January 2007

In the Interim
Consulting Interim Minister Myron Andes

Happy New Year!

    As we break out the new calendars to start 2007, there is a lot that’s new for this church, and a lot to be happy about.

    The Search Committee is continuing their diligent work to find a new minister who is a good match for this congregation’s strengths and needs. They are right on schedule, and the process is unfolding in a promising manner.

    The rest of us are doing the good work of transition. In addition to the transition to a new minister, the church is at the point of a basic size transition: from Family Sized church to Pastoral Size church. More information on those models of how to be a church is available in the church entryway, beside the nametags.

    To help with those two transitions, the Board has created a Transition Team. David Granholm, Teri Rockwood, and Jan Steinmark will work with me, in coordination with the board, to help with key tasks in the transitions and to communicate with the members and friends of the church. More news will be forthcoming in future newsletters.

    Another thing to be happy about is that several people have expressed interest in becoming members of the church. There will be an Inquirers’ Class on Sunday, January 14, at 11:30. If you would like to learn more about this church, Unitarian Universalism and the meaning of membership, you are invited to attend. Attending the class does not in any way obligate you to join the church. It is for information and sharing our stories.

    For those who do want to become members of this religious community, there will be a Membership Recognition ceremony as part of the service on January 28. Please contact me or a Board member if you are interested.

    It is wonderful to experience the energy that is growing in this congregation. There are so many happy, new things going on! Thanks to all of you for your part in making them happen.

    And I want to let you know that I will be traveling a bit in January, taking a few days of vacation here and there and also attending the Heartland District Minister’s Retreat. So if you want to meet with me during regular office hours, please call first to schedule a time.

    A Happy, Blessed New Year to each and all!

Myron
Church phone: 812-474-1704
Mobile phone: 650-200-6803
myronandes@earthlink.net

Sunday Services

January 7: Praying With Our Hands
Guest speaker: Shelley Page
Consulting Interim Minister Myron Andes

Join us to explore embodied prayer traditions from across the globe and why these ancient techniques are so compelling. Enter the world of embodied  prayer, and discover its power in group worship and for your own personal spiritual practice.

Shelley Page is a third year Master of Divinity student at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA, where she is preparing for UU parish ministry.

January 14: Honoring Martin Luther King
Consulting Interim Minister Myron Andes
Worship Associate Teri Rockwood

January 21:
Guest speaker: Rev. Norm Stewart

The Rev. Norm Stewart is an experienced Unitarian Universalist minister based in Louisville, Kentucky.

January 28: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and New Member Recognition Sunday
Consulting Interim Minister Myron Andes
Worship Associate Jan Steinmark

We will welcome new members to the church and examine the social justice ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee around the world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING

    UUCE Board of Director's meets the first Monday of the month at 6:00 PM.  

DISCUSSION GROUP

    The UUCE discussion group meets at 9:00 a.m. on the first and third Sundays each month.  Copies of articles about the subjects we discuss can be found in a folder on the table in the lobby.  Please join us!

POTLUCK

Our next potluck will be on January 28, 2007.  Come join your fellow UU’s for good food and good conversation!

COFFEE

     Fair Exchange coffee order forms are available in the foyer or contact Chris Norrington at cnorrington@hotmail.com.  Please place your order by the 25^th of each month. Chocolate is once again available for purchase.  Bars are $2 each or order a case with your next coffee order!

PIDG

    The Pagan Interest Discussion Group meets the second Wednesday of every month, at 7 pm at the church.  This month we will be discussing the zodiac and how it impacts different aspects of our lives.  If you have any questions, please contact the group via uucepidg@hotmail.com.

MIDWEST LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

    MidWest Leadership School is designed to create an environment where leadership skills can be developed.  Through individual reflection and facilitated interaction with other UUs, it offers opportunities for personal, spiritual, and leadership growth.  MWLS is an intensive week of workshops, discussion groups, interactions, and fun.  The program includes UU history and theology, elements of worship, group and system dynamics, and developing sharing personal belief statements. 

    MWLS is held at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, from July 21-28, 2007 (Saturday-Saturday).  Some scholarship funds are available from MWLS and from the UUCE Yael Haffner Fund.  Brochures are available at church, or contact Jan Steinmark for more information.  If you have any questions, previous MWLS students also include Mollie Pharo, Nancy Higgs, Ann Hanat, and InSuk Granholm.

CONDOLENCES

    David Fentress’ grandfather passed away on December 20, 2006.  Our condolences and thoughts go to David and his family.

A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

By Charles Luecke

Framed           

     This letter is in response to Myron Andes’ sermon on Sunday December 10.  The sermon was about being “framed”, that is being perceived by others based upon their presumptions.

     I like being framed.  I like it because most UUs struggle to explain to others what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.  Being framed means you don’t have to explain.  And the fact that most people who have known a UU share a common perception means that their perception is probably true.

     I frequently hear of UUs being portrayed by others as intellectuals or as people who don’t accept the status quo.  I think we should accept their definition of us.  What else would so aptly describe why most of us found our way to a UU church? 

     UUs are on a journey and we know it.  Not only do we know it, we congregate with other UUs united by a covenant to honor and promote our mutual search for truth and meaning.  A covenant tempered and defined by our affirmation of seven principles.  These principles hold us accountable in our pursuit of a religious life.  They are principles born of multiple sources that encourage the individual diversity of our beliefs.

     It’s the search we have in common, because we have thought beyond the status quo.  Framed!!

Newsletter Editor: Beth Heil
February Newsletter info due to me by midnight January 20. Thanks.
email: uuceeditor@hotmail.com