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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lake Norman
An inclusive community embracing individual spiritual growth
-- living our beliefs through works
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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.
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Upcoming services
July 5: "'E Pluribus Unum" with guest speaker Loyd Dillon
From many, one. We all know the motto. But let's take another look at it Sunday. We'll see how that motto applies to both the U.S and to Unitarian Universalism. Let's celebrate our UU and American heritage together on the July 4th holiday weekend.
Loyd Dillon, a friend of this congregation, is a semi-retired designer, college design instructor, freelance illustrator, freelance writer, and UU lay minister. Loyd says that obviously he still hasn't made up his mind what he wants to be when he grows up. An active UU for decades, Loyd in 2008 won this UUA district's Distinguished Service Award -- its highest honor -- for more than a quarter century of service. July 12: "The Intersection of Faith and Public Policy" with guest speaker Jean Berg
Jean Berg is a life-long activist and advocate for social justice both in the U.S. and beyond. She is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary and member of the United Church of Christ (kissin' cousins with UU) and lives at The Pines in Davidson.
July 19: "How Virtuous Faith? Really?" with member Rodger Clark Many traditions consider the concept of "faith" to be a positive virtue. In light of human experience and current understanding, can such a sentiment be sustained? Should it?
July 26: "Can Compassion Change the World?" with member Veronique Singerman
The Dalai Lama is turning 80 on July 6 (or June 20 according to the Tibetan calendar). He has become one of the most listened-to leaders of our time, a champion of compassion and non-violence in human relations.What is the message we can take home and apply to our everyday life?
Veronique Singerman is president of UU Lake Norman.
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The next Coffee and Conversation will be on Aug. 9 for those interested in finding out more about our faith and our Fellowship. It's a fun and informative roundtable discussion. It will be in Classroom 2 at 9:45 a.m. Childcare will be available if requested beforehand. Please write membership@uulakenorman.org if you plan to attend.
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Dear Members and Friends, Even as we scatter over the summer to different places, and our lives take on a different rhythm, I am aware that many of us are moving ahead with excitement to implement our strategic plan. I appreciate the passion, and that we have so many people showing up to serve in new ways.  In the midst of it all, I invite us to remember from our June 28 service to find some time to play. Research shows play actually strengthens relationships, improves health, and even helps with critical thinking and problem solving! Who knows, it might even make "implementing the strategic plan" fun! "Play exists for its own sake. When we play, we also celebrate holy uselessness. Like the calf frolicking in the meadow, we need no pretense or excuses. Work is productive; play, in its disinterestedness and self-forgetting, can be fruitful." (From Toward Holy Ground by Margaret Guenther). Wishing you a fruitful summer! Peace, Amy (Although I won't be speaking during the month of July, I won't be on vacation. Feel free to email, call or meet with me. I can be reached at minister@uulakenorman.org.)
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Sunday morning groups
For July, the Humanist Discussion Group will examine a different UU principle each Sunday in light of a humanist life philosophy. The schedule:
July 5: Principle 3 -- Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations.
July 12: Principle 4 -- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
July 19: Principle 5 -- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
July 26: Principle 6 -- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
General background for each principle can be found here. No preparation is required -- just be ready for lively and stimulating conversation. 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.
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Planning and growth
The Strategic Planning and Growth Task Force is excited about beginning our congregation's five-year plan for growth, which began July 1. We would love to have your participation and support as we move forward into the future.
Please take a moment to look over the plan located in the Member section of our website. Pay special attention to the first year goals and volunteer opportunities. In the document you will find contact information for each goal. One of the tasks for the first year of our plan is to begin the process of earning the UUA designation, "Welcoming Congregation." It's a process of learning about the issues and the cultures of LGBTQ people, taking a fresh look at the language we use, and having conversations about how to embrace LGBTQ individuals as visitors and members of our congregation.
Please get in touch if you feel you can lend a hand in helping the congregation move forward into the future. We look forward to your response.
"One Congregation, Many Voices, One Goal: A more Just and Loving World." The Task Force
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Music notes
Ensembles signing up Let's add a string duo to our roster of UU Lake Norman musicians: cellist Dana Brower and violist Emma Worthington. They're working with me on music and will play together later this summer. Do you want  to play or sing? UU Lake Norman Choir and Band We'll learn and present some fun music on a pick-up basis this summer, following our "All Sing" choir format. This is a great way to try out the choir, without major time commitment. We come together on a Tuesday night and a Sunday morning for practice, presenting our music later in that same day. A drummer is needed for our band. We could use another guitarist too. Summer planning This is the time of year when music directors typically take a break from regular choir practice in order to focus on planning for the year. I'll be looking at and listening to music for the choir and congregation. Will your voice be in the choir? Singers of all ranges are welcome: altos, sopranos, tenors, basses! People who can sing harmony! I'd love to plan and order music for a larger choir of many voices. Let me know if you can practice with us on Tuesdays in the fall, and I'll know how to plan. Varied music at UU Lake Norman Like the inspiring preaching of our Rev. Amy, music can make a community feel like home. It can inspire to action, comfort and heal. Music can express grief, commitment, joy. Music can create an energy that all can feel and celebrate. Thanks to the board and to all the musicians -- including you, the community of singers-- for helping our services include such a varied and complex tapestry of music. We are rich.
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Membership engagement
You, yes you, are responsible for the growth of our Fellowship. Every time you greet a visitor, or talk with them before and after our Sunday service, you're saying, "You are welcome here." When folks visit our Fellowship, we ask them to fill out a form and give us their email address. We ask how they found us and if they have any questions or comments. An email letter is sent to each and every visitor. The most common comment I receive is "I visited other churches but did not feel so welcome." For visitors, knowing that they and their children will find a place within our Fellowship for their church home is vitally important. Thank you all for making our visitors feel at home! Margie Flowers
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Social Action Mark your calendars July 11, 8:30 a.m.: Our quarterly Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of Davidson's Concord Road. We'll meet at the home of Bruce and Lynn Henderson. All equipment is provided. Write action@uulakenorman.org to sign up or for more details. Water filters for Guatemala The Social Action Committee has raised over $500 to buy water filtration systems for families in Guatemala in support of our "Water is a Human Right" theme. Thank you to all those who contributed! This project is also in support of member Amy Hartman, who travels each year to Guatemala to help communities in need. Amy leaves July 11 and will take the donated money with her.
Charlotte Pride Festival The Social Action Committee is organizing our participation in this year's Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade. The festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 15 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 16 from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. All are welcome to participate and show our support as an open and inclusive liberal faith community. This year will mark the third annual parade. This year's parade is shaping up to be an even bigger family event in light of our nation's recent Supreme Court decision in support of marriage equality. UU Lake Norman will partner with Piedmont UU to staff a vendor table at the event. Piedmont UU will sell T-shirts as part of their fundraising activities.We are also organizing fundraising activities for this event. Bowerbird Woodworking has donated a bentwood wedding ring set to raffle at the event, and we welcome your ideas for and participation at the booth. We will need folks to greet people at out vendor table and friendly faces on the parade route. Please contact Social Action at action@uulakenorman.org or any member of the committee if you would like to participate. Go to charlottepride.org for the parade route and other details.
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Announcements
Connie Lyon is again our gracious host for the summer potluck gathering. It's Saturday, July 18, beginning at 3 p.m. Remember, she has a lovely, sandy beach so bring your swimsuit. New feature this year: Nancy Brower and Marge Flowers are bringing their pontoon boats and their respective captain's caps. Rides (and life jackets) will be available for children of all ages. For more information, email Connie at conielyon@gmail.com.
The Book Group will meet on July 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss The Job: True Tales from the Life of a New York City Cop by Steve Osborne. The author is a retired NYPD cop skilled in telling stories that are serious, tender and fun to read. All are welcome. For more information, contact bookclub@uulakenorman.org. Everyone is welcome.
The Women's Centering Group will take a break for the month of July.
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Our website is full of information on our congregation and Unitarian Universalism.
Board of Trustees: Veronique Singerman, president: president@uulakenorman.org Sandy McFeeley, secretary Anne Pender, treasurer Rodger Clark, trustee Dan Aldridge, trustee Nicole Gantz, trustee Eddie Gunn, 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.
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