It's a Girl!

Congratulations to Dave and Darla Sigmon as we welcome the newest member of their family, Lily Ann Sigmon. She made her arrival at 5:52 pm on Sunday April, 27, 2008, weighing in at 7 pounds exactly and 19 inches long. Everyone is doing well and we may have the chance to meet Lily on May 11th during the naming ceremony.

Ministerial Office Hours

Changed for This Week
Because Jill Jarvis will be in the New Orleans area until May 3rd, she will not hold office hours this week. Jill is still available via cell phone at 816-853-6530 or via email at jjarvis1@kc.rr.com. Jill will resume her regular Fellowship office hours on May 6th.

Administrator Office Hours

Fellowship Administrator Carol Huettner's office hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feel free to call the Fellowship during those hours at 785-842-3339. The Fellowship's email is ufloffice@sunflower.com, and you can send an email anytime to that address, as Carol checks email pretty frequently.

Director of RE Hours

Sherry Warren, Director of Religious Education, keeps office hours at the Fellowship on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Call or email to schedule time with her: ufldre@sunflower.com. Read her blog.

Newsletter Submissions

The deadline for submissions is no later than Mondays at 12:00 p.m. noon. Send submissions to ufl_newsletter@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your attention to this detail! ~Janet FitzGerald

Recycle and Make Money

It's easy! Just recycle your paper at the Fellowship; put it in the yellow dumpster at the end of the parking lot. The UFL gets $25 for every ton of paper we collect! Keep it coming and tell your friends! Let us "live in harmony with the rhythms of nature" consistent with the 7th UU Principle.

 

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Group Members
Please join!

Quotes

Schools

Mark Twain: Many public-school children seem to know only two dates--1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either occasion.

Susan B. Anthony: If all the rich and all of the church people should send their children to the public schools they would feel bound to concentrate their money on improving these schools until they met the highest ideals.

Purpose

Peter F. Drucker: There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

Albert Einstein: All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.

Epictetus: First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Eugene V. Debs: Solidarity is not a matter of sentiment but a fact, cold and impassive as the granite foundations of a skyscraper. If the basic elements, identity of interest, clarity of vision, honesty of intent, and oneness of purpose, or any of these is lacking, all sentimental pleas for solidarity, and all other efforts to achieve it will be barren of results.

Felix Adler: The human race may be compared to a writer. At the outset a writer has often only a vague general notion of the plan of his work, and of the thought he intends to elaborate. As he proceeds, penetrating his material, laboring to express himself fitly, he lays a firmer grasp on his thought; he finds himself. So the human race is writing its story, finding itself, discovering its own underlying purpose, revising, recasting a tale pathetic often, yet none the less sublime.

George Bernard Shaw: Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" frequently attributed to Robert F. (Bobby) Kennedy, who used it in a speech which his brother, Edward F. (Teddy) Kennedy quoted at RFK's funeral.

Goethe: A useless life is an early death.

Hannah Senesh: One needs something to believe in, something for which one can have whole-hearted enthusiasm. One needs to feel that one's life has meaning, that one is needed in this world.

Helen Keller: Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

James Thurber: All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.

Jimmy Carter: I have one life and one chance to make it count for something . . . I'm free to choose what that something is, and the something I've chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands -- this is not optional -- my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.

Ludwig Wittgenstein: I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves.

Marian Wright Edelman: Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night.

Marie Curie: I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.

 

 

april 29th, 2008 Vol 49, no 33

Spiritual Celebration and Program


May 4th

9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: "Aspects of Art and Religion for Unitarians". Ellen Reid Gold will reflect on the similarities between art and religion and how our artistic impulses may nourish our religious thinking.

10:45 a.m. Program: "Sabbaths of Hope: Faith Communities Responding to Depression". Depression is one of the most common illnesses in America and world-wide. Many people suffer needlessly and in silence. Susan Crain Lewis will share local research and programming, as well as insights and strategies for support.

May 11th

9:15AM - Spiritual Celebration: Mother's Day "Nurturing Humanity"
Motherhood in most cultures is closely associated with the nurturing role. Yet nurturing isn't the province of only mothers, and being nurtured isn't just for kids.

As we try to honor our intention to raise well-adjusted, responsible, compassionate human beings, what is the role of the family? Of religious communities (e.g., this one)? And what form might our larger society take if we chose to foster the forces of nurturance and altruism rather than materialism and dominance? Join consulting minister Jill Jarvis in exploring the promises, possibilities, and challenges of nurturing as we celebrate Mother's Day.

10:45 a.m. Program: "Ceremony Sunday" We will have a naming ceremony for our youngest members, welcome our newest members, recognize our young people and their teachers,and celebrate other milestones in our Fellowship community. *Please see separate announcement.

May 18th

10:00 AM - Annual Business Meeting. There will be no 9:15 AM Spiritual Celebration or 10:45 Program on this day.

*Announcement: If you would like to participate in the "naming ceremony", (akin to a baptism in a more formal religion) of an infant or child during "Ceremony Sunday" at 10:45 AM on May 11, please contact Lynne Bodle, 843-8263 or lynnebodle@sbcglobal.net, Also, please let Lynne know if you have or are a graduating high school senior or college graduate this year. We don't want to miss anyone!

Annual Business Meeting

Remember that on May 18th, we will hold our annual business meeting. We will vote on officers and board members and elect a nominating committee for 2009-2010. We will also present the 2008-2009 budget for approval. The meeting will start promptly at
10:00 a.m., but coffee and snacks will be available by 9:30 a.m.. This is your chance to make a difference in how your fellowship works.

Plant Exchange has been CANCELED

The plant exchange scheduled for Sunday, May 11th, at 3 pm at the Fellowship has been canceled but will be rescheduled. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Reminder to all Committee Chairs

The Archives Committee wants to remind Chairs of all active committees of two matters:

  1. You are expected to submit written summary reports of your committees' activities during the past year at the Annual Meeting on May 18th.
  2. Those Chairs who used the committee meetings binders issued by the Archives Committee for use in keeping committee records are reminded these binders should be returned to the Fellowship Office around July 1st so that the  binders may be prepared for use next year.

Strategic Planning Task Force

Meets this Sunday May 4 at noon.

All Fellowship members, as well as ongoing participants in this Task Force, are invited to join the discussion and hear what plans and progress are being made in the areas of Social Action, Public Relations, Welcoming, Programming for Adults and Children, and our Website. Come and contribute your thoughts and ideas!! (Barbara Schowen, convener)

Nominated Slate of Officers

The nominating committee is proposing the following slate of officers for 2008-2009:

Open Meetings Dealing with 2008-2009 Budget

The budget setting process has started. Committee Chairs have submitted their individual budgets and these have been compiled by the Finance Committee. There will then be a series of meetings all of which are open to all members.

Sunday Morning Hospitality Help Wanted

Are you willing to be a Welcoming Presence downstairs in the Social Hall through the Service and/or Program? Contact Emily Russell erussell32@yahoo.com or phone 887-6879.

Summertime at the UFL

The summer is approaching rapidly. This is to let everyone know that we will be open all summer for services and programs beginning June.

The services and Sunday School will be at the same time - 9:15. This will be followed by a half hour coffee and conversation time. At 10:45 we will hold programs. Some will be odysseys and others will be "sharing our thought" time. On June 15th we will have a Strategic Planning Task Force meeting as the program and hope all will come and share their thoughts with us. Watch this space for more information. ~Judy Wilson

Social Justice Summer at UFL

Are you looking for a way to get involved with our kids in a meaningful activity? Sign up for a week (or more) teaching in UFL's Social Justice Summer Program. We'll focus on Heifer woman with justice scalesInternational's Animal Crackers Program and how we are all a part of a global community. Learn about how a water buffalo can bring sustainable farming to the Philippines and how rabbits can bring independence to families in Cameroon. We'll raise funds to aid needy families through Heifer Projects while we learn about our neighbors on Earth. This program will run June 1st through August 3rd during the Spiritual Celebration at 9:15 and we'll need two teachers per Sunday. Contact Carol Eades-Delnevo (askeades@aol.com or 785-856-9165) to schedule your dates. No experience needed, just come and have fun. Learning is caught, not taught. Thank you! ~Sherry and Carol

Newsletter Groupies Wanted

Calling all volunteers!Have you ever wanted to be a reporter or columnist? Are you interested in ufl newsletter policies and procedures? Contact Emily Russell erussell32@yahoo.com or phone 887-6879.

Calling All Families with Children!

Please join us at LINK on May 10th. Many children have participated over the past year, some at home preparing food with their parents and others serving food to LINK guests. Many children have especially delighted in serving dessert! Feedback from parents has included the comment that the experience has been among the most engaging and meaningful UFL events for their family, initiating important family discussions about social justice in action.

L.I.N.K.

The Fellowship will be serving at LINK on May 10th, 2008. We have been getting a great response from the Fellowship, and LINK's guests greatly appreciate our efforts! We need about 18 meat main dishes, and 2-3 vegetarian dishes. Some members also bring dessert. We also need helpers to serve and clean up. The meal is served from 1- 2 PM, and most clean-up helpers are finished no later than 3:00 PM. If you would like to help, a sign-up sheet is on the blue table in the basement at the Fellowship. Please sign up, so the coordinator will know we have enough food and help! If you have questions, or if you can't get to the Fellowship to sign up in person, please contact LINK coordinator Ellen Sward at 842-3078 or esward@ku.edu. Thanks!

Hutchinson and Wichita Move Ahead!

On Sunday, the 20th, Forrest Swall and Graham Kreicker represented us at the first service conducted by the new UU Fellowship of Hutchinson.

A crowd of 50 gathered in their attractive, park-side meeting place, including representatives of six UU congregations in Kansas and Kansas City, Mo. Jill Jarvis provided a superbly inspiring and moving service which included hymns and two solo numbers. The service was followed by a social hour and refreshments. The members of the Hutchinson congregation were thrilled by the great show of support from other congregations in the cluster and the auspicious start for their enthusiastic membership.

This past Sunday, the 27th, our Chair, Judy Wilson, along with Barbara Schowen and Graham Kreicker, represented us at the First Unitarian Church of Wichita's dedication of their new facility. It is located on N.W. 21st Street and features plenty of off-street parking. The building is well designed, with the ability to turn the present sanctuary into a social hall at some future date when they are able to add on a bigger sanctuary. The well paced celebration concluded with the R.E. children reading the closing words before all joined in the refreshments and building tours. Our three delegates gained many insights that will help smooth the move-in and dedication phases of our own project.

Standing in Solidarity with People of the Gulf Coast

(from consulting minister Jill Jarvis)

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) encourages UU congregations to take an active role in recovery work in communities affected by hurricane Katrina. On April 26th, I'll accompany a group of 20 Unitarian Universalists traveling to New Orleans from Kansas City as part of this program. We'll stay in dormitories in the First UU Church of New Orleans along with UU's from two other congregations. As we work to help rebuild the devastated areas, we'll also learn about the racial and economic injustice which caused the disaster and which continues to affect the rebuilding. An essential part of this experience is learning to work for justice in our home communities.

I'll return on May 3rd, and will be available by cell phone 816.853.6530 and email jjarvis1@kc.rr.com during that period (no office hours this week.) Due to my absence I won't be leading the Spiritual Celebration service on April 27th, and instead will lead three services during June. I'll be sharing what I expect to be this very profound experience with you in a service our team is planning (date to be announced), which will be justice-oriented and will feature music honoring New Orleans. And who knows? Maybe we'll want to consider making our own UFL journey to stand in solidarity with victims of injustice in the Gulf Coast.

Sinkford to Speak in May

The President of UUA, Rev. William Sinkford, will speak in the commons area of Lawrence High School at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon, May 18th. This date was selected by his office in Boston as he will be traveling through the Midwest then, with at least three other major speaking engagements. The historic Unitarian bell will be a backdrop. A nationally recognized Rev. Sinkfordleader in the field of race relations and social justice issues, Rev. Sinkford will speak on the role of liberal religion in 21st Century America. It is emphasized that this is a public address, not a religious ceremony. Community leaders and members of all UU congregations in our cluster are being invited. The "I-70 choir" will perform a short concert before he speaks and there will be a chance to enjoy light refreshments and meet Rev. Sinkford at the conclusion of his remarks. We realize that this is K.U. commencement day, but our K.U. experts assure us that will not interfere with our event. Save the date!