October 2015

Rev. Patricia A. Owen, Settled Minister 

Erin Powers, DRE 

Generosity is about being happy to give or share time, money, food, or whatever with others.  But it is more.  When you're forgiving and gentle to people, you show generosity of spirit. If you give others help, that shows generosity. The world would certainly be a better place if more people showed generosity to others.  Reverend Patricia A. Owen's pastoral message theme for October will be "generosity".  Join us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. 
In This Issue
My Little Corner of the World
Desk of the President
R.E.flections
Stewardship Drive
60th Anniversary Celebration
Migrant Basket is back!
Monday mUUsic
Choir Rehearsal
Labyrinth
Circles in the Woods
Friendship Dinners
Membership Update
Leadership Group
Buildings and Grounds
Friends of the Small Dome
Article Headline
SWIM 2015
Richard Dawkins
Mountain Programs
The Ship
A Month of Sundays
   

Come and join  

buildings & grounds work October 10th 

9-11 a.m.  

  

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The Church Calendar

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at UUCT
 
Care Committee
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Our Care Team sends greeting cards, makes hospital visits and follows up with congregants who are experiencing joys or sorrows.  Please let us know if you or someone in our congregation is in need.  Contact Tempie Taudte at care@uutampa.org
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

Christine Smith

Board of Trustees  
(effective September 1st) 

    

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bot@uutampa.org
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 My Little Corner of the World
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
What an exciting month September was for us! Water Communion, Rosh Hashanah, reflecting on the journey of social justice in our history and finally a wonderful, heartfelt celebration of the 60th anniversary of the UU Church of Tampa. Through it all I have been humbled by observing the hard work that goes into making this community run on all cylinders. Thank you!

Our theme for October is Generosity. It fits pretty well, since we will kick off our pledge drive on October 4th. A friend recently told me he had visited a mega-church. He said that after the fourth ask for money he became weary of it and lost interest. I probably would too!

Generosity is, of course, about more than financial support. Let's be honest, though and admit that of time, talent and treasure the hardest for us to talk openly about is treasure! One of my deepest hopes for us is that we become a community that can learn about financial generosity as more than simply filling out a pledge form. Financial generosity is an act of making a promise to one another and the larger world and keeping that promise. Financial generosity is an act of expressing our values, and our ethics and principles.

I want you to know a couple things that are very important to me when we discuss pledging and fulfilling our pledge.

First, I have been broke. Yep. flat broke! Because of that, I understand how not having much money can lead to a lot of shame and to the desire to just not talk about it. There will be folks in this community who find themselves in financial hardship. Please, come talk to me. 

Second, I believe that developing a connection between our ethical and/or spiritual growth and how we use our money is something we can learn more about together. Providing those opportunities to learn and grow is very important to me as we continue our journey.

I invite all of us to stop for a moment and think of the meaning this community holds for us. Think of the people who are here for you - I feel that love each time we gather! Think of the possibilities for our children and grandchildren who need a place to learn and grow. Each of us is a priceless gift to this congregation. May we express that in October!

In Joy,
Rev. Patricia
Desk of the President
Good morning UUCT.  Let me introduce myself. I am Randy Gainforth, and your board elected me their president. 

I am new to Unitarian Universalism. This has been my only church as an adult and I joined you in February 2010. I have served as vice president under Bill Blymiller for the past two years. He has been my mentor and has become a dear friend. I am grateful for his leadership and counsel. I also appreciate what he has done for our church.

I understand that I am not a "Bill Blymiller" but I have come to believe that I have something to offer our church with my own style of leadership. I also want to say that it gladdens my heart to become your president at this time of positive change with the arrival of our new minister, Reverend Patricia Owen.  I feel emotionally lifted by her spirit and mentally stimulated by her messages. I happily see that one of my primary roles is to facilitate with her and our congregation in right relations.

Thankfully, I am not alone in this mission. Our church has amazing volunteer involvement on all levels: f Board members, committee chairs, ad hoc project leaders, and countless other hands being lent to get everything done, time and time again. To end on that note, I want to thank you for your support, for your counsel, for your contributions, for your time, and for your service. I want to thank you for this privilege of leadership.
REflections
in Religious Exploration    

Heart Talk Curriculum
This year our social justice offering for Religious Exploration is a curriculum called Heart Talk.  It is based on the Nonviolent Communication principles of Marshall Rosenberg.    Nonviolent Communication focuses on compassionate expression of your own needs and empathic listening to other's needs.  Nonviolent Communication is honoring our inherent worth and dignity while also honoring that of others.   It's our first principle!

We've had many wonderful members step up to lead this class.  Jeff and Michelle Stover, James Shaw (Board member), Tempe Taudte (Social Justice chair), and Judy Lane will rotate Sundays.  This class is offered on the third Sunday of each month through May. 

Building Bridges - Youth World Religions Class
This year our youth class will explore world religions through Building Bridges.  This class offers an in depth exploration of world religions.  If you grew up in a faith that is not UU and would be willing to speak with our youth one Sunday, please let me know.  Personal experiences make the class more exciting and memorable.   Our youth are interested in learning more about Buddhism, Native American religions, Atheism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Paganism.  

Our youth class is being led by John LeRoy, Jenn MacMenomay-LeRoy, Sa
Erin Powers, DRE
dre@uutampa.org
rah Longstaff and Erik Gern. 

 

Beacon Youth Group - meets Wednesdays at 6:30-8:30 in the Youth Room.  Youth ages 12-20 are welcome!

  Children and Youth Religious Exploration 
  
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Stewardship Drive Begins in October
     As you may recall, October is the month for our annual Stewardship Drive.   What better time to host the drive than at our culture's traditional time of harvest, reflection, and thanksgiving.  We at the UUCT have a great deal to be grateful for this year.  For starters, we are celebrating our 60th anniversary year of being a voice for liberal religion in the area.  After a long two year search, our new minister, Reverend Patricia Owen, has begun her time with us.  The Friends of the Little Dome group has begun restoring our "first" sanctuary at 11400 Morris Bridge Road back to being useful and pleasant facility.  The beautiful labyrinth is almost completed.   And, thanks to a lot of sweat equity from our congregants and our friend Rodolfo, our grounds never looked better.

      Not only do we have much to be thankful for but there is a renewed energy and spirit in our community.   Do you feel it, too? 

        This year, 2015, we kick off our Stewardship Drive to support the 2016 budget year on Sunday, October 4, with the theme of "Generosity", which is also Reverend Owen's pastoral message theme of the month.  Please come join us on that day for a Sunday service that will focus on all we have to be grateful for in our church community.  And stay afterward to pick-up your stewardship drive packets and maybe even make the commitment to financially support our community by signing your 2016 pledge forms.  There will be refreshments, too.

     We are hopeful that we will end calendar year 2015 as a financially secure institution, as we have been able to do in recent years.  Please help us maintain that condition in 2016 by giving generously to the stewardship drive.  Our pledge secretary, Joyce Formica, has asked that we remind everyone to be sure to complete their 2015 pledge commitments.  If you are not sure where you stand in that regard, please see Joyce. 

(Submitted by the 2016 Stewardship Drive co-chairs, Ed Benedict and Bill Blymiller.)
UUCT is 60!
UUCT will be celebrating  our 60th anniversary on Sunday September 27 with a special worship service, with special guests, special music and a special catered lunch to follow for all you special people who help to  make this a special place to belong.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa 
Covenant 
 
We the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, covenant with one another:

To strengthen our church community while following our own spiritual paths, 
To honor diversity as a source of communal strength and to be a welcoming community. 
Because our acts and words weave the web that connect us to one another: 
We accept responsibility for what we do and say, 
We communicate with one another in kindness and support, 
We promote the safety and well being of the congregation, 
We practice the democratic process, 
We support this church with our money and time, 
We make our contributions with compassion and commitment, 
We work together to build a joyful community that affirms peace, justice, and spiritual fulfillment. 
We hold ourselves and each other responsible for adhering to this covenant.
The Migrant Basket is Back!
Migrant families will begin to arrive in early October.  Please bring boxed, canned, and bagged nonperishable food for our migrant food basket. Items such as rice, cereals, dry milk, beans, sugar, coffee, tea, flour, corn meal, canned fruit, jello, soups, canned meat, baby food,or even special treat items like cake mixes, cookies, or icing . They will be shared with the migrant worker families.
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 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.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability or experience. So come one, come all, and let the good times roll!  Questions:  muusic@uutampa.org

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:45.  If you love to sing, desire more music in your life, and want to make truly beautiful music with friends old and new,  come join the UUCT Choir and share your dulcet tones with all of us!
The Labyrinth Grows Toward Completion
Just south of the large dome, the labyrinth for meditative walking is nearing completion. We're placing white marble around the central chalice this week. Many UUCT members and groups have purchased plaques with inspirational phrases that you can see placed around the perimeter of the labyrinth. Come take a look at this enduring contribution to our campus, and perhaps find yourself inspired to add your own motto. Plaques like those you will see there can be purchased for a $100 contribution. Call Trude Diamond for more information: (813) 949 - 0055.
ciw_cuups
Circles in the Woods CUUPS
  Welcome Shalee on September 26th for our Full Moon Celebration!   This is the time of year to celebrate the Fall Equinox, a time of balance with The Dance of the Eagle and the Owl.

All are welcome to celebrate with us!  The cost is a love donation and there will be a Moneta basket for offerings.  No pets please. Plan to come early or stay afterward to socialize.  Come, join us, in perfect love and perfect trust.    
For more information about Circles in the Woods CUUPS, e-mail cuups@uutampa.org.
Friendship Dinner
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It would be helpful to me if anyone offering to host a Friendship 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
Greetings from the Membership Committee
We hope that you are pleased with the three modifications we have made.

First, we added "waterfall" branches to the name tag tree. They provide space for almost all tags to be hung separately from others decreasing tangling.

Next we created a new welcoming visitor station to point them in the right direction for information, for a great start to their visit to our church.

Last, but of course not least, we've already had positive feedback on the member/friends turquoise mugs and the yellow visitor ones. Remember to seek out visitors at coffee hour. Introduce yourself, chat, ask and answer questions. I've heard from visitors that they feel very welcomed. Well, of course, we're a friendly welcoming people. Keep it up.

I want to thank the past chair of the committee, Jae Polcyn who left the committee in great shape for the hand off to a new chair. Also current/former members: Pat Benedict, Joyce Formica, Judy Lane, Denise Seeber and Christine Smith. This small group has done and continues to do a lot. Thanks to our current and former Board liaisons Lynn Parrish and Kim MacDonald.

We invite you to join us. We need and want more committee members. Even if you don't join, we welcome your ideas and input. Send to membership@uutampa.org.
Yours in fellowship, Marta Pearson

"Let's start now" Marta
Leadership Group
The Conversations on Leadership group meets at 7:00 the first Thursday of each month in the MPB. The group will be discussing the book Serving With Grace by Erik Walker Wikstrom beginning October 1.  Copies of the book are available from Rev. P.  Come join the group for thoughtful discussion on leadership topics. Contact Kim McDonald (813-380-2628) with any questions.
Buildings and Grounds
Update for October
A great big "thank you" is in order for all those brave souls who have showed up for buildings and grounds day (always the second Saturday of the month) for this past August and September.  The weather was (as always for a Florida morning) hot, steamy, muggy, and sometimes rainy.  Nonetheless, Joe Adles, Bill Blymiller, Robert Boileau, John Fox, Richard Isinghood, Tom Krumreich, Chuck Smith and Rodolfo have shown up these past work-call days to mow, trim, cut, weed, and do what else is necessary to keep our grounds looking good.  Thank you all for your generous gift of your time and energies.
Ed Benedict, Buildings and Grounds Chair
Friends of the Small Dome
By the time this newsletter is published, the small dome will be sealed and painted.   The sealing process was essential to eliminate leaks through cracks in the concrete. The "Friends" selected the color, through democratic process.  The shade of brown was chosen to blend into our environment and to minimize the impact of the staining from the trees thus keeping the building looking great. 

Through devotion and hard work the small dome is looking good!  A lot of progress has been made over the past year to improve the small dome and now groups are finding it a great place to meet again.  If you are interested in being a "Friend", see Mary Francis.
standing_on_the_side_of_love  The principal of Temple Terrace elementary school thanked us for the school supplies we donated.  She said, "Connections to our community help make a difference in our students' lives."  Five UUs have submitted applications to volunteer in the school. This promises to be a rewarding experience for the students we work with and for our UU community.  If you have the time and energy, please join us.

Rev. Patricia came to our social justice meeting in September and shared her vision for the praxis of social justice.  We welcome her insight and ministerial leadership.

The Social Justice Committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month.  Our next meeting will be on October 8, 2015, at 7:00 PM in the Multipurpose Building. We invite and encourage everyone to attend!

Jae Polcyn and Tempie Taudte, co-chairs.
Concerts in the UU Dome 
Joyful Noise & A Side of Jerky along with The St Pete Shanties. Here's a great photo of both groups on our dome stage. They were featured at a well- attended dome concert on September 13. I've received lots of positive feedback about this concert. Folks really seemed to enjoy it. Yea! 

As of the October Domelight deadline, we have two concerts i"n the works." Please check the concert page on the church website http://uutampa.org/concerts/ for the details. Tentative schedule:

Rod MacDonald and Fiddler Rex Blazer
Sunday, October 11, 2015 @ 3:00pm / COST: $12 advance. $15 door

Mamajowali (a trio - African inspired music) in November

And see below the CUUPS sponsored concert with Spiral Dance on November 14th.

Gloria Holloway, Concert Chair
gshello@tampbay.rr.com  or  813-837-6572

We are honored to welcome back Spiral Dance on November 14 at 7:00 pm.  What are people saying about Spiral Dance? 

Melodic, well-arranged and frankly damn catchy!
A unique edge and breath of modern air while still retaining the familiarity of traditional sounds.
Intelligent, witty and above all down to Earth people...friends rather than just performers.
You're taken on a mystical, wistful journey to the heart of Celtic folk music.
Music with heart, soul and melody comes along too rarely. 
An integration of wisdom of yester-years renewed for the present.

Everyone has been excited to hear they are back. You don't want to miss this concert!

Tickets are $15 at the door (cash please). CD's will be available.  Circles in the Woods CUUPS will have food and drinks available.     
                                                   WELCOME TO SWIM 2015
SWIM, the Southeast UU Winter Institute in Miami (sometimes), is delighted to invite you and yours to join us for a week of joy, adventure, and community from December 26 through January 1. Now in our 42nd year, SWIM brings you many opportunities to share yourself with other Unitarian Universalists and friends. We invite you to play and learn and worship and just be-- with us as we come together yet again.

SWIM is an intergenerational camp that will be gathering this year at Cloverleaf 4-H Camp in Lake Placid, Florida!  http://florida4h.org/camps_/cloverleaf/  .It is a two hour drive from Tampa. We have  workshops, music, worship, trips, dancing, games, canoeing, teen and children programming  all ending in a wonderful New Year's Eve party.

We will ha
Faces to look for at SWIM
 Our Director: Candy Gale
We welcome Katie Culbert as chaplain for SWIM 2015, and Minday Simmons from Sarasota with her music!
ve some amazing activities for you. You will find it all on our website http://www.swimuu.org/

COSTS 
In our ongoing efforts to keep SWIM costs as low as possible while still being able to pay our bills, we are happy to announce that there will be NO INCREASE in the cost of SWIM! Plus there's a $40 per person reduction for all persons who camp in tents or RVs all week.

$490 for adults ages 18 and over
$328 for teens 13-17
$216 for children ages 3-12
FREE for infants and children under 3 years of age

CHRISTMAS DINNER
For those arriving early and locals, there will be a Christmas Dinner at the historic Columbia Restaurant www.columbiarestaurant.com, 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 248-4961, in Ybor City at 6:00. No need to pay ahead time, but if you are planning to come, let Candy know director@swimmuu.com so we can make sure to have reservations for everybody.

If you would like to know more, please go to our website http://www.swimuu.org/ or contact Candy Gale director@swimuu.org  or Jerry Elsenrath  registrar@swimuu.org
 
Richard Dawkins is Coming to Clearwater UU! 
Richard Dawkins, Emeritus Fellow of Evolutionary Biology at Oxford University in England, author of numerous books, including The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion, and worldwide freethought leader, is coming to Clearwater.  In his only appearance this fall in the Southeast U.S., Dr. Dawkins will discuss his just-published autobiography, Brief Candle in the Dark, My Life in Science.

This event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Coalition of Reason and the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater Humanist Group and will be held at:

The Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

For tickets go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2094102
For more information go to:   www.evolvetampa.com
As a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, we covenant to affirm and promote our
UU Principles:
  • The inherent worth and dignity of every person
  • Justice, equality and compassion in human relations
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
Mountain Programs
Youth CONs: A Youth CON is a gathering of youth from congregations all over the southeast (and sometimes beyond!) for a weekend program filled with a variety of workshops, activities, good food, a safe environment and warm, cozy cabins. Youth participate in all activities, share with new friends in small get-to-know-you groups, bond during free time and contribute to times of fun and reflection.  

Elementary (3rd - 5th graders): November 13 - 15
Intermediate (6th - 8th graders): November 20 - 22
Senior High (9th - 12th graders): December 4 -6
What is SuuFi...?    = So. UU Fall Institute @ The Mountain    October 4-9, 2015

An award-winning storyteller and a UU minister together inspire us to a destination of "A Renewed Sense of Self & Potential," a state of fresh thinking, new approaches, new understanding, aligned purpose and meaningful action. Balancing cerebral with sensual, SuuFi offers plenty of hands-on and heart-engaging activities.
 
In the fall coolness of western NC mountains, in Highlands, at 4200 feet elevation and with a 40 mile vista, join this "boomer week" to explore new concepts, hike new trails, meet old and new friends, find serenity and avoid traffic, and relax at our UU Retreat and Learning Center, The Mountain.

Register at http://mountaincenters.org/pages/calendar.php by August 25 to get $25 discount.  
Program details, flyer, schedule & "Remembrances", 2014 photo essay on website.
4, 5 and 6 day packages priced at $370, $465, & $560, respectively.
 
 

 
Looking for a great place to host a retreat? Why not hold your next retreat, conference, yoga class, wellness event, leadership training, or board meeting at The Mountain? To learn more about what we offer, visit www.mountaincenters.org or contact Nancy at nancy.plate@mountaincenters.org. We hope to see you soon!    
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The Ship:  A Parable of Immortality
 I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, "There she goes!"

Gone where?

Gone from my sight ... that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination.  Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There she goes!", there are other eyes watching her coming and their voices ready to take up the glad shouts "Here she comes!"

This is how I see and understand death.

Henry van Dyke (1852 - 1933)
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A Month of Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Services start at 11:00 am
  
October 4, 2015 "The Most Difficult Sermon Ever!"     Rev. Patricia A. Owen
We kick of our pledge drive today. Why is the topic of money so difficult? How do we frame finances without losing what faith we might not have?

October 11, 2015 "How Does Your Garden Grow?"     Rev. Patricia A. Owen
What does generosity mean to us? In an culture that too often encourages the "me first" mantra how do we open ourselves to creating community for all?

October 18, 2015     Community Sunday
What are the various types of generosity that we can share with our church community as offer our time, talent and commitment to our fellowship?     

October 25, 2015 "Love and Helpfulness"     Rev. Patricia A. Owen       
Mary Safford and the Iowa Sisterhood remain powerful figures in our history. Their generosity of time, spirit, commitment and love is worth examination.

Following this service after coffee time:  Conversations With The Board - Members of the Board of Trustees will be present for conversation after church on the 4th Sunday of the month from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The purpose is to open communication and share ideas.  Come with questions and ideas but always with an open mind. 
 
 
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. ~ Pericles
 
 

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa 

email: info@uutampa.org 

11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, FL 33637
813-988-8188