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Sunday, February 17, 2013
10:30 am
A Love That Will Not Let Us Go
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
Worship Associate:
Ann Scott
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The service will explore love as the foundational principle of Unitarian Universalism. Erich Fromm in his book Art of Loving suggests that when we are "in love," the world seems sweeter, more beautiful, and more magnificent. What constitutes a "life of love?" |
Editor's 2 ¢:
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Vocalists and instrumentalists from across the state of Florida will be providing music for the service. They are here at UUC participating in the 7th Annual Florida District UU Choral Festival, Feb 16 & 17, and will be singing a number of choral works including some from UU Florida District composers. |
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| Coming Soon | |
Awaken Your Female Voices Workshops
February 23
Stewardship Sunday
March 3
International Women's day
March 16
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 Please shut the door...The UUC campus is a very busy place with a lot going on, and we have to be very careful to keep the rooms at comfortable temperatures; however, it is very important when the air conditioning is on to make sure all doors are closed. Several times in the past few weeks, doors in the Octagon and in the Social Hall have been left propped open when the air conditioning is running. Please make sure that when the air is on, that the doors are closed, especially if you are the last person out of the building. The goal is to be comfortable, environmentally sensitive and not have a utility bill that is out of control. Fragrance fee zone. Please be aware that many of us have adverse reactions to fragrance. Therefore, due to health concerns arising from exposure to scented products, please let us make UUC a fragrance free zone as much as possible. |
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Igniting the Community: Sharing Our Stories
Ann Scott
I was born in the U.K. and raised Church of England, attended Sunday school weekly, and read the Bible as a child, as well as all the books I could get my hands on. I grew up during World War II, and my family was evacuated to Yorkshire to protect us from the bombing.
Kathy and Dennis Krohn
Who Knew?!? - Margaret Meade was right; it does take a village to raise a child. Oh, what a Village the UUC is!
Read the rest of Ann's story as well as any of the other Stories.
Share your story so we can connect to what is important to you! We have set up a page on our website: Share, where you can write your story. |
Open Issues: Sunday, February 17
The State of Real Estate | |
Paul Langrock, a realtor, will speak about real estate, a topic which has been much in the news since the 2008 economic collapse, especially in Florida.
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Children's Religious Enrichment | |
Our Nursery will keep our littlest UUs (age 0-3) happy and busy with free play, music, and art.
Our Pre-K and Kindergarten class will learn about democracy and consider, "What would you do if you were president?"
Our 1st-2nd class will explore the concept of finding God in silence and express their thought with clay.
Our 3rd-5th grade class will look at the Life of Jesus as depicted in the Bible and ponder the question, "How much do we really know about Jesus?"
Our Middle School group will continue to explore Quakerism.
Our High School youth group meets from 12-1pm for open discussion.
Are you looking for a way to give back to your spiritual home? The Religious Enrichment program has many volunteer opportunities available, so please contact Christine Pensa.
UUC Religious Education Coordinator. |
Thank YouVolunteers &
4th Annual Congregation Retreat |
Thank you to all those who supported the Retreat Scholarship Fund by donating food, cash and most of all participating in the lunch itself. I would especially like to thank the committee and all the volunteers who cooked and cleaned on Sunday. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work! Jenn Bouchie, Retreat Committee chair  Registration has now begun for the 4th Annual Congregational Retreat. There will be a registration table at social hour every Sunday from now until March 17. The registration deadline is March 22. Please visit the table and pick up your registration form and learn more about the retreat. If you have any questions or comments please see any committee member; Jenn Bouchie, chair; Dale Niemann; Pete Pensa or Victoria Nichols. |
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A Monthly Multicultural, Interfaith Series
Saturday, February 16, 7 PM
Octagon Arts Center
LOVE IS THE SPIRIT
Featuring acclaimed jazz and rhythm & blues singer, Katt Hefner, opera singer Humberto Zambrano, jazz pianist, Norman Thalheimer,renowned musician Fred Johnson, and Rev. Abhi Janamanchi celebrating the season of Love through music, song, and poetry. 
Free Admission. A love offering is gratefully accepted.
Free childcare for infants & toddlers provided.
For more information, call 727-531-7704 or email mail@UUClearwater.org. |
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 February: Thursday the 14th and Tuesday the 19th in the Westwood Room; 7-8:30pmWhat do long-time couples know and do that others don't? How can you build those things into your relationship? Find out at this workshop led by Dr. Kalen Hammann, who's been teaching people to build satisfying relationships for more than 25 years.
Makeup videos will be available if you have to miss a session. Fee is $15 per person; $20 per couple. You can register online. |
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 On Friday, February 15th, we continue discussing the book The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough. We'll finish the discussion on the 22nd.
At the meeting on the 15th we'll choose the next book. Please bring some suggestions.
Reader's Forum is led by Catherine & John Conover and meets every Friday at 10 a.m. It is free, with only a suggested $5 donation per month for coffee. All are welcome. For more information, go to Readers Forum. |
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On Sunday, February 17th,we will celebrate new members joining our covenant congregation. Join us at 10:30 during service to witness the event, and afterward, in our Social Hall for cake!
If you're not already a member of UUC, but you have come to believe we are the right spirit place for you, contact Ann Kanuck, Welcoming Team Chair, at 727.796.4585 or by emailing Ann Kanuck for more details about the next new member event. |
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 "Garden Party" at 12:30 Sunday, February 17. We will be planting for the spring season in our community garden.
Join us and find out that you do have a green thumb.
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Khasi Hills Sponsor-A-Student Project |
 Our annual renewal drive to generate the necessary funds we need to meet our commitment in continuing to support this Unitarian school is quickly coming to an end. We are currently only half way to our goal in matching our previous annual contributions. We urge you to sponsor a student, renew you past sponsorship, or donate any amount today.
Contribute on line or give your contribution to the UUC office or at the Social Justice table. Remember that your $50 sponsoship will provide a meal, school supplies and help with teacher salaries for a full school year. |
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 FAST is a new multicultural, interfaith Social Justice Group in Pinellas County that the UUC Social Justice Council is joining forces with. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Join us for a FAST rally on Monday, Feb 25th, to show our concern about joblessness, poor education and scarce healthcare among the disadvantaged in Pinellas County. Let's not continue to accept the unacceptable... 23% black male graduation rates... unacceptably high unemployment rates... poor or unavailable health care.
Let's ask ourselves...
If not us, who?
If not now, when? There will be a FAST UUC Team Meeting in the Choral Room at 12:30, after services on the 17th. We will need as accurate a count as possible as to the number of people that will be attending the FAST Rally on the 25th at Espirtu Santo Catholic Church at 2405 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor.
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Awakening: A Journey of Breath and Voice |
 Thursday, February 21 from 7 to 8:30 in the Octagon
Join Fred Johnson in an interactive workshop, sharing techniques and language that empower us to both hear and feel the healing essence of our own voices. Explore the energies of Sound, Breath and Positive Thought. Sing, Meditate and Celebrate together as we "Awaken the Voice Within" and are introduced to the ancient West African tradition of Sacred Sounding.
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Female Voices: February 22-23 |
 This is a collaboration between UUC women and Tampa Bay Surface Deisgn offering a very unique weekend event capturing the creative fire of Female Voices through the arts.
Friday evening features a juried art exhibition which focuses on fiber art being created in Florida: dyeing, screenprinting, batik, silk painting, felting, found-object dolls, art quilting, and weaving.
Saturday, 1 - 5:30 PM, features a choice of two workshops facilitated by eight experts using artistic media such as fabric, music, writing, spirituality,dance, etc.
Soup/salad dinner is included. Child care available. Vagina Monologue free performance by UUC women follows begining at 7:00 PM.
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 Sunday 3 p.m. February 24 at American Stage, 3rd St. N. at 2d Ave. downtown St. Pete.
UUC has $20 tickets. See Ches at the UUC Media Team table after service in the social hall, or send a message to Ches Applewhite. |
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 The next ikebana class at UUC is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. - noon on Saturday, March 2, in the UUC Social Hall. Cost of the class is $10.00, to cover materials. If you're interested, please email Tricia Weimer to reserve your seat or ask any questions. |
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 Join us Sunday, March 3, for the Igniting Community Service and Luncheon! Share your story with someone you have never met. Get to know other members of our community. Talk about what matters to you and the future of our liberal faith community! RSVP by Feb 25. We want you to imagine with us what we can do together! |
Sustainability Film Series: Forks Over Knives |
 Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00 pm in the Choral Room
This feature film examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
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Special Congregational Meeting
Rescheduled for Sunday, March 17 |
Visit the UUC website for more information. Joe Myers, Facilities Plannning Task Force Chair |
International Women's Day |
 Save the date: Saturday, March 16, 2013 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) to commemorate International Women's Day.
The UUC Human Rights Team, NOW and other organizations are joining together to present "Women Make a Difference," a free half-day seminar. The keynote speaker will be Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long. There will be six break-out sessions, raising awareness on various social justice issues that affect women as well as an outreach to women who are considering running for political office. We DO make a difference! Mark your calendars! Contact Eloise for more information. |
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GA 2013 (General Assembly) is scheduled for June 19-23 in Louisville KY. This is the BIG event for all UU's. Pagentry, passion, preaching, people... Each congregation sends delelgates. Email Sue Boone for information, persuasion. |
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Our Web Site's Social Justice page can be found here.
Healing Our World and Ourselves
A Conference sponsored by the UU Church of Brevard and the UU Legislative Ministry
Date: February 15th and 16th
Place: The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Orlando, 1901 E. Robinson St., Orlando
Time: 2-8:30 p.m. Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday
For more information go to Heal.
Thanks to everyone who attended the 30 Days of Love events with special thanks to Mary Thornton who coordinated our participation in the MLK March and Breakfast and Lynette Wood who coordinated the Celebration of Love Valentine Day Potluck and Movie.
Please stop by the Social Justice table after the service to see pictures from the events, sign up for the FAST Rally and complete a short survey on your opinion of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
UUC Social Justice Calendar
February 17th- Garden Party at UUC Garden 12:30 Contact Jay Hardman
February 25th- FAST Rally, 7 PM, Espiritu Santo Catholic Church
Contact: Bruce Gotts
February 28- Comprehensive immigration reform action at Bill Young's Office, Contact: Donna Polhamus
March 3rd- CIW March Begins, Fort Myers
Contact: Donna Polhamus
March 5th- Sustainability Film Series, 7PM, UUC
Contact: Jay Hardman
March 12th- FAST Nehemiah Action, 7 PM- Tropicana Field
Contact: Bruce Gotts
March 16th- Women's Conference- "Women Make a Difference", 8:30-12:30, UUC, Contact: Sandy Hoover
March 17th- CIW March ends, Lakeland
Contact: Donna Polhamus
March 18&19- UU Legislative Ministry Advocacy Days in Tallahassee, contact: Donna Polhamus
March 24th- Justice Sunday -UUSC Membership Sunday, contact:
Mark Kanuck |
This may be the year that CIR (Comprehensive Immigration Reform) actually happens. Members of the Social Justice Team have been meeting (by Congressional district) to work with a wide coalition of groups (church, immigrant rights groups', labor, and others) to pressure our congresspeople to support CIR. The principles we have been supporting are those proposed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Plans have been completed for the March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food by the CIW (Coalition of Imokolee Workers). Here's a brief note (read the whole article).
Sign up to be a part of this 175-mile trek. We posted a visual tour of the route via Google Maps. You (and your family!) can sign up to join us for a day, a week, or the whole thing. Sign up at the SJ Table. In addition, we hope to have a large contigent when they arrive at Publix on March 17th. UUC will provide supper on Wednesday, March 13th, in Tampa. If you are a cook (or just a willing worker) please sign-up at the SJ Table or let an EJ Team member know you are interested in helping.
Donna Polhamus |
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Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater | 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater, FL 33764
727-531-7704 | Fax 727-531-4188
Copyright © 2013 Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. All Rights Reserved..
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PUBLICATION DEADLINES OCTAGRAM - WEEKLY EVERY THURSDAY The Octagram is intended to focus on activities taking place at UUC or those of interest to UUC members and friends. Send items in brief with a link to more information to Octagram. PLEASE DO NOT SEND INFORMATION FORMATTED, OR IN A FLIER. Provide text in an email, or as an attached Word file with any pictures/graphics attached to the email. Deadline is 10 a.m. every Wednesday. Prepared by Barbara Bird. ORDER OF SERVICE/ANNOUNCEMENTS - WEEKLY EVERY SUNDAY SERVICE: Deadline is 6 p.m. every Wednesday. Send appropriate items to Order of Service/Announcements. Prepared by Pat St. Clair. ITEMS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATION, IF APPLICABLE. |
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