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10:30 am
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
Worship Associate
Carl Hansen
Exploring the sixth source of Unitarian Universalism, "spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature."
Editor's 2 ¢:
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
--Sir Elton John
Music
Linda Jones
Guest Violinist: Anna Martin
PRELUDE:
De Colores..........Mark Weston
INTERLUDE: Adagio...........G.F. Handel
OFFERTORY: Allegro..........G.F. Handel POSTLUDE:
Dragonfly Waltz....Pamela Brunner
A Word about Today's Music:
The Adagio and Allegro are the first two movements from Handel's Violin Sonata in D Major. Anna Martin is a "snowbird" from Manassas, Virginia where she has pursued a professional career in music as an orchestral conductor, violinist, and private instructor. We are grateful to her today for sharing her talents with us. |
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| Coming Soon | |
4th Annual All Congregation Retreat
April 5-7
Film: Two Who Dared
April 18
Drumming Circle Fundraiser May 8 |
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Important Message From the Board |
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Susan Hegner
Board Presiden |
To keep the congregation apprised of the progress searching for an interim minister, here are some FAQ's:
What is the purpose of an Interim Minister? Interim ministers are recognized for their ability to assist congregations in coming to terms with their past and claiming their new identity as they ready themselves for a stimulating relationship with a new settled minister. Why can't we just hire the Interim as our called minister? In order to guarantee their ability to speak the truth "without fear or favor," interim ministers agree not to serve beyond two years in any congregation, and not to be a candidate for the called position until they have been absent from the congregation for at least three years. How many congregations are being served by Interim ministers? In an average year some ninety North American congregations are served by interim Ministers, more than 10% of all congregations. Where do we find an Interim minister? The UUA Transitions Office assists in the selection of an Interim but first we have to fill out an application. Who selects the interim minister? The Board is responsible for the selection. Email Susan |
Housing for the Interim Minister |
 If you have any housing for rent (house, condo, or apartment) that you would consider making available to the interim minister for a short time while (s)he looks for housing, or even for the full tenure of a year or two, please contact Susan Hegner. |
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Igniting the Community: Sharing Our Stories
Judy Preuss
Making the Long Trek Every Sunday!"...we arrived at UUC, and as we were walking into the building, he spontaneously sighed and said "I just love this place!" And then, I knew why I make the long trek every Sunday.
Read the rest of her story as well as 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. |
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On Easter Sunday we celebrated the success of the Stewardship Program. UUs always celebrate best with food.
Photo: courtesy of Rob Buesing |
Message from the Treasurer |
 DEAR UUC MEMBERS and Friends: In order to ensure that your generous donations to UUC are correctly recorded, we offer the following information regarding monetary donations during Sunday service. During the annual stewardship campaign, pledge cards are given to members and friends. Pledges currently represent a majority of UUC's income and are critical to our financial sustainability. Pledge cards can also be obtained by contacting the UUC Office staff. On the pledge card you can specify your preferences on payment method including check, automatic deduction, or cash. If you elect the cash payment process, please be sure to put the cash in an envelope with your name on it and indicate that it is a pledge payment. This process will ensure that your money gets credited to your pledge account correctly. It also allows for the preparation of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year using total pledge dollars. Envelopes are located in the back of the pews for your convenience. Cash that is put into the offering basket, without being placed in an envelope, is not credited to pledge payments. In addition to pledges, many members and friends choose to make a donation for a designated purpose such as media equipment or playground equipment. You can obtain a copy of the Gift Policy from the UUC office. Please consult this Gift Policy and discuss your wishes with a Board member before making these donations. AND PLEASE COME TO THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, MAY 19, AND VOTE ON THE BUDGET PROPOSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Attendance at this meeting will ALLOW YOU TO SEE WHERE YOUR PLEDGE MONEY IS BEING USED AND HOW IT SUPPORTS THE MISSION AND VISION OF OUR CONGREGATION. Thank you, Sheila Knaust Board Treasurer |
Open Issues: Sunday, April 7
Steve Schwersky "Israeli and Its Neighbors: A Search For The Truth." Steve hosts a weekly radio show for the Jewish community on WMNF, 88.5 FM, and has visited Open Issues to listen and to speak. He is an articulate supporter of Israel.
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 Who has a story to tell? Who knows someone who has a story, a passion, a specialty, a history that they can talk about? Whoever you are, you are WANTED at the Open Issues Forum. No topic is out of bounds. Often it's about an unsettled issue. We encourage AGREEABLE disagreement, knowing that more is learned by considering different points of view. One of our goals is to learn more than we think we already know.
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Children's Religious Enrichment
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Please join our religious Enrichment Program this Sunday for faith, friendship and fun!
Our littlest UUs ages 0-3 yrs old will have fun with free play, music and art.
The rest of our children and youth will get to enjoy a free play day with the option to participate in a wonderful service project: making survival bags for the needy. These bags will consist of travel size toiletries and a snack. If you would like to donate any supplies please let us know. This is a great way to give back to the community and live out our Unitarian Universalist Principles. Let's make a difference!
In Faith, Christine Pensa
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. |
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 I would like to say Thank You to everyone who helped with the March 24th Luncheon. So many people participated in various ways, from cooking and donating food to participating in the luncheon itself. Through this fundraiser and the one in February we were able to provide all the scholarships that were needed. Most of all I would like to thank the Retreat Committee; Dale Niemann, Pete Pensa and Victoria Nichols. The luncheons and retreat would not happen without their amazing work.. If you are attending the retreat you should have received an email on Monday with all the information you need. If you did not receive this email please contact Pete Pensa as soon as possible. If you are not attending the retreat, I hope that you will consider joining us next year. It is a wonderful time for enjoying nature and participating in community. Thank you all! Jenn Bouchie, Retreat Committee Chair |
Message from a Distant Friend: Clara Morabito |
 Most of you know me as a member of UUC for 15 years. In July 2011, I delivered the Reflections with the topic: "Three Events That Contributed to My Spiritual Growth," which were (1) the writing of my poem "I Choose" in 2007, (2) my reading of a book that was on Abhi's list of reading material for the theme of Gratitude for Thanksgiving. The book, titled Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier was written by Dr. Robert A.Emmons, Psychology professor of the University of California at Davis. The third component was being a Worship Associate for several years. Since reading the book THANKS! I have had an extensive exchange of emails with Prof. Emmons. I was gratified when he wrote that I "served as a personal inspiration motivating me to write another book on gratitude." I was further appreciative when Abhi wrote on 4/1/11- "Dear Clara,What a blessing! I am delighted that you and Dr. Emmons have struck up such a good friendship. I am not at all surprised that you were his inspiration to write another book.You are a blessing and a joy! - Go shining, Abhi Janamanchi." The new book was just released on 4/1/13 and is titled Living Gratitude: Scientific Insights on Emotional Prosperity. In the first chapter of this book, Dr. Emmons includes my poem "I Choose" and gives many details on how the reading of THANKS! affected me in many ways. He also mentions Abhi as follows: "She learned of it from her minister, Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, who, in preparation for Thanksgiving, was leading his Unitarian Universalist congregation in Clearwater in a study of gratitude as a spiritual practice." The book gives a 21-day program for cultivating gratitude in your everyday life. I think you will agree that we all can use Dr. Emmons' practical tips for fostering gratitude as a way of life. It has done wonders for me! |
Give & Take: UUC's Answer to Craig's List |
 Have you been paying attention to the items on Give & Take?
A very interesting site. You can offer something or look to see what is being offered. There are offerings for services such as housecleaning, house repairs; cars and mobile homes for sale, a free watercolor class being offered on April 27th, furniture for sale and for free, and rides to UUC needed. Just a brief sampling .Go the quick link on the home page and see it all. |
Calling All Bridge Players |
We would love to have you join us in the Patio Room at 9:15 on Monday mornings to play a few hands. It's a great group of friends having fun together playing Social Duplicate. For info, email Jane Torell . |
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 April 4, April 11 and May 2, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Thursday nights in the Patio Room New UU is a lively, highly interactive introduction to Unitarian Universalism and to the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. Led by Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, the sessions consider where individuals are in their own spirit lives, the beliefs and principles of Unitarian Universalism, and the UUC congregation. The seminar is a solid intro to a faith system that embraces diversity.
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 Attorney George Felos, who represented Michael Shiavo in a protracted legal battle to honor his wife's wishes to be removed from life support, will talk to the Compassion & Choices group in the Patio Room on Thursday, April 4th, promptly at 1:30 pm. His topic will be "The Legal Aspects of Assistance in Dying." Free and open to the public.
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On Friday April 5th we continue discussing the book "Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love" by Dava Sobel. We revisit the life of the great Italian scientist through the eyes of his eldest daughter, a cloistered nun.
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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 Tuesday, Apr 9, 7-9 pm in the Chorale Room
King Corn is a feature length documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation.
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 Many new members cite a goal of "making new friends of like- minded people" as one of the goals they had when joining UUC. Why not supercharge that goal and make new friends from across the entire state of Florida! On Fri, April 12 thru Sun April 14, the Ft. Myers UU congregation will host the Florida District Annual Assembly & Business Meeting. See the Breeze Newsletter |
Parent Covenant Group
Sunday, April 14th at 12:30 pm in the Choral Room |
We want to build a Covenant Group as an experience for our members juggling the joys of parenting and trying
to meet one own adult spiritual development needs.
We will be following the discussion points used by the congregation...so while this is not a parenting support group, it is a group that supports parents.
Child Care will be offered. Please inform us of the number and ages of the children that will be needing care by the Thursday before.
Feel free to bring your lunch for your family and perhaps a dish to share.
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Two Who Dared: The Sharps' War  | |
The film will be shown on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm in the Octagon.
This documentary chronicles the story of a Unitarian minister, Waitstill Sharp and his wife Martha who, just days prior to the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia, left their young children in Massachusetts to help save thousands being persecuted in Eastern Europe. This film describes the remarkable courage of a young couple who risked their lives to personally rescue hundreds of Jews from Nazi persecution. It includes several interviews with men and women who were young children when the Sharps brought them to the United States. |
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The next UUC Humanists Group's meeting will be held on Sunday April 21st, at 12:30 in th Patio Room. Ed Ericson will be speaking on "Separating Myth and History in Christian Origins." |
South of the Border Garden Party |
 Saturday April 27, 2-8PM at Terry Stapleton's Home, 580 S. Florida Ave., Tarpon Springs, 34689 UUC and Suncoast Waldorf School Families and Friends are invited: Children's Crafts and Games Mexican Dance Instructions Great Mexican Food Soft Drinks, Beer & Wine South of the Border Music Swimming, Golf, Horse Shoes, etc. Please RSVP Car Pool if Possible Rain date is Sunday April 28 See the flyer |
SUUSI: Welcome Message From the 2013 Director |
  Let me be the first to welcome you to SUUSI 2013: Let It Be aDance! Whether this will be your first or your twenty-fifth summer with us, I invite you to become a part of the beloved community we build together for a week each year. SUUSI has something different to offer each one of us: quiet reflection, exuberant song and dance, time spent in the wonders of nature, and the joy of being together. It can be a spiritual retreat, a family reunion, and just about everything in between. This year's theme, Let It Be a Dance, is borrowed from the Ric Masten song of the same name, which is traditionally sung at SUUSI's Friday morning worship. Let It Be a Dance reminds us that building community is an art, and it can only be done when we come together. So make plans to come to SUUSI this year - come to laugh, to learn, to love, and to heal. Come to retreat inward and to reach out. Come to give of yourself and to share in the richness of community. I look forward to seeing you there! Let it be a dance we do. May I have this dance with you? Through the good times And the bad times, too, Let it be a dance. Lindsay Bennett-Jacobs, SUUSI 2013 Director |
The National Farm Worker Ministry has determined that they will be closing their DeLand Florida office and ending their part-time Florida Organizer position effective March 28, 2013. many of us are familiar with Roberta (Bert) Perry who has filled that position for so many years. Bert has been a part of many of the major farm worker campaigns and victories, from the United Farm Workers' 1984 organizing convention in Lakeland, Fl, through the Farm Labor Organizing Committee's Campbell Soup and Mt. Olive boycotts, to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' historic month-long hunger strike in 1998. Through boycotts, marches, hurricanes, freezes, support committee meetings, and church meetings and presentations, Bert's passion and tenacity have gained her the respect of many in Florida and around the country. The Board and staff honor Bert's dedication and service to the cause of justice for farm workers and wish her well in the future. After March 28th, personal messages to Bert may be sent to her email address.
We at UUC who have worked with Bert, and love and respect her, would like to have everyone sign a thank you card to send to Bert. It will be on the Social Justice table on Sunday. We invite you to sign as a thank you from all of us here at UUC.
Strawberry shortcake...for a cause. What could be better? The Pinellas Support Committee of The National Farmworkers Ministry will be holding their annual Berry Fest to honor the work of our local berry pickers in Plant city as well as to raise funds to support the campaign to improve conditions for farmworkers throughout the country. The featured speakers will be Bert Perry, the retiring Florida coordinator of the NFWM, and David Haney, one of the main coordinators of the annual toy and blanket drive in Plant City. The event will be held on April 20 at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 3200 N McMullen Booth Rd., directly across from Mease Countryside Hospital. The event and shortcake are free with love offerings gratefully accepted.
Now is the time to call your state representative or senator on issues that concern you. May 3rd is the last day for regular sessions and much will be done in a flurry from now until the end of the session. Keep your eye on issues that concern you as a UU. The web site for the House is: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov
and for the Senate:
http://www.flsenate.gov/
If you would like to receive action alerts from the UU Legislative Ministry of Florida, just email Kindra Muntz. To join, just email her your name, phone number, email address, congregation, and she will add you to their growing list. Don't forget to put "UULMF Action alerts" on the subject line, so Kindra doesn't miss the email. As Kindra says, "The more people who take action, the likelier we can stop some of these bad bills." |
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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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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