Domelight December

This year perhaps as many as two billion people will celebrate at Christmas. Not only in affluent North America and Western Europe, but also in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and North America. In poor villages, in refugee camps, in soup kitchens, in homeless shelters, in prisons, in city slums, in the homes of financially strapped single parents, and in affluent suburbs, people will hear the story, sing the story, and rejoice.

The central characters of the Christmas story are a man who is a landless laborer, and an unwed teenage girl. They are homeless and will soon become refugees from a tyrant. The only shelter they can find for their child of promise, their child of hope, is a cowshed.

The enlightened and progressives of years gone by believed that the Christmas story was an unfortunate leftover of an unscientific age, just another myth of a king born of a virgin. In my Unitarian Sunday School there was an attitude of apology for the Christmas story. They would dispute the fact of the Christmas story. For them, the real meaning of this season had something to do with the solstice. Happy Yule! But the truth of the Christmas story goes beyond the facts.

Is it possible that the poor and outcasts of this world find something in the story that expresses their lived experience, their yearnings, and transforms them?

Liberal approaches to social justice often begin with “helping” the poor to improve their lot. Liberals fear that poverty, poor neighborhoods, a lack of education and employment opportunities may lead to a life of crime and social decay. Because we are liberals, we long to extend opportunities and access to privilege. We wish to share our version of stability. But behind our social concern, there lurks an implication: without a well paying job, a good education, and the opportunities we take for granted, that social uplift among the poor and the marginalized will be difficult, if not impossible. Silently, we say: if only the poor would become more like us, they too could be thoughtful, wise and good.

Does it surprise us to learn that the poor find something condescending about liberalism?

The Christmas story challenges our blind spot. But it is based on a philosophy that the poor can see all too well. They can see that by implication, liberals are saying that well educated, affluent, cultured gentlefolk have more potential, have better values, and tend to make better decisions than the child of a landless laborer, or the offspring of an unwed teenage mother, a homeless family.

This is not a liberal story. It isn’t about opportunities or access or the benefits of stability. It isn’t a story that makes one feel compassion for the less fortunate. Maybe that is why so many of the poor of this earth identify and find its message empowering. No. The Christmas story neither comforts the liberal nor agitates the revolutionary. It says that children of promise aren’t always born into a “good” home; that they don’t always have model parents; that they probably won’t have an annuity put aside to pay their tuition. Children of promise are being born every day in poverty, in conditions of lawlessness and disorder, to parents who know oppression first hand, as refugees on the road to freedom and hope. Yes, the poor continue to be with us, and we continue to permit the Herods of this world to kill the children.

The crisis of our environment, the future of our democracies, the challenge of our freedom in the face of corporate wealth require new ways of being human; ways that include, rather than exclude, ways that go beyond violence and exploitation. Can we participate in this new way of being human? Or will our isolation from being in relationship with the vast majority of our fellows preclude a new understanding? For us to enter into a new relationship with those who have been tossed aside—left to fend for themselves—we must come to know our privilege, overcome our isolation, and seek renewal of our connections with all humankind. This I believe is the great revelation of Christmas: as Sophia Lyon Fahs said, “Each night a child is born is a holy night.” Whether born into affluence or into poverty, peace is again possible on this earth. With each birth, we have been blessed once again.

See you in church,

President - Tempie Taudte
Vice President - Diana Stevens
Treasurer - Ed Benedict
Member - Tito Basu
Member - Bill Blymiller
Member - Tom Hagner
Member - Mark Henneberry
Member - Ralph Lehman
Member - Felice Richardson

My apologies to our esteemed UUA Trustee for somehow deleting her article from the November Domelight. To make amends, and apology here is the omitted article. Sorry Joan.

By the time you read this column I will have returned from the October Trustees meeting but in keeping with newsletter deadlines I am not able to write about the meeting now. Thus another subject that has interested me for some time: The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). The IARF is the oldest international religious foundation, and it now has more than 100 member groups. It is a 105-year-old association with an interesting history. Founded in 1900 as an organization to bring together people “striving to unite ‘Pure Religion and Perfect Liberty,’” today the IRAF’s purpose is to work for freedom of religion and belief because it is a precious human right that potentially enables the best within our religious lives and/or our search for truth or enlightenment.

Originally the IARF was called the International Council of Unitarian and Other Liberal Religious Thinkers and Workers (quite a title). The Council evolved in many steps from a mostly Unitarian, North American organization to one with global and interfaith representation. One “turning point” occurred near the end of the 1960s when, spurred in part by shifts in Roman Catholic teaching, there was a growth in the institutional representation in inter religious activity around the world. One outgrowth of this was the founding of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP). Today, the IARF and the WCRP work together in a collegial relationship. Another turning point was in 1993, with the centennial observance of the 1893 Parliament of World’s Religions, which showed great interest in interfaith organizations. There has been concern expressed about the ease in which organizations like the IRAF to become a marketplace where religious conviction and spiritual wisdom become commodities. This is why the UUA remains strongly supportive of the IARF and the WCRP, but maintains cautiously apart from other interfaith organization that are not of an international nature. For interfaith cooperation to be genuine, it needs to contain the liberal spirit, which has always encouraged tolerance and critical thinking about religion, often not found in what today is being promoted as “interfaith.”

I remember at General Assembly in June, the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, minister in Clearwater, introducing the guests from the IARF, including the Rev. Dr. Daryl Balia, General Secretary of the IARF who, with the IARF Council, is planning a March, 2006 IARF Congress. If my information is correct UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford will be in Taiwan for this important meeting. The Congress will focus on the role of religion in family, community life, and politics.

Thanks again for your support and comments each month. I always enjoy hearing from Florida District UUs, and can be reached at jlund@uua.org or (813) 931-9727.

Happy holidays everyone. This is the time of year when the various ways of giving may be in our plans and practices. As you know our UUA President, Rev. Bill Sinkford, believes strongly in giving and that our religion’s future lies in reclaiming our rightful place as the preeminent voice of a giving, liberal religion. Our message is of liberating, hopeful, and justice-making love, and we are about vital work in these areas. This month’s and next month’s columns will be about the resources it will take to make our faith grow a vital, strong, liberal religion.

To this end we need to encourage the health and vitality of our congregations in their ministries. This is our Association’s first priority. Specifically we need to create more programs and ministries for children, youth and young adults so that diverse interests are respected within our congregations. Free, on-line, cradle-to-grave religious education curricula and resources for all congregations must be developed. Our Association needs to continue nurturing relationships and promote spiritual growth through new programs and small group ministries. Of course lay-leadership, staff training, and improved congregational management will continue to be important

We also need to open our doors to folks who desire a liberal religious community… children and all families plus people of all backgrounds and cultures. This will mean advertising and marketing at several levels to make our congregations known. We will need to attract young adults through campus ministry programs and significantly financially support start-up congregations.

We also have to continue being a respected public voice for liberal religious values, going beyond resolutions to visible participation in the public controversies of our society. This will include establishing partnerships with other religious groups so that we may work together in our shared values. Congregations and individuals will need training on how to engage in important public discourses. We will need to provide training for our religious professionals and lay leaders on engaging with the media so our positions on issues may be shared. Our partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) needs support and strengthening as we advance justice throughout the world.

Next month I will write about the UUA Comprehensive Capital Campaign’s strategic plan to achieve the “dreams” of our President and Association. Rev. Sinkford is asking for our thoughts and care as “we” move into the coming years and beyond. You know I relish hearing from Florida UUs and can be reached at jlund@uua.org. May one and all be safe and healthy during the holidays and into the new year.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa is selling the Entertainment Book for 2006. The cost of the book is $25.00 and some of that will go to the church - between 20% to 50% depending on how many we sell. There is a coupon for grocery store shopping that gives you $5.00 per $50.00 off on groceries per month. That is a $60.00 savings on something you would buy anyway. It can be used at most grocery stores. In addition to the coupons in the book, there are coupons on line that you can print out and use. It really is a great deal.

We are selling them at church before and after the service. See the poster listing some of the excellent ways to save money. Look through the book and see how you can save. Go on line and check it out. SO, be on the lookout. UUs can go to places together and have lots of savings. The RUUGS group has already used them. When you have company come to visit, it is great for them to use the book. It's fun and saves you money.

Circa 1958

I joined the Unitarian Fellowship of Tampa before it was called a church and before the merger that created the U.U.A. A couple of the founding members were still around, but not active in the group’s affairs. We met in various places including the Friday Morning Musicale Building, the closed MAAS Brothers Store, and a room in a Savings and Loan Building. The fellowship held the distinction of being the first Unitarian Group in the U.S. integrated at its inception. Frank Hornbrook, one of our members, was removed from the P.T.A., and its presidency, because neighbors complained that he held integrated swim parties for kids. Martin Sacks was the chief law officer for the 5^th District National Labor Relations Board, and was probably the hardest worker and the most outspoken advocate for the group (fellowship). I mention Martin because to me he was the epitome of the kind of people who appear at critical times and contribute to the survival and enrichment of a group. I should also mention Betty Lee, who is the epitome of the people who never call attention to themselves, but who quietly and generously contribute to the betterment of the group.

Rev. Paul Wagner was a charismatic, liberal minister of the Palma Ciea Methodist Church who was forced to resign because of divorce. Because he had indicated some Unitarian leanings, we hoped he would become our minister, but he decided to start a new independent church in Temple Terrace.

Thomas P. (Pat) Hardeman was a professor of philosophy at Tampa University and a former Church of Christ minister. He was forced out at Tampa U. for supporting the United Nations, and became a part-time-minister of the Tampa Unitarian Fellowship.

Besides the names already mentioned, and with apologies to those forgotten, some other names that come to mind are:

Bill Amick
Calvin Pope
Bill Ebsary
Frances Sacks
Laurie Knightly
John and Nancy Scheffer

For you the holiday season may often be as much a time of stress and sadness, even grief, as a time of joy. You are not alone.

You're invited to the small dome after the church service on December 18th to join the Holiday Support Group, sponsored by the Care Committee, in reflection and sharing of these difficult days. Denise Dorsey will moderate the discussion as we give and receive support from each other. A light potluck lunch will be served, with Linda Chappell and Denise Carrera acting as hosts.

For late-breaking updates, check concert link at our church web site and my blog.

( jakearmerding.com ) At the crossroads of bluegrass and folk, Compass Records recording artist Jake Armerding is building a national reputation as an outstanding singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. "... the most gifted and promising songwriter to emerge from the Boston folk scene in years...he is also a first rate fiddler and mandolinist." The Boston Globe. $8.

This is our "OFFICIAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY HOLIDAY CONCERT" which means: FREE FRUIT CAKE FOR ONE & ALL! SOUTHWIND is Mary Ann Dinella, Sandra Jemison, Sharon Nauman, and Dennis Devine. Their beautiful harmonies and expertise on multi-folk instruments are not to be missed. There will be a mixture of traditional folk songs plus favorite Holiday songs, including some sing-a-longs such as the all-time favorite: 12 Days of Christmas, Southwind style. Our own UU talented teen, flautist-singer KATHLEEN BRINDLEY will open the show. P.S. Our emcee will probably be the inimitable St Pete Times columnist JAN GLIDEWELL. Adults - $10. Teens - $5. Twelve & under no charge.

Fri. Dec 16. 8pm. MPE BAND W/ROCK N ROLL SUNNY opening. ( mpeband.com ) MPE is Maggi, Pierce & E.J. Whether in this country or abroad, this young loopy multi-talented trio is creating a BIG BUZZ. Their down-home, farm city, junk music is a creative blend of roots and rock n roll. Influenced by a wide range of musicians such as Joni Mitchell and Johnny Cash, they also carry on the tradition of great rock harmonies from the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross and The Who. Opening the show will be our own UU future Rock N Roll Star, 8-year old W.F. "SONNY" Ebsary, III. Sonny enjoys writing and singing his own songs. His favorite bands include Pink Floyd, Metallica and Green Day. In addition to music, Sonny also enjoys creating his own comic books, riding his bike and playing with friends. Adults - $10. Teens - $5. Twelve & under no charge.

Rambunctious UU GalavanterS - Rolling out the December activities. Open to all who what to come.

Come to the Victorian Christmas Stroll at Henry B. Plant Museum at the University of Tampa, We will be having a guided tour of the museum and for those interested, a tour of the special collections of the University of Tampa Library. Date and time: TBA. Look in the order of service and on line for further information. Sorry, but the dates just haven't come together as of this writing. We are looking at the 13th or 20th. You can call Judy Lehman 866-0591 for more information or look on line. The website now has a SOCIAL ACTIVITIES page.

The Second Wednesday ARTS YBOR will be December 14th. 5 people went on this in November and really enjoyed exploring the diverse ART available in the Ybor section of Tampa. Call Judy to find out where to meet

November's events were enjoyed by all who participated. 10 people car pooled to Micanopy to the Arts and Crafts festival. We also made a visit to see Marilyn Kershner and Al Tweedy in their new abode. (They are doing well and have settled into the Gainesville UU Church and choir.)

LIFE IS OUR CABARET

Talented people from UUCT will perform in a "coffeehouse" atmosphere and raise money for the church while having fun!

You could be one of them! Please call Tom Hagner (813-672-7719 or email thagner@maritrans.com). This is your chance to perform the selection you have been dreaming of!

The date is selected for two reasons: (1) Fellowship & excitement on what is usually a quiet weekend following the holidays; and (2) our chance to see the duo of Lund & Blymiller before they start their worldwide concert tour.

(Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans)

Yule is the Norse word for "wheel." This is the darkest time of the year, yet the most hopeful for the infant year is born and the sun begins its return. Some people celebrate a Festival of Light to commemorate the Goddess as Mother giving birth to the Sun God. Others celebrate the victory of the Lord of Light (The Oak King) over the Lord of Darkness (The Holly King) at this turning point from which the days will lengthen. The Lord of Light is born at the winter solstice, with his strength waxing with the lengthening days, so the Lord of Darkness is born at the summer solstice, and his strength waxes with the lengthening nights.

Many of the pagan holiday customs are derived from Norse and Celtic Pagan practices: the Yule log, the tree, the custom of Wassailing and many others. There wasn't as much to be done at this time of year. The preserving of food was over and the harvest was in. There was either enough food or there wasn't and there was nothing to be done for it now but to be thankful if there was and to pray next year would be better if it wasn't. What food couldn't be preserved had to be eaten, so people feasted together. Also, because there was not much work to be done, people had time to celebrate and do rituals together.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

We will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, December 18, at 12:30 pm to discuss and approve the church budget for 2006. Please plan to attend.

DRUMMING CIRCLE

Join the DRUM CIRCLE sponsored by CUUPS on the fourth Monday of every month - December 26 - from 7 -9pm in the large dome. This is not 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 to share. Also, join in with rattles, shakers or other instruments. There will be no charge, but we will provide some drinks and snacks, so bring a few coins in your pocket.

Come and join our Full Moon Celebration on December 17th at 7:30 pm as Sacred Oaks Circle presents a Yule celebration. Come and light the Yule flame to honor Mother Goddess who created life from death, and warmth from cold, and welcome the Great God of the Sun and his return.

Circles in the Woods CUUPS MEETING will be November 5 is at 7:00pm, followed by a WORKSHOP where StarPuma will give an overview of stones with their energies and PhyreStorm will demonstrate wire wrapping. Everyone will leave with a wrapped stone! Yes, you are welcome to bring that favorite stone you
have been wanting wrapped so you can wear or give it as a Yule gift.

Also note: CUUPS provides "rites of passage" rituals of Handfastings (marriage), Wiccanings, House Blessings, Womanings, and other life and spiritual celebrations. Just drop of a message in the CUUPS mailbox at UUCT, or email gldnpuma@earthlink.net and we will get back to you.

CALLING ALL ELVES

Our traditional Christmas Eve Service includes Hot Fudge Sundaes after the service. If you would like to help with the refreshments you can offer to make a batch of hot fudge or donate a container of vanilla ice cream by calling Martha Robinson at 813/985-4777. If you choose to make hot fudge, you will be supplied with the hot fudge recipe. Thanks in advance, Santa.

ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE PROJECT

Mark your calendars for Saturday January 21^st and 28^th from 8am to 5pm, to attend these two consecutive Saturday experiential workshops. AVP workshops involve creative, fun ways to explore your concepts of peace and build peaceful communities. More information to follow in January. Registration required. Call Robin (813) 571-1366

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Each September, the Board elects new officers for the coming year. This year’s officers are:

President:                             Tempie Taudte
Vice President:                    Diana Stevens
Secretary:                              Bill Blymiller
Treasurer:                              Ed Benedict

Special thanks to Felice Richardson for serving as Vice President during the 2004-2005 year and to Jerry Elsenrath, who was Secretary for several years and has completed his term on the Board.

Diana Stevens, who is entering her first year as a member of the Board, was elected Vice President of the Board. Diana serves as the Chair of the Church Council, Chair of the Technology Committee, and Chair of the Communication Committee. She also sings in the choir.

Bill Blymiller was elected Secretary. He also serves as the church sound technician, and he coordinated the repairs following our recent flood.

Ed Benedict was reelected Treasurer of the Board. Ed manages the church bank account, writes checks and serves on the Finance Committee.

Mark Henneberry, who also joined the Board this year, is actively exploring questions about building rentals and insurance coverage.

Other Board members include Tito Basu, Ralph Lehman and Tom Hagner. I look forward to working with each member of the Board this year. Please let us know how we can best serve you.

In October we held our annual Board retreat. During the afternoon session we discussed several essays, which are included on the CD, “Lay Leader Drive Time Essays.” This CD contains 21 short, spoken essays on timely topics such as “The World Needs Us,” “ The Value of Personal Spiritual Practice,” “Attracting Young Adults,” and “The Value of Covenant Groups.” Please contact any member of the Board if you would like to listen to this CD. I highly recommend it!

PLEDGE INFO: When making a cash contribution toward your 2005 – 2006 pledge, place the money in an envelope and please print your name on the envelope.

FRIENDSHIP DINNERS ARE IN FULL SWING!!!

Our November Friendship Dinner was hosted by Molly Hays in her lovely Lutz home. The main course was a delightfully creamy chicken stew served over brown rice, and accompanying there was a gorgeous, delicious salad, a cheesy broccoli almond casserole and a summer squash gratin along with French bread and butter. For dessert there were two scrumptious cakes (a delightful pound cake and a dreamy chocolate concoction, both to die for!)

Now if that has your taste buds watering, and it should, consider offering your home as host sight for dinners in the coming months. We are not limited to one dinner a month, so if you favor a month where a dinner is already scheduled, please don’t hesitate to volunteer also. At this point there are two scheduled for December. The 3^rd at Mary Francis’s and the 10^th at Martha Robinson’s. And in January Felice Richardson is hosting on the 14th. The months after that are open and just waiting for your phone call offering to host.

If you are new to this fun way of meeting and getting to know folks in the church in a more intimate, conversation provoking setting, here’s how it works: sign up on the sheet posted in the foyer of the church…or you may call or email Martha Robinson (818/985-4777)(mrobins7@tampabay.rr.com) to sign up with the host that best fits your circumstances (location, time date). The list of persons wishing to attend is then given to the host who will call you and find out where your talents lie food wise. The host usually opts to fix the main dish, but that is not a hard and fast rule. Those attending may choose from appetizers, side dishes, bread, salads, wine or dessert or any combination thereof to complement the main course….then, you show up with your dish and a hearty appetite on the designated day and time ready to enjoy great food and conversation.

If you would like to host a dinner contact, again, Martha Robinson, (818/985-4777) (mrobins7@tampabay.rr.com)

FOSTER ANGELS

Yes, it's that time of the year again! The holiday tree will be up soon with Foster Angels to provide gifts that will light up the hearts of Hillsborough County foster children. Details are not yet available so watch for updates in the church bulletin or contact Ollis Hughes at ohughes@tgh.org.

As 2005 comes to an end so does the second rotation of our exciting new Religious Education program. Thanks to Barbara Cloud-Weisman and Brent Weisman, Natalie and Mike Lloyd, Russell Patterson, Andrea Hagner, and Ralph Lehman – our volunteer teachers who did a GREAT JOB as pioneers of our new format. Your time and energy are very much appreciated. We are looking for teachers to help with our third rotation, Words and Deeds of Prophetic Women and Men, which begins on January 8^th, and our fourth rotation, Humanist Teachings, which begins in February. If you are interested, please see Katie or a member of the RE Committee.

Don’t miss our annual cookie exchange and tree trimming party on Friday, December 9^th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We’ll have fun with games, arts and crafts, story telling, holiday music, snacks, hot cocoa and cider, and, of course, COOKIES!!! Bring a batch of cookies with you to the party and leave with an assortment! Yum! All members and friends are encouraged to join in this delightful intergenerational gathering.

Please note that there will be NO R.E. CLASSES on December 25^th and January 1^st.

Lots and lots of mulch! Help us beautify our many flowerbeds and the memorial garden. We are asking everyone in the church to bring a bag of mulch to church on any Sunday. We're not picky... any type of normal red cedar mulch is fine.
It is available at all the department stores, Home Depot, and Lowe’s for just a couple of bucks. Call Marla for more details. 932-8490

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.

YRUU AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR 2005/2006

December 4^th – YRUU meeting after church until 2:30
December 9^th – Tree Trimming and Cookie Exchange 6:00 p.m.
December 11^th – Winter holiday service planning and practice 11:00
December 18^th – Winter Holidays Intergenerational Service 11:00
December 24^th – Christmas Eve Family Candle Light Service
December 25^th and January 1^st – NO R.E.
January 13^th-15^th– YRUU Gainesville Con
February 5^th – YRUU Intergenerational Worship Service 11:00
February 19^th – Breakfast with UUA President Reverend Bill Sinkford (tentative)
February 19^th – Worship service with Rev. Sinkford
March 17^th-19^th – YRUU Clearwater Con
April 7^th- 8^th - District Assembly and Youth Caucus in Vero Beach
April 16^th - Flower Communion/Easter Intergenerational service
May 5^th – 7^th – YRUU Tampa Con
May 21^st – R.E. Sunday Intergenerational worship service and end of the year picnic.

The Small Group Ministry focusing on Anti-Racism is ready to welcome new members. Please contact Charles Giles (813-653-9824) if you are interested in becoming a member. Meetings are held twice monthly. Topics for discussion and action include happenings in our own state and nearby neighborhoods which show the continuing presence of institutional racism, as well as personal/individual attitudes which are not welcoming. The group's goal is to inform, educate, train, advocate, and take action, in the UUCT and in the community.

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.

HAVE A GUEST AT YOUR TABLE!!!

For 30 years, Unitarian Universalists of all ages nationwide have come together each fall to give thanks by giving back. Through this special tradition, Unitarian Universalist communities celebrate the worth and dignity of all people and learn how to put these values into action. The Guest at Your Table experience of families learning together has built lasting connections to UU values for generations of UU youth.

Guest at Your Table has been an important part of UUSC, and of UU culture, since 1975. The program made its UUSC debut following then Institutional Advancement Director Warren Salinger's trip to the Netherlands. While there, he was inspired by a similar organization's program, entitled "Gast aan Tafel," to educate its supporters about its work and to raise vital funds. That program used colorful boxes that the whole family could enjoy. Warren immediately began work with UUSC's staff in Massachusetts to adapt the idea for use in Unitarian Universalist homes nationwide — and even worldwide! Each year since 1975, involvement in Guest at Your Table has grown tremendously, strengthening UUs' connections to our shared principles and helping to challenge injustice throughout the world. You can keep this spirit and tradition alive. Put a Guest at Your Table box on your family's table and discuss together what it means to welcome a guest to your table. If you have not already received a box, please contact Joyce Henneberry at jhenneberry@tampabay.rr.com or talk to a member of the Religious Education Committee.

50^TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

Please check over the list of events and opportunities to get involved and see if there isn’t something you would like to do to help us celebrate this auspicious occasion….OUR 50^th ANNIVERSARY!

a) Former Member List (Joyce Formica & Barbara Johnson) (ongoing)

d) Historic Remembrances: “Remembrance Moment” @ Services Design Pamphlet: UUCT “Did you know?” (Grant Wilson & Patricia McCracken) – Ongoing

e) Fond Memories, Sermons and Social Justice work from past ministers (Joan & Marjorie) Photos of Past Ministers –Ongoing

f) Possible Fund Raisers: Note Cards (Mall Giles & Barb Rogers ) CD (Gene Pizzo)—Ongoing

g) Golden Anniversary Project: Improvements to the Memorial Garden (Fran & Grant consultation with the “Care Committee”).

Cost $50/person and we will invite our Florida Cluster (Diana Stevens, Martha Robinson and Felice Richardson will lead this event)

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

MOVIES

The 2005-2006 POPCORN & OPINIONS will be taking a hiatus in December, but will be returning in January with more great films. We are still in need of one more host for our final movie. Please email ddorsey3@tampabay.rr.com if you’d be willing to host (provide the house, popcorn, and either a big screen TV or normal sized TV). The facilitator will be providing the DVD and preparing questions in advance for the discussion following the movie. Guests, feel free to bring along your 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 multi-media projector for the Dome.

January 20, 2006- Whale Rider – hosted and facilitated by Diana Stevens and Grant Wilson

February 17, 2006 - Moolade -hosted by Harriet & Bill Blymiller; facilitated by Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley

March 17, 2006 - Irish film (TBA); hosted and facilitated by Kathleen O’Rourke

April 21, 2006- Strawberry & Chocolate - hosted and facilitated by Heidi and Tom King

May 19, 2006- Chutney Popcorn - hosted by TBA; facilitated by Suzie Siegel

Anyone who is interested in facilitating a book discussion, please contact Denise Dorsey at ddorsey3@tampabay.rr.com. The groups meet at 12:30PM on designated Sundays following Service. Bring a bag lunch or simply come hungry. Either way, be ready for a lively discussion.

December’s book discussion will be held on December 4, 2005. The title of our book of the month is For the Love of a Dog, which was written by our very own, Lisa Rose, who will also be the facilitator.

Told by her pastor that animals didn’t have souls, young Lisa disagreed. Her memoir recounts a life long passion for animals, and examines the intensity of the dog-human bond through her relationship with a border collie named Kierney, misdiagnosed as insane. Lisa writes, “Getting to know an animal was like traveling to another country, a body unlike mine, habits and wisdom with strange logic, the surprising landscape of another brain, its alien weather system, a new sky.” Her story is told with power and insight in “a narrative infused with keen perceptions on fable and myth, spirituality, and the ways in which consciousness and language interact.” (Publishers Weekly & book jacket)

December 4th - For the Love of a Dog, by Elisabeth Rose, led by (Elisabeth) Lisa Rose

Ongoing

1. CUUPS will be sponsoring a Drumming Circle that is open to all on the 4th Monday of every month at 7:30 PM. Please contact Mary Francis for more information. gldnpuma@earthlink.net

2. The Knitting Circle will meet at 9:30 AM in the small dome, before the Sunday Service. 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 continues to meet periodically during the month on evenings. Check the order of service for dates.

4. The Current Events group meets at 10:00 AM in the small dome before the service.

5. Living in Simplicity take place Wednesday evening at 7:00PM. Contact Betty Kaminker (813-246-6568) for more information.

6. The Women's Circle, Goddess Gathering is open to all women who attend the UU church. For further information contact Barbara Rogers Boardwalkbarbara@hotmail.com.

7. Small Group Ministry: Groups of six to ten people who covenant to be together to share the richness of personal experience, growth and service. For further information, contact Joan Lund at ,lundjb@verizon.net or 981-9727.

8. Full Moon Celebrations: Sponsored by Circles in the Woods CUUPS, on the Saturday closest to the Full Moon, at 7:30 PM. Check the website at www.uutampa.org for the exact dates or contact Mary Francis: gldnpuma@earthlink.net.

1. Exploring Humanism, facilitated by Dr. Tito Basu: Tuesday evenings at 7pm, December 6^th and December 13^th.

2. Building Your Own Theology, (6-10), facilitated by Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley; Tuesday evenings at 7PM, 1-24-06 through 2-24-06.

3. Ethical Issues, facilitated by TBA; Tuesday evenings at 7PM, 3-7-05 through 3-28-05.

4. Wicca 101: Sponsored by Circles in the Woods CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) and open to the public. Dates are 1-6-06, 1-13-06,

2-13-06, 2-20-6, 3-13-06, and 3-20-06 from 7-9PM. $30 materials donation. To register, email gldnpuma@earthlink.net

5. Getting to Know UU: Facilitated by Marty Pelham and the Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley. Dates: 1-28-06 and 6-3-06 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CALL FOR HISTORIC REMEMBRANCES

1. All members who would like to contribute historic information (no matter how new a member you are), please jot down short notes, chronology, and/or longer pieces and give it to either the church office or to Grantford Wilson.

2. Long-time members – Please get your reminiscences working and jot them down.

3. Third option: Call Grantford and let him interview you over the phone. 948-4630

Circa 1958

LIFE IS OUR CABARET

CALLING ALL ELVES

ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE PROJECT

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

FRIENDSHIP DINNERS ARE IN FULL SWING!!!

YRUU AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR 2005/2006

HAVE A GUEST AT YOUR TABLE!!!

50^TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

a) Former Member List (Joyce Formica & Barbara Johnson) (ongoing)

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

MOVIES

Ongoing

CALL FOR HISTORIC REMEMBRANCES

CALENDAR OF WEEKLY EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Dec. 1 (7:30pm)…………………Concert (Jake Armerding)

Dec. 5 (7-9pm)…………………….CUUPS Monthly Meeting

Dec. 6 (7-9pm)……………………......Exploring Humanism

Circa 1958

LIFE IS OUR CABARET

CALLING ALL ELVES

ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE PROJECT

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

FRIENDSHIP DINNERS ARE IN FULL SWING!!!

YRUU AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR 2005/2006

HAVE A GUEST AT YOUR TABLE!!!

50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

a) Former Member List (Joyce Formica & Barbara Johnson) (ongoing)

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

MOVIES

Ongoing

CALL FOR HISTORIC REMEMBRANCES

CALENDAR OF WEEKLY EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Dec. 1 (7:30pm)…………………Concert (Jake Armerding)

Dec. 5 (7-9pm)…………………….CUUPS Monthly Meeting

Dec. 6 (7-9pm)……………………......Exploring Humanism

50^TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS