THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SAVANNAH
Weekly Newsletter 
May 24, 2015
In This Issue
Minister and Staff

Rev. David H. Messner

Minister

917-664-4027

[email protected]

 

Director of Music

[email protected] 

 

Nancy Arteberry

Director of Religious Education

[email protected] 


Office Administrator

912-234-0980 


Marc Coulombe
Sexton

912-234-0980 

Maria Martinez
Bookkeeper
912-234-0980

Board of Trustees

 

Trent Kissinger

President

[email protected] 

 

Denise German

Vice President/President Elect

 

Martha Weaver

Treasurer

 

Donne Rolfes

Secretary of the Board

 

Ardis Wood

Trustee At Large

 

Roberta Carver

Trustee At Large

 

Pat Redden

Trustee At Large

Hours and Deadlines

 

Office Administrator's Hours
Tues.-Wed. 4:15-7:15  
Thurs.-Fri. 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Sun. 10:00 am-1:00 pm
    
Minister's Office Hours 
next week:
Sunday 2:30-4:00 pm
Tuesday 1:00-5:00 pm
Saturday 1:00-3:00 pm
Monday is a Holiday

Pastoral care requests can be sent to the team at any time to: [email protected]

 

 Deadline for the Order of Service, Weekly Newsletter and Sunday Services Announcements: 

Tuesday at Noon

submitted to [email protected]
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Worship This Sunday
Services at 9:30 and 11:00 am

Religious Education and Coming of Age Sunday
Nancy Arteberry with Rev. David H. Messner

Our Worship Associate will be Margaret Hall.

Special Music will be provided by the Youth Choir, Larry and Nina Carlile and Sonya Ard-Kelly.

Children and Youth will be at the center of the 9:30 and 11:00 services. Each class has prepared a special component of worship to share with the whole community. Each service will be different, to make space for the different groups of children to lead us in worship.

Make a plan now to attend one or both!

The Week Ahead 

Worship Next Week, May 31
Service at 11:00 am

NOTE: This day begins one service each Sunday at 11 am. The early service will return after Labor Day.

Belonging Here
Rev. David H. Messner

Appreciating what it means to be a full member of our larger society, the prices and privileges.

Our Worship Associate will be Larry Carlile.

Special Music will be provided by Kelsey Bankert and Larry Carlile.

Children and Youth will meet for an exploration of gardening as a spiritual practice, commencing the one-room religious education program for the summer.

New Member Recognition in church this Sunday.

Congregational Meeting immediately after the 11:00 service. Members are asked to remain in the Sanctuary after church to vote on the budget and the board of directors.

Splinters from the Board

Trent Kissinger, Board President

 

May's monthly church board meeting was held last Thursday at 6:30 in Rahn Hall. The meeting commenced with a centering from Rev. Dave and the lighting of the chalice. After a check-in and a time of writing thank you notes, Rev. Dave gave us a "seven point" report of the church that included happenings from the last month, an overview of attendance and membership numbers, and a brief summary of the work going on in the ministries of the church. Trying to fit all of this information into seven points proved to be a challenge...it turned into a "ten point" report! There's a lot happening on Troup Square! Other business included reviewing church financials and voting for our Unsung Hero, who will be announced at our annual meeting. We adjourned before sunset with plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful Savannah weather.

If you haven't already done so, please mark your calendar for our annual meeting on May 31. It will take place immediately following the 11:00 service. As a voting member of the church, you have a yearly responsibility of approving next year's budget and the slate of elected church leaders suggested by the nominating committee. Your attendance is important because none of this can be done if we don't reach a quorum based on the number of people in our congregation. I'll see you there!
 

Covenant Groups

Our covenant groups are exploring together the May monthly spiritual theme of "Appreciating." 

To get a taste, see the Questions & Spiritual Assignments here.

Being part of a covenant group is a collective spiritual practice that builds meaningful relationships. To join a group (we have several to choose from), send a note to Rev. Dave at: [email protected].

Share the Plate Offering

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Third Sunday Share the Plate offering. We raised $234 for the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, home of our Annual Church Picnic.

For those who are not yet familiar with the Wildlife Center, its mission is to provide guests with experiences that will enrich their connection to the natural world. For more information about this wonderful organization, please click here.

 

This Saturday: Blackwater River Float
May 23

"Come paddle these historic highways, easily glide through the flat, mirror-like surface of this perfectly clear and clean, dark water. Hear the call of the belted kingfisher swooping down for a meal, and, in spring, admire Mississippi and Swallowtail Kites soaring overhead, as the woods come alive with migratory songbirds. Join us to paddle this intimate tributary of the Savannah River. There's exuberance in the open sections, and an amazing feeling of serenity paddling in the tupelo tunnels.

Description above provided by Wilderness Southeast, our guides.  Next trip scheduled for Saturday, May 23rd, at 9 am. Pray for sunshine! Cost $40.  Contact Margaret Hall, or sign up at the Engagement Table.  

Congregation Annual Meeting
May 31, 12:00 pm

Calling all members to the Annual Congregational Meeting after the late service on Sunday, May 31. This is the time to decide, as a church, who will be our officers in the coming year, and to vote on the board's approved budget for the church year beginning July 1. 

Nominating Slate for 2015-2016 
 
At the Sunday, May 31, Annual Meeting, the following slate will be presented for Congregational approval:
 
President Elect - Abby Powell (for 2015-16)
Treasurer - Martha Weaver (2nd 1-year term)
Secretary - Margaret Hall (1-year term)
Board Trustee - Gordon Mathews (for 2-year term)
Board Trustee - Judy Saucerman (for 2-year term)
Fund Trustee - Laura Potts-Wirht (2nd 3-year Term)
Stewardship chair - Paul Kurmas (for 2015-16)
Member of Nominating Committee - Robert Pawlicki (for 2015-16)

We thank the nominating committee for their excellent work and the extraordinary group of nominees for their willingness to serve the church in these roles.

 

picnic

Church Picnic Coming Soon!

Saturday, June 20 at Oatland Island Wildlife Center
 

Hey Everybody! It was so much fun we are doing it again!! Our Church Picnic is coming up on Saturday, June 20, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Oatland Island Wildlife Center off of President Street Extension (The Islands Expressway).

 

The Church will provide Fried Chicken, drinks and plates and cups, etc. You bring your favorite casseroles, sides, salads or deserts to share. Please be aware that alcoholic drinks and pets are not allowed unless they are service animals.

 

Trent will be the Gamesleader. We'll have sack races, spoon and egg carries, and croquet, among others.

 

Larry and Jake will each take a group to see the animal exhibits on the Island.

 

Judy Williams will lead an acoustic jam so bring your instruments to join in. We'll do it after the first hour to give everyone a chance to eat and visit before they get to playn'!

 

There will be no admission to Oatland charged for our group, thanks to the volunteers who will donate a clean-up day in the Fall in exchange for the privilege (You are welcome to join that group.) Just identify yourself at the gate as coming to the UU picnic. The parking is a short distance from the Pavillion so if you need transport there will be someone providing rides from 11:00 to 11:30 and at the end or on request.

 

Please contact Ellen Gross if you'd like to volunteer for bringing a watermelon, boiled peanuts, party ice, or a couple of other things we want to make sure of having. 

 

Thanks, Ellen

 

What Lives in an Apple and Reads?
A Bookworm!

Our Coming of Age class is having a book/bake sale and we are asking for book donations! The book donation box is in the Rahn hall near the Engagement Table. 

There is going to be an early-bird preview on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be a sign-up sheet for donating baked goods at the Engagement Table as well as some recipe suggestions if you want to make something along the lines of our bookworm theme.

If you have some books that are just taking up space and collecting dust, please donate them to the book sale!! 

Thank you, The Coming of Age Class

Mark Your Calendars for the Coming Month