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Rev. Patricia A. Owen, Settled Minister
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Erin Powers, DRE
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Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality. ~Jonas Salk
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Come and join
buildings & grounds work December 12th
9-11 a.m.
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Click for
The Church Calendar
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Care Committee
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. |
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DOMELIGHT
Deadline for Submissions:
17th of each month
Length of Articles:
300-350 words
Submit via email to: domelight@uutampa.org
DL Editorial Board:
Pat Busbice
Mary Francis
Christine Smith
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Board of Trustees
(effective September 1st)
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Click here:
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Missing out? Not on our Yahoo e-list?
It's easy to join!
Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UUTampa/
We now have a "shop and share" elist -- a little less formal.
Interested in joining? Click on the link below:
uuctshareandswap-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Visit our website at
www.uutampa.org
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Our congregation is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association an organization of more than 1,000 congregations in the U.S. and Canada. Our national headquarters is in Boston, Massachusetts.
Other UU Links:
Southern Region website
Florida District UUA |
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 My Little Corner of the World
If I asked you to define "hope" what might you say? Hope is not an easy concept for many of us to pinpoint. Honestly, I have struggled with finding a definition for hope in my own spiritual journey. I know that I have a lot of it, but what is it?? As I write this for the December Domelight, I remain reflective of the recent despicable acts in Paris, Syria, Beirut, and on, and on. Where does hope land in a sea of violence and brokenness?
Some of you may remember the time of the polio epidemic in this country. Jonas Salk, whose quote is above, is said to have found hope in his work when he watched children play in a playground. His hope became reality when in 1955 the vaccine for polio was declared safe and effective. Salk worked tirelessly, through the heartbreak of polio, to see his hope of finding a vaccine come into being.
Hope is a messy proposition. Hope remains alive when optimism fizzles. Hope hangs in there, digs its toes in, and stubbornly sticks around in dark times.
Hope is us, friends. It is you and me. There are times we will be so heartbroken that all we can do is hold hands and cry. But out of the heartbreak comes the resolve to carry on.
What is your hope for this season of holidays? What do you hope for this community, for your world community?
In this time that too often becomes rushed and less than peaceful, I wish for each of you a time of introspection. I wish for you a time of dreaming, of imagination. Not about presents and parties. Not about the superficial and the material, but a time of deep reflection on your own sense of hope. The world needs each of us. We need each other.
Peace y'all,
Rev. Patricia
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REflections
in Religious Exploration 
This October I went to my first LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association) Fall Conference)d. This is the big event each year for Unitarian Universalist Religious Professionals. It was incredible to be together with around 250 other UU RE Professionals. I learned so many cool tricks and I have pages of notes to digest, too. This year's theme was Full Week Faith and Thematic Ministry. Full Week Faith is all about expanding our offerings beyond Sunday morning. We already do that through Chalice Circles, Monday MUUsic, mediations, and other meetings and meet-ups. But many of these are difficult for families. So, as a way to help families connect to each other I have created a Facebook group for families at UU Tampa. This will be a way to build community between families and to our Unitarian Universalist faith in a way that fits busy family life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/uutampafamilies/
The other
easy to implement take-away I brought back was with Thematic Ministry. Themes should be a part of everything that happens at church. I've brought themes into check-ins at Youth Group. In additions to sharing joys and sorrows, we answer a question relating to this month's theme. For the month of November, we talked about how do we feel welcomed and how do we welcome those who are much different from ourselves. It is amazing how a seemingly small thing deepens the experience of check-in. Image the possibilities! The great thing about thematic ministry is that it allows all of us to explore and share together, regardless of where we spend our Sunday mornings. I invite you to bring this idea into your committee meetings, meet-ups and other connection points within our UU Tampa community.
Beacon Youth Group - meets Sundays at 12:30-2:30 in the Youth Room. Youth ages 12-20 are welcome!
Children and Youth Religious Exploration
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Make our Sanctuary Merry and Bright!
The Annual Tree Trimming Party is Nov. 29th after service. ALL are invited to help us fill our sanctuary with the sights and sounds of the holidays.
* Sing-A-Long with the Monday MUUsic Group
* Hot Cocoa and Cookie Decorating
* Photo Booth
* Pizza will be provided, please bring a side dish to share.
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 Girls Night at the Movies
All women are invited to join us for Divine Women: When God was a Girl on Tuesday, December 8th at 7:30pm. Aired on BBC back in 2012, Bettany Hughes visits the world's oldest religious site to uncover the startling evidence that women were present at the very birth of organized religion. Bring some snacks to share and we will discuss the documentary and possibility of more women specific programs in the future. |
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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!
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UUCT mUUsic Group
Meets 7:30pm Mondays in the Small Dome
 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
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 Circles in the Woods CUUPS On December 26th, welcome the Quill and The Sword as they lead our Full Moon and a Yule Celebration. 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.
November 28th will be Fall Festival starting at noon and wrapping up with Bardic Circle. Come enjoy activities: music, food, vendors!
Six session classes will be on the 1st and 3rd Sunday afternoon beginning on January 3 through March 20. A love donation of $25 is suggested. Class attendees who are interested will write and perform the April 23rd Full Moon Celebration.
Class One - January 3, 1pm - 3pm - Herstory
Religion in Paleolithic Times
Cultural Influences around the Globe
Medieval Europe and Burning Times
Reemergence of the Craft
Activities:
Introductions, meditation, discussion, begin your Book of Shadows
Class Two - January 17, 1pm -3pm - The Goddess and the God
Define Sacred
The Divine Personified
The Great God/dess Archetypes
Activities:
Creating altars and share your image of God/dess
Class Three - February 7, 1pm -3pm - The Wheel of the Year
Class Four - February 21, 1pm -3pm - Magick and Ethics
Class Five - March 6, 1pm -3pm - Ritual Basics
Class Six - March 20, 1pm - 3pm - The Working Circle
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A festive evening of great jazz favorites featuring
UUCT's own
FAYE TURKE
with the Jazz Pulse of Tampa Bay
and special guest pianist
Harry Lee
Friday evening, December 11 at 7:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
11400 Morris Bridge Road
$20 per person.
Sparkling refreshments and holiday treats at intermission
For tickets, see Judy Lehman
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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.
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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. |
 A National Epidemic...Gun Violence!
Gun violence is uniquely an American problem compared to other industrialized countries. According to a 2002 report from the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, before a child in the U.S reaches 15, when compared to a child in the rest of the industrialized world, she or he is: five times more likely to be murdered, twice as likely to commit suicide, and 12 times more likely to die a gun-related death. These statistics are from 13 years ago...how have statistics changed in today's American society?
Gun violence is generally discussed in terms of urban homicides and mass killings, but statistics tell another story. The gun violence problems focus needs to shift from Second Amendment rights to public health prevention. The question is not can we change the status-quo on gun violence, but will we?
Is it time our congregation became involved in learning about the statistics, and doing something about this national epidemic? Mark your calendars and come join members of our congregation's UUCT Social Justice Committee to view "Changing the Conversation: America's Gun Violence," a film that frames gun violence as a public health issue. It will be shown on Sunday, January 10th, at 12:30 p.m. following a light lunch for folks who plan to attend the event. During and following the film viewing, there will be questions and discussion.
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 Coffee
Do you value coffee hospitality after Sunday morning service? Will you miss it if it doesn't occur? You may, unfortunately, find out.
Our change in hospitality committee member composition means that we need to change. We need two people to make, host and clean-up after coffee hour. Arrival @ 10:30 with about a half hour of clean-up puts you out around 1:30 pm. Complete directions are printed out and Marta or Ed will be available to walk you through the process.
We have enough members and attendees that you need to volunteer only once or twice a year. You don't think it should fall to the same few people over and over again, do you?
Look over your calendars, bring them to church and sign-up on the sheet that will be posted on the bulletin board in the hall. Or email your dates to me at membership@uutampa.org.
Let's fill up the remaining month of Dec. 2015 and Jan. - June, 2016.
I know that we can do this.
Marta Varee Pearson
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 Poinsettia
The beautiful flowers displayed in the church have been donated by our generous members. Purchasing a plant helps support a local charity, purchase gifts for our staff and beautifies the sanctuary.
Thank you for the donations made by: Deborah and Joe Adles, Mary Francis, In memory of all who have gone before, Maria Appel & Kathrine Kepes, in memory of Fritz and Flora Appel and Marguerite and Bill Kepes, Carol Ames, in memory of Cecilia Merritt, Pat and Ed Benedict in memory of their parents, Amanda Namey and Jessie Mae Benedict, Fran Davin and Trude Diamond to honor our Church Community, Krista and Seth Keith in memory of grandpas James Moore and Jouko Salmineh and Uncle Terry Eubanks and in honor of their 9th wedding anniversary, Candy Gale and Russ Patterson in memory of their parents Lauretta and Melvin Gale and Warren Patterson and in honor of Irene Patterson, Joan Lund, Kathy Reddy in memory of her mother Edyth O'Brien, Elise Richardson to honor "the choir," Ara Rogers in memory of her mother Lydia Marlasca, Lenore Nichols in memory Nick Nichols, Ken Suarez, and Tempie Taudte in memory of her grandmother Naomi Ward and father James Taudte.
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 Labyrinth
"You've been watching it grow for months, and now it's ready for your use! The pavers are sealed. The pergola stands at the entry path. Landscaping has begun. A table and seating are beside the path. Take a meditative walk! And while you're walking, notice the engraved plaques that hold inspirational thoughts. |
 Season of Coming Light
The Annual Winter Celebration Service of the West Central Florida Cluster of Unitarian Universalist Congregations, December 8, 2015, 7:30 p.m., will be held at the UU Church of St. Petersburg. Come celebrate the Season of Coming Light with Unitarian Universalists from our area's congregations. Our evening's theme is, "Ways to See the Light," including a bit of comedic theater about light and darkness in the Norse North. Snacks and beverages provided, but please bring a treat to share if you can. And likewise, if you can, please bring a gift of non-perishable food for St Pete's Free Clinic. For more information, contact UUSP's Rev. Jack at 352-327-6166 or jfdonovan@bellsouth.net
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 Religious Exploration Opportunities for Adults!
2016 is fast approaching! Let's learn some stuff!
Rev. Patricia will be offering adult learning opportunities beginning in January 2016. Her first class will be Right Relations, Covenant 101 - January 13, 20 and 27 and Feb 3. 6:30-8:30PM. We will use Practicing Right Relationship, Skills for Deepening Purpose, Finding Fulfillment, and Increasing Effectiveness in Your Congregation, by Mary K. Sellon and Daniel P. Smith for this class. Book is required, and available on Amazon. (Use UUCT's link to purchase!)
**Minimum participation - 6, Maximum - 12. Suggested donation for class - $10.00. This will cover materials and books for anyone who may need help, and it helps save money for future adult education opportunities. This class will be offered again in May, 2016.
Classes are also being planned for March - Spiritual Practices, March 2, 9, 16
April - UU History, 6, 13. Stay tuned for details on these!
REGISTRATION FOR ADULT RE
CLASS______________________________________________________ NAME____________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE_____________________________
EMAIL/BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU_______________________________________________________
You will be reminded prior to the beginning of the class that you have registered. If you need financial assistance or help with purchasing the book, please contact revp@uutampa.org.
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 Foster Angels
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 13 at noon.
Sorry, if you miss the date there is no drop off location or second pick-up. |
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| Joyce Formica,
Pledge Secretary
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Thank you for your 2015 pledge in support of the ministry of UUCT. It's time to review your financial commitment and make up any short-falls, if possible. If you need a print out of this year's giving history, please contact me and I will be happy to provide a summary for you. Contact Joyce Formica either by phone 988-1907, or email, keyspouse2@aol.com.
December 31st. is the close of UUCT's fiscal year. Contributions received after Sunday December 27th will be deposited in January, due to banking hours and will not show up on your 2015 end of year statement. Contribution statements are sent to you for tax purpose and will be mailed no later than the third week of January 2016.
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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 have some amazing activities. You will find it all on our website http://www.swimuu.org/
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, but if you are planning to come, let Candy know at 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
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 The Mountain was founded by Unitarian Universalists in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina over 35 years ago. Located about 2 hours from Atlanta, Asheville, and Greenville, we are a retreat and learning center that hosts a variety of groups for retreats and conferences. For more information about what we do, go to our NEW website (TheMountainRLC.org)
Thanksgiving: November 25 - 29, 2015. For 36 years, The Mountain has hosted a traditional Thanksgiving celebration for family and friends. In addition to the festive and delicious groaning board, participants are filled with sharing and fun activities. There are workshops, evening programs, bonfires, and hot chocolate. Hardy souls hike Mountain trails while many gather round roaring stone fireplaces for storytelling, games, relaxing, and thanks ends with Sunday Morning Community worship, full hearts and minds. Register today - very limited spots remaining!!!
Farm Internship: March 9 - August 3, 2016 or August 10 - November 20, 2016. We are still accepting applications for our Sustainable Agriculture and Experiential Education internship! Learn about farming techniques, group facilitation, and more! For all the details, visit TheMountainRLC.org/garden-internship/
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A Month of Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
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Services start at 11:00 am
December 6, 2015 "Why Hope? " Rev. Patricia A. Owen
Why hope in a world that is, at times, feeling lost? What is our calling in a broken world? We contemplate these questions as we welcome our newest members to the community.
December 13, 2015 "A Cup of Light " Rev. Patricia A. Owen
The symbol of our faith is the chalice - a beacon of hope and light. Our history lesson this month centers on a tiny flame.
December 20, 2015 Multigenerational Service Erin Powers, DRE
We welcome everyone to our multigenerational service to celebrate the hope of the holiday season. Multigenerational means that all ages will worship together!
December 24th "A Simple Story" (6:30 pm Service)
Join us as we celebrate and contemplate Christmas Eve - the simplest (and most complex) story ever told.
December 27, 2015 "The End is Near" Rev. Patricia A. Owen
As the year draws to a close what do we make of the custom of resolution? What is the communal place for resolutions?
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.
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Take time to listen to those things that speak without words.
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