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UU News
Monthly Newsletter of
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro
An Intentional Liberal Religious Community April 2014
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| Welcome to the April edition of our church Newsletter!
Our communications team is looking for a couple of reporters to help author updates on our website. We also need the services of a trained web developer to help us add new features to our website.
If your team or committee has any submissions for the May newsletter or if you have questions for the editor, please send them to commuucg@bellsouth.net.
The deadline for team and committee articles for the May Newsletter is April 18, 2014.
In Covenant:
Vance Archer
Newsletter Editor
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Liberal Religious Community
|  ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS CHURCH
Distinctions of power, privilege, and estate, which apply outside these doors, do not apply within them. Women, men, and children; persons of any color, culture, age, ability, economic status, or affectional orientation; skeptics and those pursuing common or unorthodox religious paths...
All Are Welcome Here!
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Sunday and Special Worship Services and Schedule
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Sunday, April 6
| "Who are we and where are we going?" | Rev. Ann Marie
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Sunday April 13
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"The Wild Spirit"
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Rev. Ann Marie
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Sunday, April 20
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"Inter-generational Flower Communion"
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Rev. Ann Marie
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Sunday, April 27
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"Lighting the Flame: How to be a UU evangelist"
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Rev. Ann Marie
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Sunday Morning Schedule
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9:30 - 10:30
| Adult and Children's RE
| All are welcome. There are offerings for all ages, (Nursery services provided)
| 10:30 - 10:55
| Social Gathering
| Informal Social Gathering prior to Worship. (Nursery Services Provided)
| 10:55 - 12:15
| Adult and Youth Worship
| Both adults and children start our service together. On most Sundays the children leave the sanctuary for Youth Religious Education, which also ends at 12:15. On Services labeled as "Worship for All Ages" or Inter-generational, the service will be shared by both children and adults.
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Wednesday Fellowship Pot Luck and Expressions Worship Service
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Join us on Wednesday evening. We share a pot luck supper at 6:00 pm followed by our Expressions Worship Service from 7:00 to 7:30.
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April 2
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Mark Freundt, "19th century UU Tent Revival"
| April 9
| To Be Announced
| April 16
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Malaika, Cabaret style Middle Eastern Dance Troupe
| April 23
| Sue Beck and Bill Hanes, Appalacian Trail Hike
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April 30
| Labyrinth, with Vance Archer playing violin
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Thank you for joining us on Wednesdays at 7:00 for this uplifting break to the week!
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Please bring your own table service for the pot luck dinner. It helps our church stay green.
THANK YOU! |
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Reflections from Rev. Ann Marie
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April brings the end of the Annual Commitment Time. (If you haven't already done so, please turn in your pledge by Sunday, April 13, letting your ACT Committee know what you can promise to give during 2014/15.) I see this year's pledge campaign as another important "sign" of UUCG's overall health.
My reading of the tea leaves in regards to the pledge numbers indicates much improved conditions! ...more pledges, increased dollars per pledge and quicker return of pledge cards. I also see other signs of growing enthusiasm and satisfaction. More and more new members are joining and getting involved. Almost all of the board committees and ministry teams are happily moving towards fulfilling their objectives for the year. Board meetings are not only productive, but fun! Adult Faith Formation (the new name for Adult Religious Education) is expansive and deep, including the Sunday morning forums, the Thursday evening classes, the various meditation groups, and the fabulous "Can You Plan Your Death" serious just completed (offered by the Lay Pastoral Care Associates). Then there is the Youth Religious Education program under the able guidance of our Director Cindy Dillard. The numbers of young people in our midst is impressive! It would be great if the pledge campaign results meant we could increase Cindy's time. Did you know she only works 16 hours a week? My hope is to help create a budget that brings her time with UUCG up to at least 20 hours. No UU congregation can really be called "on the move" without babies, kids, children, youth everywhere!
Speaking of being on the move, the Music program at UUCG, long fabulous, and still superb, led by Mark Freundt is absolutely worth your financial commitment! A recent visiting preacher sent at thank you message to me and in that message said; "Thanks for the invitation to be in your pulpit...The worship team was wonderful, your music director so rocks." Isn't that for sure! Turn your pledge in, if you haven't yet. Mark deserves every penny!
In freeing faith, Rev. Ann Marie
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From Cindy Dillard, Director of Youth Religious Education
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CONGREGATIONAL PASSOVER SEDER
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 6-8pm
As some of you know, I grew up un-churched. The first time I experienced a religious ritual was at the age of 33 (I am now 50) at the Passover Seder in the home of my (then) boss, Rabbi Art Nemitoff. He was the senior rabbi at Temple Israel in Columbus Ohio -- one of the five founding congregations of the Reform Jewish movement. I had a smattering of Bible knowledge, and I had watched Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" every year at Easter time. So I thought I knew about Moses and Passover and all that...stuff.
But after my first Seder, I realized that I had never really experienced the kind of community that can be found in a faith community. During the Seder, we collectively read stories that I thought I knew about -- with people I knew, and people I didn't know -- but we were all mulling over the same ideas. Slowly (over the course of 4 hours), we considered this iconic story of standing up for justice and freedom, while learning about and engaging in ritual, enjoying wonderful food and drink, and making connections, as often happens during feast meals.
Honoring the first time I celebrated Seder with Rabbi Art Nemitoff (and 6 years following), to the years I partnered with Rev. Mark Belletini at First UU Church Columbus, to last year (2013) when I worked with many of you to bring an authentic Passover Seder to UUCG, I invite you participate in a Passover Seder, Saturday, April 19, 6-8 pm. Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child (5+). Anyone interested in helping -- and please don't be prohibited by cost -- contact Cindy Dillard, UUCG Youth DRE via (email) uucgre@att.net OR (cel) 614-975-0126.
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From the Congregational Vice President - Karen Madrone
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We are a people who... This winter (spring is coming I know it!) we've been having a sermon series called "We are a people who..." This series encourages us to think about the words and stories we use to describe ourselves. There are studies that show that the stories we tell about ourselves impact how we view not only ourselves but the world around us. This series fits really well with the work we've been doing over the last few years with strategic planning. We've not only been thinking about who we are, we've been putting our thoughts and ideas into action. On April 6 everyone is encouraged to stick around after the service to review, reflect and renew our work towards the strategic planning process. Much like the fourth principle (A free and responsible search for truth and meaning), we are continuously learning and evolving who we are both as individuals and as a community. The board is really encouraged by the level of participation in the Annual Commitment Time campaign this year. This year's campaign is focused not on what the church needs to receive but on our need to give. I have really appreciated hearing the testimonies from members about why they give to UUCG. I hope that you have found them inspiring and thought provoking - and that they've made you think about why you need to give. If you haven't yet turned in your pledge card, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. And finally, this spring we are embarking on a whole new endeavor our church has never done before. We will be evaluating both Rev. Ann Marie Alderman, our Developmental Minister, and our current ministry. A small number of people have been given surveys that will help the Accountability Committee review what's working and what could be improved upon. This is the very beginning of this type of work in our church. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the survey in the coming months. Just from reviewing what we are currently up to, I say we are a people who are focused on where we're going, are giving to our church and community, and are willing to take risks and step into uncharted territory. We are a people who...come on the journey with us and find out! Karen Madrone Congregational Vice-President
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Team and Committee Meetings and ways to help out
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Membership in our movement entails the investment of both our time and talents to further our shared mission. Please find ways to connect your personal contributions with those of others within our Spiritual Community to make our Church Community and Culture a better place.
Some of our Teams and Committees have regular meetings. Others meet irregularly or virtually and accomplish their missions without regular meetings. The list below contains the meeting time and location of those teams and committees that meet regularly. Feel free to attend any of these meetings as they are all open. We invite your participation in our church's governance and mission.
Ministry Team Meetings
All Ministry Team Leads meet with the Minister on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary to plan together for all church programming. This is an open meeting.
Coordinating Council Meetings
The Coordinating Council (both the Ministry Team Leads and all Committee Chairs) meet quarterly (Feb, May, Aug and Nov) on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. The Council is co-chaired by Karen Madrone, VP and Rev. Ann Marie Alderman. This is an open meeting.
Board of Trustees Meetings
The Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 PM in the Sanctuary. This monthly meeting is where Governance Decisions are made for our Church. This is an open meeting.
Communications Team
The Communications team publishes the monthly newsletter, and maintains the web site. We also administer our Facebook and Twitter Sites. We don't have regular meetings but there are several jobs that you could help with. We are in particular need of team members with internet development experience. Please contact Vance Archer if you would like to explore joining the Communications Team.
Fellowship Team Meetings
Everyone is invited to join this team that is always on the lookout to create opportunities for people to connect and have fun. Contact Cindy Williams for more information on the Fellowship Team.
Healthy Congregation Committee Meetings
For more information, contact
Justice Action Team Meetings
The Justice Action Team meets on second Sundays after the service at 12:30 pm in the Library. Opportunities for volunteering with SAC include hands-on nitty-gritty tasks and work toward policy change to benefit Greensboro's residents. Membership Team The Membership Team makes visitors welcome in our church and works to expand our membership. Our team runs the visitor's table on Sunday mornings, contacts all the visitors who come to our church and organizes meetings and classes for new members. Please take a look at our bulletin board in the foyer and get to know our new members. Membership is a big focus for Rev. Ann Marie. If you are interested in working with us, please contact Judy Gecinger
Music Team MeetingsThe Music Team meets after Church on the Sunday before the Ministry Team/Coordinating Council meeting. This is typically the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the Month. Meetings are typically held in the Library. Policy & Procedures Committee
Worship Team Meetings
Our Worship Team meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month @ 3:30PM in the Minister's office. Please contact Barbara Hands if you are interested in helping the Worship Team as a Team Member, an Usher, Service Leader or Service Coordinator.
Youth Religious Education Team
For meeting times and dates see the calendar or contact Team Lead Heather Rushford.
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Regular Events
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Men's Night Out, Monday, Second Monday each month
Join us at our next Men's Night Out beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Mi Pueblo, 3911 Tinsley Drive in High Point for dinner and fellowship.
Ladies' Night Out, Last Monday each month
Ladies' Night Out occurs Monday, April 28 at the Saigon Restaurant. We meet at 6:30 pm. Newcomers are always welcome. We've chosen a family style meal, but individuals may order their own meal from the menu. Please contact Mary Davis or Janet Plummer if you plan to attend our Vietnamese meal and an evening of telling our stories.
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Men's Night Out 2, Last Monday each month
A second Men's Night Out is held the last Monday of each month. We will meet at Applebee's on Battleground Ave.
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Faith Formation on Sundays in April
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Non Violent Communications
Sunday, April 6, 2014, 9:30 AM
The Healthy Congregations Committee will be continuing its once a month series of classes on Non-Violent Communication, based on work by Marshall Rosenberg. For our April session, we'll be using his book, The Surprising Purpose of Anger. Rosenberg challenges us "to shift from the idea that anger is something to be suppressed. Instead, anger is a gift, challenging us to connect to the unmet needs that have triggered this reaction." How can we use our anger as a signal to put us into action to better meet our needs? How can we move fromsuppressing / controlling anger or considering it "bad" to using it as a tool to connect to our needs? What can we do when our compassion and patience are put to the test? Come and explore with us how we can use our anger to help us instead of hurt us.
Your Healthy Congregations Committee
A People So Bold 
April 13, 20, and 27 at 9:30 AM
In January 2009, thirty-two leading Unitarian Universalist (UU) theologians, ministers, and activists gathered to reflect on how might congregations be beacons of UU values for the larger world. How do we understand suffering, oppression, injustice in the light of our faith?
We will use the video as a starting point for discussions concerning how we can live our faith in our daily lives. Recent discussions have included the nature of Good and Evil, privilege, and how we fit in to the larger society.
Please join Nina Namaste and others as we hold a discussion about A People So Bold over the next several weeks.
Adult Faith Formation - Sunday Afternoons and Evenings
| Every Sunday Afternoon Meditation | Deep River Sangha, Buddhist meditation
| 4:00 - 5:30
| | 2nd and 4th Sunday Evening Meditation | Meditation for the Love of it
Joan Skokan et al | 7:00 - 8:30
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Seasoned meditators, new meditators, intermittent meditators, people who have convinced themselves they'll never be able to meditate, people who want to meditate, but hate it or don't know how to get started...all are welcome.
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YRE News Update
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 This past month, at the 9:30 hour, Chalice Club has been focusing on our UU Principles. They continue to reflect on how they've lived those principles during their week, earning special beads for their nametags.
At the 11:00 hour, The Wonderers have been examining issues they encounter in their daily lives (such as gender stereotypes), The Gatherers have been learning key stories from the Old and New Testament, and The Sojourners have been watching a variety of TED Talks.
Cindy Dillard
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Review, Reflect, and Revise the UUCG Vision
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Workshop on Renewing our UUCG Vision
- How long will this workshop last: Max. 2 hours
- Will there be lunch? Yes, a light lunch will be provided. Contact Katja if you'd be willing to donate some food!
- Will there be childcare provided? Yes!
- Who should participate: Team leads, committee chairs, new members, everyone that is interested in the direction that our church is taking in the next 3 to 5 years
What to expect:
This is your opportunity to actively participate in the ongoing strategic planning process of UUCG. We will review the vision that was created by members of the congregation starting in the fall of 2012. We will reflect and celebrate what has been realized thus far. We will look to the future and revise the plan to ensure that the realization of our vision will be completedA Place to Grow and Thrive, Where we are Serving the Extended Community, and We are Feeding the Spirit Through Diversity.
For questions or more information, contact Katja Brown, Strategic Planning Committee Chair: sbrown039@triad.rr.com
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Lay Mediation Training in April
|  Lay Mediation is continuing and still open to new comers.
We meet on the first and fourth Thursdays from 6-8pm. We are always looking for participants and observers for our role plays. The next book we will be reading and discussing will be, Mediating Dangerously by Kenneth Cloak.
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UUA SE District Annual Meetiong, Love Reaches Out
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The South East District of the UUA is having its Annual Assembly from April 25 - April 26 with the theme "Love Reaches Out".. This year's meeting is being hosted by the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh. This year's Keynote Speaker is Jim Key, UUA Moderator.
Registration costs $80 for the two day event that starts on Friday afternoon at 4::00 and finishes on Saturday at 3:30 PM. For more information activate this link http://uuasouthernregion.org/aa2014.html. If you are planning to attend please register by April 15.
There is a group rate available at the Ramada Inn on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh (Name of Group Block: Southeast District Annual Meeting, Group Code: CGSDAM).
Grab this opportunity to interact with our movement on the regional level and help build bridges between our local congregation and our movement regionally.
Vance Archer, Editor
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Make Your Pledge Count
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All pledges received on or before April 13th will help determine the budget for the coming year. You can put your pledge in the collection plate, mail it to the church or hand it to a member of the ACT committee, a Board member or the minister.
"We are the People Who" create a responsible budget based on our timely and generous pledges!
"We are the People Who" are grateful for each other's many gifts, who connect in community, who help heal the world and who grow in commitment.
Thank you for your pledge!
The ACT Committee: Ann Dickinson, Joe Gecinger and Nelson Stover
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Justice Action Team
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Justice Action Team - A new Initiative
The Justice Action Team of UUCG will partner with Community Housing Solutions to help make homes in Greensboro just that - warmer, drier, and safer. JAT will recruit a team from our congregation to work under supervision from CHS to repair or rehab existing homes whose owners are unable to pay for the repairs. Our first work on one of these homes will take place on Saturday, June 28. Prior to that time you will hear from JAT members much more about the plans.
During the service on May 25 Gene Brown, executive director of CHS, will speak about the purpose and work of Community Housing Solutions.
Here is just a brief description of Community Housing Solutions:
"Our home repair program preserves homeownership for low-income families who cannot financially or physically do the repairs themselves . . . . . We rely heavily upon the support of volunteers and donors. ."
JAT had previously selected Community Housing Solutions as the June recipient of UUCG's Share Half donations. The work team will join our physical presence to our monetary support.
Can't wait to hear more about this initiative? Joe Gecinger has been volunteering most Wednesdays on whatever project CHS sends him to. He will be happy to tell you his experiences. He looks forward to UUCG being a part of this terrific community resource.
If you are a confirmed do-it-yourselfer with home repair experience, you may be just the person to help lead our team. Or if you would rather help from the comfort of your kitchen, you could be in charge of contacting team members or planning lunch. No one has to work alone - we are hoping for many volunteers to make this a rewarding experience. You can contact Sara Bourquin at 632-1616 or sbourquin@triad.rr.com
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Represent the UUCG April 5 by collecting food for the hungry 
There will be another opportunity to help Greensboro Urban Ministry feed the hungry on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Food Lion store at 4653 West Market Street. The food drive will need 8 volunteers, 2 volunteers to work each 2 hour shift from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to collect nonperishable goods from the patrons of the store.
April 5, 1:00 - 5:00 Earth Day Celebration for Families 
Join Environmental Stewardship Greensboro, (A UUCG Justice Action Team Sponsored Organization) in Greensboro's Earth Day Celebration at the Benjamin Boulevard Public Library. Tour the woods and connect with Greensboro's Environmental Awareness Community.
Monday Night Dinner at Urban Ministry April 7.
On the first Monday of each month, the Social Action Team organizes and serves a meal to the 100 residents of the Greensboro Urban Ministry's night shelter. We usually have 10 to 12 volunteers from our church who buy, cook and serve the meal each month. We prepare on site the same meal each month, consisting of turkey chili, buttered bread, fruit salad, corn and bean salad and homemade cookies. Several of our members make cookies, and the residents love the chance to eat such delicacies. The ingredients for the meal cost a little over $90 each month, paid for by UUCG.
A team of volunteers from Hinshaw Memorial Methodist Church usually comes in to help serve the meal to the residents. If you would like to be part of this rewarding work, contact Ken Knight.
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS (TTS) 
Thank you to the many folks who have donated funds, dropped off non-perishable food and hygiene items, assembled care bags for the needy, and distributed those care bags out in the community. But the need is ongoing-if you shop at Costco or Sam's Club, please consider purchasing an extra box of individual peanut butters, applesauce, juice boxes, etc. Our April care bag assembling will take place in the lobby, Thursday, April 10 from 6-7pm. For more information, please contact Cindy Dillard, Youth DRE (uucgre@att.net)
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It's Assessment Time - Lets Reflect on our Community
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IT'S ASSESSMENT TIME!
Last spring after extended study this congregation identified four areas of development that we wanted to concentrate on for the next three to five years:
- UU IDENTITY: Discernment and development of identity, including increasing the congregational focus on the traditions history and larger community of Unitarian Universalism;
- RIGHT RELATIONS: Deepening right relations and congregational trust by establishing sacred behavioral expectations and the development of resources and practices to address conflict;
- STEWARDSHIP: Developing a culture of stewardship whereby all members pledge and contribute to the financial health of the church an also contribute their time and talents to church's governance, hospitality and spi8rituyal life; and
- MEMBERSHIP: Clarifying the expectations of Membership so that there is a definite path to meaningful engagement and broad awareness of the roles and responsibilities of members.
The Board hired the Rev. Ann Marie Alderman to serve as our minister and to help us in our work towards those goals.
It is about a year since we made this decision, and time to evaluate how we are doing in our work towards those goals to assist us in planning for the coming year. The Accountability Committee will be conducting an evaluation specifically about our work on those four goals. Simultaneously, the Board will be conducting its annual evaluation of our minister.
We have selected a group of people to respond to evaluation tools for each of these two assessments. The specific people have been selected as part of cross-sectional sample groups of congregants who we believe will be best able to give us meaningful feedback for these two evaluations. While the evaluation tools have been sent to small group of people, we are interested in what who have not received the evaluation tools have to say, as well. If you would like to share ideas you have about how we are doing on our work towards our developmental goals, please feel free to contact any of the members of the Accountability Committee. If you would like to share ideas you have about our evaluation of the Rev. Ann Marie Alderman, please feel free to contact any of the Board Members (listed elsewhere in this newsletter).
Thank you all, and we look forward to hearing your ideas.
Your Accountability Committee
Charlotte Hamlin (chair)
George Johnson
Marty Stover
Marie Houck
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Finance Committee offering assistance for Seniors in need of Tax Preparation Help
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Wendell Putney offered free tax assistance for seniorsl. Service includes electronic filing of US and NC returns. Please, no large brokerage statements or complicated rental or business income. For married couples filing jointly, both must be present to sign the necessary forms. Additional times will be scheduled as demand requires.
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Committee on Leadership Development is Seeking Your Input
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At our annual meeting in May, the congregation will elect a new President, Vice President, two Board of Trustees members, and one member of the Committee on Endowment. From February through April, the Committee on Leadership Development will be identifying members to run for these offices. We are seeking members of the congregation who will provide strong leadership to help UUCG continue to grow spiritually and in numbers as we face together the challenges of the world around us
If you have a desire to serve the church, know someone who does, or if you have recommendations for others, please contact a member of the committee and/or fill out one of the nomination forms that will be at the church on Sunday mornings.
On the fence? Thinking about running but wonder what serving on the Board is like? Talk with one of our current Board members; their names and photographs are on the bulletin board in the hall outside the kitchen. Talk with someone who has served in the past. You'll hear what a rewarding and, yes, at times challenging experience it is. Service to the congregation is an important way that we act on one of the 7 UU Principles, "the use of the democratic process within our congregations."
In addition, nominations for the Committee on Leadership Development will be made from the floor and elected at the May meeting, so be thinking of and talking with people you believe would be effective members and willing to serve in that capacity.
Thank you for your help in assuring that UUCG has strong leadership in the coming year.
Ann Dickinson Co-Chair (336 674-2035; ardpuppy2@aol.com)
Donya Lucas Co-Chair (336 686-0851; donyalucas@hotmail.com)
Harold Gunn (336 288-7926; tgunn1@triad.rr.com)
Benn Kuecker (928 380-6609; shavonta@hotmail.com)
Alex Stoesen (336 292-5999; astoesen54@bellsouth.net)
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Annual Dinner Saturday May 17
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SAVE THE DATE!
This year's Annual Dinner will be on Saturday, May 17 at 6:00pm.
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The theme is "We are a people who..." The Annual Dinner is traditionally a time when we reflect back on the past yeart and thank the individuals, teams and committees who havae contributed so much to the work of the church. The Annual Dinner is a celebrations and affirmation of our church.
Attendees will be organized into groups of 6-8 per table. Each table will have its own table host and theme. Table hosts will use "We are a people who" as the starting point for their table's theme. The response can be one word such as "Celebrate!" or multiple words like "Stand for Justice." Be creative! Awards will be given for various categories including (but not limited to) "Best use of the theme" and "Most Original." Sign up sheets will be posted about a month before the dinner. During the program after the dinner we will lift up the amazing work we have done over the last year. All are welcome, especially newcomers to UUCG. Childcare will be provided after the meal.
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Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday May 18
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SAVE THE DATE!
Save the date for the Annual Congregational Meeting to be held on May 18 directly after the service. At this meeting we will approve the budget for the 2014-2015 church year and vote on new board officers, including President and Vice President and three board trustees.
The meeting should last no longer than an hour. This is one of the ways we practice the fifth principle: the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. All are welcome to attend the meeting but only members can vote. Please make plans to attend this important meeting.
Karen Madrone
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Lay Pastoral Care Associates and Care Team
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Request forms for both Lay Pastoral Care Associates and the Care Team are available on the table near the back window in the sanctuary. If you would like help with something or know of someone who may need support, please fill out a form and place it in the care box.
The Care Team, headed by Sara Bourquin ( Sara's Email Link
or 632-1616), assists with meals and transportation.
Janet Eley (Janet's Email Link or 617-4666) oversees the Lay Pastoral Care Associates, who provide a confidential, caring presence to congregants undergoing stressful life challenges.
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| DAMAGED HYMNALS |  If you ever notice that a hymnal is damaged in any way -- broken binding, torn page, or even just a cover that is beginning to pull apart -- there is now a place to put it! On the bottom shelf of the hymnal bookcase that is closest to the kitchen, you will see a basket labeled (ornately) "Hurt Hymnals Here". Simply place the damaged hymnal in that basket, and the Music Team will repair it. Thanks for helping us keep our hymnal collection intact!
At least 6 hymnals were placed in the basket this month. We will be repairing damaged hymnals at our March 23rd Music Team meeting. Please continue to place hymnals whose bindings are pulling apart, pages are torn, etc.into the "Hurt Hymnals" basket.
Thank you from the Music Team |
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Highlights, UUCG Board of Trustees Meeting
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Highlights of the March 18, 2014 UUCG Board of Trustees Meeting
- Charlotte Hamlin, Board President, reminded the Board about the April 6 Congregational Strategic Planning Update, an important, open meeting for anyone interested.
- Ann Marie reported that all ministry teams have completed updating their charters. All staff members now have updated, signed Letters of Agreement on file.
- Lonnie Houck, Board Treasurer, reported that total proceeds from the Cabaret Auction, at $10,000, met budget. The ACT Campaign, launched March 3, is going well; 42% of members have pledged. February pledge income was slightly higher compared to January, but cumulative (YTD) pledge income was 3% below anticipated income. YTD expenses were 2% above budget amount.
- Board Committee Briefings:
- Accountability Committee chair, Charlotte Hamlin, presented the two evaluation instruments drafted by the Accountability Committee: the Developmental Ministry evaluation and the evaluation of the Developmental Minister. These important tools for congregational growth have been mailed to 52 respondents with a requested deadline of April 4 for their return to the Accountability Committee.
- The Healthy Congregations Committee report was given by chair, Sue Beck, and member, Marie Houck. Sue's update included the monthly Compassionate Communication education presentations and the lay mediation meetings. Marie reviewed earlier work toward rewriting our congregations Behavioral Covenant, as well as plans for further efforts in this area.
- The Board reviewed the Reinhartsen Speaker Fund Policy and a newly drafted Policy for Unspecified Bequests.
- Representation at upcoming meetings. We have two UUCG delegates planning to attend the SE District Meeting in Raleigh, April 25-26, but additional attendees are welcome. So far, two delegates have committed to attend the UUA General Assembly, Providence RI, June 25-29. We can send five delegates, so please contact Charlotte, Ann Marie or Steve Pearsall, if you're interested in going..
Additional details are available elsewhere in this newsletter or in reports posted online. The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, April 15 at 7 pm and is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Submitted by Sharin Francis
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Birthdays in April
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Ben Freundt, Chellie Mason, Alex Stoesen, Ann Dickinson, Gladys McNatt, Sue Beck, Barbara Hughes, Barbara Council, Gay Cheney, Michael Puzio, Sophie Little, Rakesj Bhimireddy, Alba Eder, Junah Jellicorse, Bodhi Bhimireddy |
Attendance and Offering Update
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March 2 |
139
| $3,188.00 | | March 9 |
134 | $2,111.00 | | March 16 |
147
| $3,058.00 | | March 23 |
142
| $2,329.45 | |
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Expressions February 26 35 $7.00 March 5 $3.00 March 12 $4.00 March 19 $7.00 |
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UUCG Covenant
| We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, do covenant to:
- Promote a search for personal meaning, respecting individual truth in a community process of quest
- Speak and act with caring, courtesy and love thereby maintaining emotional, physical, and spiritual safety for all
- Support UUCG and denominational efforts with our resources
- Combat injustice while promoting equality
- Nurture our children on their spiritual journeys
- Hold ourselves to this covenant, especially during times of conflict and disagreement
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UUCG Officers
| Charlotte Hamlin, President chamlin1939@gmail.com
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UUCG Trustees
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Michelle Lee (2015) nc.dogwood@yahoo.com
Ken Knight (2014) oldpeacenik@gmail.com
Myra Anne Geese Dean (2014) myraannegesse@yahoo.com
Sue Beck (2016) sbeck1@triad.rr.com
Suzanne Deering (2015) zanned@earthlink.net
Katja Brown (2016) sbrown039@triad.rr.com
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UUCG Staff
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Reverend Ann Marie Alderman, Developmental MinisterRev. Ann Marie Alderman began serving as our pastor on August 1, 2013. She may be contacted by sending an e-mail to amalderman@uuma.org or on her mobile phone 704.770.8748. She is usually in her UUCG office on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  Julie Hamilton, Congregational AdministratorOffice Hours: Please call church office for appointments
Office Phone: 856-0330, Cell: 687-4101, E-mail: uucgadmin@bellsouth.net Mark Freundt, Director of MusicOffice Hours: Please call church office for appointments Office Phone: 856-0330, Cell: 908-1103 E-mail: uucgdirmu@bellsouth.net Cindy Dillard, RE Coordinator Office Hours: Please call church office for appointments Office Phone: 856-0330 Cell (614)975-0126 E-mail: uucgre@att.net
Walter McCorey, Sexton
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (times vary based on needs). |
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GLBTQ Sub TeamCongregational Contacts
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Adult Faith Formation Team (formerly Adult RE)
Accountability Committee
ACT
Archival Records Committee
Building and Grounds Team
Care Team
Committee on Leadership Development
Committee on Endowment
Communications Team
Coordinating Council
Denominational Affairs Team
Fellowship Team
Finance Committee
Fundraising Team
Cabaret Auction Sub-Team
Healthy Congregations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Justice Action Team (formely Social Action)
GLBTQ Sub Team
Labyrinth Task Force
Lay Pastoral Care Associates
Membership Team
Music Team
Policies and Procedures Committee
Strategic Planning
Volunteer Coordinator
Worship Team
Youth Religious Education Team
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Steve Pearsall
Charlotte Hamlin
Nelson Stover
Sharin Francis
Jim Roeder
Sara Bourquin
Ann Dickinson, Donya Lucas
Ken Williams
Vance Archer
Karen Madrone
Steve Pearsall
Cindy Williams
Lonnie Houck
Open
Lauren Houck, Rhoda Glover
Sue Beck
Open
Sue Cole, Sara Bourquin, Becky Floyd
Karen Madrone
Steve Pearsall & Ken Williams
Janet Eley
Judy Gecinger
Sue Sherwood & Marilyn Clayton
Michelle Lee
Katja Brown
Sue Sherwood
Barbara Hands
Heather Rushforth
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