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Domelight Newsletter
of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa -
February 2006 Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, Minister  
Katie Culbert, RE Director |
Marjorie's Musings
I am writing this as our
nation is celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
which in a way, is like a prelude to the observance of February as Black History
Month.
As many of you already know,
there are two major events planned in celebration of our 50th
Anniversary: a dinner at the church
on Saturday, February 18th and the Sunday worship service on February
19th. We are
honored that the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist
Association (UUA), will join us for both events.
Inside this issue of The Domelight, UUCT member and member of the UUA Board of Trustees
Joan Lund offers some of the biographical details of Rev. Sinkford and his
duties as our Association president. You
might consider this a mini supplement to what Joan has written.
I have known Rev. Sinkford
since he returned to our Unitarian Universalism.
He joined our movement as a youth while living in Cincinnati.
Active in the 1960’s, Bill remembers hearing the Rev. Martin Luther
King, Jr. speak. In a 2004 pastoral letter in which he recalled that event,
Rev. Sinkford wrote the following:
“Dr. King never lost hope. And we need to sustain
our hope as well, to create our own ‘stone of hope.’ I recall hearing those
words, ‘stone of hope,’ from Dr. King as I sat in a crowded room at the
UUA's General Assembly in Hollywood, Florida, in June of 1966, listening to him
deliver the Ware Lecture. Dr. King decried militarism, economic injustice, and
the scourge of racism. He invoked the words of Jefferson and Lincoln, a call for
Americans to live up to the ideals that this country was based upon.
And he called for Unitarian Universalists to be part of this struggle,
reminding us that ‘when the church is true to its nature, it stands as a moral
guardian of the community and of society.’"
Our nation and our denomination went through a
tumultuous period that came to be known as the Black Power Movement.
There are volumes written about how racial issues were expressed within
the Unitarian Universalist movement. I
urge you to read them sometime. There
were calls for empowerment of Black Unitarian Universalists.
There were hopes unfulfilled. Some
African Americans left our movement disappointed, while others stayed.
Bill Sinkford is one who left, and when he returned, he redoubled his
commitment to our faith.
Unfortunately, there are other African American
Unitarian Universalists who have not felt that our congregations feed their
spirit or are safe places for them to thrive psychologically, culturally, and
spiritually.
As we celebrate fifty years of Unitarian Universalism
in Tampa, there is much to reflect on. What
kind of world will we minister to in the next fifty years, even the next ten?
What would need to happen for people—regardless of racial, cultural or
theological identity—to feel welcomed? Dr.
King offers a clue: "when the church is true to its nature, it stands as a
moral guardian of the community and of society."
On three successive Sundays this month, we will focus
on our past and our future. On
February 12th, Ara Rogers, who is heading up the Mission/Vision
process using a methodology called Appreciative Inquiry, will share her findings
from the small groups she convened over the past six months.
The following Sunday, February 19th, Rev. Sinkford, will offer
his reflections as we celebrate our 50th birthday.
And on February 26th, I will not presume to become a futurist,
but will offer reflections on some of the challenges we face in ministering in
the Tampa Bay area in the next era. I welcome any thoughts that
come to mind as you reflect on
our future. Please write to me at minister@uutampa.org
or leave a private message at the church office, 813-988-8188, extension 2.
See you in church,
Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
One
Place. All Faiths
UUCT
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

UUCN is
growing and invites you to join!
This non-profit association is a community
of professionally trained life coaches anchored in the UU principles of
compassion, integrity and inclusion. To
learn of its mission and how you can benefit from membership, please visit www.uucoachingnetwork.org.
If you are considering hiring a coach, UUCN is also a resource to find the right
coach for you.
As you know UUCT is celebrating
our 50th Anniversary. On
any given Sunday a UUCTer may stand up during announcements and let us know
about some wonderful event that is “upcoming” during this momentous year.
You may have learned that Rev. Sinkford is coming to UUCT February 18th
and 19th. Rev. Sinkford
is the seventh president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, elected in
June 2001. As president of the UUA
he is responsible to the UUA Board of Trustees for administering staff and
programs that serve our member congregations.
He also acts as principal spokesperson for our Association.
Before becoming president of the UUA, Rev. Sinkford served as the
Association’s director of Congregational, District and Extension Services, the
department that supports the health and growth of UU congregations.
He is a warm and engaging person, and you will want to be among all of us
who welcome him.
LIFE
IS OUR CABARET - Rescheduled
Please hold Saturday evening April
1 (no fooling) for the UUCT 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 (813-972-7719 or email
thagner@maritrans.com).
We're
here for you!
Most of
us need a little extra help now and then. If you need a lift to the
doctor's office or to church, someone to pick up a prescription for you, help
with preparing meals, a grocery shopper or a hospital visitor, please give one
of the CARE COMMITTEE a call. We'll also lend a friendly ear if you just
need to talk.
Our committee:
Gwen Anderson
971-6369
Beverly Bethune
907-6730
Denise Carrera 985-0695
Linda Chappell
977-2053
Denise Dorsey
972-7728
Joyce Formica
988-1907
Willow LaMonte 643-7285
Cheryl Phillips
909-2542
Suzie Siegel
866-5109
Joe Weinstein
263-2989
If you'd
like to join us on the committee, please call Joyce Formica at 988-1907.
Remember,
we're here for you.
SEE
CHICAGO! MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW!
The congregation of
Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist invites you to join us for a weekend
getaway to the city of Chicago, June 2 - 4, 2006. For the two nights of your stay, you'll be hosted by members
of Countryside's friendly and welcoming congregation in the northwest suburbs.
Your weekend includes hearty dinners with entertainment, breakfast at your
host's home, and a full-day visit to the city.
The
highlight of the weekend is the city's celebrated architecture. Countryside has
arranged for our guests to enjoy two of the best architecture tours the city has
to offer. See the soaring towers of the downtown area, acclaimed landmarks, and
the new Millenium Park, which features the work of world-renowned architects,
planners, artists, and designers.
After a busy Saturday in the city, you'll appreciate the peaceful setting of
Countryside's award-winning building and prairie garden. For details on this
unique opportunity, email ccuu@ccuu.org or call 847-359-8440, xt. 1. Don't
delay! Reservations are due by April 15, 2006.
Interweave
is the UUA Affiliated organization of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered,
Intersexed Unitarians and their Allies. Interweave UUCT is affiliated with
Interweave Continental. We have
monthly meetings usually on the second Sunday of the month. This month we
will be meeting at the small dome at church on February 12th after the service.
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.
If you wish to be kept up to date, you can also ask Jonathan to put you on our emailing
or mail list. Straight Allies are encouraged!
To find out more about us and Interweave, contact Joe Weinstein, or Jonathan
Roudabush through the church office.
PLEDGE INFO:
When making a cash
contribution toward your 2006 pledge, place the
money in an envelope
and please print your name on the envelope.
APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
We
spent several months last year attending Appreciative Inquiry gatherings and
articulating what it is about this church that meets our spiritual and social
needs. Ara Rogers will discuss the preliminary findings from those
gatherings, and how they will help us craft a new mission and vision for the
church.
Joan
Lund
Greetings
for the month of February, a time when our thoughts may turn to love.
And what better “love” to have than for a wider UU world: our
District. I write this column several weeks before it reaches your newsletter;
the January District packet was full of exciting, wonderful, diverse,
interesting February weekend opportunities available for our congregations
and/or individual UUs. This column will highlight some of these, with the hope
that you will want to participate in one or more of these offerings.
The
first February weekend brings a one-and-a-half day seminar, “Creating the UU
Church of the Future,” led by Michael Durall and held at the UU Fellowship at
Vero Beach. His most recent book, The Almost Church: Redefining Unitarian
Universalism for a New Era, is a challenging and provocative critique of the
UUA and our UU religion. I have
heard Durall speak, read the book, and strongly suggest attendance at this
conference. Because this is a
fast-approaching event, I suggest you telephone the District Office to determine
how you may participate.
The
next super weekend (February 11th-12th), devoted to social
justice, will be held at the UUs of Clearwater, with Si Kahn, a noted social
reform activist, songwriter, and author, PLUS Rev. William Sinkford, UUA
President. This is a not-to-be-missed event. Si, who began his work in 1965 in
Arkansas, has worked for over 40 years as a civil rights, labor, and community
organizer and musician. He founded
and is the Executive Director of Grassroots
Leadership. Included in the Saturday schedule will be a panel discussion with
prominent persons involved in social justice law and the ACLU. Rev. Sinkford
will be in the pulpit at the Sunday worship.
If
you miss hearing Rev. Sinkford in Clearwater, he will be preaching at the UU
Church of Tampa on February 18th.
Better yet, you are welcome both Sundays, so plan to be in the
congregation each Sunday Rev. Sinkford speaks.
There
will be an Interweave Convo, “Accepting Ourselves, Accepting Each Other,”
also in Clearwater, February 24th-26th. Congresswoman
Sabrina Sojourner will speak Saturday evening on “Diversity and Living by the
Heart.” Sojourner is the first
open lesbian to be elected to the U.S. Congress and is a nationally recognized
educator on diversity and multiculturalism.
She is past Director of Diversity Programs and Woman of Color Programs
for the National Organization for Women.
Whew!
A full month for sure. I look
forward to seeing you at some of these events.
Stay in touch, in good health, and active in your congregation.
I enjoy and profit from hearing from Florida UUs, and can be reached at jlund@uua.org
or (813) 931-9727.
The
executive committee for Friendship Dinners (consisting of me, Martha Robinson)
has made an executive decision…after conferring with Judy Lehman chairperson
of the 50th Anniversary project.
Due to all the celebration and gaiety there will be during the month of
February, we will forgo the February dinner, and let everyone fully enjoy the
celebration of our 50th anniversary functions.
(And besides no one came forward to host a dinner in February!)
The
March dinner will be on March 11th and will be hosted by Andrea and
Tom Hagner. They are planning a fun
evening with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. They
have room for as many as 16…so sign up on the sheet in the church foyer.
It is not too early to let me know
if you would like to host any of the future months’ dinners.
Call Martha Robinson (813/985-4777) or email mrobins7@tampabay.rr.com to become a host or to sign up for the January dinner if you
can’t make it to the sign up sheet in time.
By
Katie Culbert, Director of Religious Education
In February we continue our
exploration of the sources of Unitarian Universalism.
On February 12th we begin rotation four: “Humanist teachings
which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and
warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.”
The children and youth will be learning about Humanism through stories
and hands on activities. Our fifth rotation, beginning March 26th,
focuses on the “Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which
celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in
harmony with the rhythms of
nature.” If
you would like to teach for three Sundays during the earth-centered traditions
rotation, please contact Candy Gale, RE Committee member, at candylgale@earthlink.net.
This month is very exciting
because we will be welcoming a special visitor, the Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA
President, to our domes. Please
plan on attending the all-congregation potluck lunch following the February 19th
worship service, at which Rev. Sinkford will be preaching. This lunch, hosted by
the UUCT Young Religious Unitarian Universalist (YRUU) youth group, will
give you the opportunity to meet Rev. Sinkford and be in community with the
families and friends of UUCT. Please
bring a dish to share.
Thanks to Suzie
Siegel, Christian Habier, and Pam Latham for teaching during the last
rotation. We are always looking for
volunteers to work with our children and youth at UUCT!
If you would like to help out, please get in touch with Katie Culbert or
a member of the Religious Education Committee.
YRUU
and Religious Education Calendar 2005/2006
February
5th – YRUU Intergenerational Worship Service 11:00
February
19th – All-Congregation lunch with UUA President Reverend Bill
Sinkford hosted by YRUU following worship service
March 17th -19th –
YRUU Clearwater Con
April 7th - 8th - District Assembly and Youth Caucus, Vero
Beach
April 16th - Flower Communion/Easter Intergenerational service
May
5th – 7th – YRUU Tampa Con
May 21st – R.E. Sunday Intergenerational worship service and end of
the year picnic.
WICCA 101 AND MORE . . .
Once again, Circles in
the Woods CUUPs is offering our six-session Wicca 101on the 2nd and 3rd Monday
evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm:
February 13, 2006 - The Wheel of the Year
February 20, 2006 - Magick and Ethics
March 13, 2006 - Path and Ritual Basics
March 20, 2006 - The Working Circle
And more . . .Participants will assist in the preparation and performance of the
April Full Moon Celebration.
A donation of $30 is requested to cover the cost of materials/expenses.
For more information, contact Mary at 813-684-8026 or email
gldnpuma@earthlink.net.
Unitarian
Universalist Church of Tampa
One
Place. All Faiths
The
next POPCORN & OPINIONS will be February 17th
(see below). We still need a host
for our final movie, Chutney Popcorn. 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 provide the DVD and
prepare 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.
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
BOOKS
Anyone
who is interested in facilitating a book discussion, please contact Denise
Dorsey at ddorsey3@tampabay.rr.com.
We’re booked through February, but we need ideas for books to read for
the months of March, April, and May. Let
us hear from you! Our book discussion 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. In January, the book discussion will actually be
bookless. Instead, Suzie Siegel
will be leading a discussion on Star Trek & Religion.
Definitely a topic of interest!
February 19th- The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd, led by Rena Bird
CLASSES/EVENTS
1. CUUPS
is continuing to sponsor 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 meets 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. (Learning to knit could be your New Year’s resolution!)
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. 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.
6.
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.
7.
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.
Upcoming
1.
Building Your Own Theology, (6-10), facilitated by Rev.
Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley; Tuesday evenings at 7PM, 1-24-06 through 2-24-06.
2.
Ethical Issues, facilitated by TBA; Tuesday evenings at 7PM,
3-7-05 through 3-28-05.
3.
Wicca 101: Sponsored by Circles in the Woods CUUPS (Covenant of
Unitarian Universalist Pagans) and open to the public.
Dates are 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
DRUMMING
CIRCLE
Join the DRUM
CIRCLE on the 4th Monday of every month (February 27, 2006) 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.
CIRCLES
IN THE WOODS CUUPS - CUUPS MEETING
Our next CUUPS meeting will be on February 6 at 6:00pm.
Also CUUPS offers "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 ohughes@tgh.org
and we will get back to you.
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.
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
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.
CALENDAR
OF WEEKLY EVENTS
SUNDAY
9:30am
Knitting Circle (Small Dome)
11am-12noon
(Grades 1-12) Youth R. E. (Small
Dome)
10am
Meditation in the Meadow (follow Signs)
10am
Current
Affairs (Small Dome)
11am
Sunday Service
11am
Child Care (Nursery)
6:45pm
Choir
Rehearsal
8:30am
Nature Walk in the Park (info: 813/988-6453)
CALENDAR
OF FEBRUARY EVENTS
Feb.
7 (7-10pm)………..……..Building Your Own Theology
Feb.
7 (7:30pm)…….…………………..Concert: Eric Taylor
Feb.
18 (7pm)……..….50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Feb.
19 (After Service)…....50th Anniversary Potluck Lunch
Feb.
20 (6-11pm)…………… ………………Wicca 101 Class
Feb.
21 (7-10)…………………Building Your Qwn Theology
Feb.
26 (3pm)…………………….….Concert: Cindy Kallett
Feb.
27 (6:30-11pm)………………….……Drumming Circle
Universalist
Church of Tampa
One Place. All Faith
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.