Domelight December 2006

In the Interim

Rev. Elizabeth Brown

I am so pleased that our congregation selected Religious Education as its mission focus.

In the training for Extension Ministry I attended six years ago, I learned that two primary ingredients are prerequisites for a healthy UU congregation: the Sunday morning Worship service, and the Children’s Religious Education program. As a former DRE, I am especially called to focus on this vision. I will feature the other part of our Mission, Adult Education, in a subsequent column.

Why is a Children’s Religious Education program crucial to our movement? Because, unless we want to become extinct like the Shakers, Unitarian Universalists must spread the good news of our liberal faith to succeeding generations. But there is another, less self-serving reason for creating a strong children’s R.E. program: because the thousands of children and their families within a half hour radius of our church need us.

One of the main reasons visitors to UU congregations cite in seeking us out is religious education for their children. They want their children to hear a non-dogmatic message, a message that does not shame or frighten them into being good. They want their children to learn to think for themselves and to make ethical decisions. They want their children to learn about the truths found in all the world’s religions, not just Christianity.

Unitarian Universalist Religion Education for children is truly unique. It reflects our seven Principles and our six Sources, the simplified, child-friendly version of which reads as follows:

We believe...

That each and every person is important.
That all people should be treated fairly and kindly.
That we should accept one another and keep on learning together.
That each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
That all people should have a vote about the things that concern them.
In working for a peaceful, fair and free world.
In caring for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things.

Our 6 Sources:

• Our beliefs come from the sense of wonder we all share.

• Our beliefs come from the women and men of long ago whose lives remind us to be kind and fair.

• Our beliefs come from the ethical and spiritual wisdom of the world’s religions.

• Our beliefs come from Jewish and Christian teachings that tell us to love all others as we love ourselves.

• Our beliefs come from the use of reason and the discoveries of science.

• Our beliefs come from the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life.

If you are committed to these Principles and Sources, I urge you to offer your services to our children’s R.E. program. There are many ways besides teaching to embody this commitment, and I’m sure our DRE, Katie Culbert, would be happy to elucidate them for you.

Here’s to our future vision!

Blessings,

Rev. Liz

SOLIDARITY – A unity of interests or sympathies among a group. We have proved that this month by voting for our dream. Now the next part comes by showing our commitment to our choice. Religious Education for children and adults will now be our focus. How well we respond to our decision will determine how far we can go as the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. So, come on all you members, friends and many-time visitors, let’s take a look at how our individual gifts can be used at the church. All of us together can come up with ideas and implement them.

Did you know that we are all leaders just by showing up at Church? Can you imagine!!? Your presence is an affirmation that you want to participate in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. How lucky we are to have this church in Tampa. It has been a presence for 50 years and will be better known because of our new focus on Religious Education.

Did you know that you show your leadership by knowing yourself and living by your values? You do this through your understanding of the Unitarian Universalist principles and how they are a part of your life. Adult Religious Education is one way to explore your beliefs and to build your own theology. Small Group Ministry, discussions and committee work are other ways that you deepen your spirituality.

Did you know that you show your leadership by influencing and guiding others though your behavior and actions? We, as a community, are made up of very interesting, thoughtful, fun people. We all have an effect on each other because everyone is connected. Now our Dream will lead us to share our beliefs more fully with adults, children and the greater community at large. Doing this one thing will set up a chain reaction that will be far reaching.

But, I’m getting way ahead of myself!! I’m just excited about our choice. We will be taking small steps, one at a time, to move in our new direction. We will need all of you to come to church and join us in this new adventure. We will put our Dream in the Search Packet for our new Settled Minister and make Religious Education a primary consideration when interviewing candidates.

The fun is just starting and we invite you to participate with all your energy and love. The first step is the Congregational Meeting to discuss the Budget for 2007 on December 17^th after church.

This is a fund raiser and a great opportunity to get that book you have always been looking for at far less than you would pay elsewhere, and an opportunity to clean out your book cases for the New Year. We will start collecting your donations after January 1^st. For more information see or call Lynn Parrish 813-949-1334 or Joan Lund 813-931-9727.

Domelight is published monthly by

Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

11400 Morris Bridge Rd

Tampa, FL 33637-1902

(813)988-8188

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 is December 17^th. Articles may be submitted by e-mail to Domelight@chrisandjamie.net

Submissions should include a contact name and phone number.

Editor: Chris Hendrickx

Earlier this week, I counted the number of columns I have written since being elected your UUA Trustee, and it numbers thirty-seven. It is important to me to keep the columns informational, current, and not repetitive. I count on you to let me know if this is the case. Last month’s column was about a topic on which I had previously written; and this month I am doing the same by addressing Independent Affiliates (IA). The UUA Board of Trustees (BOT) has voted on and instituted some rule changes regarding qualifications to become an IA (reference July, 2005).

The UUA Board of Trustees grants IA status to independently constituted and operated organizations whose purposes and intentions are in sympathy with the principles of the Association, and who support the Association by paying an annual contribution. The Office of the Executive Vice President maintains a list of current IAs and coordinates the annual review of each organization's status as an independent affiliate. Applications for IA status are vetted through the Our Association Working Group of the Board. The BOT determines if the organization is of substantial benefit to the Unitarian Universalist movement. According to the UUA Bylaws, “The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.”

The BOT understands that the health and vitality of our congregations form the foundation of our Association, and that our congregations are not served by IAs operating in isolation or serving as an alternative for congregational life. The BOT is committed to ongoing reflection concerning the purpose and potential of each organization which applies for IA status. We continue to be aware of the focus and clarity of relationships between congregations and IAs as they shape Unitarian Universalism. IA status is only one way of being in relationship with our Association of congregations. The rules for becoming an IA can be found on the UUA website. There are currently 60 IAs. At General Assembly each IA is entitled to one program event related to their business or mission.

Examples of organizations desiring IA status include, but are not limited to the following: groups that connect to historically marginalized persons within our faith community and provide a forum for linked oppressions; and an organization that encourages dialogue, research, and scholarship among the different UU theological perspectives and religious groups.

Much more could be written, but space does not permit. You know I am always open to comments and questions. I can be reached at jlund@uua.org. I wish you a wonderful, peaceful holiday season.

We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, covenant with one another:

· To be responsive to our church community while following our own spiritual paths.

· We communicate with one another in kindness, support and respect for the democratic process.

· We work together to build a joyful community that affirms peace, justice and spiritual fulfillment.

Welcome New Members

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members, Barbara Graham and Ladidev Volicer.

Church Council Meeting

January 28th, 2006

Bill Blymiller

The Church Council, all Committee chairs, and other interested people, will hold a meeting in the small dome on January 28th, 2006 after services. We will have pizza delivered, but if you want to bring a salad or some fruit or tasty dessert, well. . .

Committee Chairs will be asked to provide an outline of what their Committee is doing, what hurdles are they facing, what budget concerns they have, and what is happening in the next three months.

Look for more information in the Orders of Service and on the Church List-serv.

This month, our Popcorn and Opinions series is taking a hiatus, due to the holiday season. We are continuing to plan for new classes and book discussion groups. There are a couple of events that have rolled over into December:

Classes: The final class of Twelve Wild Swans Flying Through Rise Up and Call Her Name will take place on Tuesday evening, December 5^th from 7:30 - 9:30pm. Barbara Graham will continue to weave her magic as the group leader.

Books: Due to some scheduling conflicts, our previous book of the month discussions will be taking place in December. On December 17^th at 12:30pm (after the Sunday service), Robin Leigh will facilitate the discussion of the book, The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, winner of the Mann Booker prize. The amazon.com review reads, "Yann Martel's imaginative and unforgettable Life of Pi is a magical reading experience, an endless blue expanse of storytelling about adventure, survival, and ultimately, faith."

On December 28^th at 7:00pm, our minister, Rev. Liz Brown and her husband will facilitate a book discussion about Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. Every Thursday for two years in the Islamic Republic of Tehran, University professor Azar Nafisi secretly gathered seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western classics. Her account of this experience is a fascinating and compassionate blend of psychology, social history, and literary criticism.

Liz and Al (her marriage partner) will co-facilitate a discussion of this book, which is dear to both their hearts. You will obviously get more out of the discussion if you have read the book, but all are welcome. Published by Random House, the book is easily available and costs $14.95 in paperback.

To tantalize you for our New Year offerings, here's a brief preview of a couple of things happening in January:

The book of the month for January will be Night, by Elie Wiesel, a long-time mainstay of the New York Times Bestseller list for nonfiction. Night will be facilitated by Ralph Lehman on Sunday, January 14^th after the service. Curt Leviant, of the Saturday Review writes, "Wiesel has taken his own anguish and imaginatively metamorphosed it into art."

Popcorn & Opinions will return with the movie of the month, What the Bleep, hosted and facilitated by Mary Francis and Ollis Hughes on Friday, January 19th at 7:00pm. The plot summary of the DVD reads, "This film plunges you into a world where quantum uncertainty is demonstrated - where neurological processes, and perceptual shifts are engaged and lived by its protagonist - where everything is alive, and reality is changed by every thought."

Don't miss the additional offerings for adults found elsewhere in the Domelight, including CUUPS, Current Affairs, Choir, A Walk in the Park, and Interweave. Happy Holidays to all!

The SHAAG / SHAAFT (Secularists, Humanists, Atheists, Agnostics Group or Secularists, Humanists, Atheists, Agnostics, Free-Thinkers) is still meeting on alternate Wednesdays to discuss topics of interest. In November, we discussed animal rights vs. human rights and the Time magazine article “God vs. Science.” On December 13^th, we will be talking about Humanism and Paganism. The topic for the December 27^th meeting hasn't been chosen yet. The group is informal, but a bit more testy than the Sunday services. No person is criticized, but a person's ideas don't get off so easily. Come see what it’s like. 7:00pm in the Nursery or the small dome depending on the size of the group.

Rev. Liz will be in the UUCT Office on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00pm to 7:00pm.

She is available for consultation in her home office on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 9:00am and 5:00pm 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.

The November Friendship Dinner was held November 18^th at Andrea and Tom Hagner’s in Riverview, and we celebrated Thanksgiving a little early. Thank you Tom and Andrea! As always, it was a great evening.

The sign-up sheet for the December dinner, which will be held at Martha Robinson and Bud Clough’s home, is posted in the foyer of the church, or call Martha Robinson to sign up if you can’t make it to church to put your name on the list. Also, if anyone else would like to host a December dinner please call Martha Robinson (813) 985-4777 as soon as possible so a sign up sheet can be posted for your dinner too.

For those of you new to UUCT and the Friendship Dinner scene…it works like this: the host usually supplies the entrée and the guests bring the rest of the meal, but that is not carved in stone, especially for December where there may be a large crowd. Your host will contact you to find out what you would like to bring. To those new folks…these dinners are a great way to get to know other UUCTers in a less formal setting, with good food, good company and good conversation.

This year's RE theme, UU Can Make a Difference, focuses on how we, as Unitarian Universalists, are called to make the world a fair, free, and peaceful place where all people are treated with dignity and respect. Through activities, lessons, invited guests, and outreach projects, the children and youth are learning the importance of living our UU principles.

One of our current projects is Guest at Your Table - the annual fundraiser for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The UUSC, founded in 1939 to rescue victims of Nazi persecution, is an independent human rights organization whose work is grounded in UU principles and made possible by the activism and generosity of more than 47,000 members and supporters. For more than 30 years, UU communities nationwide have participated in Guest at Your Table. They have come together for this special tradition to give thanks, celebrate UU values, and partner with UUSC to change the world. This year, Guest at Your Table participants are celebrating the work of UUSC and its program partners to strengthen workers' rights; protect the right to safe, affordable water; defend civil liberties and democratic processes; and preserve the rights of vulnerable people after disasters. Guest at Your Table is a UU tradition that educates our communities about human needs and human rights while sharing our blessings. Every member and friend of UUCT is encouraged to take a Guest at Your Table box home to keep on their table during the holiday season. At each meal you will contribute money to the box, imagining that you are hosting a guest at your table. If you were unable to attend the Guest at Your Table Thanksgiving worship service on November 19^th and did not receive a box, please pick one up in the foyer. In January, you will count the money you have collected and write a check to UUSC in that amount. The money will be collected during the January 14^th worship service. Please remember, all donations of $75.00 or more will be matched by the congregation at Shelter Rock.

On December 3^rd, we will be involved in another project helping folks close to home. We'll hit the neighborhood streets of Temple Terrace gathering food and donations for Metropolitan Ministries, a local organization that has served poor and homeless men, women, and children year-round for 33 years in the Tampa Bay region. We will meet in the small dome after service for a quick lunch and debriefing before leaving.

Parents and Guardians We have a great year of justice-oriented activities planned for RE each Sunday and much work is being put into the program. We encourage you to bring your children on a regular basis – doing so connects them more deeply to their UU community, strengthens their friendships with other UU children and adults, and improves their understanding of Unitarian

Universalism and the lessons being taught throughout the year. We welcome your input on the program and urge you to contact Katie to volunteer during the year.

RE Committee Meets once a month to plan and discuss RE for children and youth. This is a fun and rewarding committee.

RE Teacher Teachers are needed to help with our upcoming Racial Justice rotation and Gay/Lesbian family equality rotation. This is a commitment of 4 Sundays.

Seasonal events Please sign up to help with one of the intergenerational events. Food, transportation, set up, clean up, childcare, craft leadership and other positions need to be filled. Sign up sheets are posted on bulletin boards.

Saturday, Dec. 9^th Christmas Tree Trimming and Cookie Exchange Party, 7:00pm (Christmas Pageant Rehearsal)

Sunday, Dec. 10^th Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, 9:30am; Christmas Pageant 11:00am.

Sunday, Dec. 24^th Christmas Worship Service, 11:00am; Candlelight Service 7:00pm

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year so in addition to the regular Sunday service on Christmas Eve day there will also be our traditional candlelight service in the evening. AND we will once again be serving up HOT FUDGE SUNDAES after the service.....so we need willing elves to make batches of hot fudge (I will furnish the recipe and you need a double boiler or two pots, one smaller than the other) or to volunteer to bring in a tub of ice cream. Please see me, Martha Robinson at church or call me at (813) 985-4777 if you would like to participate in either the hot fudge making or the ice cream bringing! Merry Christmas!

On Saturday, November 11^th, Joan Lund (UUA Trustee for Florida District), Judy Lehman (District Board Member), Nadya Hand (Leadership Council Member), and Diana Stevens (UUCT Board President) attended a one-day Leadership Training in Orlando. UUCT was well represented by these four church members. The workshop was about Congregational Life Dynamics and Conflict Management. There are many opportunities for training within the Florida District or Cluster. Those of us that attended really felt that our time and expense were well spent. Ask any of us about the workshop, we would love to share and discuss it with you. Look for announcements on the bulletin board in the front hall and sign up sometime. Or, go to the www.uua.org website and take a course on line.

This month we are starting a new column, which will highlight topics discussed at the previous month’s board meeting.

Each month we receive and discuss reports from the Minister, Director of Religious Education, Treasurer, and Board / Committee Liaisons

In October, Jay Hall, Finance Chair, reported on efforts to establish the amount of cash reserve needed to handle unexpected maintenance and repairs, which are not covered by insurance. The 2007 budget will include a specific amount to be set aside for this reserve fund.

The Board began preliminary discussion of a timeline for Long Range Planning, which will begin as soon as the results of our referendum on the future focus and direction of our church are known.

The Board reviewed a draft Building Use and Rental Agreement Policy. Clauses pertaining to rental use and rental fees were discussed and will be revisited at the November meeting.

Bill Blymiller presented a detailed report on our church demographics. This information will be helpful as we plan programs in the future.

If any of these topics has tweaked your curiosity, please see the most recent copy of the minutes, which is posted on a bulletin board in the foyer. Or ask any Board member. We want to know your concerns and priorities.

It’s time to volunteer for the Church Committee of your choice. In particular need are the Membership Team and Building and Grounds. Other Committees need help, too. If you were waiting for someone to ask you, I'm asking you now. If you are willing to work on a Committee for the good of the Church, email me bill@blymiller.com or call me at 813 988-6551 and I will help steer you to a Committee in need.

If you need or know someone in need of a helping hand, the CARE committee is just a phone call away. Call any of the individuals listed on our bulletin board located in the hallway just out side the kitchen door. If the person you called is unable to help you, they will arrange for someone else to respond to your needs. Or let the minister know and she will pass the information along. To volunteer, please call CARE committee chairman Joyce Formica (813) 988-1907.

Now accepting donations of goods and services. Use your imagination. Please call Candy Gale at (813) 333-5325 or email her at candylgale@earthlink.net for more information.

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.

Walk in the Park

A group of UUs meet at Lettuce Lake Park Thursday mornings at 8:30am 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 8:30am. You are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Patricia McCracken at 813-988-6453.

Interweave

The mission statement of Interweave Continental, Inc.: “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 2^nd Sunday after Church. Please see the Order of Service for details or questions can be directed to Jonathan Roudabush.

Perpetual Gift

Consider giving a gift to the church by purchasing a hymnal in memory of a loved one or to honor a special person. Our hymnbook Singing The Living Tradition is available for $32.00 a copy which includes shipping and handling fees and a personalized bookplate. When we receive five requests, we will place an order. Mail your check for $32.00 made payable to UUCT, attention Hymn Book. Or place the check in the Sunday collection plate with a note. You will be notified before the book is placed in the sanctuary

Foster Angels

Foster angels are available again this year! Help a child in need by getting an angel off the tree. Purchase the items listed, wrap them, then securely attach the angel to the package. 30 angels are available. Angels are available immediately and must be returned by December 10^th. Contact Ollis Hughes for more information.

Your help is needed!

Just a reminder, please help to clean the church. This is not only needed on Building & Grounds day, but also whenever you’re there. We’re not talking about anything difficult, but when you’ve had an event at the church, make sure all food is picked up and put away. Clean up all of your dishes. Take the garbage and recycle out and make sure to put lids on those cans to keep the critters from making a mess. Just these few simple tips can help make sure that we have a sanctuary that’s ready to use when we want to use it, and helps keep the critters in the woods instead of in our kitchen.

A Drink from CUUPS

Circles in the Woods CUUPS (Convenent of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) is a committee within the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa.

We host Full Moon Celebrations on the Saturday closest to the Full Moon. Ritual begins at 7:30pm followed by shared feasting. This is an open family event, so yes, children are welcome! However, childcare is not provided so parents are responsible for the care of their children. Donations to help pay for the upkeep of the property are welcome!

Upcoming Rituals:

Dec 2^nd 7:30pm: Yule as presented by Sacred Oaks Circle – Welcome the return of the 'light'!

Jan 6^th 7:30pm: Join Sacred Woods Coven as Auraine leads an animal totem ritual.

Circles in the Woods CUUPs holds a monthly business meeting the first Monday of each month at 7:00pm. The meeting typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour and is followed by a class. Donations for class materials and use of the building are appreciated.

Dec 4^th 7:00pm: Kitchen Witchery and potluck (Bring your favorite kitchen witch recipe and dish to share!)

The first quarter of 2007 brings the return of our Wicca 101 series. Classes will be on the first and third Mondays of January, February and March at 7:00pm.

Bridge of Peace Ceremony

The Women's Federation for World Peace invites all women to an Inter-Religious Friendship Conference Bridge of Peace Ceremony.

When: Dec. 2^nd, 2006 (Saturday) starting at 5:00pm
Where: USF Marshall Center Ballroom, Room 294
Other: Please bring a small gift for your "sister"

A profoundly healing Bridge of Peace Ceremony was introduced as a way to create "sister-pairs" between the women. In 1995 and 1996, more than 20,000 pairs of women from Japan and the US came together to participate in 129 International Friendship Conferences in the United States. Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II, these conferences successfully introduced the Bridge of Peace Ceremony to Americans. Using a real bridge, this ceremony brings elements of sincere repentance for wrongs in the past, together with the sincere desire to create a new sisterhood relationship, centered on heart.

The Women's Federation for World Peace was established in 1992 by Dr. Hak Ja Moon and her husband, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon in an effort to address the confusion of a world seeing a breakdown in family ethics, as well as the escalation of racial and religious struggles.

The Pentacle is a Wiccan symbol representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit. The Army allows Wiccan soldiers to list their faith on dog tags, Wiccan organizations are allowed to hold services on military installations and the Army Chaplains Handbook includes an explanation of the religion.

But there has been a nine-year struggle to get the Pentacle added to the National Cemetery Administration’s list of emblems of belief that can be included on the grave markers of our deceased veterans. The quest to get the Pentacle to be added to the National Cemetery Administration list began in 1997 and remains unresolved. A federal lawsuit filed Monday, November 13^th, 2006, accuses the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of violating the constitutional rights of Wiccans, because the government does not allow its symbol on headstones in national cemeteries.

For decades, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has provided deceased veterans with memorial markers, plaques, and headstone grave markers that include an emblem of belief. The Christian cross and the Jewish Star of David are the most commonly requested emblems, but the VA has also approved symbols for other religious groups including Islam, Hindu, and Sikh, and smaller groups such as Eckankar, Baha'i, and Sufi. Even atheism has the VA's emblem of belief standards and is permitted the symbol of an atom, with the letter A in the center. There are currently 38 emblems approved, but the pentacle is not one of them.

To support the effort to put the pentacle on the National Cemetery Administration’s approved list, Communicate with both your US Senators & the US Representative for your district about this issue. Write letters and send by email or fax. Call the local offices of your Senators and Representative.

If possible, talk directly with the Veterans liaison on each of their staffs. Describe this issue and ask for their help. When communicating with your elected officials about this issue, if you are a veteran, in the reserves, or on active duty, please mention this.

Reference: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/

Sun. Dec 3^rd at 3:00pm: Bryan Bowers & Susan Boyer Haley. $12 at the door. For more information on Bryan and Susan, visit the corresponding links below.

http://www.somagency.com/BryanBowers http://edoutreach.wcu.edu/dulcimer/staff.html

Sun. Dec 10^th at 5:00pm: Southwind – 9^th Annual Holiday Concert at the Dome! The delightful & entertaining 9-year-old Rock ‘N Roll Sonny (Sonny Ebsary) opens the show. Southwind will bring us holiday & non-holiday folk music, heartwarming and funny songs, wonderful harmonies, multiple instruments, humor, and also some sing-a-longs. Southwind plus Sonny equals a mighty good time.

In the past two months, money has been placed in the church collection basket that has been defaced with symbols and anti-political statements. Banks will not accept these funds. Defacing government property is illegal, so please voice your political sentiments to your elected representatives instead. We request the individual who is putting this money in the basket to please stop.