The Candle
The Voice of Liberal Religion on the Kitsap Peninsula

THE CANDLE
May 2003

INSIDE THE CANDLE

Worship & Event Schedule - 2
News from the Book Clubs - 2
Newsletter Questions  - 2
Announcements - 3
Office Contact #s - 3
President's Corner - 4
New Members - 4
Religious Education -5
HOST Project - 6
Earth Day - 7
Rainbow World - 8
Interim Search Committee - 9
Ralph Waldo Emerson Celebration  - 9

SCINTILLATIONS - A COLUMN FROM YOUR MINISTER

Change, change, change..

KUUF has been a place of constant change. And for the past nine years at least, it's been a place of constant growth. But most of you know that. You know it because you've been here and you've seen the changes - in our staffing, our programs, our buildings, our numbers, our worship services. Or perhaps you know it because you're new here, and your presence is a part of the change and growth!

Whether you're new or "old' here, you also know that human beings, in general, don't like too much change. Human beings in systems -- families, work groups, churches, teams, clubs - often resist change by exerting whatever influence they have to get everybody to go back to the way things were, even if the way things were was stuck, stagnant or deadening. Because "the way things were" feels better, safer, more familiar, than change does.

Helen Keller, a person whose life was an absolute inspiration, once said: "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of man as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

I agree with Helen Keller - if we don't take risks, if we don't change and grow, our lives stagnate and become meaningless. But being open to change often means being willing to take a leap of faith - to trust in things we cannot see or control. And for many of us, making a leap of faith feels like dissolving into chaos.

But there's good news there, too - in Chaos Theory. What is Chaos Theory, you ask? The word chaos basically means disorder. Chaos Theory is a school of scientific study related to quantum physics and fractal geometry that finds within apparently disorderly systems larger, limiting patterns or rules for behavior.

When a system is in chaos, it usually means that the parts of the system are each moving and growing freely in their own ways. If the parts of a system behave with too much freedom the order of the system will break down completely leaving disorder in its wake. However in chaotic systems there can come a point when instead of becoming utterly disorderly, the system transforms itself into a new level of order. The system organizes itself into something new.

There's a lot going on here at KUUF as we prepare for the coming of an Interim Minister, start the new fiscal year, gear up a Search Committee to find a new minister who will serve you for years to come. And we are preparing, you and I, to say goodbye to one another, too. And all that is in addition to the "regular stuff" we do around here - Sunday services and children and youth religious education, committee and Board meetings, workshops, classes, service projects, fundraisers, retreats, etc. 

Our system has achieved a complexity that means we can't all know everything that goes on around here. And quite a while ago we achieved a complexity of membership which means that we can't all know one another anymore, either.

If this feels chaotic to you, believe me, you're normal. And I would encourage you to not worry too much, and to trust in the larger patterning present underneath our seeming chaos. As we make the leadership transitions in the weeks and months ahead, things may feel disconnected and disorganized for a while. But a new order will emerge if you breathe deep, let go of fears, and hold on to one another.

I have great faith in you.

With love,
Suzelle Lynch, Minister

Page Two

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES AND OTHER MAY EVENTS

Sunday, May 4, 2003 - 9 and 11 am - Rev. Suzelle Lynch, "What's in a
Dream?" UU minister and dream work expert the Rev. Jeremy Taylor asserts that all dreams come in the service of human health and wholeness - even nightmares. Our dreams are multilayered, offering not only personal meaning, but a larger perspective. Rev. Suzelle Lynch studied with Jeremy Taylor in a seminary course, and learned more at her UU Ministers Association retreat with him on April 28-29. The KUUF Choir sings at 9 a.m. today.

Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 9 and 11 am -- Rev. Suzelle Lynch, "The Real
Truth about Mothers and Mothering"  'Mother' is possibly the most loaded word in the English language. Mothers are goddesses and tormentors, the agents of life and the destroyers of sanity, the source of love and life and of things too hard to speak of. So let's speak of why this is. and celebrate. The KUUF Choir sings at both services today. We also honor our Graduating High School Seniors today.

Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 9 and 11 am - INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE -
"Making a Difference in the World," with the Rev. Suzelle Lynch and
Melinda Hughes, Director of Religious Education. The KUUF Choir sings
at 11a.m. today.. Today we recognize our Religious Education Teachers and our Religious Education Committee members. This also marks our last Sunday of two services until the Sunday after Labor Day in September! MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH, SO IF YOU CAN, RIDE YOUR BIKE TO CHURCH TODAY!

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - ONE SERVICE ONLY AT 10 A.M. - The Rev. Dr.
Peter Raible, STD, interim and extension minister at the Unitarian
Fellowship of North Kitsap and Bainbridge Island, and Minister Emeritus of University Unitarian Church in Seattle. "Ralph Waldo Emerson Bi-centennial: Misguided or Magnificent Model?" This Sunday marks the very date of the birth of Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1803 (his
bi-centennial). He is widely heralded as the most influential person America has produced, but his approach was markedly individual. Does he provide a message or misguidance to the liberal religious movement of today? Special Music today.

NEWS FROM THE BOOK CLUBS

Men's Book Club
The Fellowship's Men's Book Club will be meeting at 7:00 PM on 21 May at Ray Jesson's home to discuss the book Boyd.Further information can be obtained from Jim Chapin.

Women Who Love to Read
The group will meet Monday, May 19. This month's book is The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. The discussion will be led by Carol Haines. All women members and friends of the fellowship are invited. Everyone brings finger foods for a simple potluck. Please contact Phyllis Millard for info or directions to her home.

Spiritual Book Discussion Groups
We discuss books having to do with Wisdom, Insight and Truth.
Group 1 will discuss Healing and Being Healed by Our Compulsions by Mary O'Malley. It will meet at 9 am Sunday, May 18 in the Elmore room. Contact Sunday Farr.
Group 2 will discuss Voices on the Threshold of Tomorrow by Georg Feuerstein It will meet at 1:30 pm, Wed., May 21 at the home of Lois McAllister. Contact Bob Trainer.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CANDLE?

For concerns about newsletter content, style or suggestions for future articles contact Rev. Suzelle Lynch, 360.377.4724, minister@kuuf.org. 

If you didn't receive your newsletter, need to change your address or would like to be on our mailing list contact the Fellowship office staff, admin@kuuf.org, 360.377.4724.

For questions about the newsletter deadline, if your article will fit in the newsletter or want a special graphic with your news item contact the newsletter editor, Odette Hugues.

Page Three

KUUF & UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE DRUMMING CIRCLE
The rhythm of the drums will again sound through the rafters of the KUUF. The Drumming Circle will gather again May 9th at 7:00 PM in the main building. All interested people are invited to come whether you have drums or not. In fact, other rhythm instruments are always welcome and encouraged. We are hoping to make this our new beginning and that the Circle will become a regular part of our experience, meeting as often as once a month. The Circle is open and you can come as it meets your needs.

REQUESTS FOR REIMBURSMENT
for Committee Chairs and others authorized to expend KUUF Funds

Lately we've received many requests in the KUUF office for reimbursement of funds without all the documentation that we need to make the reimbursement. So we thought all of you might like a "refresher" on how this is done:

1. Committee chair or committee member pays for your committee's
   supplies/needs, and receives a receipt.
2. Committee chair or committee member fills out our "Request for
   Payment" form which is available in the KUUF office, or can be e-mailed to you (contact admin@kuuf.org to get this form via e-mail).
3. Appropriate receipts must be attached to the form.
4. Form must be signed by the committee chair.
5. Form can be mailed to KUUF (P.O. Box 2015, Bremerton, WA
   98310) or brought to the office during office hours (Tues-Fri 9:30 -
   2:30) or on Sunday morning.
6. A check will be written and sent to the person to be reimbursed
   - usually within 2 weeks after the expense is submitted.

Questions? Contact Sherry Attaway, KUUF Bookkeeper/Office Manager
360-377-4724 or admin@kuuf.org 

SEATTLE MEN'S CHORUS IN BREMERTON, JUNE 14th

Once again KUUF is co-sponsoring with PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the Seattle Men's Chorus in Bremerton.
This has become a fun and exciting annual event. This year's concert is "Clouds In My Eyes" The Music of Elton John."  Few artists speak to, and for, an entire generation quite like Sir Elton John. Now the Chorus takes its own unique look at the songs that touched our lives as we grew up and the artist who made them a part of our collective conscience. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Crocodile Rock! Our gift is our song and this one's for you. Please join us this year for a great community and musical event! June 14th at the Admiral Theater Tickets are available directly from the Admiral (360) 373-6743. For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Marcie Stilwell.  For more information about the Seattle Men's Chorus, go to: http://www.seattlemenschorus.org.  For more information about PFLAG go to: http://www.pflag.org

INTERWEAVE MEETING, MAY 4th

Interweave is an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual UUs working together on GLBT issues and concerns. Interweave will meet again on May 4th, 12:30 (after the 2nd service) to discuss the status of ideas from the last meeting and to talk about plans for BGLT Pride Month (which is June!). Please join us! For more information, please contact Marcie Stilwell.

KUUF OFFICE HOURS
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

CONTACTING FOLKS AT THE KUUF OFFICE
By phone: 360.377.4724

Sherry Attaway, Office Manager & Bookkeeper,
Wednesday & Friday
admin@kuuf.org 

Alex Miller, Office Assistant,
Tuesday & Thursday 9am-3pm,
alex@kuuf.org 

Melinda Hughes, Director of Religious Education,
Thursday 3:30 - 5:30pm
dre@kuuf.org 

The Reverend Suzelle Lynch, Minister,
by appointment, Monday-Friday
minister@kuuf.org 

Page Four

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

I write this as the first of twelve messages from your newly selected president. Someone asked me recently if I was ready for what lies ahead. I am not. There is no training that easily puts one "in charge" of the many aspects of fellowship life that we are about to embark upon. Some former fellowship presidents have faced some aspects that are similar to the ministerial transition that we now are engaged in. But we are not the same Fellowship now. We are a group of 180+ souls with all our hopes and dreams, and baggage.

It is the baggage that I hope we can leave behind. The board (past and
present) have already had a session with a facilitator from the District UUA to think through those things that we are thankful for, that prospered during the past seven or eight years, and to think about those things that remain still to be perfected in the years ahead. We have so much to be thankful for. We have grown to the great gathering of individuals that we are today. My wife and I are thankful to have joined with such a wonderful grouping of individuals and to have lent our small selves to such undertakings as present themselves from time to time.

We were serving dinner just last night as part of the Host Project to support the homeless men in Kitsap County, and we assisted earlier in the week to get the hang of it. What struck me was two things: (1) the need that exists for such good works, and (2) the dedication of the Host Project Committee coordinators who have stuck with this work each and every day for the past month. Like so many times in this Fellowship, when the need arises, so do the people to fulfill it. Barbara Gabriel has agreed to co-chair the Rummage Sale that will be held on July 26, 2003. Lene Hajek has agreed to take on the duties of Treasurer if selected, and countless others will arise to be named to committee chairs and to take on leadership roles in the weeks ahead as we reorganize for the work of the next year. An interim ministerial search committee is active even now.

So while I may not be ready, any more than you, for the challenges that the next year bring to our fellowship, I face those challenges knowing that I have the good will and knowledge of the past president's to draw upon, the support of the District and National UUA who have a very capable staff and a well thought out process, and I have all of you who rise up to shoulder the many tasks that we will undoubtedly have to accomplish to "act upon our beliefs." I am thankful for your help.

More about the hopes and dreams later.

In Fellowship,
Paul

WELCOME TO KUUF'S NEWEST MEMBERS!

Tom Cantwell became a member of KUUF on March 21. Tom's an artist and landscape designer who has his own business. He began coming to KUUF after the events of September 11, 2001, but he had been thinking about coming for a few years before that. He attended services at East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue as a child for a few years and was familiar with Unitarian Universalism. Tom grew up on the east side of Lake Washington and is an architecture graduate of the University of Washington. He moved to Bremerton in 1999, attracted by our affordable housing prices, and bough this home at that time. He says he loves the outdoors, and KUUF's nature and forest environment, and that our worship services reach a part of him that the rest of his life does not. He's interested in the KUUF Adult Religious Education Committee and likes having the KUUF community as well as Kitsap's gay community to connect with. In addition to his work as a designer and artist/painter, Tom also works at Albertson's, plays the saxophone and shares his home with a pixie bobcat named Fergus. Welcome, Tom!

Page Five

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Melinda Hughes
Director of Religious Education
dre@kuuf.org 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR, MAY 2003

Sunday, May 4th
9:00 Youth/Adult Council Meeting
9:00 Top Secret Mother's Day Project (see information below)
12:30 Adult Religious Education Committee Meeting

Sunday, May 11th
Graduation Recognition
9:00 Religious Education Committee
Last day of Religious Education Classes before summer session begins

Monday, May 12th
6:30 Safe Congregations Task Force Meeting

Friday, May 16th and Saturday May 17th
Religious Education Spring Conference

Sunday, May 18th
Last two service Sunday before summer session begins Intergenerational Service Recognition of this years teachers and Religious Education Committee members who have finished their term, welcoming of new Religious Education Committee members Safe Congregations Task Force
Input meeting following each service. Mystery Friends party between services.

May 23rd-May 25th
PNWD Youth Spring Con Vancouver, BC

Sunday, May 25th
First one-service Sunday of summer session
First day of summer RE program

YOUTH ACTIVITIES
For more information on these events please contact Melinda Hughes,
Director of Religious Education

May 23rd-May 25th
PNWD Spring Con Vancouver, BC July 28-August 2 ConCon (Continental Conference) Buffalo, NY

Lend a Hand!
Volunteer in the RE program !

YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES
For more information on these events please contact Melinda Hughes,
Director of Religious Education

August 1st-4th
Con Centric: The 5th annual leadership & networking conference of the
C*UUYAN (The Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network)
children accompanying their young adult parents are welcome, childcare will be provided Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

August 5-10th
OPUS: the 18th annual spiritual retreat of the Continental Unitarian
Universalist Young Adult Network. Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TOP SECRET MOTHER'S DAY PROJECT

Mother's Day, a time to honor mothers, is just around the corner (May 11th). Children are welcome to join Jeanette Schanilec at 9:00am on Sunday, May 4th, in a Top Secret Mother's Day project. This activity is an opportunity for all children, but especially those children of our congregation who may live in a household where there is no one besides mom to take them shopping (single mothers, deployed fathers), to create a Mother's Day gift. Space is limited. Please contact Jeanette Schanilec if you are interested.

SUMMER RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

May 25th will be the first day of our Summer Religious Education Program. During the summer there is only one service. For crawlers - 4-year-olds childcare is provided. All other children participate in a mixed-age class. If you are interested in teaching/assisting this summer please contact Melinda Hughes, Director of Religious Education.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED

• Teach a summer class
• Help organize the supply closet
• Inventory the RE library
• Help to organize a fall book drive

Page Six

HOMELESS MEN'S SHELTER PROJECT (HOST) at KUUF

For many of us, our biggest daily concerns focus on whether our kids are in too many activities, or if we are in the right job. For the men involved in the HOST project, food and shelter are the primary daily focus. And, thanks to KUUF friends and neighbors from St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Congregation Beth Hatikvah, those worries receded for another month.

Some of them have found steady jobs and apartments, with help from Catholic Community Services, the HOST project sponsor. Some have had a chance to rest, to meet new people, to receive help, to feel appreciated.

And in many ways, the men did KUUF a favor. KUUF members and friends found opportunities to help people in ways never imagined - to feel appreciated for little things like cooking dinner, preparing a lunch, offering conversation.

The HOST project has had a profound response from and impact on the KUUF fellowship from the very beginning. In January, when it was announced that KUUF would provide shelter, food and hospitality to a group of homeless men, 55 KUUF members and friends immediately offered to provide and serve dinners, prepare lunches, and donate money and materials.

Alan Newberg, Peggy Moore, Helen Schwartz, Susan Sweetwater, Dirk Van Zanten, and Jenny Dorsey-Acosta, with support from Rev. Suzelle Lynch, came together as the hard working HOST committee to figure out how to organize and support this complex project with so many people doing a number of different things. They took on the role of HOST "captains," the point persons coordinating HOST activities for each day of April.

They created schedules, volunteer job descriptions, supplies lists, and
suggested recipes. They built growing support for the project at Sunday services as they talked (and sang) about HOST, and got people to sign up for specific dates and tasks.

The initial list of 55 HOST volunteers grew to over 75 KUUF individuals and families, and included KUUF youth groups. And HOST at KUUF became an ecumenical project. St. Paul's Episcopal Church provided dinners for the second week of April, and sandwiches throughout the month. And every Saturday, Congregation Beth Hatkivah delivered lunches for three days. New relationships grew and deepened.

Providing HOST hospitality transformed KUUF in many ways. The foyer became a "dining room," with tables set with colorful tablecloths and flowers. The Elmore Room became a "living room," with a TV, games, radio and CD player. The normally pristine kitchen overflowed with fruit, snacks, beverages, and breakfast supplies. And the Sanctuary became a bedroom each night when the pallet mattresses and blankets were put in place.

At 7:30 every evening, the Captain, dinner servers and dinner providers for the day arrived, followed by our HOST guests and Catholic Community Services staff at 8:00 pm. Dinner - as most good dinners will - included conversation and the opportunity for KUUF volunteers and their guests to get to know and better understand each other. Again, relationships grew and deepened.

When asked about what an Host article might emphasize, one committee member said "the community effort, everyone did their job perfectly!"

And what has been hard about the HOST project? Other than a few minor glitches - more garbage than we're accustomed to, the dishwasher breaking, etc - the hardest thing is saying good-bye. Especially since we know that April is the last month of HOST until November of this year, and that many of our guests and new friends will be back on the streets at night.

Catholic Community Services is committed to continuing the HOST project until there is a shelter for homeless men in Kitsap County. They have a three year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, but must raise $50,000 a year in matching funds to receive the Gates funds. For information or to make donations to the HOST project, contact Sister Pat Millen, (360) 792-2020.

"the hardest thing is saying good-bye"

Page Seven

EARTH DAY 2003 "Egg Commitments"

On April 20th, as a part of our Earth Day/Easter Intergenerational
Service, all of us were asked to make a commitment to do something that would help preserve our beautiful planet. We wrote our commitment on colorful paper Easter eggs and tied them to our Easter egg tree. We thought you might like to see what everyone wrote - we came up with some excellent ideas! Look for your commitment listed below, too - and thank you for helping take care of the Earth.

*I pledge to pick up more disposed-of recyclable items while on my
walks
*I'll drive less and walk more
*I'll increase my recycling of materials at home
*I'll take shorter showers and ride a bike instead of taking the car
*I will contact our congress people about environmental issues
*I'll respect animals' homes, make homes for them and respect the
animals
*I'll compost more often, ride my bike instead of drive and put in a
great big garden
*I'll ride my bicycle to work at least once a week for the next few
months
*I'll do park and trail maintenance, maximize solar use and recycle
more
*I'll re-use materials whenever possible, before throwing them away
*I'll pick up trash in my neighborhood and reduce my use of auto fuel
*I'll start recycling standard paper
*I'll care for the water and shore in front of our new home
*Landscape my yard with native plants this year
*I'll try to use less water so the fishes can have water and live (with
a picture of fishes in water)
*I will increase my involvement with anti-nuclear activities and
promote peacemaking
*I'll make six fewer driving trips--to the store or for lunch--each
week
*My commitment is to love, cherish, preach and protect the Unity of our
earth and its people
*I'll conserve water--larger laundry loads, shorter showers, full
dishwasher
*I'll be mindful, be present
*I'll walk to the boat once a week, at least
*I'll write to my congressional representative more often about
environmental policies
*I'll work to increase awareness in the business world and community of ways they can recycle.
*I'll utilize solar energy and use less electricity
*I'll do less lawn-watering this year
*I'll help conserve water by taking shorter showers
*I will use only "natural" pest and mildew sprays
*I'll recycle and not litter
*I'll pay more attention to how many driving trips I make
*I'll teach our children better recycling habits and give my husband
time to garden
*I'll carpool to school more often
*I pledge to support the efforts to retain the Arctic wilderness
*I'll work more closely with the Illahee Forest Project to preserve its
natural beauty
*I commit to writing a letter to my politicians advocating protecting
our forests and unspoiled natural habitats
*I'll treat all small gestures as great gestures
*I'll borrow stuff we need or buy used things, to reduce consumption
*I'll ride a scooter instead of driving a car
*I will write to at least 2 elected representatives a month, on
Earth-related issues
*I'll get rid of my gas-hog van, and compost garbage
*I'll use less water
*I'll chip brush
*I'll start a carpool to work
*I'll encourage the development and use of alternative/more efficient
energy sources
*I will walk or bike to work 1 day every 2 weeks for the next year.
*I'll ride the bus on Thursdays
*I'll use as few chemicals as possible in the yard
*I'll buy a hybrid car and plant flowers in our wealth corner
*I'll turn off the water when brushing my teeth
*I'll start composting again
*I pledge to continue to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons and
for a world where war is unthinkable
*I'll plant trees and other plants
*I pledge to think of the consequences before purchasing things; and I
pledge to reuse things or buy second hand whenever possible!
*I'll plant more flowers for all to enjoy their beauty and for the bees
to pollinate
*I'll recycle at work
*I will buy more organic vegetables and food
*I'll dig out dead plants and plant new ones
*I'll walk and pick up litter on our road.
*I'll plant a tree; l'll recycle more
*I pledge to reuse paper (one clean side) in the computer as much as
possible
*I won't use chemical household cleaners and I'll try to buy items with
less excess packaging
*I'll use organic fertilizers and pull weeks by hand to reduce toxic
build-up and run-off
*I'll recycle bunny droppings and walk or bike instead of driving
*I'll drive our gas-efficient auto as little as possible
*I'll mulch my garden and bring my own containers for shopping and
take-out food
*I pledge to walk or cycle to work--it's only 2 miles!
*I'll hang clothes out on the clothes line
*I'll keep my car well maintained so it doesn't waste gas--and buy a
hybrid next time!
*I'll garden organically and compost
*I'll tread as lightly and consciously upon the earth as I can
*I'll walk to the store instead of drive once a week
*I'll shop more at Goodwill
*I'll plant more, consume less, and support earth-friendly practices
*I'll plant 100 trees in 2003
*I'll use less water when brushing my teeth
*I'll buy responsibly by looking at packaging and making sure
everything-or at least most of it-can be recycled
*I'll walk to work; I'll use less water and less products that
contribute to pollution
*I'll walk to school
*I'll buy a house with a smaller yard

Page Eight

RAINBOW WORLD
A Column on the issues of Racism, Diversity and Multiculturalism
Provided by the KUUF Anti-Racism Committee and the Rev. Suzelle Lynch

SIX POINTS OF HATRED: A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON ANTISEMITISM
By Robin Carson, KUUF friend and member of our Anti-Racism Committee

Anti-Semitism has been documented in writings as early as 300 C.E. and has been called the "longest hatred." But what exactly is anti-Semitism? It is the systematic discrimination against, denigration, or oppression of Jews, Judaism, or the cultural heritage of the Jewish people. For so long, Jewish people have been degraded, enslaved, exiled, killed and hated. And sadly, the hatred continues.

Besides the ugly history of anti-Semitism, there are the everyday stories, feelings and thoughts of people who experience it. If it were not so prevalent, it would not rear its hideous head so often. Many people become alarmed when such overt acts of anti-Semitism arise, such as a gunman entering a Jewish School and taking innocent little children hostage. What about knowing, day after day, that so many people simply hate Jews, for no reason? So, without trying to seek out anti-Semitism, let me share some personal exposures.

My mother recently told me that she spoke with her cousin who said that she had been walking with her husband and two other couples when they came upon an exquisite church. The aesthetic allure drew them inside where they sat in a pew to listen to the service. They were not seated long before they were subjected to a sermon that vociferously drummed out the old hateful teachings that Jews killed Christ. Full of anger, pain, and I am sure. fear, they fled outside into Florida's warmth and sunshine. Anyone hearing the sermon should have been outraged enough to correct the deliverer of this archaic and revolting antisemitic rhetoric. But no one in that large church stood up to say it was not true. No one stood up to support their Jewish friends, neighbors, fellow human beings.

This made me reflect upon an incident that I dealt with when I was a teenager and accompanied my best friend to her church; she was a Jehovah's Witness. Hurt, angry and humiliated, I got up and hurried out of the church after being subjected to the same brand of hatred, only it was about the sinfulness of Jewish people. One more time, one more regurgitated reminder that I was going to hell because I was Jewish.

I moved to Bremerton in 1985. I had gone from growing up in Los Angeles, living in Hawaii for over two years, to being here. I remember the lack of Jewish presence here-something I had never experienced. Christmas was everywhere, but there was no sign of Chanukah. There were no "Happy Chanukah" or menorahs amongst all the Christmas decorations, songs and sentiments. I couldn't even find Chanukah candles in Kitsap County. It was scary-it still is.

Synagogues are still being defaced, threatened, vandalized, burned and bombed. Jewish people are still being negatively stereotyped and blamed for killing "the son of G-d." As a human rights activist, I have heard over and over again how White Supremacists not only hate Jewish people but want us dead-dead, now that's hatred!

Everyday reminders surround us-Jewish settlers blown to bits in Israel; Ethiopian Jews massacred by their fellow Ethiopians; casual words spoken from mouths of children, friends and neighbors such as "Jew'm down." "That's Jewish!" "Kike!"

Who am I? Do you bother to know me, know who I am before you pass
judgment? Do you know what it is like to be scared because people want you dead for being Jewish? Do you know how bad it hurts to be told that you are going to hell not because of the actions you have taken during your life, but simply because of your faith?

I once told a black friend of mine-who kept trying to force-feed me Christianity-that no matter how many white people wanted her to be white, they could never make her white. But that people are always trying to change me, to "save" me. I have been told repeatedly that I was already one of the "chosen people" and that all I need now is to find Christ. My response has been "Jesus was a nice Jewish boy."

Page Nine

INTERIM MINISTER SEARCH

The search committee to find an interim minister is made up of Brenda Behrens, Bonnie Becke, Rosemary Dugall, Brigitta Van Santen, Eric Sampson, Ed Woods, Phyllis Millard and Mike Stowell. We hope our process will be done by early May because the ministers usually move in August and start working in September. Interim ministers are specially trained by UUA to not only lead the worship service and carry out the usual pastoral duties, but to help congregations identify their strengths and challenges. They help congregations in claiming and honoring their past, renewing its vision, strengthening its stewardship, and encouraging new leadership within the fellowship. Interim ministers cannot then apply for that church's "called" minister position.