June 2016

Rev. Patricia A. Owen, Settled Minister 

Erin Powers, DRE 

One Place, All Faiths - Creating a Caring, Justice-seeking Community
In This Issue
My Little Corner of the World
Desk of the President
R.E.flections
Stewardship
Party!
Coffee Hour
Full Moon
School Volunteers
Concerts
No Migrant Basket Over Summer
B&G Kudos
Monday mUUsic
Chairs
Day Trippers
St Pete Pride
Carol Partington recognized
HOPE
BOT Election Results
The Mountain 2016
A Month of Sundays
Vespers
Click for
The Church Calendar
datebook-header-orange.jpg
   

Come and join  

buildings & grounds work

June 11 

  9-11 am  

  

Care Committee
sepia_stacked_hands.jpg
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.

 

Board of Trustees   

    

Or contact us at:
bot@uutampa.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!
 
or for Social Action lively discussion, Go to  

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    

Like me on Facebook
 
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
A little history first. When we move into our new house at the end of May, Chris and I will have moved five times between the two of us in the last two years. Selling the house in Richmond meant putting all our things into storage for a year. We didn't know where we were going! We rented here in Tampa because it made sense, in a large city, to get a feel for where we wanted to settle. We kept all our boxes from the previous move. We didn't know where we were going!

I've moved a lot. I am not going to try to count each one, but there have been a lot. Moving is not my favorite thing in the world, but having spent the last couple years in a state of being unsettled, I have tried to be in these moments and learn. Moving has given us the opportunity to reassess what we want, what we need and how to say goodbye to some old things to make way for new. We have said goodbye to a city we loved and friends we knew. Especially poignant is that we have bid farewell to four cats in the last four years who graced and blessed our lives - the last two were in my life for 19 years!!

I am sharing this because we, as the lone liberal religious voice in the greater Tampa area, have an opportunity to ask ourselves some fundamental questions about moving. Moving forward. We might not know exactly where we are going, but we are on the move. Things will shift and change, but our commitment to stand as a loving community will not waver. We have had two gatherings in which we shared our dreams and questions about expanding worship. We will have more!

Right here, right now, I ask for your commitment to be part of the conversations. The only way we will hear your ideas is if you share them! An essential tenet of our covenant is accountability for our own involvement in community. You are invited. You are needed as an essential part of our future.

I am more excited about our future together than ever. Now, I need to go
unpack a box...or two!

Peace y'all,
Rev. P.
Kim McDonald BOT President
Desk of the President . . . and the beat goes on . . .
Last weekend I had the good fortune to attend a lecture and workshop by the theologian, Matthew Fox.  As he signed my book, I told Matthew that he would be a good UU.  Although his biography indicates that he is now an Episcopalian after being expelled from the Catholic Church, it was evident that he draws his own beliefs from many sources and is a man deeply committed to the same principles that UUs hold dear.

Matthew started his lecture with the Biblical quote, "Launch out into the deep."  He explained how organized religion has been "too timid to sail," and he added, "We can't stay on the shore."  It was a challenge to move beyond the comfort of our own lives into the courageous act of bringing justice to all.

Unitarian Universalists are bold and lead the way in confronting social justice issues where the timid fear to go. I applaud our own Worship Committee Chair, Diane Gainforth, and the Director of Religious Education, Erin Powers, for identifying an issue at the church, and then approaching the Board with a request to change the signage on our restroom doors so that all are able to feel comfortable using the facilities that match their gender identity.

A few weeks ago, Jamie Robe, Jeff Stover, and Mary Francis presented a wonderful "green" service addressing ecological issues.  They urged us to act, not just talk - a challenge to all of us to move beyond words to personal action, not only at UUCT, but also in our personal lives.

Find your passion, own it, and sail forth to make change happen! Launch out into the deep!

Peace,
Kim
REflections
in Religious Exploration   
   

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 will pause for the Summer and resume in August. 



  Children and Youth Religious Exploration 
  
Like us on Facebook

 STEWARDSHIP
We are midway through the UUCT's fiscal year and are reviewing pledged income. It is very important that we continue to support the church financially during the summer months, when attendance is usually down.  Pledge contributions help to provide the minister, interesting programs, upkeep of our beautiful campus and a safe meeting place for our church community.  If you have lost track of what you have contributed to date and would like an update contact me at keyspouse2@aol.com and I will send you a mid-year statement.
Thank you for your continued support of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa.
Joyce Formica, Pledge Secretary
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.)
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEER TEAM
Many thanks to everyone who has helped to make coffee hour a success. We're having a picnic to celebrate! It will be an indoor picnic in the small dome on June 12th after coffee hour. All current volunteers, subs, and anyone interested in volunteering to help during the next term are invited to attend. Food and drinks will be provided.
ciw_cuups
Circles in the Woods CUUPS 

June 18th @ 7:30pm - As we celebration Midsummer at the Full Moon Celebration, we expect an invasion of dancing fae!  There will be a parade for the best dressed among them so break out your wings and strut your stuff!  

 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.
 UU's Volunteer at Temple Terrace Elementary School
During the past school year, Joan Lund, Jae Polcyn, Diana Stevens and Tempie Taudte (shown in photo with principal, Ann Perez) spent one to two hours each week volunteering at Temple Terrace Elementary School.  Each of us was assigned to a specific classroom and we usually worked with the same children every week.  

As we got to know each other, the kids started to respond with joy when we arrived. Clearly, they enjoyed our company and the special attention we brought to them. It was rewarding to develop relationships with them and to see them make progress in reading and math.

Tempie enjoyed tutoring a boy who had recently immigrated from the middle east.  In November he spoke no English and we helped him learn the alphabet and track words from left to right on the page.  More recently, we worked on pronouncing the sounds, "th" and "r".  He is now reading on grade level!

Temple Terrace students work very hard to succeed.  The school focuses on positive reinforcement and the teachers are appreciative of help from the community. The majority of the students are African American.

Will we do it again next year?  All four of us answer with a resounding "Yes!" Won't you join us?  Volunteering is easy.  Obtain a volunteer form from Jae Polcyn, fill it out, and return it to Jae.  She will submit your form to the school and notify you of your assignment.  School starts in mid-August. 
CONCERTS IN THE UU DOME

WHO:  Classical Guitarist ZACHARY JOHNSON
 with Pianist JOHN HERNANDEZ opening
WHEN:  Sunday, June 12,  2016    TIME:    3  pm     
COST:   Free -- Love Offering Appreciated

Learn more about Zachary by clicking a link below:
http://www.zacharyjohnsonguitar.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljQBHf2FLlg  

And, JOHN HERNANDEZ, will do an opening set.  John works with Tampa Bay Children's Concert Chorus and delights UU Church of Tampa every Sunday as our primary pianist.  
 
John is a talented and versatile pianist who has  received many awards and accolades and holds Master's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Louisville; a Bachelor's Degree with Distinction from Salvador Bustamante Celi National Conservatory of Music; and a Performance Diploma with Highest Honors from Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory of Music in Ecuador. 
No Migrant Basket over the Summer
The workers have headed north.  Watch for the basket to return in late September or early October.
Buildings and Grounds Kudos
The last B&G Day, Saturday, May 14, 2016, brought out a group of very earnest volunteer workers from our congregation.  Long time B&G volunteers Candy Gale and Russell Patterson took on the very sticky job of trimming the sago palms growing next to the Small Dome.  Joyce Formica, joined by one of our new members Tary Peace, spent the morning weeding landscaped beds.   Joe Adles and Robert Boileau did edging tasks, while Tom Krumreich pick up trash along our entrances on Morris Bridge and Davis Roads.  A very big Thank You to all this volunteers.  Hope more of the congregation will join us on our next B&G Day, on Saturday, June 11, 2016. 
Submitted by Ed Benedict, B&G Chair 
ANNOUNCING
Can't come to church?  Can't remember something you read in the announcements?
communications@uutampa.org

The church's Facebook page is public and therefore open to anyone to view. You do need a Facebook account to post, to comment, and to "like," but viewing is open to all.
You can view the church's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/uutampa
 
Let us know if you find this posting of announcements and the Order of Service valuable so we can decide whether it is a worthwhile use of volunteer time.  Thanks.
 
Christine Smith
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
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.
 UUCT DAY TRIPPERS
Join UUCT adult friends on our next excursion to the Gamble Plantation Historic Park in Ellenton on Thursday, June 23.  The antebellum mansion has a fascinating history and is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. Car pool will leave the church promptly at 9:00am and return mid-afternoon. Costs are $6.00 cash for guided tour, lunch at Ellenton Anna Maria Oyster Bar, and $4.00 cash 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.
standing_on_the_side_of_love
 St. Pete Pride Festival and Parade
This year the Beacon Youth  group, with state wide support, will have a float in the St. Pete Pride night parade, Saturday June 25th. The West Central Florida Cluster of UU Congregations is walking with them in support.  Sunday, June 26, the Cluster Pride Festival booth, 11am to 6:30pm in the Grand Central District,  will need volunteers.  Scheduling for volunteers, exact locations and times is underway; further information will be forthcoming.
Carol Partington was recognized on May 22nd for her leadership with HOPE.  Congratulations, Carol, you deserve it!

 
 
hope_icon
HOPE Updates
Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE)
By Robert Boileau, UUCT HOPE Team Leader
 
  Thanks to all of you who continue to support our church's efforts to achieve justice through, and with, HOPE!
 
Since last month, our UUCT Justice Ministry Network members:
 
   Participated in the May 2, 2016 HOPE Justice Ministry Team Assembly to receive updates on our two current Action Issues, Civil Citations and Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to plan for our May 23rd Justice Ministry Celebration and to prepare for our 2016 HOPE Individual Investment Drive.
 
and have participated in HOPE's impending Monday, May 23, 2016 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Justice Ministry Celebration (and Investment Drive Kick-off).
 
Candy Gale and I attended two HOPE Corporate Investment Drive visits with Hillsborough County businesses, with several more such visits scheduled. 
 
HOPE's two current issues are Civil Citations for Misdemeanor first possession of marijuana 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.
 
Fifty HOPE members attended the Wednesday, May 4th Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners Meeting at which Commissioner Crist, as he had promised at our Nehemiah Action Assembly on April 4th, introduced a proposal to establish a 10 million dollar Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  Commissioner Keven Beckner seconded the motion. Unfortunately for the 74,000+ families who could benefit from this Trust Fund, the rest of the BOCC refused to support, or outright opposed it; so Commissioner Crist withdrew his motion in order to keep control of it.  He promised to continue to advocate for this much needed Fund and HOPE will support him in his efforts.
 
While we are all very disappointed with Sheriff Gee's continued opposition to the Civil Citation alternative to arrest for misdemeanor Marijuana possesion by children in our county, we have had positive feedback from the Tampa City Police Department, the Chief Judge of the 13th Circuit (which is Hillsborough County) and the Hillsborough County Public Defender.
 
HOPE Dates to Remember:
 
May 23, 2016, 6:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M. - HOPE Justice Ministry Celebration at Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 822 West Linebaugh Avenue (SE corner of W. Linebaugh and N. Boulevard, two streets North of Busch Blvd.).
 
July 12 - 16, 2016 - DART Justice Ministry Conference (HOPE is one of ten DART member organizations in Florida) at USF St. Petersburg Campus.  IF interersted, Please contact the HOPE Office for details.
 
In progress now:  HOPE Annual Corporate Investment Drive (Please note, we still need "support people" to accompany our HOPE Spokesperson and staff person to these meetings. Please contact me or the HOPE office, if you are interested).

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!
 Board of Trustee Election Results

Congratulations to the Board members who were elected at the May
Jeff Stover
Congregational Meeting!

Effecti
Trude Diamond
ve September 1, Trude Diamond and Jeff Stover will begin their three-year terms.  John Utt was also elected but is unable to serve at this time.

Welcome to the Board, Trude and Jeff!  Thankyou for serving our community!
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
  
June 5, 2016   "Promise to Teach"     
We honor those among us who teach today! But here is the secret: Each one of us is teaching every time we we encounter another. How aware are we of that responsibility and promise?

June 12, 2016  "Faith and Feminism"   Rev. Katie Culbert
On the cusp of my recent ordination I wonder what is the current state of ordained woman in the church; both liberal and conservative. As we approach the election of a new Unitarian Universalist Association President,  what is the significance of all candidates' being female? Feminism in faith has strengthened over the years but there is still progress to be made. How can we create more positive change for the rights of women in the church?

June 19, 2016  "How Wide the Net?"  
How far does covenant reach? If our promises are only good within our walls what does that tell a world that needs our voices and our message?
 
June 26, 2016  "Crisis Center"  Sandy McLaughlin
The mission of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is to ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone. This local, nonprofit organization was founded in 1972 when a group of volunteers and concerned citizens saw the need for a local suicide and crisis hotline.

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. 
Vespers 
Every
Wednesday at 6pm in the sanctuary there is a 30 minute, contemplative service.  Stop in for a mid-week break.
 
 
    Though -- when otherwise inclined --
    It's a trouble to be kind,
    Often it will bring you good
    When you least believed it could.  
Source: Perrault's Fairy Tales, "Les Fées"  
 
 

Contact Info
UU Church of Tampa 

email: info@uutampa.org 

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