There was snow, significant snow, last week in three states in the north central western US. That news bit reminded me how we in Florida are isolated from the wide varieties of seasonal climate changes. That is good and has some wondrous blessings. We're now in the midst of the hurricane season though and that can mess up a day and life in remarkable ways.  Point is every place has its seasons and characteristics. Each place requires acclimation and adjustments.

There are varied passages (relocations geographically, job changes, retirement, kids, no kids, empty nest, grief, sickness...you can add other situations that apply) of our lives that require our responding and reactions. The good stuff that comes our way makes for times of joy and celebration.  The not-so-good tests us and often shakes up and reorders our lives. No one is immune to such. Some of us may stay stuck in the trauma of the changes that swallow us for long periods. Our lives become pale and joyless, more of a role we're playing than a life we're living. That is a terrible place to be and it calls on us to struggle mightily trusting that we will make it through. Of assurance to me during those time in my life have been simple things: the witness of seasonal changes, dreaded holidays that invade my semi-living, and folks still around even when I'm merely half present.

Our central and south Florida autumns are without the theatrics of cool to cold snaps and dramatic color explosions of New England or the Great Smokies but there are changes, subtle but nevertheless real and most surely life being faithfully lived. May we be taught by that and strive through the passages with as much courage as we can muster. Yes, even to the point of reaching out to share the struggle with another. No "healings"are promised here but the reaching out demonstrates our awareness and caring; and such is vital to the process of becoming what we are to be after the life changes are worked through.
We'll be talking during the next few weeks about money. Let us be honest and sincere during this stewardship time. Members and friends will be ask to make meaningful financial pledges to make possible the life and ministry of UUCT. If  it is important to have available a strong and vital welcoming community that respects and honors your personhood, your ideas, hopes, hurts, spiritual growth, and witnesses to the broader community ideals of loving kindness, inclusion, peace, and a healthy, creative interdependency, then please support as generously as your circumstances allow. I sure hope UUCT matters to you and I encourage you to show it boldly with your financial support for 2015.

The Reverend Dr. Doak M. Mansfield, Interim Minister

We can't tell people what the average pledge amount is because the big givers will cut back to the average!

If we mention money too often there will be important people leave the church!

Money situations are just too personal to allow open discussions about pledge amounts.

Spotlight on Search

Summer turns into fall and the work of the ministerial search committee (MSC) continues to work on defining what we are looking for in a minister and providing potential candidates with a profile of who UUCT is as a congregation.

The MSC is thankful for the materials that have been sent in for our use in creating a web site that presents UUCT to ministers that express an interest in serving our congregation.  We have received some wonderful letters of reference that make us so proud of our community and grateful to have such complimentary words to share with potential ministers.  There is still a lot to be done (information from committees, scripted videos of the grounds and activities, photos of people and events, links to information on our greater community, etc.).  The web site has to be ready by the end of October, so please, get the information to us ASAP.

We also want to thank everyone who participated in the survey and in the cottage meeting discussions.   We appreciate your honesty and thoughtfulness and you have given us a lot to think about.  Quantitative analysis of the survey data will give a factual basis to support or correct our personal impressions of the congregation's makeup and direction.   It is going to take at least a month to sort out the data we have.  Our first priority will be to use this information in preparing our congregation's profile that prospective ministers will view. Then we will find a good way to present the information to all of you.
 
This congregation wants and deserves a great minister that can more than meet our needs.  A great minister deserves to be paid for serving our congregation, not just with our respectful appreciation but also with an appropriate salary and benefits. The UUA has set standards on what is appropriate for our geographic area and we are currently struggling to catch up on benefits.  In October every one of us gets a chance to make a pledge of our monetary contribution to UUCT.  This year, the MSC hopes you will think about that minister we deserve and how much you can pledge to our stewardship campaign so next fall that great settled minister will be a reality.

Comments, questions and conversations are welcome in person anytime, or by email to search@uuct.org .

Elise Richardson, Joan Lund, Ara Rogers, Marta Pearson, Ed Benedict, Earl Harvey, Mary Francis

 Stewardship Campaign   "Time, Treasure, and Talent"

(Six Things You Need to Consider Before a Loved One Dies)

• When each of us thinks about the last phase of life, what is most important to us?
• What about health concerns? 
• What decisions need to be made?
• Do you have an estate plan in place?  (Without a will the state dictates how assets are passed.)
• What legal forms should be prepared to assure your decisions prevail?
• Who will know your decisions on each of these questions? Where do they look to find them?

All these and many other issues affecting you and your family need your consideration.

On November 15 from 9:00 until 12:00, UUCT will be offering a panel of lay people, lawyers, health care and hospice experts to lead a discussion on these and other related questions.  No matter your age, this program can help equip you for dealing with essential planning for the issues that arise when the end of life comes for you or those who matter to you.

No matter how organized you think you have your affairs, chances are you will learn about something else needing your attention at this informative session.

Reserve your seat for Saturday, November 15, by emailing dadles@gmail.com or calling Fran Davin at 813/977-0032.   Please let us know in advance that you are coming so we have enough reference materials (and refreshments) for everyone.

Friendship Dinner

I was recently asked to manage the Friendship Dinners. The first thing I want to do is apologize for taking so long to pick up the ball.

I understand there has been some confusion about how they work. I believe (rightly or wrongly) that part of the confusion relates to the fairly recent introduction of a new approach to the program. A group of 5 couples decided to take turns hosting the same group each time instead of new people signing up with a host. They call themselves a Friendship Circle and they have met twice so far. One couple has moved so now there are 4 couples :  Fox/Manning, Harvey, Lanning, and Staples. Since not all 4 couples can accommodate more than 8, this Circle is closed for now.

The usual procedure for setting up a Friendship Dinner is for an individual or a couple who wants to host a dinner to post a notice on the bulletin board near the entry doors to the sanctuary. The notice should include the host's name, address, phone number and email, if appropriate, the proposed date and time, and how many may sign up.

If the host intends to start a new Friendship Circle, that should be made clear as well as any expectations of those who sign up. The existing Circle agreed that each couple would host, but if a new group wanted to have repeat dinners with the same people and wanted to allow singles and/or those who can't host to sign up, that should be made clear in the posting.

It would be helpful to me if anyone offering either kind of dinner would contact me by phone (813 988- 7272) or email (dw_stickell13@verizon.net). If you have any questions, either mode of contact is fine; if I don't know the answer, I will find one or invent one.

David Stickell

With the arrival of October our transition will be well underway to another year, initially another autumnal season, if not yet another hurricane post-season. We will have begun a new Adult Religious Education book study on the morning of September 28, before Sunday worship services, with Grant Wilson. The great book at the core of this course is One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism by Joseph Goldstein. The schedule of those classes with Grant is published in the weekly announcements section of the Sunday bulletin.

Along with the terrific study groups that gather with Randy Gainforth to discuss and learn about parenting and marriage, the world around us and many hearts within our congregation are going to be buzzing, I predict, about a new novel from the acclaimed English best-selling author Ian McEwan. This expertly crafted novel, The Children Act, has religion at the heart of its plot, as Adam, the dying 17 year old son in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses, becomes the subject of a controversial British court case. The leading High Court judge, Fiona Maye, is charged by Section I (A) of the United Kingdom's 1989 Children Act with ensuring "the child's welfare shall be the court's paramount consideration" even while her marriage of 30 years is suddenly thrown into crisis. At issue is the urgent need to provide Adam with a lifesaving blood transfusion, even while his faith and that of his parents refuses blood transfusion under any circumstances. As a family court judge, Fiona, who has been too busy throughout her marriage to stop and have a child, must decide this complex case, made more complex by her own feelings when she goes to the dying boy's hospital in an extraordinary but official maneuver to see to the beautiful, gifted child's welfare. The novelist wants us, perhaps without judging, to give all this real and deeply psychological setup our due consideration. Public Radio's Diane Rehm show spent an hour with Ian McEwan to discuss The Children Act, a new book my public library customers have been calling me to find, clamoring for copies already circulating in the Tampa-Hillsborough Library system. Religion in a spotlight!

Jeff Austin, Adult RE Chair

Quick Mountain background: The Mountain was founded in 1979 by UUs that wanted a place to send their children to summer camp. It has evolved into a place where people can come as they are with no need to fear judgement or discrimination. The Mountain is proud to host UU congregational retreats, MountainCamp, Youth CONferences, and many other groups throughout the year.

Coming Up:

Southern UU Fall Institute: October 6-10  SUUFI welcomes you for its 3rd year, featuring Rev. Amy Carol Webb of Miami bringing her music, wisdom and ministry to "The LIFE in Your Years!!"

Do you hear The Mountain calling you...?   You are invited!  Please register for this wonderful week of warm fellowship, cool weather, stimulating presentations and wholesome re-connection with nature and yourself. Go to mountaincenters.org to register and find out more.

Senior (55+) Day Hiking Retreat: September 21-26 Come celebrate nature in beautiful Highlands, NC! Day hikes vary in length (2-5 miles) and difficulty (mild to moderate). At the end of the day enjoy social hour and recreational activities before resting in comfortable lodging at night. Go to mountaincenters.org to register and find out more.

Thanksgiving: November 26-30: Start a new Thanksgiving tradition at The Mountain. Take part in a relaxed environment with evening programs, programming for children, and Sunday morning worship service. Thanksgiving dinner will be delicious. The best part: you don't have to cook or clean! Go to mountaincenters.org to register and find out more.

By Judy Lane
As UU's, we are moved to justice work primarily by our second principle: justice, equity and compassion for all.  Our UUCT Justice Ministry Network is how we connect with HOPE and live out our UU principles.  Fall is the time of year when HOPE conducts house meetings as part of its listening process.  During these meetings, we will be hearing personal stories related to community concerns and we will work to strengthen our UUCT justice network.  UUCT, along with other congregations, has the power needed to achieve justice.  This year's UUCT HOPE house meeting is scheduled for Sunday October 14 from 12:30 - 2:30 in the multi-purpose building.  Please contact Judy Lane at 813-901-9157 or judylane2003@earthlink.net or Rand Edwards at randwards@yahoo.com for more information.

Also, make sure you have the dates of the next four major HOPE events in your calendars:
HOPE Convention: Monday, October 27, 2014, at 6:30 pm, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1203 N. Nebraska Avenue Tampa, FL 33602
HOPE Rally: Monday, March 23, 2015, at 6:30 pm, location TBD
HOPE Nehemiah Action: Monday, April 20, 2015, at 6:30 pm, location TBD
 HOPE Justice Ministry Celebration: Monday, June 8, 2015, at 6:30 pm, location TBD