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Domelight Newsletter
of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa -
August 2005 Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, Minister
Katie Culbert, RE Director |
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Domelight Newsletter
of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa -
August 2005 Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, Minister
Katie Culbert, RE Director |
Marjorie's Musings
One
of the five pillars of Islam is that every Muslim should make a pilgrimage to
Mecca if they possibly can. Of
course, Unitarian Universalists don’t have such pillars, or edicts, or even
recommendations. But many
Unitarian Universalists attend GA as if it were a pilgrimage.
course, Unitarian Universalists don’t have such pillars, or edicts, or even
recommendations. But many
Unitarian Universalists attend GA as if it were a pilgrimage.
I would suggest that every Unitarian Universalist attend a GA—if he
or she can—not because it is a holy site, but because it’s difficult to
know what one has joined or what the local congregation is a part of until one
sees the Association of one thousand plus congregations working together as a
body.
Some
people go to GA to see old friends and make new ones.
For others, the location is the determining factor.
If GA is in a place they would choose for vacation (and, by the way,
take in a few GA events), then it’s a deal, a two-for-one.
For me, General Assembly has been a form of education about Unitarian
Universalism. I’ve learned
about our history, heritage, and polity.
And in the consideration of resolutions, I’ve learned how we make
real our fifth principle: “the right of conscience and the use of the
democratic process.”
I
remember the shock of my first GA in Little Rock, Arkansas as if it were
yesterday. I was a member of All
Souls Church in Washington, D.C., a church whose membership (about 450 at the
time) was just shy of 50 percent persons “of color.”
There were many bi-racial and multicultural families.
It was as normal to be a Unitarian Universalist humanist as it was to
be a Unitarian Universalist Christian, or any other hyphenation.
All Souls was a church rooted in the long tradition of standing on the
side of justice. And with three
choirs, the music was very diverse. An
hour before each worship service, there was an “Ethical Dialogue” where
members and guest speakers presented current issues for consideration and
discussion. Some people got what
they needed at the Ethical Dialogues, but most attended the worship service as
well. “My church” was the
closest thing I had seen to what Dr. King called “a beloved community.”
But at the Little Rock General Assembly, I learned that “my church”
was an anomaly. There was no
other church like it in our movement.
Some
years later (after I had completed theological school), “my church” began
to change. The Rev. David Eaton,
who had served as Senior Minister at All Souls for more than 20 years, died.
After a year without a minister, several interim ministers followed,
then a new minister was called. But
within a few years, the newly called minister resigned, as did many members. All Souls was in a crisis.
Congregations
rise and fall. Sometimes they rise again.
Or as All Souls’ current Senior Minister, the Rev. Rob Hardies,* put
it in his sermon Sunday morning at the 2005 General Assembly, "Transformation
happens, and we are born again, and again, and again.”
Having
attended every GA since 1987, I had tired of this annual pilgrimage.
I had “been there, done that,” and I wanted to do something else
during the third week of June. But
several events at GA revived my spirit. The
2005 GA in Fort Worth turned out to be one of the best, if not the
best GA I have attended. If
you haven’t already done so, I urge you to read about and view some of the
major events on the UUA web site (www.uua.org), particularly the Friday
evening and Sunday morning services which, for me, were awe-inspiring and
offered visions of what we (the larger UU movement) can become. Not that such
a vision will feel right for every Unitarian Universalist.
Each member congregation of the UUA (including the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Tampa, UUCT) is unique in its own way, and has a
contribution to make to the larger movement.
On Sunday, August 7th, those of us from UUCT who went to
Fort Worth will be reporting on our GA experience.
In a few years, you too can attend GA, which will be held in Fort
Lauderdale in 2008. See you
in church.
Rev.
Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley
*
Rev. Rob Hardies and more than 30 members of All Souls were our guests
last Fall in the Defending Democracy / get-out-the-vote campaign.
As
we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our church, I am
pondering these questions:
Why do we exist?
What are we as a Unitarian Universalist Church called to do?
I
believe that the purpose of our church is to call us to service.
Service to our church community is important.
It is reflected in the caring that we provide to members and friends as
we pass through our life journeys and especially when we experience times of
need. Service
to our local community includes food collection for migrant workers, marches on
Martin Luther King Day and in support of Gay Pride, membership in the
Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE), and many other
activities. These
things are good, but in my opinion, they are not enough.
My
dream is that we will become much more involved in service to Tampa, to the
nation, and to the world.
We can do it!
We can adopt social justice projects and take affirmative action to
promote progressive causes.
Through such actions, we will become more than we are as individuals and
develop our wonderful potential as a dynamic force within our community.
So,
what do we need?
Support.
Hard work.
Money. Soon
we will launch our annual pledge drive with the theme, “Celebrating 50 Years
of Community and Stewardship.”
Let’s begin by increasing our pledges to an amount that will permit us
to include a significant amount of money in the 2006 budget for outreach into
our community.
Reaching out to others will allow us to fulfill our potential as
individuals and as a church.
May we be called to service!
In
community,
Tempie
UUCT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President- Tempie
Taudte
Vice President- Felice Richardson
Treasurer- Ed Benedict
Secretary- Jerry Elsenrath (term
ending in August)
Member - Tito Basu
Member - Bill Blymiller
Member - Tom Hagner
Member - Mark Henneberry (term beginning in September)
Member - Ralph Lehman
Member - Martha Robinson (term ending in August)
Member - Diana Stevens (term beginning in September)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
One
Place. All Faiths
CALL ME OR I’LL CALL
YOU!
Your
church needs and wants you….for our Annual Canvass for 2006 pledge drive!!!!
Training is provided for this short-term commitment which takes place in
September (training September 17th 10am-12pm at UUCT) and October for
two weeks (actual canvass).
Please contact Robert Boileau at
813-035-1276
(home) or 8113-987-1918 (office) or at red_baron@verizon.net.
Let me hear from you or you might be hearing from me!
HELPING HANDS (CARE COMMITTEE)
Members
of the Care Committee are available to lend a hand in times of need.
We can help with grocery shopping, transportation to the doctors or
church, preparing a meal or a friendly phone call.
Help
is just a phone call away by contacting one of our volunteers: Gwen Anderson
(971-6369), Beverly Bethune (907-6730), Linda Chappell (977-2053), Denise
Carrera (985-0695), Denise Dorsey (972-7728), Willow LaMonte (643-7285), Cheryl
Phillips (909-2542), Suzy Siegel (866-5109), and Joe Weinstein (263-2989)..
The Care committee meets quarterly, the next meeting will be September 18
@ 12:45pm. If
you are interested in volunteering please give Joyce Formica (813/988-1907) a
call.
WE ARE IN FOR A RARE TREAT
IN AUGUST!
Our
guest speakers for the August 21st service will be Debra Hussong and
Faith Fippinger.
Faith
Fippinger is a retired teacher--of blind children. Faith lived with residents of Baghdad and served as a
“Human Shield” during the early months of the attack on Iraq.
Her works with the innocent victims (and all victims) of the ravages of
war reach the true heart of the words heroine/hero and Patriot.
She currently lives in Sarasota.
Debra
Hussong is an independent film-producer/director (www.DAHfilms.com).
DVD’s of her documentary films, “Human Shield” and “Battered,
Bruised and Broken” can be borrowed through the church office or by contacting
John Jeter (813-914-8534). Debra’s films on issues of social justice have been
featured at numerous film festivals.
Invite
others for this presentation, as Faith and Debra’s works serve as a much
needed unifying beacon for people of widely divergent views.
Arrive
at 10am to view the film and stay for a discussion and question/answer session
following the service.
ARE YOU MOVING????
Have you moved? Are
you are planning to move? If either
of these applies to you and you would like to continue receiving the Domelight,
please put your change of address on the guest register, located on the
reception table in the entrance foyer, noting address change.
Printing your new address & phone number clearly will help us keep
our records updated.
5
WISHES BOOKLETS ARE NOW HERE!
The 5 Wishes booklets have finally arrived.
Anyone who paid for or ordered some at the Death & Dying class, please let
me know and I will make arrangements to get them to you. I will have a few
left over if anyone is interested - the cost is $5.00. Email dadles@tampabay.rr.com
or home phone: 813-907-9327
Peace,
PLEDGE INFO:
When
making a cash contribution toward your 2005 pledge, place the money in an
envelope and please print your name on the envelope.
We
are not talking about the hurricane season, although our church will be ready,
should we experience the weather “problems” similar to last year.
No, we are talking about SMALL
GROUP MINISTRY! Are you
interested in developing a deeper sense of connection with others in our church
community? Are you interested in
getting to know others among us on a more personal level?
Are you interested in joining a small group that focuses on a certain
cause or craft/hobby? Hopefully
there is, or will be a small group for you.
If we cannot provide a group now, more groups will be starting in the
fall. So far over twenty-five folks
have signed the SMG interest sheet on the lobby bulletin board, and five
facilitators are ready to start a small group, each with 6-10 people. We will try to place the “twenty-five” who have indicated
an interest first.
Our
initial facilitators are: Liz Bleau (985-2284), Charles Giles (653-9824),
Celeste Pettijohn (961-4709, Heather Roy (545-1693), and Suzie Siegel
(866-5109). Charles’ group will focus on the various aspects of race relations
in a predominately white congregation, the subtle forms that racism takes, the
phenomenon of “white privilege”, how to increase racial and cultural
diversity in our UU faith, and what we can do as a congregation to respond to
blatant acts of racial intimidation in our local area.
Celeste will be facilitating a gathering of folks who enjoy
plants/animals and/or nature-related subjects. Suzie’s group will focus on
what it means to be a woman and a man in social and political terms.
Liz’s group will be an intimate circle, creating a safe place for
exploration and deepening of spirituality and friendships.
(Latest word is that Liz’s group is full.)
Heather’s group will focus on spiritual growth, friendship, and
connection to the church.
WHO SAID PARTY?
FOOD? GAMES?!!!!!!
We
did!!! Come
celebrate our 50th Homecoming with a spaghetti dinner and game night
on Saturday September 10th at 6pm at the UUCT.
Watch for more details in the September Domelight and up-coming church
order of service.
A sign-up sheet will be available in the church foyer so we will know how
many to plan for.
Your generous donation for this fun filled evening will benefit UUCT.
The Secular Humanist Agnostic Group (perhaps
better represented by Secularists, Humanists, Atheists, Agnostics, Assorted Free
Thinkers - SHAAAFT) continues to meet and have lively discussions on the issues
surrounding the existence or non existence of supreme beings, supernatural
events, or divine powers. Discussions have already included the basics of
Humanism, the differences between agnosticism and atheism, the possibility of
meaning with an atheist world view, and the nature of evil and its definition
without a religious context. (These issues are far from solved and
resurface regularly in the conversation, so don't believe that you have missed
the topic if you didn't have a chance to make a specific meeting.)
The discussions are lively, but not nasty,
and all positions and points of view are welcome if they are espoused by people
who are willing to defend them and get involved in the good-natured give and
take of discussion. We meet about twice a month at 7:00 on different
weekday nights. Our meetings and proposed subjects are in the order of
service, and we make announcements to help people remember the next meeting.
If this sounds like something you might like to participate in -- well, just show up. If you would like some more information first, contact Bill Blymiller (813 988-6551) or Tom Hagner (813 672-7719) to talk it over.
Joan
Lund
It
is my guess that each of you who read my column is a leader or future leader in
your congregation.
In the District report I submitted highlighting my week at General
Assembly, I said I would expand in more detail about a workshop I attended
entitled: “On Being a Board Religiously”.
This workshop was conducted by two UUA Board members, and was one that
offered ideas and solicited sharing from the attendees on the spiritual business
of a congregation board.
How do we ground our work together in our religious values and
communities?
Before
sharing sample “openings” for board meeting beginnings, the leaders
presented several ideas. It is important that leaders take their own individual
spiritual lives seriously.
Boards need to remember that “check-ins” need not dominate the
meeting. Boards
can be creative with ideas to vary the “check-in” experience.
Examples: one month ask people to check-in with an observation on a
recent development they think is going particularly well; in another month ask
board members to check-in by sharing their perspective on a current issue or a
reflection on the life of the congregation.
Boards
should begin meetings and retreats with spiritual grounding.
Honor the different ways that people experience spirituality.
For example, introverts tend to prefer readings while extroverts prefer
singing or open sharing.
Care needs to be given that one “type” does not dominate.
Or invite board members to alternate writing an opening liturgy.
The UUA website can provide some examples.
Create
a Board Covenant if you do not already have one, and revisit it from time to
time, perhaps as the opening a reading.
Give each new board an opportunity to adjust the covenant, and have a
conversation about how you will hold each other accountable to it.
This
workshop encouraged boards to embrace conflict as a community-building
experience not to be avoided but to be embraced as a growth opportunity.
And finally, make a commitment to attend a common worship and community
celebration together.
Let
me hear from you with your questions and concerns: jlund@uua.org
or 813-931-972.
By the way, all the past Trustee Tidbits columns are at the District web
page under Trustee News if you have missed some, and for some reason, feel
compelled to read them.
Enjoy the summer.
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!
RECORDINGS OF SERVICES
Have a particular sermon you want to
hear again? Really liked that choir anthem and would like a copy?
Your favorite son/daughter/friend was featured in the service and you would like
a keepsake? All the services are recorded and available on CD. Just
stop by the sound room and ask. Copies are $5 and are generally available
the week following the request.
50th
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
As
you know, if you have been paying any attention at all while reading your
Domelight during the last couple of months, July 2005 marks the 50th
anniversary of UUCT.
In celebration many activities and events have been and are being
scheduled for your perusal and enjoyment (with a little fund-raising thrown in
for good measure!)
Many
folks have been working already, and they havecompiled a list of past members
so we can invite them to celebrate with us, sponsored a T-Shirt design
contest, collected and organized photos from the past to be made available on a
CD for your purchase and enjoyment, and collected fond memories of sermons and
social justice work of past ministers.
Here
are some of the things still to come.
If you see anything listed here that lights your fire and tickles your
fancy and you feel moved to help in one way or another, please contact the
facilitator of that activity and donate your ideas and time.
The more of us involved, the more fun it will be.
Folks
are currently working on the following:
Historic Remembrances (Grant Wilson and or Patricia McCracken
would love to interview you to get your favorite story from the past), 50th
Anniversary T-Shirt Sale, Note Card Sale, CD Memory Slide Show
Sale, and Marjorie’s jokes compiled for your purchase!
Improvements to the Memorial Garden are in the works (see Fran Davin).
Here
are some firm and some tentative dates to put on your calendars:
August
1st:
Celebrating 50 Magnificent Years in Concert @ 7:30pm feature:
Michael Smith (Tickets $12 @ the door).
(Facilitator: Gloria Holloway) Gloria always needs help with parking,
admission and refreshments, but more importantly…bodies at the concert.
We understand this concert is a goodie…see Gloria’s column for more
details.
September
10th Welcome Home Dinner & Games (Facilitator:
Pat Benedict with Martha Robinson, Felice Richardson, Margaret Cribbs and
Diana Dechichio assisting.) See article in this issue for more details.
October
1st
Congregational Pledge Drive Dinner
October
1-15 Pledge Drive
October
29 - Harvest/Halloween event with CUUPS
Silent
Auction.
November
TBA: “YOUTH BRUNCH.” Facilitator Molly Hayes working with our youth
December
3:
Home Party Fair:
Facilitator Diana & Dan Dechichio Tupperware, Mary Kay, Avon,
Pampered Chief, Jewelry, and Discovery Toys just to name a few of the party
products. Various
Home Party sellers will display and sell their products.
A percentage of their sales will go to UUCT in exchange for organizing,
advertising and promoting this event:
contact Dan Dechichio at DanDechichio@yahoo.com
or call: 813-383-6515.
2006
January:
Social Action in connection with Martin Luther King
January14th:
“Cabaret”
Tom Hagner (facilitator); (Remembrance Theme)
February:
Our Esteemed Guest:
The Reverend Bill Sinkford, UUA President
February
18th: Anniversary Dinner- gourmet dinner catered at church, cost
$50/person (Diana Stevens, Martha Robinson and Felice Richardson will lead this)
February
19th Church Service:
Rev Sinkford in the pulpit
Sub committees TBA: Activities, Advertisement, Brunch, Dinner, Home Hospitality, Publicity
CIRCLES
IN THE WOODS CUUPS
(Covenant
of the Unitarian Universalist Pagans)
All are welcome to join our Full Moon Celebration on August 20th when
Circles in the Woods CUUPS and others from the Community will present a ritual
honoring the elements. All are welcome that come in Perfect Love and
Perfect Trust!
There will be no Circles in the Woods CUUPS meeting in September, but we
will be back on October 4th. The meeting will start at 7 pm, followed by a
class on Making Wands and Staffs at 7:30 pm.
For more CIW CUUPS information: www.geocities.com/uutampa/CUUPs.htm
d
A
BABY SHOWER FOR THE BAUDEAN/EBSARY FAMILY
We join Jodi, Casey, and Sonny in the eager anticipation of a new
addition to their family—a daughter, due in September. In keeping with
our Unitarian Universalist tradition of community responsibility for the
nurturing of our children, we are planning a shower for the family-in-waiting on
Sunday afternoon, August 7, 3-5 PM at UUCT.
All are invited to attend and lend support to this growing family in their own
unique way--gifts, services, practical suggestions--whatever might be helpful to
parents adjusting to the needs of two children or an 8-year-old assuming the
responsibilities of big brother.
Please let us know if you can join us and if you can contribute with
decorations, snacks, or fun activities by calling Carol Partington (985-9109) or
Kathy Albury (986-4186).
HOW H.O.P.E. USES POWER TO CONFRONT INJUSTICE
As Unitarian
Universalists, HOPE provides a vehicle for living our principles by working
together to achieve justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
In recent columns, we have looked at the history of the Hillsborough
Organization for Progress and Equality, how it is structured and how it supports
itself. This
month we will talk about how HOPE uses power to negotiate with systems that can
bring about change to address our concerns in the community.
Frequently we are powerless when we work alone to seek justice for ourselves and
neighbors. HOPE
is a vehicle to help us overcome powerlessness, by enabling us to build power
and act powerfully! Martin Luther King is quoted as saying: "Power
without love is abusive, yet love without power is sentimental &
anemic." Our
love is not real without power.
It cannot be realized.
It is merely sentimental. Yet he also says, "Power at its best
is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love,
correcting everything that stands against love."
Let's look at how power relates to the different kinds of relationships in our
lives: - Imagine three circles each inside the other. The inner circle
represents our Personal relationships- friends and family.
The second circle represents our Voluntary relationships- ones we choose.
The third/outer circle represents our Necessary relationships-ones we
need in order to survive. So, what do these circles have to say to us
about power?
When something unfair happens in our personal relationships, we have a lot of
options. We
can talk to each other! We can negotiate.
If things are really bad, we can find new friends.
In the second circle, our voluntary relationships, if something unfair or
unjust is happening, we can have a voice on boards, committees, or membership
meeting, OR we can leave really easily - just quit paying dues and stop going to
meetings.
But in the outer/third circle - if TECO (I'm not picking on TECO, just using it
as an example) treats me unjustly, can I go to them and have a discussion like I
would with a family member, or quit paying my bill (or dues) like a voluntary
organization? Probably
not, if I don't pay I would just be without!
The problems HOPE tackles are related to the systems in the outer circle (for
example, the Education system - kids not reading; the Health Care system - Lack
of health care)
So, what are our sources of power?
In today's society, there are two sources of power - Organized Money and
Organized People.
The systems in the outer circle have their power in large amounts of money.
HOPE's potential source of power is people, if we're organized.
How does HOPE get more organized people? We build relationships!
Power is in relationships. We want HOPE to be in the third Circle
through the power of large numbers of organized people!
HOPE's strength is directly related to the number of organized people we
can bring together to hold the systems accountable to the values of justice and
equality. HOPE
has in the past, and needs to continue to get into the outer circle so that we
can do something when these systems treat some of us unjustly!
Our frustrations, concerns and anger can help us recognize something is
wrong, motivate us to think, strategize and then build the power to act
effectively. When we organize and work together, the congregations in HOPE
can speak truth to the systems in our communities who mistakenly think that they
are all-powerful!
Without organized people, we will not have the power to negotiate with the
systems that have power over our lives. Without power, we cannot do
justice ministry!
I would like to close with a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the
book: 'Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?'
"Power, properly understood, is the ability to achieve purpose.
It is the strength required to bring about social, political, or economic
changes. In this sense power is not only desirable but also necessary in
order to implement the demands of love and justice."
The information in this article was edited from material provided by Sharon
Streater, HOPE lead organizer. Next time: How can we develop our
"justice ministry" at UUCT so that we have the large numbers of people
necessary to build HOPE's power?
The
second and third meetings of Goddess Gathering, will be held on
August 9th and September 13th from 7-9 PM in the UU Dome. Rena Bird
and Willow LaMonte will be facilitating the August circle. Some focus
areas for future meetings are earth-centered and female spirituality, and
the goddess cultures and rituals of ancient times. The Goddess Gathering is open
to women that attend the UU church. For further information, contact
Barbara Rogers boardwalkbarbara@hotmail.com.
ADULT R.E. IS ON THE MOVE! CHECK IT OUT!!!
The Adult RE Committee is happy to announce
a preview of the movie selections for the 2005-2006 POPCORN &
OPINIONS series. We are still in need of hosts and
facilitators for many of the movies. Please email ddorsey3@tampabay.rr.com
if you're interested in either position. The host needs to provide the
house, popcorn, and either a big screen TV or normal sized TV. The
facilitator needs to provide the DVD and to prepare some questions in advance
for the discussion following the movie. Guests need to bring along their
favorite snacks and/or drinks to share. There will be a donation box
available for anyone who would like to contribute to the purchase of a big
screen TV for the Dome.
September 16, 2005
- Harlan County, USA; hosted by Bill & Harriet
Blymiller, facilitated by Tito Basu
October 21st, 2005 - Bread
& Roses; hosted by Tito & Michele Basu: facilitated by Tito
Basu
November 18, 2005 - Real
Women Have Curves - hosted by Judy and Ralph Lehman;
facilitated by @
December, 2005-
no movie - Happy Holidays!
January 20, 2006-
Whale Rider - hosted by @; facilitated by Suzie Siegel
February 17, 2006 - African film (TBA)
-hosted by Harriet & Bill Blymiller; facilitated by @
March 17, 2006 - Irish film (TBA)
April 21, 2006- Strawberry
& Chocolate - hosted by @; facilitated by @
May 19, 2006- Chutney
Popcorn - hosted by @; facilitated by Suzie Siegel
The Book Discussion Group is up and running,
thanks to Bill Blymiller's efforts in July with his Sci-Fi Gods series.
The final book selections are covered
from August through December. Anyone interested in facilitating a book
discussion group starting in January, please contact Denise Dorsey at ddorsey3@tampabay.rr.com.
The groups will meet on the designated Sundays following Service.
Bring a bag lunch and be ready for a lively discussion. If the book
discussion date happens to coincide with a Picnic at the Dome day, you can
forego the bag lunch and purchase an incredible meal instead.
August 7th - Star Trek & Religion (bookless), led by Suzie Siegel
September 18th - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Sijie Dai. - led by Robin Leigh
October 2nd - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, led by Fran Davin
November 13th - The Bluest Eye - by Toni Morrison, led by Rev. Marjorie Bowen-Wheatley
December 4th - For the Love of a
Dog, by Elisabeth Rose, led by (Elisabeth) Lisa Rose
1.
Drum Circle Join the open-to-all DRUM CIRCLE on Monday, August 22, 2005,
from 7 pm – 9 pm. These DRUMMING CIRCLES have been scheduled for the 4th
Monday of every month in the large Dome. This will not be a group of
expert drummers so you do not need any previous experience to join in! If
you do not have a drum, that's okay because most likely there will be some drums
or instruments to share. Join in with rattles, shakers, other instruments
or dance. There is no charge, but CUUPS will provide some drinks and
snacks, so bring a few coins in your pockets.
2. The Knitting Circle will meet at 10:00am in
the small Dome, before Service every Sunday. Please contact Liz Bleau lizbleau@verizon.net or
Emily Nelson Emily.Nelson3@verizon.net for
more information.
3. The SHAG (Secular
Humanist Agnostic Group) group meets periodically during the month on
evenings. Check the order of service for dates.
4. The Current Events group
meets every Sunday at 10:00am in the small dome before the service.
5. Living
In Simplicity starting in September. More to follow, check Sunday order of service and September
Domelight. Contact Betty Kaminker
(813-246-6568)
6. The second and third meetings of the Women's Circle, Goddess Gathering, will be held on August 9th and September 13th from 7-9 PM in the UU Dome. Rena Bird and Willow LaMonte will facilitate the August circle, which will be earth-centered and will focus on the goddess culture. The Women's Circle is open to women that attend the UU church. For further information contact Barbara Rogers Boardwalkbarbara@hotmail.com, Rena Bird, or Willow LaMonte.
UPCOMING
1. Building Your Own Theology, Part I, facilitated by Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley;Tuesday evenings at 7PM, 9-20-05 through 10-18-05.
2. Exploring Humanism, faciltated by Dr. Tito Basu; Tuesday evenings at 7PM: 11-1-05 to 11-15-05; 12-6-05 & 12-13-05.
3. Building Your Own Theology, Part II, facilitated by Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley; Tuesday evenings at 7PM, 1-10-06 through 2-7-06.
4.
Ethical Issues, facilitated by @; Tuesday evenings at 7PM, 2-21-05
through 3-21-05.
nitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
One
Place. All Faiths
Gloria Holloway, Concert Committee Chair,
813-837-6572
"CONCERTS
IN THE UU DOME" PRESENTS:
*******************************************************************
1. WHO: MICHAEL
SMITH michaelsmithmusic.com
WHEN:
Monday Aug 1 Time:
7:30 pm
COST:
$ 12 AT THE DOOR
2.
WHO: PIERCE
PETTIS
piercepettis.com
WHEN: Sunday Aug 14
Time: 3:pm
COST: $12 AT THE
DOOR
INFO:
(813-988-8188) or uutampa.org
click on concerts
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
*****************************************************************
ANNIVERSARY
CONCERT:
With the Michael Smith
concert, we’re celebrating our church’s 50th anniversary.
Michael is a wonderful, entertaining crowd pleaser and a perfect choice
for such an occasion. Please come out and treat your ears to some Great
Music and your tummy to a piece of Yummy Anniversary
Cake. “One
of the best songwriters in the English language… an enchanting and riveting
performer.” Chicago
Magazine……
ENCORE
CONCERT: With the Pierce
Pettis
concert, we bring back an awesome
performer, Pierce first appeared at
the Dome four years ago. It was a
memorable occasion. We’re
thrilled he’s returning. "Pierce
Pettis doesn't write mere songs, he writes literature...End to end the
songwriting is brilliant.…and his singing is marvelous, wry and warm...”
Sing Out!
WALK
IN THE PARK
A
group of UU’s meet
on at Lettuce Lake Park Thursday mornings at 8:30 am 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.
IN
APPRECIATION OF UUCT
by Ara Rogers
Four Appreciative Inquiry Gatherings have been held as of this writing, with
about 35 persons participating. Those who attend these find them to be
fulfilling and worth the time. As someone who has been at a little
distance from our community for a few years, I have found these meetings to be a
great way to get to know some of you better.
I joined this church based on my experience with a small group; I found that in
a more intimate setting, I was better able to really appreciate the beautiful,
brave, intelligent, questioning souls that congregate here. I am proud to
be associated with people like you. You teach me an awful lot.
These gatherings are about things that matter to us--the future of this church
community. What we want to see more of, what WE think we're all about.
In order for this process to be considered successful, however, we need more
appreciating. Right now, I could use some more persons willing to serve as
hosts. Can you give up a few hours; welcome a small group into your home
for some "real talk" about the future of our church?
Will you attend a Gathering? We'll do this as long as it takes to get as
many of you as possible to have your say.
Email or call me if you are willing to help: mizzara@mindspring.com,
days (813-974-5263), eves (813-265-3157).
The
summer is almost over and fall is
approaching. Our illustrious
leader, Dean, is back from his European singing jaunt and ready to begin our
fall season. The first rehearsal
will be August 3rd (Wednesday) at 6:45pm in the large Dome and the
first performance will be August 7th (rehearsal at 10:30am sharp
prior to service)
We
would like to extend a warm invitation to any and all who might like to join the
choir to come and check us out. There
will be a pot luck starting at 6 or 6:15pm prior to the Wednesday night
rehearsal so if you can’t make it home to eat, grab something at the local
deli and “come on down!”. If
you have ever thought you’d like to sing now is your chance to put that
thought into action. Looking
forward to seeing all the “old” choir members and lots of brave new souls on
August 3rd.
The
UUCT Choir
UU
Church of Tampa is now able to provide members with the ability to fulfill
their pledge contributions electronically.
The
form, which you may use to sign up for this service, is available in the church
office. Please
send the completed form to the Finance Committee at the church.
We hope you will be pleased with this new benefit which the Finance
Committee now offers to our members and friends.
THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM
is looking for a few new players.....
Here
is your opportunity to get to know more UU folks and to make visitors
welcome . If you can take a turn at the visitor table in the foyer (giving
Jonathan a break) welcoming visitors to our Sunday service, give Fran Davin
a call at 933-8285. If instead, you see yourself as a greeter at the door,
passing out the orders of service and helping with the collection baskets, then
call team leader Harriet Blymiller at 988-6551. For those who like the
food part of UU church life, Marty Pelham can use some help with the buffet
lunch he serves for the quarterly UU classes the Minister holds. We're
trying to sharpen our game....come join the Team !
DIRECTORY
OF SERVICES FOR MEMBERS OF UUCT
As
the keeper of the UUCT email list, I have been asked several times if a member
or friend can put an ad on the list serve for their business. I have said
NO as this was not the purpose of the list. We did put ads in the
Domelight at one point but got in trouble with the Post Office and almost
lost our bulk mail rights. However, it would be a good idea for us to have
a Directory of Services so that we could uses each other's services. I
know I would like to go to someone from the church that I can trust.
So,
I will be collecting business cards or business/service information to be put
into a Directory of Services that will be made available at church for members
and friends. Include as much information as you wish but no pictures.
I'll put them all in the same format. The deadline is August 1st for the
information and I will put out the Directory in time for Homecoming. There
will be a supplement added after 6 months with new submissions and changes. A
new Directory will be done each year. It will cost you $5.00 for each
listing.
You
can get your information to me by email diana.stevens@verizon.net
(you will need to see me about the $5.00 fee) or by mail 1523 Vandervort Rd
Lutz, Fl 33549 or by putting your information in an envelope and leaving it in
the church office. Please, mark the envelope very clearly that this is for
me to use in the UUCT Directory of Services. Make all checks payable
to UUCT and cash is accepted.
If
you have any questions, call me at 948-4630 or email me at the above
address.
All
the proceeds will go to the church's general fund. This is just an
idea and we will see how it goes.
In
Fellowship,
Diana
Stevens
10am
Meditation in the Meadow (follow Signs)
10am
Current Affairs (Large Dome)
11am
Sunday Service
6pm Wonderful Wednesday Potluck
8:30am
Nature Walk in the Park (info: 813/988-6453)
August 1
(7:30pm)….Anniversary Concert (Michael Smith)
August 1
(7-9pm)…………..……..CUUPS Monthly Meeting
August 5
(7pm-???)……………1st
Friday Potluck @ Jerry’s
August 9
(7-9pm)…………………...………..Women’s Circle
August 13
(9am-1pm)….…...….…..…Building and Grounds
August 18
(7pm)…………..…....……………Board Meeting
August 20
(7:30-10:30pm).….Full Moon Celebration(Open)
August 22
(7-9:30pm)………..………………Drum Circle
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
One
Place. All Faiths
