March 18th, 2008 Vol 49, no 27
Spiritual Celebration and Programs
March 23rd
Easter9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: "Resurrecting the Mythological Jesus." During the last century, mainstream Christian scholars -- and some Unitarian Universalists -- have been in search of the historical Jesus. Findings to date: much of the New Testament is not factual and we can't be sure what Jesus really did or said, or even if he really lived. Join Consulting Minister Jill Jarvis for an Easter Service of celebration as we go in search of the mythological Jesus and explore the ancient wisdom to be found in the resurrection story.
10:45 a.m. Program: The Miracle Returns to Pleasant Valley. Please join us for this original work written by Janney Burgess and performed by a local intergenerational cast. We will welcome Spring whether it is ready for us or not.
EASTER POTLUCK DINNER TO FOLLOW. Details to be announced.
March 30th UUA JUSTICE SUNDAY
9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Angela Feruson will be the speaker.
10:45 a.m. Program:: Angela Ferguson will address issues in immigration.
April 6th
9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Member Dave Fullerton will give the reflection. Dave says: "What Elie Wiesel wrote in the book "Night" about his life before the Holocaust may be the key to understanding why he wrote the book and what he wanted to express - a message I believe that is very palatable for UUs."
10:45 a.m. Program: "Life Transitions: The Later Years". Arthur & Janney Burgess, Helen Gilles, and Earl Nehring reflect on meeting the challenges and changes life brings as one grows older.
Strategic Planning Project Team
Meeting Sunday, March 30th at noon.
At this meeting we will hear further reports of the progress and plans of each Team dealing with Public Relations, our website, being a Welcoming community, expanding Social Action, and Wednesday Programming/Adult RE. We will also discuss how the various Teams can work together to achieve their goals. All are welcome to attend! Come and share your views and creative ideas as to how we can better serve each other and our community.
Exploring Membership Class
A new 4 week Exploring Membership course will begin Sunday, March 30th, from noon to 1:30. Offered by Darla Sigmon and Nicole Goodwin, it is designed for individuals new to Unitarian Universalism (UU), those considering membership or new members. It will acquaint you with the Fellowship community and answer your questions about UU. A light lunch and child care will be provided. Interested? Contact Darla Sigmon, darsigmon@gmail.com, 917-0138, or Nicole Goodwin, nicolelgoodwin@yahoo.com, 760-0789.
Building Your Own Theology
Sign up now for an eight week Build Your Own Theology (BYOT) course to be offered on Thursday evenings from March 27th - May 23rd, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Manor. Norm White and Valerie Roper will co-facilitate BYOT, a great curriculum both for current members and those considering membership.
BYOT participants explore such themes as what is holy, the nature of ultimate reality, human nature, ethics, values, and meaning. They will do this through individual exercises, group exercises, reading, discussion, writing - including a spiritual autobiography - and drawing. Each person will develop a credo, which may take the form of an essay, a poem, a song, art work, or some other expression.
In the BYOT process, participants may share as much or as little of their work as they choose, and since each of us is the architect of our own beliefs, discussion centers on sharing our own exploration rather than critiquing that of others. Since the sessions build on each other and are designed for small group activities, the course is not suited to drop-in participation. Enrollment for BYOT will be limited to a maximum of 15 people. Suggested donation for the BYOT book used for the course is $14.00 (UUA bookstore cost).
To sign up for BYOT or for more information, please contact Norm White, 841-8890, NBlakely48@aol.com or Valerie Roper, 832-8339, vgracev@sunflower.com.
Easter Program at 10:45
Hi Parents, Janney Burgess has written a darling play about Song of Solomon and Spring's coming and it has parts for children - both speaking and miming. As is our tradition (and understanding of people's hectic schedules) we will not be having any rehearsal other than a briefing at
10:30 this Sunday, right before the play is performed. Keep in mind the spirit of our presentation and our desire to have fun while learning.
I hope you can make it, and please join us for the potluck afterward. ~Sherry Warren
Come to the Spring/Easter Potluck
Following the March 23rd program. In the Social Hall following the Program. All are welcome!
LUUF Coffee Cafe'
The LUUF Coffee Cafe' has openings for GREAT COFFEE-PREP SPECIALISTS!
Are you an Early Riser?
Have experience with those large coffeemakers used for meetings or parties?
Willing to learn?
WE NEED YOU!!
The Fellowship is looking for one or two good people to come in before services start on Sundays to prepare beverages for our members and guests. We all love our coffee and tea, and many of us are already committed to activities on Sunday mornings. Your talents would not only be rewarded with the appreciative compliments of your imbibers, but you would also be making an invaluable contribution to our Sunday Morning Social Hour!
Resume not required.
Contact our Cafe' Coordinator: Emily Russell erussell32@yahoo.com or call: Marilyn Roy at 838-3057 THANK YOU!
Book Club Forming
As part of the planning for next Fall's activity line-up, the Adult Religious Education and Wednesday Activities Committees are asking for your input on 2 different types of Book Groups.
1) Adult R.E.: Books or LUUF Curricula Series that would explore the vast variety of faiths, spiritual practices, personal essays by well known writers like Matthew Fox, Joseph Campbell, Sister Helen Prejean, etc. Also, possible: memoirs, biographies, studies of women in the Bible...
2) Reading For Enjoyment: Almost anything is possible, but we would limit the reading to one book/month. An idea might be to use the local library's "Book Page", or another book review magazine to choose selections. This could be a very flexible group; each member reading and reporting on a book of their choice, or all sharing a single book.
Please contact Judy Wilson: jwilson@sunflower.com, or call Marilyn: 838-3057.
We could offer either group, or both; childcare/activities could be provided if held at the Fellowship on Weds. afternoons or evenings. Meetings could also be in homes, and/or Presbyterian Manor. We look forward to hearing from you!!
The Drum Beat Continues
FOR MARCH 29th Among the gifts - offers of services and items contributed by members - for our Annual Fundraising Auction on Saturday, March 29th, are a luminous Louis Copt painting, a delightful needlework pillow, relaxing vacations in Valerie and John Roper's time share and the Jarvis/Cox home in the French Pyrenees, a pickup truck, a wine tasting, yummy food items of all kinds, and other marvelous goodies that will go to the highest bidder.
If you haven't yet filled out a form describing the service or item you plan to donate, please do so and give the form to Della Hadley, Ted Wilson, or Carol Del Nevo or let one of them know about your intended gift. We will be compiling the auction catalog after the meetings on Easter Sunday, the 23rd.
There also will be super gifts donated by local businesses to be won in the Unitarian version of a raffle. And, of course, plan to come out to the Fellowship on the
29th with a healthy appetite (sandwiches, nibblies, wine, lemonade, and--of course--coffee will be provided), your checkbook, and the desire to see that this occasion is a huge success. Remember that the silent auction opens for bids at 4:00 and the public auction kicks off at 5:30. The festivities are expected to wrap up by 7:30 p.m. Many Thanks! ~Ted Wilson
Chair, Fundraising Committee