February 4^th           The Greatest of These
February 11^th         The Feast of St. Valentine
February 18^th         What Does Your Life Need?
February 25^th         Lay Service

 From Severn

Several noteworthy events this month – among them, on February 3^rd, the Augusta UU Church will host the Northeast District Winter Gathering (we hosted it last year), from 8:30-3:30. The main presenter will be Jim Scott, UU musician and storyteller.  

And that evening, at 7:00 P.M., we will hear a concert at our church presented by our pianist, Gjergji Gaqi. Many of us missed his concert at Colby earlier, so be sure to come and bring friends. It’s sure to be a wonderful experience.

 Our church is being insulated this week! Many thanks to Jim Easton for all his skills and efforts to keep projects on track. I hear that ESP funds are getting low – if you can help, it would be appreciated.

Winter seems to have arrived at long last. Just a reminder that if any of you need help staying warm, the minister’s discretionary fund can help.  

President’s Message

For inspiration and ideas to help you live the UU principles and support our church and community, check out the notice of the Northeast District Winter Conference in this issue of the Point (or see the announcement posted in Averill Parlors).  

We are fortunate to have Jim Scott, composer of “Gather the Spirit” and other UU hymns who now serves as a musical ambassador for the UU Service Committee, to present the keynote. With such an interesting schedule of workshops (how to choose which one to attend?!) and dynamic keynote speaker as this, and being in nearby Augusta, this is a conference that Waterville UUs won’t want to miss.

 I would like to thank the many people who keep our church running – both spiritually and physically. You are wonderful individuals and an amazing group! I don’t dare to try to thank people specifically because so many things get done quietly, behind the scenes, without fanfare, when someone sees a need and takes care of it.

 Of special note, especially in the coming months, are the members of the worship committee who handle so much that’s involved with our weekly services and will be particularly busy preparing for and managing the services during Severn’s sabbatical in May and June of this year.

 If you have ideas for service themes, know someone who would be a good speaker, or would like to volunteer, at any time, please speak to a member of the worship committee (chair is Edie Keller, phone 872-6161). 

Sixth Annual Northeast District UUA Winter Conference

“For Such a Time as This”

All are welcome to attend the sixth annual Northeast District UUA Winter Conference, “For Such a Time as This,” will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 8:30-3:30, at the Augusta UU Community Church.  

The keynote presentation features Jim Scott with his “storytelling guitar.”

Jim Scott is a UU musician and activist who has visited more than 300 UU congregations. He performed with the Paul Winter Consort for many years and was co-composer of Missa Gaia/Earth Mass. As Co-Chair of the UU Seventh Principle Project, Jim helped develop the UU “Green Sanctuary” program and created “The Earth and Spirit Songbook.”  Afternoon workshops cover a range of topics of interest to our congregation:

Be a Good Apple Learn how you might join other congregations and families throughout Maine who have pledged to buy at least $10 worth of Maine-grown foods per week.

Environmental Issues and Small Congregations How might our smallest congregations make a large difference with respect to the various environmental issues facing our world today?

How to be a Green Sanctuary Three of our NED UU congregations are now certified as Green Sanctuaries. Helping to protect the Earth is indeed a spiritual/moral/religious imperative. Learn how you might begin the process of certification for your congregation.

Resources for Children and the Earth This will be a sharing of book titles, activities, and other creative ideas to further involve our children as well as adults in caring for our planet home. Bring with you any resources you may have.

Intergenerational Mission Trips More than one of our congregations have put their faith in action by sending teams of both youth and adults to places within Maine and beyond to work together with individuals and groups in need.

 The conference also provides an excellent opportunity to meet UUs from throughout the state, to share ideas and fellowship.

 First Sunday of the Month Plate

January 2007

The plate offering of January 7^th, earmarked for the Minister's

Discretionary Fund, totaled $578.

Friends of the UUA Phonathon



Dear UU Ministers, Board Presidents, and Administrators,

We would prefer that no one be surprised to receive a fundraising call from Friends of the UUA, so we ask that you please share this information with the members of your congregation through a mention in your congregational newsletter or other announcements.


 As a supplement to periodic mailings, Friends of the UUA will be conducting a fundraising phonathon beginning the week of February 19th and continuing through the third week in March.  Outreach Associates, a telemarketing firm located in Pittsburgh, will be phoning members who are currently active Friends of the UUA to ask them to renew their support.

Our contract with this firm requires that all callers must be courteous, respectful, and succinct as they offer identified Unitarian Universalists an opportunity to support our Association directly. Your feedback about the calls will help us to monitor their quality. We have established a Friends Phonathon Hotline to facilitate that feedback: Members may call (617) 948-6525 to leave a message to ask to be placed on the "no call" list or to share a comment directly with a UUA staff member. Your willingness to support the UUA enhances our ability to provide services and programs to member congregations and presents avenues for future growth of Unitarian Universalism throughout the country.

 With gratitude,
Cynthia Salloway, Director

Friends of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Stewardship & Development

 UUDDs

The dinner discussion groups need some more folks. UUDDs are one of the very best ways to get to know people in the church community.

 Typically the groups consist of 8-10 people and meet once a month. The potluck dinners rotate between member’s houses and the host chooses a topic to discuss. If you’re interested please contact:

Kathy McKay 453-9036  thunder4@midmaine.com or
Rachel Marsh-Sachs 547-3101  zone4@gwi.net

February Nursery 

February 4 - Lisa Lichterfeld
February 11 - Kristin Majeska
February 18 - Don Naber
February 25 - Melissa Evers 

Online Point

For your information, past issues of the Point are always available online at http://www.uuc-wtvl.org/

 Update on Church Website Activity

Click the following to see a graph which shows the traffic to our site per day between 12/01/06 and 1/23/07

Click Here For The Graph 

Summary of Traffic to UUC-WTVL website (December 2006-January 2007)

Total visitors                             1,974               Average visitors per day           42.06

Total pageviews                        2,049               Average pageviews per day      43.59

Total hits                                  5,602               Average hits per day                 119.19

                                 Average length of session  00.00.37

Calling All Women

Saturday Feb. 10^th  is the day of the annual Valentine's Party at Martha

Naber's home at 7 Nudd Street. in Waterville! Come make cards, visit with other women, eat good (and bad for you!) food. It all begins at 2:00 P.M. and ends when the last person leaves, usually around 9:30 P.M. If you are here at dinner time, feel free to bring something to share. Come enjoy each other's company whether you make Valentines or not! 

 If you have questions, please see Martha Naber or call her at 872-0913. See you there!

“Winter Point” Editors

Special thanks to Marilyn Wheeler and Claire Prontnicki who have volunteered to do the March and April Point Newsletters while Connie Winship snowbirds to Florida with beloved pet cat Abbie, and husband Ray.

 The Winships can be reached at rayandconnie@gwi.net

Bravo!

Those of us at the January 7^th service who heard the powerfully moving duet “Be Thou My Vision” sung by Sarah Klomparens and San Duplessie showed enormous restraint in not applauding wildly at the conclusion of the hymn!

 Thanks to these great kids for sharing their extraordinary gifts with us that morning.

 No Religious Education February 11th 

February 11^th is Teacher/Children Day. It will be an intergenerational service. There will be no RE.

Worship Committee

Severn will be on sabbatical during the months of May and June this year. The Worship Committee is working on putting together services for the Sundays that Severn will be away. We are making good progress, but we can always use help! If you have suggestions or ideas please let the members of the committee know. 

 We are sorry to inform you that Joe Laferriere has resigned from the committee, but happy to inform you that Bruce O'Donnell has joined our ranks. 

 There will be a guest speaker for the February 25^th Lay Service. 

 As always, feel free to share your thoughts on worship with any of us as well as Severn directly.

 Edie Keller, Committee Chair (ekeller@fc.wtvl.k12.me.us or kellerlikins@dialmaine.com)

Peter Burgher                Bruce O'Donnell

Mary Matson                 Margrit Thomas

Nancy Wynne                Gi Reed

David Vaughn

Junior Youth Group

The Junior Youth Group would like to thank everyone who made the Alternative Giving Fair a rousing success this year.

 You helped raise $835 that went to 18 different local organizations. They included: the Food Bank, Rape Crisis, UU Capital Fund, Hospice, Winslow Elementary School, Dental Center, Maine General Medical Center, Humane Society, Keller Camper Fund, Opera House, Winslow Library, Homeless Shelter, Domestic Violence, Hardy Girls, Salvation Army, Maine Children's Home, Habitat for Humanity and ESP. 

 We are planning on making it an even bigger success next year!

Welcoming Congregation

2007 Calendar of Events

With three of ten WC members (Winships and Janice Mathieu) in Florida for the winter months, stalwart Welcoming Congregation team members Ellie Adams, Bruce O’Donnell, Katherine Kusiak-Carey, Carol Basen, Erik Nickerson, Maria Timberlake & Peter Burgher will nonetheless meet in March to set things in motion for 2007. Go Team!

 On the table for consideration during the next year are a four week Workshop Series, a Film-Discussion Group, a Second Hour Program and a Lay Service in June. Additionally, we hope to do some community outreach and facilitate some RE classes. There will be more information as plans are finalized.  

Wine Country Excursions

The UU’s of Napa, California are proud to offer their third season of Wine Country Excursions, a delightful way to enjoy two of America’s most scenic valleys, Napa and Sonoma, an hour northeast of San Francisco.

 Tours are small and customized to focus on guest’s interests, e.g. wine education and tasting, art, history of the region, gourmet dining, or exploring the natural beauty of the hills and valleys. Visits will include private room/bath and breakfast in the homes of congregation members.

 Sites of particular interest include COPIA (the American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts); Jack London’s home; renowned and boutique wineries; fine restaurants including the Culinary Institute of America; the diRosa Art and Nature Preserve; many museums and galleries; miles of bicycling and hiking trails, etc.

 In 2007 we will offer Excursions from mid-May through mid-October. Plan for two days of touring and a two or three night stay with all local transportation provided. Home hospitality without tours is also available.  

Our fees are below market rate for similar services with all proceeds donated to our small fellowship. We have limited openings, so contact us now for details.

 Call Iris Barrie at 707.265.6926 or email barrie001@comcast.net.

February 2007 Calendar

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