The idea of a minister's column is for me to share some useful wisdom. What a great opportunity and what a difficult challenge.

A basic definition of wisdom is the judicious application of knowledge. The opposite of wisdom is folly. Synonyms include prudence, sagacity, discernment, or insight.

I'm much better at sharing "folly" and the best at expressing anger. Wisdom denotes a certain detachment and the offering of reasoned constructive ideas about a given situation. I've a very strong judgmental element in my character.  And I can rage at the stupid and destructive individual attitudes, choices and cultural actions. Now, giving thoughtful and difficult considerations to a situation to see all the aspects, elements and come up with some constructive helpful understandings to share is hard work. That effort requires empathy and compassion. Empathy means vulnerability and compassion means strong caring.

As we enter the rush and absurdities of the harsh, commercial, heavy quilting, December celebrations of the often hollow and fanciful here is a bit of wisdom: with a few cautions, go with it. Yes, go with it.

Look for the pop art, the weird humor in the gross excesses of the commercials, the decorations, and the upside down values manifest in so much that is part of the season.  Don't overspend money or emotions on the holidays, but otherwise go with it. No mean judging, just observe the show that is a gift of our shared humanity.

Participate in the folly, the silliness, the excess and absurdity of the Winter holidays and maybe, maybe through that release, through that relaxing of control a new appreciation and joy in the wonder and miracle of life becomes a priceless and cost free gift, and yours. Enter it and claim the gifts.

That is the best wisdom I can conjure...my love and good hopes for a gentle and blessed holiday season.

(_________________________________)!!
Fill in your preferred salutation for the season.

Paint a clay pot chalice for your home.

Spotlight on Search

This month the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) would like to share with you some of what we learned from the Community Survey, Cottage Meetings and other interviews regarding the question "what do we want in a minister".
From the survey we learned that we would want our minister to prioritize the given list of seven functions in this order:
1.    Spiritual Leader: prepares and leads worship and celebrations
2.    Intellectual Leader: challenges and stimulates the thinking of the congregation
3.    Person of character: models the ethical life
4.    Facilitator: involves people in congregational life
5.    Pastor: counsels, visits the sick, visits people at home, etc.
6.    Social Activist: promotes ethical values in the larger community
7.    Administrator: achieves results by coordinating and supporting the efforts of others

From the given list of qualities of a ministerial candidate the top 6 most important were selected by at least a third of the respondents:
1.    Fostering a sense of fellowship and community within the church
2.    Presenting stimulating and challenging Sunday services
3.    Professional competence (ability to communicate, counsel, empower, etc.)
4.    Empathy (genuine interest in and concern about others)
5.    Sense of humor
6.    Character (strong moral consistency, stability, reliability)

In the cottage meetings we asked participants to imagine the ideal minister for this community and this is some of what was said:

*    Personally caring minister: "genuinely shows interest in members", "warm and caring", "friendly and engaging", "helps members with problems", "appeals to all ages".
*    Visionary minister:  "excited about the possibilities of our faith", "teaches and challenges the congregations spiritual growth", "reaches out to the larger community"
*    Facilitative minister: "engages the congregation", "inspiring", "spiritual with a sense of humor", "comfortable leading and being led", "gets people involved"
*    Competent, functional minister: "mix of sermon topics, uplifting and motivating", "emotional maturity and health", "supportive not controlling", "diplomatic"

There were, of course, comments and responses from every angle and direction as well.   We wouldn't expect any less from a UU congregation.  Next month, read what the MSC created to describe "the minister we seek".

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

Our choir is always open to folks who like to sing. If you can, and will be a part of a few good folk, we need you for our choir. Practice is every Wednesday 7:15 - 8:45 PM.

Beginning Wednesday December 3 responsible child care will be available at no charge during choir practice. Be a part of a special and valued group. 

By Judy Lane
As UUs, 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. 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 major HOPE events in your calendars:

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

UUCT has been participating in the Foster Angel program for several years now.  "The mission and vision of the Foster Angels of Hillsborough County, Inc., is that every child that has been separated from their family and placed in a foster home due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment will be able to enjoy the Christmas Holiday."

The tree will be in the lobby soon.  So grab your angel and we will help them meet their mission!  The back of the angel will have the child's wish list.  All gifts should be new and wrapped.  The pick-up date will be December 14 at noon. 

Sorry, if you miss the date there is no drop off location or second pick-up.

Please bring boxed, canned, and bagged nonperishable food to our December activities. Make it a mix of staples (rice, cereals, dry milk, beans, sugar, coffee, tea, flour, corn meal, canned fruit, jello, soups, canned meat, baby food, as such) and special treat items (cake mixes, cookies, icing, and the like) . They will be shared with the migrant worker families.
                                       Special Guest from Far North.    

Interested in joining?  Click on the link below:

uuctshareandswap-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

UUCT GAME NIGHT FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
Dec. 12, 6:30-9pm

Come play Mexican Train dominoes, Cribbage, or YOUR favorite game with UUCT friends on the 2nd Friday of each month.  December Game Night is Fri., Dec. 12, 6:30-9pm, in the Non-Dome.  Excellent edible snacks provided, BYO-drinks if other than water.  December's host - Kim McDonald, kim9mcdonald@gmail.com.  No need to reserve a spot, no need to bake or shop, just show up and have fun.

It is time for you to review your donations toward your 2014 pledge.  Will you have fulfilled your 2014 pledge by December 29, the close of UUCT's fiscal year?  If you would like a copy of your contribution history, to see if you are on track with your pledge, I can provide a contribution statement for you. If you give me a call (813-988-1907) I can have a summary for you by the next Sunday, or I can mail a copy to you.

December 31 is the close of our fiscal year.  Due to banking holiday hours and slow mail delivery, all contributions received after Sunday December 28 will be deposited in January 2015. And will not be recorded on your end of year contribution statement.  Contribution statements are sent to you for your tax records and will be mailed no later than the third week in January.    

 Joyce Formica, Pledge Secretary

CONCERTS IN THE UU DOME:  Gloria Holloway, Concert Chair

Hi Beloved Community,
Rodolfo is a Cuban refugee who arrived in July of this year, via Mexico, which granted him political asylum.  He led demonstrations against government corruption in Cuba and lost his job because of it.  He has 5 grown children living in Spain and Cuba who he hopes to eventually sponsor to come to the US for a better life.

Rodolfo was living in Lamplighter Park with relatives when he saw that our property needed work and started working without expectation of getting paid, (although he did hope it would turn into a job). He has been taking care of many of the long-neglected landscaping needs on our 4 1/2 acre property.  At church, he has been cleaning garden beds, clearing the woods on Davis Road to increase visibility for cars entering and leaving our property, clearing overgrown weeds around the memorial garden, raising and moving memorial stones, planting bromeliads, etc.  I can only imagine how much nicer our property with continue to look as he keeps working.

Many members of our church suggested we help to sponsor his new life and have been giving regular donations for him, I have been able to give him some money each week.

After about a month of 7 people in a small trailer, the tensions in the house grew and Rodolfo moved into my guest room, where he has been staying for several weeks.  He is a wonderful guest, good humored, and a good cook.  

He is officially registered with our government and will apply for residency next July, when he become eligible.  He has a bank account and he recently got his Florida ID and has started riding HART line buses to get around town.   He is saving money to pay off debts incurred in paying immigration fees, travel to get here, rent, care packages he sends to family members in Cuba, and hopefully a deposit on an apartment.

He is very grateful for our help and wants our church to be the center of his new life here.  Anyone who wishes to have him help you with chores around your house, please let me know and I will schedule his work and help him to find the appropriate way to arrive at your house.  I have found that he works best working side by side with someone, rather than being left alone.  He doesn't remember long strings of instructions and sometimes finishes a job in a way that wasn't entirely intended.  

Thank you to everyone for your generosity in assisting in helping with Rodolfo's settlement into our community.   I am happy to translate for Rodolfo at any time, just call me and I can help put you in contact with him.

Blessed Be,
Marla Frazer
marlafrazer@gmail.com

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:

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.

 
Christmas Eve Service

Seasonal. Informal. Candlelight. Carols & Music. Stories. Meditations.     

 

SAVE THE DATE:  DECEMBER 24, 2014

for our

CHRISTMAS EVE CEREMONY

Friendship Dinner

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

         For more information contact Jerry Elsenrath, Candy Gale, Russell Patterson,          Cay Cahalin, Diana Stevens, Grant Wilson, Elise Richardson.

 Save the Date:

Saturday, February, 14, 2015 @ 7:00 PM

Valentine's Day Party at UUCT