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

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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 words

Submit via email to: domelight@uutampa.org

DL Editorial Board:

Pat Busbice

Mary Francis

Christine Smith

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My Little Corner of the World

"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." ~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

I love the above quote by Marcus Aurelius. It helps me put my feelings into context. Our theme for April is "Awe," and it is going to be a busy month. Chris and I are hopeful that we will close on a house in April. We are getting more excited as the days go by. There is an installation in the planning! Much to do!

A little about the act of installation. In our liberal religious tradition there are two "acts" that belong exclusively to the body of the congregation: ordination and installation. Ordination is when an individual is affirmed by a congregation, after meeting all the requirements as specified by the UUA, to be a minister. One walks out of an ordination with the title "Minister" or "Reverend."

Installation is the result of the calling of a minister. Just over a year ago this community voted to call me, and on April 24th we will be in community together to affirm that I am indeed your minister. We will covenant to be with one another through the fun times and difficult times. We will cement what, at least for me, has already begun!

If I am watching any stars these days, they are you--the hardy, committed, big hearted, supportive, generous, curious community that called me. I see myself running with you. Together we will chug up some hills and sprint down some mountains. We will rest together and witness the beauty of life and this place we call home. We will laugh and cry together.

In this month of "AWE" I am humbled and grateful to be in the place, in this time with you. There is no place I would rather be.

Peace y'all,

Rev. P.


Kim McDonald BOT President

Desk of the President . . . and the beat goes on . . .

Last month I noted all the activity and hands it took to bring a Sunday service together. In a similar vein, this month I wish to note all the people and energy it takes to meet our vision of being "A positive force in the community for justice and equality."

I recently took a peek at the 2015 report from the Social Justice Committee, which became active again sometime last year after a period of dormancy due to not having a committee chair. I am impressed by what this dedicated group has done in such a short time. Their activities have included: Participation in the MLK Jr. Parade, films on gun violence, the Temple Terrace Elementary School Project, HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality), RESULTS, and Share the Plate. Soon they will be heading to the Pride Parade. The report listed 16 active members in addition to the two co-chairs. Several of these members head up sub-groups within the committee.

In January, Reverend Patricia held a social justice congregational workshop and committed individuals stepped forward to concentrate efforts in four areas: Gun violence as a public health issue, voter rights and registration, Share the Plate, and LEAP (Love and Equality for All People), a group to work with our kids and youth on social justice projects. Seven individuals were assigned leadership roles within those areas.

In addition to those who are involved in the above efforts, many UUs also turn out to be involved in events. When you add it all up, there are many, many hands helping to be that "positive force in the community." Thank you all for giving your energy and helping to improve justice and equality in the Tampa area and beyond.

In Community,

Kim

REflections

in Religious Exploration

Spring is here and new things are popping up! April will bring a Unitarian Universalist parenting class, and May will bring the end of our Religious Exploration year. In June we begin a summer of Spiritual Practices. Each Sunday we will explore a different Spiritual Practice. If you have a Spiritual Practice that you would be willing to share with our young UUs, please let me know.

Our Unitarian Universalist Parenting class is now full. I will offer it again this summer. Details will be available soon.

March 27th is Easter Sunday and our Annual Flower Communion service. Please bring a flower to share!

Our egg hunt will be after service. Please bring a basket for collecting eggs. No eggs needed!

We will also have a potluck along with the egg hunt; bring a dish to share!

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

Board of Trustees Candidates Announced

The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that three members of our Church have agreed to stand for election to the Board of Trustees (BOT) at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 1, 2016. The candidates are (in alphabetical order): Trude Diamond, John Utt, and Jeff Stover. These three candidates are running for the three (3) BOT positions, whose term of office ends on August 31, 2016. Subsequently, the three candidates, if elected, will start their three years terms on the BOT beginning on September 1, 2016.

Biographical information on these three candidates will be provided in the Announcement Section of the Order of Service two weeks prior to the election. Please watch for it.

(Submitted by the Nominating Committee: Diane Gainforth, Russell Kirby, Russell Patterson, and Ed Benedict.)

Installation of The Reverend Patricia Ann Owen

The Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa invites its members and friends to the installation of The Reverend Patricia Ann Owen. The Installation Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday April 24, 2016 in the Large Dome on the campus of the UU Church of Tampa. Reception to follow in the Education Building.

Look for more information about the ceremony and celebration as we get closer to the date. Volunteers will be needed for a variety of activities. Contact Rev. Patricia or Joan Lund for further information.

We Need Your Help!

We're sure you have noticed that Sunday mornings are busy! This is great news for all of us, and we, the Membership Committee members can't say thank you enough to all who make it happen!

Sunday mornings take a lot of effort - we love our Order of Service, we love to give generously when the basket is passed, we love spending time together with a cup of coffee, tea and perhaps a snack. How does all this happen? YOU!!

On April 3rd, at 12:30 (Location TBA) we will offer training to those of you interested in helping out with greeting and ushering. No need to make a life long commitment - just attend and see how simple and fun it is to help make Sundays happen at UUCT!

Email membership@uutampa.org for details.

Circles in the Woods CUUPS

Our

students will be writing and presenting our April 23rd Full Moon Celebration. The details are still in the works but it is promising to be a great ritual so come and support them in their first public ritual at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary.

All are welcome to celebrate with us! No pets please. There will be a Moneta basket for love donations - ever mind the "Rule of Three, what thou giveist comes back to thee." Plan to come early or stay afterward to socialize and share a bit of pot luck.

For more information about Circles in the Woods CUUPS, e-mail cuups@uutampa.org.

Mama Gina,
bard and folk artist,

in Concert at the UU Dome!

Saturday, April 9th, 7pm

The bard will spend some personal time with her roots! Hear the stories behind the stories, as Mama Gina shares her encounters with the Gods and Goddesses, the Fae, Nature Spirits, and amazing folks. And Nine Toes the Bard will most certainly make an appearance!

www.mamaginamusic.com

www.reverbnation.com/mamagina

What they say about Mama Gina ...

singer/songwriter & wanderlust ... fearless story-telling ... bluesy vocals ... humor ... straight-ahead, rhythmic, 12 string acoustic guitar ... djembe ... frame drums ... all weft and warp of the soul of this bard

Tickets are $15 per person. The direct link to purchase tickets is at:
http://mamaginaconcert.brownpapertickets.com/
Order online, and print them out, or just get your name on a will-call list. And, yes, you can pay cash at the door.

Refreshments will be served by Circles in the Woods CUUPS. For additional information contact Ollis at cuups@uutampa.org

Vespers

Effective February 17th, Rev. Patricia began a short, contemplative service every Wednesday for anyone and everyone at 6PM in the sanctuary. The service lasts about 30 minutes. There are readings, reflections, music, joys, and concerns and some other components as well! If you are in the area, stop in for a hump day break.

Betty Lee Award Time

The Betty Lee distinguished service award acknowledges a member of UUCT for "high standards of diligence and dedication" to the well-being of our church. The Board of Trustees is currently accepting nominations from members of our congregation for this annual award.

Please submit your nomination by Friday, April 8, 2016, to president@uutampa.org with the reasons you believe this individual should receive the Betty Lee Award. The Betty Lee Award will be announced at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 1, 2016.

Past Betty Lee Service Award winners:
1982 Harry Albertson
1983 Joyce Glauser
1991 Patricia McCracken
1992 Joyce Formica
1993 Hazel Peterson
1994 Gene Pizzo
1995 Jay Palmer
2005 Kathy Albury
2007 Ed Benedict
2008 Judy Lehman
2009 Pat Benedict
2010 Ara Rogers
2011 Bill Blymiller
2012 Joan Lund
2013 Tempie Taudte and Fran Davin
2014 Marla Frazer
2015 Mary Francis

Note: While a member may continue to be well-deserving, please don't nominate a previous recipient or a current Board of Trustees member. Thanks!

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!

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO END WITH SHARE-THE-PLATE SUNDAY!

We at UUCT have an opportunity to give of ourselves to MacDonald Training Center, one of our chosen Share-the-Plate recipients.
MacDonald Training Center operates a four-client residence home here in Temple Terrace which is badly in need of some "HGTV/Southern Living" attention.
Always short of staff, MTC has a tough time keeping the place up to Temple Terrace neighborhood standards.
So here's our chance: Raking leaves, tending flower beds, weeding, trimming, mulching. How about a power washing/exterior cleaning for Spring?
And for those of you who may not wish for such vigorous activity, Friendship Visits would be very welcome.
Spend some quality time with the folks who live there while the crew works outside. Plan a craft activity, or run a few games of Bingo or....?
SIgn up sheets are posted in the Small Dome beside the MTC Artwork. Or email either Pat Benedict, ptbenedict@gmail.com or Diana Stevens at ttlassie@gmail.com

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

Tampa Pride Parade

Our congregation is registered to march in the Tampa Pride Parade on Saturday, March 26 in Ybor City. Look for more information in the order of service. We hope to see you there! Tempie Taudte

A New Addition to the Sanctuary Wall

On the wall of our Sanctuary next to the Sound Room there now hangs a new plaque that was created to recognize a significant gift to our congregation. In 1999, Beverly (Bev) Rodgers, a longtime member of the congregation, made a significant financial contribution to the church in honor of her deceased husband, Sandy Rodgers.

Sandy had a great love of the stage and things theatrical. To honor Sandy's passion, Bev named the gift, The Stage Craft Fund, and stipulated that money from the fund be used to provide sound equipment, lighting, and other theatre-related enhancements to our Sanctuary building, the Large Dome. Since the Stage Craft Fund's inception, our Board of Trustees has insured that the fund was used specifically for those types of stage improvements to our facilities

Tragically, a few years after the creation of the fund, Bev was lost in an automobile accident. The new plaque honors the memory of Sandy Rodgers and recognizes Bev Rodgers' generous financial gift to our community. (Submitted by Ed Benedict).

UUCT DAY TRIPPERS

Join UUCT adult friends on our next excursion to Florida Botanical Gardens and Heritage Village, located in Largo, on Wednesday, April 13. The Florida Botanical Gardens offers 30 acres of cultivated gardens to explore. Next door the open air living history museum, Heritage Village, has over 31 historic structures including a sponge warehouse.

Car pool will leave the church promptly at 9:00am and return mid-afternoon. Please bring your own picnic lunch. Cost, cash only, is admission donation to each of the destinations and $3 nominal gratuity to carpool driver. RSVP with one of the co-organizers, Ron Phillips at 813-997-0920 or Mary Wolgemuth at 720-252-3443 or mary.wolgemuth@gmail.com. Include your telephone number and indicate passenger only or willingness to drive, if needed.


Ray Balanger on hammer dulcimer. Lloyd Goldstien on double bass.

CONCERTS IN THE UU DOME

SINGING TREE CD Release Concert

WHEN:   Sat Apr 16,   7:30 pm
COST:   Free - Love Offering Appreciated
NOTE:   Lloyd & Ray are offering their talents for free. Love offering proceeds will go to the church.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2iTQPISotM "Come Before Winter"

INTERVIEW: Hector Rodriguez (aka Hector Rodz) interviews Lloyd Goldstein two years ago (2014).   "I first met Mr. Lloyd Goldstein at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa about five years ago..."
http://eclecticlistener.com/2013/04/24/the-singing-bass-lloyd-goldsteins-path-of-self-improvement-and-service/

News Articles:    http://www.theledger.com/article/20110120/newschief/101205169
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-10-19/news/os-lk-singing-tree-20131019_1_duo-tree-folk
http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/singing-tree-folk-music-but-with-a-classical-twist/1167648
http://kcbassworkshop.com/?page_id=361

SINGING TREE:    FOLK MUSIC WITH A CLASSICAL TWIST!
Lloyd is a long-time friend and former member of UUCT who has performed for us several times in the past, both as a solo performer during church services and in concert with his duo Singing Tree. We're very much looking forward to Singing Tree performing for us once again.   This a free concert with a love offering to benefit the church gratefully accepted.

NEW CD:   With this upcoming performance the duo will have a new - hot off the presses - CD with them.   Thus - we're having a CD release concert.

A Singing Tree concert consists of a unique and varied program of folk music from around the world plus Lloyd's original compositions.    Ray's approach to the hammered dulcimer ranges from lyrical and melodic to energetic and exciting.   Lloyd often employs the bow in a way that suggests the sound of a huge cello.   Together the two cover a wide range of musical styles, including traditional, contemporary and classical.

HOPE Updates

Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE)
By Robert Boileau

Thanks to all of you who continue to support our church's efforts to achieve justice through, and with, HOPE!

On Monday evening, March 14, our UUCT Justice Ministry Network members and two other UUCT members attended the HOPE Rally at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. We received updates on what was discovered during the research phase, confirmed current proposed strategies, and took part in building toward the 4/4/2016 Nehemiah Action of 1500 residents united for justice!

HOPE's two current issues are establishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund for Hillsborough County, and promoting Civil Citations for children who commit Misdemeanor first possession of marijuana. A Civil Citation alternative could be used instead of Arrest, which would provide faster diversion into drug education and treatment programs than the Arrest method, as well as avoiding the traumatizing affects of an arrest on a child and the very negative long term effects on the child's future. HOPE's other current issue is the establishment of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund for Hillsborough County. We have made progress on both of these issues, but much remains to be done for both.

Unfortunately, we learned at the Rally on 3/14 that our efforts in the Florida Legislature came up short as there was NO final vote to change to the current Florida Civil Citation law requested by HOPE and our eight sister Florida DART affiliate organizations, which would have changed its implementation language from "May" to "Shall," thereby making it mandatory for all counties, rather than discretionary as it currently is. Therefore, we in HOPE are again focusing our efforts to have Sheriff Gee change his position on this issue; he believes that ONLY ARRESTING children for first time marijuana possession will prevent the child from further drug experimentation, etc. I personally called the Sheriff's office twice (March 15 and 16, 2016) to ask if he, or anyone else from his office, would be attending our Nehemiah Action this year. I was told NO by the front office secretary, Pam, who had no other information explaining WHY NOT. I explained to Pam that HOPE is a community organization comprised of 20 congregations from throughout Hillsborough County, but she could only apologize for not having any other information. I HOPE many of you also called Sheriff Gee's office, so he is aware that many of us our very concerned about our children being arrested, rather than offered the Civil Citation alternative to arrest.

Concerning HOPE's efforts to help establish a funding source for a county Affordable Housing Trust Fund, county officials admit it is needed, but have yet to commit to make it happen. The current high rent market overburdens and stresses the economic livelihood and security of working families and seniors with low incomes in our county. This threatens their ability to meet other basic needs for healthy food, clothing, transportation, medical care, and the education of their children. Hillsborough County has 64,491 families with very low-income (earning 50% or less Area Median Income, AMI, or $28,400 or less for family of 4), who pay more than 30% of their income for housing (UF Shimberg Center). Of these 64,491 families with very low income, nearly 2/3rd (41,669) pay over 50% of their income for housing. After months of effort by HOPE members, three viable funding sources were identified that can be approved by the Hillsborough County Commissioners. These do not need to be approved by the State or Federal government, nor do any require a referendum; only a positive vote by the majority of our County Commissioners to establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

To achieve HOPE's goals to move these two issues forward, all county decision makers have been invited to our annual HOPE Nehemiah Action, Monday, April 4, 2016. This year HOPE meets at the Higgins Hall of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Ave. Tampa, 33614 (just south of Hillsborough Ave). The schedule for this event is:
6:30 pm Sign-In; 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Agenda

We need YOU to attend, and bring at least 3, but preferably more, people with you, to unite 1,500 people from Hillsborough County together to achieve justice!

Invitations were given to our County Commissioners, the Sheriff, and other stakeholders who can tackle problems related to the arrest of our children and affordable housing.

HOPE Dates to Remember:

HOPE Nehemiah Action - April 4, 2016, 6:30 P.M.
HOPE Justice Ministry Celebration - May 23, 2016, at 6:30 P.M.

For more information concerning HOPE, please contact me, or one of the following: HOPE@HillsboroughHOPE.org;
Sharon Streater, Sharon@HillsboroughHOPE.org; Joe Andrews, Joe@HillsboroughHOPE.org; or Jesid Acosta, Jesid@HillsboroughHOPE.org

Thank you! In community, Robert Boileau, UUCT HOPE Team Leader

Chairs Needed for the Sanctuary

Hopefully you have noticed the sanctuary is consistently nearly full on Sunday mornings. We also have many visitors which brings us to the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, which in the case of growing churches is stated that "when 80% or more of available seats are needed by members, visitors tend to feel that the church is too crowded and may not have room for them."

We currently have 137 members so when we have an average of 110 members in attendance we are on the cusp of being too crowded. Since that number is often reached we shouldn't wait until it is usually exceeded before taking action. There is a taskforce examining our long range options but there is an option to help in the short range.

We have determined we can increase the seating capacity by twenty to thirty if we had the chairs needed. We can ask the board to find the roughly $1,000 to $1,500 necessary which, as a board member, I can tell you is not a simple matter, or we can raise the money by donating $50 to buy a chair (or more, of course).

You can write a check to UUCT and put "Chair" on the memo line, drop it off in the office or give it to Roger Polcyn. You can contact Roger with any questions.

Spring Cleaning Help Needed

If you spare the time your help would be greatly appreciated at the next Buildings and Grounds (B&G) Day on Saturday, April 9, 2016, to help with the annual spring cleaning of church, both inside and outside. This year's spring cleaning is occurring at a particularly optimal time for us. Reverend Patricia Owen's Installation will be held two weeks later on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

Some of this spring cleaning process has already begun. One of our Chalice Circle groups spent its time during this past two B&G Days (February and March) cleaning up our Davis Road entry point and landscaping around the sign that marks that entrance. Also in March, the gazebo sun-faded wood was re-vitalized with a treatment of a water protection sealant.

Any support you can provide on Saturday, April 9, 2016, would be app

reciated. We have lots of windows to wash, carpets to clean, and ground to rake. Please come out that day, between 9:00 to 11;30 am, and help us spruce up, clean up, and fluff up our premises, so that they will be looking particularly wonderful on the day we officially install Reverend Owen as our permanently settled minister. See you then? Thanks! Ed Benedict

As we are all well aware, our church is a community of people who follow the principles of Unitarian Universalism. Often some of or members will go above and beyond the ordinary expectations and be more than deserving of our specific and focused appreciation. This month, the Board would like to recognize Kathy Reddy for her efforts as our new Coffee Hour coordinator, Kim Robe for her gracious hostessing of the regional Cluster workshop, Mary Francis for her efforts in the Small Dome kitchen remodel, along with the entire Robe family, and Ron Philips for his hard work cleaning out the gutters around the roof of our Multi Purpose Building. We will have certificates for all you at our next Conversations with the Board. All are welcome to attend and help us thank these people for their efforts that benefit everyone.

The Social Justice Committee is made up of many enthusiastic and dedicated members.

Joan Lund and Trude Diamond co-chair the Curbing Gun Violence group. Joan showed a movie and led a discussion on the topic in January. Many of the congregation attended, voiced their feelings and shared their personal experiences with gun violence. The next meeting on gun violence is scheduled for April 10, 2016 at 12:45 PM in the big dome. All are welcome to attend.

Other recent social justice activities have included marching in the Dr. Martin Luther King Parade, a Social Justice Workshop led by Rev. Patricia Owen in January, a demonstration at the Sheriff's office to support civil citations instead of arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana, and hosting the discussion, "LGBT Rights: The Rapid Rise to Equality," which was sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Five of our members tutor students at Temple Terrace Elementary School.

The Unitarian Universalist Church has supported the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality for many years. We hope you will join us at the HOPE Nehemiah Action on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 6:30 PM and at the HOPE Justice Ministry Celebration on Monday,May 23, 2016 at 6:30 PM.

We will march in the Tampa Pride Parade on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Come on out and march with us! Tampa has come a long way in support of our GLBT community. Let's celebrate!!

The Social Justice Committee meets in the Education Building on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Please join this dynamic group!

The Mountain

UU WomenSpirit: May 11 - 15. UU Womenspirit is an all-woman retreat where we strengthen our talents and renew our energy in a supportive and safe environment, as we explore the Feminine Divine in her many forms. Spirit-nourishing workshops and rituals are combined in an atmosphere full of community and fun at The Mountain in beautiful Highlands, NC. For more information, visit UUWomenspirit's website.

Appalachian Spring: May 22 - 27.

BE Fancy Free and Footloose!

DO Stories-To-Go...!

HAVE Happy Hands and Faces!

SING on High...!

RELAX & BE Entertained.

LEAVE with SPIRITS SOARING...!

Be one of 30-40 participants and 10+ volunteer workshop/program leaders creating this fun-filled week.
"Appalachian Spring 2016 @ The Mountain" is for adults from May 22 to May 27.
See Program Schedule, Flyer, and Workshop Choices attached.
Prices unchanged from 2015 and only 75% of full operational cost because of support from donors like you.

Enroll now. Event page and Registration begins at http://themountainrlc.org/event/suufi-southern-uu-fall-institute

Homecoming Weekend and Annual Meeting: May 27 - 30. Join us for The Mountain's Annual Homecoming Weekend. This Memorial day tradition is an inter-generational 3-night weekend full of fun, family, and fellowship with a diverse set of workshops for all ages. On Saturday afternoon, we will hold The Mountain's Annual Meeting and Report to Mountain Members.

MountainCamp: June 12 - July 23. For 35 years, The Mountain has provided enriching youth summer camp programs filled with recreation, adventure, education and creativity. The 4:1 camp to counselor ratio and professionally trained staff create a safe environment where campers are treated with respect, kindness and consideration, and are celebrated for their individual talents. Learn more at TheMountainRLC.org/mountaincamp-home-page/

Intergenerational Family Camp and 80's MountainCamp Reunion: July 24 - 31. A program for families to come together for traditional MountainCamp activities. Parents, children, grandparents all are welcome! Activities include: workshops, crafts, hiking, campfires, music and singing, storytelling, time for relaxation and reflection. Family Camp makes memories that last a lifetime. Calling all MountainCamp alumni from the 80's! Attend Family Camp this year and catch up with other 80's MountainCamp alumni!

SUUFI = Southern UU Fall Institute: October 2 - 7. You are invited on a creative quest to better understand how, at this stage of life, we Play. Come for a colorful autumn week in October as we explore Play in many forms: games, arts, conversations, stories, and life styles, expanding your comfort zone in the safe have on The Mountain.

Thanksgiving: November 23 - 27. Let us worry about the cooking and cleaning while you enjoy friends, family, and fellowship!

As the theme suggests, we'll be traveling in mind, heart, and spirit...discovering many paths to explore ourselves and the world to see how movement in this world is, itself, home. It's an adventure that we'll share through music, art, movement, poetry, meditation, and play.

The retreat begins Friday at 5:00pm and ends Sunday at noon.

DaySpring Conference Center is conveniently located off I-75 just north of Sarasota on Florida's west coast. The beautiful campus nestled under ancient oaks and located on a cove of the Manatee river offers a serene setting for our annual retreat. Take a look. http://Dayspring.dioswfl.org.

$220 per person covers expenses for a semi-private room and six meals. 8 women share a cozy cottage with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, a screened porch and common area. A non-refundable deposit of $20 will reserve your place.

Come join us for a memorable weekend.

To register contact Helen Leddy helen.leddy@gmail.com

A Month of Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Services start at 11:00 am

April 3, 2016 "Why I Am A Humanist" Rev. Patricia A. Owen
What does an ant colony have to do with my faith and sense of awe? A lot, actually! Oops there goes another rubber tree...

April 10, 2016 "Why I Am A Religious Naturalist " Rev. Patricia A. Owen
At one time I thought that being a Unitarian Universalist required a long, complicated theological identity. Then I wised up.

April 17, 2016 " Green Day Every Day - Overcoming Inertia"
Each day, every one of us faces large and small responsibilities and problems. That is part of life, and we often turn to family, friends, and coworkers for support. We now find ourselves living through a much larger and extremely complex problem - climate change - and it feel overwhelming. Where is our support group for this problem? As members of the UU church we have adopted 7 principles, one of which directly deals with the interconnected web of the Earth. It is time that we come together as a church and provide the technical, emotional, and spiritual support so that we can each take individual action. The service is meant as a way to explore what climate change means - particularly in terms of the change we all must face. The fear of change is much harder to overcome than the technology or the new ways we must learn.

Following the service there will be a "talk back" with the guest speakers, information/exhibits, along with food and fun.

You are part of this service too, so . . . 1) Bring a photo of a child, grandchild, niece, or nephew to place on a family altar. 2) Social Justice will serve hot dogs, so please bring an picnic-type item like cole slaw, beans, or cookies to share.

Speakers will include:

Jamie Robe is a member of the UUCT and a Computer Engineer who has had a life-long interest in sustainable technology. He been driving EVs and Hybrid vehicles for about 15 years, and is preparing to go solar at home. He feels that climate change is the #1 problem we face as a species and is trying to develop a way forward for us to make change happen.

Jon Butts is a local expert on sustainable living and alternative health. Jon and his wife Debbie live on 54 acres in Plant City. In 1989, Jon stated growing vegetable with his brother and started Ecofarmfl Intentional Community. In 2000, they transitioned to organic gardening. In 2005, Jon started producing the Sustainable Living Show on WMNF radio - http://www.wmnf.org/events/sustainable-living/.

Dr Sha

ron Hanna-West is active in growth management and sustainability issues, she studies sustainable business solutions to respond to the challenges posed by climate change, with a goal of making them affordable and profitable. http://www.usf.edu/business/contacts/hanna-west-sharon.aspx

Jeff Stover a graduate of University of South Florida with a B.A. Fine Arts.

He believes that sustainability must be a foundational premise for the future of humanity and his art reflects this philosophy of recycle, reuse, reduce. Jeff has been an art educator in Tampa Bay since 2010. Jeff, and his wife Michelle, welcomed the recent birth of their son, Wyatt, in January this year.

Kimberly Thomas- Robe is a UUCT member and assists with our wonderful religious exploration program. Kim holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida. Kim and Jamie are the proud parents of three young adults and one teenager. They will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this May.

April 24, 2016 "Just Be In Awe"
Revs. Brian Chenowith, Chris Jimmerson, Sara LaWall, and Patricia Owen
Albert Einstein said, "The most beautiful thing you can experience is the mysterious." Join us for reflections on the awesomeness and mysteriousness of this thing called life.

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.

"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was. Likewise, I never imagined that home might be something I would miss."
~Ransom Riggs, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa

email: info@uutampa.org

11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, FL 33637

813-988-8188