The Communitarian Newsletter of the Community Unitarian Universalist Church July 2017

Transcription

1 Newsletter of the Community Unitarian Universalist Church July 2 Three Legged Stool Speaker: Mike Truex We ll explore three ways for being that could be useful to consider. Worship Associate: Mike Truex Musician: Mike and Shannon July 9 Covenants 2819 W. Sylvester Street, Pasco, Washington Sunday service at 10:30am Reverend Doak Mansfield Minister@CommunityUU.org Minister Hours 10:00am - Noon Tuesday and Thursday other times by appointment office@communityuu.org CommunityUU Speaker: The Reverend Doak M. Mansfield, D.Min. A consideration of the promises we make to one another, close and far. Worship Associate: Alex Emig Musicians: Mike and Shannon July 16 "Unities and Universals" Speaker: The Reverend Doak M. Mansfield, D.Min. I will be reflecting on Clarence Skinner s ideas about a post-sectarian world. Worship Associate: Virginia Tomlinson Musician: Fran Handy July 23 "Genesis as Literature " Speaker: Bob Pedersen What do the serpent, Cain, and humanity before and shortly after the flood have in common? Reading the early Genesis stories as works of literature reveals profound insights into the characters, plots, and themes. Bob Pedersen, Associate Professor of English at Columbia Basin College, will present a lesson on the first four stories in Genesis Examination of the literary elements can deepen one s understanding and appreciation of well-known stories from the Old Testament. Worship Associate: Virginia Tomlinson Musician: Sandra Rosenau July 30 "Time for Music" Speaker: CUUC Members Today, we let music fill the air Worship Associate: Mike Truex Musician: Mike and Shannon Joy and service right here! Right now! 1

2 Presidents Message By Alex Emig This past month has certainly been one of changes. After a slow start to spring, summer seems to be heating up fast. Several years ago, a Buddhist monk told me, The only permanent thing in life is impermanence. So very true. This past month, church life seems to be in a state of change. In times like this, I m reminded of the idea that it takes a village. I appreciate everyone s patience and understanding with worship service changes. Speaking of it takes a village it really does take a village to run and fund a church. We re in the middle of our annual pledge drive. It s important that everyone return their pledge form soon. We re hoping to have them all collected by the end of the month Potluck on Saturday, June 8th Please being a dish and come join us at the church for a potluck celebrating and honoring 2 years of service from Doak and Peggy. Time: Place: 6 PM CUUC 2819 W. Sylvester Street, Pasco Fellowship & Spiritual Practice Men s Dinner The CUUC Men's Group meets on the third Friday of the month. Do not be afraid to be fashionably late! We are now primed for thought provoking debate. The world has turned, it s time to expand the conversation and get our creative juices flowing. The topics are often "out of this world." Our next meeting is July 21 at 5:30pm at the church. fjdunhour@gmail.com with questions. Women s Luncheon All women of the congregation are invited to lunch on second Monday of each month for fellowship and fun. This month s luncheon is Monday, July 10 at Howard Amon Park at noon. Bring a bag lunch and meet us at the foot of Lee Blvd. In case of inclement weather, we will you the day before with an alternated location. For more information, contact Diane Reed at ladybookww@gmail.com. Gentle Yoga Weekly Gentle Yoga Classes are held at CUUC on Saturdays mornings 9:00-10:15 am. There will be a class this Saturday, July 8. After that we will take a hiatus until August 5th. Join us as we explore techniques to relieve stress and ease body and mind into improved strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga mats and props are available to use or you can bring your own. Drop-ins are welcome. Exploring Ideas with the Minister Exploring Ideas with the Minister is an opportunity to expand ideas shared on Sunday morning as well as perennial topics in spirituality, faith, and human history with our minister, The Reverend Doak M. Mansfield. The style is casual and interactive. Bring a brown bag supper, coffee and juice provided. The next Exploring Ideas with the Minister will be Wednesday, July 12 at 6:30 pm. 2

3 Notes from the Journey The Reverend Doak M Mansfield A most convoluted journey since leaving Pasco June 9 for Spartanburg, SC. We came home July 2. Thrilled to be here and I'm feeling much better. Because of my illness, my candidacy for the ministerial position with UU Church of Spartanburg has been withdrawn and their new Board will make a call by August 15 about what is next for me and them. A contract position for a year is possible. My health: The latest update (July 6) The anti-rejection drugs for heart transplant survival taken for 7 years and the results of my hiatal hernia surgery caused weight loss (55 lbs.). That caused severe sodium loss and messed up my electrolytes. That caused dehydration which made me very confused (wacky and wicked) with painful fatigue. All that made me a very ill pilgrim. I suspect stress over great changes in my, our life and a huge job opportunity also impacted me. It is so very nice to be explaining. The other option is a magnificent dread. Life is good. In our UUA culture at the annual General Assembly meeting was concluded June 25. 4,000 (clergy & laity) attended. Our first woman president was elected, The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray of Phoenix. She has served as lead minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix since She previously served as minister of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, Ohio, where she was a leader in congregation-based community organizing efforts, and served as intern at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, Tennessee. After leading the UU response to Arizona s anti-immigrant laws in 2010, she became lead organizer for the Arizona Immigration Ministry and a key organizer of the 2012 Justice General Assembly. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Harvard Divinity School. She lives with her husband, the Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, and their 9-year-old son, Henry. Balance & Harmony - Doak Religious Education News By Pauline Schafer Our 4th through 6th graders completed their Our Whole Lives class in June. This lively group shared many thoughtful questions and discussions, and are more firmly rooted in their values as they navigate through adolescence. The elementary group rebuilt the stone labyrinth at the south end of the parking lot, close to the large tree; take some time before or after church to come see and walk it. This past month the elementary group also observed the summer solstice with a simple ritual, and learned about Unitarian minister Waitsill Sharp and his wife Martha, who worked to rescue Jews from Czechoslovakia during the second world war. The middle schoolers had a session on The Paris Climate Agreement and how it relates to our UU principles. During the summer months while lots of families are traveling, we are taking a different approach to our religious education sessions. For our "Summer Choices" days, children may choose from a variety of activities including creative projects, journaling, fellowship games, and service projects. One project already under construction may be ready for your participation during July and August, so stay tuned! Contact Pauline Schafer for more information about the RE program activities and to find out how you can help: education@communityuu.org. Pauline Schafer, RE Coordinator 3

4 Pledge Form Time, Treasure, and Talent Celebrating and Sustaining our Congregation Community Unitarian Universalist Church 2819 W. Sylvester St., Pasco WA Time I/we pledge hours of our time per month to support our congregation. Please check off the ways you may be willing to volunteer your time on the reverse of this form. Talent I/we have these talents to share with our congregation. This can include skills such as gardening, carpentry, writing, public speaking, accounting, graphic design, organization, music, art you tell us! Treasure I/we pledge $ to our congregation for fiscal year (7/1/2016 6/30/2017) To be paid as a: Lump sum in the amount of: Biannually in the amount of: Monthly in the amount of: Weekly in the amount of: Name(s) Address Phone o I/we re interested in learning more about planned giving, annuities, and estate gifts. Please contact me/us. 4

5 Name(s) There are lots of ways to share your time and talents with our congregation. Below are just a few. Please check off the opportunities that you are already participating in and those that you are interested in being a part of. If there is more than one person pledging, please put their initials next to the activity, and thank you for all that you do. o Serve as a greeter or usher at a Sunday service o Make coffee o Assist with Religious Education o Mow the lawn or weed the flowerbeds o Serve on the Board of Trustees o Create a theme and activities and host a fellowship dinner o Serve on the Hands and Heart Committee o Organize, facilitate, or lead an occasional project o Edit the monthly newsletter before printing o Help with publicity o Serve as a worship associate o Work with the youth group o Volunteer for the Alternative Gift Fair o Provide a ride to church o Interview new members for newsletter and bulletin boards o Clean the church one week a month (if 52 people volunteer, you will only need to do this once) o Maintain the welcome table o Coordinate cards and letters to members in need o Prepare food for a member in need o Teach a Religious Education class o Serve on the Finance Committee o Serve on the Hospitality Committee o Serve on the Worship Committee o Serve on the Building and Grounds Committee o Organize a fundraiser o Help with a fundraiser o Supervise a building rental to an outside group o Serve on the Religious Education Committee o Provide music for a Sunday service o Work on the Green Sanctuary program o Drive the youth group to an event o Make phone calls o Provide childcare o Serve on the Membership Committee o Other 5

6 CUUC Contacts Minister: Reverend Doak Mansfield Secretary: Gayle Wilde RE Education: Pauline Schafer Board of Trustees: President: Alex Emig Vice President: Mark Painter Treasurer: Denise Pitts Secretary: Barb Tarasevich Member-at-large: Larry Bolan Member-at-large: Dion Sunderland Member-at-large: Virginia Tomlinson Committees Worship Mike Truex, Alex Emig, Donna Brown, and Virginia Tomlinson are the current members of the worship committee and work with Reverend Mansfield to provide Sunday services for CUUC. A key element of our effort is collaborating with Reverend Mansfield in support of his Sunday services. We also discuss, plan, and bring in a variety of outside speakers throughout the year. We work within the congregation too, having members of the congregation lead or participate in Sunday services. Our activities include preparing each week for the elements of the Sunday service. It s quite rewarding to participate on the committee and to be involved in the genesis of service ideas and with Sunday service programming. While it may seem daunting, we have a good system in place and Reverend Mansfield is a steady guide for our efforts. If you have questions or interest in joining the committee, please contact Mike Truex at mike.shannon.truex@gmail.com. Hands & Heart The Hands and Hearts Committee would like to remind you that we are here to help, not just for big events where we all cry or laugh, but also for the little things as well. We are here to help you out in any way we can. You can seek us out at church (our name tags have the heart stickers) or call us up at home. (If one of us doesn't answer, keep on trying other numbers). If you know of somebody who needs looked in on, or if you want to discuss your own situation, please give us a ring. Bev is our card person, if you know someone who needs to receive a get-well card, sympathy card, etc. please contact her. Denise Pitts Jennifer Comstock Marla Marvin Bev & Bryan Schroeder Gail Taff Peggy Owens-Mansfield Buildings & Grounds The Building and Grounds Committee can always use a little help. We find joy in sharing the wealth... the wealth of our service to our CUUC home and our community of users. We are focused on the day-to-day maintenance and incremental improvement of our lovely CUUC facility. We seek new committee members to lend a hand, whether you're a crafty do-it-yourselfer or a born organizer, we would love for you to have just a small share of our joy and service through the Building and Grounds Committee. Please contact a Board Member for more information. 6