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"Love
is the spirit of this church and service its law"
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March 2006 Sermon
Schedule: MINISTER’S MUSINGS Although it may come as a surprise to our visitors that I will be leaving my position as minister of UUCE at the end of June. I hope this isn’t the first time you are hearing this news. If you weren’t in church on Feb. 12th you may want to check out that days sermon which was put up on our website It explains a bit about my decision and what the next steps are for the congregation. As the person who has been your minister and cares about this congregation I find myself wanting to give you advice, wanting to take you through a discernment process, wanting to set things in place for next year, but that is not my work to do. It will not serve you well if I try to direct how you will be without me and so my minister’s guidelines spell out that I cannot advise you on an interim or your search process. In the months to come you will have trained District/UUA staff lead you through those processes. If it feels like I am not leading – it is because my leadership is changing focus. It is no longer about putting a plan in place for next year (which would be my normal spring work) but rather it is to lay the groundwork for your new work together. I will preach, I will teach and I will do lots of visiting so that we have time to talk. My ministry now is a ministry of leaving. We will laugh and we will cry and you can tell me whatever it is you need to say. As difficult as this may be – I look forward to serving you in this one last way. Blessings, Julie ANNUAL PLEDGE DRIVE Dear Unitarian Universalist congregation, the annual Pledge Drive is just around the corner. The pledge drive theme for this year is 'We Can See Clearly Now.' The pledge drive will begin in late April; however, as we move into March and then into April you will begin to hear and SEE more about what will be an enthusiastic, exciting, and fun funding campaign. The church is changing, and the pledge drive is one of the easiest and most important ways that you, UU members, friends, and acquaintances can ensure the strong growth and rich vitality of our meeting place. We Can See Clearly Now!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT The word “Ekklèsia” was born in Athens. Next to the Acropolis was a hill where the citizenry participated in open-air debates and voted on the many things that affected their lives. This assembly was Ekklèsia. The word reemerges in the New Testament and is used to mean “church”. We have found ourselves at a point in our church lives for all of us to practice the Greek version of Ekklèsia. Let the board members know your thoughts. Julia’s contribution to us and our church will be felt for many years. It will not be easy for anyone to fill the shoes she is vacating. The board met with Lisa Presley, the Heartland District’s Interim Director, on the 27th of last month. That meeting was to start our journey of finding our next minister. Julia has recommended that we consider hiring an interim minister. There is a cadre of interim ministers whose purpose is to come to church families like ours for a year, in a way paving a road for our next “Julia”. Yours truly, Ben Sizemore A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BOARD MINUTES The complete minutes of the board are available at the church. This is just a brief overview of what your board has been up to. -David is beginning work on next year’s budget -Pledge Drive dinner to be held on April 22 -Discussion continued on the Chalice House issue -Budget is running over due to increases in heating, etc -Safe Congregation policy was discussed -Habitat For Humanity has asked to speak to the congregation- the board approved this -Planned Parenthood has asked to use the church for a fund raiser- this was approved -There was a discussion on committees and the need to develop them better -Welcoming Committee reported on their work -Work continues on formation of a newsletter policy -The member list was approved for this year -Julie announced her resignation ANNOUNCEMENTS Parent’s Group Potluck followed by discussion. We will meet at 11:30 on Mar. 12. Newcomers always welcome. Parents and children eat together and then kid’s go off to play (childcare provided) and adults spend an hour on that days theme. We will be meeting on the second Sunday of every month. CAJE update We are anticipating that the next CAJE action will take place on Mon. March 13 – so save that date. registration will begin at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7pm. The action will be held at the C K Newsome Center. Evensong will begin in March. This is an eight week session of deep listening. People who participate usually rate it a great experience. Topics will include story, prayer, fear, generosity, hospitality, being alive, and beliefs. Both newcomers to evensong and previous participants are welcome to join one of two groups. Please leave a message on church phone (474-1704) to register - all are welcome to sign up but the groups will be limited in number and closed once we start. Group 1 will meet on Wed evenings (March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26 & May 3) from 6:30 – 8pm. Group 2 will meet on Thurs. (March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 26, & May 4) from 10-11:30) Church of the Larger Fellowship is a UU organization created to serve UU’s far and wide. They are an online UU church for UU’s who don’t have a church nearby. This spring they are offering online courses open to all UU’s The 3 courses will be: “Our Way of Spirit” will start March 6 for 6 weeks – it will foster dialog about UU history and beliefs and participants beliefs. “This I Believe” will start Apr. 26th for 6 weeks and will use creative writing exercises and story-telling to help participants articulate what they believe. “Children’s Literature” will start in July and run 8 weeks. It will explore some children’s picture books and their meanings and uses in our lives and UU faith. Family participation is encouraged. Go to www.clfuu.org to learn more or register. UU DISCUSSION GROUP The UUCE discussion group is tentatively scheduled to meet on Sunday, March 5 and Sunday, March 19 at 9:00 am. We are a great group and welcome any and all interested individuals. We usually discuss, for an hour, a short article, or even just a broad question. We are currently encouraging UUCE members, friends, and visitors to submit ideas or article citations that they would like us to discuss. If you have any questions about the UUCE discussion
group or if you want to submit a short piece, or an important question for the group to chew on, please contact Chernoh Sesay Jr. at sesayjr@sigecom.net. Hope to see you Sunday mornings!
UUCE Is Moving Into The 21ST Century! If you would like to help cut down on paper and printing costs by receiving the Compass via email and not snail mail please sign up on the sheet in the lobby. See Chris Norrington for more information. Coffee & Chocolate Fair Exchange coffee and chocolate bar order forms are available in the foyer or contact Chris Norrington at cnorrington@hotmail.com. Please place your order by the 25th of each month. PIDG The Pagan Interest Discussion Group meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the church. This month we will be discussing Ostara and decorating eggs to celebrate. All are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Talley at xgj36@hotmail.com. UUCE Birthdays!
Xavier Kreiger’s birthday is March 13th Nominating Committee Election President Elect Lincoln Christensen called the meeting to order at 11:30am. A quorum was established with 22 members present. Lincoln made the motion to forego the reading of the last Congregational Meeting and it passed unanimously. The following members were nominated to be on the Nominating Committee:
Dennis
Brandewie Ed Howard made the motion to accept the aforementioned members on the committee. Ben Sizemore seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Beth Heil made the motion to adjourned and it passed at 11:45am Need More Money? Are you 55 or older? If you are, you may qualify for an income earning assignment that can help you learn new skills. The AARP Foundation’s Senior Community Service Employment Program helps older job seekers obtain the skills, training and work experience needed to compete in the workforce today. This is a free Department of Labor program offered as a community service for those seeking part-time or full-time work. If you are eligible, AARP Foundation Senior Employment can immediately place you in a temporary training position – typically 20 hours a week earning minimum wage. Interested job seekers please call AARP Foundation Senior Employment in Evansville at (812) 422-3910. Should you have questions about this program, feel free to contact Dave Granholm. wUUrld’s 2006 WhaleCoast Alaska Five Alaskan UU fellowships are offering a $100 discount for reservations postmarked between February 20 and March 20 for summer 2006 UU eco-cultural programs. Limited space left. Programs include UU homestays and parties in Anchorage, Seward, Fairbanks, Juneau and Sitka, visits with with Tlingit, Inupiat and other Native Alaskans as well as wildlife tours to see whales, sea otters, sea lions, bears, moose, caribou, wolves, puffins and eagles and visit National Parks. Rev. Dick & Mary Weston-Jones, leaders. Details at www.wuurld.org, E-mail dick@wuurld.org, or phone 1-888, 998-8753 toll-free for a brochure. A Little Laughter, please… On a very cold, snowy Sunday in February, only the pastor and one farmer arrived at the village church. The pastor said, "Well, I guess we won't have a service today." The farmer replied: "Heck, if even only one cow shows up at feeding time, I feed it." So the pastor preached his entire sermon to the lone farmer. He preached passionately and LONG. When he was finished the farmer said, "Yes, Preacher, I would feed one cow if he were the only one to show up - but I wouldn't dump the entire load of hay on 'em!
Newsletter Editor: Beth Heil |
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