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The Candle
December 2002
(plain text version)
Scintillations -- a column from your minister
There is one gift, more than any other in all the world, I
wish I could give you this holiday season. The gift of self-care.
The holidays bring so many obligations, so much rush and fuss
and doing - all of it colored by memories both lovely and sorrowful. It's
a powerful time, a magic time, a time of great light and grace. It's also
a time when many folks feel depressed, anxious, and perhaps even angry.
Imagine if we could move through the holiday season at a comfortable pace,
participating only in those family or personal rituals which feel truly
meaningful. Imagine if we could take the time to look deeply into the eyes
of those we love, to give ourselves fully to our gratitude for the people
and places that nurture and challenge us, to hold open our arms to embrace
life -- instead of feeling like it's all just a bit too much to cope with.
There is a peculiarly American mythos which says "more is
better," or "too much is good," or "I gotta have it all." This mythos
emerges as though on steroids at this time of year! Can we resist it? Yes,
we can!
Here is my encouragement to you.
Beginning as soon as you can, today, if possible, take at
least 15 minutes each day to do something gentle and generous for
yourself. It might be kindling the flame in a small chalice or a special
candle at your kitchen table or desk, and contemplating the flame. It
might be stepping outside, rain or shine, and looking up at the sky and
the trees. It might be reading your favorite holiday story out loud - to a
child, to your spouse or partner, to a friend - but especially to
yourself. You don't have to spend money to do this, but you do have to
take the time. I'd love to know other things you'd suggest for the "15
minutes of daily self-care," too. E-mail me, and if we collect quite a
few, we can make them available to the whole Fellowship.
Remember: you are loved, and taking care of yourself is an
affirmation of that love.
And speaking of love, I'd like to take a moment to express my love for and
gratitude to Bonnie Becke. I've had the good fortune to work with Bonnie
in our Fellowship office for five years, and her skills, caring and
presence have been a great gift. She brought us up to date in our office
technology and processes, and was the author of more useful innovations
and ideas than I could possibly list here. Bonnie will be leaving our
office staff on December 15, and we will miss her. But she will still be
here with us at KUUF, never fear. We can look forward to seeing her on
Sunday mornings! Bonnie has asked that we not have a celebration for her,
but I know she would appreciate hearing from you if you'd like to contact
her.
Many blessings to you this holiday season.
With love,
Suzelle
Rev. Suzelle Lynch, Minister
minister@kuuf.org
DECEMBER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES AND OTHER EVENTS
Sunday, December 1, 2002 - 9 and 11 a.m. The Rev. Suzelle Lynch, "Why I
Love Jesus." The sermon title is self-explanatory, but expect some
mystery, too. The KUUF Choir sings for the second service today.
Sunday, December 1, 2002, Evening - World AIDS Day event. Contact Rev.
Suzelle Lynch for more information (360) 377-4724.
Saturday, December 7, 2002 -- 6 p.m. Holiday Decorating Party for adults,
youth and children. Bring finger foods for dinner/dessert and your choice
of beverage. Jeanette Schanilec will bring a craft project and Sally
Richardson, Fun and Frolic Chair, will bring lots of holiday music. And
remember, everybody's on the clean-up team! This is a family event, so no
childcare is provided -- for more information, contact Sally Richardson.
Sunday, December 8, 2002 - 9 and 11 a.m. Pulpit Guest the Rev. Linda Hart,
"Small Holiness in Braver Things" Beginning with a poem by William Carlos
Williams, this service will reflect on the small moments of wonder and
mystery in our lives. Linda Hart is the new minister of the Rainier Valley
UU Congregation in Seattle. The KUUF Choir sings for the first service
today.
Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 9 and 11 a.m. Participatory Nativity - Our
Traditional Intergenerational Service. Rev. Suzelle Lynch, Melinda Hughes,
Director of Religious Education; and YOU! Come and join with us as we
create a tableau of the Nativity Story in our own special UU way. Plan on
a joyous, meaningful time with lots of singing and even some silliness.
Don't forget to bring back your UUSC Guest at Your Table Boxes Today!
Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 6 p.m. KUUF Winter Solstice Service It's
time to light the Yule Log. Our Yule/Solstice service will celebrate the
returning of the sun and will include desserts and beverages. Please feel
free to bring your own favorite dessert to this holiday celebration. Come
sing the sun back into the sky with us this Yule. Hosted by the Earth
Based Discussion Group. For more information contact John Younie.
Sunday, December 22, 2002 - 9 and 11 a.m. A Holiday Celebration in Song
and Story. Come join the KUUF Choir and other musicians and singers plus
the Rev. Suzelle Lynch for this annual mostly-music service in celebration
of the winter holidays. The KUUF Choir sings for both services today.
Sunday, December 29, 2002 - ONE SERVICE ONLY AT 10 a.m. - New Year's
Burning Ritual with Rev. Suzelle Lynch. Our annual tradition of releasing
the old year and preparing to step over the threshold into the New Year.
Come and enjoy the beauty and deep spirit of this service. The KUUF Choir
sings today.
HOLIDAY HELPERS
One of our KUUF traditions is that of offering confidential holiday
support to our members and friends who have a need. If you or someone you
know at KUUF could use a bit of financial assistance in creating happy
holidays for themselves or their family, please let Rev. Suzelle Lynch
know by calling the office (360) 377-4724. The voice mail is confidential
and available 24 hours a day. You may also e-mail Suzelle at minister@kuuf.org
If you are someone who might like to make a special financial contribution
to help aid folks from the Fellowship who have holiday needs, please let
Suzelle know, or simply write a check to KUUF, with "Holiday Helpers" on
the memo line.
We're grateful for the many ways our members and friends care for and
support one another.
KUUF Wants YOU!!!!!
Do you have ideas about ways to make KUUF a better place? Do you feel that
it is time for you to get more involved? The Nominating Committee is
looking for a few good volunteers to serve three year terms on the Board
of Trustees. The Board works with Rev.Suzelle Lynch to set goals, develop
budgets, and monitor the work of the congregation. The rewards are
endless, including a better understanding of the workings of the
Fellowship AND special nametags!
The Nominating Committee is beginning to compile a list of potential
candidates to be presented to the next annual meeting. If you feel that
you may be ready to serve, please contact Sandra Coates.
WELCOME TO KUUF'S NEWEST MEMBERS
Gail and Phillip Davis joined KUUF on November 11. Phil is a high school
teacher at the Spectrum Community School in North Kitsap and Gail is
Director of Education for One Big School, an international educational
organization that takes American and Canadian teachers to Korea to teach
intensive English-language courses to Korean students. The Davises live in
Bremerton, and have three young adult children. They came to KUUF a few
times three or four years ago, and returned during the sabbatical last
Spring. They enjoy the community feeling here, our focus on diversity in
all its many forms, and the absence of religious dogma. They recently took
the New UU Workshop, and Gail appreciated what she learned there about
Universalism. Phil and Gail are dedicated to education and to the students
they have worked with, including many exchange students. Welcome Phillip
and Gail!
Wanda Dawson became a member of the Fellowship on November 11. She came to
KUUF last Spring with her sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Phil Davis,
in part, she says, because every time she looked at the newspaper, she saw
that Unitarian Universalists were involved in all of the events and causes
she believes in. Wanda works at Swedish Hospital, assisting the Vice
President of Nursing, and has two young adult sons and one grandchild. One
of her sons is an accomplished musician who leads a band in Seattle -
Wanda also is a musical person who enjoys singing. She also enjoys the
diversity of beliefs and the sense of community she has found here at KUUF.
Welcome, Wanda
NEW CANCER SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS TO CONTINUE
The next meeting of the Cancer Support Group will be December 15th after
the 11:00 service in the Elmore Room at the Fellowship. The group is now
organized and is set up to reach out to our membership who may have cancer
either individually or in their families. In our first meetings we
discussed the need for this group to give and receive support amongst
ourselves and others in our Fellowship who have been been diagnosed or
will be diagnosed with cancer. If you have questions or would like more
information, please contact Ann Lovell or Vivien Galitzki.
SPIRITUAL BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
The KUUF Spiritual Book Discussion Group will meet at 1:30 on Wednesday,
Dec. 11 at the home of Lois McAllister, 3018 Parklane Dr, Bremerton. Come
and join the discussion of Thom Hartmann's book, The Prophet's Way,
Touching The Power of Life. Contact Bob Trainer.
MEN'S BOOK CLUB
The Men's Book Club will be meeting Dec. 18 at 7 pm at Eric Samson's home
to discuss "What If? The World's Foremost Military Historian Imagine What
Might Have Been" a collection of essays edited by Robert Cowley and
Stephen Ambrose. Call Jim Chapin for more information.
WOMEN WHO LOVE TO READ
The Women Who Love to Read Book Club regular meetings are now on 4th
Monday. The next meeting is Dec. 16 at Joy Ramey's home at 6:30 with a
discussion of John Burnham Schwartz's Reservation Road led by Marianne
Bergeron and Jana Sanders. Every one brings finger food for a simple
potluck to all meetings. Women members and friends of the Fellowship can
contact Joy Ramey for information and for directions.
PARTNER CHURCH NEWS HOLIDAY GREETINGS: The Partner Church Committee would
like to thank the 36 people who sent greetings to our partner church in
Recsenyéd, Romania. We are sure that your messages will help to make the
holidays brighter for our friends in the village. They will appreciate
knowing that we were thinking of them. If anyone else would like to send
greetings to our Unitarian partners, please contact Barbara Mades for
mailing instructions.
TRIP TO TRANSYLVANIA: There is still room for travelers to Transylvania.
Tentatively, we are planning to travel in September 2003. We are hoping to
use the Partner Church Van Tours, which will give us the capacity for 14
people. Each van will take 7 travelers. As soon as we have 8 travelers, we
will get the second van. As of this writing, we have 6 seriously
interested travelers.
Don't miss this opportunity to meet some of the kindest, warmest people
around. This trip, or as some travelers call it "this pilgrimage", will
mean you that you will get to explore our Unitarian roots and see sites of
Unitarian history. In addition, we can arrange for interesting
experiences, such as a ride in a hay wagon pulled by a couple of horses
from village to village. And, of course, if you wish you can spend your
evenings in Recsenyéd literally watching the cows come home! Contact:
Linda Gabriel or Barbara Mades.
PARTNER CHURCH COUNCIL, ETC.: Interested in learning more about the
Partner Church Council, of which KUUF is a member? If you have Internet
services, you can find a great deal of information at http://www.uua.org/uupcc/index.html.
In addition to information about the council, you'll be able to read about
others' journeys to Transylvania and view websites of other Unitarian
churches who have a partner. You can learn more about tours in
Transylvania, find some RE resources, and see a variety of other partner
church related topics. Contact: Barbara Mades.
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
2002-2003 Board President Susan Weinstein
November's Board meeting, perhaps paralleling my own personal Challenges
with this season of darkening days, was somewhat - between
discombobulating and bumpy. We worried about money, struggled with some
issues related to groups wanting to raise money after services, endorsed
some 'good works', and worried about snow coming on January 11th (the day
Rev. Anne Heller is meeting with the Board, program Staff, Committee on
Ministry, Building Long Range Planning Committee, and the Church Council).
OK. I expressed my worry about snow. I also forgot my Board notebook. I
did remember my watch but (falsely) assumed that I could manage timely
discussions. Usually Claire Favro (a non-watch wearer) takes mine and as
appropriate informs us what the time is and/or how much time we've spent
on a particular item. I didn't do such a good job at November's meeting,
so you're reappointed for December's meeting, Claire!
The current major issue for the Board really came several days after our
official meeting. This was receiving notice from Bonnie Becke, our
long-time office administrator who also worked as our sabbatical
coordinator. Bonnie plans to leave her position, effective December 15th.
Bonnie loves the Fellowship (and we her); and she says it's time for a
change. She looks forward to being a 'regular' member and pursuing
interests that have been put on hold because of her job with us. She has
given her heart and soul to her job; that she's a multi-tasker, logical
thinker and incredible organizer besides being a genuinely kind and loving
person has been to KUUF's great great benefit. So when we know she's not
leaving, it's a bit easier to say goodbye. Our heart-felt appreciation and
gratitude to you, Bonnie, for doing so very much for all of us and for our
KUUF community. (It's goodbye to Bonnie-in-the-Office).
Bonnie has been working with Rev.Suzelle Lynch on spelling out the
particular Duties and tasks that are required for the position. The Board
members who are involved in personnel matters are Jim Brophy, Paul Flemm,
and Frank Seehale. They will be directly involved in interviews for this
position.
It's possible that we will have a new member of our office team shortly
after you've received this issue of The Candle.
Susan
TREASURER'S REPORT
As of November 15, pledge donations received since May 1 totalled
$81,056., falling $3482. short of the budgeted amount of $84,539. However,
prior to the quarterly pledge reports being sent out at the end of
October, donations were more than $7200. under the budgeted amount, so a
shortfall of $3482. almost (but not quite) seems like good news. A big
thank you to all who responded and brought pledges up-to-date. It is
vitally important for us to maintain a reliable income to pay those pesky
monthly bills, such as staff salaries, utilities, taxes and other
necessities. If you have not yet brought your pledged donation up-to-date,
please try to do so now. However, if your circumstances are such that you
need to change your pledge, please let us know by phoning Bonnie in the
Fellowship office (360-377-4724). The job of managing the Fellowship is
made harder by uncertainty about income, so everyone involved in doing
that, from the Board on down, will sleep better if we know what to expect
financially. Thank you for your help in maintaining good communication and
material support, because we really are all in this together.
Darlene Johnsrude, Treasurer
WORLD AIDS DAY
World AIDS Day is commemorated around the globe on 1st December with news
and events to highlight progress made in the battle against the epidemic
-but at the same time reminding people how much still needs to be done.
This year the National AIDS Trust is running a campaign against HIV
prejudice - the discrimination people with HIV can face on a daily basis.
HIV remains a highly stigmatized condition. HIV related discrimination is
widespread. Prejudice starts with acts like not looking someone in the eye
or deliberately avoiding someone who's HIV positive are where the
prejudice starts. When everyone's behaving like that, HIV positive people
soon become isolated, ostracized and abused. Or even disowned.
Discrimination affects the quality of life of people with HIV and makes
care and prevention efforts more difficult as people are alienated from
testing, treatment and prevention services. It can also lead to people
with HIV losing their friends, jobs, families and homes.
The Red Ribbon
The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of AIDS awareness; a symbol of
respect for those who have died of AIDS, of concern for those living with
it, and reminder to us all of the constant need to keep up the fight
against AIDS. It's a symbol of how great achievements begin with small
actions. The Red Ribbon came into being 11 years ago as the idea of a
small HIV charity, Visual AIDS, in New York. Now, it's recognized the
world over as the symbol of AIDS awareness. But that's only because the
people who wear it - people like you - show their support through speaking
up and taking action on HIV and AIDS. The Red Ribbon. It's your first step
in the fight against AIDS.
Some Facts:
* People newly infected with HIV in 2001: 5 million
* AIDS deaths in 2001: 3 million...that's over 8,000 deaths per day
* Estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2001: 40
million
* Total of AIDS deaths at the end of 2000: 21.8 million
* Total number of AIDS orphans: 13.2 million (Source:UNAIDS)
Make a Difference
Whatever you do for World AIDS Day, someone's life will be different
because of it. You can find out more about HIV, challenge HIV prejudice,
make a donation to the Kitsap County HIV/AIDS Foundation, or by helping
out at an event.
For more information go to: http://www.worldaidsday.org
KUUF, in cooperation with the Kitsap County HIV/AIDS Foundation, PFLAG and
OUTKITSAP will host a World AIDS Day Service the evening of December 1st.
Watch the announcements, e-mail and the December Candle for more
information.
YOU CAN HELP THE LEARNING TREE DAYCARE
The Learning Tree Preschool/Daycare Center located at 4414 Perry Ave (at
the top of the hill where our RE classes are held) is seeking volunteers
to assist in researching and writing grants. The Learning Tree is a
Nonprofit Organization whose mission is to support the families of Kitsap
County by providing care for children during regular and nontraditional
hours for working parents. If you are interested in learning more about
this opportunity, please contact Guy Frindell, Learning Tree Board
President.
A NEW ADULT AND YOUTH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COURSE
CREATING A JUST ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
1st and 3rd Mondays starting Jan. 20 from 7-9 pm here at KUUF
The purpose of this 6 session curriculum is to explore the subject of
economic justice, democracy and globalization and relate these topics to
the UU principles. This curriculum will help us develop common
understandings about the importance of economic justice. Participants will
have the opportunity to share thoughts and discuss reading material
related to each week's theme. Facilitated by the Social Concerns
Committee. The sessions begin in January. For more info. call Rich Renner
or Diane Haas.
SESSION DETAILS
Session I: Economic Justice as a Spiritual Practice
GOAL: To explore the spiritual basis of economic justice work and to
consider ways individual economic backgrounds and experiences influence
the ways we approach this work.
Session II: Working Family Agenda
GOAL: To develop an understanding of basic building blocks of economic
justice and to encourage community networking around these issues. This
session uses a popular education game to build a much deeper understanding
of the roots of poverty and Inequality.
Session III: Building Alliances for Social Change
GOAL: To identify allies in the work for economic justice and prepare to
build effective working relationships to promote justice and equity in our
economic systems.
Session IV: Making Democracy Work
GOAL: To explore roadblocks to democratic decision-making, with a special
look at how the current monopoly of the media by corporate interests
influences public policy.
Session V: Understanding the Challenges of Globalization
GOAL: To raise awareness of the impact of globalization on all our lives
and the need to establish economic systems that distribute wealth and
power more equitably while protecting the environment.
Session VI: The Prophetic Imperative
GOAL: To envision a just economic community and consider ways to
participate in implementing specific aspects of that vision.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
RE Calendar for December
December 1st YAC meeting 9:00
December 15th
Return Guest at Your Table Boxes
Intergenerational Christmas Service
No RE today, childcare will be provided for children crawling through age
4.
RE Committee Meeting 12:30
December 22nd
Winter Workshop Craft Day
Today all children preschool-5th grade will be participating in a winter
craft workshop while middle school and high school aged youth remain in
the sanctuary for the annual music service.
December 29th
Game Day
Today all children preschool-high school will be participating in a game
day.
Volunteer Opportunities
* Teach a craft at our annual craft day on December 22nd.
* Bring your favorite board game to share with the children and youth of
our Fellowship on December 29th.
* Be the second adult in the Toddler room any Sunday. Volunteers are need
for both services.
Some Reminders
* RE classes last until 12:30, please do not pick up your child early, if
you must please make arrangements with the teacher so that the class is
not disturbed during their worship time.
* Visitors to RE classes need to fill out a visitor form; this can be
obtained at the greeter table, from Melinda, or from any teacher.
* If you have not yet paid your snack donation please do so; this is the
fund that snacks are purchased with. If you would like a snack
"scholarship" please contact Melinda.
Youth Adult Committee (YAC)
Youth Members
Drew Campbell-Chair
Mariam Akgar-Vice Chair
Cody Oakes- Co-Treasure
Michelle Thompson- Co-Treasurer
Adult Members
Jim Chapin-Youth Advisor
Eric Samson-Congregation Member
Thomas Oliver-Youth Parent
Claire Favro-Board Member
Kelsey Campbell-At Large Youth
Religious Education Committee
Jennifer Aunan Jenny Morgan Denise DeLaCruz Jen Gerstel
Lynn Grellner Selene Paterson Laura Swalley Steve Swanson
Want to Know More?
If you want to find out more about our Religious Education Program for
Children and Youth, or if you're interested in getting involved, please
contact Melinda L. Hughes, Director of Religious Education at 360-377-4724
or dre@kuuf.org.
RAINBOW WORLD
- A Column on issues of Racism, Diversity and Multiculturalism
The Value of Diversity. On November 3, our Anti-Racism Committee and I
offered a worship service called, "The Value of Diversity." But really, in
the sermon, I asked you whether we at KUUF do, indeed, value diversity.
My answer to that question was yes. We do value diversity.
The evidence, for me, is primarily in the large numbers of KUUF members
and friends who have participated in the trainings, workshops, and events
our Anti-Racism Committee has offered, and in the generous and courageous
sharing members of that committee have done in worship services over the
past few years. But it's also in quieter moments, in the words I hear from
people who are in multiracial families, or from folks who are Latino or
Latina, African-American, Asian-American, Native American in our
congregation and our wider community. It's clear that we consider
anti-racism work, and learning how to be a multicultural church, to be
part of the work we do on an ongoing basis. It's part of our spiritual
practice as a congregation.
What I did not say in the sermon, though, is what I believe
is the value of diversity. We are coming, more and more, to value
diversity - but why? What's so good about it?
Maybe it doesn't need to be said. Maybe it's too obvious. But those of you
who were here when KUUF members and friends progressed through the
Welcoming Congregation training, which helped us become open and affirming
of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, learned that even those
things that seem obvious are useful to look at more closely when it comes
to putting our values into action.
The value of diversity. Most of us know that biodiversity is
the basis for long-term survival in all species. Some of us know that
studies in complex systems and chaos theory support the value of
diversity. Many of us learned in high school or college science courses
that without diversity in the gene pool -- of plants, animals, or humans
-- survival and health would be threatened. And so we come to understand
that diversity at all levels is valuable, especially at the human level,
assuming that these differences are accepted -- not denied, defended
against or minimized, but affirmed, understood, and taken into account as
an integral part of the greater whole.
At the human level, diversity means a richness of ideas,
traditions, and understandings. It's a richness that can be threatening,
or invigorating - and is inherently challenging. One of the great things
about diversity is that it requires us to stretch, to grow, to learn - to
integrate into our conscious awareness a larger wholeness. Diversity
enriches our lives even as it means we must slow down, question our usual
assumptions about "the way things are," and probably to change those
assumptions forever.
Diversity also means that as we begin to understand the
different ways of being of people around us - their ways of acting that
are culture- or identity-based, we also begin to know our own culture and
our own identity better. We come to understand that the way we do things,
"the way things are" for us as individuals and as Unitarian Universalists
are not somehow culture-neutral. They come from a particular cultural
context. We also begin to understand that valuing diversity means that we
may have to make changes in our culture (in the way we do things) if our
congregation intends to reflect the growing multiculturalism of our wider
community. And so diversity means learning to listen differently, learning
to act differently, becoming more aware, more sensitive, more open.
And if you ask me, that's why we're here - not just as
members and friends of this Fellowship, but as human beings. We're here to
grow in consciousness, in love, in spirit, in wholeness. And so we value
diversity, we work against racism, we open ourselves to the possibilities
of our multicultural world. What a blessing!
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.
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 4418 Perry Ave NE
PO Box 2015
Bremerton, Washington
98310
360.377.4724
admin@kuuf.org
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