The call came in December of 2004.  My father’s prostate cancer had returned—this time, with a vengeance.  After seven years of being “in remission,” the cancer was now in his bone marrow and was spreading. The time will come, the doctor told us, when he would no longer be able to treat the disease, only, its symptoms.  Over the next six moths, my dad was hospitalized to treat one symptom after another.  And shortly after that, our family made the decision to enter the Hospice Care Program. Pain management and keeping dad as comfortable as he could be were our goals.  Each day, a nurse came to bathe him, change the sheets, do his laundry, and whatever else my mother needed to care for him.

Mother usually prepared breakfast, and my sister Pat (after dropping off her 14-year-old daughter at school), drove about 40 miles each day to prepare the meals, and help mother deal with the medical establishment.  We are all grateful that Pat’s job—she is Director of the Office of Protocol for their church—allowed her to shift her duties from the office to our home for nearly nine months.   The other eight siblings (me included) did what we could when we could—an hour, a day, a week at a time.  

Five years earlier, both of my parents had taken care of end-of-life arrangements: bought their burial plots, paid the funeral director, and had their wills (including a living will) finalized.  Dad had called a meeting of all 10 children and both wills were read aloud so that there would be no misunderstanding.  And he had asked to never be sent to a nursing home.

When the call came on Saturday, January 8^th at 4 p.m. that my father was having difficulty breathing, that his blood pressure was dropping rapidly, I knew that the time had probably come.  In the last hours at his bedside were my mother, his brother and sister-in-law, two of my siblings, my daughter, and three cousins.   He asked for Scripture, and as my brother read the 23^rd Psalm and my daughter held his hand, my father took his last breath.

If there can be a “good death,” I think my father had one.  I was privileged to have had my dad for as long as I did.  He was a giant of a man and our family shared him with his church family.  I was also pleased that my father had the forethought to consider how he wanted to die. 

This month and next, you too will have two chances to consider these things.  On February 27^th Barbara Coombs Lee will be speaking on compassion in dying (see sermon announcement); and on March 3rd and 10 Deborah Adles will be offering a two-part class on death and dying. Even if thinking about death is nowhere on your mental horizon, I urge you to consider attending one or both of these events.

In faith,

Marjorie

Rev. Marjorie

CONCERTS IN THE UU DOME
Gloria Holloway, concert organizer, 813-837-6572. To see the latest schedule, go to uutampa.org and click on concerts.  Also, for additional concert tidbits, including reviews, check out my blog website: gloriasmusic.blogspot.com.

Thurs/Feb 3/7:30pm/$10. Rounder Recording Artists BARRY & HOLLY TASHIAN www.tashian.com with local singer-songwriter MIKE O'NEILL opening.   Barry & Holly are  duet singers.  In 1998, their album "Harmony" was nominated for Bluegrass Album of the Year by the Nashville Music Awards. Barry Tashian first won national attention with his legendary rock group, Barry & The Remains, opening for The Beatles' North American tour in 1966.

Sun/Feb 6/3pm/Celebrating Black History Month.   SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE SINGERS (SRS) OF TAMPA BAY W/Tampa's Poet Laureate JAMES TOKLEY. Our own John Jeter is a member of the SRS.   The SRS will present a beautiful acapella concert of African American Spirituals.   Also on the schedule is James Tokley who will perform the works of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, the first African-American to gain national eminence as a poet; and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, poet, suffragette, abolitionist, and Unitarian.  No set charge, however, donation will be appreciated.

 GOING CLASSICAL FOR A CHANGE Thur/Feb 10 7:30pm/$10. Matt Haimovitz w/Lloyd Goldstein opening.   Matt is a classical cellist who is making international waves.  Lloyd is a Tampa UU favorite classical bassist.  Israeli-born Haimovitz performances leave audiences refreshed, engaged, and revived. http://oxingale.com/matthaimovitz/presskit

Fri/Feb 11/7:30pm/ Billy Jonas (Sensitive Singer-Songwriter, OUTSTANDING percussionist w/"found objects" ) www.billyjonas.com/ The entire concert will be a family-friendly one; however, the first set will be geared more
for kids & the 2nd set will be geared more for adults. $5 per child; $10 per adult; $20 family max. 

Sun/Feb 13/3pm/$10. Jeff Barbra & Sarah Pickle (currently have a top 10 record on the bluegrass charts) http://www.jeffandsarahonline.com/

Mon/Feb 14/7:30pm/$12. VERLON THOMPSON IN A VERLONTINE CONCERT. BRENNEN LEIGH OPENS. www.verlonthompson.com   Verlon is a Nashville artist who frequently appears w/Guy Clark.  This will be Verlon's first UU Dome concert. Don't miss lovable Verlon.  BRENNEN LEIGH accompanied by brother
SETH will open.  Brennen recently opened some shows for bluegrass godfather Dr. Ralph Stanley.   This young lady can sing.   www.brennenleigh.com

Fri/Mar 4/8pm/$12/ Don White (Humorist – heartwarming Singer-Songwriter/Storyteller) www.don.white.net

UU Dome - Mon/Mar 7/8PM/$10. Lissa Schneckenburger & Acoustic Eidolon DOUBLE BILL (Beautiful, Gorgeous acoustic music -- multiple instruments - fit for royalty) www.lissafiddle.com   www.acousticeidolon.com

Good music is happening.  Please support the concerts with your presence.

SUNDAY SERVICES NOW BROADCAST ON FM RADIO

Are you having some trouble hearing all the parts of the Sunday Service?  Do you have to be at the little Dome or in the playground during the Service?  We have acquired an FM broadcasting device that will send the service out on 108.0 on your radio dial.  Just bring your Walkman or FM radio and tune to 108.0 and check it out.  If you have a hearing aid with a "T" or Telephone setting, Bill Blymiller would like to talk to you about testing out a way to get the audio from your FM radio directly into your hearing aid without headphones. 

Try it out!

CARE COMMITTEE

The care committee is available to help those in our church community with a special need.   If you can occasionally help someone with transportation to church, the doctors, or willing to provide a meal, we need you to call Joyce Formica (988-1907) to be added to our list of providers.  Our next meeting is in March, date to be published in the March newsletter. 

Ø  Rise Up and Call Her Name upcoming classes 

§          February 8 – Goddesses of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands: Tara and Kuan Yin and Goddesses of Compassion, Amaterasu and other Sun Goddesses, Pele              .

§          Class fully subscribed.  Open to registered participants only.

Ø  Wicca 101. Topics include: Herstory of Witchcraft, The Goddess and The God, The Wheel of the Year, Magick and Ethics, Ritual, The Working Circle February 7 and 21, March 14 and 21, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Sponsored by Circles in the Woods CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans).  Open to the public.  For more information, contact Mary Francis at gldnpuma@earthlink.net or visit: http://www.geocities.com/uutampa/CUUPs/wicca101.htm A donation of $30 is requested to cover materials and/or expenses for all six classes.

Ø    Popcorn and Opinions. 

Ø     February 18.  Sankofa, written and directed by Ethiopian-born filmmaker and Howard University professor Haile Gerima, is the story of the psycho-spiritual journey of Mona, a self-possessed African American woman who faces an identity crisis.  From the African continent through the Middle Passage and the Americas, Mona relives her past and is transformed. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley will host this event.  Contact Marjorie (813/988-8188), or see Sunday order of service for more information.

Ø  March 3rd and 10^th - Death and Dying.  Come learn about Death & Dying in America.  What is the law?   What are your wishes?  Can you have a say?  How much say can you have? What is the reality? How does the Schiavo case affect your decisions?  What is palliative care?  We will question together and I will answer as many questions as I can.  Florida bar forms supplied; As an alternative, we will order copies of the 5 Wishes Booklet if you supply $5.00 to the office at least two weeks prior to the first class.  Questions?  If you would like to register, contact Deborah Adles.  Her email address is dadles@tampabay.rr.com.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS PLEA!!!!

Saturday February 12 is Building and Grounds Day! Don't let Old Abe down! Come celebrate his birthday with some hardworking friends.

January's B&G day was beautiful, but only Tom Hagner & Joyce Formica came (Thanks TH & JF !!). Everyone should come in using the Davis Road entrance- you can see the sidewalk for the first time in years.

"Spring" in Florida is hard upon us. You can actually hear things growing! We need you out there February 12.

INTERWEAVE AT UUCT
 
Feb 13th at 1:30pm Willow's home in Valrico. This will be a Potluck and social meeting and we will be viewing a movie (TBA). Directions to Willows Home will be available at church.

Interweave UUCT is an affiliated group with Interweave Continental.  All those interested in the concerns and issues of the Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, and Gay community are welcome to attend and to join our UUCT Interweave chapter.  To find out more about us and Interweave contact Carol Bennet, Joe Weinstien, or Jonathan Roudabush through the church office.

ARE YOU MOVING????

Have you moved?  If you have had a recent change of address and would like to continue receiving the Domelight please remember to list your change of address on the Guest Register, noting address change.  Printing your new address & phone number clearly will help us keep our records updated.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President- Tempie Taudte

Vice President - Felice Richardson

Treasurer- Ed Benedict

Secretary- Jerry Elsenrath

Member - Tito Basu 

Member - Bill Blymiller

Member - Tom Hagner

Member – Ralph Lehman

Member – Martha Robinson

FROM THE SMALL DOME…AND BEYOND By Katie Culbert, DRE

February is the month of Valentines Day.  I find that people’s feelings about this particular holiday are as varied as the chocolates in a Whitman’s sampler.   Some people feel sadness because they have yet to find “the” special someone; some people are critical – believing that St. Valentines Day is just a marketing ploy to sell us stuffed puppy dogs and five dollar greeting cards; and still others feel joy – they are in love and they relish the attention and romance of the day.   Over the years our culture has shaped the meaning of Valentines Day and today it is mainly a holiday for lovers. But I, in true UU fashion, like to think of Valentines Day in a way that is a bit different than mainstream culture.  If it were up to me Valentines Day would have as much importance and hoopla as Christmas because to me it is the day we honor and celebrate LOVE.    Not romantic love specifically but rather the love that connects us all and fuels our everyday life; the love that will save our world and inspire us to live as brothers and sisters; the love that gives each breath we take meaning and purpose. 

This month’s worship for children and youth on February 13^th will focus on this kind of love.  The children and youth will be given an opportunity to reflect on what love is and how it affects the choices that that make each and every day.   Parents and guardians, as always, are invited to attend children’s worship, which begins at 10:35 a.m. in the small dome.  

Following worship on the 13^th will be a Valentines Party.  Volunteers are needed to decorate, lead games and/or crafts, bring snacks, help with childcare, and clean up.  Please contact Barbara Cloud-Weisman (985-0227) if you can help.

Speaking of love…by now you have all heard that JD and I are expecting our first little “Love Child” towards the end of July.  I look forward to sharing this adventure with you in the months (and years!) to come.   Thanks for all your LOVE and support. 

YRUU   Update!  The social action con is scheduled for February 25^th – 27^th.  Please check the Florida District website (www.fdyruu.org) for updates and registration forms for upcoming cons or contact JD Culbert, advisor (352-568-1522).   

Save the Date!   March 12^th is RE SPRING CLEAN UP DAY!!!  We are going to need lots of help and TRUCKS so please plan on attending this UUCT community effort to spiff up our space. 

Reminder:   Religious Education for Children and Youth begins at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday, followed by fellowship/worship in the small dome at 10:35 a.m.  Please sign your children in before class and arrive on time.  YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists – middle and high school youth group) meets in the small dome youth room at 11:00 each Sunday.  

Contact me with any questions/concerns/comments about the Religious Education program.  I am in the church office on Wednesdays from 10 to 9 and Thursdays from 9 to 7.  

PRESIDENT’S CORNER by Tempie Taudte

Wow!  We had a terrific workshop on January 15^th, when Rev. Mary Higgins, District Executive and Rev. Ken Hurta, minister of the Ft. Myers UU Church, co-facilitated a workshop titled “Growing an Inclusive Community.”  Thirty (30!) of us, including both longtime and new members, gathered to learn about systems theory and how it applies to churches.  We talked about norms, which are rules that are not enunciated.  Ken asked, “What are the rules at your church that nurture health?”  Near the end of the workshop we discussed the marks of a healthy congregation. 

According to Peter Steinke, author of Healthy Congregations, A Systems Approach, healthy congregations:

• Accept differences (rather than deny them).
• Focus on their strengths (rather than on their weaknesses).
• Focus on mission (rather than “getting along”, the past, survival, “the minister”, or some other thing or issue).
• Respond to anxiety and change (instead of reacting).
• Manage conflict (instead of deny it).
• Act flexibly and creatively (instead of rigidly).

In healthy congregations,

• Leaders promote health through their presence and functioning (instead of techniques or skills).
• Leaders provide immune capabilities (instead of enabling disease processes).
• People respond graciously and truthfully (rather than judgmentally and secretively).
• People develop caring relationships (rather than willfully transactions).
• People empower others (rather than dominate them or cure them).

We plan to hold additional workshops to continue our conversation regarding creating an inclusive community and to develop more specific plans.  Please stay tuned during the coming months. 

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
by Joan Lund

Welcome to February! This is the time of year when we are very satisfied to be Floridians and when those northern visitors tend to appear at our doors hoping to find refuge from the cold.  Sometimes it is difficult for me to find topics I think will be of interest to you but when I thought about all the folks who want to stay well during the winter, and who wish to receive the flu vaccine but have not been successful I thought you might be interested in our Association's social justice public policy statements made at various times in regard to healthcare. Because we affirm the worth and dignity of every individual we affirm access to quality healthcare as a basic human right, and believe it is the responsibility of our government to meet healthcare needs in an equitable, just, and compassionate manner.

Our Association supports quality, affordable healthcare through a national, single-payer plan for all people regardless of age, race, geographic location, or immigration status. This includes full coverage for mental healthcare, preventative care, long-term care comprehensive treatment, access to medications, family planning, and the freedom for individuals to choose their healthcare providers.  Our Association supports Medicare and Medicaid which meet the healthcare needs of people who cannot afford health care and senior citizens.  Our Association believes in the right to self-determination in dying and in honoring the right of terminally ill patients to select the time of their own deaths. Our Association supports medically-accurate, age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in the
nation's public schools, which includes heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender orientations.  Our  ssociation supports eliminating social stigma and discrimination for people living with HIV/AIDS, and adequate funding for prevention and treatments of these conditions.

What I have written is a very simplified version of some of our positions regarding healthcare.  If you are interested in complete versions of these and more, or other social justice issues/statements I suggest you see.  Next month I hope to write about the January UUA Board of Trustees meeting. Even though I will have returned from Boston when you read this, it will not be in time to make most church newsletter deadlines.  I am always interested in hearing from you at jlund@uua.org or by telephone, 813-931-9727. Stay well and warm this winter. 

MEMORIAL GARDEN

Donations may be made for the maintenance and placement of memorial stones in the memorial garden. Our resident mosaic artist Susan Miller is in the process of making stones for Rhoda Jennings and Hazel Peterson.  If you would like to contribute please make your check payable to UUCT and denote memorial garden in the memo section. 

FRIENDSHIP DINNERS- WHAT A SUCCESS!!! 

If you haven't been to one lately, you really are missing out!!!    What a great way to meet people in the UU Church of Tampa.  All members and friends are invited.  We have been having a great time these last few months getting to know each other!!     

Meet the people in your Zip Code!!!!   I have a list of members and friends by our zip codes. OR sign up for an OPEN dinner.  So, let's get to know each other.  

Here is what we have pending for dinners: 

Feb. 19th (third Sat. since the Valentine's Dance is the second) (33624)  Alex & Janet Knight 269-7794

I am asking for some volunteers to host a dinner in the new year.  Still needed are 33604, 33612, 33615, 33609, and 33629.  There are some others scattered around but they will be invited to the dinner closest.  We can keep the numbers down to whatever you feel you can accommodate.  

The host usually prepares the main dish and each participant brings something to go with it or you can do a  pot luck with the host helping with suggestions and not necessarily responsible for the main dish unless they want to.  

The Dinners can be Friday, Saturday or even Sunday of the 2nd or 3rd weekend of the month.  So, pick your date and time, email or call me with your name and phone number and I will call with a list of names for you.  
  
You can sign up on line or at the church on the bulletin board, call me, call the host or send me an e-mail.   

Diana Stevens  948-4630  diana.stevens@verizon.net     

WALK IN THE PARK

A group of UU’s meet on Thursday mornings at 8:30 am at Lettuce Lake Park for a brisk walk on the paved path and good conversation.  To find the parking area and meeting place, take the Lettuce Lake Parkway to the end.  Turn left and then immediately turn right into the parking lot.  We will gather there and begin the walk at 8:30.  You are welcome to join us.  For more information contact Patricia McCracken at 988-6453.  

ACCESSING THE E-MAIL GROUPS FOR THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF TAMPA

If you'd like to join the church email group, send a note to this address:  UUTampa-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you're already a member of the church email group, you can view the message archives by pointing your browser to this location:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UUTampa/

To join the UUCT Social Action email group, send a note to this address: UUCTSocialAction-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you're already a member of the UUCT Social Action email group, you can view the message archives by pointing your browser to this location:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UUCTSocialAction/  

If you have any problems, contact Diana Stevens at: diana.stevens@verizon.net or call 948-4630  

WHAT IS CUUPS?

CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) is a community of people who have a broad array of beliefs generally called Pagan.  Individual CUUPS members and Chapters explore a variety of spiritual traditions and paths such as Wiccan, African, Native American or other similar beliefs. 

 CUUPS members come together with a rich heritage to form a community to celebrate life transitions, our world and its seasons, and sacred Nature through ritual and worship. We are one of the largest formal Pagan organizations in the world  

BECOMING A MEMBER OF UUCT
The members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa (UUCT) would like to extend an invitation to persons interested in learning more about us and becoming members of the congregation.  Membership is open to any and all persons, eighteen years or older, who are prepared to make a personal commitment to and financial investment in the UUCT.  In addition, we have a category of membership, youth member, for persons fourteen to seventeen years of age who have made a personal commitment to the Church.  Youth members have the same rights as adult members except as limited by the provisions of the by-laws involving contracts and financial commitments on behalf of the Church.

Persons considering membership are encouraged to participate in the "Getting to Know UU Classes" as a means to enhance understanding of the principles underlying the mission of the Unitarian Universalist Association as well as our Church.  Classes are informative and provide an opportunity to get to know other new members and begin to establish a connection with others in the Church.

Persons interested in seeking membership with UUCT would need to do one or both of the following: 

1. Participate in one of the "Getting to Know UU" membership classes scheduled throughout the year, followed by signing the membership book.

2. Seek out the Minister, Chairperson of the Membership Committee, or President of the Board of Trustees to inform them of interest in signing the membership book.  That person will then arrange for the membership book to be made available for signing.

New members will be contacted within a few weeks by a representative of the Finance/Canvas Committee to discuss your areas of interest for involvement with the congregation as well as your financial commitment for the upcoming year.  We welcome your involvement and participation and anticipate you will find UUCT an exciting avenue in meeting your interests and needs.

Membership Committee    

PLEDGE PROCEEDURE

When making a cash contribution toward your 2005 pledge place the money in an envelope and please print your name on the envelope. d

 EXCITING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

We have a wonderfully versatile physical facility here in the Dome but sometimes we need to move things around to achieve the best use of our space. The worship committee is seeking a volunteer to serve as facilities manager. This position involves:

·          Developing and maintaining sanctuary set-up templates;

·          Coordinating a small group of able-bodied volunteers (we already have 2) to move furniture in the church as needed;

·          Maintaining a small inventory of worship supplies such as        candles and matches;

·          Learning basic microphone set-up and training the volunteers.

If you are interested or have any questions please contact Larry LaBelle or Marty Pelham.  

CALLING ALL DRAMATISTS, ACTORS, AND STORYTELLERS

……would-be or experienced.  If you've been hiding your talents under a bushel, why not let your church help you rediscover them.  There is an occasional need for people who feel comfortable telling stories,  (for children, youth, and adults) acting out or miming scripted pieces for worship.   All ages and levels of experience welcomed.  If interested, please contact Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley: thedrum@tampabay.rr.com or leave a message at her study: 813-631-7812  

JOYS & CONCERNS

If you feel moved to share either a joy or concern you are encouraged to first write in on the form on the clipboard located in the reception area just outside the minister’s office hallway door.  Your participation in this process will help the minister and the Care Committee to better serve our church community.

If you need a little help or know of someone who is in need of help or support call someone on the Care Committee.  Gwen Anderson, Denise Carrera, Linda Chappell, Denise Dorsey, Joyce Formica & Joe Weinstein will try to fulfill your request.

CHOIR NOTES

Come one! come all!  Join the UUCT choir.  Be not fearful of your level of expertise .  We welcome all who would care to join.  We are particularly in need of male voices and sopranos.  We meet regularly on Wednesday evening immediately following the Wonderful Wednesday Pot Luck (Potluck at 6pm, choir practice at 6:45 in the Large Dome) We know you are out there so come join us! 

CALENDAR OF WEEKLY EVENTS

SUNDAY

10am                      Meditation in the Meadow (follow Signs)
10am                 Current Affairs (Large Dome)
9:45-10:30am     Youth Religious Education (Small Dome)
10:30am                 Choir Rehearsal (Large Dome
11am                       Sunday Service
11am                        Child Care (Small Dome)

WEDNESDAY

6pm                                        Wonderful Wednesday Potluck
6:45-8: 30pm                          Choir Rehearsal (Large Dome)

THURSDAY

8:30am                      Nature Walk in the Park (info: 813/986-4186)

CALENDAR OF FEBRUARY EVENTS

Feb. 3 (7pm)..…………………….…….Voluntary Simplicity
Feb. 3 (7:30pm)…………..(Concert) Barry & Holly Tashian
Feb. 5 (7pm-???)…………….…1^st Friday Potluck @ Jerry’s
Feb. 6 (3pm)………….……(Concert) Spiritual Renaissance
Feb. 7 (7-9:30pm)…………………………………..Wica 101
Feb. 8 (7-9pm)……………...…..Rise Up and Call Her Name
Feb. 10 (7:30pm)……………...….(Concert) Matt Haimovitz w/Lloyd Goldstein opening
Feb. 11 (7:30pm)……………………….(Concert) Billy Jonas
Feb. 12 (9am-1pm)….……….....….…Building and Grounds
Feb. 12 (7pm-12am)………………..VALENTINES DANCE
Feb. 13 (12:30pm)….Interweave Meeting(Potluck & Movie)
Feb. 13 (3pm)……..(Concert) Jeff  Barbar and Sarah Pickle
Feb. 13……………….…March DOMELIGHT DEADLINE
Feb. 14 (7:30pm)…….………....(Concert)Verlon Thompson
Feb. 17 (7pm)…………………………..Voluntary Simplicity
Feb. 17 (7pm)…………………....……………Board Meeting
Feb. 18 (See article)…..……Popcorn & Opinions (Sankofa)
Feb. 21 (7-9:30pm)………………………………..Wica 101
Feb. 22 (7-9pm)………………...Rise Up and Call Her Name
Feb. 26 (7:30-10:30pm)….…..............Full Moon Celebration