UUCOB News. April 2016

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UUCOB News April 2016 Come Join Us at 10:30 AM! Visit www.uucob.org for the most up- to- date information.

April 10 The Holy Conjunction Reverend Judith Dancy Tolstoy wrote, There are different religions, but all of them teach how to live. This is the law of God.

1 UUCOB News April 2016 Come Join Us at 10:30 AM! Visit for the most up- to- date information. April 3 The Third Pillar of Islam Reverend David Morris Zakat, the obligation to charity, is a religious obligation for Muslims, and invites us to ask: What is true wealth? April 10 The Holy Conjunction Reverend Judith Dancy Tolstoy wrote, There are different religions, but all of them teach how to live. This is the law of God. The similarities of religions and denominations which do not depend on right belief are greater than their differences. Though UU understanding begins with reason, and Quaker understanding begins with experience, our journeys connect in beneficial and lovely ways. April 17 Taking the Plunge Reverend David Morris The season of Outer Banks busy- ness is upon us. For many of us, it s a time of heightened activity and responsibility; for others, a time of heightened stress; for still others, a time of heightened pleasure as spring advances toward the joy of summer in our seaside home. How do you prepare yourself when a major change or a big new activity is coming on? April 24 From the Ages of Rocks to the Rock of Ages: The Faith of a Scientist - Reverend David A. Johnson It was nearly fifty years ago, on a dark and stormy night far out in the North Atlantic, that I learned an important lesson while on my first research expedition. That lesson has continued to serve me well even long after my career transition from marine geology into congregational ministry. How might we distinguish between stuff- that s- true (STT), and stuff- that- matters (STM)? In what ways might contingencies and tinkering (rather than intelligent design ) function as the essential pacemakers of every living system, including congregations? Rev. David Johnson is currently the Interim Minister with the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, and is in his 29th year of UU ministry. His former career was as a paleontologist and marine geologist, at Woods Hole (MA), Scripps Institution (CA), and the National Science Foundation.

In this case, the dragon is backlash from people who have suffered losses in the global economy, who fear the violence at large in the world, and who feel marginalized by changes in U.S.

2 Stirring the Soup There s an image travelling around my circles of communication these days: The awakening dragon. When you wake a dragon, the metaphor goes, you need to have the courage to face the dragon. In this case, the dragon is backlash from people who have suffered losses in the global economy, who fear the violence at large in the world, and who feel marginalized by changes in U.S. demographics and culture. In this analysis, the fear and anger of people who no longer see themselves as setting the social, economic, and political norms for U.S. society are behind the emergence of racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and bullying as driving forces in one part of our nation s Presidential campaign; they are also the source of voter suppression laws and of anti- LGBT legislation like North Carolina s HB 2. The analysis is persuasive, but I worry that the dragon image can lead us toward our culture s historic, deeply ingrained but flawed assumption that the way to deal with a dragon is to slay it. I know that I am often outraged by what I see happening around us - yet even as I accept my outrage and try to hold it with compassion, I know that acting from it will only feed the dragon. I believe that in the coming months we are going to be called as Unitarian Universalists, individually and perhaps as a faith community, to resist the forces of bias and hatred in the public square, and to act in solidarity with targeted communities. We are called to be allies, not just verbal supporters, and we are called to support those among us who are most directly threatened and spiritually wounded by the currents of fear and hatred in public life. I will be looking for opportunities in our local community, and watching other UUs, congregations, and our Association for strategies; I encourage you to do the same. You might want to look to the UUA website and Facebook page, and to the Standing on the Side of Love campaign for examples. First and foremost, I hope you ll join me in seeking ways to make it widely known that our congregation seeks to be a safe and welcoming place for all people, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, and all the other markers being used to divide and frighten people. We have a vital message to share. We know that we are enriched and blessed by diversity of all kinds, not threatened by them; this is at the core of our faith and we live it in our own congregation every day. Evil finds its way into human actions when people are wounded by pain, loss, and fear, guided toward anger, and encouraged to deny the humanity of the others they have been taught to see as responsible for their situation. It must be actively resisted, but it cannot be conquered by force. To resist evil with anger only invites more evil. We will not persuade people who are hurt and afraid by shouting louder than they do. We have to face the dragon; may we seek its healing, not its destruction. In faith, David Rev. David Morris, Minister UUCOB Meetinghouse Office Hours Tuesdays 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Other times and locations available by appointment. Monday is his day off, and Friday is his day for study and writing. He can be reached by at minister@uucob.org, and by phone any time at Page 2

UUCOB NEWS April 2016 Second Friday Family Potluck and Game Night April 8 Join UUCOB friends as we share this fun event starting at 6 p.m. Friday, April 8.

Men s Group The UUCOB Men's Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Meetings will be April 13 and 27, at 8:30 a.m. at the Good Life Eatery on the west side of the Bypass in Kitty Hawk.

For further information, please contact Burnham Gould at 252-261- 5659 or bsgouldjr@gmail.com. Women s Journey Group Wednesday, April 20, 10:30 a.m. UUCOB Meetinghouse Buddha in my Bed Facilitator: Rosemary Rawlins (rorawlins@gmail.

3 UUCOB NEWS April 2016 Second Friday Family Potluck and Game Night April 8 Join UUCOB friends as we share this fun event starting at 6 p.m. Friday, April 8. David will bring a pot of hearty, gluten- free vegetarian soup. Bring a potluck dish to share - and a favorite game if you have one - and come join the fun. Men s Group The UUCOB Men's Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Meetings will be April 13 and 27, at 8:30 a.m. at the Good Life Eatery on the west side of the Bypass in Kitty Hawk. Meetings typically last 90 minutes. All male members and friends of our congregation are urged to participate. For further information, please contact Burnham Gould at or bsgouldjr@gmail.com. Women s Journey Group Wednesday, April 20, 10:30 a.m. UUCOB Meetinghouse Buddha in my Bed Facilitator: Rosemary Rawlins (rorawlins@gmail.com) Art Opening April 3 Linus Quilt Project Our next art show will feature quilts from the Linus Quilt Project. The opening reception will be on Sunday April 3 and the quilts will be on display for the months of April and May. Local quilter Sally Meagher, leader of Project Linus, will speak to us at the reception about these special quilts. The Project is now in its 16th year and has grown from 8 quilters making 34 quilts to 80 quilters making 449 quilts- - - all of which are donated to area children who are ill or experiencing trauma in their lives. Contact Gwen Taylor for more information. ( or gwen@taylor .com) Page 3

Pledge Drive Update The Finance Committee, made up of Sherrie Lemnios, Bryan Jones, and Sandy Anderson, has been working diligently on the 2016-2017 pledge campaign.

If you did not get your letter, please contact Sandy Anderson (252-480- 0525) and she will send it out to you.

4 Pledge Drive Update The Finance Committee, made up of Sherrie Lemnios, Bryan Jones, and Sandy Anderson, has been working diligently on the pledge campaign. The pledge envelopes were distributed after Sunday service March 13. People who were not at the kick- off service should have received their letter in the mail. If you did not get your letter, please contact Sandy Anderson ( ) and she will send it out to you. The pledge envelope includes a letter from Sherrie Lemnios (finance chair), a letter from our minister Rev. David Morris, the proposed budget for , a pledge form for you to fill out and return in the stamped self- addressed envelope provided, and last - but- not- least, a beautiful brochure done by our VP and technical wizard, Bryan Jones. Please take some time to read this information and try to be as generous as possible, to keep our small but mighty congregation moving forward. The finance committee had a Kick- off Party on March 17 with pizza, salad, drinks, a great cake made by Rev. David Morris, and much dancing and fun for all who attended. We ask that you please submit your pledge by April 17. We already have 11 pledge forms returned for a total of 13 pledged members and two pledging friends. If you have any concerns or questions please contact one of the Finance committee members. Sandy Anderson, Treasurer April Share- the- Plate Feline Hope Feline Hope is a private, non- profit organization that operates a no- kill animal shelter providing food and shelter, offering medical care, and finding loving homes for homeless kittens and cats. Register for General Assembly News From UUA Registration and housing reservations for General Assembly (GA) 2016 are now open! This year's GA will take place June in Columbus, OH and will include a Ware Lecture from award- winning broadcaster and bestselling author Krista Tippett. Financial aid is available for those who apply by March 31. Registration rates increase on May 1. Visit the UUA website for more information. Page 4

5 OUR PRINCIPLES We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to confirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. PO Box 1006 Kitty Hawk NC info@uucob.org "See us on Facebook" Layout & Editor: Kathleen McMahan To have something included in the newsletter, please it to kathy.mcmahan@embarqmail.com COME JOIN US! Our meetinghouse is located at the corner of Kitty Hawk Road and Herbert Perry Road. It is one mile west of Highway 158 at about milepost 4. Sunday Programs All services are held at 10:30 am. Childcare is available. The 4th Sunday of each month is typically a Discussion and Light Brunch Sunday. Light brunch items are welcomed and discussion encouraged. The first Sunday of each month is usually Food Pantry Sunday, so please remember to bring a donation of non-perishable unopened foods, personal items or paper products. Page 5

KEY CONCERN: EARTH-BASED SPIRITUALITY

KEY CONCERN: EARTH-BASED SPIRITUALITY AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES As the philosophical basis of the expansive and open tradition of Unitarian Universalism seeks to respond to changing needs and