We are a
Welcoming Congregation.
The Unitarian Universalist News
Of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1875 South Fruitridge Avenue, P.O. Box 3070
Terre Haute, IN 47803
812-232-1193
FEBRUARY 2007 CALENDAR
EVERY SUNDAY MORNING (Except when there is no service)
9:15 A.M. Wisdom Circle
9:15 A.M. Rationalist Free Thinking Group
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 End of Life Compassion & Choices
10:30 A.M. Clarke Miller
12:00 NOON Soup/Salad Sunday
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Religion And the Founding Fathers
10:30 A.M. Dr. Brian Morton
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Double Circle Dinner
6:00 P.M.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 TBA
10:30 A.M. Rev. Rev. Bill Breeden
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Board Meeting
7:00 P.M.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 The Challenge to Orthodoxy
10:30 A.M. Rev. Doddie Stone
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ABOUT THE FEBRUARY CALENDAR
Every Sunday, 9:15 a.m. - Wisdom Circle A non-judgmental spiritual group that explores the journey of self-discovery through heart to heart discussion with rotating leadership.
Every Sunday, 9:15 a.m. - Rationalist Free Thinking Group Discussion Group including members of the congregation as well as members of the community. Discussion of current socio-political events and trends.
Sunday, February 4 – The Right to Live Well and the Right to Die Well – Mr. Clark Miller - is president of Compassion & Choices of Indiana. A panel discussion on “death & Dying” will follow the conclusion of the service in the Sanctuary.
Clark Miller is a retired nursing home administrator. He served in this capacity for 12 years and “saw sweet grandmothers die deaths he wouldn’t wish on the worst criminal.” Previously he was a Catholic Priest in northwest Indiana.
He is the President of Compassion & Choices of Indiana, a non-profit educational organization advocating for more options to die well, including physician assisted dying as practiced in Oregon.
He has master’s degrees in philosophy, psychology and business administration. He has given talks at universities, churches, senior groups and service clubs. He resides in Bloomington IN where he is a member of the Unitarian Universalist church.
Sunday, February 4 - Soup/Salad Sunday Bring your favorite soup/salad and/or bread. Enjoy Fellowship and good food following the service.
Sunday, February 11 – Religion and the Founding Fathers – Dr. Brian Morton.
Dr. Brian P. R. Morton has a Ph.D in philosophy and started teaching at ISU this fall. He spent years writing a dissertation on the logic and history of ineffability in Bloomington, IN. He and his family then did a 1-year stint in Moscow, Idaho and 1-year in Auburn, Alabama and have been involved with UU congregations in all 4 cities."
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Sunday, February 18 - TBA – Rev. Bill Breeden
Rev. Bill Breeden is a native Hoosier and long time peace activist and minister. He is now fellowshipped with the Unitarian Universalist Association of churches and serves on the ministry team of the UU Church in Bloomington, IN. He has served as part time minister for the UU church in Terre Haute for approximately 6 years. He has also been involved in Central America and a peace delegation to Israel and the West Bank of Palestine. He is a volunteer prison Chaplin, and has on occasion been incarcerated himself for acts of civil disobedience in the cause of peace and justice. He and Glenda, his wife of 35 years, live in Owen county and enjoy music and playing with their grandson.
Sunday, February 25 – The Challenge of Orthodoxy – Rev. Doddie Stone. February is a month that celebrates the leadership of famous men and women. It is also the month we celebrate the importance of love in our lives. Hosea Ballou was a pioneer in the Universalist tradition who challenged the traditions of his time by teaching about a God who loved everyone. His message continues to be an important part of Unitarian Universalist belief in the dignity and worth of every person. Rev. Stone will share stories of Hosea Ballou’s life and the struggles he faced with his unorthodox theology in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Rev. Doddie Stone is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister and a strong supporter of the efforts of Service Committee. In 1995 she was with the delegation that attended the UN decade of the Woman in China. She also participated in visits to other countries that are helped by projects of the Service Committee prior to her ministry assignments on the east and west coasts.
Any announcement listed in this newsletter, our weekly bulletin, or spoken from the pulpit is solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute an endorsement by our congregation of any political party or candidate for elected office. Any opinions expressed by individual members are solely their own.
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First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Terre Haute Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees – January 21, 2007 The following is a summary of the information to be submitted to the board for approval The meeting was called to order by chair Sylvia Oster at 7:07 p.m. Present were Sylvia Oster, Chair, Will Barratt, vice chair, Sara Laughlin, secretary, Sam Martland, member-at-large, Elisabeth Friedman, member–at-large, Miren Beristain, past chair and Carolyn Brown, office administrator. Absent was John Taylor, treasurer. The chalice was lit by S. Oster who shared a brief inspirational reading with the group. Minutes of the December 17, 2006 meeting were presented by S. Laughlin. W. Barratt moved to accept the minutes, m. Beristain provided a second and minutes were approved as presented. W. Barratt also moved to accept minutes of a special meeting on October 29. S. Martland provided a second and these minutes were also approved. Treasurer’s Report. No report was presented. Office administrator’s Report. C. Brown informed the group she would be taking a vacation March 4-11. She presented statements indicating a need to correct or catch up on employee deductions and Vanguard deposits. She also reported that the custodian had found a kitchen and library door left unlocked on January 13. A commitment ceremony had taken place earlier that day. Upcoming dates on the Master Calendar were reviewed. Board Chair Comments. S. Oster noted she would be attending the Heartland District Leadership gathering on March 17 which M. Beristain and Bill Carper also plan to attend. She encouraged others to consider going. She referred to the New Year’s letter sent earlier in the week with magnets enclosed. She noted an invitation to submit $100 Membership to ICON, a group which provided a program the previous week. S. Laughlin requested the budget be reviewed before considering such an unbudgeted expense. W. Barratt suggested a special collection be taken on a designated Sunday. The need for a fire alarm check was discussed with conclusion that the building committee should schedule a regular check of the system and its connection to the fire department. A discussion of talking which takes place during the prelude to the Sunday Service occurred in response to Ed Warner’s expression that such talking is disrespectful. Committee Reports. S. Oster reported the ministerial Search Committee has no plan to meet again until some activity occurs in response to the Congregational Record. W. Barratt reported the Finance Committee met earlier in the day and resolved to act on combining assets of the endowment into a managed account with investment strategies. Old National Bank would be considered then Vanguard. Raises for staff are being considered. S. Oster reported that the custodian feels a new vacuum may be needed. Building Committee representative will investigate this. Grounds Committee’s need to investigate status of snow removal contract was discussed as well as maintaining a supply of cat litter for icy occasions. M. Beristain, Denominational Affairs, reported she is preparing the annual membership report due to the UUA by February 1. She will attend the Heartland District annual meeting March 30-31 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She solicited input for a report on the congregation she will submit. S. Oster presented a proposal of D. Stone for a Membership Fun-raiser. S. Laughlin reported that the ad hoc Arts Fair Committee plans to meet in three weeks. It was noted that the Adult Education Wisdom Circle is considering moving to an evening rather than Sunday morning time. S. Martland reported the Children’s Religious Education program is going well. E. Friedman, Social Action, reported on the Christmas family follow-up and the film series. S. Oster stated new member Dorothy Jerse has expressed interest in the pastoral Care and Membership Committees. It was noted that there has been much improved communication with the Program/Worship committee. S. Oster reported that Louise Clark wishes to retire in June from her duties as volunteer music director as she prepared for a special birthday. New Business. Agenda for the Meeting of the Congregation on January 28 was discussed. Old Business. M. Beristain and W. Barratt will work on rental contract. The meeting was adjourned and the chalice extinguished at 8:35 p.m.
Submitted by Sara Laughlin, Secretary SOCIAL ACTION Now is the time to turn in your Guest at Your Table money. Please give it to Cathy or Sylvia when you can.
The SAC is co-sponsoring a film series on Iraq. The next one will be on Sunday, January 28th at 7:30 p.m. It is No Sir, No Sir! The movie on February 4 at 7:30 p.m. is: Iraq for Sale.
TH Stop War on Iraq will have a solidarity demonstration on Saturday, January 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the courthouse. The group now has a website: thstopwaroniraq.mysite.com
•••••••• SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 10, 2007
Plan now for an evening of entertainment and dessert at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Saturday, March 10 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A spectacular talent will relax and delight you spirits while delicious desserts will appeal to your taste buds. Admission will be $5.00 for adults. Dessert will be available at 25 cents a taste or $1.00 for a larger portion. YOU are needed to help provide the entertainment, make a delicious dessert, or help as server. A silent auction is also planned, so dig into your collection of “almost new” treasures to see what you might contribute. Please contact Doddie Stone or Louise Clark if you are willing to participate.
•••••••• . PLAN AHEAD FOR SPRING Winter is a perfect time to begin your box (or boxes) of items for the annual spring yard sale. Just label a box and keep it in your closet or garage. Then you can add items as you clean and sort on these cold winter days. The date for the yard sale will be late May or early June. We are having only one yard sale per year, so please help make this one a great success. Additional details will soon be available. ••••••••
NEW FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Last week we mailed a letter about the congregation to everyone on our mailing list. If you did not receive a letter, please see Doddie Stone or Kay Phillips. Please be sure that your current mailing address is on file in the office. Corrections can be given to Carolyn Brown, administrator.
The magnets attached at the end of the letter were a donation from Jack DeWitt. Thanks again, Jack. Additional magnets are located on the greeters table. Please take as many as you can use to help spread the word about our congregation.
Some people also received a flier with information about the regional leadership training on March 17 in Indianapolis . We hope to have representation in all three sections. If you are interested, please let Sylvia Oster, Doddie Stone, or Miren Beristain know that you may be able to attend. An additional copy with details will also be posted in the foyer.
Thanks to Dorothy Jerse for her willingness to work with the membership and pastoral care committee. If you are interested in becoming a member of any committee, please contact Sylvia Oster or Kay Phillips.
Congregational photos are available in the foyer. Suggested donation is $1. A larger laminated size can be special ordered.
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RATIONALIST FREE THINKERS JANUARY SUNDAY MORNING TOPICS
Sunday, February 4 – Compassionate dying: The Right to Humane Death
Sunday, February 11 – Terror in American History (handout already passed out be Ed)
Sunday, February 18 – Terror in American History - Sunday, January 28 – Political Fallout of the November
Sunday, February 25 - In God’s Country (handout already passed out by Ed)
Please continue to pass on your suggestions for future discussions to Ed Warner for inclusion in future plans. Thank you. •••••••••
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS!!
Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.
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UUA PHONATHON
As a supplement to periodic mailings, Friends of the UUA will be conducting a fundraising phonathon beginning the week of February 19th and continuing through the third week in March. Outreach Associates, a telemarketing firm located in Pittsburgh, will be phoning members who are currently active Friends of the UUA to ask them to renew their support. Theme: Progress Report on Tapestry of Faith Lifespan Curriculum
Our contract with this firm requires that all callers must be courteous, respectful, and succinct as they offer identified Unitarian Universalists an opportunity to support our Association directly. Your feedback about the calls will help us to monitor their quality. We have established a Friends Phonathon Hotline to facilitate that feedback: Members may call (617) 948-6525 to leave a message to ask to be placed on the "no call" list or to share a comment directly with a UUA staff member.
COFFEE NEWS Thanks to Jinny Hagel-Pitt! She has inspired us to branch out into some flavored coffees! Just in this week, we have Hazelnut Crème coffee from Equal Exchange in drip grind (flavored coffees not available in whole bean). Flavored coffees are $7.00/bag. Equal Exchange also carries Toffee Caramel and French Vanilla drip grind coffees—let Robyn Morton know if you are interested in these flavors and I’ll add it to our next order. Equal Exchange also has the Hazelnut Crème coffee available in decaf, for $8.00/bag. Also, we have one 2lb. bag of whole bean French Roast available for purchase (equivalent to about 3 of the 10 oz. bags). The 2lb. bag is $17.00, and will store well in your freezer.
RE NEWS
With the New Year upon us, it’s time to assess our first year of regular Religious Education classes to date—what’s working, what’s not, what to keep and what to, er, discard. This year we have launched a regular teaching schedule following a UUA-published curriculum with volunteer teacher teams. We have instituted a Music Sunday for our classes once a month. We have hired a regular childcare provider for our youngest members, and we have begun the process of inventorying and assessing the supplies held by the RE department. This is a lot of change for one year, eh? (Actually, most of this has happened since September!!) The RE committee will be meeting after church on Sunday, January 28th to discuss these changes and other items pertaining to the RE program. Anyone who has an interest in the direction of RE is welcome to attend (especially teachers!). We will also be holding a meeting with our volunteer teachers (time TBA) to get some “on-the-ground” information for how the classes are going and more suggestions for how to make our program even stronger. Our goal is always to make teaching RE an easy and rewarding activity that will inspire many of our congregation to pitch-in. The RE program is growing slowly but steadily; the more we can offer to families, the more families we will see walking through our door! ••••••••
Prefer your First UUC newsletter via email instead of snail mail? Please notify Carolyn Brown at uuputer@yahoo.com.
The deadline for the March newsletter will be Tuesday, February 20. Please have anything you wish to have included in the office by that date.
FROM:_____________________________________________________________________ First Unitarian Universalist Congregation Located at: 1875 S. Fruitridge Avenue Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3070 Terre Haute, IN 47803-3070
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