Oracle Articles - March 2008

The Oracle - March 2008

Spring is in the air! 

March Worship Services
 
March 2 | Where's My Hallmark Card? Reflections from a Single, Gay, Adoptive Dad

Jim Gilkeson leads a service reprising and updating a talk he gave at the University UU Society last June (in celebration of Pride Month and Father's Day.) A personal reflection on the decision to adopt a child as a single gay man and his experiences (so far)...


March 9 | Deep Peace of the Shining Stars

In the next in my series on songs that have moved me in my life, I’ve chosen the words of a Gaelic prayer set to music by John Rutter. Expect a morning of deeply beautiful music. We will be hosting the Florida Choral Fest, so our choir will be joined by voices from a number of other churches.

Sharing: Russ Hiett, Worship Associate

           

March 16 | Disagreements That Ignite Us

In my sermon series focusing on some of the historical tensions in Unitarian Universalism, I’d like to explore the idea of conflict itself and how we handle it.

Sacred Sharing: Sarah Buquid

Share the Plate: Journey's End Animal Sanctuary

 

March 23 | Hope Is a Way to Travel

Join us for our intergenerational Easter service with special music and stories. We will also be observing our annual Flower Communion Sunday, so please remember to bring a flower to put in our communal vases.

Reflections from Marni and Gladys Smith-Mangan, Worship Associate.

Chalice-lighting: Davis Family—Bernadette, Larry, Eldon, AnneMarie

 

March 30 | UUSC Justice Sunday

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." --Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

UUSC Justice Sunday 2008 will mark the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination. To honor his dream, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee seeks to broaden our awareness of the true cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, offers comparison with the lack of priority and resources spent on the humanitarian efforts in the post-Katrina U.S. Gulf Coast, and encourages our activism to refocus our nation's priorities on programs of social uplift. Led by Worship co-chairs Rachel Gardiner & Nicki Drumb, most of this sermon comes from the words of FUCO member and seminarian, Carmen Emerson. 

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Rev-Viewing

I share these words from the 19th century Unitarian minister Henry Whitney Bellows:

“Some have carelessly imagined that the affections of the heart, the light of conscience, the native sensibilities, were to be ignored by science; but when we are studying what concerns the heart, science will compel us to take the heart itself into counsel as the chief witness. To study theology without faith is a vain effort. To pursue religion in an irreligious spirit is futile.”

The root of the word RELIGION means "to bind together." Our religion asks us to come together, to bind ourselves to one another, in the search for meaning. Other views of religion may suggest that it asks people to subscribe to a specific set of beliefs and behaviors. Religion has variously looked like building an altar of stone, or killing animals or human beings as a sacrifice to deity, or observing dietary laws, or praying in a particular direction at various times of the day, or conforming to some other specified standard of dress or action, law, or relation. Yet another view of religion suggests that it is about something that happened in the past—and thus it can become an attachment to dead things while sacrificing living realities.             

Our religion is alive in the present. Religion for us most often involves a journey. It is a Holy Quest. It's the human spirit longing for and looking for something infinitely greater than self, using the fullness of heart, mind, and soul. It starts with our hunger. It starts with our response to others and to the world around us—the lump in the throat, the tear in our eye, the surge and leap of our heart. "O world, I cannot hold thee close enough," wrote Edna St. Vincent Millay. Or Tennyson, "Flower in the crannied wall ... if I could understand what you are, root and all, and all in all, I should know what God ... is." It is Moses in front of a burning bush or Jesus up to his knees in the Jordan River or the Buddha beholding death and decay for the first time or any one of us looking at the faces of famished children or Haitian or Darfuran refugees or the families of murder victims or seeing the pain and joy on the faces of those around us. That is where religion starts. All the other stuff—the furniture of religion—the dogma and ritual and scripture and institution—it all comes later.

My wish is simply that you will have “binding” moments that continue to deepen your commitment to our faith tradition and all that gives life to our Beloved Community.

Yours in faith,

mph

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From the President

Presented as a pulpit editorial on Sunday, February 17, 2008

Imagine how excited I was when I heard the NPR fundraiser slogan this year. ‘Twice the money in half the time.’ We could use this for our Canvass slogan at church. It’s perfect.” How’s that for selective listening? Even though I now know “all the money in half the time” is the real NPR slogan, I’ve got the “twice the money in half the time” stuck in my mind. Next year’s draft budget isn’t even 10% more than this year’s, but why not imagine big? Here we are, halfway through February which we’ve designated as Pledge month. Let’s check the “Imagine guitar”—have we hit the “all the money” mark? Hmmm—not yet.

Imagine how surprised my friend at work was when she heard we urge our members to pledge between 2.5 and 5% of their earnings to our congregation. “Don’t they know the obligation to tithe is in the Bible? It’s not really a choice.” I tried to explain that the Bible is just one of the sources Unitarian Universalists turn to for moral and spiritual guidance. We seem to pick and choose what suits us personally. I was keenly aware of my ignorance—maybe ALL of our sacred sources teach the concept of tithing, and I just don’t know it. They all do speak of gratitude and stewardship, and doing what’s right for the larger community instead of focusing just on our individual selves. We could compromise with 5% to honor our independent natures, or try 11% as Mike Duvall advocates.

Imagine how much your Board, Finance and Personnel Committees, and program owners don’t want to enter into the discussion around what gets cut if pledge income doesn’t meet our budget goal. Progress toward UUA salary and benefit guidelines would be in jeopardy. Taking care of our aging campus would be delayed, as would building capital reserves. Upgrading our office infrastructure or music sound system would take a hit. Some tough decisions lie ahead, if our efforts at meeting our pledge goal aren’t successful. The reality is that it takes money to keep our staff, campus, and programs vigorous and meeting the needs of our members and guests.

Imagine that you are one of the church members who did what you were asked—you already turned in your pledge card! Now imagine that you’ve heard new information about the budget. For example, this year no large fundraisers are planned for our membership; generous pledges are being requested to improve financial stability. We are compelled to meet UUA salary and benefit guidelines for an interim minister; no time to work toward a 3-year goal. Program committees have exciting ideas to involve members in spiritual growth and fellowship! Putting our best foot forward for an interim minister and searching preparing for a new settled minister will require money. What’s a person to do, if they realize they under pledged? What if, upon further calculation, a more generous pledge amount IS possible? Not to worry—amended pledges will be accepted!

I imagine those who have not yet turned in their pledges are not procrastinators, but rather deliberators. Blank cards are in the pews in front of you, and may be turned in today! Use the collection plate or the box you see here. Do your figuring soon, friends, and let us know the details so the Board can get on with the next part of its job—approving a budget for next year! We all have a stake in creating the best future for First Unitarian that we can imagine!

—Kathy Homblette, President

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Transition Updates

Jean Siegfried, Ron Vierling, and Curtis Michelson have agreed to serve as the Interim Minister Task Force. They will be working with the UUA Transitions Office, completing the application process and eventually recommending an Interim Minister to the Board of Trustees for consideration. Their dedication to the church is much appreciated!

The Board has set goals to work on with an Interim Minister. They range from developing a long-range plan and a search process for a settled minister to providing opportunities to honor our past and heal grief and conflicts. These goals will help focus congregational and leadership energies. Thanks to Christine Haskins for her professional help!

Save the dates! Friday, June 6 and Sunday, June 8 have been reserved as celebration dates for Marni’s retirement.

—Board of Trustees

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Pilgrimage Walk

On Saturday, March 8, 2008, at 10:00am, Tom Cook, Bob Leger, and Ross Payne will lead the First Unitarian Church of Orlando Pilgrimage Walk. Meet us in the church parking lot. We will visit many downtown locations that are significant to the history of Unitarian Universalism in Orlando. The walk is about 2.5 miles and will take about an hour and a half (with a few stops along the way). Please join us for this interesting and fun event.

 

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March Social Justice Meeting Examines Marriage Amendment

 

This month’s Social Justice Tuesday will study and discuss the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment.” This proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution will be on the ballot in November of this year. By redefining “marriage,” if passed, this would permanently block marriage and civil unions for same-sex partners and threaten domestic partnerships currently enjoyed in Florida.

The Fairness for All Families Campaign is a coalition of Faith, GLBT, Labor, Women, Student, Hispanic, African-American, Democratic, GOP, and Progressive organizations. This Coalition understands how this amendment can hurt Florida’s families and is organizing opposition to it. Go to: www.FairnessForAllFamilies.org for more information and join us in the Hiett Library at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. Bring your own social justice concerns. Light refreshments. Free to all.

—Joe DuRocher, Social Justice Co-Chair

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What is General Assembly?

 

GA and General Assembly are words that get bandied about around FUCO at times. GA or the General Assembly is a national assemblage of UUs from all over the country and beyond who gather together yearly to discuss, set policies, do business, learn, worship, sing, laugh, play, and enjoy each others’ company. And we do it in a big way (with over 6, 000 people representing 1,040 congregations last year in Portland, Oregon). This year GA will be situated in Fort Lauderdale, which presents all of us with a wonderful opportunity to attend that we often can't do. For instance, in 2009 GA will be in far away Salt Lake City and in 2010 it will happen in Minneapolis. We are so fortunate this year because it is practically in our own back yard and so we are encouraging as many people as possible to take advantage of the opportunity to attend.

You will have opportunities to hear nationally known speakers, and learn from educators who are the cream of the crop, sing and worship with thousands of UUs at one time, spend time with UUs learning how different congregations have approached, solved, and benefited from any number of different activities. Our minds will be expanded, hearts uplifted, and energies refueled! Even our children, ages 6 months to young adults, will have specialized programs of their own!

So mark you calendars, put in for your vacation at work (June 24 to June 29) and save your money. OH-OH! Who said money? Yes, money. GAs have been happening for a long time and they know it costs money. The national office (UUA) does everything they can to help members keep their costs down. Blocks of rooms at nine hotels will have special rates for us, they are working at finding college dorm accommodations, and shuttle service is set up for transport from hotels to the convention center. Scholarship and volunteer opportunities are available to help make the experience more affordable, too. Early bird registration rates for the Assembly and for lodging will start March 1 and continue to May 1. Go to www.uua.org/ga for all the information you can possibly want.

Here at First Unitarian Dayle Steakley and Joan Erwin will be serving as your point persons for questions, ride sharing, and room sharing, Joan is making efforts to find time shares in the area that could be available to us. You will find a General Assembly information table where the Nora Staton bookstore is located on Sundays the bookstore is not open. Our purpose is to help as many people from this congregation go as possible. We will connect you with ride possibilities, hotel information, and room-sharing opportunities. We will have the latest possible GA information available, hotel brochures, brochures from area attractions, maps, etc.

If you are a person or family who is planning to attend GA, please let us know so that we can have an idea of how well we will be represented. If you have not yet made plans to go, please think about it very seriously and let us know if we can help you.

Hope to see you there,

Dayle Steakley & Joan Erwin

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Alliance Programs for March

 

If ‘eating out’ is not your cup of tea, then how about potluck? We’ll have a potluck luncheon on Tuesday, March 11. Just bring a dish to share—we’ll have iced tea and we’ll set the table with tablecloths and everything! We MIGHT even have a visitor or two. Remember, you don’t have to be a ‘dues paying’ member of the Alliance to join us for any or all of our activities. Just come!

March 4

                10:30          Sort and price for Continuing Bazaar

                11:00          Board Meeting

                12:00          Lunch and conversation

March 11

                10:30          Sort and price for Continuing Bazaar

                11:30          Potluck luncheon. Michael Cantillo from the Healthcare Center for the Homeless will join us and bring us up to date on their activities and needs.

March 18

                10:30          Sort and price for Continuing Bazaar; make sandwiches for the homeless.

                Noon         Lunch and conversation

March 25

                10:30          Sort and price for Continuing Bazaar

                12:00          Lunch, and speaker Dan Homblette from First Unitarian. Dan and his wife Kathy spent the Christmas holidays in Senegal visiting daughter Kierstin who is with the Peace Corps there. Come hear their story!

—Nancy Kellman & Jean Siegfried, Programs

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ALLIANCE  SPRING RUMMAGE SALE

 

MARCH 28 and 29, Friday & Saturday from 8:00 till 3:00pm in Gore Hall.

 Donate Lightly used items before March25.

( No furniture or electronics please)

Volunteer to set up Thursday evening.

Shop the sale. It’s fun and rewarding.

Jean Cawelti

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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Adult Religious Education

Sunday Mornings from 9:30 to 10:30am in the Sharon Lee Hiett Library

  • March 2: Salon with Jay Wolin “General Assembly”

  • March 9: Our American Roots - "William Ellery Channing: Unitarian Christianity”

  • March 16: Forum – Conversations with Our Elders – Jean Siegfried

  • March 23: Who's in the Library – Ron Vierling will do a presentation on Charles Darwin

  • March 30: Spiritual Cinema – A Morning of Short Films

 

Sunday Mornings from 9:30 to 10:30am in the Assembly Room

March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30: The 7 Principles—An Intergeneration Tapestry

 

Tuesday Evenings in the Sharon Lee Hiett Library

  • March 4 from 7:00 to 8:30pm: Conversations with the Minister – Challenges Facing UUism, Looking Ahead

  • March 11 at 6:30pm: Spiritual Cinema – “Scared Sacred” (not rated, 105 min.)

  • March 18 from 7:00 to 9:00pm: Social Justice Tuesdays – Equality Florida “Marriage Protection Amendment”

 

Other Adult RE Events

Meditation: Sitting meditation with an Open Discussion Thursday, March 6, 13, 20, & 27 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Sharon Lee Hiett Library. No experience or registration is needed. Check out orlandomeditation.org for more information and other events.

Sacred Scripture: Sunday, 7:30 to 9:00pm, in Gore Hall

Potluck Dinner (optional) 6:30 to 7:30pm

Each session will include an icebreaker, readings from Proverbs, and related discussion topic. We will focus on how these wisdom words are applicable in our day-to-day life.

March 2: “Money: No one has enough!”

March 9: “Diligence: Living life on purpose”

Drop In! Covenant Group: Wednesday, March 9 from 7:00 to 9:00pm in RE Room 9.

Mystic Grove Ritual Study: Thursday March 6, from 7:00 to 9:00pm in RE Room 9.

Craft Circle: March 7 & 21, from 6:30 to 9:00pm in RE Room 9.

Mystic Grove Sabbat of Oestara: March 29, at 7:00pm in the RE Courtyard

Dances of Universal Peace: Sunday, March 16, 4:00 to 6:00pm in Gore Hall. Check out DancesOfUniversalPeace.org for more information.

Drawing in the Spirit: Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19, & 26 from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the Assembly Room. Explore your faith and how the spirit is expressed through the study of still life and the human form, resulting in artistic expression. There will be babysitting available. Contact Elizabeth Levensohn at 407-929-3575.

 

Coming Soon

Graceful Passages: Coming to Terms with Our Mortality.

Wednesdays April 2, 9, 23, and 30, from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the Hiett Library.


**Adult RE is now accepting proposals for classes in Summer and Fall 2008.**

Proposal forms will be available in the Adult RE mailbox near the church office. Or contact Chris Baranyi at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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From the Desk of the Music Director

 

Carolyn McDade’s visit and workshop at our church in January was wonderful. She is an extraordinary person as well as composer. Her humility and gentle spirit had us all feeling the music deeply as well as singing the notes and hearing the lyric.

The new Audio Team is doing excellent things with our sound. Although we are able to rotate the weekly responsibilities, Paul Burdette has accepted the role of Audio Lead.

Soon upon us will be the Second Annual Florida District Choral Festival (March 8–9).

We are hosting the event this year, and many of you have stepped up to help make this a success. Thank you. We are providing a potluck dinner for the attendees Saturday night, March 8, at 5:30pm. We certainly hope you come, bring some food, and dine with all of us. It’s a chance to meet UU singers from around Florida and give our guests a taste of First Unitarian hospitality.

There will be a Variety Show on the stage in Gore Hall as dinner is winding down.

Come wow us all with your talent, funny stories, or kazoo concerto. The theme is light and humor is encouraged.

Easter is early this year at March 23. Come to the service and enjoy the Music and Worship. It’s Marni’s last Easter with us, so let’s pack the place.

Stay tuned for lots more musical opportunities. Don’t be shy about trying out some of our many offerings: Choir, Tuesday Nite Band, Volunteering to help out our larger events, Audio Team, Sunday Ensemble Singers, RE Musical Events, and others.

Again, high complements to the entire Beloved Community for your participation as well as appreciation of our Music Program.

—Jamie Sterrett

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Come to SUUSI This Summer

Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute

Looking for a great, affordable vacation for your family, one with lots of adventures and filled with UU friends? Come to SUUSI! You'll be welcomed warmly and invited into our community of nearly 1,000. Together, we'll create a week of conversation, of reflection, of activity, of family. You'll be challenged intellectually and nurtured spiritually. You can stay up all night dancing or making music, and spend all day communing with nature or enhancing your personal growth. So many choices!

SUUSI is a UU summer camp for singles, couples, and the whole family, with special programs for youth and teens. We meet on the university campus of Radford in western Virginia—a great little spot in the mountains. Visit www.suusi.org or contact Michelle Langrock at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for more information.

 —Michelle Langrock

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Bike Ride Sponsored by the Meditation Group

On Saturday, March 1, 2008, the meditation group is sponsoring a bike ride, led by Shannon Kelly and Ross Payne. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you have ever been to the meditation group.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at Cady Way Park. This is primarily a social event, but in the spirit of meditation a short portion of the bike ride will be in silence. The ride will last about an hour and a half, with a couple of stops along the way.

If you have any questions please email Shannon or Ross at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

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Caring Circle

 

WOW! FUCO has been given the awesome gift of Pam Meehan as the new head of the Caring Circle. Kudos to Pam!!

But, as we celebrate this joy, the Caring Circle needs your help. What is the Caring Circle, you ask?

We are all de facto, members of the caring community of FUCO. When we know of a death in a family, a birth, or some other situation that requires attention and caring, we as fellow members step forward and find a way to help. This may include offering rides, mailing a note, delivering a dinner from the special Caring Circle freezer, or providing a listening ear.

Each month here at FUCO a different member is the Caring Circle representative for the month. This person stays abreast of needs within the church and finds volunteers to help or provides the help themselves. If you can help, please give Pam Meehan an e-mail note ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) to discuss this with her. She would love to talk to you about this rewarding opportunity within our Caring community.

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Caring Circle Freezer

 

Our Caring Circle freezer (back in the “Bunker” in Gore Hall behind the piano) is in need of casseroles and dinners for families that have the need. Please contact the church office if you are in a position where a meal or two can be helpful to your family. And, a HUGE Thank You goes out to those cooking extra to help us stock this freezer. Be sure to note the date, ingredients, time, and directions for cooking, and whether it’s veggie or not on the outside of the disposable, oven-ready container. Thanks!

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Coffee Hour Update

 

As you may have noticed, coffee hour has been going through some exciting changes. The goal for all the changes we are making is a stronger fellowship.

The first change is to the announcements made during Coffee Hour. There will be a brief time—ten minutes or so—after the service for announcements directly related to church activities for the coming week. Please keep all announcements to less than two minutes! We’ll provide a microphone so shouting over the crowd will no longer be necessary. Talk to Chris at the Visitors table if you have an announcement to make. The second change is to move back meeting times. The Counsel has approved a change in meeting times to schedule all meetings on Sunday after 12:30. This will allow the leaders of the church to be present at Coffee Hour.

Look forward to new food and new fellowship!

—Chris Baranyi

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Midlife Couples Group 

 

The Midlife Couples group is spending the morning and early afternoon on Saturday, March 1st in downtown Winter Park. For more information, contact Ken or Carolina Lofgren at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

JoAnn Gatlin

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Children's Religious Education Update

 

Greetings Members and Friends,

Preschool / Kindergarten class has been celebrating the uniqueness of each person and exploring how people grow up from babies to adults. Your 4 or 5 year old is welcome to join Ms. Mary Anne on Sundays from 9:30 to10:30am.

Open Classroom February was another exciting month in RE land. Every Sunday morning we see again how blessed we are. On the one hand we have amazing adults come in to share their experience and their love with us. On the other hand, we have the opportunity to witness the future in action as our children learn and grow as Unitarian Universalists. In the Open Classroom participants have learned about and practiced applying our first three Principles. We have celebrated our own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others with visits from Church members Susan Anastasio and Pam Meehan, who have shared with us their commitment to justice and fairness for children in Darfur and the homeless children in our own neighborhood. As individuals and as a class, we have made a commitment to work for fairness and kindness ourselves by collecting money and school supplies for these children. We have also been working hard on the beautiful 7 principles quilts that we will be donating to our own beloved community in June. Children, youth, and adults are welcome to join us any Sunday morning at 9:30am in the RE Assembly room for lessons, games, activities, and our ongoing quilt project all celebrating the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.

OWL classes continue to thrive, and our second Weekend Retreat for both middle and high school was a success for all involved. Special thanks to our amazing teachers, Gladys Smith-Mangan, James Mangan, Kris Wiley, Alisha Kearns, Liz Levensohn, and Veronica Drake for all of their hard work. Thanks also to the parents who provided food and extra special thanks to Susy and Stephanie for chaperoning at night so our hard working teachers could have a much needed and deserved break. Our next weekend for middle school is March 14–15. Our fourth and final weekend will be a joint workshop with high school and middle school and will be held April 11–12. Be someone’s Blessing today, Abbie Potter, LRE

YUUth News by Sam Spoone, scribe:

Hello Unitarians! Here’s an update on what your youth program is working on: We are focusing on creating our own sacred space in the form of our youth room! We will be painting, decorating, and sprucing up the place. Also, we are planning many different fundraising events such as car washes, meals, and the return of our youth coffee house, Black Kitten. Stay tuned for more updates on when certain events are taking place!

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Share the Plate for March 16, 2008

 

Journey's End Animal Sanctuary 

Journey's End Animal Sanctuary provides lifetime care and shelter for dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sheep, and birds that have been abused, neglected or have special needs. Rather than emphasizing adoption, Journey's End provides a homelike setting where animals can enjoy the remainder of their lives in a comfortable, loving atmosphere. 

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Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

 

Justice Sunday 2008

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”

—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

In the year of the 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, his words continue to ring true. Justice Sunday 2008 will carry on his legacy by helping to restore justice to the people of the United States of America and the people of Iraq. To honor his dream, UUSC will encourage congregants to become aware of what the true costs of the Iraq war are – financial, physical, and spiritual — and who is paying them.

The war in Iraq has drained this nation’s resources, created a humanitarian crisis in Iraq, and left a multitude of needs at home unmet — including the disgraceful lack of resources and commitment to rebuild the Gulf Coast and New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

First Unitarian Church of Orlando’s March 30th Justice Sunday worship service will empower us to educate, act, and speak out. Visit www.uusc.org/justicesunday to learn more.

 

UUSC–UUA Kenya Crisis Fund Update
An emergency delegation organized by UUSC traveled to Kenya from January 20–25 to learn firsthand the extent and root causes of the political and humanitarian crisis that has engulfed the country since the flawed presidential election of December 2007.

The delegates met with dozens of people from civil society, the informal economy, and the general public, visiting markets in the slum of Kibera, a burned-down water-utility headquarters in Kisumu, an IDP camp in Eldoret, and sites of intense violence, like the Alliances of God Church, where only a few weeks ago 30 people lost their lives.

Now back in the United States, members of the delegation have met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff, House Foreign Affairs Committee staff, State Department officials, and representatives of other key international institutions to share their findings. UUSC President Charlie Clements has also submitted written testimony to hearings by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held on February 6 and 7, respectively.

Clements wrote on leaving Kenya: “The commitment we have made to everyone we spoke with, or who assisted us, is to use this information in a way that will increase understanding and aid as well as contribute to a lasting solution.”

To read blog posts by the delegates, visit www.uusc.org/blog/labels/Kenya%20crisis.html
For more information about the crisis, and UUSC’s response, visit www.uusc.org/kenya


Become a Member to Win a Human-Rights Experience!
Join or renew your membership at the $100 level by June 30, 2008, and you will be entered in a raffle for a spot for yourself or a loved one on a 2008–2009 JustJourney! Your gift could also be eligible to be matched by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock! (The winner will be responsible for getting to the JustJourney location.)

JustJourneys are unique educational travel experiences that focus on human-rights and social-justice issues in places such as Guatemala and Mexico. Participants become more inspired, informed, and effective human-rights activists. Learn more at www.uusc.org/justjourneys.

Students and youth who join or renew at their $10 membership rate by June 30, 2008, will be entered in a raffle for a spot on a 2008–2009 JustWorks camp! (The winner will be responsible for getting to the camp location.)

JustWorks camps are short-term projects that help volunteers examine and understand the causes and damaging effects of injustice by working directly with people in U.S. communities and experiencing social-justice struggles firsthand. Learn more at www.uusc.org/justworks.

 

Jessica Curren

UUSC Local Co-rep

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS

 

Early in January I had the opportunity and pleasure to attend the workshop UU Hospitality, Inclusion, and Transformation in Multicultural Communities at the UU Church of St. Petersburg, facilitated by Paula Cole Jones. Not only was the day valuable; for several reasons I was reminded of a relatively new organization, Allies for Racial Equity (ARE), formed in 2005, whose mission is to be accountable to people of color in building a movement among white UUs to unlearning white privilege/supremacy and to confronting racism in all its forms.

The organization of ARE came about in direct response to a request from UUs of color in DRUUMM (Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries). ARE’s vision is grounded in an anti-oppressive, multicultural UU faith, accountable to DRUUM by building a movement among white UUs to understand white privilege and unlearn racism and white supremacy. The ARE founding UUs recognized that there is a long journey to becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural faith community.

ARE members are committed to: developing an anti-racist practice, supporting DRUUMM leadership and initiatives, including diverse perspectives committed to recognizing our humanity, a cooperative journey together in mutuality and right relationship toward transformation, and wholeness, supporting other white UUs as we struggle together to effectively use our anti-racist power to help transform the institution and UU congregations, and providing resources for a sustainable road to justice built on love, faith, hope, and courage.

The work of ARE is organized in teams. The Congregations Team develops strategies for integration ARE work into congregations, specifically assisting congregations in developing effective models for building ally networks within congregations. The GA Team develops an ally support network and programming at GA. The Education Team develops strategies for assuring that white people throughout our Association have training on white privilege and skill development in what it means to be an ally. The Connections Team develops mechanisms for connecting people and organizations with our UUA who are doing anti-racism/anti-oppression work and provide requested information to support groups.

I encourage individual Florida UUs and congregations to join ARE and become involved in this vital work. At the www.uua.org website I suggest interested UUs Google Allies for Racial Equity. There, much more information than I can write is found, including how one can become a member. 

- Joan Lund

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 27 March 2008 )
 
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