disabled by mental illness, with this epidemic spreading most rapidly among our nation's children. What is going on? Whitaker investigates what is known today about the biological causes of mental disorders. Do psychiatric medications fix "chemical imbalances" in the brain, or do they, in fact, create them? At the heart of the book is the question of how psychiatric drugs affect long-term outcomes from these medications. This is one of the first books to look at the merits of psychiatric medications through the prism of long-term results. Some of the questions answered by the book are: "Are long-term recovery rates higher for medicated or unmedicated schizophrenia patients? Does taking an antidepressant decrease or increase the risk that a depressed person will become disabled by the disorder? Do bipolar patients fare better today than they did forty years ago, or much worse?" In this compelling history, Whitaker also tells the personal stories of children and adults swept up in this epidemic. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the pharmaceutical industry, psychiatry's use of psychotropic drugs, and the power of advertising in marketing medications to the public.

Ron Hammerle: Love & War: Twenty Years, Three Presidents, Two Daughters and One Louisiana Home is a joint, biographical account about how two of the nation's most divergent political strategists and commentators have managed to love and live together for many years. James Carville was the lead political strategist for Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential victory. Mary Matalin served in the Reagan, Bush I, Bush II and Cheney administrations. Both became high profile commentators for opposite, national TV networks-and traded life in high society Washington to move to post-Katrina New Orleans. So, how did they do that? It is an interesting and potentially educational story.

Editor, Carol Baker: A Tale for a Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. A 16 year old girl from Japan writes a diary which is found later washed ashore off the coast of British Columbia by an author who can't find a story to write. Nao, the teenager, has led an unhappy life, being bullied, having a father suicidal due to job loss and even considering her own suicide as an answer to the misery. Ruth, the author, gets caught up in Nao's story and worries about whether she died in the tsunami. There are wonderful themes of time and time shifts, coincidences, parallel events, and the interrelatedness of us all. Even the title has multiple meanings. It is no surprise that Ms. Ozeki is a Zen Buddhist priest, as she manages to successfully interweave science and math (including quantum physics!) with magic.

Thanks to May contributors! Don't forget some recommendations for light summer reading as it's coming soon. See you again next month. Happy reading.

Editor, Carol Baker

Join us for
Children: The Challenge

*This course has no Religious Affiliation*
A six-week study group for parents

April 24, 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
*   how to create a family atmosphere of freedom with order
*   how birth order affects decision making and personality development
*   the use of encouragement
*   the basic goals of misbehavior
*   conflict resolution
*   how to conduct family meeting

Questions? Call Randall Gainforth at 813.988.7500 or rgainforth@aol.com

TEEN & ADULT GAME NIGHT - taking a break

Our every-2nd-Friday "Teen and Adult Game Night" is taking a summer vacation and will start up again in August.

We plan to branch out to games not usually seen at Game Night, so make a list of what you'd like to play and send it to Jeannette Manning at manningjea@yahoo.com or tel. 813-857-0468. Have a great summer!

HOPE Happenings

Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality
By Judy Lane

What an exciting time for Social Justice. At this year's Nehemiah Action, we had 49 representatives from UUCT present. Rev. Doak Mansfield represented our church on the agenda by presenting the meeting ground rules. In addition to our UU friends, some of the invited guests included Les Miller from the Hillsborough County Commissioner, Lisa Montelione and Frank Reddick from the Tampa City Council, and several individuals from departments of law enforcement.

Thanks to all of you who support our efforts to achieve justice with HOPE. 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, members and friends of UUCT invested more than $5,000 in HOPE. If you wish to invest in our justice network, please contact one of the Justice Ministry Team members. Checks should be made out to HOPE.

Our next large HOPE event is the Justice Ministry Celebration on Monday June 2, 6:45 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church Parish Center. We will have a potluck dinner and celebrate together. We want to have the Individual Investments all in by this date, so please start putting your investment money aside!

Remember, in Hillsborough County and at the UUCT, we have
HOPE FOR JUSTICE.

FRIENDSHIP DINNERS

Friendship Dinners have a new twist! The group that was hosted by Karin and Terry Lanning in March has decided to do a dinner circle. Each month one member of that circle group will host the dinner, so the same group gets together once a month until all members have hosted a dinner. At that point, they can discontinue the group or start over. Ann and Earl Harvey are hosting that circle dinner in April, and there is an opening for two more participants to join that group. A sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board.

Friendship dinners or circle dinners are a great way to get to know some of your fellow UUs. If you would like to host a regular friendship dinner, or start a circle dinner, or would just like more information, please contact Kim McDonald at 813-380-2628 or email kim9mcdonald@gmail.com.

Trunk Sale Fund Raiser

TEASER: Got junk or, for some of us, personal treasures? And who doesn't? Want to get rid of it? Even make a couple of bucks for yourself, AND help your church community raise some money? Then come out to the church on Saturday, April 26th for the big Spring Trunk Sale.

HOW IT WILL WORK: For a $15.00 parking fee, you can rent a designated parking space in the church's parking lot. If you want a cleaner selling venue than your trunk, you can rent an 8 foot long table for $20.00. Then, you sell your stuff (junk or treasures) just like at a garage sale, and give 10% (or more, your choice) of what you make off your stuff to the church. If you want to get a good spot you may pre-arrange your parking space or table by paying your fees early to Judy Lehman, jr.lehman@verizon.net or Pat Benedict, ptbenedict@gmail.com.

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Snacks and drinks at a reasonable prices.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOME: Our community, and perhaps some passing guests, will have an opportunity to buy each other's stuff, swap some good stories, and enjoy each other's company while we make a couple of bucks for the church. Hope to see you there.

NOTE: What you do not sell, or what you buy, leaves the church's grounds with you. We need to keep our parking lot and large dome balcony clean.

"Share the Plate" with Local Charities
The Board of Trustees and the Community Action Council would like to welcome all to share the gift of our generous congregation with several local charities. We continue celebrating this gift on the first Sunday of every month. This month it is May 4th. All monetary donations, and checks made out to UUCT with the charity's name in the memo line of the check, obtained during our offertory for that day will be donated in full to a spotlight local charity of the month. All pledges to UUCT should be written out and identified as such on the memo line. The charity will be chosen by the Community Action Council and will reflect the values and principles that we as UUs hold dear. Information on the charity will be made available in various locations (Order of Service, pamphlets in the entry way, the Domelight and the Yahoo group) prior to the first Sunday of the month. Please join us in this new and exciting way to help our local groups to do some good!
Our spotlight charity in this pilot period will be the MacDonald Training Center. The MacDonald Training Center was founded in 1953 and provides educational and vocational services to people with disabilities in the Tampa area. Their mission statement, "To empower people with disabilities to lead the lives they choose", embodies our first two principles, the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
You are all encouraged to volunteer your time to these charities as well. Visit them on the web at www.macdonaldcenter.org or phone (813) 870-1300 for volunteer opportunities.
-John Powers- Board of Trustee Liaison of Community Action Council

State of the Art Audiovisual Display Coming Soon

UUCT members and visitors will see some changes at the front of the sanctuary soon with two 70 inch, wall-mounted, high-definition screens, on each side at the front of the sanctuary behind the stage.

This custom-designed state-of-the-art system will display our Order of Service, hymns and other songs, stories read to our children, speakers' visuals, and other service elements as necessary. The new system will help UUCT be a green congregation by cutting back on the use of paper for the Order of Service and reducing the need to replace or increase the number of hymnals.

How can we afford this? We can move forward because a generous donation from past members Bev and Sandy Rogers established a UUCT Stagecraft Fund. In gifting the money, they stipulated that it was to be used for theatrical-type enhancements. This new high-definition system fits their criteria perfectly.

Exciting times at UUCT! If you have questions, or concerns, contact our Worship Chair, Diane Gainforth or Mary Francis, the task force leader for this project.

UUCT mUUsic Group

Meets 7:30pm Mondays

Behold our muse. Not sure how musical you are? Afraid you'll be embarrassed?

Come to mUUsic Group sessions anonymously if you like. Your secret will be safe with us. So, please join us in the Small Dome. We're there every Monday at 7:30 PM.

In the spirit of old-time hootenannys and good-time jam sessions, this is an informal gathering of musicians, vocalists, and just plain music lovers who want to make or listen to mUUsic. Sing, play an instrument, drum, or bang on an upside-down waste basket. Get creative. It's all good.

Besides having fun and making friends, the mUUsic Group's goal is to develop a sufficient repertoire of folk, blues, rock, traditional, spiritual, and other songs so that we can:

a) Provide the "mUUsic" when the choir has a Sunday off
b) Perform onstage at UUCT's periodic Blues & Barbecue and other events.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability or experience. So come one, come all, and let the good times roll!
- Terry Lanning, terryjlanning@gmail.com, (813) 679-3013.

How are your doing?

A little boy went to a telephone booth which was at the cash counter of a store and dialed a number.
The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation:

Boy : "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?
Woman : (at the other end of the phone line) "I already have someone to cut my lawn."
Boy : "Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price than the person who cuts your lawn now."
Woman : I'm very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.
Boy : (with more perseverance) "Lady, I'll even sweep the floor and the stairs of your house for free.
Woman : No, thank you.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy.

Store Owner : "Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."
Boy : "No thanks,
Store Owner : But you were really pleading for one.
Boy : No Sir, I was just checking my performance at
the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!"

Source: Story of the Day from http://rishikajain.com

A Month of Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Services begin at 11 a.m.

May 4 'Beyond Prayer'
The Reverend Doak M. Mansfield, D.Min.
Doak says of this title, "I want to consider a few definitions of prayer and suggest possible relevance and applications for the rational folk who seek spiritual understandings and are open to eclectic resources for deeper and fuller lives."

May 11 'Nature & Nurture'
The Reverend Doak M. Mansfield, D.Min.
"In honor of Mother's Day I will give voice to some reflections on what history and life has taught about how we become who we are. I might take a stab at the stereotypical 'qualities' of gender and how shaky those classifications can be.," Doak said of this message.

May 18, 2014 'Hymn Sing Sunday'
Come and sing and hear about some history of the hymns in our beloved hymnal. Phil Hildreth C.M.L. will lead an informative and stirring service. Come ready to celebrate Singing!!!

Phil Hildreth is a Credentialed Music Leader. The UUA honored Phil with this title at the GA in Salt Lake City. Phil is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and a board member of the UU Musicians Network as well as a previous member of the UUCT choir!

May 25 'Of Scared Memory'
The Reverend Doak M. Mansfield, D.Min.
Doak noted, "This may be a somewhat offbeat and irreverent observance of a holiday (Memorial Day) that often can be stolen and made into a glorifying of war sacrilege."

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.

Know what's weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon...everything's different.
~ Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa

email: info@uutampa.org

11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, FL 33637

813-988-8188