Politics in church

I thought it might be a good idea to bring some clarity to what we can and cannot do related to politics in church!  

You can read for yourself; "THE REAL RULES: Congregations and IRS Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections", written by the UUA's Advocacy and Witness Program, which can be found at  The Real Rules.

This document mostly details what we cannot do.  We cannot as a congregation, or allow others on our property to, engage in partisan activities without jeopardizing the congregation's tax-exempt status.   

Because we are a tax-exempt organization, we are prohibited from directly, or indirectly, participating in any political campaign for or against any candidate for elective public office.  We cannot issue letters of endorsement or opposition printed on congregational letterhead, nor distribute partisan literature at congregational events, nor display campaign signs on congregational property, nor engage in any activity that could be construed as endorsing or opposing a candidate.  We cannot contribute money to candidates or solicit contributions, and individuals cannot fundraise for candidates at the church or through church communications.  These rules also apply to our communications through church enabled e-mails and/or social media, such as our Yahoo groups or Facebook page.   

On the other hand, both ministers and congregational members are free to make partisan statements as individuals.  However they must, especially if they are likely to be associated with UUCG, make it clear that they are speaking only in their own name as individuals.  It is most worth noting that all these IRS rules are clearly focused on what we can and cannot do related to candidates for elective public office.

Once a candidate holds public office, we can do and say whatever we wish as a church and as individuals.

I believe that as UU's we have an obligation to be informed regarding the behavior of elected public officials that we might judge to be unjust, unkind, or uneducated.  We have the responsibility to speak up about what limits the freedom or full equality of every individual or of entire groups of people, or damages the environment, or in any other way is counter to our UU principles.  And in accordance with our UU principles, we need to do our justice work in ways that do not malign people or particular political parties.  

Let us all be reminded to speak up and speak out on justice issues without demonizing either people or political parties, in other words....may we continue Standing on the Side of Love!

Rev. Ann Marie Alderman

It has been a busy month for The Nurturers, our multi-age Sunday School program for children aged preschool thru 5th grade.   We have continued our conversation about "the inherent worth and dignity of every person" by focusing on the needy each week during our opening rituals, and assembling TTS carebags on the first Sunday of the month.  We have cared for our Children's Garden, exercising our "respect for the interdependent web of all existence".  (If you were at church last Sunday, you enjoyed the first fruits of the garden at coffee hour.  Look forward to many beans, tomatoes, peppers and squash in the weeks to come!)   And we have shared much laughter playing cooperative games, considering which games would be "just, equitable and compassionate" towards all participants.

The Nurturers schedule in August:

8/3-Taking It T-UU The Streets carebag assembling

8/10-The Children's Garden

8/17-Cooperative Games

8/24-Cooperative Games

8/31-Taking It T-UU The Streets carebag assembling

YRE families -- keep on the lookout for 2014-2015 registration forms coming to you in your mail (hopefully next year, we will have on-line registration!)  For more information, or to find out how you can help support YRE at UUCG, please contact Cindy Dillard, Director of YRE (uucgre@att.net).

Cindy Dillard, Director of YRE (uucgre@att.net  614-975-0126.)      

The board of trustees has eight governance committees. Governance committees are groups of people who perform a function assigned by the board.  (Congregational committees perform a function assigned by the congregation.)   For most of the governance committees, it's possible to guess the function based on the name.

Everyone is invited to join this team that is always on the lookout to create opportunities for people to connect and have fun.  Contact Kay Bishop and Rick Tolley for more information on the Fellowship Team. 

A Meeting on Climate Change and Faith Community Responses 

Fisher Avenue Annex adjacent to the main church, 607 North Greene Street in Greensboro.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Concert/Auction/Funddraiser at UUCG

to benefit Joyce Allen & David Teague

6:00-7:00 Refreshments Buffet, Silent Auction Begins

7:00 Live Auction - Jac Grimes

8:00-9:45 Jazz and Broadway Tunes Concert (silent auction continues)

Auction items include three-day stay at The River Cabin (a log home on the Greenbrier River); a Mission-style doll bed (American Girl-sized) handcrafted in Appalachia; complete collection of music CDs by singer/songwriter Amy Carol Webb; hand-crafted jewelry by Master Designers; your choice of any book by UU humorist Meg Barnhouse, personally autographed just for you; fiber art jacket and accessories; gift baskets, door prizes and more.

Donations?  Volunteers?  Questions?  Contact: Bonnie Crouse, (336) 682-4804, Bonnie's Email 

This is a fun-and-fundraiser to show support for friends in need following their disastrous home fire.  Bring your wallet.  It won't cost you a dime to get in the door, but you'll definitely see at least a few things you'll want to bid on.  And the food?  You will NOT want to miss out on that!  See you on the 23rd.

This event is being held by the Friends of Joyce and David.  UUCG publicity is being sponsored by the UUCG Care Team.   

Vibrant churches offer great music, thoughtful sermons, reflective and meditative practices, lifespan religious education, time for fun and fellowship, and ways to engage the wider community.  Healthy, active congregations also find ways to create and sustain small groups of people where individuals get to know each other and reflect upon those deeper meanings in ways they may not otherwise have an opportunity to do so. 

Sometimes, small group community just happens, when folks form men's groups or book clubs or work together on a particular project.  They may find that they are just naturally sharing the complexities and paradoxes of their life journeys in ways that build relationships full of trust and care.  It is within these sorts of small groups where lifelong friendships begin.  It is within these kinds of small groups where acceptance and hope can most make themselves present in our lives.  The kind of self-discovery and sense of belonging that grows in these settings grow the deepening relationships that are essential for living long and healthy lives.  It is this sort of healthy community that people are seeking when they come to church!    

Beginning in mid-September, UUCG is about to be very intentional by offering what we are calling Chalice Circles.  You will have an an opportunity to sign up to be part of a group of eight to ten people, led by a trained facilitator. Each Chalice Circle will meet once a month.  Differing days and times will be available. When you sign up, you will be promising your commitment to be present with your circle for at least the next 10 months.   Our hope is that this opportunity will add even more to the richness of congregational life here at UUCG.

Sponsored by the Membership Team 

Any church can set up a Minister's Discretionary Fund (MDF).  Per IRS rules this is a special account in which to keep those monies that a minister (or some other trusted entity) may need to help out those in need.  IRS rules about MDFs make sure that these monies will not be used to benefit the minister, or to pay any ordinary expenses of the congregation!  The minister makes use of these funds when a person, or a family, has an emergency need.  

Most congregations take measures to insure that when a bill is paid or a grocery card handed out that the recipient's identity is known only to the minister.  There is a current UUCG policy that states that no one person or family can receive more than $600 in any one year.  That policy also allows that the minister use their discretion about how to help someone who might need help.

Every Christmas Eve and every fifth Sunday all the undesignated (non-pledge payment) monies put in the offering plates go to replenish the MDF.  And at any time, if you might wish to make a contribution to this fund, you can do so by writing MDF on your check!  Contributions to UUCG's MDF are fully deductible.  

Our minister regularly buys and distributes grocery cards to those who call and ask for help from our church.  She often pays unexpected bills for those who are members and/or friends of UUCG. .   

Triangulation: The act of telling a third party something that should be delivered straight to the person involved.

At the Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly, there is a group of people who serve as the "Right Relations Team".  This is a way to address situations when people are angry or have been hurt by someone else's words or behavior.  Last year, I asked one of the members of the team how it was going.  He said they had found they could handle many situations by asking three questions:

First, "Have you discussed this with the other individual?" If the answer to that was "No", they moved on to the next question.

Second, "Would you like me to help you discuss this with the other individual?"  If the answer was still "No", they had one final question.

Third, "May I use your name when I discuss this with the other individual?"  If the final answer was still "No", they told the individual that this was not an issue that the Right Relations Team could address, but rather a pastoral care issue, and invited the person to discuss the situation with the minister who was on duty for pastoral needs.

I find these questions to be a great way to identify when someone is attempting to triangulate.  The further down the list you go with "no" answers, the more likely it is that you are being invited to triangulate.

Triangulation happens everywhere: in families, at work, at school, and, yes, even at churches, including ours.  It is inevitable wherever people gather.  I know there will always be triangulation.  I've been known to do it myself, but am lucky to have people close to me who call me on it when I do!

Not all discussions of a third person's behavior are unhealthy triangulation: you may be asking advice, or seeking a reality check on your own reaction, or even, sometimes, just kvetching to a close friend over something minor that you know you'll get over.

However, you know someone is triangulating if they expect you to "do something" about the other person's behavior, especially if they expect you to bring the complaint to the other person without using their name, or if they seem to want you to be as upset as they are about the situation.

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 )

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.

• Karen Madrone, Board President, welcomed new members: Shawn Gagne, Jim Roeder and Cindy Williams and thanked returning Board members.
• Lonnie Houck, Treasurer, reported that YTD pledge income for June was 1% over budget. Total income for the year, including bank lease payments distributed evenly over 12 months, was 3% over budget. He gave an overview of fiscal year 2013-14, reporting that our final Delta (income-expense) for the year was positive by $1,219. Total Cash in Plate/ income for 2013-14 was 43% over budgeted amount.
• Two versions of a policy for Unspecified Bequests were reviewed. Ken Williams spoke on behalf of the Endowment Committee and Lonnie spoke for the Finance Committee about the policies their respective committees had drafted. Following discussion of the comparative merits and limitations of each, the Board moved to accept the Finance Committee's policy, adding a provision from the other policy making it explicit that bequests that do specify a purpose would not be affected by the policy, as they would be restricted gifts.
• After Lonnie presented information about refinancing the mortgage at a lower interest rate, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Finance Committee to move forward with BB&T's adjustable rate offer or a better offer.
• Funds from the Liz Harrell Memorial Fund have made it possible to replace the badly worn carpet in the lobby and hall of the RE wing. The work will be done the third week of August.
• The Board appointed Marie Houck as new chair of Healthy Congregations Committee. It also affirmed Katja Brown as continuing chair of Strategic Planning Committee and Sharin Francis as continuing chair of Archival Records Committee. The Board is seeking chairs for the following committees: Accountability, ACT, Finance, Human Resources, and Policies and Procedures.
• The Board asked Ann Marie to coordinate the language and timing of announcing Myra Ann Dean's WFDD day sponsorship gift to UUCG.

Additional details are available elsewhere in this newsletter or in reports posted at

http://uugreensboro.org/for-members/ under Member Documents. The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, August 19th at 7 pm and is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Submitted by Sharin Francis