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The Point
Newsletter of the Universalist Unitarian Church
Rev. Severn Towl. Minister |
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The Point
Newsletter of the Universalist Unitarian Church
Rev. Severn Towl. Minister |
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October 7th My Heart Quakes From Severn AN AMAZING JOURNEY: THE UNIVERSE AND ME, a six-week adult program, will be offered after church in October to mid-November. Still time to sign up! I have just seen the movie, The 11th Hour, narrated by Leonardo DeCaprio, on environmental issues and global warming. It was definitely worth seeing – a kind of follow-up to Al Gore’s movie. I keep my grandson in mind as I watch PBS shows and movies, because it will be his world that will suffer greatly. The Amazing Journey curriculum is connected to these matters, in that it teaches us how “one” we are with all that is, how critical our relationship with the earth is, and how loving our planet home will help us make the necessary changes. Our church will be beginning the process of becoming a “Green Sanctuary.” We will be following guidelines laid out by the Unitarian Universalist Association (as we did when we became a Welcoming Congregation). It will take all of us to be involved. Message from the President I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked so hard this last year to make our church a better place to worship. We now have a new heating system and insulation which will keep us warmer and let us be more energy efficient. Our main bathroom looks clean and bright (and smells better!). The nursery is sparkling with a new laminate floor. Averill Parlors with its fresh paint and organized notice boards and shelves looks simply amazing. What a year and what a move forward! I'm truly inspired by what a huge difference all of this has made. I'd like to invite each of us to try and make a difference no matter how big or small. If you see something that needs to be done, go for it. Our energy and enthusiasm are what make us such a vibrant and wonderful community. Let's keep up the good work. Enjoy the fall—Diane Publicity Specialist We are looking for someone who is interested in handling publicity for church-sponsored events and fundraisers. This would include contacting appropriate media such as the newspapers, radio stations, etc. It might also include putting up posters locally. It would be a great help to have one person who could handle this! If anyone is interested in public relations and would like to take this on, please see or call Diane Wheeler-877-8586. Among Ourselves Please keep Derek Harris (and his wife and extended family) in your thoughts and prayers. He is, as of this writing, on life support at Eastern Maine Medical Center Thank you so much for a wonderful time at my party, given by my girls Debi and Sandy. HOWEVER, someone gave me a delightful box of Afternoon Tea, and I don't know whom. It is a delight and I want to say THANKS. Please let me know who you are. Karen Gillman Harry Vayo’s new CD Ashes on the Stream is available for $15. Archives Committee In 1833, Rev. Calvin Gardiner began his 20-year ministry here. So far, his has been the longest pastorate, but Severn is close, 1989-the present. Rev. and Mrs. Gardiner's daughter gave the stained glass window in front of the church in memory of her parents. Linda Davis It's Great to Greet! If you're looking for a nice way to contribute to the church that's easy, fun, and doesn't involve writing a check or spending a lot of time, please sign up on the yellow "Greeter Sign-up" sheet on the bulletin board downstairs. It's a great way to meet people and, especially for us shy folks, a low-key, low-risk way to be part of things. For more information contact Beth Schiller (enschill@colby.edu) or anyone on the Fellowship Committee. Thank you!
October Greeters: Buddhist Meditation and Dharma Study Thursday evening Buddhist meditation is moving to Sunday evenings starting Sunday, Sept. 23 and continuing for at least six weeks. We will meet at 7 p.m. in Averill Parlors. Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Bill Basford if you need more information, or meditation instruction. Some Nifty Things to Check out in Averill Parlors Jim Easton has quickly done all the trim work on the new Nursery floor to complete the project. The installer gave us a good deal to do the job without doing the edging (since it's an unusual edge with many sides). Thanks to Jim, Kristin Majeska whose contribution got this project started, and Bill Lee who also donated to the floor fund. An R.E. Committee group of Mark Tappan, Scott Price, Kerri Jarosz, Sarah Jarosz, Lass Vanappen, Linda Lee & Tina Missbach did a thorough deep-clean and re-organization of the RE spaces in preparation for the new RE year. The old adage was certainly true: Many hands made light the work! Connie Winship, Kathy McKay and Linda Lee have almost completed the scraping, cleaning and painting of the window frames in Averill Parlors. A reminder to all: The changing table is no longer in the main bathroom. A new changing table is in the Nursery, behind the door. Senior Youth Group The Senior RE group meets on the first and third Sundays of the month. Our routine has been to meet in Averill Parlors at 9:30, walk to Jorgenson's together, purchase food, discuss a subject or just visit. Occasionally we get together to hike, attend a movie, etc. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to call or email us. Bill & Rachel Marsh-Sachs at 547-3101 or email zone4@gwi.net Green Sanctuary Program Last spring, while at our UU district meeting, Jon Rogers and Ed Spear attended a workshop on the Green Sanctuary Program of the UUA. This workshop presented ideas as to how congregations could become committed to the Earth “by creating a sustainable life style for its members as individuals and as a faith community.” (www.uuministryforearth.org/grs_htm) Jon and Ed met with the Board and were authorized to organize the Green Sanctuary Program for our church. We will be introducing the program through a series of articles in the Point, beginning with this issue. We need lots of help so we are asking anyone who has an interest in the program to make themselves known to either Ed or Jon. To introduce the program, we thought that looking at the list of goals would be a good beginning. Program Goals: 1.
to build awareness of societal environmental issues
among UUs. Next time, we will take a look at the program areas and the activities that go along with each statement. Welcoming Congregation National GLBT History Month October is GLBT History Month. As part of this celebration, thirty-one GLBT leaders are selected yearly, one for each day of the month. The selections comprise individuals, living or dead, who have distinguished themselves within their field of endeavor, as national heroes, or in the GLBT civil rights movement. The names of this year’s recipients, as well as those from earlier years, are listed alongside the “Unfortunately History Has Set the Record a Little Too Straight” poster in Averill Parlors. To view a video of this year’s winners, visit http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/ National Coming Out Day National Coming Out Day, October 11th, coincidentally falls on the 20th anniversary of the 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, and the unfurling of the AIDS Quilt on the National Mall. Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights On Sunday October 7th, 4 - 6 PM, as part of a nationwide action call, Maine citizens will rally on the steps of the State Capitol to deliver the simple but powerful message that straight people are demanding equal rights for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans and their families. For more information, contact Dr. Mark Doty at 207-942-4381 or email hscc@midmaine.com Or call the Winships at 453-7409 or email rayandconnie@roadrunner.com.
Donation Sunday The plate offering the first Sunday of each month is donated to a designated local non-profit organization. October Community Dental Center The Waterville Community Dental Center provides care for children and families who would not be able to afford treatment otherwise. November Family Violence Project The vision of the Family Violence Project is a community without violence where people treat each other with respect. Visit their web site at www.familyviolenceproject.org/ December Minister's Discretionary Fund This fund is used for local people who need help with everything from food and rent to heating oil. September's donation benefited the Evening Sandwich Program; it totaled $437. Nursery Thanks to the following volunteers who will take a turn being adult support in the Nursery during October.
October 7 - Lisa
Lichterfeld Fees for Use of Church At its August meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to charge fees for groups outside of our church to use the church facilities for private functions. Members of the Board researched the fees other churches in our area charge for use of their facilities. Our fees, outlined below, are in line with the policies, practices, and fees at these other churches First, there is no charge for members of the church to use the sanctuary, Fellow-ship Hall and Averill Parlors for services or gatherings such as weddings, services of union, memorial services, or for study and mediation groups. Do schedule these events through Severn by calling the church and by making sure the event is listed on the church calendar in Averill Parlors. The fee for an outside person or group to use the sanctuary for a function is $100. The fee for an outside person or group to use Fellowship Hall, Averill Parlors, the kitchen and serving areas is also $100. The fee for small, private, non-profit groups that meet regularly at our church but whose members are not associated with our church is $15 per hour. We will place a notice of this fee schedule in a basket for interested groups to see and for Severn to consult when she negotiates with community members about using our facilities. We will ask the community group to place the fee in the basket. Severn reminds us to please check the church calendar in Averill Parlors to see when events are held and to be sure any event you schedule does not conflict with other events. Severn, Diane Wheeler, or any member of the Board of Trustees can answer questions about this policy. Karen Kusiak Worship Committee Update The Worship Committee is busy planning for the coming year. We are considering a new format and topic for the service just prior to New Year’s Day. Nearly every culture celebrates a new year, whether it be January 1st or at another time of year. We thought it would be interesting to take a look at rituals and ideas about the New Year from diverse cultural perspectives. Anyone familiar with a different culture, who would be willing to share their knowledge and experience, should contact a member of the Worship Committee. Periodically the committee plans a lay service around the spiritual journeys of some of our congregants. If you would like to share your spiritual path or have any other ideas about such a service, please contact a member of the committee. As always feel free to share your thoughts on worship with any of us, as well as with Severn directly. The Worship Committee
Edie Keller, Committee
Chair 3rd Annual Joint Fall Conference of the NED/NH/VT Districts ‘Growth and Social Consciousness’ ~ Pooling resources for progress ~
October
5th October 6th 2007 Join Unitarian Universalists from across the three states in an historic setting! Keynote: Rev. Gail Geisenhainer Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Vero Beach, FL, Sunday Worship Leader, General Assembly 2006 Guest Speakers:
Neil Rolde, Maine
Historian Workshops Growth in Our Congregations/ Gail Geisenhainer, Mary Higgins The Values of Congregational Transformation/ Jim Vanderweele ME-NH-VT: Hotbed of Universalism/ Peter Richardson, John Sanders Small and Vital Congregations/ Karen Brammer Small Group Ministry Sessions: Reflections and Responses as We Move Forward Everything New in the District NEW Name <> NEW Logo <> NEW Banner CHILDREN’S PROGRAM / DISPLAY AREA Early Registration is urged, especially for overnight accommodations Note: Columbus Day is Monday, so accommodations will be going fast for the weekend. Block of rooms have been reserved at Double Tree, 1230 Congress Street, Portland, $139/room Register by September 5 (207-774-5611) and at Super 8, Turnpike Exit #48; $89/room with double bed - Mention the UU Conference when you register for these rooms. Note request for Home hospitality or additional housing listings on conference registration form. REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 24 Cost: $45 adults; $17 child under 10 years (Saturday Breakfast/Lunch are included.) Friday Dinner tickets available: $13 adult, $6.50 child under 10 years September 24 is the final registration date for Children’s Program, Home Hospitality Conference registration after September 24 will not include food. $35 adults; $12 child under 10 years Contact District Office, Concord 603-228-8704 |
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