|
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lake Norman
An inclusive community embracing individual spiritual growth
-- living our beliefs through works
|
|
|
|
|
Our services begin at 11 a.m. Sundays in the Lodge at Woodlawn School,
just north of Davidson. A nursery for children up to pre-kindergarten age starts at 10:45 a.m. in the classroom adjacent to the Lodge. Children in K-5th grade go to Spiritual Exploration following the children's story during the service.
|
|
Upcoming services
May 3: "Building Trust, Nurturing Faith" with Rev. Amy. Brooks
One of the mantras of our liberal faith tradition is "onward and upward forever." This optimism is a gift to us, but how does it fit with today's world? And how do we maintain our optimism in the face of challenges and struggles?
May 10: Flower Ceremony
Our annual flower ceremony, led today by Laurie Walker and Marilyn Campbell, is a celebration of religious freedom, new life and community. This year we celebrate it in the context of Mother's Day, recognizing that we are free to choose and create experiences of mothering outside traditional definitions and that doing so is life-giving to us all.
May 17: "A UU Understanding of Evil" with Rev. Amy Brooks Over time, our religious ancestors have changed our views about humanity and God. Increasingly, these were viewed as "good," but then how do we explain the terrible things that happen and what do we do with "the problem of evil?" May 24: "Insights into Judaism" with guest speaker Dr. Mark Epstein How do the teachings, traditions, history, and culture of Judaism inform the Jewish heart, mind, and soul? An answer can be found in four simple phrases: B'tzelem Elohim; Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof; L'Chaim; and Tikkun Olam. A Google search may reveal the translation of these phrases, but it is their meaning that can illuminate who the Jewish people are, and the lens through which we see the world. Dr. Epstein is a veterinarian in Gastonia and a scholar of Judaism. May 31: Social Action Sunday
This service will look at the UU Legislative Ministry of North Carolina and how it is working on issues vital to building a more just and loving community. Go here for details on the ministry.
|
Dear Members and Friends, Two Sundays ago we recognized six new members. Once again I extend my welcome to John, Erin, Jennifer, Agnes, Chris and Don. Let me add a welcome to their children Jackson (parents John/Erin) and Wen dy (parents Jennifer/Kevin), two especially delightful additions to our community. All these individuals bring with them energy, enthusiasm and ideas to share. Please take the opportunity to get to know them and help them feel welcome! As we prepare to elect new leadership and set goals for the upcoming year, I want to draw your attention to a leadership training program I hope that I and a few members of our congregation can attend. The program is Aug. 23-28 at the UU retreat center in Highlands, North Carolina. The training is for those who are, or plan to be, in positions of leadership. We need several people to participate because it is team effort. It is a week-long commitment, but I believe the benefits will give us new skills and better position us to move with strength and vision into our next level of growth. If you are interested, I invite you to speak to me. Financial aid is available. Looking forward to our next steps together. Yours in faith and service, Amy minister@uulakenorman.org
|
|
Sunday morning groups
The Humanist Discussion Group plans to discuss the recent book by David Brooks, The Road to Character. For each of the Sundays in May and June, the group will discuss one or two of the book's chapters. David Brooks is a conservative political and cultural commentator who writes for The New York Times. Reading the book is not required and we welcome anyone interested in conversation. National Public Radio had this coverage of the book and this interview with Brooks. The group meets in classroom #2 at 9:45 a.m.
The Adult Discussion Group meets to explore and share what inspires us and the challenges life brings. It meets at 9:45 a.m. in classroom #3 and all are welcome. Youth Spiritual Exploration (grades 5 and up): Youth are welcome to stay for the service or leave with the children for a separate break-out discussion.
|
|
New members
Please welcome the six new members who joined the Fellowship on April 19. From left to right, they are Don Parks, Christopher Fiore, Agnes Fiore, Jennifer Bauer, and Erin Gillespie and John Boles.
In 2014, we welcomed nine new members. These six bring our Fellowship roll to a total of 51 members. Marge Flowers
|
Music notes
Musicians needed After our presentation of special music on May 3, the UU Lake Norman adult choir will take a break. We have one more anthem prepared to present sometime this summer. Meanwhile, we look forward to hearing  special music by smaller ensembles: Trios; duets; solos; instruments. Please see me if you can participate. Singing Taize style Jacques Berthier was onto something when he developed the Taize community in France, where ecumenical worship services tap into the benefits offered by the ancient practice of chanting. As Robert Gas explains in his book, Chanting, there has long been an association of music with healing. Though the mind-body connection was not taken seriously for a while, now people are again recognizing its importance in healing. Scientific studies abound on the physical benefits of singing and chanting together.
In France, Berthier realized that people from all nations could sing together better if they sang one common language that "belonged" to no one country. He chose Latin. He composed simple chants that everyone could quickly absorb and join in singing. He wrote counter-melodies for instruments to play too, each one creating more complexity as they enter the mix one at a time. In the Taize style, the music starts with a simple chant and then builds and "heats up," the people still chanting their simple phrases in the midst of a layered tapestry of sound. All are united by breath, by harmony, and by rhythm.
Some of us have sung in choirs with orchestras, and felt the transformation offered by being a part of such transcendence. Most of us haven't had that opportunity. But we at UU Lake Norman, thanks to our proficient volunteer musicians, can sing along with a cello... or a flute... or an autoharp/bass bar combo. Sometimes the counter-melodies exist in our hymn books. Sometimes our music director writes them. Through this and all our music, we can connect with each other and, hopefully, tap into the sublime.
|
Social Action
May 2: The Social Action Committee will host a booth at Davidson's Town Day on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Invite your friends and neighbors to stop by our booth -- there will be a fun Earth-friendly game for kids and a book sale. Money from the book sale will help buy water filters for our Wakami Guatemala project.
The SAC is continuing to raise money to buy water filtration systems for families in Guatemala in support of our "Water is a Human Right" theme. We're asking that you bring your loose change to service each week and place it in the collection canister at the back table to support the Wakami filter project. We will also pass a second offering plate on May 3 and June 7. This project is also in support of member Amy Hartman, who travels each year to Guatemala to help communities in need. The SAC thanks you for your support!
May 30: Volunteers are needed for Habitat House construction -- Cornelius/Davidson Interfaith Build. UU Lake Norman has openings for six volunteers to work on Saturday from 7:45 p.m. to 1 p.m. doing paint and trim work. No experience necessary! Sign up here. The work address is 11824 Titan Ave. in Huntersville. Volunteers must be at least 16, and a parent or guardian must sign for those 16 to 17. For more details, contact Albert Wong at awong.ohio@gmail.com or 704-430-6073.
|
Announcements
Response to Nepal
Joining with people from around the world, the UU Fellowship of Lake Norman supports the people in Nepal devastated by the recent earthquake. Envelopes will be made available on the back table for anyone wishing to make a donation. Donations received through the Fellowship will go to the charity designated by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, our outreach service organization that partners with people around the world. For more information, please contact Rev. Amy Brooks. Our expressions of care and concern go out to all those affected by this tragedy. All-committees meeting
May 17: All committee and task force members as well as interested folk are encouraged to attend our second "all committees meeting" in the Lodge after coffee and snacks. On the agenda is planning the next quarter's activities for July-September. Bring your ideas and energy! We hope to encourage participation and transparency, reduce meeting conflicts and the number of meetings by (hopefully) moving to a quarterly system. Join us and let your voice be heard! Three-church picnic at Reedy Creek Park May 30: UU Lake Norman, Piedmont UU and UU Charlotte will gather for a picnic and games on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine at Reedy Creek Park. The park has a nature museum, softball fields, nature trails, and covered areas. Please bring a dish that will feed your family plus two additional people. Paper products and drinks will be provided. Further details and directions will follow. If you have any questions, please contact Billie Rosene. Hope to see you there!
Annual Meeting May 31: The Fellowship will meet shortly after the Sunday service to elect our slate of candidates to the board and present the budget for fiscal year 2015-16. The congregation will vote on the slate previously circulated. If you have not received an email with the 2015-16 slate of candidates, please contact secretary Joe Turner.
Women of UU Lake Norman, center your mind, body and spirit! The Women's Centering Group meets on Fridays from 8 to 9 a.m. No preparation is necessary. For more information, please contact Laurie Walker at laurie1059@gmail.com.
|
|
|
Our website is full of information on our congregation and Unitarian Universalism.
Board of Trustees: Nancy Brower, president: president@uulakenorman.org Veronique Singerman, president-elect
Amy Hartman, past president Joe Turner, secretary Anne Pender, treasurer Dana Overcash, trustee Rodger Clark, trustee Remember to "Like" us on Facebook. We announce our upcoming services and events there and hope you will share them with your friends and family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
