The Unitarian
on line
May 2008
A Publication of First Unitarian Church of South Bend, Indiana
Annual Meeting
The Annual Congregational Meeting of First Unitarian Church of South Bend Indiana will be held Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 12:00 noon in the church sanctuary. Committee reports will be presented, officers will be elected and other church business may be conducted. A light lunch will be served prior to the meeting.
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Minister’s Musings
Dear Friends,
We have had a winter such as none of us has seen in many years. The weather people tell us that our area has had some 90 inches of snow. Over the course of these winter months, I have had thoughts about the seasons and how we need to have the changes and cycles of the earth to remind us of the beauty and the vicissitudes of this life. During the cold of winter the earth is collecting and storing energy to help the spring blooming season. Under the earth the roots are waiting and when the time is right they begin to loosen the soil and work their way deeper into the ground, gathering nourishment. At the same time the shoots begin to rise up, working through the earth towards the sun. The plant needs both the rootedness and the rising energy to be healthy. Both are necessary for health and strength. All this is difficult work.
In congregation we, too, need the roots of our heritage, our memories and our longer term members. We also need the energy that new people bring. Roots and wings, the old saying goes are necessary for full living. On our refrigerator at home, we have a magnet that says, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” From your vantage point, give the church your best. Your energy , your ideas, your faith, your experience, your story. Share and listen. Listen and share. Ask questions. Every church has unique qualities that are attached to stories. Every church has new possibilities. If we all give to the best of our abilities and become “the best that we can be” our congregation will only be better and stronger.
Blessings.
Denise
PS – Please consider signing up for “Building Your Own Theology”. If we have longer term and new members at this class there will be a whole group of people who know each other better.
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Calendar for May 2008
Click on the
colored-text
activity to get details
See our interactive “wall” calendar for current and future events.
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A Month of Sundays
May 4: “The Great Mother” – a service on the ancient religion. We will have our coffee hour outside with a Maypole and fun activities. (If you are willing to share an activity, please talk to Denise.) (Bubbles, games, juggling etc). Denise Tracy and the members of SPIRAL
May 11: “Why Mothers have Wrinkles” – A Mother’s Day Sermon by Denise Tracy
May 18: Annual RE Program; Brunch with the Bs (see RE News below for more details)
May 25: “Politics and Unitarian Beliefs” – lay members talk about how their own political actions intersect with their Unitarian beliefs.
RE News
from Mary Beth Dickey
It’s hard to believe that we are entering our last few weeks of RE classes already! This has been another busy, growing and challenging year. This month it’s all about blossoms, birds and bees.
We are happy to announce that Rich Wallace and Lynn McDonald will be attending the Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) training sessions in Bowling Green, Ohio, May 15-17. With Rich and Lynn as facilitators we will be able to offer this self-esteem and sexuality curriculum to our 7th-12th graders next year as an optional RE class. It’s a terrific program and the RE Committee is proud to include it. Thank you Rich and Lynn!
May 4 – Blossom Time
Join us outside after the service for a May Day celebration. We will have a Maypole ceremony with the help of Robert Old and Stacey Nugent followed by games and fun for everyone.
May 9 – The Birds Are Back!
Our teen YES group is planning another fund raising dinner for their service project to Mexico and this one is called “The International Migratory Songbird Celebration Dinner!” Great food, fellowship, and avian surprises, all for a good cause. See more details in this newsletter.
May 18 – Brunch With the Bs
This is our annual Religious Education Service with the RE kids and their teachers. It’s always a fun morning of enjoying the children and showing our gratitude to their dedicated teachers. Following the service you are invited to stay for our first ever “Brunch With the Bs!” Our RE kids will be selling “B food” – e.g., bagels, banana bread, blueberries and biscuits – to raise money to buy honeybees for Heifer International. B sure to B here! And see Mary Beth if you’d like to Bake, Buy or Bring food for the Bs!
May 25 – R.E. Olympics
Think there’s going to be a big show in Beijing this summer? Wait until you see our star athletes run, jump, skip and pogo around the church grounds! This is our annual RE party for all the kids. Volunteers are needed to help referee. See Mary Beth if you’d like to come out to play with us.
Big RE Thank Yous to:
- Lydia Coppedge and Tama Crisovan for taking care of the preschoolers during Kids Connection Sunday.
- Jim Curlee for helping us celebrate Earth Day with the bees and for the honey sticks.
- Phillip Wilson and James Gilworth for repairing the rocking chair in the preschool classroom.
- Florence Klecka for teaching the Primary class.
- Lynn McDonald and Michael Coppedge for hosting the middle school movie night.
- Mary Alice Hardy and the teen class for leading the service on April 27.
- All our wonderful RE teachers for a fantastic job.
- Jenny Krostue for loving our nursery babies and toddlers every Sunday.
- The RE Committee members for their time, energy and belief in this program! With special thanks to Tama Crisovan, Lynn McDonald and Denise Tracey.
As I write this column we are a few days away from the Rummage Sale. But I will go ahead and say thank you to our fabulous teens for being my minions this year and to everyone who made a donation, bought stuff, set-up, cleaned-up, loaded and unloaded trucks and helped out in myriad ways to make it a success. Whew!
Love your mother. And enjoy the green riot of May.
Building Your Own Theology
Come one come all! Four Tuesdays in May, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Explore your own faith story and listen to the stories of others. Sign up ahead so you can receive the short readings for the classes, led by Denise Tracy.
Annual Church Picnic
This year our annual picnic will be across the street at Leeper Park! It’s time to take advantage of this lovely park across the river. Following the service on June 8, we will meet on the “island”. There are no picnic tables, so we’ll need to take blankets and a few folding chairs for those who need them. Anyone who can bring a card table or larger folding table for the food and for those who want to sit, please let Alice Bentley know.
Election of Officers
The nominating committee (Kathy Curtis, Bob Cope, and Dale Gibson) will nominate the following people for board positions.
| Vice-President: |
Rich Wallace |
| Secretary: |
Marcia Shuman |
| Trustees: |
Ellen Triebold – 1 year (to fill an unexpired term)
Roger Birdsell – 2 year term
Eric Morgan – 2 year term
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We also place Chuck Leone’s name in nomination for the three year term on the Endowment Committee.
Of course, nominations may be made from the floor for any of these positions.
Note to committee chairs: Please get your annual report in to the church office by May 15 so we can include it in the church’s Annual Report. An electronic version (via e-mail) is preferred since the report is stored in electronic format for future reference.
Ministerial Search Continues
Our committee was quite surprised recently to find that another two ministers had conveyed an interest in our congregation on the UUA’s online Ministerial Settlement System. One has since opted out of consideration due to obligations at the church he currently serves, but dialogue continues with the other as of this writing. Ironically, these new prospects emerged just as we submitted our application for an interim minister. In the short term, the UUA assures us that we can be active in both categories. Rest assured that we’re moving quickly, though carefully, through the process and that we'll keep you informed of our progress.
Barb Carmichael,
Search Committee Chair
Sunday Forum
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Please Respect My Wishes: planning for the end of life
Moderator: Lynn McDonald
Have you wrestled with end-of-life planning for yourself or are you contemplating initiating the topic with an aging parent or an adult child? We will use two sets of documents as a jumping-off point for discussion: the American Bar Association’s
Consumer’s Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning and the end-of-life planning documents at RespectMyWishes.org,
“Important Decisions”.
New Member and Mentor Potluck
This year’s new members and their mentors will have a potluck lunch following the service on May 18. There will be a brief church orientation. Those involved, please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
From the President
By the time you get this newsletter, the Stewardship campaign will be officially completed. Hopefully you have spoken with a visiting steward, by phone or in person, or received a letter, and you have responded with generosity of spirit.
This has been a long month for me as president, taking over for Bob, helping lead the Stewardship campaign, getting ready to have a budget and plan the Congregational Meeting on June 1. There is still a lot of work to be done with Denise’s help to prepare ourselves for a settled or interim minister. The days are getting longer but there is no shortage of work to fill the time.
We have begun a long journey towards a new type of ministry. One thing we have learned over the past months is that we are the stewards of our Church regardless of who the minister is. It is our responsibility to make it work for us. We also have knowledge that the foundation is open, honest and direct communication between and among ourselves and the minister. Every one of us is responsible for those conversations that are kind, welcoming and honest. Yes, open, honest and direct can co-exist.
The idea here is that it is not enough to tolerate one another, but to be tolerant and open to each other in a loving way. We are generous in our time, talent and gifts. Let the biggest gift we give each other be an open mind and a generous heart.
As ever, in peace,
Kay Azar
Coffee & Dessert for New People
Everyone new to the church is welcome for an evening of getting to know each other and the church. We’ll be nearby at the home of Mary and Eric Morgan at 7:00 on Wednesday, May 7. Please call Kathy Platt by May 5 if you plan to attend.
Ingathering of New Members
There will be a ceremony to welcome new members to our congregation during the service on May 18. Anyone ready to participate, please contact Rev. Tracy at the church or Kathy Platt. In order to vote at the Annual Meeting June 1, new members must sign the Membership Book by May 2.
Flaming Chalice Pins
Want a subtle way to spread “the UU word”? We have lovely chalice pins available at the church for the low price of $5! The pins are silver with blue enamel. Please see Rev. Tracy to purchase one.
Enrichment Opportunities
Get to know people, enjoy being together, and learn at the same time! There are sign-up sheets at church for anyone who wants to participate in: Spirituality, Young Adults, Singles, Moms’ Night Out, Men’s Night Out, Environmental Issues, Movie & Discussion, Book Group, and others – there’s even a group for Curmudgeons! These will start when there are enough people and someone takes leadership. Let’s make it happen!
Brunch Bunch
Almost every third Sunday, those interested can continue the conversation over coffee at lunch. No need to sign up on a list, just contact Birgit Sommer or Melanie Deschamphelaere if you’d like to go. Or you can simply meet them after church, but it will be helpful for planning if they have an idea of how many.
Teen Service Group Fundraiser
International Migratory Bird Day Dinner & Fiesta
Friday May 9, 5-7:30
Mexican Food. Adults $10, Children $6
Come and enjoy a great dinner of Mexican food at the Church. All proceeds from the dinner go to support the teen youth group service trip to Puebla, Mexico in July, where they will be helping to build a health clinic for a remote indigenous community. Besides great food, there will be activities, music, and raffles related to International Migratory Bird Day. Tickets available at the church. See you there!
Worship Arts
The Worship Arts Committee, chaired by Mary Alice Hardy, is using a passage by Parker Palmer – “the diverse ways we answer the heart’s longing to be connected with the largeness of life…” – as a general theme for our spring and summer lay-led services. The service on May 25, exploring the connection between political action and Unitarian beliefs, is the first of that series.
Social Committee
Everyone is welcome at the Social Committee meeting during the potluck on May 4 in the library. Call Kathy Platt if you have questions.
Rollin’ on the River
Looking for a fun Father’s Day weekend activity?
Join other UU paddlers for a canoe trip on Saturday June 14. We will meet at St. Patrick’s Park at 11:00 am. No experience is necessary.
We will put in the river at St. Patrick’s Park and paddle to Niles, Michigan. The trip is bout 2 hours long. Canoe rental is available at the park for $23.00 per canoe. Life jackets are provided. Each canoe will hold 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. When we arrive in Niles the park staff will bring us back to St Patrick’s Park where we will enjoy a pot luck pic nic. Bring some food to share and your own plate, utensils, and drinks.
For more information or to make your reservation contact Greg Lantz or Kathy Wells by June 10.
Committee for Peace and Justice
The Peace and Justice meeting for May 15 will welcome some of the members from South Bend Equality to share their goals and concerns.
South Bend Equality (SBE) has been working for the past five years to create equal protection under the law for all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The last time an amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance was proposed in South Bend, the Common Council voted 5-4 against the amendment. As SBE organizes for another attempt at passing the amendment, they are seeking individuals who will tell Common Council members that many citizens support civil rights for all individuals.
Care Notes
Marj Stradley sends her love from Berkeley, California where she is staying with her daughter. A big thank you to everyone who helped her prepare for the trip, especially Diana Mendelsohn, Lynn McDonald and Catherine Pittman.
There will be a Care Committee Meeting at 11:45 after the service on May 11. This is open to anyone who would like to find out more about this committee. New members are especially welcome.
Round Robin
The next Round Robin dinners will be May 10. If you like to eat and enjoy pleasant conversation in relaxing surroundings, Round Robin is for you. Open to all, it’s a great way for new people to get to know members and friends of our church. The second Saturday of each month groups of 6-12 meet in different homes. Everyone brings a dish to share. You need not host, but that can be lots of fun even if your place is small – just sit on the floor, have a pot of soup and break bread together! Call Kathy Platt if you plan to attend.
Intergenerational Round Robin & Game Night
If you like to hang out with UUs of all ages, eat good food and try your hand at some games and activities, Intergenerational Round Robin is just the ticket. There’s no need for a babysitter – bring the kids along! On the fourth Saturday of each month, groups gather in different homes. Everyone brings a dish to share and perhaps a game to play, and the fun begins. If you’d like to host, you do the set-up and clean-up and everyone else brings the food. Call Lynn McDonald by May 18 if you’d like to attend the May 24 gathering.
Wednesday Night Feasters
The Feasters will gather on May 28 at Steak & Ale, South Bend. For more information or reservations, call Cathy Duncan.
Future Feasts:
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June
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25
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Wood Fire Italian Trattoria, Dowagiac
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July
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30
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Hana Yori of Japan, Mishawaka
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August
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27
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Tosi’s, Stevensville
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September
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24
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Reggio’s, Mishawaka
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October
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29
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Mazatlan, Mishawaka
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Tuesdays:
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November
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25
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Francesco’s, Mishawaka
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December
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30
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Carmela’s, South Bend
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Parents’ Morning Out
Parents – bring the kids to the church May 14 and 28 between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Parents will chat while the children play.
Women’s Spirituality Group
The Celebration Dance
On May 8 at 7:00 pm, come learn the dance of Kuku. We have played it many times at drumming, now come learn the traditional dance that goes along with the rhythm.
Our teacher, Kuukua is from Ghana and dances with Rhythmworks. She will teach us the traditional movements to Kuku at a pace that all can keep up with.
Kuku is a rhythm from the Manian ethnic group in the forest region of Guinea around the city of Beyla (not far from the Ivory Coast border). It is one of the most popular west African rhythms. In Guinea, it is played in many different celebratory occasions, and at very different speeds, depending on the region. It was originally played without Doundoumba/Sangban/ Kenkeni (djundjuns) for women to dance to when returning from fishing.
The cost of the class is $10.00 and will we will dance for as much of the two hours as we can stand. Come dance with us. Bottled water will be provided.
If you would like to host a Women’s Ritual or get announcements about the Women’s Spirituality Group, please contact Heather Eschbach.
SPIRAL
The Wheel turns to Beltane (or Beltaine, if you are so inclined) . . .
One of the great Celtic solar festivals, celebrated in ancient times with bonfires. Beltane rites celebrate birth, fertility and the blossoming of all life, as personified by the union of the Goddess and the Sun God, also known in Christianized lore as King Winter and Queen May. The celebrants jump over broomsticks (or if you are brave, the Beltane bonfire) and dance around Maypoles, both of which are fertility symbols. The Sabbat begins at moonrise on Beltane Eve. It is bad luck to be out late that night because witches and fairies roam the countryside in great numbers and conduct wild revelries!
Beltane bonfires are believed to bring fertility to crops, homes and livestock. People dance deosil, or clockwise, around the fire for protection against illness. Cattle are driven through the fire for protection against disease. (The cows will most definitely NOT be driven through the fires!) Ancient Druids lit bonfires on hills and uttered incantations. When Beltane was Christianized by the Church, the pagan rites were replaced with church services and processionals in the fields, where the priests lit the fires.
Celebrate Beltane at Susan Siemers’s farm, Saturday, May 3. For directions, contact her at Susan@ceres-co.com. Potluck at 6:30, ritual to follow, and drumming and dancing around the fire. Then join us for the Beltane celebration at the church on Sunday morning. Another Maypole, this one a smaller, kid-sized one, will be the center of the festivities there.
This event is sponsored by SPIRAL, Supporting Pagans In Ritual And Life.
Outside Our Doors
Funds Needed to Fund Civil Rights Center
As many of you already know, the Civil Rights Heritage Center at IUSB wants to rebuild the Natatorium (a former segregated indoor pool) for use as a Civil Rights Center here in South Bend. It is located on West Washington Street not far from the Center for History and the Studebaker Museum. Plans are for the Center to include research space, a lecture room, and a Freedom Garden.
Of course, such a project requires considerable funding, and area churches are being asked to pitch in. If you would like to support this project financially in the name of our church, please make out your check to the First Unitarian Church and put “Civil Rights Center” on the memo line. Also, try to have your check or cash to the church by May 15. Any amount you can afford will be greatly appreciated.
All are welcome to attend a program sponsored by the Christian/Islamic Women’s Dialogue Group at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the Charles Martin Center (802 Lincoln Way West). Rev. David Radcliff from Elgin, Illinois will speak about conditions in Iraq.
Interested in Astronomy? Bring yourself, your friends and your telescope (if you have one) to the Michiana Star Party, at Potawatomi Wildlife Park in Tippecanoe, IN. ( Indiana's first Dark Sky Preserve) May 2-4. For further info Michiana Astronomical Association, http://home.comcast.net~michiana_astro or Potowantomi Wildlife Park, www.getintonature.com. You may also call Eileen Murphy. Keep looking up!! May the Creator never play to an empty house.
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