REV-elations: a column from your minister

     Interim ministry is paradoxical. I come to provide stability and to facilitate change. The nuances vary with each congregation and circumstance, but always an interim minister brings difference. Inescapably, because we are different. But intentionally also, to prepare for more change awaiting. Because the minister you call will be his or her own person, and hence different-and needs the space and grace to be so, if you are to thrive together, and create a richer future than is foreseeable now.
     Some of what I do differently is simply because I'm doing what fits me well. And some of what I offer - alternative ways to approach something, curiosity about how and why things are, reflections on what I feel and see - are conscious invitations to revisit "what is" and re-imagine "what may be". What I cherish most about interim life is that I keep learning, too. I bring a hunk of experience and some wisdom-all to offer, none to impose. No strings attached. A time of transition is not life as usual.
     When cartoonist Bill Watterson retired "Calvin and Hobbes" in 1995, here was the concluding dialogue between the little boy and his stuffed tiger, poised on a sled at the top of a hill: 

Wow, it really snowed last night. Isn't it wonderful? Everything familiar has disappeared; the world looks brand-new. A new year-a fresh clean start! It's like having a big white sheet of paper to draw on. A day full of possibilities! It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy. Let's go exploring!

     We are exploring together this year! 

     Expect: a canvass done a fresh, new way, beginning as February ends, and celebrating its culmination rather than its beginning. (Curious? Chat with me.)
     Expect: much conversation, in and 'out of the box', as to how two Sunday services may be designed (and timed) to best serve the Fellowship.
     Expect: the Mission-Visioning Day workshop on Dec. 6 to re-energize you! 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

     I wonder how many of you have been following the dialogue in The Sun newspaper about the pros and cons of the proposed Kitsap Transit foot ferries. I have found the letters to the editor and the Sun coverage to be surprisingly well stated in covering the areas of concern. Certainly, as the Sun has noted, some letters are omitted in favor of decency. 
     What really strikes me though is the similarity of the issues to those we face in looking at our future at KUUF.
Think about it for a minute (or more). We wonder about these things:

• Will building more infrastructure encourage growth?

• Is growth what I want?

• Is growth good for the organization (Fellowship or County)?

• Do you wait for the people to come first or do you pave the way now?

• If you build it will they come?

• Who is going to pay for it?

• What changes will it bring to my life?

• What good will it do for me?

• Is that the best use of my or our energies (money)?

• How should I stand on this issue?

• Am I in the majority or the minority on this one?

• What other issues are there for the future besides growth?

• How can we blend what everyone needs?

    It might be interesting to know how Kitsap Transit employees will vote on the Foot Ferries issue. 
     You cannot find out about that by coming to the December 6 "all hands" mission/visioning day, but you might just find out how others feel about some of the above items as they relate to KUUF and our future. And just like in voting, don't blame others for failing to read your mind. 
     Be there. Let your voice be heard. It's important. We aim to be a fellowship. Do your part.

                                                                 Paul

New to "UU"?  Want to Know More About Us?

     If you are seeking a church home, or think you have found it, or have already joined KUUF and want to further your acquaintance, we have just the ticket for this journey. 
     On Saturday, November 22, here at the Fellowship, from 9:45 am to 3:45 pm, you'll have opportunity to:

• Grow acquainted with others who've found their way here;

• Share religious journeys;

• Experience our diversity;

• Learn about Unitarian Universalism and our history;

• Learn more about our own Kitsap UU Fellowship; and...

• Grow more familiar with our site, our leadership and our interim minister.

     The day entails no commitment beyond letting us know ahead that you are coming, so we can have a packet of hand-outs and lunch for you. (And we may be able to help with arrangements for childcare if you need it. Just ask.) 
     SIGN-UP on Sunday morning, or by phone to the KUUF office: (360) 377-4724. This "Getting to Know UU" orientation workshop is sponsored by the Welcoming and Membership committee. Rev. Margaret will co-lead with us. 

KUUF Ministerial Search Committee

The Surveys Are In!

     "What are you going to do with the survey results?" was one of the more popular questions asked search committee members as we collected the data.
     The simple answer is we are going to give them back to you - and you'll find the results at www.kuuf.org.  
The survey will help all of us 1.) understand who we are as a congregation; 2.) what do we seek in our next minister; and 3.) serve as a valuable tool in determining our future during Vision/Mission Day on Saturday December 6th.
     For example, of the 163 completed surveys, 109 people (66%) were very interested, in achieving a "...state of grace" in harmony with people and the environment around them. Forty-two (30%) were somewhat interested, while only ten (6%) were not interested, and two chose not to respond.
     With the overwhelming positive response to this one question, it tells us 1) what a large portion of the congregation is seeking (or perhaps missing); 2) a possible topic for Vision/Mission Day; 3) and a good question to ask minister-candidates: How would you help members achieve "...a state of grace?"
     The ministerial search committee wishes to thank the 125 members, the 37 friends, and the one person who wasn't sure, for their time and commitment in completing a survey. The information is extraordinarily valuable in guiding the direction of the fellowship and finding a new minister. 

                      Leif Bentsen, Ministerial Search Committee     

KUUF & UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rainbow World
A Column on the issues of Racism, Diversity and Multiculturalism
Provided by the KUUF Anti-Racism Committee

Change is Good
By Robin Carson, ARC Member

     Looking back at a beautiful summer and amidst the autumn, I have thoughts of change. Leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground. In fact, I watched with childhood delight as one spun from its branch to the ground on one of my drives to the Fellowship. Warmth is succumbing to the chill of shorter, wet, sunless days. Several years ago, I recall myself chanting, "Change is good." Obviously, it is part of nature, bringing needed transitions. Change is good. We can so easily settle into a routine, the comfort of sameness, and that is okay, except that it isn't always healthy or conducive to positive growth. I have made a lot of changes in my life in the past couple of years. In fact, in the past couple of months, I have made some colorful changes by painting my workroom red and my bedroom purple. Color has entered my house and is going to spread itself all over like a renegade rainbow, by the end of next summer.
     Change is good, but we can be extremely resistant to it. After all, change can be scary. But familiarity can sometimes lull us to sleep. We tend to shop at the same stores, wear the same brands, drive the same routes and eat the same food. As I look back at October I see that I made some small changes but that each time I did, I felt more empowered and that is a wonderfully indescribable feeling. I am ablaze with more ideas for change and excited to move forward through uncharted territories. 
     One change that did not occur was that just as each year has, October brought with it Columbus Day. I started learning the truth about Columbus about 15 years ago. I still have the images of black and white drawings of Native Americans bleeding to death from having their hands chopped off for not bringing Columbus enough gold and the echoes of how Columbus was lost to begin with. And with each year that passes, I cannot help but think that change seems to be so difficult, even when it makes so much sense. In the beginning of the '90s, I spoke with some groups of educators about many multicultural issues and during a discussion about Columbus one of my son's teachers told me that she teaches both perspectives. She could not let go of what she was taught and had in turn, taught for years about Columbus, even though she was horrified to learn of the atrocities he committed.
     This year, Columbus Day crept up on me while I wasn't paying attention. If it were not for my son being out of school and having no mail delivery that day, it would have passed by me without notice. And that is not okay, not because I wanted to celebrate, but because I scratch my head and wonder how we can still recognize a holiday when we have learned of the atrocities committed by that bloodthirsty, slave-trading, gold-greedy, geographically lost man. 
     So I say again, change is good. Why can't we change? New calendars are printed every year. If we must have that day off, and don't get me wrong, I can appreciate a day off (even though I am a contracted employee with NO paid holidays, sick days or benefits of any kind). And since we already expect that day off, can't we celebrate something else? How about "Sit down and Relax Day" or "Do Something Nice for Someone Else Day?" I've got an idea, why don't we celebrate a woman? There are no national holidays in this country that celebrate a single woman...just a hunch, but I'm thinking that if we put our heads together, we can come up with at least one woman worthy of being celebrated.
     The United States honors two men with federal holidays bearing their names. In January we commemorate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who struggled against the injustices of racial prejudice and to cut the remaining bonds of slavery in America. In October, we honor Christopher Columbus, who opened the Atlantic slave trade and commenced one of the most hideous floods of genocide known in history. 
     Change is good and it is time to get rid of Columbus Day and celebrate something that matters. While I am on the subject and this is the month of November, can we talk about rethinking Thanksgiving? Those ridiculous grinning Pilgrims and Indians amidst happy turkeys is another holiday that covers the genocide of Native Americans with cheerful decorations. I treasure the day of celebrating being able to sit down within a warm and sound shelter and being able to eat good food with people I care about and love. That is what most of us actually do, celebrate how thankful we are for all we have. So, let's acknowledge what we should not be celebrating and honor what is positive and meaningful. 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 
NOVEMBER 2003  

Children’s RE

“Our Whole Lives”
OWL is a sexuality education program created by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ's Board for Homeland Ministries.
     The goal of Our Whole Lives is to create a positive and comprehensive lifespan educational program that helps participants gain the knowledge, values, and skills to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives.
Junior High OWL will be starting this month. Kaela and Shawn Ultican will be facilitating this 27-week course. They have participated in a three-day training and have hosted the parent orientation. Thank you, Kaela and Shawn, for your commitment.
High School OWL will also be taught this year. Ed Ramey and Jenny Aunan will be attending a facilitator training in January. More information to come.

Conferences
     Our Fellowship, with 10 middle schoolers, had more Middle Schoolers attend the fall middle school conference on Vashon Island than any other Fellowship in the Puget Sound area. 
     We also had 10 members of the Fellowship youth group attend the Fall High School Con in Lincoln City, Oregon. Thank you Suzanne Rowley, Eugene Brennan, Jenny Aunan and Jim Chapin for being chaperones to these events.

New RE Assistant
     Jenell DeMatteo is the newest member to the KUUF staff. She brings with her much experience working with non-profit organizations and will be a great asset to our Fellowship.

Mystery Guest
     Were you here to see Henry David Thoreau? Who will be the next mystery guest? Come to the service on November 16th to find out.

Mystery Guest, History
     To help our congregation learn more about Unitarian Universalists and our own congregations history we have mystery guests and KUUF history as the focus during Worship for All Ages two Sundays a month. If you are interested in being a mystery guest or in sharing a piece of KUUF history with the congregation, please contact Melinda Hughes, DRE, at 377-4724 and we'll put you on the schedule.

Adult RE

     The Adult RE Committee is sponsoring a program entitled "Articulating Your UU Faith". Have you ever asked the question "What do I tell people when they ask me about my religion?" This course is designed to help UUs speak more effectively about our liberal religion. 
     The focus of the program is on "articulation" - practicing how and what to say in various settings in which you are called upon to explain your religion or illuminate some angle in this liberal religious movement that has touched and changed so many lives for the better. Such moments are precious opportunities to deepen your own path and perhaps grow a happy awareness in someone else about this rich "living tradition". Yet many of us struggle to describe our religion adequately to others. This course will provide inspiration, tools, and resources, plus an opportunity for meaningful connection to fellow UUs.
     This is a five session course that is scheduled from 7:00pm-9:30pm on the following dates: January 12, 19, 26, February 2, and 9, 2004.  There will be sign up sheets in the foyer. If this sounds like a course you have been waiting for, sign up soon, as enrollment is limited. 
     This is the first of a number of courses the Adult RE Committee is planning. In the near future we will be surveying the members of the fellowship about their needs and interests for this programming. However, if you have suggestions for courses, or questions, please call or email Susan Dearth, Adult RE Committee Chair.

New KUUF Directories
Brand new KUUF photo directories are available at KUUF this month, with information as up to date as we could get it, and a layout as user-friendly as we could design it. There's a copy for every KUUF member and active friend listed therein. Welcoming & Membership committee folks will have yours warmly in hand for you on Sunday mornings between services. 

The Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship affirms and promotes the inherent worth and dignity of all persons, without regard to faith, creed, race, color, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, economic status, or political affiliation.

4418 Perry Ave NE
PO Box 2015
Bremerton, Washington
98310
360.377.4724
admin@kuuf.org

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