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

Our church earns a little bit of referral money when you make your purchases at Amazon using our link.

Click here:

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

Missing out? Not on our Yahoo e-list?

It's easy to join!

Go to

uutampa-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

or for Social Action lively discussion, Go to

uuctsocialaction-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

We now have a "shop and share" e-list -- a little less formal.

Interested in joining? Click on the link below:
uuctshareandswap-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Want more?

Visit our website at

www.uutampa.org

Join Our Newsletter Mailing List

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

My Little Corner of the World

Well, April 2016 turned out to be a pretty busy month. Nothing big, mind you. Chris and I (just) bought a house. We will (just) move again for the fifth time between the two of us in two years. Oh, there was (just) that little Installation that happened at UUCT on the last Sunday of April.

In other news, there is a team assembled to assess and attend to the
future of worship. We are lucky enough to be feeling the pinch of
attendance on Sundays! Why do I say we are lucky? In my mind Unitarian
Universalism is a faith for the ages. More people are exploring deeper
questions than ever, and they are looking for communities that invite
exploration rather than stifle questioning. I am happy when people find
us!

The Planning Committee is doing some warm up exercises - stretching,
deep knee bends - in preparing to look at five year plans, missions and
visions, and all sorts of things.

All of these things point to change. I know that I am pretty adaptable
when it comes to change. I guess it is part nature, part experience. How
about you? It has been stated that change is inevitable, how we manage
it is the only thing we can hope to control.

I invite everyone reading this to consider yourselves an integral part
of the conversation as we explore our future. It is important that we
all learn, share, imagine and plan for the future that we build
together. This community has been a resourceful, resilient presence in
the past. I don't anticipate this will change. I hope it doesn't change!

I couldn't be more excited and proud to have been called by this
congregation. I look forward to all of the exploration we will do
together in the coming months.

Peace y'all,

Rev. P.

A Special Word of Thanks

Chris and I wish to thank each person who helped with the Installation.
It is hard to name everyone without forgetting a name, so we thank those of you who helped plan, helped set up, helped serve, cooked, baked, provided home hospitality, attended the service, cleaned up, and anything and everything in between!
We are so thrilled with Tampa and our UUCT community. We send out thanks
and love to each of you!

Chris and Patricia


Kim McDonald BOT President

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

Did you ever notice how this time of year seems to be so busy with family events such as Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, graduations, and weddings? So it is with UUCT, also.

Yesterday, April 16, we had a fantastic concert in the large dome. Today we had the Green Sustainability service followed by a potluck picnic, kids' activities, and some outdoor artwork. Next Sunday is Reverend Patricia's formal installation as our minister, and following the ceremony there will be a reception in the multi-purpose building. The Congregational Meeting is held on May 1 this year. We will conduct the necessary business, but we will also eat and be merry. Over the next few weeks, discussions about "Expanding Worship for a Larger Congregation" will be held to start preparing for growth. Rounding out this list of events is a party to be held in the MPB on May 28, complete with music, dancing, entertainment, and eats and drinks.

So many opportunities for us to come together in fellowship. This is your church; come be a part of all it has to offer. Let's work! Let's celebrate! And let's do it with UU style and gusto!

In Community,

Kim

REflections

in Religious Exploration

WONDER BOX

Those of you who were at church on April 3 were witness to the unveiling of our Wonder Box. This is a new way of storytelling in our church. Each Sunday, I will call a child down to help me with the Wonder Box story. The same child will also be our Keeper of the Flame. It's quite an honor!

Our Wonder Box has a wonder-full creation story. I asked Ollis Hughes and Mary Francis for help in creating our box. Ollis found the box in his shed when looking for wood to build a box. It is made of wood from an old barn, likely in Tennessee. Ollis polished it up and updated the hardware. Mary found a chalice picture for inspiration and Ollis carved the chalice you see in the picture. What we now have is a very special box ready to fill our hearts and minds with WONDER!

If your child is interested in helping with the Wonder Box story, please email me. I will be starting a schedule, as I'm sure this will be popular!

SUMMER SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

As summer approaches, I am preparing for a summer of religious exploration with our children and youth. This summer's theme will be Spiritual Practices. Each week we will explore a different spiritual practice. My hope is to give children a taste of different ways of exploring spirituality that they can take home to their families to explore further. I am also looking to staff a summer volunteer team. I am looking for 12 volunteers that are each willing to spend 3-4 Sundays over the summer guiding and exploring alongside our children and youth. If you have a spiritual practice you would like to share with our children, please let me know!

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

Election of Board of Trustees Candidates

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 theannual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 1, 2016. The candidates are: Trude Diamond, John Utt, and Jeff Stover. These three candidates are running for the three 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.

Volunteers will be needed for a variety of activities. Contact Rev. Patricia or Joan Lund for further information.

Vespers

Effective February 17, Rev. Patricia began holding 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.

Circles in the Woods CUUPS

May 21st @ 7:30pm - We had a change in our calendar so thank you Lady PhyreStorm for stepping up and taking the lead for this Full Moon Celebration! I would be willing to bet there will be a spiral dance . . .

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 givest 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.

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!

Thanks for The Support After The Shed Break-in

Following last month's break-in of our shed and the loss of our power lawn tools, many fellow members of our community answered the call for help and made donations to replace our lost tools. Thus far, $400.00 in cash, $150.00 in Lowe's gift cards, and one new gasoline-powered blower have been donated. Thanks to everyone who stepped up and provided this support. To date, we have replaced two blowers, two trimmers, and a lot of electrical cord. More tools are on the way. Other good news relating to the break-in is that our insurance company, Guide One, has agreed to cover all our claim (less our $500.00 deductible, of course) for the loss of tools and the repair/replacement of doors damaged as a result of the break-in. The shed doors should be fix soon.
(Submitted by Ed Benedict, Buildings and Grounds Committee, Chair)

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

PARTY TIME!

Come join the UUCT revelers for a PARTY and CELEBRATION

Saturday, May 28 at 7:00pm is the time to gather together for a party and entertainment.

Let's celebrate the fabulousness of UUCT and all that is going on in this wonderful church family.

There will be music, dancing, entertainment and good eats/drinks.

We will party in the MPB to celebrate our joy!

Tickets will be available May 1

To volunteer to be part of the entertainment, email Diana Stevens at ttlassie@gmail.com (She'll track you down anyway.)

Labyrinth Inspirational Plaques Still Available

To support the UUCT treasury, you can still purchase one of the remaining plaques around the perimeter of the labyrinth for $100 and have it inscribed with the inspirational phrase of your choice. Please contact Trude Diamond (813-949-0055 or trudiamond@gmail.com) to purchase your plaque.

Sigma Nu Help for April Buildings and Grounds Day

Our monthly B&G day got an extra boost April 9 when four members of the Sigma Nu fraternity at USF came out to help. This was arranged by one of our members, Earl Harvey, through his son Jim Harvey, who has contacts with the fraternity. As an extension of the Sigma Nu fraternity volunteer program, four of its members (Tim Barnett, Scott Tavlin, Mitchell Sylvestor, and Prescott Cowles) showed up early that Saturday morning for B&G Day. They quickly got to work, weeding flower beds, moving chairs, cleaning carpet, varnishing doors, and doing other odd jobs.
      The Sigma Nus were not alone. Members of our congregation were busy, too. Elise Richardson cleaned the chairs in the sanctuary balcony.   Melissa Nicholson painted the walls to the entry way of the large dome, while Joyce Formica worked in the memorial garden.
       A special thanks to Mary Francis and Ruth Weaver. Even though they could not make it on B&G Day, the two had spent several days earlier in the week sorting, arranging, and cleaning out the attic of large dome.   Yes, you can find things there now.
       Thank you all, especially the Sigma Nus, for helping maintain our church community's buildings and grounds.
(Submitted by Ed Benedict, B&G Committee Chair)

Beginning To Prepare For Growth

Have you noticed?? Our worship services are more crowded. Our programs and activities are well attended. Our energy level is up. Growth "is in the air". How can we best support this growth, and have it be a strength for our congregation?

As a first step, your worship committee has asked Ryan Callahan, Diane Gainforth, Sue Mitchel, Erin Powers, and Diana Stevens to serve with Rev. Owen as a team to explore options for worship expansion. And, we would like to meet with you to listen to your ideas, your concerns, and your experiences in regard to worship expansion.

You are invited to participate in "A Discussion about Expanding Worship for a Larger Congregation" to be held in the multi-purpose building on Saturday, May 14 at 10:00am and/or on Wednesday, May 18 at 6:30pm. All committee chairs are invited to attend a discussion in the multi-purpose building on Wednesday, April 27 at 6:30pm. Coffee and donuts will be served at 9:30am prior to the morning meeting; snacks and beverages will be served at the evening meetings.

Together, let's start to explore this topic so that we can prepare for the challenges and opportunities of congregational growth.

Peace Pole Dedication

May 1 right after the service we will dedicate our peace pole and become a registered part of the Peace Pole Project of the World Peace Prayer Society. Our peace pole is a gift from the Chalice Group that meets the first Monday of the month, including Carol Baker, Teresa Dowdy, Nicole Drelles, Candy Gale, Joan Lund, Dottie Mann, Mary Wolgemuth, Denise Seeber, and formerly Mary Lou Jones and Peggy Owens-Mansfield.

The languages on our peace pole are: Arabic to address the Arabic speakers in the troubled middle east and our many Muslim brother and sisters who live here in Tampa; German to recognize the great nation that was the flashpoint of the World Wars; French to honor our French speaking members and the recent trouble in France; Korean to honor our Korean members and reflect that a large percentage of the people of the world are Asian; Spanish for our members who speak Spanish, the U.S. Hispanic population, and for the people of Latin America who are our nearest neighbors,; Cherokee to remember the indigenous peoples; and Romanian as a nod to our roots in Transylvania and our sister church.

Please join us for our dedication and learn what the languages sound like as we spread peace around the world.
Check out: http://worldpeace.org/activities_peacepoleproject.html

To get ready you may want to consider joining World Peace Youth on April 30 for a live video webcast with youth panelists from around the world who will discuss the Fuji Declaration and share their views of world peace and how they are making a viable difference.

Fun was had by all at the fun and festivities following the Sunday service on April 17

UUCT DAY TRIPPERS

Join UUCT adult friends on our next excursion to Ringling Museum of Art and grounds in Sarasota on Monday, May 16. Designated as the official state art museum for Florida, the institution offers 21 galleries. The most celebrated items in the museum are 16th - 20th century European paintings.

The car pool will leave the church promptly at 8:30am and return mid-afternoon. Art Museum admission is free on Mondays. Cost, cash only, is lunch 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. Suggestions for future trips are welcome.

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

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 April 4 our UUCT Justice Ministry Network members along with 19 other UUCT members and friends joined people from HOPE's 18 other congregations (1,000 people in all) for our annual HOPE Nehemiah Action assembly at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church. Several invited guests responded to our assembly leaders' questions.

First issue - Establishing a Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Present:   Attorney Cordel Bachelor, representing Julianne Holt, Public Defender; Mark Dufva, Catholic Charities Executive Director; Pat Frank, Clerk of the Court;  Victor Crist and Kevin Beckner, County Commissionersand Kevin Beckner, County Commissioner .

Second issue - Reducing Arrests of Children via Florida's Civil Citation Alternative. Present:   Ronald Ficarrotta, Chief Judge; Paul Figueroa representing Julianne Holt, Public Defender ; and Major Willie Parker, Sheriff's Office.

The two county commissioners committed to look for funding for a $10 million Affordable Housing trust fund. The morning after the Nehemiah Action, Commissioner Crist confirmed our housing issue is on the May 4 Board of Commissioners agenda and we will give a 10 minute presentation, followed by discussion.

We are disappointed with Sheriff Gee, who sent a representative to our Action to read a letter attempting to justify his rationale for giving children permanent arrest records for first time misdemeanor marijuana possession. Contact me to see the letter.

Tampa Bay Times ran an editorial last week about our Nehemiah Action, and he criticized the sheriff for his views and urged the public to voice their opposition .     http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-the-hillsborough-sheriffs-outdated-views-on-marijuana-arrests/2272158

Gene Pizzo also got a letter to the editor published last week, voicing his opposition to the sheriff's policy.
    http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/letters/sundays-letters-sheriffs-views-on-juvenile-citations-are-ill-informed/2272477

Other articles covering the HOPE Nehemiah Action:
   http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/hillsborough-group-wants-marijuana-civil-citations-extended-to-juveniles/2271906
   http://www.wmnf.org/hillsborough-sheriff-says-no-civil-citations-juveniles-caught-pot/

HOPE Team Assembly, 6:30 PM - May 2, at First United Church of Tampa on Fowler.
   HOPE Justice Ministry Celebration - May 23, 2016, at 6:30 PM (Place TBD).

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 states that when 80% 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 task force examining our long range options but there is an option to help in the short range.

We could increase the seating capacity by 20 to 30 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. Contact Roger with any questions.

Migrant Basket

The workers are heading north and so the last day we will pick up the migrant basket will be May 15th. The basket will be back in the fall.

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. For more information, visit UU Womenspirit's website.

Appalachian Spring 2015: May 22 - 27
Enroll now for this adult event. Event page and registration is at http://themountainrlc.org/event/suufi-southern-uu-fall-institute

Homecoming Weekend and Annual Meeting: May 27 - 30 Our annual Memorial Day tradition is an intergenerational 3-night weekend full of fun, family, and fellowship with a diverse set of workshops for all ages.

MountainCamp: June 12 - July 23 This enriching youth summer camp program is filled with recreation, adventure, education and creativity. Learn more at TheMountainRLC.org/mountaincamp-home-page/

Intergenerational Family Camp and 80's Mountain Camp Reunion: July 24 - 31  A program for families with workshops, crafts, hiking, campfires, music and singing, storytelling, time for relaxation and reflection. Calling all MountainCamp alumni from the 80s! Attend Family Camp this year and catch up with other 80s 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 haven on the Mountain.

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

A Month of Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Services start at 11:00 am

April 1, 2016 "The Freedom to Govern" Rev. Patricia A. Owen

We hold our congregational meeting this first Sunday of May. What should we know about our church governance and why should we all care?

April 8, 2016 "The Freedom to Be" Rev. Patricia A. Owen
There has been a lot in the news recently about who uses what bathroom. How far have we really come in understanding? Why should we be on the front lines of this argument over human rights?

April 15, 2016 "The Charles Weingartner Scholarship Fund in Action at last"
Grant Wilson and Merrell Dickey, Hillsborough Education Foundation
Grant Wilson will give a short biography of Dr. Charles Weingartner and how the UUCT Weingartner Scholarship Fund came about. Merrell Dickey will describe the Hillsborough Education Fund and its goals. He will relate how UUCT's scholarship fund is being implemented and the impact the fund will have on Hillsborough graduating high school students.

April 22, 2016 "The Freedom of Color" Rev. Patricia A. Owen
"None of us is free until all of us are free." How does our color impact our sense of freedom in 2016? Why is the subject of the privilege of whiteness so difficult?

April 29, 2016 "The Freedom to Serve - Memorial Day" Rev. Patricia A. Owen The story of the Bedford Boys speaks to the willingness to serve and the hideous loss of war. How do we reconcile hating war while honoring those who are willing to die?

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.

"My birthday wish this year is that we all raise our voices for those under oppression, to show our own power and that courage is stronger than their campaign of fear"
~ Malala Yousfzai

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa

email: info@uutampa.org

11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa, FL 33637

813-988-8188