Domelight September 2006

In the Interim

Rev. Elizabeth Brown

As I write this column, I have just attended the Advance Canvass of the top givers in our church. My brief pep talk with them (a classic example of preaching to the choir) was a preview of coming attractions.

I am a minister who loves to talk about money, because talking about money is really talking about the values that Unitarian Universalists offer to the world. And pledging to support this institution and its mission with our time, talents, and money gives us all an opportunity to practice the spiritual discipline called generosity.

This congregation has a lot going for it:

A dedicated and institutionally savvy cadre of leaders
A high quality, young staff, including our Director of Religious Education (who doubles as Office Administrator) and our new Choir Director.
A wonderful group of children and youth
A beautiful, flexible worship space
A large metropolitan area with demographics/features more favorable to Unitarian Universalists than we tend to acknowledge, including, of course, a huge state university just down the road.
A Mission/Vision task force which has done stellar work in helping the UUCT articulate its values, goals, and raison d’être .

This church would be poised for exponential growth, except for a few drawbacks:

a) Some folks think we are fine just as we are, thanks—no need to change.
b) Some folks have what I call a scarcity mentality—we’d love to grow, but we just can’t afford it.

To these folks I say:

a) To be human is to grow and change, and
b) There is an abundance of time, talent, and treasure here.

Sometimes I think the reason many UU congregations feel poor is that we tend to compare ourselves with the wealthiest members of our community instead of with our economic peers, let alone the rest of the world, in relation to which most of us are very wealthy indeed.

The leaders at Saturday’s advance canvass (some were out of town or had other obligations that evening) pledged over 25% of the total budget for next year. I’ll be preaching to you more than once this year about generosity, and I’ll be putting my money where my mouth is.

Here is my pledge: Even though I am only a pre-fired Interim Minister, and not a voting member of the church, I pledge 3% of my gross income (salary plus housing) to the UUCT. I don’t consider this anything to crow about—3% should, in my opinion, be the bare minimum recommended pledge. I usually try to pledge at least 5%, but this year my family is struggling to maintain two residences. I challenge every one of you who is fully employed to follow my lead by pledging in the 3%-5% range, and everyone else to give as much as you can.

The ultimate motivation for generosity is a selfish one. It feels good. Try it. It’s almost as good as chocolate.

Blessings,
Rev. Liz

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community as your new President of the Board of Trustees. It was an honor to be elected to the BOT last year and now an honor to be elected by the other Board members to the position of President.

My qualifications are: supervisory experience with the Department of Juvenile Justice, Board Member of the National Organization for Women for 18 years, Communications Chair for UUCT for the past 8 years, and Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the past year. I plan to use all my skills to lead the Board and am very impressed with each of the members.

I have been a member of this church for 18 years. I have enjoyed 3 settled ministers and 4 interim ministers during that time. I feel that we, as a church, are the strongest we have ever been and are moving forward to our best years yet. We currently have a strong interim minister, the Rev. Liz Brown, who will help us on that journey for the next year. She listed our tasks and her focus in the last Domelight.

We have an excellent Search Committee that is already working on the search for our next settled minister. The Mission and Vision group’s work is vital to our understanding of us as a community and will determine a new focused direction.

Look for a summary of the Board of Trustees minutes in future Domelights and a copy of the actual minutes on the Bulletin Board in the front entrance. Office staff can make you a copy if you are interested. Here is to the beginning of the next great year. YEAH!!!

HOPE by Carol Partington

Mark your calendars for the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) Convention Assembly - Sunday, November 19, from 4 pm - 6 pm. The meeting will include a status report from Mr. Raymond Miller, CEO of HART. We will celebrate the extension of Late Night Bus Service on 9 routes. We will also vote on problem areas for the 2007 Action and elect officers of HOPE.

This assembly is an opportunity to test our justice networks. Are we prepared to engage a large number of UU’s and friends to stand up for justice? If everyone who is involved in any way with HOPE invites three other people to join them at this assembly, we will turn out 100 or more people! Think of this as a ready alert training. Show that we can turn out the numbers now, and when we have a big issue to confront, we will be able to show our strength in numbers to the powers that be.

UUCT is a member of HOPE. Therefore, we are all members. HOPE is an opportunity to demonstrate our UU principles in the local community.

Free to members and contributing friends: others are requested to make a $10 donation for a one-year subscription.

Domelight deadline is generally the Sunday closest to the 15^th of each month. Deadline for the next issue can be found within. Entries may be made by e-mail to Domelight@chrisandjamie.net

Submissions should include a contact name and phone number. Editor: Chris Hendrickx

Rev. Liz will be in the UUCT Office on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. She is available for consultation in her home office on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM at 727-599-6132. She tries to observe a Sabbath (i.e., a total day off) on Wednesdays and her monthly Sunday off. However, like most ministers, she is available 24/7 for emergencies.

Migrant Workers Program

The Charity Committee would like to remind you that there is a basket for food offerings at the church entrance. The basket is for nonperishable food and personal items; no clothing. Please try to remember to bring something to share with those less fortunate.

Friendship Dinner Forum by Martha Robinson

For October, Willow LaMonte will host at her home in Valrico on October 21. The dinner will be a natural/whole foods dinner starting at 6pm and there is room for 10 guests. If you would like a tour of her organic herb and flower gardens, come early around 5pm…call Willow for directions. Signup sheets for the dinner are posted in the church foyer where you will find Willow’s phone number to call for directions.

Friendship dinners are a great way to meet and get to know church members on a more personal level. If you would like more information about how they work contact Martha Robinson at mrobins7@verizon.net or (813)985-4777. With hosts for October signed in, we are now looking for November’s host or hosts. December is not far away. If you would like to step forward and host a dinner, please call Martha. Rumor has it that she and Bud will once again host a dinner in December, but don’t let that stop you from having one also!

Interweave

“Interweave Continental is a membership organization actively working to end oppression based on sexual orientation and gender identity, recognizing that we will not be free until all oppression is a thing of the past. We are an affiliate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and our work is guided by Unitarian Universalist principles. We value and affirm the lives and experience of Queer people of faith of all ages, races, ethnicities, income levels, and abilities. By providing and supporting leadership, and working in collaboration with other organizations of similar vision, we strive to connect and nurture all Queer individuals, communities, groups, and their allies.”

The local UUCT Chapter of Interweave meets every 2nd Sunday after Church. Please see the Order of Service for details or questions can be directed to Jonathan Roudabush.

Immediately following the worship service, there will be a Thanksgiving pot-luck, followed by a Time Line session led by our Interim Minister, Liz Brown. This process is recommended in fulfillment of our first task of Interim Ministry, coming to terms with the history of our congregation. More details will follow in next month's Domelight.

As a fund raiser for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, we are now selling 2007 Entertainment Books. The cost is $25.00 with $5.00 going to the church. During the year, you can save $20.00 at Publix and another $60 at U-Save (Publix will also honor these). That is $80.00 in groceries alone. There are also everyday items like: Automotive, Dry Cleaning, Grocery, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden Retail, Home & Garden Services, Music/Books/Video, Retail and Services. There are over 100 additional offers on Retail and Services. There are over 80 offers on Entertainment and Sports. There are over 85 offers on Travel and Hotels. There are over 30 offers for dining out. There are over 230 offers for Casual Dining & Fast Food. This is all in the Entertainment Book. BUT, that is not all, there are even more savings and tools online at www.entertainment.com

AND, this year we have a plan to help you get the most out of your Entertainment 07 Book. We have a plan for Dinner Out one night a month. We have a plan for RUUGS events the 3rd week of each month that use coupons. We have a plan for Lunches during the week and some after church on Sundays. Any one can come to any event, even without a book – you’ll just save money if you have one! There will be a list posted at church and on the website of all the events. We will be starting these events in November.

As you can tell, I am a firm believer in using the Entertainment Book to save money and have fun. Some years I use it more than others but I always save at least twice the cost of the book and sometimes as much as 100 times the cost of the book. I have friends that buy two a year, that's $50.00, just to save the $160.00 on groceries. If you have visitors from the frozen North, they can use the coupons to go see the local sites. So, give it a try and enjoy the fun and savings.

The books will be on display at church so you can look at the book and get one (or more) for your very own. You can email the church and place your order and we will get the book, or books, to you. Contact Judy Lehman or Diana Stevens

Volunteer for the Witches Masquerade Ball!

October 28^th 2006

Many volunteers are still needed. To volunteer in general, contact Mary Francis (gldnpuma@earthlink.net). If you’d like specifically to help with the haunted dome, please contact Christin Ocasio (Domestic-Goddess@tampabay.rr.com).

UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS by Joan Lund

Welcome to the October column. Hopefully your congregation is prospering and enjoying an active fall season. This month’s column will be devoted to Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Many investors, be they a religious group or an individual, wish to invest their money without sacrificing their values. This is especially true for UUs because of our ethical and moral principles. The way we invest matters, and it is now relatively easy for us to invest in ways that do not violate our integrity while still receiving a competitive return.

There are several main components of SRI. Negative screening means avoiding stock ownership in corporations that make harmful products such as tobacco and weapons, or that have patterns of harmful or flagrant behavior such as polluting substances and abusive labor practices. A second form of SRI is called positive screening which means proactive investment in businesses known for corporate responsibility or positive contributions to the environment and/or society. These corporations have progressive policies concerning equal opportunity, affirmative action, employee ownership, and have beneficial environmental standards. A third form of SRI is shareholder advocacy which seeks to influence corporate behavior through proposing/representing resolutions. These highlight the need for diversified boards of directors, non-discriminatory employment practices, and ending predatory lending programs. Proxy voting is important because we must have the right and responsibility to understand critical aspects of the challenges facing the corporations in which we have invested, and to express our views and concerns to the management through an annual proxy voting process. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) uses a proxy voting service called Institutional Shareholder Services which votes our shares by proxy according to our strict SRI criteria. Community Investing is financing that creates resources and opportunities for economically disadvantaged people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions. This financing supports development initiatives in low-income communities both in the U.S. and developing countries and includes programs which provide capital/technical expertise to persons and groups often under-served by traditional lenders. Community Investing Institutions include community development banks, credit unions, loan funds, and other institutions which offer investment products that support community development. Community Investments are offered by community investing institutions.

It is important for all of us to express our values in all facets of our lives. If you or your congregation is interested in further information about socially responsible investing, contact me at jlund@uua.org or seek out appropriate links on the UUA web site. There is much to learn and assistance available through the UUA.

Sunday, August 13^th marked the opening of the 2006/2007 Religious Education program for children and youth at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. I am happy to report that we have over 40 registrations and new children and youth are showing up each week.

I am very excited about this year and our focus on making the world a more just, compassionate, and peaceful place. We are helping build “World Changers” in our RE program and I think that is pretty cool and rather important. Don’t you?

As you know, we cannot do this without your help. Please look at the units we are exploring and consider contributing your experience, energy, and time. The units are:

This month we are focusing on Disability Awareness. Over the course of four weeks, we will be looking at physical, visual, hearing, and mental challenges. Through video, simulation activities, guests, music, story and discussion, we will explore what it means to be “differently abled,” highlighting our similarities along with our differences.

Parents and Guardians: Please make sure you have filled out a registration form for your child/youth. See Katie for a form. Also, don’t forget – there is a coffee hour just for you in the small dome each Sunday after service. Paid childcare is available for children up to age 4 in the nursery until 12:40. Volunteer childcare on the playground will be coordinated.

YRUU – Our middle/high school youth group this year is SLAMMING! So far we have more than 15 youth attending AND we have TWO NEW TRAINED ADVISORS! (Welcome Tiffany Click and Cynthia Sepulveda!) There will be many exciting things going on in YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) this year including planning the haunted house, teaching an RE class and helping organize a social justice project, attending Lock-Ins, hosting two Florida District events, and participating in fun fellowship, deep discussions, and life changing leadership!

New UUCT baby coming soon! If you have not heard already, JD and I are expecting our second little bundle of joy at the end of February. I am looking forward to bringing another little “World Changer” into existence and am thankful for the support of my community as JD and I build our family. Stay tuned – your help with RE will be needed even more as I prepare for and take maternity leave!!! J

To attract, affirm, and serve a diverse membership requires that we as individuals, as well as our congregation, be intentional about our efforts to become truly diverse. This course, to be facilitated by Rev. Elizabeth Brown, our Interim Minister, is designed to help us be faithful to our religious principles as expressed in our UUA Covenant. It will also assist us in acquiring the basic skills for building bridges across racial, ethnic, cultural, and intellectual divisions.

For further information, please contact Rev. Liz at 727-599-6132 or by email at uulizbrown@tampabay.rr.com.

Classes will run Mondays from October 9th through November 27th. (There will be no class on Nov. 6th) Class time is 7-9.

The earth, the cosmos, is a living being and the interwoven web of life is sacred -- and the Web of Life is what holds us together! Taking a step into your own personal power is a step toward healing and enlightenment -- and we can only help the Earth when we ourselves are healed.

“Rise Up and Call Her Name" has been taught a couple of times previously here at UUCT but what makes this year different is that I am going to blend in Starhawks' book The 12 Wild Swans which is an in-depth 3-tiered curricula exploring self-healing, melding energies with a group, and then learning how to take your insights and strengths into the real world.

We'll draw on cultural anthropology, world religion, and mythology, and we'll also be doing exercises that take us beyond the tried-and-staid into the realms of high energy and spontaneity.

Classes will be Tuesdays (7:30-9:00 p.m.) at the main dome October 3 – November 28. Become energized on your own spiritual journey – join us for “12 Wild Swans Flying through Rise Up and Call Her Name." I strongly suggest you purchase the book The Twelve Wild Swans by Starhawk and Hilary Valentine (Harper-San Francisco, 2001).

Explore and learn the basics of one of the oldest women’s art forms. Middle Eastern Dance.

This Adult Religious Education class will provide an opening to discover a form of self-expression with the potential for transformation and spiritual connection to the Sacred Woman Within. Nyamé, poet, artist, and tribal belly dancer with Troupe Zahara, will lead. Open to all women 18 and older, women in midlife and beyond are especially encouraged and most welcome. Class size is limited to 15!

8-week Class begins on Tuesday Oct. 3, 2006-Nov. 21, 2006 from 6 to 7 pm.

IMPORTANT: There is No Child Care available for this class. Please make arrangements accordingly. Contact Rena Bird at 813-988-2897 or serenasdream@earthlink.net with any questions.

Adult RE opens the fall season with a variety of offerings including our typical book discussion groups, films, and classes. This year, we plan to tie our courses and events in some way to at least one of our UU principles and/or to one of the UU sources. It will be a small challenge that will definitely help to bring our principles and sources more fully into our awareness.

Book of the Month: The award winning, The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Discussion will be facilitated by Robin Leigh on October 22, 2006 in the large dome at 12:30 pm. Bring a light bag lunch or snack. You won't want to miss the discussion about this award winning book that Amazon.com calls "a magical reading experience, an endless blue expanse of storytelling about adventure, survival, and ultimately, faith."

Movie of the Month: Our Popcorn and Opinions series opens with Transamerica. Pat and Wayne Busbice, whose niece was the inspiration for the movie, will be the hosts and facilitators. There will be a sign up sheet for anyone who would like to attend. Movie time will be at 7:00 pm on Friday, October 20. Please plan on arriving a little earlier with food and/or drink to share. Popcorn will be provided and lively discussions guaranteed. For those of you who may not be familiar with the movie, it is a poignantly compelling film starring Felicity Huffman as a transsexual on an emotionally charged, cross country rode trip with an unexpected guest.

Break out of your normal routine and consider giving yourself the gift of a free class, or a discussion about a book or film. You'll be meeting with people of a (somewhat) like mind, stretching your body and brain, and having an absolutely great time!

UUCT RE / Family Calendar

Last month, we wrote about two of the possible future directions we might choose to explore and focus on: As We Are, But Better, and Numerical Growth. This month, there are three more options for us to consider. Which one will you choose?

Imagine…arriving at church on Sunday morning. After escorting your kids to their RE classes, you head over to the classroom where your RE affinity group is meeting. Several classes on other topics are also being offered for adults this term, but you signed up for this one. The classrooms are modern, clean and safe and have all the basic equipment you need for your group to meet comfortably and privately. The RE program is burgeoning with new families, thanks to the child and youth programs; parents are comfortable leaving their children here. Besides our full-time DRE, the Religious Education committees are the priority for our funds and attention. The minister is focused on Religious Education and is running a year-long series of services that compliment this year’s theme – “learning to be UU.” We are energized by the new families, youth, and adults who are coming to us to learn more about liberal religion tradition and thought.

Do you see us primarily as a force for change in the greater community? Do you feel our actions in the community for social justice are how we should be the focus our efforts? Do you feel we are at our best when we provide a venue for such organizations as HOPE? Do you think we most fulfill our spiritual goals when we support equality and fairness in our community? Do you feel that we as a church should focus on these goals? This is what dream 4 is all about. Our minister would be an activist in the community, helping us be more visible and active in social justice issues. The focus would be on improvements that might include meeting, media and production space and office space for facilitating community action and organization. It will not make everyone happy, but it is a fine future, if we decide that’s what we want.

This church is meaningful to me just the way it is…the little dome in the woods. I’m not interested in attending a bigger church and I like our intimate environment. I don’t see any need to focus on growing, and I don’t particularly support any of the other options. My needs are being met now, and I like us just the way we are! Thanks, but let’s move on.

Have a question or idea about the dreams for our future? Contact a committee member: Bill Blymiller, Ed Cole, Mary Francis, Joan Lund, Ara Rogers, Jonathan Roudabush.