It is every man s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it. Albert Einstein

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1 Ap ril Channing Unitarian Universalist Church President s Corner President: Pat Hervey President-elect: Dana Spears Secretary: Linda Gray Treasurer: Liz Duncan Trustees: Lucy Almitra, Hal Yocum, Katherine Williams, Val Zemke Newsletter Editor: Kathleen Joslin It is every man s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it. Albert Einstein What do you receive from Channing Unitarian Universalist Church? We offer the opportunity for fellowship at our potlucks, our social and covenant groups, our after-church gatherings. Channing is a great place to develop friendships with people whose values are similar to yours. We offer stimulating discussions at Forum, intellectual and spiritual stimulation from our speakers at the Sunday services, and the freedom to express yourself without fear of disapproval. We offer beautiful music, performed by Peggy Green Payne, one of the states premier pianists; lovely harmony from our choir; and a chance to sing out in whatever key you like at every service! We provide entertainment at our annual Service Auction (along with some great bargains) and the yearly Pledge Dinner. While thinking about entertainment, don t overlook the delightful thought-provoking Stories for All Ages provided by Melody Joyce. We give you the chance to serve the community by participating in such activities as the CROP Walk, the Peace Festival, and Christmas gifts for Hope Families. We give you the chance to develop leadership skills by working within our congregation as committee chairs, group leaders, and Board members. Let s consider what we might do in return for all these blessings. Our pledges fund these great activities. It takes money to pay the guest ministers, pianist, and childcare providers. Utilities are not free either. The mortgage for our church home has to be paid, just as it does for your home. If you love this church or even if you just like it please be generous as you respond to our upcoming Pledge Drive. If you cannot give financially, then donate your time and service. All help is greatly appreciated. Pat Hervey, President Channing UU Church If money does not make you happy, give it back. Jules Renard

2 Page 2 GREEN ACRES IS THE PLACE TO BE Plant the seeds and prime the pump! CHANNING UUC PLEDGE DINNER CHANNING UUC PLEDGE DINNER SATURDAY, APRIL 10, :00 PM Pledge Dinner Signup The purpose of Channing s annual Pledge Dinner is two fold: To have FUN and to solicit pledges from the congregation to support the operating budget for the next fiscal year. We hope you will plan to attend our dinner whether or not you wish to pledge. There s some good entertainment planned by Melody Joyce and Nancy Jefferis, and the food should be great! If you are planning to come to our Annual Pledge Dinner, April 10 th at 6:00 PM., we would like to know! There are two signup sheets in the church foyer: One is to sign that you are coming. (We need a rough count so we know how much food to make.) The other to volunteer to bring food. We need down home simple dishes to complement it. If you can t get to church before April 10 th to sign up contact Pat Hervey at pathervey@sbcglobal.net to let her know you re coming.

3 Page 3 Groups Channing Women s Luncheon: will meet at Nunu s Mediterranean Café at 3131 West Memorial on April 13 th at 11:30 AM. All are welcome. Please let me know if there are other places you would like to try for May. Contact Lucy Almitra lamitra@cox.net. Stitchers: Will meet on Saturday, April 10 th at 2:00 PM at the home of Pat Hervey. Contact Kathleen Joslin at for more information. Choir: Meets at Channing on Thursday nights from 7:30 PM 8:30 PM. Movie Night April s First Movie Night is The Last of the Mohicans. Come on men, you ll love this movie! This is showing at the church on Friday, April 2 nd, 2010 at 7:30 PM. It s BYOB and snacks. When rugged frontiersman Hawkeye (Daniel Day Lewis) saves the Munro sisters--two newly arrived English settlers from a Huron ambush, he ends up in the midst of the battle between the British and the French for control of the American colonies. Director Michael Mann s first rate production also stars Madeleine Stowe as the Munro sister who wins Hawkeye s heart and Wes Studi as the Huron warrior who has a score to settle with her father. Channing Writers Group: Will meet on April 18 th, in the church library from 12:15 PM -1:15 PM. Tea will be served to compliment the goodies. Visitors are welcome to share and to listen. Theater Group: Theater Group attends at least one play a month chosen by the group. Contact Liz Duncan at for more information. Literary Group: Will meet at the home of Dorothy Driver Tuesday, April 27 th at 7:00 PM. This month s book is The Diaries of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain. Please check the calendar at our website, for up to date information on church events. This is an active calendar; events are added to it frequently. You are welcome to join any Channing group. Labyrinth Group: Sunshine has finally arrived and with it the opportunity to walk the outdoor Labyrinths. If you know of an outdoor labyrinth and /or would like to join a group walking outdoors, please e- mail Harriette Porter, hporter624@sbcglobal.net and let her know what day of the week works best for you. The indoor labyrinth at First Methodist Church in Edmond continues to be available on the 3 rd Monday of the month from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Spiral Circle CUUPS: Will meet May 2 nd at 6:00 PM to celebrate Beltane (that is May Day). A potluck supper will be followed by a celebration around our May Pole. Kathleen Joslin Dee Welch Leah Handy Sara Handy Louise Baker Wendy Belles Jen Whitworth Suzi Robnett Mari Rada Nancy Jefferis Keith Goodyear April Birthdays April 3 rd April 5th April 5 th April 8 th April 8 th April 8 th April 12 th April 15 th April 18 th April 21 st April 27 th Hope Center Please remember to bring your non-perishable food items, especially protein-containing items, for the Basket of Hope for the Hope Center. They also need items such as baby diapers, TP and Kleenix. You might also include things like toothpaste, bath soap and dish soap. The next time you shop, grab something extra for the basket. The basket is on the hearth in the foyer and Elouise Bell is our delivering angel. Help! The Worship Committee needs pillar candles, 4 to 6 tall; used candles are fine. Any color that would look nice in the chalice is welcome. We also need a small wastebasket and a hook that hangs over a door. Contact Pat Hervey with questions or to donate. pathervery@sbcglobal.net

4 Page 4 April Sermon Topic: Stewardship April 4 th : Anna Holloway Sermon Title: Do we really expect the flowers to bloom? Easter Sunday is a time to consider how we expect the unexpected-and un-expect the reliable and dependable. The Easter story is about people living in fear being blessed with affirmations that lifted their courage out of the dark. How do we find those affirmations today? What are we taking for granted that can lift us out of our dark places? Come and celebrate Easter in a new way at Channing. April 11 th : Scot Harvey Sermon Title: Imagine Why should you support this church? This faith? Winston Churchill once said, I have nothing to offer but my blood, toil, tears and sweat. Your church needs these things from you but also needs your imagination. Care and Concern MaryLee Welch has now had two chemotherapy treatments and finds herself not having much energy and hurting from time to time. Jo Clevenger continues with her chemotherapy every three weeks. George Taylor is in Edmond Specialty Hospital. His wife Lois has had back surgery and is recovering. Our condolences go to Cheryl Barr on the loss of her mother, Maytha Woods. Please keep these people in your thoughts. FORUM Forum dates are not yet all set, but topics coming up in April and May include: April 18 th : Donna Compton Sermon Title: Unity What cosmic convergence brought this topic to our collective attention right now? Maybe we should play the theme song of The Guiding Light! At this particularly fractious time in our nation s history, how can we talk of unity? How can we, to paraphrase the words of Edwin Markham, draw the circle that takes them in, particularly when we may not even want to take them in? Tough call, important business. Let s talk. April 25 th : Dorothy Driver Sermon Title: Memories of Love for Mother s Day Drawing on years of experience, I have some thoughts and feelings on Motherhood which I will share, hoping to raise some memories in you. April 11 th : The Buddhist Scriptures-presented by Buddhist monk Nick Lowry. He is a practitioner of a modern form of Rinzai Zen. Continuation of the Spirituality Series which Dorothy Driver has presented and we have enjoyed so much. A two part series Water, Our Thirsty World from National Geographic, presented by Harriette Porter. Presentations about both Hindu and Bahai scriptures. The Texas Schoolbook Debacle or Do you know how your school s books are chosen? Look for more information in Pat Hervey s weekly announcement Channing in your . Community Action Spring has Sprung and Walking Fever has hit! So get out your walking/running shoes and support your favorite non-profit. 4/17 Central Oklahoma Heart Walk Bricktown Ballpark 5k walk 8:00 AM-12:00 PM 4/17 Live Earth Run for Water OKC Zoo Kids/Family 1 mile 1:30 PM $10 with Zoo Stroll Admission 4/18 Live Earth Run for Water OKC Zoo 6k 9:00 AM $25 early reg. 4/25 Memorial Marathon See Website 26.2 mile run 6:40 AM On line reg. 5 k walk by 4/22 5/1 Autism Peace Walk Bricktown 5 k race 1 mile walk 5/8 Fight for Air Stairclimb 1 st National Center 29 flights Register by American Lung Assoc. 120 N. Robinson 4/30, $25 + Must raise $100

5 Page 5 Time for Gardening! It is that time of the year again! Time to start preparing the garden for a bountiful harvest! Last month, we started planting early growers like onions, garlic, lettuce, and kale. We also started getting the area ready for later crops. We plan to add two more raised beds and will be expanding our herb garden. We will be putting together a booklet on herbs and their uses. The booklet will be available to purchase, as will the herbs in the garden. Proceeds will go to the garden fund. We will also lead a class on our garden herbs later in the year. We have started a blog on the progress of the garden to keep everyone updated. Check it out at We also have a Facebook page Seven Sisters Garden become a fan! There are a few things we could use. We need rocks or bricks to line the beds to keep out the weeds. We can also use starter plants, mulch, 2 x 4 s, fountains, planters etc. Also don t forget to contribute to the compost bins. We have great plans this year and encourage anyone interested in helping with the garden and sharing in the harvest to get involved. We truly want this to be a community garden, so contact Catherine Sullivan, Angela Brown, or Betty Rasmussen to find out what you can do to help. Angela Brown, abbrown26@yahoo.com, A NOTE OF THANKS The UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) has awarded to Channing the Creating Justice Banner Society 2009 award. This award is given to churches whose congregations have 25 to 49 percent membership in the UUSC. We have also received a note from the UUSC thanking us for our contribution of $374 to the Guest at Your Table program in late (You may learn more about the UUSC at The Edmond Senior Center has thanked us for donating $100 to them to help sustain the meal program until a permanent solution can be found to fund the program. Thanks to all of you at our church for helping to make the world a better, kinder place! FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE Please help us pick our best and brightest (and most enthusiastic) members to lead us this year! UU churches are governed individually by a board chosen by the congregation, not by rules from the regional or national association, or even by the pastor, when they have one. Our Board consists of our four officers: President, President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer, plus four more trustees chosen by the congregation. These trustees serve 2 year terms, and two are elected each year. Positions which we need to fill this year are: President-elect and two Trustee positions. To be an officer or trustee you must have been a member of the church for at least a year. The board meets only once a month, on the second Sunday, usually, and is responsible for running the business of the church, from maintenance and air-conditioning to deciding whether to participate as a church in events such as the Gay Pride Festival. It does not require a lot of special skill (except for treasurer), but just a willingness to work with the others on the board to make the best decisions for the whole congregation, and then be willing to help carry them out. If you know someone you think would be good at helping to make these decisions, or if you are willing to serve, please contact a member of the nominating committee: Harriette Porter, Nelson Daniel or Sue Spears. Please consider it thoughtfully if someone approaches you about filling one of these positions, you help is needed. Harriette Porter

6 Channing UU Church 2800 W. 15 th Street Edmond, OK Phone: Goodies List for April April 4 th : SOUP SUNDAY April 11 th : Chelsey Simpson April 18 th : Sharon Lancaster April 25 th : Gene Douglas Church of the Open Mind and Open Heart We re on the Web! Visit us at: Channing UU Church P.O. Box 2382 Edmond, OK