March 4th, 2008 Volume 49, no 25
Spiritual Celebration and Programs
March 9th
9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Jim Scott, UU singer/songwriter will present the program.
10:45 a.m. Program: "The Populist March of Annie Diggs". Joan Stone, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence and Yale, has used her diverse background in anthropology, urban studies, and literature to build an unusual repertory of historic, narrative, and environmental dances. Joan and her accompanist, Melissa Falkner, will introduce us to Annie Diggs, an early Unitarian activist.
March 16th
9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Marta Caminero-Santangelo will share reflections on death.
10:45 a.m. Program: Judge Jean Shepard will discuss the needs of children and women in our community.
March 23rd
Easter9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Led by our consulting minister, JIll Jarvis.
10:45 a.m. Program: Easter/Spring celebration led by Sherry Warren and Janney Burgess
EASTER POTLUCK DINNER TO FOLLOW. Details to be announced.
March 30th UUA JUSTICE SUNDAY
9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Dave Fullerton will share a reflection on Elie Weisel.
10:45 a.m. Program: Angela Ferguson, attorney, will speak about legal immigration issues.
Reminder: Membership Meeting
There is a meeting of the membership, and any other interested parties, on Sunday, March 9, at noon to hear updates on the building, finances and minister and a time for questions. Please come. Also, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour as Daylight Savings Time begins early Sunday morning. ~Judy Wilson
Getting to Know UU
Next Sunday, March 9th, is "Getting to Know UU" Sunday. Those interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism and UFL, asking questions and getting acquainted, are invited to meet informally with our minister, Jill Jarvis, and Valerie Roper, membership chair, between the 9:15 service and the 10:45 program.
Look for the "Getting to Know UU" sign in the meeting hall after the 9:15 service.
New Addition Nearly Enclosed
Our expansion is really starting to take shape as the Kelley Construction crew completes covering the outside with plywood. The roof is already covered and we expect to have the permanent, seamless membrane installed over it within two weeks, weather permitting. Next, they will cover the exterior walls with a windproof and water repellent material like Tyvek and begin to install the decorative wooden pieces.
Grocery Gift Card Sales
In spite of getting snowed out one Sunday, our sales of grocery store gift cards and certificates has provided a net return in excess of $560 for our treasury. It costs members nothing to use the cards, but we gain 5% or 6% on every sale. For example, a family that spends $400 per month at Dillon's or Checkers can give the fellowship a check for that amount and then get $400 in certificates or gift cards. The have as much to spend on groceries, but the Fellowship gets a $24 "commission" for the sale. That adds up to a cost-free $288 annual donation that we badly need. So, whether you shop at Checkers, Dillon's Hy-Vee or the Merc, please help us make budget with this program!
"Beyond Theology"
Every Sunday at 1:00 pm. you can watch a public television program on KCPT that is jointly underwritten by All Souls UU Church in Kansas City and Shawnee Mission UU Church in Overland Park. Titled "Beyond Theology" it provides an insightful and provocative look at religions issues in 21st century America. If are out at that time of day and you have a recording device, it is worth using so you can catch the program later.
Visit from "UU Troubadour"
Sunday March 9: Jim Scott, "UU Troubadour", to visit UFL
From our consulting minister Jill Jarvis:
The Spiritual Celebration Team has a real treat in store for you on Sunday, March 9, at 9:15. Because of this extraordinary opportunity that was presented to us, I'll be postponing leading my usual second-Sunday service that day. Instead, I'll have the honor of introducing Jim Scott, well-known UU troubadour who will be conducting a very special service, "Gaia, Mother Earth and the Oneness of Everything." Jim intersperses original songs and readings with his personal reflections on a spiritual ecological awareness. The idea of Mother Earth or "Gaia" being a living organism with the same physical attributes (heart, lungs, circulatory system) as humans leads us to a deeper connection with our life support system. Jim's uplifting songs provide the balance to the "wake up call," leaving participants with a vision and inspiration to take the healing into our own hands.
Jim's songs are included in the UU Hymnbook, and in the new "Singing the Journey" hymnbook supplement. His hymn "Gather the Spirit" has become well known across the denomination and his music is sung from church choirs to campfires. Former Co Chair of the UU Seventh Principle project, Jim helped create the "Green Sanctuary" program now undertaken by many UU congregations.
Book Group Forming
A noon meeting of the Adult Religious Education Committee was held on Sunday, February 10th to review/brainstorm tentative activity ideas for the coming Spring/Summer season, and the 2008-2009 Fellowship year. Several ideas emerged, including suggestions for Book Groups. One idea is to present a UU Adult Ed.Curricula Series,selected from offerings on Beacon Press's website. This could meld nicely with plans to have Wednesday evenings serve as a midweek gathering time now being discussed in conjunction with the new building.
Another idea is to find books that look at other faiths or belief systems, or even collections by well-known people who've written about their own experiences with spirituality. ( Current personal favorites are "For the Love of God" and "Handbook for the Soul", both co-edited by Benjamin Shields & Richard Carlson). These could be read over a Spring or Autumn season, with weekly or semi-monthly meetings to discuss a single chapter or story.
Meetings could be incorporated into the Wednesday night (with built-in childcare) programming, at Presbyterian Manor, or our own homes. We could also look at a day- time group, for those unable or not wanting to go out at night.
Finally, there is the possibility for an "ordinary old book group", just like any others you might have been part of over the years (or wished had room for you to join). We'd be reading for pleasure, and the subject areas are wide open for discussion.
The committee is looking for feedback on all three ideas. With enough interest, we could have all of the groups up and running by Autumn, or start slow, with whichever has the highest response, running during the Spring season. We need everyone's input to make this kind of activity a reality!!
Please contact: Marilyn Ph.838-3057 or by e-mail mgroy@sunflower.com or Judy Wilson by e-mail jwilson@sunflower.com We look forward to hearing from you!!
Calling all Talented Youth!
This summer will be your time to shine! The Spiritual Celebration team would love to highlight your talents this summer. The ULF Choir will be on vacation, so we hope to fill the musical interlude portion of the first service with your talent. This is a wonderful environment for young performers (beginners as well as accomplished), as the listeners care and support our youth. Jitters, nerves and mistakes are ignored. If you are interested in participating in the musical interlude (piano, instrumental. vocal, dance, something else???), please contact Susan Harper, musical director, at 785-830-8487 or sbharper@sbcglobal.net. Please include your name, your contact information, your talent and the dates you will be available. Thanks again! ~Susan Harper
Summary
10:45 a.m. Program: "But She Thinks Like a Man!"
Our UUFL was fortunate to be addressed by Rev. Judy Long O'Neal who is no stranger to our Fellowship and always a thoughtful, engaging presenter. Judy's topic was "But She Thinks Like a Man!", in honor of Women's History Month. She talked on the difference between egalitarian and transformative feminism.
Judy shared with us her journey as an ordained First United Methodist minister, a path that has led her from North Lawrence's Centenary United Methodist Church to a "megachurch", The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. She found the mega church, with approximately 4000 members, meets the needs of the masses but lacks spontaneity and she celebrated with us that she has just accepted a new appointment again with a smaller Methodist church, this one on Stull Road. We are glad to still have her in the neighborhood. ~Summary by Teresa Wilke