OCTOBER, 2017 Rev. Jodi with Molly Brewer, who joined Auburn UU in September as Ministerial Intern JODI S CORNER: WORDS FROM OUR MINISTER All that we have been separately and all that we will become together is stretched out before and behind us like stars scattered across a canvas of sky. Leslie Ahuvah Fails Our Ingathering & Water Communion on Sept. 10 marked the beginning of a new church year. An official Welcoming Congregation All are worthy, all are welcome I have been thinking lately, and with great gratitude, about the power of community. Of the ways we support and nourish each other. Of how we challenge and hold one another with such joyful ferocity that we are able to push past our limitations and grow deeper into our best and most powerful selves. These ties, and this holding, are part of the holy gift we extend to one another, sometimes easily and sometimes with great effort. I am grateful to be a part of this sharing. 169 Pleasant Street, Auburn, ME 04210 (207) 783-0461 - office@auburnuu.org www.auburnuu.org May your days and nights be blessed. Jodi Rooted in the Sacred and strengthened by our diversity, we equip ourselves to minister through the transformative power of Love. 1
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN On October 22 we will be holding a follow-up meeting to our June annual meeting. One topic of discussion will be that our expected income for this year is approximately $12,000 short of balancing an already lean budget. We are a liberal force in our community. We are held in high regard by those who are like minded and those who are marginalized. We are seen as a beacon of fierce hope and radical love because of the untiring work done by the members of our congregation and our ministerial leadership. Our pocketbooks and wallets are tapped dry. It is time for us to create funding options that tap the larger community of friends of the church that share our vision. The Board is holding "Coffee with the Board" conversations during coffee hour to discuss and gather fundraising ideas. We are in URGENT need of your talents, your passions, and your energy. Please seek out your board members during coffee hour. Help us form a plan to increase our outreach and funding so that we can continue to minister through the transformative power of love. Reminder! Our annual BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS service will be held October 8. Peter Floyd, Board President Excerpt from a sermon preached by Jodi on September 10, 2017 " Of course oppression is often not the conscious goal of separation; that desire for separation is often rooted in fear. And we all know that fear. None of us is above it. But a commitment to beloved community, to the kin-dom* of heaven on earth, is a commitment to feeling our fear and choosing not to live out of it. Our lives are not only our feelings but also our choices. Our faith reminds us that we are called to choose to step in when we feel uncomfortable to create justice. That we are called to choose to step in when we feel separate to create connection. That we are called to choose to step in when we are afraid to embody compassion. That we are called to choose to step in when we are overwhelmed to seek possibility. We are called to feel our fear, our grief, our rage, and acknowledge those feelings as real -and then choose to live in life-affirming ways anyway, to create the kin-dom of heaven here for all of us." *the imagery of the "kin-dom of heaven" was introduced into popular usage by mujerista theologian Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz Will you join a Coffee Hour team? We need more volunteers! Call 783-0461 or email office@auburnuu.org. We invite you to bring your animal companions, as long as they are 1) good around other animals, 2) up on their vaccinations, and 3) leash friendly (if they are leash-type animals!). If not, please bring a photo! KIDS: bring your stuffed animals to be blessed! We will also have an altar and ritual to honor our beloved companions that we ve lost, so please bring a photo or momento in their honor. 2
MOLLY'S MESSAGE Greetings as we head full tilt into autumn, my favorite time of year. For me, the coming of fall always sparks wistfulness and nostalgia. Autumns in Maine are imprinted on me from childhood, with their mist-shrouded mornings; bright bursts of red and yellow that color one leaf and then one tree at a time; and the smell of wood smoke in the evening as neighbors fire up their wood-burning stoves. With the daylight hours visibly shortening, my thoughts turn to the Mystery of the waning year. It seems like no coincidence that this time of year corresponds with so many turnings: the last third of September has brought us both the Jewish and the Islamic New Year celebrations. It also gave us Mabon, the name for the Autumnal Equinox in many Pagan traditions, as the wheel of the year prepares to turn again in October. The Equinoxes are moments when the night and day are perfectly in balance, and yet all around us we see signs of imbalance and intemperance: storms and natural disasters that are the consequences of climate change; political rhetoric that is as harmful as it is cruel to some of our most vulnerable; and little that appears to be stemming the tide. Even locally, we see these polarities playing out, with the temperature soaring one day, and rumblings of a coming hard frost the next. In this season that for some signifies a beginning and for others a coming end, it can be hard to know where we re going to land. This is indeed a time of extreme polarities. But today, as I drove north from Portland, I perceived some of that old familiar autumnal balance. Mist settled over the fields and the wind blew a gust of dry brown leaves across the road. Finally, it felt like October was coming again. This quality of balance is so easy to lose in the midst of anxieties, stresses, and the angst that comes with extreme times, and yet, a gravitation toward balance, toward homeostasis, is inherent in the perfection that undergirds all of creation. Even if it remains an ideal that we can only perceive in small glimpses, I m reminded of the words of one of our hymns: "No storm can shake my inmost calm/ while to that rock I m clinging." That elusive quality of balance, the harmony of this season, is the rock I cling to in this moment. May it be that you too can find a place of balance in the midst of uncertainty. Molly Brewer, Ministerial Intern WITH DEEPEST GRATITUDE We have been blessed by the incredible financial generosity of two church members that we have lost this past year. Our beloved Bob Thorpe, a pillar of the church who, through his work, organization, and financial gifts ensured the beauty and maintenance of our space for decades, bequeathed the church $15,000. He designated $10,000 to be used on projects for the church building and dedicated $5000, in his sister Esther Tucker s name, to the Music Fund. Bill Prescott, also a long time member who had recently moved south to be near his daughter, UU minister Cynthia Prescott, has left us the incredible gift of $43,000. Bill often worked side by side with Bob Thorpe on the building, his gentle humor lifting all of our spirits. Our gratitude is boundless. May we use these gifts in accordance with the very best of who are and hope to be. Jodi 3
AMERANOUCHE HEADLINES OCTOBER CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE Concerts for a Cause (CFAC) will host the acclaimed gypsy-jazz ensemble Ameranouche on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Award-winning Ameranouche (pronounced uh-mare-uh-noosh) plays a passionate style of music they call gypsy flamenco swing. They are veterans of the Newport Jazz Festival, Djangofest Northwest, Muzikfest Bethlehem, PA, and the National Press Club. The name is derived from two words: American and Manouche, the gypsy tribe of guitarist Django Reinhardt. This riproaring ensemble is a force of hot acoustic gypsy-inspired music mixing flamenco, bebop and jazz swing influences. Played on traditional French jazz guitars, the music is rhythmic, vigorous, and elegant. Whether they re playing a musette waltz from 1930 or an Andalusian-inspired original tune, Ameranouche s gypsy flamenco swing style is a complex yet fresh sound for the 21st century. This show will benefit the church, as well as recovery funds for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma distributed by the UUA/ UUSC. CFAC concerts are produced by choir director Dave Rowe and a dedicated group of church members. Gypsy jazz is unarguably one of the most popular forms of jazz music, Rowe admits. "It's been my goal to make sure that this concert series has something for everybody-- and this one's for me." Tickets are $15 at the door (cash or credit). For more information, visit www.uuconcerts.org or call 783-0461. CFAC CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE Gypsy flamenco swing is about coming together and celebrating our shared humanity. Ameranouche is committed to connecting deeply with its audience and sharing joy and peace through its live shows and recorded albums. TO BENEFIT HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS FRI 10/6 7:30 PM FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF AUBURN 169 PLEASANT STREET AUBURN, MAINE WWW.UUCONCERTS.ORG 207-783-0461 4 Fri., Oct. 6: Fri., Nov. 3: Fri., Dec. 1: AMERANOUCHE GYPSY FLAMENCO SWING CFAC 2017 Schedule Ameranouche gypsy jazz ensemble $15 Women in Harmony women's chorus $15 Heather Pierson Trio music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" $15 Sat., Dec. 16: Annual Holiday Concert with Dave Rowe/Denny Breau/Phil House $18
SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER SECOND COLLECTION SCHEDULE Oct... Minister's Discretionary Fund Nov... New Beginnings ARE YOU PLUGGED INTO LOCAL SOCIAL ACTIONS? We need someone to compile our list of weekly "Actions of Fierce Hope and Radical Love" to share with the congregation. Contact Toby at news@auburnuu.org. Dec... Immigrant Resource Center of Maine Jan... Greater Androscoggin Humane Soc. RESIST Central Maine Join RESIST to defend equality, human rights, and democracy. Meetings: 10/1 and 10/15 at 4:30 at our Church. Rallies: Every Tuesday 11:30 on Lisbon St. and Fridays at 4:30 on the Longley Bridge (opposite from Gritty s) October 1 at 7:00 p.m.: RESIST and Auburn UU Social Justice will host a gathering to kick-off the ACLU 50 state push for Voter Rights. Find more info at https://tinyurl.com/yax9ux6o. Buy Local! * * * * * We will screen "Let People Vote," followed by discussion and formulation of plans for implementing our part of a nationwide drive to educate the American people, and demand that their right to vote is honored and protected. * * * * * October 22 "#PresentPerfect" event Habiba Noor (pictured here with her daughter) continues to sell her fresh produce at Auburn UU on Sunday mornings. She comes to us through a program at Fresh Start Farms via Cultivating Community that supports refugee and immigrant farmers. For more info, visit www. cultivatingcommunity.org/buy-our-produce/ Toby Haber-Giasson and Jane Pentheny, OD, Social Justice co-chairs DID YOU KNOW? This month, Auburn UU is participating in #PresentPerfect, a digital ad campaign inviting LGBTQ people to visit an open and affirming faith community. For more info, visit www. InterfaithPride.org and www.myoutspirit.com. Our projector is available for your sermon, church event or presentation. Contact Toby at baywest@roadrunner.com 5
MEMBERSHIP NEWS We welcome our newest committee member Dani Woodbury this month. Please note that our scheduled Member classes for the fall will be canceled on New Member Classes Sun., Oct. 8: 11:30 a.m. Wed., Oct. 11: 5:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 15: 11:30 a.m. Wed. Oct. 18: 5:30 p.m. October 1 if we do not have enough participants. Have no worries: for those interested, New Member classes will be held again in the spring. Please contact any of our committee members if you are interested in being Greeter some Sunday with us. It is a wonderful opportunity to welcome newcomers and friends alike to our beautiful church. Esther Tucker hosted our September 24 committee meeting at her family cottage. We discussed many important issues surrounded by the beautiful scenery. REV. JODI AT 10/3 MULTI-FAITH ROUNDTABLE This month's multifaith roundtable is Tuesday, October 3 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Auburn Public Library. During these monthly discussions, local clergy share their faith s take on various religious interpretations and application to modern times. Participating clergy include Rabbi Sruli Dresdner of Temple Shalom, Pastor Roger Cousineau of East Auburn Baptist Church, Pastor Richard Waller of the Auburn Church of the Nazarene, and Rev. Jodi. COMMUNITY RELATIONS NEWS Chamber Connection We re looking for active members and friends to be the face" of the church to the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce. Will you represent Auburn UU at these upcoming events? Contact news@auburnuu.org. Chamber Breakfast: Thursday, October 12, 6:45-9:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch ($20). Uplift After Hours: Tuesday October 10, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Wallingford s Fruit House (Free) left to right: Anne Kinney, Shelley Reno, Merry Carver, Peggy Cox, Paula Spruill, Derrick Webb (photo by Esther Tucker) Paula Spruill, Membership Chair TRANSCRIPTION HELP WANTED Are you enjoying reading Jodi's sermons on Facebook? Want to help transcribe some? Contact Toby at news@auburnuu.org. Business After Hours: Thursday, October 19, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Pine Tree Society, 589 Minot Ave, Auburn (Free) November Open Door newsletter deadline: WEDNESDAY, 10-25-2017 Please send submissions to newsletter@auburnuu.org. Submissions should be simple and reader-friendly (no longer than 275 words) and should pertain to church or denominational events, announcements, reports and activities. If photos or graphics are desired, please send them along with your submission or contact the editor for assistance. You will receive an acknowledgement from the editor when your submission is received. (If you DO NOT receive a response via email, please get in touch!) 6
UU THEATER SEASONAL OFFERINGS Did you know that UU Theater raises $3,000 each year for the church budget? Can you help us meet that obligation? Sell playbill ads! Call or visit local businesses: they love to support our church. Buy a playbill ad! Promote your business or just wish us luck. 2017 UU THEATER PLAYBILL AD RATES Biz card size $25/show $75/season Half page size $45 $120 Full page size $55 $150 Contact Toby at news@auburnuu.org to find out more. * * * * * SAVE THE DATE for the 6th Annual Ho Ho Holiday Drag show, which benefits Auburn UU: Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Elks Lodge in Lewiston. PUMPKIN CARVING AND DECORATING <a.k.a Annual Pumpkin Slaughter) Sunday, October 22: 1-4 p.m. Join Cynwyd Circle for a fun and festive afternoon to carve and/or decorate your Samhain Pumpkin. It's BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin), and some tools will be provided but you can bring your favorites. For the Littles, bring stickers, markers, and stick-on gems. Please bring some snacks for our potluck. Beverages and all dish ware provided, as well as spooky music, games for all ages, and possibly some other Seekrit Things. OPEN MIC Join us on the second Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. to sing, play, recite or just LISTEN. Next open mic: Friday, October 13. 7 https://www.facebook.com/ events/1839623876349970 SAMHAIN RITUAL AND POTLUCK Sunday, October 29 from 1-4 p.m. Join us for a Samhain ritual and pot luck! Feel free to bring a picture or small memento of your Beloved Dead for the altar. We ll be doing divinatory readings after ritual if you re willing to read for other guests, please bring your tools. Please being a pot luck dish to share and label anything with nuts or that is gluten free. Beverages will be provided. https://www.facebook.com/ events/114781715894849
CHARLOTTE LEHMANN TO BE ORDAINED Charlotte Lehmann, once an active congregational leader and long-time supporting friend of the First Universalist Church in Auburn, Maine, will be ordained by the congregation on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Charlotte Lehmann is a life-long Unitarian Universalist, who attended the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis as a child. When she came to Maine to work as a research technician and assistant in instruction in the Geology Department at Bates College, Lehmann served Auburn s First Universalist Church in several roles: chair of the Religious Exploration committee and Leadership Development, and as a Worship Associate. She devoted time to the congregation s building and grounds, choir, and financial stewardship. Her UU Theater resume includes their (our) first production of The Vagina Monologues in 2006, and a lead role in Hidden: A Gender. Charlotte was a recipient of the congregation s Rose Window Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2006. Charlotte acknowledged a call to ministry in 2008. She attended Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for one semester before entering the full-time Master of Divinity degree program at Meadville Lombard Theological School, a Unitarian Universalist seminary in Chicago, in the fall of 2009. Lehmann also served as a ministerial intern at DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church in Naperville, Illinois, under the supervision of Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher, and completed a unit of Level I Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Chicago Medical Center, while engaged in her theological studies. Her coursework included classes at the University of Chicago Divinity School, the Catholic Theological Union and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, as well as two intensive courses through Starr King School for the Ministry. Following graduation from Meadville in May 2012, Charlotte continued her ministerial formation through a second internship at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, New York, under the supervision of Rev. Douglas Taylor, from September 2013 through June 2014. The next step on Charlotte s path was as the Acting Director of Children s Religious Education at The First Church in Belmont, Massachusetts, from August 2014 to July 2016; during this time she completed a second Level I Clinical Pastoral Education unit at Saint Vincent s Hospital at Worcester Medical Center. Lehmann was granted Preliminary Fellowship as a minister in the Unitarian Universalist Association in April 2016. In August of that year she was hired by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee in Florida, where she is serving as the congregation s interim minister through July 2018. Charlotte plans to seek a congregational call as a settled minister as her next step on this journey as a religious professional. If you wish to attend Charlotte s ordination, RSVP via e-mail to uuchurchauburn@gmail. com or call 207-783-0461. Out-of-town guests: please request lodging information 8
"CAKES" GROUP OPEN THROUGH DECEMBER THE GINGERBREAD FAIR IS COMING Imagine a course in feminist thealogy (yes, that s spelled right) for women, and you have an idea of the theme of the Cakes Group at Auburn UU. We are a circle of a dozen women or more who meet one Tuesday evening a month to learn about ancient goddess traditions and to weave their stories into our lives today. The next open Cakes Group gathering is October 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Please contact Anne K. or Pixie if you d like to attend. This year we are going back to the original UU curriculum, Cakes for the Queen of Heaven. Various sessions will honor our bodies, honor the relationships b e t w e e n daughters and mothers, and look at our need to reclaim our power. We will learn about cultures that pre-dated Christianity and once revered a Divine Female. Through stories, rituals, and songs, we ll explore those times when the female body was sacred and discover our past that has largely been ignored in history. We ll hear about powerful women in early Christianity and in ancient Judaism, as well as the brutalization and silencing of women that accompanied the rise of patriarchal religions. Interested women are welcome to "try out" this group through the end of this year. In January the group will close to newcomers, and then we will ask a general commitment from all participants, as we share co-facilitation and light refreshments. Anne Kinney & Pixie Frayer for the Cakes Group Saturday, November 17 is the date for our annual Gingerbread Fair, one of our two most significant fundraisers. We are anxious to get started with the preparations and we are looking for everyone s involvement in the process. Initially we are looking for folks to chair/co-chair or work at the various tables: crafts, gift baskets, baked goods, pies, jewelry/accessories, books, silent auction, wreaths, and luncheon. Watch for Gingerbread Fair news in upcoming Sunday orders of service and in other announcements in order to learn the specific ways you can be involved. Since we have a budget gap this year that we are trying to close, it is very important that we are particularly successful with this year s Fair. There will be more information to come about how you can help us accomplish that. In the meantime, if you have questions or would like to participate, please contact me. Mary Lou Hofmann Chair 777-1833 or even.sleeves@gmail.com DRUMMING CIRCLE ALWAYS ON THE 3RD THURSDAY OPEN TO ALL BRING OR BORROW OCTOBER 19-6:30-8:00 For more info, contact Peter Floyd: floyd6of7@yahoo.com 9
BLACK LIVES OF UU HONORED AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY This summer at UUA General Assembly our national gathering of congregations our co-presidents gave the Annual Award for Service to Black Lives of UU (BLUU). Dr. Leon Spencer, who made the presentation, invited ALL congregations to be part of the UUA Board commitment to raise 5.3 million in funding for BLUU. He noted the UUA has received a $1 million gift to challenge EVERY congregation to join this campaign. The Service Award is given to the person or organization designated by the UU President(s) for extraordinary, vital, volunteer service to the UUA. Dr. Spencer said: "BLUU has given our Association another Movement Moment where Black people can have their own space as Unitarian Universalists. BLUU is about building a beloved community for all. BLUU exemplifies resistance in love, truth and justice and is a movement that emerged from the pews and the streets." Spencer lifted up BLUU for spiritual work: "BLUU is truly a movement deep into the spiritual work of dismantling white supremacy structures and culture. BLUU challenges our faith to fully live our principles and purposes and to make them evident in all we do as we move together toward beloved community. BLUU has challenged us to look at the white supremacy within." Lena Gardner, Executive Director, expressed BLUU s deep gratitude. This work has been a blessing to us and a burden, she said. I want to thank our co-presidents for the work they have put into this denomination collectively. It is on their shoulders that we stand and in their honor that we do this work, and commit to live more deeply into our faith values. " Anne Kinney, Denominational Affairs Rep. "STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE" WORDS CHANGED Questions about language and inclusion have led Jason Shelton, UU minister and musician, to change the title and lyrics of his song, "Standing of the Side of Love," to "Answering the Call of Love." Shelton explained the purpose was to change the metaphor that some people felt had connotations of ableism. At this summer s UUA General Assembly, Shelton said, "I am clear that the Standing on the Side of Love metaphor has nothing to do with the physical act of standing. It is about what love calls us to do. But intent is not the same as impact. And the impact of this metaphor has been a barrier for some of us. When love calls, it asks us to let go of our t-shirts. I do know love is calling us to new and deeper awareness. I ask you to rise in spirit, mindful of all that means for you and join in answering the call of love." Written in 2004, Shelton s song is sung in many UU churches, gatherings, and at the annual UUA General Assembly. It s included as #1014 in the UUA hymnal supplement Singing the Journey. 10 Denominational Affairs Committee
OCTOBER EVENTS www.auburnuu.org/news-events/calendar/ Sun, Oct 1 10:00 a.m. Worship Service / Religious Exploration classes Second Collection for Minister's Discretionary Fund 4:30 p.m. RESIST Central Maine meeting (vestry) 7:00 p.m. RESIST and SJ host kickoff of ACLU 50 State Push for Voter Rights Tues, Oct 3 12:30 p.m. Rev Jodi at Multi-faith Roundtable (Auburn Public Library) Wed, Oct 4 5:30 p.m. Central Maine SURJ logistics meeting Fri, Oct 6 7:30 p.m. Concerts for a Cause: Ameranouche Sun, Oct 8 10:00 a.m. "Blessing of the Animals" Worship Service / Religious Exploration classes Tues, Oct 10 6:00 p.m. Central Maine SURJ meeting Fri, Oct 13 7:30 p.m. Open Mic / Poetry Slam Sun, Oct 15 10:00 a.m. Worship Service / Religious Exploration classes 4:30 p.m. RESIST Central Maine meeting (vestry) Tues, Oct 17 6:30 p.m. CAKES meeting - open to new attendees Thurs, Oct 19 6:30 p.m. Drumming Circle Sat, Oct 21 All-church Halloween Party and Sleepover Sun, Oct 22 10:00 a.m. Fall multi-generational service: no Religious Exploration classes 11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting follow-up 4:00 p.m. Song Circle (Discoverers' Rm) 4:30 p.m. RESIST Central Maine meeting (vestry) Sat, Oct 28 3:00 p.m. Ordination of Charlotte Lehmann Sun, Oct 29 10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Charlotte Lehmann / Religious Exploration classes BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATES FOR: Nov 18 Gingerbread Fair Nov 19 Harvest Communion (multi-gen service) 11